Pathogenesis of mucopolysaccharidosis type IIIC (MPS IIIC) and Gaucher disease has not been yet fully clarified, and the causes of phenotypical variability between the patients with the same genotype in Gaucher disease remain obscure. Because the variants in the regulatory regions of genes can cause phenotypical differences mentioned above, I have studied promoter regions of HGSNAT and GBA genes mutated in these lysosomal disorders. I have shown that there is an alternative promoter of GBA (P2). Additional studies were aimed to elucidate possible physiological functions of P2, and its possible role in the pathogenesis of Gaucher disease. I have found that P2 is not tissue specific, and that its variants do not influence the variability of phenotype in Gaucher patients with the same genotype. P2 is used differentially neither during the differentiation of monocytes to macrophages nor in macrophages from controls and Gaucher patients, in whom there is a prominent storage only in cells of macrophage origin. We have thus not found any changes that would suggest a role for P2 in the pathogenesis of Gaucher disease. I have characterized the promoter region of HGSNAT and shown that the binding of Sp1 transcription factor is important for its expression. Sequence variants found in HGSNAT promoter in...

5 Abstract Definitive diagnosis of inherited metabolic disorders commonly depends on the measurement of enzyme activity (which is often complicated) and/or molecular genetic testing. Yet even the standard mutation analysis can bring false negative results in the case of gross chromosomal rearrangements or incorrect regulation of gene expression due to the mutations in regulatory regions. In the present study I focused on characterization of complex mutations affecting the gene encoding ornithin transcarbamylase (OTC) followed by studies of regulatory regions of OTC and GBA (the gene encoding β-glucocerebrosidase). In the first study we identified 14 novel mutations including three large deletions in a cohort of 37 patients with OTC deficiency (OTCD). Subsequently we evaluated clinical significance of all these mutations. We also found a heterozygote carrying a hypomorphic mutation and manifesting OTCD most likely due to unfavorable X-inactivation which was observed independently in three different peripheral tissues. In order to evaluate the clinical significance of a promoter variation c.-366A>G found in a family with mild OTCD we identified three alternative transcription start sites (TSSs) of human OTC and delimited the promoter. We also found a distal enhancer and performed functional analysis of both...

Aquest treball és una contribució als estudis de diversitat del genoma humà i pretén estudiar la variació genètica existent a nivell mundial en dos gens, causants de malaltia, el gen CFTR i el gen GBA, en cromosomes d'individus sans. Mutacions en aquests gens produeixen la fibrosi quística i la malaltia de Gaucher respectivament. La fibrosi quística és la malaltia autosòmica recessiva més comuna en poblacions europees. La malaltia de Gaucher és la malaltia lisosòmica d'acumulació lipídica més freqüent. L'estudi analitza la variació genètica en diferents polimorfismes d'ambdós gens; reconstrueix els haplotips i analitza la seva distribució geogràfica; i analitza l'extensió i distribució geogràfica del desequilibri de lligament entre loci. Pel gen GBA, hem ampliat la regió, abastant fins al gen PKLR (que codifica per a la piruvat quinasa). A més a més, pel cas de CFTR, pot ajudar a entendre l'origen de les mutacions més freqüents causants de fibrosi quística. / This work is a contribution to human genome diversity studies and it aims to study the world-wide genetic variation that exists in two disease genes, CFTR and GBA gene, in healthy chromosomes. Mutations in these genes are known to cause cystic fibrosis and Gaucher disease respectively. Cystic fibrosis is the most common severe autosomal recessive disease in patients of European descent. Gaucher disease is the most frequent lysosomal storage disorder. The study analyzes the genetic variation in CFTR and GBA polymorphisms; estimates haplotype frequencies and describes their geographic distribution; and measures linkage disequilibrium between loci. For GBA gene, we have extended the analysis covering PKLR gene (that encodes for a pyruvate kinase). Moreover, for CFTR gene, we have tried to understand the origin of the most common cystic fibrosis causing mutations.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-08-26T17:31:46Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license.txt: 1748 bytes, checksum: 8a4605be74aa9ea9d79846c1fba20a33 (MD5) 69585.pdf: 1181357 bytes, checksum: 50462d1ba789c7b199ee8460ca90f3b8 (MD5) / Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Fernandes Figueira. Departamento de Ensino. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Saúde da Criança e da Mulher. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil / A Doença de Gaucher (DG) é uma Doença de Depósito Lisossômico (DDL) e seu tratamento baseia - se na terapia de reposição enzimática. Tal terapia foi um marco na vida de pacientes e especialistas, pois mudou a história da evolução da doença, caracterizando um a nova era na Genética Médica. Este trabalho tem como objeto de pesquisa as perspectivas trazidas por profissionais, com experiência em trata r a Doença de Gaucher no Sistema Único de Saúde no estado do Rio de Janeiro. Uma vez que a DG é a única condição d o grupo das DDL a ser contemplada por uma Política Ministerial, promovendo acesso a drogas de alto custo através de um Protocolo Clínico e Diretrizes Terapêuticas (PCDT). O o bjetivo geral foi a nalisar a prática da aplicação do protocolo oficial de tratame nto da DG e o seu entendimento a partir da ótica dos médicos tratadores, profissionais de saúde e gestores do Centro de Referência , o Instituto Estadual de Hematologia Arthur de Siqueira Cavalcanti (HEMORIO). Os objetivos específicos foram primeiramente id entificar a formaçã o profissional dos envolvidos no programa, analisar a ótica desses profissionais sob re as recomendações do PCDT e como estes situam o Centro de Referência (CR) e m seu atual funcionamento , e d iscutir de maneira crítica a visão dos profiss i onais a respeito dos benefícios e de possíveis falhas do programa. Foram realizadas entrevistas temáticas semiestruturadas e a elas aplicou - se a análise de conteúdo. No que tange ao entendimento sobre o PCDT - DG e o seu viii funcionamento, os resultados apontam a importância da existência de um balizador, um programa robusto governamental, revisado por especialistas bem capacitados no tema. O PCDT - DG foi um avanço na saúde, oficializando e garantindo o acesso à medicação de maneira embasada, controlada por câmar as técnicas estaduais, permitindo a efetuação de pregões públicos, uma maneira transparente de aquisiçã o de drogas de alto custo comparada a medidas judiciais . Os sujeitos da pesquisa são favoráveis ao programa, no entanto possuem uma abordagem crítica ao sistema de saúde no que diz respeit o a entraves na rede de assistência cirúrgica e de reabilitação. Um grande gargalo atualmente no SUS não é exclusivo ao programa da DG: certos questionamentos éticos na fomentação do diagnóstico laboratorial por parte da indústria farmacêutica, apesar de haver relações amigáveis entre esses dois atores no CR. Concluímos que muitos avanços foram conquistados a partir da implementação do protocolo e que talvez este possa servir como modelo para garantir acesso ao tratamento de outras DDL. Algumas incongruências do siste ma são questionáveis e discutida s entre gestores, médicos e usuários, entretanto ainda são muito poucos os estudos publicados no Brasil sobre o tema . / Gaucher disease (GD) is a Lysosomal Storage Disease (LSD) and its treatment is based on enzyme replacement therapy. Such therapy was a milestone in patients `s lives and experts in the field, changing the disease natural history . This work aims at present ing the treatment of GD in the Unified Health System i n the state of Rio de Janeiro, as it is the only LSD to be covered by a Ministerial policy , which promotes access to high cost drugs through a Clinical Gui deline (CG) . The overall objective was to analyze the practical application of the CG protocol in the treatment of GD, and how this guideline was interpreted and used by the medical c haracters , health professionals and ma nagers of the Reference Center and the State Institute of Hematology Arthur de Siquei ra Cavalcanti (HEMORIO ). The specific objectives were to identify the training of those involved in the program, to analyze how professionals viewed the recommendations included in the CP, what they thought about the Reference Center for GD and to critical ly discuss the benefits and possi ble shortcomings of the program . Thematic semi - structured interviews were conducted, and the content analysis was applied. Regarding the understanding of the CP - GD and its op eration, the results point the importance of t he existence of a robust government program, reviewed by well - trained experts in the subject. The CP - GD was a health`s breakthrough , ensuring access to medication, controlled by state technical chambers, a llowing the practice of public auctions, a transpar ent way of purchasing high - cost drugs when compared to individual litigation. The steakeholder`s research were x favo rable to the program, although they criticized the health network constraints for specialized care, such as surgical services and rehabilitat ion. Another major bottleneck in the health system, not exclusive for G D is ethical issues regarding laboratory diagnosis by the pharmaceutical industry. We conclude d that many advances have been achieved from the implementation of the CP, and that hopeful ly this can serve as a model to ensure access t o treatment for other LSD. Managers, physicians and users point out some inconsistencies in the system although there is still limited published data on this subject in Brazil.

Glycosphingolipid (GSL) metabolism is a complex process involving proteins and enzymes at distinct locations within the cell. Mammalian GSLs are typically based on glucose or galactose, forming glucosylceramide (GlcCer) and galactosylceramide (GalCer). Most GSLs are derived from GlcCer, which is synthesized on the cytosolic leaflet of the Golgi, while all subsequent GSLs are synthesized on the lumenal side. We have utilized both pharamacological and genetic manipulation approaches to selectively regulate GSL metabolism and better understand its mechanistic details. We have developed analogues of GlcCer and GalCer by substituting the fatty acid moiety with an adamanatane frame. The resulting adamantylGSLs are more water-soluble than their natural counterparts. These analogues selectively interfere with GSL metabolism at particular points within the metabolic pathway. At 40 µM, adaGlcCer prevents synthesis of all GSLs downstream of GlcCer, while also elevating GlcCer levels, by inhibiting lactosylceramide (LacCer) synthase and glucocerebrosidase, respectively. AdaGalCer specifically reduces synthesis of globotriaosylceramide (Gb3) and downstream globo-series GSLs. AdaGalCer also increases Gaucher disease N370S glucocerebrosidase expression, lysosomal localization and activity. AdaGSLs, therefore, have potential as novel therapeutic agents in diseases characterized by GSL anomalies and as tools to study the effects of GSL modulation. Two predominant theories have been developed to explain how GlcCer accesses the Golgi lumen: one involving direct translocation from the cytosolic-to-lumenal leaflet of the Golgi by the ABC transporter P-glycoprotein (P-gp, ABCB1, MDR1), and the other involving retrograde transport of GlcCer by FAPP2 to the ER, followed by entry into the vesicular transport system for Golgi lumenal access. To examine the in vivo involvement of P-gp in GSL metabolism, we generated a knockout model by crossbreeding the Fabry disease mouse with the P-gp knockout mouse. HPLC analyses of tissue Gb3 levels revealed a tissue-specific reduction in MDR1/Fabry mice. TLC analyses, however, did not show such reduction. In addition, we performed a gene knockdown study using siRNA against P-gp and FAPP2. Results show these siRNA to have distinct effects on GSL levels that are cell-type specific. These results give rise to the prospect of unique therapeutic approaches by targeting P-gp or FAPP2 for synthesis inhibition of particular GSL pathways.

Glycosphingolipid (GSL) metabolism is a complex process involving proteins and enzymes at distinct locations within the cell. Mammalian GSLs are typically based on glucose or galactose, forming glucosylceramide (GlcCer) and galactosylceramide (GalCer). Most GSLs are derived from GlcCer, which is synthesized on the cytosolic leaflet of the Golgi, while all subsequent GSLs are synthesized on the lumenal side. We have utilized both pharamacological and genetic manipulation approaches to selectively regulate GSL metabolism and better understand its mechanistic details. We have developed analogues of GlcCer and GalCer by substituting the fatty acid moiety with an adamanatane frame. The resulting adamantylGSLs are more water-soluble than their natural counterparts. These analogues selectively interfere with GSL metabolism at particular points within the metabolic pathway. At 40 µM, adaGlcCer prevents synthesis of all GSLs downstream of GlcCer, while also elevating GlcCer levels, by inhibiting lactosylceramide (LacCer) synthase and glucocerebrosidase, respectively. AdaGalCer specifically reduces synthesis of globotriaosylceramide (Gb3) and downstream globo-series GSLs. AdaGalCer also increases Gaucher disease N370S glucocerebrosidase expression, lysosomal localization and activity. AdaGSLs, therefore, have potential as novel therapeutic agents in diseases characterized by GSL anomalies and as tools to study the effects of GSL modulation. Two predominant theories have been developed to explain how GlcCer accesses the Golgi lumen: one involving direct translocation from the cytosolic-to-lumenal leaflet of the Golgi by the ABC transporter P-glycoprotein (P-gp, ABCB1, MDR1), and the other involving retrograde transport of GlcCer by FAPP2 to the ER, followed by entry into the vesicular transport system for Golgi lumenal access. To examine the in vivo involvement of P-gp in GSL metabolism, we generated a knockout model by crossbreeding the Fabry disease mouse with the P-gp knockout mouse. HPLC analyses of tissue Gb3 levels revealed a tissue-specific reduction in MDR1/Fabry mice. TLC analyses, however, did not show such reduction. In addition, we performed a gene knockdown study using siRNA against P-gp and FAPP2. Results show these siRNA to have distinct effects on GSL levels that are cell-type specific. These results give rise to the prospect of unique therapeutic approaches by targeting P-gp or FAPP2 for synthesis inhibition of particular GSL pathways.