No / Crystal structure prediction simulations were carried out to explore the solid state packing alternatives of two diastereomeric salts consisting of a chlorine-substituted cyclic phosphoric acid and the two enantiomers of ephedrine. The experimentally observed crystal structures were correctly simulated with an error of a few kcal/mol. This represents a significant achievement in crystal structure prediction due to the complexity of the mathematical search problem at hand (two distinct molecules in the asymmetric unit, one of which is flexible) and due to the complex energetics of these organic salts. In principle, these simulations show the way toward a truly predictive model for racemate resolution by preferential crystallization of diastereomeric salts.

No description available.

Lanthanide-based nanoparticles are of interest for optical displays, catalysis, telecommunication, bio-imaging, magnetic resonance imaging, multimodal imaging, etc. These applications are possible partly because the preparation of lanthanide-based nanoparticles has made tremendous progress. Now, nanoparticles are routinely being made with a good control over size, crystal phase and even shape. Despite the achievements, little attention is given to the fundamental physical chemistry aspects, such as crystal structure, architecture, cation exchange, etc. The results of the study on the crystal structures of LnF3 nanoparticles show that the middle GdF3 and EuF3 nanoparticles have two crystal phases, which has then been tuned by doping with La3+ ions. However, the required doping level is very different from the bulk. While the results for the bulk are well explained by thermodynamic calculations, kinetics is actually responsible for the results of the undoped and doped GdF3 and EuF3 nanoparticles. The attempt to make LnF3 core-shell nanoparticles led to the finding of cation exchange, a phenomenon that upon exposure of LnF3 nanoparticles to an aqueous solution containing Ln3+ ions, the Ln3+ ions in the nanoparticles are replaced by the Ln3+ ions in the solution. The consequence of the cation exchange is that LnF3 core-shell nanoparticles are unlikely to form in aqueous media using a core-shell synthesis procedure. It has also been verified that nanoparticles synthesized using an alloy procedure do not always have an alloy structure. This means that the core-shell and alloy structure of nanoparticles in the literature may not be true. The investigation of the architecture of nanoparticles synthesized in aqueous media is extended to those synthesized in organic media. The dopant ion distribution in NaGdF4 nanoparticles has been examined. It has been found that they don’t have the generally assumed statistical dopant distribution. Instead, they have a gradient structure with one type of Ln3+ ions more concentrated towards the center and the other type more concentrated towards the surface of the nanoparticles. With the understanding of these physical insights, lanthanide-based core-shell nanoparticles are prepared using the cation exchange. These core-shell nanoparticles containing a photoluminscent core and a paramagnetic shell are promising candidates for multimodal imaging. / Graduate

L'objectif de cette thèse est la synthèse d'un matériau modèle de la dioxygénase à manganèse, une enzyme oxydant des cycles aromatiques type catéchol grâce au dioxygène. Pour ce faire, nous avons découpé notre stratégie trois étapes constituant les différents chapitres de ce manuscrit : - La synthèse et la caractérisation des complexes de manganèse(II) avec des ligands tridentates. - L'optimisation d'une synthèse de silice mésoporeuse par micro-onde. - La fonctionnalisation des matériaux et le greffage des complexes, ainsi que les tests catalytiques préliminaires.Les ligands utilisés sont des amines tertiaires avec un bras alcyne et deux coordinants type pyridine, imidazole ou carboxylate. Ces complexes ont été cristallisés et/ou caractérisés par IR, RPE, SQUID et voltampérométrie cyclique. La synthèse par micro-onde, basée sur des conditions de synthèse hydrothermale classiquenous a permis de réduire le temps de synthèse d'un jour à deux heures. La qualité de ces nouveaux matériaux a été vérifiée par IR, ATG, BET, et DRX sur poudre. Ces matériaux sont ensuite bifonctionnalisés en utilisant une méthode de pochoir moléculaire avec une fonction azoture pour le greffage du complexe via "click-chemistry" ainsi qu'une fonction pyridine ou triméthylsilyle pour créer un environnement coordinant ou non proche du métal.Ces complexes et matériaux sont actifs dans l'oxydation du catéchol. / The objective of this work is the synthesis of model material for manganese dioxygenase which is an enzyme that oxidizes catechol-like substrates with dioxygen. Our strategy comprises three main steps that form the different chapters of this thesis: - Synthesis and characterization of manganese(II) complexes with tridentate ligands. - Optimization of a microwave-assisted synthesis of a mesoporous silica. - Functionalization of these materials and complex grafting, as well as preliminary catalytic tests. The ligands used are tertiary amines containing an alkyne arm and two coordinating arms with functions such as pyridine, imidazole or carboxylate. The complexes were crystallized and/or characterized by IR, EPR, SQUID and cyclic voltamperometry. Microwave synthesis, based on the conditions of classical hydrothermal synthesis, allowed us to reduce the synthesis time from one day to two hours. The quality of these new materials was verified by IR, TGA, BET and powder XRD. These materials are then bi-functionalized using a molecular stencil patterning mehod with a an azide function for complex grafting via click chemistry and a function pyridine or trimethylsilyl to control the coordinating ability of the metal environment. These complexes and materials are active in catechol oxidation with O2.

Kohlenhydrat-bindende Module (CBMs) sind die bekanntesten nicht-katalytischen Module, die mit Enzymen assoziiert sind, welche die pflanzliche Zellwand hydrolysieren. Die beta-Mannanase 26 von Caldicellulosiruptor saccharolyticus, Stamm Rt8B.4, ist eine thermostabile modulare Glycosidhydrolase, die N-terminal zwei dicht aufeinander folgende nicht-katalytische kohlenhydratbindende Module besitzt. Diese spezifisch beta-Mannan bindenden CBMs wurden kürzlich als Mitglieder der CBM-Familie 27 klassifiziert. Im ersten Teil dieser Arbeit wird die Kristallisation und Strukturanalyse des ersten kohlenhydratbindenden Moduls der ß-Mannanase aus C. saccharolyticus (CsCBM27-1) mit einer gebundenen Mannohexaose und in ligandfreier Form beschrieben. Grundlage für diese Arbeit waren Daten aus der isothermen Titrationskalorimetrie zur Quantifizierung der Affinität von CsCBM27-1 für lösliche Mannooligosaccharide. Die hier präsentierte hochaufgelöste Kristallstruktur des ungebundenen und Mannohexaose gebundenen CsCBM27-1 erlaubt weitere Einblicke in die Interaktion ß-Mannan bindender CBMs mit ihren entsprechenden Liganden. CsCBM27-1 zeigt eine typische ß-sandwich jellyroll-Struktur mit gebundenen Kalziumion. Die Mannohexaosebindung wird durch drei dem Lösungsmittel zugängliche Tryptophanreste und einige direkte Wasserstoffbrückenbindungen vermittelt. Der zweite Teil der Arbeit beschäftigt sich mit der Reinigung und Kristallisation der ATPase Virb11 HP0525 aus Helicobacter pylori. Das native Protein HP0525 ließ sich gut rekombinant herstellen und reinigen. Es wurde aus einer von mehreren Kristallisationsbedingungen durch Optimierung der Kristallisationskomponenten ausreichend große Kristalle erhalten, die gute Diffraktionseigenschaften zeigten. Neben dem nativen Protein wurde Selenomethionin-substituiertes Protein synthetisiert und gereinigt. Von diesem Protein SeMet-HP0525, resultierten hexagonale Kristalle. Zur Derivat-Datensatzsammlung ist es aufgrund der Publikation der Kristallstruktur dieser hexameren ATPase HP0525 nicht mehr gekommen. Weitere strukturelle Untersuchungen an diesem Protein wurden als nicht mehr erforderlich angesehen. / Carbohydrate-binding modules (CBMs) are the most common non-catalytic modules associated with enzymes active in plant cell-wall hydrolysis. Caldicellulosiruptor saccharolyticus strain Rt8B.4 Man26 is a thermostable modular glycoside hydrolase beta-mannanase which contains two non-catalytic modules in tandem at its N-terminus. These modules were recently shown to function primarily as ß-mannan-binding modules and have accordingly been classified as members of a novel family of CBMs, family 27. In the first part of this study, the crystallization and crystal structure analysis of the first carbohydrate binding module (CsCBM27-1) of the beta-mannanase from C. saccharolyticus in native and mannohexaose-bound form is described. The basis for this study were data from isothermal titration calorimetry for quantifying the binding affinity of CsCBM27-1 for soluble mannooligosaccharidesBoth structures permit further insights into the interaction of beta-mannan binding CBMs with their corresponding ligands. CsCBM27-1 shows the typical beta-sandwich jellyroll fold observed in other CBMs with a single calcium ion bound opposite to the ligand binding site. This arrangement is similar to topologies of other CBM families. The crystal structures reveal that the overall fold of CsCBM27-1 remains virtually unchanged upon sugar binding and that binding is mediated by three solvent-exposed tryptophan residues and few direct hydrogen bonds. The second part of this study addressed the purification and crystallization of the VirB11 ATPase HP0525 of Helicobacter pylori. The native HP0525 protein was produced in recombinant Escherichia coli and purified for crystallization. One of several crystallization experiments yielded large crystals by optimization of the concentration of the crystallization components. The crystals revealed good diffraction behavior. In addition to the native protein, selenomethionine-substituted HP0525 was produced and purified. Hexagonal crystals were obtained from the SeMet-HP0525. No derivative datasets were collected, because the crystal structure of the hexameric ATPase HP0525 was published by Yeo et al. (2000). Further structural investigations for the protein HP0525 were judged unnecessary.

Das phylogenetisch weit verbreitete RNA-bindende Protein Hfq ist an einer Vielzahl von Prozessen innerhalb des bakteriellen RNA-Metabolismus, insbesondere im Rahmen der post-transkriptionellen Genregulation durch kleine RNAs (sRNAs) beteiligt. Hfq-Proteine zählen zu der Familie der Sm- und Lsm-Proteine und zeichnen sich strukturell durch die funktionelle Ausbildung ringförmiger Homohexamere aus. Cyanobakterielle Orthologe zeigen gegenüber den gut untersuchten Hfq-Proteinen aus E. coli und anderen Proteobakterien eine schwache Sequenzkonservierung und bieten auch daher einen interessanten Ansatzpunkt für die Untersuchung riboregulatorischer Prozesse in diesen Organismen. In der vorliegenden Arbeit werden einleitende Untersuchungen zu Funktion und Struktur des orthologen Hfq-Proteins aus dem einzelligen Modell-Cyanobakterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 vorgestellt. Die Inaktivierung des hfq-Gens (ssr3341) führte in diesem Organismus zum Verlust der phototaktischen Motilität. Mithilfe elektronenmikroskopischer Analysen konnte dieser Phänotyp auf das Fehlen von Typ IV Pili zurückgeführt werden. Microarray-Analysen wiesen in der deltahfq-Mutante für 31 Gene eine veränderte, in den meisten Fällen reduzierte Transkriptakkumulation nach. Am stärksten betroffenen waren Gene bzw. Operone, welche dem Regulon des cAMP-Rezeptorproteins Sycrp1 zugeordnet werden und zum Teil nachweislich an der Motilität von Synechocystis-Zellen beteiligt sind. Weitere vergleichende Expressionsanalysen identifizierten mithilfe eines speziellen Tiling-arrays ferner zwei „intergenisch“ kodierte potenzielle sRNAs, Hpr1 und Hpr3, deren Transkriptmengen signifikant von der hfq-Inaktivierung beeinflusst werden. Kristallstrukturdaten deuten zusammen mit den Ergebnissen aus in vitro-Bindungsstudien und genetischen Komplementierungsexperimenten - trotz starker Konservierung zentraler struktureller Charakteristika - neuartige biochemische und funktionelle Eigenschaften des Hfq-Proteins aus Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 an. Funktionelle Implikationen werden im strukturellen und phylogenetischen Kontext diskutiert. / The phylogenetically conserved RNA binding protein Hfq is a key player in bacterial RNA metabolism, particularly with regard to sRNA-mediated post-transcriptional gene regulation. Hfq proteins belong to the well-conserved family of Sm- and Lsm proteins and are characterized by the formation of homo-hexameric ring-shaped structures. In comparison with well-studied Hfq proteins from E.coli and other proteobacteria the cyanobacterial orthologues show rather poor sequence conservation. Therefore, they provide a quite interesting background for analyzing riboregulatory processes in these organisms. In this work, the orthologous Hfq protein from the unicellular model cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 has been initially characterized on the functional and structural level. Insertional inactivation of the hfq gene (ssr3341) led to a non-phototactic phenotype that was due to the loss of type IV pili on the cell surface, as demonstrated by electron microscopy. Microarray analyses revealed a set of 31 genes with altered transcript levels in the knock-out mutant. Among the most strongly affected genes, there were members of two operons that had previously been shown to be involved in motility, controlled by the cAMP receptor protein Sycrp1. Further comparative transcriptional analyses using custom tiling arrays revealed two putative sRNAs (Hpr1 and Hpr3) from intergenic regions, whose transcript levels appeared to be significantly affected by hfq-inactivation. Structural analyses, genetic complementation as well as RNA-binding studies in vitro indicate that the Hfq orthologue from Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 exhibits novel biochemical and functional properties, though retaining general structural features of its proteobacterial counterparts. Functional implications are discussed with regard to structural und phylogenetic considerations.

In vorliegender Arbeit wurden Synthese, Kristallstruktur und thermisches Verhalten von sauren und basischen Monofluorophosphate untersucht. Es wurden Salze mit Alkalimetall- und N-haltigen Kationen dargestellt und kristallographisch charakterisiert. Die Strukturen dieser Verbindungen wurden dann mit denen der isoelektronischen Hydrogensulfate verglichen. Mit Hilfe des Kationenaustausches und der Gefriertrocknung konnte ein erfolgreicher Syntheseweg fuer diese Verbindungen entwickelt werden. Die Gefriertrocknung hinderte die Abspaltung von HF und Kondensation des Phosphats und ermöglichte die Isolierung der Rohprodukte. Auf diesem Weg gelang die Darstellung der reinen Verbindungen in höherer Ausbeute, so daß es möglich wurde, die Substanzen mit unterschiedlichen Methoden zu untersuchen. Hergestellt und kristallographisch untersucht wurden folgende Verbindungen: - Hydrogenmonofluorophosphate mit × Alkalimetallkationen: Na, K, Rb, Cs × N-haltigen Kationen: NH4, NMe4, NH2Et2, NHEt3, [C(NH2)3], {HOC[NH(CH3)]2}, [H2N(CH2CH2)NH2], - basische Monofluorophosphate: Na2PO3F·10H2O und [C(NH2)3]2PO3F - gemischte Salze: Cs3(NH4)2(HPO3F)3(PO3F)2 und Na5[NMe4](PO3F)3·18H2O. Die Kristallstrukturen zeigen eine Vielzahl an Strukturtypen, definiert durch die Verknüpfung der verzerrten HPO3F Tetraeder über kurze O-H···O Wasserstoffbrückenbindungen zu Ketten, Dimere oder Tetramere. Diese sind ihrerseits über längere N-H···O und Ow-H···O Wasserstoffbrückenbindungen verknüpft. Kompliziertere Strukturmotive sind in den Strukturen der basischen Monofluorophosphate und der gemischten Salze zu finden. Allgemein werden nur Wasserstoffbrückenbindungen des Typs N-H...O und O-H...O gefunden, dagegen werden keine N-H···F Bindungen in den Strukturen beobachtet. Auch ist mehrheitlich keine Isotypie zwischen sauren und basischen Monofluorophosphaten einerseits und den entsprechenden Sulfaten andererseits zu finden. Isotyp sind nur die Strukturen [NMe4]HPO3F·H2O mit [NMe4]HSO4·H2O und Na2PO3F·10H2O mit Na2SO4·10H2O. Interessanterweise wurden genau in einer dieser isotypen Strukturen, nämlich der des Na2PO3F×10H2O, als Ausnahme zwei O-H···F Bindungen gefunden. Die O···F Abstände liegen im Bereich der Abstände der Ow···O Bindungen in der Struktur. Eine Erklärung für das seltene Auftreten von H-Brücken mit Fluor als Akzeptor ist eine fast vollständige Valenz des Fluors durch seine Bindung zum Phosphor. Mehrere Strukturen widerspiegeln diese Tatsache mit der Orientierung der P-F Bindung. Die Bindung wird nach inerten Stellen, wo kein Metall- oder Wasserstoffatom in der Struktur vorhanden ist, ausgerichtet, um ein weiteres Binden des Fluors (Metallkoordination, Wasserstoffbrückenbindung) zu vermeiden. Weiterhin wurde das thermische Verhalten der Verbindungen NaHPO3F, NaHPO3F·2.5H2O, CsHPO3F und [NHEt3]HPO3F untersucht. Dies erfolgte mit dem Ziel, Information über mögliche Phasenübergänge und die unterschiedlichen Zersetzungstypen zu bekommen. Sowohl der Kation wie auch die Anwesenheit von Kristallwasser haben Einfluß auf den thermischen Abbau. Die Na-Verbindungen zeigen eine Zersetzung über mehrere Schritte, die zu unterschiedlichen Endprodukten führt (Na3P3O9 für NaHPO3F und (NaPO3)n für das Hydrat). Im Vergleich dazu zersetzt sich CsHPO3F nach dem Schmelzen direkt zum Endprodukt, ohne stabile Zwischenprodukte zu bilden. Ähnlich verläuft der thermische Abbau der [NHEt3] Verbindung, die sich allerdings mit einem Masseverlust von 92,27%, also ohne Bildung eines signifikanten Endproduktes, vollständig zersetzt. Während des thermischen Abbaus wurde die Freisetzung von HF und H2O bei allen Verbindungen beobachtet, die sich aber bezüglich der Zersetzungstemperatur und -menge zwischen den Substanzen unterscheiden. Es wurden keine Phasenübergänge erster Ordnung beobachtet. Dies war insbesondere für CsHPO3F überraschend, da das isoelektronische Hydrogensulfat mehrere Phasenübergänge aufweist [2]. Das Ausbleiben von Phasenübergängen allgemein und auch für CsHPO3F wird folgendermassen erklärt. Während das Sulfat Bindungsmöglichkeiten an allen vier Ecken des SO4-Tetraeders hat, besitzt der (H)PO3F-Tetraeder nur eine begrenzte Flexibilität wegen der Anwesenheit von Fluor an einer Ecke. Fluor bevorzugt eine "isolierte" Position am Phosphor. Anhand der vorliegenden Ergebnisse kann die Schlußfolgerung gezogen werden, daß Fluor auf Grund seiner niedrigeren Valenz im Vergleich zu Sauerstoff andere strukturelle und funktionelle Charakteristika aufweist. Die Valenzunterschiede zwischen Sauerstoff und Fluor haben einen starken Einfluß auf das Wasserstoffbrückenbindungssystem in den Kristallstrukturen der Hydrogenmonofluorophosphate und folglich auf die "Nicht-Isotypie" zu den Hydrogensulfaten. / In this thesis, the crystal structures and thermal behavior of hydrogen monofluorophosphates and basic monofluorophosphates with alkali metal and N-containing cations were studied. A comparison to the analogous hydrogen sulfates showed interesting structural variations and differences in thermal behavior. Synthesis of the studied monofluorophosphates involved cation exchange and freeze drying. Freeze drying enabled the isolation of raw products by avoiding the escape of HF and consequent phosphate condensation. This method of preparation led to the synthesis of the hydrogen monofluorophosphates with the following cations: - the alkali metals: Na+, K+, Rb+, and Cs+, - N-containing cations: NH4+, [NMe4]+, [NH2Et2]+, [NHEt3]+, [C(NH2)3]+, {HOC[NH(CH3)]2}+, and [H2N(CH2CH2)NH2]2+, and the basic monofluorophoshates, Na2PO3F·10H2O and [C(NH2)3]2PO3F. The following mixed salts were also obtained with partial cation exchange: - Cs3(NH4)2(HPO3F)3(PO3F)2 - Na5[NMe4](PO3F)3·18H2O. In the crystal structures, the HPO3F tetrahedra were hydrogen-bonded to chains, dimers, and tetramers in the structures of the hydrogen monofluorophosphates. Extensive hydrogen bonding in the basic monofluorophosphates due to high amounts of crystal water led to more complicated structural motifs. Limitations on the bonding of fluorine were observed in each of the structures, whether it be metal coordination or hydrogen bonding. The valency of fluorine is filled by its bond to phosphorus and thus, generally, the fluorine atom does not participate in additional bonds. This explains why, for the most part, the hydrogen monofluorophosphates are not isostructural with the hydrogen sulfates. Only three atoms of the tetrahedron instead of four atoms are available for hydrogen bonding, which influences the crystal structure. This was further confirmed by the comparison of the decahydrates, Na2PO3F×10H2O and Na2SO4×10H2O, which are consequently isostructural based on two O-H×××F bonds formed in Na2PO3F·10H2O. These were the only hydrogen bonds found that involved fluorine as an hydrogen acceptor or donor. The investigations on the thermal behavior of NaHPO3F, NaHPO3F·2.5H2O, CsHPO3F, and [NHEt3]HPO3F found no first-order phase transitions. Stepwise decompositions were observed for the sodium salts, which was attributed to the formation of stable intermediates identified with simulated experiments. The Cs and [NHEt3] compounds demonstrated a direct decomposition postmelting. In general, the release of H2O from the melt occured at lower temperatures, while HF escaped at higher temperatures. The temperatures, at which this initially occured, and the first maximum observed were dependent on the cation and the presence of crystal water. The immediate decomposition of CsHPO3F after melting differs from that of the hydrogen sulfate, CsHSO4, which undergoes several phase transitions before decompositon. This suggests that the sulfate has more structural flexibility on the basis of the four oxygen corners of the tetrahedra. In comparison, the monofluorophosphate is limited in its bonding mobility due to the presence of fluorine on one of the tetrahedral vertices. Therefore, phase transitions are not observed prior to decomposition. It was concluded that fluorine functions differently in the crystal structures on the basis of its lower valency. Thus, the difference in valency between fluorine and oxygen affects the hydrogen bonding of the hydrogen monofluorophosphates and thus pervents the expected isotypy of the isoelectronic hydrogen monofluorophosphates and hydrogen sulfates.

Made available in DSpace on 2017-07-21T19:25:54Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Wellington Claiton Leite.pdf: 3789073 bytes, checksum: f4c16b4260fbd54f4eada652038ae5bc (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-09-06 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / The bacterial RecA protein plays a role in the complex system of DNA damage repair. In the presence of ATP, RecA proteins polymerize onto single-strand DNA (ssDNA) as righthanded helical nucleoprotein laments, and catalyze strand exchange reaction between the ssDNA and homologous double-strand DNA (dsDNA) molecules. These activities are supported or stimulated by accessory proteins, as the single-stranded binding protein (SSB).Here, we report a functional and structural characterization of the Herbaspirillum seropedicae RecA protein (HsRecA).We report the crystal structure of HsRecA-ADP/ATP complex to 1.7 Å of atomic resolution. HsRecA protein contains a small N-terminal domain, a central core ATPase domain and a large C-terminal domain, similarly to homologous RecA proteins. Comparative structural analysis showed that the N-terminal polymerization motif of archaeal and eukaryotic RecA family proteins are also present in bacterial RecAs. The bacterial polymerization motif contains the sequence SV/IMR/KLG which interacts with the core ATPase domain residues DNLLLV/CS. In the inactive RecA, it is a loop - strand interaction, respectively, while in the active RecA it becomes a dyad strand. In both RecA forms, the polymerization motif seems to stabilize the subunitsubunit interface by hydrophobic interactions. The methionine of this motif may play an important role in the stability and formation of a right-handed helical nucleoprotein lament. The ATPase activity and the structure of the nucleoprotein lament of HsRecA and Escherichia coli RecA (EcRecA) were analyzed in the presence and absence of SSB. When SSB was added after RecA+ssDNA, HsRecA and EcRecA showed similar ATPase activity and nucleolament structure. However, when SSB was either not included or it was added before RecA+ssDNA, the HsRecA showed higher ATPase activity and formed longer nucleoprotein laments than EcRecA. Thus, HsRecA protein is more ecient at displacing SSB from ssDNA than EcRecA protein. HsRecA promoted DNA exchange more eficiently: a greater yield of nicked circular products were obtained in a shorter time. Reconstruction of electrostatic potential from the hexameric structure of HsRecAADP/ ATP revealed a high positive charge along the inner side, which is consistent with the fact that ssDNA binds inside the filament. It may explain the enhance capacity of HsRecA protein to bind ssDNA, forming a contiguous nucleoprotein filament, displace SSB and promote eficiently the DNA strand exchange reaction. Keywords: RecA, Crystallography, RecA nucleoprotein filament, ATPase activity, DNA strand exchange, crystal structure, structural analysis. / A proteína RecA bacteriana desempenha um importante papel no complexo sistema de reparo de danos ao DNA. Na presença de ATP, a proteína RecA se auto-polimeriza sobre o DNA simples ta (ssDNA) (do inglês single-strand DNA (ssDNA)) como um lamento de nucleoproteína helicoidal, cataliza a reação de troca de fitas entre as moléculas ssDNA e a ta de DNA dupla fita homóloga (dsDNA) (do inglês double-strand DNA (dsDNA)). Estas atividades são suportadas ou estimuladas por proteínas acessórias, como a proteína ligadora de ssDNA SSB (do inglês single-stranded binding protein (SSB)). Neste trabalho é apresentado a caracterização estrutural e funcional da proteína RecA da bactéria Herbaspirillum seropedicae. A estrutura tridimensional do complexo HsRecA-ADP/ATP foi resolvida numa resolução 1,7 Å. A estrutura monomérica da proteína HsRecA consiste em um pequeno domínio N-terminal, um domínio central contendo um sitío ATPásico e e um grande domínio C-terminal, similar com proteínas RecAs homólogas. Análises estruturais comparativas mostraram que o motivo de polimerização da região N-terminal de proteí- nas da familia RecA que incluem archaea e eucariotos, também está presente na proteína RecA bacteriana. O motivo de polimerização da região N-terminal de bactérias contêm a sequência de resíduos (Serina, Valina ou Isoleucina, Metionina, Arginina ou Lisina, Leucina, Glicina) que interage com a sequência de resíduos do core ATPásico (Aspartato, Asparagina, Leucina, Leucina, Leucina, Valina, Cisteína, Serina). Na proteína RecA inativa esta interação é do tipo loop - strand, respectivamente, enquanto na proteína RecA ativa essa interação se torna uma dupla -strand. Em ambas formas da RecA, o motivo de polimerização parece estabilizar a interface subunidade-subunidade por interações hidrofóbicas. No motivo N-terminal a presença de uma Metionina altamente conservada talvez desempenha um importante papel na estabilidade e formação do lamento de nucleoproteína. A atividade ATPásica e a estrutura do lamento de nucleoproteína da proteína HsRecA e da Escherichia coli RecA (EcRecA) foram analisadas na presença e ausência da proteína SSB. Quando a SSB foi adicionada após RecA+ssDNA, as proteínas HsRecA e EcRecA mostraram similar atividade ATPásica e estrutura de nucleo lamento. Entretanto, quando a SSB não estava incluída ou quando adicionada anteriormente a adição RecA+ssDNA, a proteína HsRecA mostrou maior atividade ATPásica e formou maiores lamentos de nucleoproteína que a proteína EcRecA. Ainda, a proteína HsRecA é mais eficiente em deslocar a SSB do ssDNA que a proteína EcRecA. A proteína HsRecA também promove a reação de troca de fitas mais eficientemente: uma maior quantidade de produtos duplex substrato convertido em duplex circular foram obtidos em um curto intervalo de tempo. A reconstrução do potencial eletrostático da estrutura hexamérica da proteína HsRecA revelou uma maior densidade de cargas positivas no seu interior, que é consistente com o fato que o ssDNA ligar-se internamente ao filamento hexamérico. Isto talvez possa explicar capacidade melhorada da proteína HsRecA ligar-se ao ssDNA, formando um continuo filamento de nucleoproteína, deslocando a SSB e ainda promovendo de forma eficiente a reação de trocas de fitas.

Les films de ZrO2 pur sont déposés par MOCVD (Metal-Organic Chemical Vapor Deposition) en variant de nombreux paramètres du processus. L’influence des conditions de dépôt sur l’évolution de la microstructure (morphologies, structure cristalline/phase, texture et contrainte résiduelle) a été étudiée et clarifiée. Par des analyses approfondies des résultats expérimentaux, trois mécanismes typiques de croissance de dépôt de ZrO2 ont été proposées. Les contraintes de croissance de compression sont en relation directe avec la diffusion atomique et la quantité d’espèces piégées dans les films. La formation de la texture cristallographique est complexe et deux types de textures ont été analysées dans la phase tétragonale : la texture de fibre {1 1 0}t est contribuée par l’effet superplastique des nano-cristallites de ZrO2 et par la contrainte de croissance de compression ; tandis que la morphologie en facette est due à la croissance concurrentielle de différents plans cristallographiques. La stabilisation de la phase tétragonale de ZrO2 a été analysée et discutée. En plus de la taille critique des cristallites, la stabilisation de la phase tétragonale est favorisée par deux autres mécanismes : la grande quantité des défauts cristallins et la morphologie des cristallites. / Pure ZrO2 films were deposited by MOCVD (Metal-Organic Chemical Vapor Deposition) by varying the deposition parameters over large range. The influence of deposition conditions on the evolution of the microstructure (morphology, crystal structure / phase, texture and residual stress) was studied and clarified. Through careful study and analysis of experimental results, three typical mechanisms of deposition of ZrO2 have been proposed. The compressive growth stresses are directly related to atomic diffusion and the trapped-in effects during deposition. The formation of crystallographic texture is complex and two types of textures were analyzed in the tetragonal phase: the fiber texture {1 1 0}t is supposed to be the result of the effect of superplastic of ZrO2 nano-crystallites and the compressive growth stress, while the facet morphology (the {0 1 1}t fiber) is due to the competitive growth of different crystallographic planes. The stabilization of the tetragonal phase of ZrO2 was analyzed and discussed. In addition to the critical size of crystallites, the stabilization of the tetragonal phase can be favored by two mechanisms: the large amount of crystal defects and morphology of crystallites.

A qualidade óssea em grandes animais é avaliada pela densidade mineral óssea (DMO) utilizando a técnica de densitometria óptica em imagens radiográficas; o objetivo desse trabalho foi avaliar e comparar a qualidade óssea baseada na microarquitetura de uma forma inédita. Foram selecionados 20 bovinos, 10 da raça Canchim e 10 da raça Nelore, com controle dos processos biológicos e bioquímicos do nascimento até o abate aos 24 meses de idade, antes de entrarem na fase adulta. O osso metatarsal foi escolhido por suportar maior carga e amostras da diáfise do osso cortical seco foram obtidas. A avaliação da estrutura cristalina de ossos metatarsais secos foi realizada utilizando difração de raios X com a aplicação do método de refinamento de Rietveld, avaliando parâmetros de rede, tamanho de cristalito e microdeformação. A técnica de nanoindentação permitiu avaliar os módulos de elasticidade e valores de nanoindentação. A composição química razão cálcio e fósforo do material, resistência à deformação plástica, valores de microdureza, e imagens de microscopia eletrônica de varredura e microscopia óptica foram realizadas. A comparação entre os resultados das duas raças, Canchim e Nelore, dos valores de parâmetros de rede da estrutura cristalina da hidroxiapatita, tamanho de cristalito, microdeformações, relação cálcio e fósforo, microdurezas Vickers/Knoop, nanodureza Vickers e módulo de elasticidade indicaram que a qualidade óssea das raças Canchim e Nelore é estatisticamente semelhante para 30% dos parâmetros estudados e que para os demais 70% dos parâmetros estudados não há semelhança. / The bone quality in large animals is evaluated by bone mineral density (BMD) using the optical densitometry technique in radiographic images; The objective of this study was to evaluate and compare bone quality based on microarchitecture unpublished. Twenty bovines were selected, 10 from the Canchim breed and 10 from the Nelore breed, with control of the biological and biochemical processes from birth to slaughter at 24 months of age, before entering adulthood. The metatarsal bone was chosen because it supported higher load and samples of the diaphysis of the dry cortical bone were obtained. The evaluation of the crystalline structure of dry metatarsal bones was performed using X - ray diffraction with the application of the Rietveld refinement method, evaluating network parameters, crystallite size and microdeformation. The nanoindentation technique allowed to evaluate the modulus of elasticity and nanoindentation values. The chemical composition calcium and phosphorus ratio of the material, resistance to plastic deformation, values of microhardness, and scanning electron microscopy images and optical microscopy were performed. The comparison between the results of the two races, Canchim and Nelore, of the network parameter values of the hydroxyapatite crystal structure, crystallite size, microdeformations, calcium and phosphorus ratio, Vickers/Knoop microhardness, Vickers nanodness and modulus of elasticity indicated that Quality of the Canchim and Nelore races is statistically similar for 30% of the studied parameters and that for the ofter 70% of the studied parameters there is no similarity.