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Thesis (Ph.D. in Biochemistry) -- University of Colorado, 2006. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 118-126). Free to UCDHSC affiliates. Online version available via ProQuest Digital Dissertations;

Understanding the biological mechanisms of polymeric DNA delivery is essential to develop vehicles that perform optimally. In this work, the cellular internalization mechanisms of poly(glycoamidoamine) (PGAA) DNA delivery polymers were investigated. Polymer:DNA complexes interact with cell-surface glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) in a manner independent of electrostatic interactions. Desulfation and GAG removal leads to decreased uptake. Individual polyplexes appear to have differing affinities for specific GAGs, as polyplex dissociation occurs in a charge-independent manner, and may influence binding. Internalization occurs through close interactions with GAGs, as GAGs accumulate on polyplex surfaces, resulting in negatively-charged polyplexes and decompaction of intact polyplexes is observed upon interaction with GAG. PGAA polyplexes enter cells via a complex, multifaceted internalization route. Pharmacological inhibition of endocytosis and visualization by confocal microscopy reveal that internalization occurs primarily through an actin and dynamin-dependent mechanism. Caveolae/raft-mediated endocytosis appears to be the predominant internalization mechanism, with clathrin-mediated endocytosis also significantly involved. Internalization occurs to a smaller degree via macropinocytosis and direct membrane penetration. Caveolae-mediated, but not clathrin-mediated, internalization leads to transgene expression, suggesting a targeting opportunity based on uptake mechanisms. PEGylation of PGAA polyplexes was achieved to minimize polyplex aggregation in serum. Polyplex size increased in serum, but PEGylation prevented further polyplex growth over time compared to non-PEGylated polymers. Specific targeting of hepatocytes through end-modification of PEG with galactose was unsuccessful, likely due to inaccessibility of targeting groups. Further hepatocyte targeting efforts focused on malonate-based polymers with clickable linkages for facile linkage of targeting groups. Despite favorable surface presentation of galactose, receptor-specific internalization of polyplexes was unsuccessful, as competitive inhibition in HepG2 cells resulted in significant polyplex internalization derived from nonspecific membrane interactions. Chemical modification of vehicles allows systematic study of structure-function properties leading to efficient intracellular delivery. Increasing G4 molecular weight generally increases toxicity and decreases transgene expression in HeLa cells. Incorporating galactose into a lanthanide-chelating polymer facilitated efficient cellular internalization that was visualized by two-photon microscopy. Increased gene expression was observed that correlated to increasing galactose, suggesting that polymer degradation increases gene expression. Also studied were branched peptides targeted to HIV-1 TAR, which displayed high biocompatibility and favorable internalization profiles in mammalian cells. / Ph. D.

Previously, gp16, the ATPase protein of phi29 DNA packaging motor, was an enigma due to its tendency to form multiple oligomeric states. Recently we employed new methodologies to decipher both its stoichiometry and also the mechanism in which the protein functions to hydrolyze ATP and provide the driving force for DNA packaging. The oligomeric states were determined by biochemical and biophysical approaches. Contrary to many reported intriguing models of viral DNA packaging, it was found that phi29 DNA packaging motor permits the translocation of DNA unidirectionally and driven cooperatively by three rings of defined shape. The mechanism for the generation of force and the role of adenosine and phosphate in motor motion were demonstrated. It was concluded that phi29 genomic DNA is pushed to traverse the motor channel section by section with the aid of ATPase gp16, similar to the hexameric AAA+ family in the translocation of dsDNA. A new model of "Push through a One-way Valve" for the mechanism of viral DNA packaging motor was coined to describe the coordinated interaction among the hexameric packaging ATPase gp16 and the revolution mechanism of the dodecameric channel which serves as a control device to regulate the directional movement of dsDNA.

O HPV tem sido relacionado a diversos tipos de câncer, inclusive o cervical e o retinoblastoma. Este trabalho visa estudar a atividade viral pelo perfil clastogênico e expressão protéica em mulheres e crianças atendidas em Pernambuco. Amostras cervicais, de sangue periférico e retinoblastomas foram analisadas, sendo trinta e quatro mulheres e 7 crianças avaliadas. A detecção viral foi realizada por PCR e o HPV foi detectado em 29 mulheres (85,3%), com o tipo HPV-16 mais frequente. Através da imunoistoquímica e hibridização foi possível detectar o HPV em 6 crianças e as proteínas E1+E4, L1 e E6 foram evidenciadas nos tecidos em diversas regiões do olho, sugerindo atividade viral na amostra. Além disso, danos no material genético de mulheres com HPV foram envidenciados pelo ensaio cometa, sendo encontrada uma diferença estatística significante entre linfócitos em cultura de pacientes HPV-positivas comparadas àquelas HPV-negativas. Os dados trazem questionamentos sobre a presença de HPVs oncogênicos em tumores infantis e sua possível transmissão e mais evidências sobre os danos observados no DNA dos hospedeiros como consequência da presença e atividade virais. / HPV has been linked to several cancers, including cervical and retinoblastoma. This work aims at to verify the viral activity by clastogenic profile and protein expression in women and children served in Pernambuco. Cervical samples, retinoblastomas and peripheral blood were analyzed, being thirty-four women and 7 children evaluated. Viral detection was performed by PCR and HPV was detected in 29 women, being the most frequent HPV-16. Through hybridization and immunohistochemistry analysis was possible to detect HPV in 6 children and E1+E4, L1 and E6 proteins were highlighted in the tissues in various parts of the eye, suggesting viral activity in the sample. In addition, damage to the genetic material of women with HPV have been showed by the Comet assay and found a significant statistical difference between lymphocytes in culture of HPV-positive patients compared to those HPV-negative. The data bring questions about the presence of oncogenic HPV in tumors and its possible transmission and more evidence about the damage observed in the DNA of the host as a result of the presence and viral activity.

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Adenovirus (Ad) is a widely studied DNA virus, but the nucleoprotein structure of the viral genome in the cell is poorly characterized. Our objective is to study Ad DNA-protein associations and how these affect the viral life cycle. Most of the viral DNA condensing protein, protein VII, is lost within a few hours of infection and this loss is independent of transcription. Cellular histones associate with the viral DNA after removal of protein VII, with a preferential deposition of H3.3. Micrococcal nuclease accessibility assays at 6 hpi showed laddering of the viral DNA, suggesting the genome is wrapped in physiologically spaced nucleosomes. Although viral DNA continues to associate with H3.3 at late times of infection, the overall level of association with histones is greatly reduced. Knockdown of the H3.3 chaperone HIRA had no effect on the viral life cycle suggesting that other H3.3 chaperones are involved. Our studies have begun to elucidate the nucleoprotein structure of Ad DNA in the infected cell nucleus.

O HPV tem sido relacionado a diversos tipos de câncer, inclusive o cervical e o retinoblastoma. Este trabalho visa estudar a atividade viral pelo perfil clastogênico e expressão protéica em mulheres e crianças atendidas em Pernambuco. Amostras cervicais, de sangue periférico e retinoblastomas foram analisadas, sendo trinta e quatro mulheres e 7 crianças avaliadas. A detecção viral foi realizada por PCR e o HPV foi detectado em 29 mulheres (85,3%), com o tipo HPV-16 mais frequente. Através da imunoistoquímica e hibridização foi possível detectar o HPV em 6 crianças e as proteínas E1+E4, L1 e E6 foram evidenciadas nos tecidos em diversas regiões do olho, sugerindo atividade viral na amostra. Além disso, danos no material genético de mulheres com HPV foram envidenciados pelo ensaio cometa, sendo encontrada uma diferença estatística significante entre linfócitos em cultura de pacientes HPV-positivas comparadas àquelas HPV-negativas. Os dados trazem questionamentos sobre a presença de HPVs oncogênicos em tumores infantis e sua possível transmissão e mais evidências sobre os danos observados no DNA dos hospedeiros como consequência da presença e atividade virais. / HPV has been linked to several cancers, including cervical and retinoblastoma. This work aims at to verify the viral activity by clastogenic profile and protein expression in women and children served in Pernambuco. Cervical samples, retinoblastomas and peripheral blood were analyzed, being thirty-four women and 7 children evaluated. Viral detection was performed by PCR and HPV was detected in 29 women, being the most frequent HPV-16. Through hybridization and immunohistochemistry analysis was possible to detect HPV in 6 children and E1+E4, L1 and E6 proteins were highlighted in the tissues in various parts of the eye, suggesting viral activity in the sample. In addition, damage to the genetic material of women with HPV have been showed by the Comet assay and found a significant statistical difference between lymphocytes in culture of HPV-positive patients compared to those HPV-negative. The data bring questions about the presence of oncogenic HPV in tumors and its possible transmission and more evidence about the damage observed in the DNA of the host as a result of the presence and viral activity.

Adenovirus (Ad) is a widely studied DNA virus, but the nucleoprotein structure of the viral genome in the cell is poorly characterized. Our objective is to study Ad DNA-protein associations and how these affect the viral life cycle. Most of the viral DNA condensing protein, protein VII, is lost within a few hours of infection and this loss is independent of transcription. Cellular histones associate with the viral DNA after removal of protein VII, with a preferential deposition of H3.3. Micrococcal nuclease accessibility assays at 6 hpi showed laddering of the viral DNA, suggesting the genome is wrapped in physiologically spaced nucleosomes. Although viral DNA continues to associate with H3.3 at late times of infection, the overall level of association with histones is greatly reduced. Knockdown of the H3.3 chaperone HIRA had no effect on the viral life cycle suggesting that other H3.3 chaperones are involved. Our studies have begun to elucidate the nucleoprotein structure of Ad DNA in the infected cell nucleus.

No description available.