Hemocytes are important as storage and producers of proteins of the innate immune defence, as well as actors of the cellular immune response. Therefore the hematopoietic process is critical for survival of most invertebrates. In order to search for molecules of importance for hemocyte development in crayfish we investigated proteins in crayfish plasma, which were increased after microbial challenge. As a result we were able to identify, purify and characterize a new invertebrate cytokine named astakine, and could clearly show that this protein is important for hematopoietic development in vivo as well as in an in vitro cell culture system. Astakine contains a prokineticin (PK) domain shown for the first time in an invertebrate, however, unlike the vertebrate PKs, astakine binds to a cell surface F1 ATP synthase β subunit located on the hematopoietic tissue (hpt) cell membranes. Extracellular ATP synthases as receptors have earlier been reported in different vertebrate cells and here we show that extracellular ATP synthase β subunit acts as a receptor for an invertebrate cytokine and is involved in hematopoiesis. We also found two other groups of proteins, which were increased in plasma after microbial challenge and they were further characterized. A great number of different Kazal type proteinase inhibitors were produced by the hemocytes and this type of proteinase inhibitors have variable reactive sites determining the specificity of their inhibition. In crayfish Kazal inhibitors with similar reactive sites were found as a response to specific microorganisms suggesting that the crayfish Kazal proteinase inhibitors may provide enough variability to participate in diverse innate immune reactions against different pathogens. Antimicrobial peptides were synthesized by the hemocytes and were likewise released in high amount upon microbial infection and we have characterized the main group of cystein-rich crustin-like antimicrobial peptides and investigated their tissue distribution and expression pattern.

Les premiers stades larvaires chez l’huitre creuse, nommée Magallana gigas, constituent une étape clé du bondéroulement du parcours zootechnique et également pour la pérennisation de la production en écloserie. Dans l’objectifde réduire les mortalités observées en écloserie, nous avons recherché de nouveaux peptides antimicrobiens. Larecherche de ces PAM a été réalisée à partir de deux organismes marins, le poisson-lion invasif en mer des caraïbes,Pterois volitans, et la seiche commune présente sur les zones ostréicoles, Sepia officinalis. La recherche de PAM a étéréalisée préférentiellement à partir de transcriptomes de novo obtenus chez ces deux animaux. Chez le poisson lion, àpartir de BLAST, 7 transcrits codant pour des PAM ont été identifiés. Quatre de ces PAM partagent de fortes homologiesde séquences (>90% d’identité) avec des PAM riches en cystéines proches de l’hepcidine, la LEAP-2, la NK-lysine et la bdéfensineidentifiées chez d’autres poissons. Les 3 autres transcrits annotés pteroicidines A, B et C codent pour despeptides apparentés aux piscidines. La présence de la b-défensine et de la pteroicidine a codée par la pteroicidine A a puêtre confirmée dans les extrait de peau du poisson lion par spectrométrie de masse. Une étude approfondie a été menéesur deux formes amidée et non amidée de la ptéroicidine a ainsi que sur plusieurs peptides de différentes tailles issusdes pteroicidines B et C. Les résultats ont permis de mettre en évidence une relation entre la structure, l’amidation et lesactivités antibactériennes et hémolytiques de ces différentes ptéroicidines. Sur le modèle Sepia officinalis, par lesapproches classiques couplant la purification et les tests antibactériens ou par des approches utilisant les BlAST, aucunPAM n’a été mis en évidence. Nous avons donc développé une approche plus originale qui repose sur le « design » depeptides à partir du transcriptome. A partir de 811 petits peptides sans cystéines issus de la base de données APD, nousavons déterminé des critères récurrents concernant la charge, l’hydrophobicité et la composition en acides aminés. Surla base de ces critères et en s’appuyant sur les outils de prédiction de CAMP, douze peptides ont fait l’objet d’une synthèse.Cinq de ces peptides ont révélé un large spectre d’activités antibactériennes. Les peptides antibactériens issus de la seicheayant une activité non hémolytique ont fait l’objet d’un transfert en écloserie. Ce transfert a été optimisé à partir d’uneétude préliminaire sur le peptide de novo K4, particulièrement actif sur les vibrios. Cette étude a mis en évidencel’importance de l’innocuité du peptide antibactérien sur les différents maillons de la chaine trophique, notamment del’huitre, et sur l’importance du stade de développement ciblé. Par ailleurs, nous nous sommes intéressés au devenir despeptides antibactériens de manière à s’assurer de leur biodégradabilité. L’ensemble de ces travaux a permis nonseulement d’identifier de nouveaux PAMs mais également d’apporter les premières données portant sur le potentiel del’utilisation de ces peptides comme alternative aux antibiotiques. / The first larval stages of oyster (Magallana gigas) are key steps in the smooth running of the zootechnical course and inthe sustainability of hatcheries, where mortality levels can be high. That is why we searched for new antimicrobialpeptides (AMPs) on two marine organisms, i.e. lionfish (Pterois volitans), which is invasive in the Caribbean Sea, and thecommon cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis), which is present in French oyster production areas. The search for AMPs wascarried out preferentially from de novo transcriptomes from these two animals. In lionfish, BLAST analyses allowed forthe identification of 7 transcripts encoding AMPs. Four of them shared strong sequence homology (> 90% identity) withAMPs rich in cysteines and close to hepcidin, LEAP-2, NK-lysin and b-defensin identified in other fish. The other 3transcripts, annotated pteroicidins A, B and C, coded for piscidin-related peptides. The presence of b-defensin andpteroicidin a encoded by pteroicidin A was confirmed in lionfish skin extracts by mass spectrometry. An in-depth studywas conducted on two amide and non-amide forms of pteroicidin a, as well as on several peptides of different sizesderived from pteroicidins B and C. The results highlighted a relationship between structure, amidation, and theantibacterial and hemolytic activities of these different pteroicidins. On the other hand, no AMP was highlighted in theSepia officinalis model using conventional approaches coupling purification and antibacterial tests or BLAST approaches.We therefore developed a more original approach that relies on the design of peptides starting from the transcriptome.Starting from 811 small cysteine-free peptides from the APD database, we determined recurring criteria for charge,hydrophobicity, and amino acid composition. Based on these criteria and on CAMP prediction tools, twelve peptides weresynthesized. Five of them revealed a broad spectrum of antibacterial activities. Non-hemolytic antibacterial peptidesderived from cuttlefish were transferred to the hatchery. This transfer was optimized thanks to a preliminary study onthe de novo K4 peptide, which is particularly active on vibrios. The study highlighted the importance of antibacterialpeptide safety on the various links of the trophic chain including oyster, and the importance of the targeted stage ofdevelopment. In addition, we addressed the fate of antibacterial peptides to ensure their biodegradability. Altogether,this work not only helped to identify new AMPs but also to provide the first data on the potential use of these peptidesas an alternative to antibiotics.

Submitted by Morgana Andrade (morgana.andrade@ufes.br) on 2016-04-08T20:24:35Z No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) tese_6676_Dissertao_Christine Facco_2013.pdf: 1315436 bytes, checksum: 39ff1bc59d15b9b7a17e711efee2949b (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Patricia Barros (patricia.barros@ufes.br) on 2016-05-13T14:04:33Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) tese_6676_Dissertao_Christine Facco_2013.pdf: 1315436 bytes, checksum: 39ff1bc59d15b9b7a17e711efee2949b (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-05-13T14:04:33Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) tese_6676_Dissertao_Christine Facco_2013.pdf: 1315436 bytes, checksum: 39ff1bc59d15b9b7a17e711efee2949b (MD5) / Essa dissertação teve o apoio financeiro do Edital Universal 14/2011 CNPq (nº processo: 483036/2011-0) e do Edital PROEX nº 04/2011. / Na tentativa de obter novas substâncias com atividade antibacteriana, o objetivo desse trabalho foi avaliar o potencial antibacteriano de quatro peptídeos sintetizados, dos quais dois possuem sequência derivada da fragmentação in silico do G-CSF humano, enquanto os outros dois foram planejados teoricamente, verificando, assim, seu interesse como novos agentes terapêuticos na saúde humana. A avaliação foi realizada em duas etapas: análise in silico, que consistiu em predições de propriedades e parâmetros associados à ação antibacteriana, por meio de ferramentas computacionais; e o experimento in vitro para a determinação da concentração inibitória mínima (MIC) dos peptídeos contra bactérias Gram positivas e negativas. A maioria das predições foi favorável para os quatro peptídeos, pois os resultados determinados para hidrofobicidade, anfipaticidade, tamanho, estrutura secundária, carga líquida, potencial de ligação em membrana, meia-vida e índice de Boman encontram-se dentro de valores desejados para o potencial antibacteriano. Na análise in silico, apenas a predição algorítmica da atividade antimicrobiana gerou resultados desfavoráveis para os peptídeos com sequências derivadas do G-CSF (peptídeos 1 e 2), porém essa mesma predição foi positiva para os outros dois. O ensaio in vitro demonstrou que até a concentração mais alta utilizada dos quatro peptídeos (500 μg/mL) foi insuficiente para a determinação de sua concentração inibitória mínima, porém, observou-se considerável diminuição no crescimento de E. coli (58,7%) pelo peptídeo 4 e de E. fecalis (86,1%) e E. coli (54,9%) pelo peptídeo 3, em comparação com o controle de viabilidade. Esses valores indicam a presença de ação antibacteriana por parte dos peptídeos planejados teoricamente (peptídeos 3 e 4), corroborando com as predições computacionais. Dessa forma, é possível concluir que a análise in silico foi de suma importância para a seleção dos peptídeos a serem sintetizados, os quais apresentaram nos ensaios in vitro resultados em concordância com a predição computacional de atividade antimicrobiana. / In attempt to obtain new substances with antibacterial activity, the aim of this study was to evaluate the antibacterial potential of four synthesized peptides, where two of them have sequence derived from human G-CSF in silico fragmentation, while the other two were theoretically planned, allowing the verification of their interest as new therapeutic agents at human health. The evaluation was performed in two stages: in silico analysis, consisting of predictions of properties and parameters associated with antibacterial effect, through computational tools; and the in vitro experiment for determination of the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the peptides against Gram positive and negative bacteria. Most predictions was favorable for all four peptides, showed by determined results of hydrophobicity, amphipathicity, size, secondary structure, net charge, membrane binding potential, half-life and Boman Index, considered as desirable values for antibacterial potential. In the in silico analysis, only algorithmic prediction of antimicrobial activity revealed unfavorable results for peptides with sequences derived from G-CSF (peptides 1 and 2), nonetheless, the predictions were positive for the other two. The in vitro assay showed that up to the highest concentration used of the four peptides (500 μg/mL) was insufficient for determination of minimum inhibitory concentration, however it was possible to observe significant growing decrease of E. coli (58.7%) by peptide 4 and E. fecalis (86.1%) and E. coli (54.9%) by peptide 3, when compared with the viability control. These values indicate the presence of antibacterial activity in the theoretically planned peptides (peptides 3 and 4), confirming the computational predictions. Thus, it is possible to conclude that the in silico analysis was very important for the selection of the peptides to be synthesized, which showed results of in vitro assays in agreement with the computational prediction of antimicrobial activity.

In many vertebrate and invertebrate species mediators of innate immunity include antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) such as peptide fragments of histones and other proteins with previously ascribed different functions. Shark AMPs have not been described and this research examines the antibacterial activity of nurse shark (Ginglymostoma cirratum) peripheral blood leukocyte lysates. Screening of lysates prepared by homogenizing unstimulated peripheral blood leukocytes identified muramidase (lysozyme-like) and non-muramidase antibacterial activity. Lysates were tested for lysozyme using the lysoplate assays, and antibacterial (AB) activity was assayed for by a microdilution growth assay that was developed using Planococcus citreus as the target bacterium. Fractionation of crude lysates by ion exchange and affinity chromatography was followed by a combination of SDS-PAGE with LC/MS-MS and/or N-terminal sequence analysis of low molecular weight protein bands (kDa). This yielded several peptides with amino acid sequence similarity to lysozyme, ubiquitin, hemoglobin, human histones H2A, H2B and H4 and to antibacterial histone fragments of the catfish and the Asian toad. Not all peptide sequences corresponded to peptides potentially antibacterial. The correlation of a specific protein band in active lysate fractions was accomplished by employing the acid-urea gel overlay assays in which AB activity was seen as zones of growth inhibition on a lawn of P. citreus at a position corresponding to that of the putative AB protein band. This study is the first to describe putative AMPs in the shark and their potential role in innate immunity.

A doença Huanglongbing (HLB) associada a bactéria Candidatus Liberibacter spp., que coloniza os vasos do floema, é considerada uma das mais graves doenças de citros. Uma importante estratégia para o controle desta doença consiste na produção de plantas transgênicas, expressando genes que codificam peptídeos antibacterianos especificamente no local de colonização do patógeno. O objetivo deste trabalho foi obter plantas transgênicas de laranja doce, expressando o gene que codifica o peptídeo antibacteriano atacina A (attA) dirigido por promotores específicos para a expressão gênica no floema. O trabalho foi iniciado com a elaboração de construções gênicas contendo o gene attA (associado ou não ao peptídeo sinal), sob o controle dos promotores AtSuc2 (transportador de sacarose), AtPP2 (proteína de floema 2), clonados de Arabidopsis thaliana, ou CsPP2 (proteína de floema 2), clonado de Citrus sinensis. Os experimentos de transformação genética foram realizados com C. sinensis cv. \'Hamlin\', \'Valência\', \'Pêra\' e \'Natal\', via Agrobacterium tumefaciens, utilizando-se segmento de epicótilo como explante. A identificação de plantas transgênicas foi realizada por meio da análise de PCR. Plantas PCR+ foram aclimatizadas e transferidas para casa-de-vegetação específica para o cultivo de plantas transgênicas. Análises de Southern e Northern blot foram realizadas em plantas aclimatizadas, confirmando-se a integração e transcrição do gene attA, respectivamente. A expressão do gene attA também foi confirmada pela análise de RT-qPCR. Plantas de laranja \'Hamlin\' contendo o gene attA (associado ou não ao peptídeo sinal), sob o controle dos promotores AtSuc2 ou AtPP2 foram propagadas por enxertia, para futura avaliação da resistência a Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus / Huanglongbing (HLB) associated to Candidatus Liberibacter spp., which colonizes the phloem, is considered one of the most serious diseases of citrus. One important strategy to control this disease consists of producing transgenic plants expressing, in the bacteria colonization tissue, genes encoding antibacterial peptides. The objective of this work was to produce transgenic sweet orange plants expressing genes encoding the antibacterial peptide attacin A (attA) driven by phoem-specific promoters. The work started with the development of the gene constructs, containing the attacin A gene (with or without signal peptide) controlled by either sucrose transporter gene (AtSuc2) or phloem protein 2 gene promoters (AtPP2) from Arabidopsis thaliana, or phloem protein 2 gene promotor (CsPP2) from Citrus sinensis. The genetic transformation of C. sinensis \'Hamlin\', \'Valencia\', \'Pera\' and \'Natal\' cultivars was done via Agrobacterium tumefaciens. Epicotyls segments collected from in vitro germinated seedlings were used as explants. Transgenic plants were identified by PCR analyses. PCR positive plants were acclimatized and transferred to specific greenhouse. Integration and transcription of the attA gene was confirmed in acclimatized transgenic plants by Southern and Northern blot analysis, respectively. The attA gene expression was validated by RT-qPCR analysis. \'Hamlin\' transgenic cultivars containing the AtSuc2 or AtPP2 promoters controlling the expression of attA (with or without signal peptide) were propagated by grafting, for future evaluation of Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus resistance

A doença Huanglongbing (HLB) associada a bactéria Candidatus Liberibacter spp., que coloniza os vasos do floema, é considerada uma das mais graves doenças de citros. Uma importante estratégia para o controle desta doença consiste na produção de plantas transgênicas, expressando genes que codificam peptídeos antibacterianos especificamente no local de colonização do patógeno. O objetivo deste trabalho foi obter plantas transgênicas de laranja doce, expressando o gene que codifica o peptídeo antibacteriano atacina A (attA) dirigido por promotores específicos para a expressão gênica no floema. O trabalho foi iniciado com a elaboração de construções gênicas contendo o gene attA (associado ou não ao peptídeo sinal), sob o controle dos promotores AtSuc2 (transportador de sacarose), AtPP2 (proteína de floema 2), clonados de Arabidopsis thaliana, ou CsPP2 (proteína de floema 2), clonado de Citrus sinensis. Os experimentos de transformação genética foram realizados com C. sinensis cv. \'Hamlin\', \'Valência\', \'Pêra\' e \'Natal\', via Agrobacterium tumefaciens, utilizando-se segmento de epicótilo como explante. A identificação de plantas transgênicas foi realizada por meio da análise de PCR. Plantas PCR+ foram aclimatizadas e transferidas para casa-de-vegetação específica para o cultivo de plantas transgênicas. Análises de Southern e Northern blot foram realizadas em plantas aclimatizadas, confirmando-se a integração e transcrição do gene attA, respectivamente. A expressão do gene attA também foi confirmada pela análise de RT-qPCR. Plantas de laranja \'Hamlin\' contendo o gene attA (associado ou não ao peptídeo sinal), sob o controle dos promotores AtSuc2 ou AtPP2 foram propagadas por enxertia, para futura avaliação da resistência a Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus / Huanglongbing (HLB) associated to Candidatus Liberibacter spp., which colonizes the phloem, is considered one of the most serious diseases of citrus. One important strategy to control this disease consists of producing transgenic plants expressing, in the bacteria colonization tissue, genes encoding antibacterial peptides. The objective of this work was to produce transgenic sweet orange plants expressing genes encoding the antibacterial peptide attacin A (attA) driven by phoem-specific promoters. The work started with the development of the gene constructs, containing the attacin A gene (with or without signal peptide) controlled by either sucrose transporter gene (AtSuc2) or phloem protein 2 gene promoters (AtPP2) from Arabidopsis thaliana, or phloem protein 2 gene promotor (CsPP2) from Citrus sinensis. The genetic transformation of C. sinensis \'Hamlin\', \'Valencia\', \'Pera\' and \'Natal\' cultivars was done via Agrobacterium tumefaciens. Epicotyls segments collected from in vitro germinated seedlings were used as explants. Transgenic plants were identified by PCR analyses. PCR positive plants were acclimatized and transferred to specific greenhouse. Integration and transcription of the attA gene was confirmed in acclimatized transgenic plants by Southern and Northern blot analysis, respectively. The attA gene expression was validated by RT-qPCR analysis. \'Hamlin\' transgenic cultivars containing the AtSuc2 or AtPP2 promoters controlling the expression of attA (with or without signal peptide) were propagated by grafting, for future evaluation of Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus resistance