BspA was first identified on the basis of being the major constituent of 5 M LiCl washes of whole Lactobacillus fermentum BR11 cells. The bspA gene is encoded within a putative ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transport operon, and sequence analysis revealed that it is a member of the family III solute binding proteins. Unlike the majority of solute binding proteins from Gram-positive bacteria, BspA is not tethered to a lipid anchor in the cell membrane, and hence is not a lipoprotein. Extraction of BspA with concentrated salt solutions such as 5 M LiCl is consistent with the notion that electrostatic interactions are responsible for securing it to the L. fermentum BR11 cell. L. fermentum PNG201 is a BspA negative mutant strain created by disrupting bspA. This strain was shown to be incapable of cystine uptake. Thus, the genetic and biochemical evidence strongly suggests BspA is a cystine binding protein of an ABC transporter. Measurement of the binding affinity between BspA and L-cystine has confirmed high affinity binding (dissociation constant is 0.2 µM), and high specificity (over 100-fold excess of non-target amino acids did not disrupt BspA / L-cystine binding). In addition, collagen did not appear to affect BspA/cystine binding, indicating extracellular matrix (ECM) binding capacity noted by other researchers may be unrelated to amino acid binding. An interesting phenotypic characteristic of L. fermentum PNG201 is its apparent increased sensitivity to oxygen and the superoxide-generating chemical - paraquat compared to the parent L. fermentum BR11 strain. Catalase supplemented aerobic cultures of L. fermentum BR11, and L. fermentum PNG201 were protected from oxidative stress, suggesting hydrogen peroxide is responsible for the observed oxidative stress. It was found that addition of cystine to aerobic cultures of L. fermentum BR11 or L. fermentum PNG201 protected both strains from oxidative stress, with L. fermentum BR11 able to utilize smaller concentrations of cystine compared to L. fermentum PNG201. Detection of hydrogen peroxide in aerobic cultures of L. fermentum BR11 and L. fermentum PNG201 confirmed the production of hydrogen peroxide is responsible for causing oxidative stress. The BspA mutant strain L. fermentum PNG201 consistently produced more hydrogen peroxide per optical density compared with the wild type, indicating it overproduced hydrogen peroxide. When 0.4 mM hydrogen peroxide has been accumulated by growing cell cultures, both L. fermentum BR11 and L. fermentum PNG201 enters stationary phase, suggesting both strains have a similar sensitivity to hydrogen peroxide. Small epitopes from the HIV gp41 protein and the Chlamydia psittaci major outer membrane protein have been successfully displayed on the cell surface of L. fermentum BR11 as fusion proteins to the BspA molecule. However, the capability of BspA in exporting larger polypeptides has not been tested. In this study, the large extracellular enzyme - glucosyltransferase (GtfJ) from Streptococcus salivarius ATCC 25975 was fused to BspA to demonstrate that this expression system is capable of exporting large functional enzymes to the cell surface of L. fermentum BR11. The native GtfJ is 160kDa in size and also contained an export signal, which was deleted in the cloning process and replaced with BspA, resulting in a fusion protein of 175kDa. Export of the BspA/GtfJ fusion protein is dependant entirely on BspA's export signal. Recombinant enzyme expression and glucosyltransferase activity were detected by measuring the glucan formed by sonicated cell extracts in acrylamide gels. Enzyme activity measurements on whole cells has revealed the recombinant Lactobacillus was incorporating 20-40 nmol of sucrose-derived-glucose into glucan per ml of cell culture per OD unit, which is comparable to activity levels exhibited by the native bacteria that expressed this enzyme. Comparison of GtfJ enzyme activity between whole cells and sonicated cell extracts of recombinant L. fermentum confirmed the extracellular location of BspA/GtfJ as enzyme activity was essentially identical.

Saponinas triterpênicas incluem uma ampla variedade de moléculas com diversas aplicações farmacológicas. As saponinas das folhas de Quillaja brasiliensis, espécie nativa do Sul do Brasil, são estrutural e funcionalmente semelhantes às encontradas nas cascas da espécie chilena Quillaja saponaria, as quais são utilizadas atualmente como adjuvantes em formulações comerciais de vacinas. O perfil de acúmulo da fração imunoadjuvante de saponinas triterpênicas de Q. brasiliensis (QB-90) foi avaliado em resposta a diferentes fatores de estresse. O conteúdo de QB-90 em discos foliares aumentou significativamente com a aplicação de diferentes agentes de estresse osmótico. Também pôde ser observado aumento nos teores de saponinas pela exposição de discos foliares a ácido salicílico, ácido jasmônico, ultrassom e luz ultravioleta C. Experimentos com plântulas indicaram um aumento significativo nos teores de QB-90 com o aumento moderado de irradiância luminosa e pela aplicação de dano mecânico nas folhas. Os resultados obtidos apoiam o papel de defesa induzida que estes metabólitos apresentam in planta. Com o objetivo de avançar os estudos de atividade adjuvante de Q. brasiliensis e ampliar a extensão de antígenos testados, uma vacina contra poliovírus foi avaliada em camundongos. Resultados demonstraram que as formulações de vacinas contendo saponinas da espécie brasileira aumentaram níveis de anticorpos específicos IgG, IgG1 e IgG2a, sugerindo um estímulo de ambos tipos de resposta imune (Th1 e Th2). A resposta celular foi confirmada por ensaios de DTH e pela avaliação dos níveis de mRNA das citocinas IL-2 e IFN- em esplenócitos murinos. A resposta imune de mucosas foi demonstrada pelos aumentos nos níveis de IgA em bile, fezes e lavados vaginais. O segundo objeto de estudo desta Tese é a espécie Centella asiatica (L.) Urban, que também apresenta saponinas triterpênicas bioativas em suas partes aéreas. Uma enzima responsável pela glicosilação de ácido asiático e ácido madecássico foi parcialmente purificada. Usando técnicas de proteômica e dados de sequências de cDNA, a sequência completa do clone que codifica uma glicosiltransferase foi obtida. O produto gênico recombinante, UGT73AD1, foi funcionalmente expresso em Escherichia coli, purificado por cromatografia de afinidade por metal imobilizado e funcionalmente caracterizado. UGT73AD1 foi identificada como sendo uma glicosiltransferase triterpênica de ácidos carboxílicos, provavelmente envolvida na biossíntese de monodesmosídeos da espécie. / Triterpene saponins include a large variety of molecules that find several applications in pharmacology. The saponins from leaves of Quillaja brasiliensis, a native species from Southern Brazil, show structural and functional similarities to those of Quillaja saponaria barks, which are currently used as adjuvants in vaccine formulations. The accumulation patterns of an immunoadjuvant fraction of leaf triterpene saponins (QB-90) in response to stress factors were examined. The content of QB-90 in leaf disks was significantly increased by application of different osmotic stress agents. Higher yields of bioactive saponins were also observed upon exposure to salicylic acid, jasmonic acid, ultrasound and UV-C light. Experiments with shoots indicated a significant increase in QB-90 yields with moderate increases in white light irradiance and by mechanical damage applied to leaves. These results support a general induced defense role for these metabolites in planta. Aiming at advancing the studies of Q. brasiliensis adjuvant activity and amplifying the range of antigens tested, an inactivated virus-based vaccine against poliovirus was evaluated in mice. Results demonstrated that saponin formulations were able to enhance poliovirus- specific total IgG, IgG1 and IgG2a, suggesting stimulation of both Th1 and Th2 immune responses. Cellular response stimulation was confirmed by DTH assays and by evaluating the enhancement of IL-2 and IFN-γ cytokine mRNA expression in mice splenocytes. Mucosal immune responses demonstrated that the QB-90-adjuvanted vaccine enhanced IgA titers in bile, feces and vaginal washings. Centella asiatica (L.) Urban, a species accumulating triterpene bioactive saponins in its shoots, was also subject of study in this Thesis. An enzyme capable of glucosylating asiatic and madecassic acids was partially purified. Using proteomic methods and cDNA sequence data, a full-length cDNA clone encoding the glucosyltransferase was obtained. The recombinant gene product, UGT73AD1, was functionally expressed in Escherichia coli, purified by immobilized metal-affinity chromatography and functionally characterized. UGT73AD1 was identified as a triterpene carboxylic acid glucosyltransferase, likely involved in monodesmoside biosynthesis in C. asiatica.

Saponinas triterpênicas incluem uma ampla variedade de moléculas com diversas aplicações farmacológicas. As saponinas das folhas de Quillaja brasiliensis, espécie nativa do Sul do Brasil, são estrutural e funcionalmente semelhantes às encontradas nas cascas da espécie chilena Quillaja saponaria, as quais são utilizadas atualmente como adjuvantes em formulações comerciais de vacinas. O perfil de acúmulo da fração imunoadjuvante de saponinas triterpênicas de Q. brasiliensis (QB-90) foi avaliado em resposta a diferentes fatores de estresse. O conteúdo de QB-90 em discos foliares aumentou significativamente com a aplicação de diferentes agentes de estresse osmótico. Também pôde ser observado aumento nos teores de saponinas pela exposição de discos foliares a ácido salicílico, ácido jasmônico, ultrassom e luz ultravioleta C. Experimentos com plântulas indicaram um aumento significativo nos teores de QB-90 com o aumento moderado de irradiância luminosa e pela aplicação de dano mecânico nas folhas. Os resultados obtidos apoiam o papel de defesa induzida que estes metabólitos apresentam in planta. Com o objetivo de avançar os estudos de atividade adjuvante de Q. brasiliensis e ampliar a extensão de antígenos testados, uma vacina contra poliovírus foi avaliada em camundongos. Resultados demonstraram que as formulações de vacinas contendo saponinas da espécie brasileira aumentaram níveis de anticorpos específicos IgG, IgG1 e IgG2a, sugerindo um estímulo de ambos tipos de resposta imune (Th1 e Th2). A resposta celular foi confirmada por ensaios de DTH e pela avaliação dos níveis de mRNA das citocinas IL-2 e IFN- em esplenócitos murinos. A resposta imune de mucosas foi demonstrada pelos aumentos nos níveis de IgA em bile, fezes e lavados vaginais. O segundo objeto de estudo desta Tese é a espécie Centella asiatica (L.) Urban, que também apresenta saponinas triterpênicas bioativas em suas partes aéreas. Uma enzima responsável pela glicosilação de ácido asiático e ácido madecássico foi parcialmente purificada. Usando técnicas de proteômica e dados de sequências de cDNA, a sequência completa do clone que codifica uma glicosiltransferase foi obtida. O produto gênico recombinante, UGT73AD1, foi funcionalmente expresso em Escherichia coli, purificado por cromatografia de afinidade por metal imobilizado e funcionalmente caracterizado. UGT73AD1 foi identificada como sendo uma glicosiltransferase triterpênica de ácidos carboxílicos, provavelmente envolvida na biossíntese de monodesmosídeos da espécie. / Triterpene saponins include a large variety of molecules that find several applications in pharmacology. The saponins from leaves of Quillaja brasiliensis, a native species from Southern Brazil, show structural and functional similarities to those of Quillaja saponaria barks, which are currently used as adjuvants in vaccine formulations. The accumulation patterns of an immunoadjuvant fraction of leaf triterpene saponins (QB-90) in response to stress factors were examined. The content of QB-90 in leaf disks was significantly increased by application of different osmotic stress agents. Higher yields of bioactive saponins were also observed upon exposure to salicylic acid, jasmonic acid, ultrasound and UV-C light. Experiments with shoots indicated a significant increase in QB-90 yields with moderate increases in white light irradiance and by mechanical damage applied to leaves. These results support a general induced defense role for these metabolites in planta. Aiming at advancing the studies of Q. brasiliensis adjuvant activity and amplifying the range of antigens tested, an inactivated virus-based vaccine against poliovirus was evaluated in mice. Results demonstrated that saponin formulations were able to enhance poliovirus- specific total IgG, IgG1 and IgG2a, suggesting stimulation of both Th1 and Th2 immune responses. Cellular response stimulation was confirmed by DTH assays and by evaluating the enhancement of IL-2 and IFN-γ cytokine mRNA expression in mice splenocytes. Mucosal immune responses demonstrated that the QB-90-adjuvanted vaccine enhanced IgA titers in bile, feces and vaginal washings. Centella asiatica (L.) Urban, a species accumulating triterpene bioactive saponins in its shoots, was also subject of study in this Thesis. An enzyme capable of glucosylating asiatic and madecassic acids was partially purified. Using proteomic methods and cDNA sequence data, a full-length cDNA clone encoding the glucosyltransferase was obtained. The recombinant gene product, UGT73AD1, was functionally expressed in Escherichia coli, purified by immobilized metal-affinity chromatography and functionally characterized. UGT73AD1 was identified as a triterpene carboxylic acid glucosyltransferase, likely involved in monodesmoside biosynthesis in C. asiatica.

Saponinas triterpênicas incluem uma ampla variedade de moléculas com diversas aplicações farmacológicas. As saponinas das folhas de Quillaja brasiliensis, espécie nativa do Sul do Brasil, são estrutural e funcionalmente semelhantes às encontradas nas cascas da espécie chilena Quillaja saponaria, as quais são utilizadas atualmente como adjuvantes em formulações comerciais de vacinas. O perfil de acúmulo da fração imunoadjuvante de saponinas triterpênicas de Q. brasiliensis (QB-90) foi avaliado em resposta a diferentes fatores de estresse. O conteúdo de QB-90 em discos foliares aumentou significativamente com a aplicação de diferentes agentes de estresse osmótico. Também pôde ser observado aumento nos teores de saponinas pela exposição de discos foliares a ácido salicílico, ácido jasmônico, ultrassom e luz ultravioleta C. Experimentos com plântulas indicaram um aumento significativo nos teores de QB-90 com o aumento moderado de irradiância luminosa e pela aplicação de dano mecânico nas folhas. Os resultados obtidos apoiam o papel de defesa induzida que estes metabólitos apresentam in planta. Com o objetivo de avançar os estudos de atividade adjuvante de Q. brasiliensis e ampliar a extensão de antígenos testados, uma vacina contra poliovírus foi avaliada em camundongos. Resultados demonstraram que as formulações de vacinas contendo saponinas da espécie brasileira aumentaram níveis de anticorpos específicos IgG, IgG1 e IgG2a, sugerindo um estímulo de ambos tipos de resposta imune (Th1 e Th2). A resposta celular foi confirmada por ensaios de DTH e pela avaliação dos níveis de mRNA das citocinas IL-2 e IFN- em esplenócitos murinos. A resposta imune de mucosas foi demonstrada pelos aumentos nos níveis de IgA em bile, fezes e lavados vaginais. O segundo objeto de estudo desta Tese é a espécie Centella asiatica (L.) Urban, que também apresenta saponinas triterpênicas bioativas em suas partes aéreas. Uma enzima responsável pela glicosilação de ácido asiático e ácido madecássico foi parcialmente purificada. Usando técnicas de proteômica e dados de sequências de cDNA, a sequência completa do clone que codifica uma glicosiltransferase foi obtida. O produto gênico recombinante, UGT73AD1, foi funcionalmente expresso em Escherichia coli, purificado por cromatografia de afinidade por metal imobilizado e funcionalmente caracterizado. UGT73AD1 foi identificada como sendo uma glicosiltransferase triterpênica de ácidos carboxílicos, provavelmente envolvida na biossíntese de monodesmosídeos da espécie. / Triterpene saponins include a large variety of molecules that find several applications in pharmacology. The saponins from leaves of Quillaja brasiliensis, a native species from Southern Brazil, show structural and functional similarities to those of Quillaja saponaria barks, which are currently used as adjuvants in vaccine formulations. The accumulation patterns of an immunoadjuvant fraction of leaf triterpene saponins (QB-90) in response to stress factors were examined. The content of QB-90 in leaf disks was significantly increased by application of different osmotic stress agents. Higher yields of bioactive saponins were also observed upon exposure to salicylic acid, jasmonic acid, ultrasound and UV-C light. Experiments with shoots indicated a significant increase in QB-90 yields with moderate increases in white light irradiance and by mechanical damage applied to leaves. These results support a general induced defense role for these metabolites in planta. Aiming at advancing the studies of Q. brasiliensis adjuvant activity and amplifying the range of antigens tested, an inactivated virus-based vaccine against poliovirus was evaluated in mice. Results demonstrated that saponin formulations were able to enhance poliovirus- specific total IgG, IgG1 and IgG2a, suggesting stimulation of both Th1 and Th2 immune responses. Cellular response stimulation was confirmed by DTH assays and by evaluating the enhancement of IL-2 and IFN-γ cytokine mRNA expression in mice splenocytes. Mucosal immune responses demonstrated that the QB-90-adjuvanted vaccine enhanced IgA titers in bile, feces and vaginal washings. Centella asiatica (L.) Urban, a species accumulating triterpene bioactive saponins in its shoots, was also subject of study in this Thesis. An enzyme capable of glucosylating asiatic and madecassic acids was partially purified. Using proteomic methods and cDNA sequence data, a full-length cDNA clone encoding the glucosyltransferase was obtained. The recombinant gene product, UGT73AD1, was functionally expressed in Escherichia coli, purified by immobilized metal-affinity chromatography and functionally characterized. UGT73AD1 was identified as a triterpene carboxylic acid glucosyltransferase, likely involved in monodesmoside biosynthesis in C. asiatica.

Orientador: Helia Harumi Sato / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia de Alimentos / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-12T13:27:08Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Orsi_DanielaCastilho_D.pdf: 2624783 bytes, checksum: add51ff0035724efe97b8947a93c9d67 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2008 / Resumo: A sacarose é o principal açúcar utilizado no processamento de alimentos, contudo, o consumo excessivo e não balanceado de alimentos com alto teor de sacarose contribui para a prevalência de doenças como obesidade e cáries dentárias. Nas últimas décadas, tem ocorrido um aumento do interesse pela produção de novos açúcares como alternativa para substituir a sacarose. A isomaltulose (O-a-D-glicopiranosil-1,6-frutofuranosídeo) é um açúcar pouco cariogênico e isômero estrutural da sacarose, encontrada naturalmente no mel em pequenas quantidades. A bactéria Serratia plymuthica ATCC 15928 produz a enzima glicosiltransferase e catalisa a conversão da sacarose em isomaltulose. Neste trabalho, utilizou-se a metodologia de superfície de resposta para estudar o efeito dos componentes do meio de cultivo na produção de glicosiltransferase pela bactéria Serratia plymuthica em frascos sob agitação a 200 rpm e 30ºC. Foi obtida alta produção de glicosiltransferase (14,26 UA/mL, média dos pontos centrais) utilizando-se o meio de cultivo 1, composto de 40 g/L de melaço de cana de açúcar, 15 g/L de peptona bacteriológica da BiobrásÒ e 20 g/L de extrato de levedura Prodex Lac SDÒ. O meio de cultivo 2 (40 g/L de melaço de cana de açúcar e 20 g/L de extrato de levedura Prodex Lac SDÒ), além de render ótima produção de glicosiltransferase (13,54 UA/mL, média dos pontos centrais), teve seu custo reduzido por ser formulado sem a adição do componente peptona bacteriológica da BiobrásÒ. Foi estudado o efeito da temperatura (26ºC, 28ºC e 30ºC) na fermentação da bactéria Serratia plymuthica para produção de massa celular e de glicosiltransferase em fermentador de 6,6 L. A maior produção de glicosiltransferase ocorreu após 6 horas de fermentação na temperatura de 26ºC, sendo obtida atividade enzimática de 25,97 UA/mL. As células livres da bactéria Serratia plymuthica foram utilizadas para a conversão de sacarose em isomaltulose. Utilizando-se concentração de massa celular úmida de 20% (p/v) e concentração de solução de sacarose de 25% (p/v) obteve-se alta porcentagem de isomaltulose (84,33%, valor médio dos meios de cultivo 1 e 2) após 2 horas de reação a 27ºC, em frascos sob agitação a 180 rpm. As células livres cultivadas em meio de cultivo 2 (sem adição de peptona bacteriológica da BiobrásÒ) foram reutilizadas por nove bateladas sucessivas e obteve-se eficiente conversão de sacarose em isomaltulose (75,20%, média das bateladas). Foi estudada a produção de isomaltulose a partir de sacarose por células da bactéria Serratia plymuthica imobilizadas em alginato de cálcio. A conversão de sacarose em isomaltulose pelas células imobilizadas foi feita em bioreatores de leito empacotado mantidos a temperatura de 25°C. O tratamento das células imobilizadas em alginatoSynthÒ 2% com glutaraldeído aumentou a atividade enzimática, sendo obtida conversão de sacarose em isomaltulose acima de 64% por 15 dias. A goma gelana KELCOGELÒ F foi utilizada como suporte para imobilização das células de Serratia plymuthica. As células imobilizadas em goma gelana tratadas com glutaraldeído foram secas por 36 horas, sob refrigeração a 10°C. As células imobilizadas foram transferidas para bioreatores mantidos a 25ºC e usadas na conversão contínua de sacarose em isomaltulose. Quando as células imobilizadas secas foram utilizadas no processo contínuo, a conversão de sacarose em isomaltulose manteve-se acima de 69% por 15 dias. Esse estudo demonstrou a possibilidade do uso da goma gelana KELCOGELÒ F como suporte para imobilização das células de Serratia plymuthica. O suporte utilizado combina a simplicidade na técnica de imobilização celular, boa estabilidade operacional e altas taxas de bioconversão / Abstract: Sucrose is the main sweetener used in food processing, but, the excessive and imbalanced consumption of high-sucrose foods is a contributory factor in obesity and dental caries. In the last few decades, the production of new sweeteners as alternatives to sucrose has aroused great interest. Isomaltulose (O-a-D-glucopyranosyl-1,6- fructofuranose) is a low cariogenic sweetener and a structural isomer of sucrose, naturally present in honey in small quantities. The bacteria Serratia plymuthica ATCC 15928 produces the enzyme glucosyltransferase and catalyses the conversion of sucrose into isomaltulose. In this work, response surface methodology was applied to study the effect of culture medium components in the production of glucosyltransferase by Serratia plymuthica in shaken flasks at 200 rpm and 30ºC. Higher glucosyltransferase production (14.26 UA/mL, average of the central points) was obtained in culture medium 1, composed of 40 g/L of sugar cane molasses, 15 g/L of BiobrásÒ bacteriological peptone and 20 g/L of Prodex Lac SDÒ yeast extract. Culture medium 2 (40 g/L of sugar cane molasses and 20 g/L of Prodex Lac SDÒ yeast extract, formulated without the component BiobrásÒ bacteriological peptone, resulted in a low cost medium and optimized glucosyltransferase production (13.54 UA/mL, average of the central points). The influence of temperature (26ºC, 28ºC and 30ºC) on the growth of the bacterium Serratia plymuthica for cell mass and glucosyltransferase production in a 6.6 L bioreactor, was also studied. The highest production of glucosyltransferase (25.97 UA/mL) was obtained in culture medium 1 after 6 hours at 26ºC. Free Serratia plymuthica cells were used for the conversion of sucrose into isomaltulose. A higher isomaltulose production (84.33%, mean value for culture media 1 and 2) was obtained at a temperature of 27ºC, 20% (w/v) wet cell mass and 25% (w/v) sucrose solution after 2 hours of reaction in shaken flasks at 180 rpm. The free cells cultivated in the culture medium 2 (without BiobrásÒ bacteriological peptone) were reused for nine successive batches, with efficient conversion of sucrose into isomaltulose (75.20%, average of the batches). Furthermore, the conversion of sucrose into isomaltulose using Serratia plymuthica cells immobilized in calcium alginate was also studied. The continuous production of isomaltulose by immobilized cells was accomplished in packed bed bioreactors maintained at 25°C. The treatment of cells immobilized in 2% SynthÒ alginate with glutaraldeyde increased enzyme activity obtaining an isomaltulose production of over 64% for 15 days. The gellan gum KELCOGELÒ F was also used as a support in the immobilization of Serratia plymuthica cells. The cells immobilized in gellan gum and treated with glutaraldeyde, were dried for approximately 36 hours at 10°C and used for the continuous production of isomaltulose. The immobilized cells were packed into bioreactors maintained at 25°C. When dry immobilized cells were used in the continuous process, the conversion of sucrose into isomaltulose was over 69% for about 15 days. This study demonstrated the feasibility of using KELCOGELÒ F gellan gum as a support in the immobilization of Serratia plymuthica cells. This support used combines the simplicity of the immobilization technique with good operational stability and high levels of bioconversion / Doutorado / Doutor em Ciência de Alimentos

Submitted by Renata Lopes (renatasil82@gmail.com) on 2016-09-27T15:37:31Z No. of bitstreams: 1 brunaalvarengadias.pdf: 1910111 bytes, checksum: 734a6679680d6dbad241d7c324d0ec86 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Diamantino Mayra (mayra.diamantino@ufjf.edu.br) on 2016-09-27T20:47:51Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 brunaalvarengadias.pdf: 1910111 bytes, checksum: 734a6679680d6dbad241d7c324d0ec86 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-09-27T20:47:51Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 brunaalvarengadias.pdf: 1910111 bytes, checksum: 734a6679680d6dbad241d7c324d0ec86 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-09-03 / CAPES - Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Cáries dentárias resultam de um desequilíbrio metabólico do biofilme dental, formado por bactérias, principalmente estreptococos e lactobacilos. Uma das formas de prevenir o processo carioso seria inibir a formação deste biofilme cariogênico. Este trabalho, portanto, objetiva verificar a inibição da formação de biofilme dentário formado por Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) através da ação de quatro substâncias (epigalocatequina, clorexidina, xilitol e resveratrol), e verificar o provável mecanismo de ação a partir da expressão gênica das enzimas glicosiltransferase (GTF) e frutosiltransferase (FTF). O ensaio de reação de cadeia de polimerase quantitativa em tempo real (qPCR) foi realizado para quantificar a expressão dos genes. Foram realizados ainda, ensaios de viabilidade celular e para verificação de formação de biofilme após tratamento com as substâncias testes para determinar concentrações em que houvesse inibição da formação de biofilme em condições de viabilidade celular. As concentrações de xilitol, resveratrol e clorexidina que se mostraram eficazes foram 100 mg/mL, 0,1 mg/mL e 0,001 mg/mL, respectivamente, ou seja, concentrações nas quais houve inibição da formação de biofilme sem modificação da viabilidade bacteriana. A epigalocatequina não apresentou uma concentração que proporcionasse inibição de biofilme sem a consequente morte bacteriana. Os tratamentos foram realizados com o xilitol, o resveratrol e a clorexidina, e após realização de RT-qPCR (reação de cadeia de polimerase quantitativa em tempo real de transcrição reversa) foram obtidos os resultados referentes à expressão dos genes ftf e gtfb. Houve uma diminuição significativa (72,8%) na expressão gênica do ftf após o tratamento com xilitol. O resveratrol não interferiu na expressão deste gene e a clorexidina provocou redução da expressão do gene de controle (housekeeping gene), inviabilizando a avaliação da expressão do ftf na concentração avaliada. Não houve modificação significativa na expressão de gtfb após o tratamento com o resveratrol e a clorexidina nas concentrações definidas. O xilitol reduziu a expressão do housekeeping gene 16S rRNA, indicando morte celular na concentração testada. Os resultados nos levaram a concluir que as três substâncias - resveratrol, xilitol e clorexidina - atuam como potenciais agentes inibidores de biofilme dentário formado por S. mutans. Verificou-se, entretanto, que o xilitol inibe a expressão do gene ftf, indicando que o provável mecanismo de ação de tal inibição da formação do biofilme foi através da redução da expressão deste gene do S. mutans. A clorexidina já possui reconhecida ação bactericida, entretanto neste trabalho verificamos uma concentração desta substância em que houve inibição de biofilme sem a consequente morte celular. Diante dos achados podemos propor outras formas de aplicação do xilitol e da clorexidina, em odontologia, e também a utilização do resveratrol como um agente inibidor do processo carioso, já que o mesmo é capaz de inibir a formação de biofilme dentário. A inibição do biofilme por estas substâncias seria interessante de modo que não geraríamos um desequilíbrio na flora bacteriana, mantendo, portanto, bactérias que atuam de forma positiva na cavidade bucal. Desta forma, outros estudos laboratoriais e clínicos são necessários 16 para demonstrar a eficácia de tais substâncias para prevenção ou até mesmo tratamento de cáries dentárias. / Dental caries results from a metabolic imbalance in the biofilm, formed by bacteria, especially streptococci and lactobacilli. One way of preventing caries process would be inhibit cariogenic biofilm formation. This work therefore aims to verify the possible inhibition of biofilm formation by Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) after the treatment with four substances (epigallocatechin, chlorhexidine, xylitol and resveratrol), and to investigate the action mechanism through the expression of the genes glycosyltrasferase (GTF) and fructosyltransferase (FTF). The test of quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was carried out to quantify the expression of these enzymes. Cell viability assays as well as tests for verification of biofilm formation were also carried out after the treatment with the test substances to determine the concentration when the inhibition of biofilm formation occurred under conditions of cell viability.The xylitol, resveratrol and chlorhexidine concentrations that proved effective were 100 mg/ml, 0.1 mg/ml and 0.001 mg/mL, respectively, concentrations in which there was inhibition of biofilm formation without modification of the bacterial viability. The epigallocatechin didn’t demonstrate a concentration that would provide biofilm inhibition without the consequent inhibition of bacterial viability. The treatments were performed with xylitol, resveratrol and chlorhexidine, and after completion of RT-qPCR (reverse transcription real time polymerase chain reaction), they’re obtained the results for enzyme expression of FTF and GTFB. There was a significant decrease (72.8%) in the enzyme FTF expression after treatment with xylitol. The resveratrol didn’t affect the expression of this enzyme and chlorhexidine caused reduced gene expression control (housekeeping gene), precluding to evaluate the FTF gene expression in the assessed concentration. There was no significant change in GTFB expression after treatment with resveratrol and chlorhexidine in defined concentrations. Xylitol reduced housekeeping gene 16S rRNA expression, indicating cell death in the concentration tested. The results led us to conclude that the three substances (resveratrol, xylitol and chlorhexidine) act as potential dental biofilm inhibitors formed by S. mutans. It was found, however, that xylitol inhibits FTF gene expression, indicating that the probable mechanism of action of such inhibition of biofilm formation was by reducing the expression of this S. mutans gene. Chlorhexidine has already recognized bactericidal action, however this work we see a concentration of this substance that was inhibiting biofilm without subsequent cell death. Considering those findings may suggest other ways of applying the xylitol and chlorhexidine in dentistry and also the use of resveratrol as an inhibitory agent of the carious process, since it is capable of inhibiting dental plaque formation. Biofilm inhibition these substances would be interesting to such an extent that there would generate an imbalance in the bacterial flora, thus keeping bacteria that act in a positive manner in the oral cavity. Thus, clinical studies are necessary to demonstrate the efficacy of these substances to prevent or even caries treatment.

Citrus spp. are known for the accumulation of flavanone glycosides (e.g., naringin comprises up to 70% of the dry weight of very young grapefruit). In contrast, petunia utilizes relatively more naringenin for production of flavonol glycosides and anthocyanins. This investigation addressed whether or not petunia is capable of glucosylation of naringenin and if so, what are the characteristics of this flavanone glucosylating enzyme. Petunia leaf tissue contains some flavanone-7-O-glucosyltransferase (E.C. 2.4.1.185) activity, although at 90-fold lower levels than grapefruit leaves. This activity was partially purified 89-fold via ammonium sulfate fractionation followed by FPLC on Superose 12 and Mono Q yielding three chromatographically separate peaks of activity. The enzymes in the peak fractions glucosylated flavanone, flavonol, and flavone substrates. Enzymes in Mono Q peaks I and II were relatively more specific toward flavanone substrates and peak I was significantly more active. Enzyme activity was not effected by Ca2+, Mg2+, AMP, ADP, or ATP. The petunia enzyme was over 10,000 times more sensitive to UDP inhibition (Ki 0.89 μM) than the flavanone-specific 7GT in grapefruit. These and other results suggest that different flavonoid accumulation patterns in these two plants may be partially due to the different relative levels and biochemical properties of their flavanone glucosylating (7GT) enzymes.

Flavonoids are secondary metabolites that have significant roles in plant defense and human nutrition. Glucosyltransferases (GTs) catalyze the transfer of sugars from high energy sugar donors to other substrates. Several different secondary product GTs exist in the tissues of grapefruit making it a model plant for studying their structure and function. The goal of this investigation was to determine the expression patterns of seven putative secondary product GTs during grapefruit growth and development by quantifying mRNA expression levels in the roots, stems, leaves, flowers, and mature fruit to establish whether the genes are expressed constitutively or if one or more could be expressed in a tissue specific manner and/or developmentally regulated. Six growth stages were defined from which RNA was extracted, and expression levels were quantified by standardized densitometry of gene-specific RT-PCR products. Results show that there were variable degrees of PGT expression in different tissues and at different developmental stages. These results add to the growing knowledge base of dynamics of expression and potential regulation of secondary metabolism in Citrus paradisi.

Glucosylation is a predominant flavonoid modification reaction affecting the solubility, stability, and subsequent bioavailability of these metabolites. Flavonoid glycosides affect taste characteristics in citrus making the associated glucosyltransferases particularly interesting targets for biotechnology applications in these species. In this work, a Citrus paradisi glucosyltransferase gene was identified, cloned, and introduced into the pET recombinant protein expression system utilizing primers designed against a predicted flavonoid glucosyltransferase gene (AY519364) from Citrus sinensis. The encoded C. paradisi protein is 51.2 kDa with a predicted pI of 6.27 and is 96% identical to the C. sinensis homologue. A number of compounds from various flavonoid subclasses were tested, and the enzyme glucosylated only the flavonol aglycones quercetin (Kmapp = 67 μ M; Vmax = 20.45 pKat/μg), kaempferol (Kmapp = 12 μ M; Vmax = 11.63 pKat/μg), and myricetin (Kmapp = 33 μ M; Vmax = 12.21 pKat/μg) but did not glucosylate the anthocyanidin, cyanidin. Glucosylation occurred at the 3 hydroxyl position as confirmed by HPLC and TLC analyses with certified reference compounds. The optimum pH was 7.5 with a pronounced buffer effect noted for reactions performed in Tris-HCl buffer. The enzyme was inhibited by Cu2+, Fe2+, and Zn2+ as well as UDP (Kiapp = 69.5 μ M), which is a product of the reaction. Treatment of the enzyme with a variety of amino acid modifying compounds suggests that cysteine, histidine, arginine, tryptophan, and tyrosine residues are important for activity. The thorough characterization of this C. paradisi flavonol 3-O-glucosyltransferase adds to the growing base of glucosyltransferase knowledge, and will be used to further investigate structure-function relationships.

This research was designed to determine the conditions necessary to remove c-myc and 6x-His tags from a flavonol specific glucosyltransferase found in grapefruit (CP3GT) using thrombin in preparation for crystallization. X-ray crystallography of CP3GT crystals may elucidate structural features that account for flavonol specificity in some glucosyltransferase enzymes. A thrombin cleavage site was inserted into WT CP3GT and one mutant. Recombinant CP3GT was expressed in yeast and purified. Optimal conditions for thrombin digestion were explored. Digestion with 100U of thrombin for 2 hours at 4o C was optimal for removing tags from CP3GT. Storage at 4o C for 2 hours resulted in approximately 70% retention of activity. The effect of thrombin treatment on CP3GT activity was tested. Purified CP3GT protein with and without tags was tested for activity with the flavonol quercetin. Data showed no significant difference in overall activity between tagged and native protein.