Le cancer représente l'un des problèmes majeurs en santé publique. Jusqu'à présent, en parallèle de l'intervention chirurgical, plusieurs traitements ont été mis au point et largement utilisés en thérapie clinique telles que les chimiothérapies. Cependant, leur efficacité est parfois limitée et couplée à des effets secondaires très néfastes, laissant les patients dans une impasse thérapeutique. Par conséquent, de nouvelles approches thérapeutiques doivent être développées sur de nouvelles cibles avérées en oncologie afin d'apporter des soins personnalisés aux patients. La première partie de mon travail de thèse a été dédiée à la compréhension des mécanismes moléculaires de la nucléotidase cytosolique de type II (cN-II), une enzyme du métabolisme des purines dont l'implication dans des phénomènes de résistance à des traitements anticancéreux a pu être démontrée. Aussi, une étude sur la cinétique enzymatique à l'état pré-stationnaire et stationnaire a été entreprise sur la forme sauvage et une forme mutée de l'enzyme lui conférant une activité accrue fortement impliquée dans les cas de résistance. Par cette approche, il a été possible de décortiquer le mécanisme cinétique, de définir l'étape cinétiquement limitant afin d'identifier les intermédiaires prépondérants de la réaction pouvant être ciblés pour le développement de nouveaux inhibiteurs. Cette étude cinétique est présentée dans ce premier volet de la thèse. En second lieu, mon travail s'est focalisée sur un second membre de cette famille d'enzyme qui est l'ecto-5'-nucléotidase (CD73). Cette enzyme exprimée sous forme dimérique à la surface extracellulaire régule la concentration en adénosine extracellulaire (par hydrolyse de l'adénosine monophosphate), ce dernier étant un puissant immunosuppresseur de la réponse immune anticancéreuse. L'objectif de mon travail de thèse a été de développer de nouveaux inhibiteurs de type allostérique en utilisant une approche basée sur la structure tridimensionnelle et la dynamique moléculaire. Une des étapes clés a été tout d'abord de mettre au point un système expression hétérologue afin d'obtenir l'enzyme recombinante en quantité suffisante pour les études enzymatiques ultérieures. Différents systèmes d'expression ont été testés et seul le système en cellules d'insecte infectées par le baculovirus a permis d'obtenir l'enzyme active en grande quantité. En parallèle, une étude in silico a permis de reproduire la dynamique fonctionnelle de l'enzyme requise pour sa fonction. A partir de ses données, un criblage virtuel d'une chimiothèque de 324 000 molécules a été réalisé sur le site de dimérisation et a permis d'identifier 33 composés chefs de files. Parmi, ces composés, dix molécules se sont avérés être de puissants inhibiteurs de CD73 (Ki < 1 µM) avec un mécanisme d'inhibition de type allostérique ou non-compétitif. La cytotoxicité des composés a été évaluée sur des lignées cellulaires transformées ou tumorales montrant un effet uniquement à des concentrations très élevées (supérieures à 100 µM). L'étude des relations structure-fonction devrait permettre à présent de proposer de voies d'optimisation afin d'améliorer l'efficacité des composés les plus actifs afin d'aboutir à de nouveaux candidats médicaments. / Cancer burden still remains a major worldwide health problem. To date, several types of conventional anticancer treatments are widely used in clinical. However, the alternative effects of these treatments often leave patients impaired. Therefore, it is required to understand the unique medical needs of individual patients and to conduct effective, high–quality research focusing on the not yet identified oncotargets.The first part of my thesis is dedicated to decipher molecular basis of cN-II reaction. This study characterizes the steady state and transient state kinetics of cN-II wild type and hyperactive mutant which involved in cancer treatment resistance. Furthermore, the characterization of the rate-limiting step and reaction intermediates gave insights into the binding mechanisms and the development of small molecules inhibitors of cN-II.In the second part of this work, we aimed to investigate allosteric inhibitors of CD73 using structure-based drug design approach. In this study the suitable protein expression system was established for the production of sufficient quantities of fully active CD73. This work followed by in silico studies, including molecular dynamics, virtual screening, and hits identification and in vitro hits validations and kinetics characterizations. The cytotoxicity of the most powerful inhibitors exhibited on different cell types was determined. SAR studies gave insights into the binding mode of best compounds and function.

Les cellules ciliées internes (CCI) sont les cellules sensorielles de l'organe de l'audition, elles transforment les ondes sonores en messages nerveux. Avant l’entrée en fonction de la cochlée, les CCI émettent spontanément des potentiels d’action (PA) calciques, ce qui active la voie auditive ascendante et assure le développement de l’axe tonotopique, à savoir la représentation du codage en fréquence, dans chaque relais de la voie auditive. Le profil et les mécanismes à l’origine des PA des CCI sont fortement débattus. Nous nous sommes donc attachés à étudier l’empreinte développementale des cellules sensorielles, c'est à dire déterminer le profil et les mécanismes à l’origine de leur activité.Après avoir incubé l’épithélium neuro-sensoriel avec la sonde calcique Fura2-AM, nous avons observé des vagues calciques se propageant le long des cellules de soutien et des cellules sensorielles. Plus précisément, l’activité des cellules ciliées se caractérisait par des élévations transitoires de calcium (pics calciques) à intervalles de temps réguliers. Nous avons ensuite démontré que les pics calciques des CCI correspondaient bien à des bouffées de PA en mesurant simultanément les oscillations calciques et l’émission de PA en patch-clamp. La fréquence, la durée et la distribution temporelle des pics calciques des CCI étaient en grande partie invariantes le long de l’axe base-apex de la cochlée. Enfin, les cellules voisines montraient une activité fortement synchrone à l’inverse des cellules spatialement éloignées. Ces résultats indiquent donc que l’activité des CCI est majoritairement identique le long de l’axe tonotopique de la cochlée.Nous nous sommes ensuite intéressés au mécanisme responsable de l’activité spontanée, la dépendance à l’ATP. L’incubation d’apyrase, une ecto-nucléotidase, entraine une diminution de l’activité des cellules de soutien, à savoir une réduction de l’aire et de la vitesse de propagation des vagues calciques. En revanche, l'activité des CCI n'est pas altérée par la déplétion d’ATP. Ces résultats suggèrent 2 mécanismes distincts, le premier ATP-dépendant et le second ATP-indépendant dans les cellules de soutien et sensorielles, respectivement.L’ensemble de ces résultats indique que la maturation des centres supérieurs serait déterminée par l’activation synchrone d’un nombre limité de cellules sensorielles. / During development, the sensory cells of the cochlea, the inner hair cells (IHCs), fire spontaneous calcium action potentials. This spontaneous spiking activity at the pre-hearing stage allows the IHCs to automatically stimulate the auditory nerve fibers and hence, ensures the proper shaping of the tonotopic organization along the ascending auditory pathway. Spontaneous spiking patterns may depend on the IHCs position on the cochlea (the tonotopic axis). Those patterns may also rely on ATP secretion from neighboring supporting cells. In this study, we used calcium imaging in the immature neuro-sensory epithelium of the cochlea, the Kölliker´s organ, to gain insights in the IHCs spiking activity. After loading the Kölliker´s organ with the calcium dye fura-2 AM, propagation of spontaneous calcium waves was readily observed across supporting and sensory cells. Both basal and apical IHCs were characterized by similar spontaneous calcium transients interspaced with silent periods, reminiscent of bursts of action potential recorded in patch-clamp. In addition, neighboring cells show a strong degree of synchronous activity. Incubation with apyrase, which hydrolyzes ATP, prevents the spontaneous calcium increase that propagates across the supporting cells within the Kölliker's organ. However, it leaves the spontaneous calcium transients in IHCs mostly unaffected. All these results show that the tonotopic map refinement in higher auditory centers comes from a coordinated activity of neighboring sensory cells, whose activity seems to be independent of ATP

Adenosine (ADO) is an endogenous neuroprotectant. Under ischemic conditions ADO levels rise in the brain up to 100-fold. ADO in the brain is dependent on the movement across cell membranes by equilibrative nucleoside transporters (ENT) or produced from membrane bound ecto-5’ nucleotidase (eN). We used transgenic neurons with neuronal specific expression of human ENT1 (hENT1) and eN knockout (CD73 KO) astrocytes. The aim of this research was to determine the role of ENT1 and eN in ADO release from ischemic-like conditions in primary cultured neurons, astrocytes or co-cultures. Neurons primarily release intracellular ADO via ENTs; this effect was blocked by transporter inhibitor, dipyridamole (DPR). Astrocytes primarily convert ADO extracellularly from eN; this effect was with eN inhibitor α, β-methylene ADP (AOPCP). Combined neuron and KO astrocytes produced less ADO, extracellular ADO was inhibited by DPR but not AOPCP. Overall these results suggest that eN is prominent in the formation of ADO but other enzymes or pathways contribute to rising ADO levels in ischemic conditions.

Adenosine (ADO) is an endogenous neuroprotectant. Under ischemic conditions ADO levels rise in the brain up to 100-fold. ADO in the brain is dependent on the movement across cell membranes by equilibrative nucleoside transporters (ENT) or produced from membrane bound ecto-5’ nucleotidase (eN). We used transgenic neurons with neuronal specific expression of human ENT1 (hENT1) and eN knockout (CD73 KO) astrocytes. The aim of this research was to determine the role of ENT1 and eN in ADO release from ischemic-like conditions in primary cultured neurons, astrocytes or co-cultures. Neurons primarily release intracellular ADO via ENTs; this effect was blocked by transporter inhibitor, dipyridamole (DPR). Astrocytes primarily convert ADO extracellularly from eN; this effect was with eN inhibitor α, β-methylene ADP (AOPCP). Combined neuron and KO astrocytes produced less ADO, extracellular ADO was inhibited by DPR but not AOPCP. Overall these results suggest that eN is prominent in the formation of ADO but other enzymes or pathways contribute to rising ADO levels in ischemic conditions.

Trichomonas vaginalis é um protozoário flagelado parasita do trato urogenital humano, agente etiológico da tricomonose - a DST não viral mais frequente no mundo. No processo inflamatório promovido pela infecção, a infiltração leucocitária é principal mudança citológica observada. Considerando o impacto da doença na saúde pública e a importância em investigar novos alvos terapêuticos para o tratamento da tricomonose, o estudo de aspectos bioquímicos do parasito torna-se fundamental. Nucleotídeos extracelulares, especialmente ATP, são liberados pelas células em situações de estresse, anóxia ou lesão, sequencialmente, as ectonucleotidases são capazes de hidrolizá-los, levando à produção de adenosina. De forma importante, T. vaginalis não realiza síntese de novo de purinas e as enzimas participam das vias de salvação. Avaliando-se o perfil das ectonucleotidases de T. vaginalis em uma condição de limitação de soro bovino, o qual representa a fonte de adenosina aos trofozoítos, observou-se um aumento significativo da hidrólise de ATP, ADP e AMP, assim como da expressão gênica da NTPDase e do metabolismo dos nucleotídeos extracelulares. Além disso, essa situação promoveu atraso do ciclo celular dos parasitos nos estágios G0/G1, sugerindo um aumento do pool intracelular de nucleotídeos da adenina. Na tentativa de melhor compreender os mecanismos envolvidos no recrutamento de leucócitos para o sítio da infecção, investigou-se a produção de óxido nítrico (NO) por neutrófilos estimulados com T. vaginalis. Os trofozoítos promoveram aumento dos níveis de NO, o qual, provavelmente, é sintetizado pela forma induzível da enzima óxido nítrico sintase. Os nucleotídeos da adenina não foram capazes de modular a produção de NO, diferentemente da adenosina, que provocou significativa redução da secreção do mediador, provavelmente através da ativação de receptores A2A. Os resultados obtidos nesta dissertação demonstram a importância das ectonucleotidases de T. vaginalis na geração de adenosina, e contribuem para o entendimento de mecanismos envolvidos com a imunidade na tricomonose. / Trichomonas vaginalis is a flagellated protozoan parasite of human urogenital tract that causes trichomonosis - the most common non-viral STD in the world. In the inflammatory process promoted by infection, the leukocytic infiltration is the main cytological change observed. Considering the disease impact on public health and the search for new therapeutic targets to trichomonosis treatment, it is important to investigate the biochemical aspects of the parasite. Extracellular nucleotides, especially ATP, are released by cells under stress, anoxia or injury and they can be degraded to adenosine by ectonucleotidases. Importantly, T. vaginalis lacks the ability to synthesize purines de novo, and the enzymes act on the salvage pathways generating the nucleosides. Evaluating the profile of T. vaginalis ectonucleotidases in a serum limitation condition, a significant increase in ATP, ADP and AMP hydrolysis was observed. NTPDase gene expression and the metabolism of extracellular nucleotides were also increased. Moreover, the serum limitation promoted cell cycle arrest at G0/G1 phases, suggesting an increase in intracellular pool of adenine nucleotides. To better understand the mechanisms involved in leukocyte recruitment to infection site, the nitric oxide (NO) production by neutrophils stimulated with T. vaginalis was investigated. The trophozoites caused increase in NO synthesis, which is probably performed by nitric oxide synthase. The adenine nucleotides were not able to modulate the NO production. In contrast, the adenosine promoted a significant reduction in the compound levels, likely through of A2A receptors activation. The results obtained in this study evidence the importance of T. vaginalis ectonucleotidases on adenosine generation and contribute to the host-parasite interactions as well as the immunity in trichomonosis.

Trichomonas vaginalis é um protozoário flagelado parasita do trato urogenital humano, agente etiológico da tricomonose - a DST não viral mais frequente no mundo. No processo inflamatório promovido pela infecção, a infiltração leucocitária é principal mudança citológica observada. Considerando o impacto da doença na saúde pública e a importância em investigar novos alvos terapêuticos para o tratamento da tricomonose, o estudo de aspectos bioquímicos do parasito torna-se fundamental. Nucleotídeos extracelulares, especialmente ATP, são liberados pelas células em situações de estresse, anóxia ou lesão, sequencialmente, as ectonucleotidases são capazes de hidrolizá-los, levando à produção de adenosina. De forma importante, T. vaginalis não realiza síntese de novo de purinas e as enzimas participam das vias de salvação. Avaliando-se o perfil das ectonucleotidases de T. vaginalis em uma condição de limitação de soro bovino, o qual representa a fonte de adenosina aos trofozoítos, observou-se um aumento significativo da hidrólise de ATP, ADP e AMP, assim como da expressão gênica da NTPDase e do metabolismo dos nucleotídeos extracelulares. Além disso, essa situação promoveu atraso do ciclo celular dos parasitos nos estágios G0/G1, sugerindo um aumento do pool intracelular de nucleotídeos da adenina. Na tentativa de melhor compreender os mecanismos envolvidos no recrutamento de leucócitos para o sítio da infecção, investigou-se a produção de óxido nítrico (NO) por neutrófilos estimulados com T. vaginalis. Os trofozoítos promoveram aumento dos níveis de NO, o qual, provavelmente, é sintetizado pela forma induzível da enzima óxido nítrico sintase. Os nucleotídeos da adenina não foram capazes de modular a produção de NO, diferentemente da adenosina, que provocou significativa redução da secreção do mediador, provavelmente através da ativação de receptores A2A. Os resultados obtidos nesta dissertação demonstram a importância das ectonucleotidases de T. vaginalis na geração de adenosina, e contribuem para o entendimento de mecanismos envolvidos com a imunidade na tricomonose. / Trichomonas vaginalis is a flagellated protozoan parasite of human urogenital tract that causes trichomonosis - the most common non-viral STD in the world. In the inflammatory process promoted by infection, the leukocytic infiltration is the main cytological change observed. Considering the disease impact on public health and the search for new therapeutic targets to trichomonosis treatment, it is important to investigate the biochemical aspects of the parasite. Extracellular nucleotides, especially ATP, are released by cells under stress, anoxia or injury and they can be degraded to adenosine by ectonucleotidases. Importantly, T. vaginalis lacks the ability to synthesize purines de novo, and the enzymes act on the salvage pathways generating the nucleosides. Evaluating the profile of T. vaginalis ectonucleotidases in a serum limitation condition, a significant increase in ATP, ADP and AMP hydrolysis was observed. NTPDase gene expression and the metabolism of extracellular nucleotides were also increased. Moreover, the serum limitation promoted cell cycle arrest at G0/G1 phases, suggesting an increase in intracellular pool of adenine nucleotides. To better understand the mechanisms involved in leukocyte recruitment to infection site, the nitric oxide (NO) production by neutrophils stimulated with T. vaginalis was investigated. The trophozoites caused increase in NO synthesis, which is probably performed by nitric oxide synthase. The adenine nucleotides were not able to modulate the NO production. In contrast, the adenosine promoted a significant reduction in the compound levels, likely through of A2A receptors activation. The results obtained in this study evidence the importance of T. vaginalis ectonucleotidases on adenosine generation and contribute to the host-parasite interactions as well as the immunity in trichomonosis.

Trichomonas vaginalis é um protozoário flagelado parasita do trato urogenital humano, agente etiológico da tricomonose - a DST não viral mais frequente no mundo. No processo inflamatório promovido pela infecção, a infiltração leucocitária é principal mudança citológica observada. Considerando o impacto da doença na saúde pública e a importância em investigar novos alvos terapêuticos para o tratamento da tricomonose, o estudo de aspectos bioquímicos do parasito torna-se fundamental. Nucleotídeos extracelulares, especialmente ATP, são liberados pelas células em situações de estresse, anóxia ou lesão, sequencialmente, as ectonucleotidases são capazes de hidrolizá-los, levando à produção de adenosina. De forma importante, T. vaginalis não realiza síntese de novo de purinas e as enzimas participam das vias de salvação. Avaliando-se o perfil das ectonucleotidases de T. vaginalis em uma condição de limitação de soro bovino, o qual representa a fonte de adenosina aos trofozoítos, observou-se um aumento significativo da hidrólise de ATP, ADP e AMP, assim como da expressão gênica da NTPDase e do metabolismo dos nucleotídeos extracelulares. Além disso, essa situação promoveu atraso do ciclo celular dos parasitos nos estágios G0/G1, sugerindo um aumento do pool intracelular de nucleotídeos da adenina. Na tentativa de melhor compreender os mecanismos envolvidos no recrutamento de leucócitos para o sítio da infecção, investigou-se a produção de óxido nítrico (NO) por neutrófilos estimulados com T. vaginalis. Os trofozoítos promoveram aumento dos níveis de NO, o qual, provavelmente, é sintetizado pela forma induzível da enzima óxido nítrico sintase. Os nucleotídeos da adenina não foram capazes de modular a produção de NO, diferentemente da adenosina, que provocou significativa redução da secreção do mediador, provavelmente através da ativação de receptores A2A. Os resultados obtidos nesta dissertação demonstram a importância das ectonucleotidases de T. vaginalis na geração de adenosina, e contribuem para o entendimento de mecanismos envolvidos com a imunidade na tricomonose. / Trichomonas vaginalis is a flagellated protozoan parasite of human urogenital tract that causes trichomonosis - the most common non-viral STD in the world. In the inflammatory process promoted by infection, the leukocytic infiltration is the main cytological change observed. Considering the disease impact on public health and the search for new therapeutic targets to trichomonosis treatment, it is important to investigate the biochemical aspects of the parasite. Extracellular nucleotides, especially ATP, are released by cells under stress, anoxia or injury and they can be degraded to adenosine by ectonucleotidases. Importantly, T. vaginalis lacks the ability to synthesize purines de novo, and the enzymes act on the salvage pathways generating the nucleosides. Evaluating the profile of T. vaginalis ectonucleotidases in a serum limitation condition, a significant increase in ATP, ADP and AMP hydrolysis was observed. NTPDase gene expression and the metabolism of extracellular nucleotides were also increased. Moreover, the serum limitation promoted cell cycle arrest at G0/G1 phases, suggesting an increase in intracellular pool of adenine nucleotides. To better understand the mechanisms involved in leukocyte recruitment to infection site, the nitric oxide (NO) production by neutrophils stimulated with T. vaginalis was investigated. The trophozoites caused increase in NO synthesis, which is probably performed by nitric oxide synthase. The adenine nucleotides were not able to modulate the NO production. In contrast, the adenosine promoted a significant reduction in the compound levels, likely through of A2A receptors activation. The results obtained in this study evidence the importance of T. vaginalis ectonucleotidases on adenosine generation and contribute to the host-parasite interactions as well as the immunity in trichomonosis.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / Visceral leishmaniasis is a neglected disease caused by Leishmania infantum in Brazil. The Ecto-NTPDase activities, described in various parasites including Leishmania, is involved in adhesion, infection and virulence of these parasites, functioning as a molecular mechanism able to modulate the host immune response and promoting the disease progression. E-NTPDases are enzymes that hydrolyze nucleotides tri and/or di-phosphate into monophosphate products. The extracellular metabolism of these nucleotides has an important role in infection by L. infantum and other intracellular pathogens. These nucleotides are powerful extracellular signals involved in various cellular processes, which are part of the purinergic signalling that modulates the immune response. The objective of this study was to evaluate the role of ecto-NTPDase activities in adherence and infection of L. infantum in human macrophages. The ecto-NTPDase activities of parasites were evaluated in four different media or conditions: (1) purine-depleted, (2) adenosine-enriched, (3) with inhibitor of ecto-NTPDase activities, and (4) with anti-E antibody NTPDase 1. The effects of these treatments on the adhesion and infection of these parasites in human macrophages were investigated. Immunolocalization of the E-NTPDase in the membrane of L. infantum was also evaluated. The ecto-nucleotidase activity is modulated according to the availability of adenosine in the medium. Parasites cultivated in a purine-depleted medium showed increased hydrolytic capacity of nucleotides and higher infectivity. Parasites grown in adenosine-enriched medium had lower ecto-nucleotidase activity and infectivity. Growing parasites with an inhibitor of Ecto-NTPDase activities led to an increase in the adherence of Leishmania to non-phagocytic cells. E-NTPDase enzymes responsible for the hydrolysis of nucleotides are present in the membrane of L. infantum. The higher hydrolysis capacity is associated with increased adhesion capacity and infection of these parasites in human macrophages. / A Leishmaniose visceral é uma doença negligenciada causada, no Brasil, pelo protozoário Leishmania infantum. A atividade ecto-nucleotidásica descrita em vários parasitos incluindo Leishmania sp está associada à nutrição, adesão, infecção e virulência destes, funcionando como um mecanismo molecular capaz de modular a resposta imune do hospedeiro, favorecendo a progressão da doença. As ecto-nucleotidases da família E-NTPDases são enzimas capazes de hidrolisar nucleotídeos tri e/ou di-fosfatados em seus produtos monofosfatados. O metabolismo extracelular destes nucleotídeos tem um papel importante na infecção por L. infantum e outros patógenos intracelulares. Estes nucleotídeos extracelulares são potentes sinalizadores envolvidos em vários processos celulares, incluindo a sinalização purinérgica que está relacionada à modulação da resposta imune. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o papel da atividade ecto-nucleotidásica em L. infantum na adesão e infecção de macrófagos humanos. Avaliação da atividade ecto-nucleotidásica de parasitos crescidos em meio depletado de purina, meio enriquecido com adenosina, incubados previamente com inibidor da atividade NTPDásica, ou na presença do anticorpo Anti E-NTPDase 1 e investigar os efeitos desses tratamentos na adesão e infecção desses parasitos em macrófagos humanos. A atividade ecto-nucleotidásica dos parasitas foram avaliadas em quatro condições diferentes: (1) na meio depletado de purina, (2) meio enriquecido com adenosina, (3) com o inibidor da atividade ecto-nucleotidásica, e (4) incubada com anticorpo anti-E NTPDase 1. foram investigados os efeitos desses tratamentos sobre a adesão e infecção destes parasitas em macrófagos humanos. Imunodetectamos a presença de E-NTPDases presentes na membrana de L. infantum, e comparamos a atividade ecto-nucleotidásica de diferentes cepas de L. infantum. A atividade ecto-nucleotidásica, é modulada de acordo com a disponibilidade de adenosina do meio, parasitos cultivados em meio depletado de purina apresentaram o aumento da capacidade hidrolítica de nucleotídeos, e maior capacidade infectiva, os parasitos cultivados em meio suplementado com adenosina apresentaram uma menor atividade ecto-nucleotidásica e uma redução de 30% na capacidade infectiva. O aumento da atividade ecto-nucleotidásica levou a um aumento na adesão em células não fagocíticas. As enzimas E-NTPDases estão presentes na membrana de L. infantum. Concluímos que atividade ecto-nucleotidásica está associada a maior capacidade de adesão e infecção destes parasitos in vitro.

Untersucht wurde der Zusammenhang zwischen der Proteinkinase A-vermittelten Ekto-Phosphorylierung des Membranproteins FAT/CD36 [Hatmi et al. 1996] und der initialen zellulären Aufnahme langkettiger Fettsäuren. Wir zeigten einen inhibitorischen Effekt auf die initiale Palmitinsäure-Aufnahme humaner Thrombozyten unter den Bedingungen der Ekto-Phosphorylierung von FAT/CD36. Damit kann erstmalig ein Mechanismus für die kurzfristige Regulation der proteinvermittelten Aufnahme langkettiger Fettsäuren vorgeschlagen werden. Für die Bearbeitung der Fragestellung wurden die Isolation "ruhender", morphologisch und funktionell intakter humaner Thrombozyten und eine Methode zur Messung der initialen Palmitinsäure-Aufnahme etabliert. Die Kinetik der Palmitinsäure-Aufnahme humaner Thrombozyten wurde charakterisiert und bestätigt, dass ein wesentlicher Anteil der initialen Aufnahme proteinvermittelt erfolgt. Die von Hatmi und Co-Autoren beschriebene Ekto-Proteinkinase A-vermittelte, cAMP-abhängige Phosphorylierung von FAT/CD36 [Hatmi et al. 1996] konnte unter unseren experimentellen Bedingungen nachvollzogen werden. Die Ekto-Phosphorylierung von FAT/CD36 ging mit einer signifikanten Abnahme der initialen Palmitinsäure-Aufnahme einher. Die maximale Abnahme auf 72 % des Kontrollwerts wurde bei einer extrazellulären ATP-Konzentration von 0,5 nM erreicht. Der inhibitorische Effekt liess sich durch Co-Inkubation mit dem spezifischen Proteinkinase A-Inhibitorpeptid PKI 5-24 oder mit beta-gamma-ATP aufheben. Der Effekt war durch Dephosphorylierung mit Alkalischer Phosphatase vollständig reversibel. Bei extrazellulären ATP-Konzentrationen zwischen 10 pM und 15 nM war der inhibitorische Effekt der Ekto-Phosphorylierung auf die Palmitinsäure-Aufnahme signifikant. ATP-Konzentrationen über 15 nM verminderten den Effekt, bei über 5 µM ATP war kein Effekt nachzuweisen. Wir konnten ausschliessen, dass die Aufhebung durch ATP-Abbauprodukte verursacht wurde. Unsere Beobachtungen deuten auf einen regulatorischen Einfluss höherer extrazellulärer ATP-Konzentrationen, der dem inhibitorischen Effekt der Ektophosphorylierung von FAT/CD36 auf die Fettsäure-Aufnahme entgegenwirkt. / We investigated the correlation between the ecto-protein kinase A-mediated phosphorylation of the membrane-associated protein FAT/CD36 [Hatmi et al. 1996] and the initial cellular long chain fatty acid uptake. Under the conditions of FAT/CD36-ecto-phosphorylation, an inhibitory effect on the initial palmitate uptake of human platelets could be shown. This is the first time that a mechanism for the short-term regulation of protein-mediated long chain fatty acid uptake can be proposed. The isolation of morphologically and functionally intact resting human platelets and a method for measuring the initial palmitate uptake were established. The kinetics of palmitate uptake by human platelets were characterised and it was shown that a substantial fraction of initial palmitate uptake is protein-mediated. The ecto-protein kinase A-mediated, cAMP-dependent phosphorylation of FAT/CD36 as described by Hatmi and co-authors could be demonstrated under our experimental conditions. The ecto-phosphorylation of FAT/CD36 was paralleled by a significant impairment of the initial palmitate uptake. Maximum inhibition was achieved at 0,5 nM extracellular ATP, when the palmitate uptake was decreased to 72 % compared to control. The inhibition of palmitate uptake was abolished by co-incubation with the specific protein kinase A inhibitor peptide PKI 5-24 or with beta-gamma-methylene-ATP, and was fully reversible upon addition of alkaline phosphatase. The inhibitory effect of the ecto-phosphorylation on the initial palmitate uptake was significant at extracellular ATP concentrations between 10 pM and 15 nM. ATP concentrations over 15 nM reduced the effect and concentrations over 5 µM completely abolished it. We could exclude that the abolishment was caused by ATP-derivates. Our data point to a regulatory influence of higher ATP concentrations, that antagonises the inhibitory effect of the ecto-phosphorylation of FAT/CD36 on the initial palmitate uptake.

Introdução: A fisiopatologia da doença de Parkinson está associada a lesões por estresse oxidativo/nitrosativo. O ferro encontra-se acumulado na substância negra (SN) de pacientes com DP e está relacionado com esse dano através das espécies reagentes de oxigênio (EROs) e de nitrogênio (ERNs) na reação de Fenton. EROs e ERNs são produzidas normalmente em processos celulares e inflamatórios, e controladas por sistemas antioxidantes. Objetivo: Avaliar níveis periféricos de ferro em pacientes com DP para determinar se acúmulo na SN está relacionado com níveis elevados no sangue. Determinar biomarcadores periféricos confiáveis de estresse oxidativo/nitrosativo Métodos: Selecionados 40 pacientes com DP e 46 indivíduos controles para comparar níveis séricos de ferro, ferritina e transferrina, e de biomarcadores de estresse oxidativo/nitrosativo: superóxido dismutase (SOD), catalase, óxido nítrico (NOx), substâncias reativas ao ácido tiobarbitúrico (TBARS), tióis não-proteicos, “advanced oxidation protein products” (AOPP), “ferric reducing ability of plasma” (FRAP), NTPDases, ecto-5’-nucleotidase, adenosina deaminase (ADA), mieloperoxidase, albumina modificada pela isquemia (IMA) e vitamina C. Resultados: Níveis de ferro estavam diminuídos em pacientes com DP, enquanto ferritina e transferrina não mostraram diferença. Os biomarcadores de estresse oxidativo como TBARS, AOPP, NTPDases, IMA, mieloperoxidase, FRAP, vitamina C e tiois não-proteicos encontraram-se significativamente aumentados na DP. SOD, catalase, ecto-5’-nucleotidase não foram diferentes entre os grupos e os marcadores NOx e ADA foram significativamente aumentados nos controles. Nenhuma correlação foi encontrada entre os biomarcadores e dados sociodemográficos e de características da doença. Conclusão: Níveis plasmáticos de ferro encontram-se diminuídos em pacientes com DP comparados com controles saudáveis. Os biomarcadores TBARS, AOPP, NTPDases, IMA e mieloperoxidase mostraram-se confiáveis para lesão oxidativa, enquanto tióis não-proteicos, FRAP e vitamina C demonstram diminuição da capacidade antioxidante na DP. / Background: Parkinson’s disease (PD) pathophysiology is associated with oxidative/nitrosative stress damage. Iron accumulates in the substantia nigra (SN) of PD patients and is related to this damage along with oxygen and nitrogen reactive species (ROS, RNS) through Fenton reaction. ROS and RNS are normally produced in cell and inflammatory processes, controlled by antioxidant systems. Objective: To determine peripheral levels of iron, ferritin and transferrin in PD patients to evaluate whether iron accumulation in the SN could be related to serum levels. To determine reliable peripheral biomarkers of oxidative/nitrative stress. Methods: Forty PD patients and 46 controls were selected to compared serum levels of iron, ferritin, transferrin and oxidative/nitrative stress biomarkers: superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, nitric oxide (NOx), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), non-protein thiols, advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP), ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP), NTPDases, ecto-5’-nucleotidase, adenosine deaminase (ADA), myeloperoxidase, ischemic-modified albumin (IMA) and vitamin C. Results: Iron levels were decreased in patients with PD, while ferritin and transferrin were not different. Oxidative stress biomarkers, TBARS, AOPP, NTPDases, IMA, myeloperoxidase, FRAP, vitamin C and non-proteic thiols were significantly higher in PD. SOD, catalase, ecto-5’-nucleotidase were not different between the groups and biomarkers NOx and ADA were significantly increased in the controls. No correlation was found between biomarkers and sociodemographic and disease data. Conclusion: Plasmatic levels of iron are decreased in patients with PD compared to healthy controls. Biomarkers TBARS, AOPP, NTPDases, IMA and myeloperoxidase presented as reliable to measure oxidative/nitrative damage, while non-proteic thiols, FRAP and vitamin C show a decrease in the antioxidant capacity in PD.