L’activité de croissance des plantes se trouve souvent limitée par les conditions contraignantes de l’environnement. La salinité du sol est l’une des majeures contraintes abiotiques qui ne cesse d’envahir les surfaces cultivés chaque année. Elle entraine chez les espèces glycophytes des perturbations d’ordre osmotique, nutritionnel et métaboliques. La nutrition et le métabolisme de l’azote minéral constituent des étapes primordiales dans la synthèse des acides aminés et des composés azotés indispensables chez les plantes. Par conséquent, l’étude de l’expression des enzymes impliquées dans l’assimilation d’azote telle que l’asparagine synthétase (AS, EC 6.3.5.4) chez l’arabette des dames (Arabidopsis thaliana) permet d’avancer nos connaissances sur la régulation transcriptionnelle du métabolisme azoté sous stress salin. Au cours des travaux de recherche entamés dans le cadre de cette thèse, un intérêt particulier est accordé au gène ASN2 chez Arabidopsis. Les résultats obtenus ont montré que la mutation ASN2 a accentué les effets du NaCl sur l’assimilation de l’ammonium. Le mutant asn2-1 se montre plus sensible au stress salin que le sauvage malgré que l’absence des transcrits du gène ASN2 est associé à une expression importante du gène ASN1. L’inhibition de l’activité glutamine synthétase (GS, EC 6.3.1.2), la faible activité aminatrice de la GDH (NADH-GDH, EC 1.4.1.2) sous stress salin ainsi que l’absence des transcrits ASN2 seraient à l’origine de l’accumulation de l’ammonium chez le mutant asn2-1. Toutefois, l’application exogène de l’ammonium nous a montré que l’action du NaCl sur l’expression de l’asparagine synthétase n’est pas directement liée à l’accumulation endogène d’ammonium. L’accumulation d’autres métabolites tels que l’asparagine, la glutamine et la glutamate pourrait être à l’origine des effets du sel sur l’expression des gènes ASN. / Plant growth activity is often limited by constraint environment conditions. Soil salinity is one of major abiotic stress which is becoming more problematic every year. In glycophytes species, it induced osmotic, nutritional and metabolic disturbances. The nitrogen nutrition and metabolism constitute an essential step in amino acid and nitrogen compounds synthesis in plants. Therefore, studying the expression of enzymes involved in nitrogen assimilation such as asparagine synthetase (AS, EC 6.3.5.4) in Arabidopsis thaliana will improve our knowledge on the transcriptional regulation of nitrogen metabolism under salt stress. In the present work of this thesis, a special attention was taken on AS gene (ASN2) wild type and mutants. Obtained results showed that ASN2 mutation accentuated the salt-induced effects on ammonium assimilation. The asn2-1 mutant was more sensitive to salt stress than the wild type, while the ASN2 transcript absence was associated with an important ASN1expression. The observed inhibition of glutamine synthetase (GS, EC 6.3.1.2) activity, the low aminatrice GDH (NADH-GDH, EC 1.4.1.2) activity under salt stress as well as the ASN2 transcript loss brought to an ammonium accumulation in asn2-1mutant. However, exogenous ammonium application showed that NaCl effect on asparagine synthetase expression was not directly related to the endogenous ammonium accumulation. Other metabolites accumulation such as asparagine, glutamine and glutamate could be involved in the obtained salt-effects on ASN expression in Arabidopsis.

PurposeThe purpose of this pilot study was to explore nutritional injury in the context of oral mucositis (OM). It was a beginning look at oral L-glutamine (L-Gln) treatment efficacy through investigation of three "Reaction-to-Nutritional Injury" hypotheses defining OM as a localized secondary nutritional disorder of deficiency (Van Itallie, 1977) resulting from absence of/limited nutritional collateral systems (Kight, 1994):(1) OM severity and human buccal epithelial cell glutamine synthetase (HBEC GS) abundance,(2) HBEC GS abundance and L-Gln treatment, and(3) OM severity and L-Gln treatment.Patients and MethodsThree female colorectal cancer (CRC) outpatients between 61 and 70 years of age receiving FOLFIRI chemotherapy regimen and diagnosed with grades 1 and 2 OM were followed daily throughout treatment cycles and randomly assigned into a two-week mouthwash regimen of 1.0 gm/m2 qid L-Gln or placebo. Treatment crossover occurred every two weeks without defined washout periods. Four controls were recruited as controls for single Western blot (WB) analyses.ResultsOral L-Gln effect on OM severity was statistically significant in all three study participants, although two of the relationships had positive direction. Treatment and OM severity were moderately correlated with a negative direction in one patient. Glutamine appeared to be most efficacious in severe grade 2 OM erythema. Western blot analysis demonstrated absence of HBEC GS activity in cancer patients receiving FOLFIRI treatment for colorectal cancer suggesting competitive inhibition of GS enzyme by chemotherapy. Higher WB bands observed at 55 and 66 kDa may be O-linked glycosylation posttranslational modifications, a possible explanation for the Gln-influenced mechanism of Hsp70 biosynthesis and apoptosis prevention. This may be suggestive of compression of the nutritional injury clinical horizon from stage 4 to stage 1 or 2 where adaptation to absence of/limited nutritional collateral systems theoretically begins after chemotherapy insult. An extended definition of nutritional injury may be the acquired loss of nutritional status at the biomolecular level by way of drug-induced disruption of normal, adaptive metabolic pathways resulting in absence of/limited HBEC GS abundance affecting Gln and Hsp70 availability. This may suggest the need for preemptive L-Gln treatment prior to initiation of a 5-fluorouracil-based chemotherapy regimen.

Le colza d’hiver (Brassica napus) est cultivé pour l’huile contenue dans ses graines ainsi que pour les tourteaux qui sont une source de protéines pour l’alimentation animale. La culture de colza demande de forts apports d’azote et cette espèce est caractérisée par sa faible efficacité d’utilisation de l’azote. Une forte proportion de l’azote absorbé est restituée au sol lors de la chute précoce des feuilles au stade végétatif. L’amélioration de la remobilisation de l’azote est donc de première importance pour améliorer le rendement de cette culture tout en satisfaisant le besoin de réduction des intrants. La glutamine et l’asparagine jouent un rôle important dans le transport de l’azote au sein de la plante, notamment au cours de la sénescence foliaire. Les deux familles multigéniques des glutamine synthétases cytosoliques (GLN1) et des asparagine synthétases (ASN) assurent leur synthèse. Ce travail de thèse s’est intéressé à ces enzymes chez deux Brassicacées : le colza et Arabidopsis thaliana. Dans un premier temps, l’expression des gènes GLN1 a été étudiée chez Arabidopsis par une combinaison d’approches de biologie moléculaire, cellulaire et de cytologie. Les spécificités d’expression de chacun des cinq gènes d’Arabidopsis ont été mises en évidence. L’identification des gènes BnaGLN1 chez Brassica napus a permis une analyse de leur expression en fonction de l’âge des feuilles et de la disponibilité en azote. Les profils d’expression observés chez le colza se sont révélés similaires à ceux des gènes homologues d’Arabidopsis, amenant l’hypothèse d’une conservation des fonctions chez les deux espèces. Le rôle des gènes GLN1 d’Arabidopsis dans la remobilisation de l’azote vers les graines a été étudié grâce à un marquage ¹⁵N effectué sur des mutants simples. Le rôle des gènes GLN1 dans la remobilisation de l’azote des tissus végétatifs vers les tissus reproducteurs a été mis en évidence sans toutefois cibler spécifiquement une isoforme. L’étude de la famille ASN chez Arabidopsis a permis de mettre en évidence des profils d’expression spécifiques en fonction des organes, de l’âge des tissus et de la disponibilité en azote pour chacun des trois gènes. Le marquage ¹⁵N a également révélé une implication des gènes ASN1 et ASN2 dans la remobilisation de l’azote de la rosette vers les tissus reproducteurs. Les travaux présentés dans ce manuscrit sont une base pour de futures approches translationnelles vers le colza. / Winter oilseed rape (Brassica napus) is grown for its oil-rich seeds and for proteins, used in animal feed cake. It requires high nitrogen inputs due to the low efficiency of nitrogen utilization that characterizes this species. A large proportion of absorbed nitrogen is indeed returned to the soil when leaves fall. Improving nitrogen remobilization to promote seed filling is then required to improve yield and limit fertilizer use. Asparagine and glutamine are important amino acids for phloem translocation. This thesis focuses on the two multigenic families in charge of asparagine and glutamine synthesis: cytosolic glutamine synthetase (GLN1) and asparagine synthetase (ASN). Studies were performed on the two Brassicaceae, rapeseed and Arabidopsis thaliana. The GLN1 gene expressions were investigated in Arabidopsis by a combination of molecular biology and cytology. The five GLN1 genes are differentially expressed in Arabidopsis depending on ageing and nitrogen availability. The identified BnaGLN1 genes in Brassica napus also showed age and nitrogen dependent expressions. Interestingly, expression profiles were similar between homologous genes in Arabidopsis and rapeseed, suggesting that homologous genes share similar function in the two species. The role of Arabidopsis GLN1 genes for nitrogen remobilization to the seeds was monitored using ¹⁵N tracing experiments on individual mutants. The GLN1 genes play a role in the remobilization of nitrogen from the rosette leaves to the reproductive organs. However, their effect is weak and non-specific of one GS1 isoform. ASN genes also presented specific expression profiles depending on organs, age and nitrogen availability. The ¹⁵N tracing revealed that ASN1 and ASN2 are both involved in nitrogen remobilization from the rosette to the seeds. Our studies provide a basis for future translational approaches to improve oilseed rape.

Sept accessions représentant la diversité génétique du Sorgho (Sorghum bicolor) ont été cultivées dans une condition de carence (N⁻) et une condition non-limitante (N⁺) en nitrate. Les paramètres de croissance (taille de la plante et le nombre de feuilles), les paramètres physiologiques (teneur en nitrate, teneur en protéines, concentrations totales en carbone et azote) et l'activité de la glutamine synthétase (GS) ont été mesurés dans les feuilles et les racines des plantes de sorgho à trois stades précoces de développement végétatif (2, 4 et 6 semaines après germination). Les résultats montrent que : i) les valeurs obtenues pour l’ensemble des paramètres sont généralement plus faibles en situation de carence en nitrate ; ii) la taille des plantes et le nombre de feuilles sont plus grands sous un régime non-limitant ; iii) tous les paramètres étudiés sauf la teneur en Carbone, étaient sensibles à la disponibilité en azote. Cependant, les différents génotypes étudiés affichent de grandes variations dans leurs réponses aux deux conditions de cultures. On observe une variation de la taille des plantes entre les génotypes au cours du développement végétatif précoce, mais pas pour le nombre de feuilles. De même, on observe une grande variation dans les réponses physiologiques entre les différents génotypes. Des corrélations fortes et significatives ont été détectées entre la taille des plantes et la teneur en nitrate. Cependant ces corrélations varient selon les conditions de cultures et les génotypes étudiés. En outre, la teneur en nitrate et l'activité GS mesurés aux stades précoces de croissance, semblent être de bons marqueurs pour discriminer entre les différents génotypes pour leur aptitude à absorber ou assimiler les nitrates dans les deux conditions de cultures. L’expression dans les feuilles et racines de deux génotypes de sorgho, de deux copies d’un gène candidat pour l’efficacité d’utilisation d’azote, SbNRT1.1 codant pour un transporteur de nitrate, varie en fonction de la disponibilité en nitrate, de l’organe et de l’âge de la plante. Notre étude constitue une première contribution à l’analyse de l’efficacité d’utilisation d’azote chez le sorgho par une approche physiologique et une approche génétique. Les résultats obtenus ouvrent des perspectives pour de futures études fondamentales mais aussi des recherches finalisées qui conduiront à l’identification de génotypes valorisant mieux l’azote. / Seven accessions of Sorghum bicolor were grown with low (N⁻) and optimal (N⁺) nitrate supply. Growth parameters (plant height and leaf numbers), physiological parameters (nitrate, protein, total N and total C contents) and the activity of glutamine synthetase (GS) were studied in leaves and roots of sorghum plants at three time points of early vegetative growth (2, 4 and, 6 weeks post emergence). Plant height and leaf number were higher with nitrate supply. Except for carbon, all studied parameters were sensitive to N availability and values were typically lower when nitrate supply was low. However, different genotypes displayed considerable variation in their response to N regimes. Variation among genotypes during early vegetative development was observed for plant height, but not for leaf number. Likewise, physiological parameters varied among accessions. A significant and strong correlation, N- and accession-dependent, was detected between plant height and nitrate content. Moreover, nitrate content and GS activity at early growth stages appeared to be good markers to discriminate between nitrate uptake and assimilation capacities of different accessions under both N conditions. In some sorghum accessions, protein and total N content were indicative of high nitrate reduction and assimilation even under N limitation. Chlorophyll content was also sensitive to N availability. Furthermore, expression studies of SbNRT1.1gene copies in leaves and roots of two accessions reflected variability in expression dependent on nitrogen condition, plant organ, plant age, and gene of interest. This study is helpful to characterize different aspects of the N metabolism in sorghum and may aid in the identification of sorghum genotypes with enhanced nitrogen use efficiency, a trait that is of key interest in one of the most important crop plants in arid and semi-arid regions.

A dor é descrita como uma sensação sensorial e emocional desagradável de extrema importância para sobrevivência e integridade do organismo. As dores crônicas de origem neuropática são de difícil tratamento e seus mecanismos fisiopatológicos pouco conhecidos. Este estudo foi realizado após inoculação do vírus HSV-1 na pata traseira esquerda de camundongos machos da linhagem Balb/C, e teve como objetivo investigar comportamentalmente o desenvolvimento de alodínia mecânica e hipernocicepção nas fases herpética e pós herpética, caracterizar a atividade de vias intracelulares de sinalização das proteínas JNK, AKT CREB, P38, ERK, Glutamina Sintetase e Stat 3, através de western blot na coluna dorsal da medula espinal nas fases herpética e pós herpética, além de verificar a presença do vírus HSV-1 na medula espinal e gânglio dos animais por meio da reação em cadeia da polimerase em tempo real (RT-PCR). Os resultados evidenciaram alteração de sensibilidade nos animais a partir do 7º dia que permaneceu até o 28º dia após a inoculação do vírus. Houve uma mudança na expressão das proteínas MAPKs, com aumento na expressão de JNK, AKT e CREB no corno dorsal da medula no 8º e 21º dia após a inoculação do vírus HSV-1, aumento na expressão de P 38 e P ERK no 8º dia após inoculação do vírus e uma diminuição na expressão da proteína Stat 3 no 8º e 21º dia após a inoculação do vírus, sugerindo assim a participação dessas proteínas na alteração de sensibilidade tanto no período herpético quanto pós herpético. Também ocorreu um aumento na amplificação do DNA viral HSV-1 na medula espinal e gânglio espinal esquerdo no período herpético após inoculação do vírus HSV-1 / The pain is described as a sensorial and emotional unpleasant sensation of extreme importance for survival and integrity of the organism. The chronic pains that has neuropathic source are hard to treat and its physiopathologic mechanisms not well known. This study was performed after inoculation of the virus HSV-1 in the left back foot of male Balb/C mouse, and had as main objectives to behaviorally investigate the development of mechanical allodynia and hyper nociception during the herpetic and post-herpetic phase, characterize the activity of the intracellular signalization paths of the proteins JNK, AKT CRB, P38, ERK, glutamine synthetase and Sat 3 during herpetic and post-herpetic phase using Western Blot, besides checking as well for the presence of HSV-1 viral load in the spinal cord and ganglions using RT-PCR. The results evidenced alteration of sensitivity in the animals from the 7th day that remained until the 28th day after inoculation of the virus, a change in the MAPKs proteins expression, with a raise of expression of JNK, AKT e CREB in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord in the 8th and 21st day after the HSV-1 virus inoculation, thus suggesting the participation of these proteins in the alteration of sensitivity both in the herpetic and post herpetic periods. It is also possible to observe the presence of viral load in the spinal cord and left spinal ganglion in the herpetic period after HSV-1 virus inoculation

Made available in DSpace on 2017-07-10T17:37:44Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Adeline Neiverth.pdf: 1649092 bytes, checksum: d7d182e371115519785a39ebe6e95aee (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-07-11 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Wheat is the most important staple food of the world. The increase in grains productivity and protein content is correlated to increase inorganic nitrogen absorption. Usually, urea is the most convenient source of N2, but, it causes the increase in crops costs beyond injuries to the environment. The BNF realized by diazotrophics bacteria is an alternative to supplement or replace the nitrogen fertilizers and promote plant growth. The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of Brazilian wheat genotypes for PCV( plant promoter growth) and BNF by association between diazotrophic bacteria (H. seropedicae SmR1) and wheat cultivars under in vitro and greenhouse conditions. In in vitro experiment, eight wheat plantlets of 8 genotypes were tested in tubes with liquid culture medium and these were co-cultured for 7 days with 107 cells.mL-1. As control plantlets without inoculum under the same conditions were used. The experimental design was completely randomized in a 2 x 8 factorial with 3 repetitions. We analyzed the fresh mass of roots, fresh and dry weight of shoots, total nitrogen (TN) content of NH4 +, microbial counting (CFU), glutamine synthetase activity (GS), the morphology of the roots by microscopy and molecular analysis of epiphytic and endophytic bacteria recovered after co-cultivation. In the greenhouse, it was planted five wheat genotypes. The seeds were placed in pots with 4.5 kg of soil under four treatments: 1 - Control 2 - Addition of N as urea (142 kg ha-1 of N) 3 - Addition of inoculum containing H. seropedicae (106 cells.mL-1) (Hs) and 4 - Addition of inoculum containing urea + H. seropedicae (N + Hs). The experimental design was completely randomized in a factorial 5 x 4 with 5 repetitions. The fresh mass of roots, fresh and dry weight of shoots, NT, NH4 + content and GS activity were evaluated. As agronomic parameters were evaluated the whole plant mass at the end of the phenological cycle, yield per plant and weight of 100 seeds.As results in vitro, it was observed the presence of epiphytic bacteria on the roots of all genotypes and the presence of endophytic bacteria in genotypes CD 105, CD 108, CD 111, CD 117, CD 120. There was a sharp increase of root hairs in the genotypes CD 105, CD 117, CD 119 and CD120. The cultivars CD 105 and CD 120 by the presence of endophytic bacteria showed an increase of root hairs, probably it may be the most promising for a response of BNF. The levels of NH4 +, NT and GS in the roots were not decisive for in vitro plant growth promotion. The results obtained in the greenhouse showed significant interactions among parameters, although there were were not crucial for the definition of a specific genotype which answers to the interaction. However, there was a contribution to be further studied, where the CD 120 cultivar showed evidence of association with response to the bacterium and possible occurrence of the BNF. There was no negative effect of inoculation to plants. Additional studies are needed to get answers about the interactions of these genotypes with diazotrophic bacteria related to BNF and plant growth promotion / Os fertilizantes nitrogenados são fontes convenientes de nitrogênio para a cultura de trigo, porém geram altos custos e podem ser poluentes. A fixação biológica de nitrogênio (FBN) é uma fonte alternativa de nitrogênio por meio das bactérias diazotráficas. Assim, o objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o desempenho de genótipos de trigo brasileiros para a FBN e promoção do crescimento vegetal (PCV) associados com a bactéria diazotrófica H. seropedicae SmR1, sob condições in vitro e em casa de vegetação. Nas condições in vitro, colocou-se plântulas de 8 genótipos de trigo em tubos de ensaio com meio de cultura líquido, co-cultivadas durante 7 dias com 107células de bactéria.mL-1. O mesmo número de plântulas foi mantido nas mesmas condições, porém sem inóculo. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado, num esquema fatorial 8 x 2 com 3 repetições. Analisou-se a massa fresca de raízes, massa fresca e seca de parte aérea, o nitrogênio total (NT), conteúdo de amônio (NH4+), contagem microbiana (UFC), Glutamina sintetase (GS), a morfologia das raízes por microscopia e análise molecular das bactérias endofíticas e epifíticas recuperadas após co-cultivo. Em casa de vegetação, foram avaliados 5 genótipos de trigo, onde o delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado num esquema fatorial 5 x 4 com 5 repetições, onde: 1 Testemunha; 2 Adição de N na forma de ureia, 142 kg ha-1 de N; 3 Adição de inóculo contendo H. seropedicae, 106 celulas por semente (Hs) e 4 Adição de ureia + inóculo (N+Hs). Avaliaram-se a massa fresca de raízes, massa fresca e seca de parte aérea, o NT, conteúdo de NH4+ e a atividade da GS. Como parâmetros agronômicos avaliaram-se a massa da planta inteira no final do ciclo fenológico, produção por planta e massa de 100 grãos. Como resultados, observou-se in vitro a presença de bactérias epifíticas nas raízes de todos os genótipos e presença de bactérias endofíticas não foi verificada nos genótipos CD 104, CD 119 e CD 150. Verificou-se um aumento acentuado de pêlos radiculares nos genótipos CD 105, CD 117, CD 119 e CD120. As cultivares CD 105 e CD 120 pela presença da bactéria endofiticamente associado com o aumento de pêlos radiculares, podem ser as mais promissoras para uma resposta da FBN. As plântulas inoculadas apresentaram senescência precoce. Os níveis de NH4+, GS e NT nas raízes não foram determinantes para a promoção do crescimento vegetal. Os resultados obtidos em casa de vegetação demonstram que, apesar de ter havido interações significativas, os parâmetros não foram determinantes para a definição de um genótipo que apresentasse uma resposta conclusiva a respeito da interação benéfica entre genótipo COODETEC e H. seropedicae. No entanto, observou-se uma contribuição a ser mais bem estudada, onde a cultivar CD 120 mostrou indícios de resposta à associação com a bactéria e possível ocorrência da FBN. Não foi observado nenhum efeito negativo da inoculação às plantas. Estudos complementares são necessários para obter respostas quanto às interações destes genótipos com estas bactérias diazotróficas, no processo de colonização, da FBN e da PCV

A dor é descrita como uma sensação sensorial e emocional desagradável de extrema importância para sobrevivência e integridade do organismo. As dores crônicas de origem neuropática são de difícil tratamento e seus mecanismos fisiopatológicos pouco conhecidos. Este estudo foi realizado após inoculação do vírus HSV-1 na pata traseira esquerda de camundongos machos da linhagem Balb/C, e teve como objetivo investigar comportamentalmente o desenvolvimento de alodínia mecânica e hipernocicepção nas fases herpética e pós herpética, caracterizar a atividade de vias intracelulares de sinalização das proteínas JNK, AKT CREB, P38, ERK, Glutamina Sintetase e Stat 3, através de western blot na coluna dorsal da medula espinal nas fases herpética e pós herpética, além de verificar a presença do vírus HSV-1 na medula espinal e gânglio dos animais por meio da reação em cadeia da polimerase em tempo real (RT-PCR). Os resultados evidenciaram alteração de sensibilidade nos animais a partir do 7º dia que permaneceu até o 28º dia após a inoculação do vírus. Houve uma mudança na expressão das proteínas MAPKs, com aumento na expressão de JNK, AKT e CREB no corno dorsal da medula no 8º e 21º dia após a inoculação do vírus HSV-1, aumento na expressão de P 38 e P ERK no 8º dia após inoculação do vírus e uma diminuição na expressão da proteína Stat 3 no 8º e 21º dia após a inoculação do vírus, sugerindo assim a participação dessas proteínas na alteração de sensibilidade tanto no período herpético quanto pós herpético. Também ocorreu um aumento na amplificação do DNA viral HSV-1 na medula espinal e gânglio espinal esquerdo no período herpético após inoculação do vírus HSV-1 / The pain is described as a sensorial and emotional unpleasant sensation of extreme importance for survival and integrity of the organism. The chronic pains that has neuropathic source are hard to treat and its physiopathologic mechanisms not well known. This study was performed after inoculation of the virus HSV-1 in the left back foot of male Balb/C mouse, and had as main objectives to behaviorally investigate the development of mechanical allodynia and hyper nociception during the herpetic and post-herpetic phase, characterize the activity of the intracellular signalization paths of the proteins JNK, AKT CRB, P38, ERK, glutamine synthetase and Sat 3 during herpetic and post-herpetic phase using Western Blot, besides checking as well for the presence of HSV-1 viral load in the spinal cord and ganglions using RT-PCR. The results evidenced alteration of sensitivity in the animals from the 7th day that remained until the 28th day after inoculation of the virus, a change in the MAPKs proteins expression, with a raise of expression of JNK, AKT e CREB in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord in the 8th and 21st day after the HSV-1 virus inoculation, thus suggesting the participation of these proteins in the alteration of sensitivity both in the herpetic and post herpetic periods. It is also possible to observe the presence of viral load in the spinal cord and left spinal ganglion in the herpetic period after HSV-1 virus inoculation

L'encéphalopathie hépatique (HE) est un syndrome neuropsychiatrique complexe, une complication majeure de la maladie du foie. L'œdème cytotoxique est une complication grave de l'encéphalopathie hépatique, connu comme étant le résultat d'un gonflement des astrocytes. Les facteurs pathogéniques dérivés du sang tels que l'ammoniaque (NH4+) et le stress oxydatif (SO) sont connus pour être synergiquement impliqués. Les cellules endothéliales (CE) de la barrière hémato-encéphalique (BHE), régulant le passage vers le cerveau, sont les premières cellules à entrer en contact avec les molécules circulantes. L'effet de l'ammoniaque et du SO sur le transport et le métabolisme des CE n'a jamais été complètement exploré. Par conséquent, notre objectif était d'évaluer les effets de NH4+ et des espèces réactives de l'oxygène (ROS) sur les CE de la BHE en utilisant des systèmes de modèles in vivo et in vitro. Il a été démontré que le cotransporteur Na-K-2Cl (NKCC1) était impliqué dans la pathogenèse de l'œdème cérébral dans de nombreuses affections neurologiques. Le NKCC1 peut transporter NH4+ vers le cerveau et est régulé par les ROS. Par conséquent, l'expression de NKCC1 a été évaluée dans des CE primaires soumises à différentes concentrations de ROS et de NH4+ ainsi que dans des microvaisseaux cérébraux (MVC) isolés chez le rat BDL (bile-duct ligated), un modèle d'EH induit par une maladie hépatique chronique. Aucune régulation à la hausse de NKCC n'était présente chez les CE traitées ou les MVC. La glutamine synthétase (GS) est une enzyme qui joue un rôle compensatoire important dans la détoxification du NH4+ au cours de la maladie du foie. La GS est exprimée dans le muscle et le cerveau (astrocytes), mais n'a jamais été totalement explorée dans les CE de la BHE. L'expression et l'activité de la protéine GS ont été trouvées dans les CE de la BHE in vitro (CE primaires) et in vivo (MVC isolés de rats naïfs). Dans le modèle BDL, l'expression de GS dans les MVC n'était pas significativement différente des témoins (SHAM). Par ailleurs, nous avons traité des CE avec du milieu conditionné à partir de plasma de rats BDL et avons trouvé une diminution de l’expression de la protéine GS et de l'activité par rapport aux SHAM. De plus, les CE traitées avec NH4+ augmentaient en activité de GS tandis que les traitements avec SO avec et sans NH4+ diminuent l'activité de GS. Globalement, ces résultats démontrent pour la première fois que la GS est présente dans les CE, à la fois in vivo et in vitro. La GS est régulée à la baisse dans les CE traitées avec du plasma de BDL (mais pas dans les MVC de BDL). Il est intéressant de noter que le NH4+ stimule l'activité de GS dans les CE, alors que le SO inhibe l'activité de GS, ce qui justifie possiblement les résultats de nos études avec les milieux conditionnés. Nous supposons que le SO empêche la régulation à la hausse de GS de la BHE, en diminuant la capacité des CE à détoxifier l'ammoniaque et à limiter l'entrée d'ammoniaque dans le cerveau. Nous envisageons qu'une régulation à la hausse de GS dans les CE de la BHE pourrait devenir une nouvelle cible thérapeutique de l'EH. / Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a complex neuropsychiatric syndrome, which is a major complication of liver disease. Cytotoxic edema is a serious complication of HE, known to be the result of astrocyte swelling. Blood derived pathogenic factors such as ammonia (NH4+) and oxidative stress’ (OS) are known to be synergistically implicated. Endothelial cells (EC) of the blood brain barrier (BBB) are the first cells regulating passage into the brain and to contact blood-derived molecules. The effect of ammonia and oxidative stress on EC transport and metabolism has never been thoroughly explored. Therefore, our aim was to evaluate the effects of NH4+ and reactive oxygen species (ROS) on EC of the BBB using in vivo and in vitro models systems. The Na–K–2Cl cotransporter (NKCC1) has been demonstrated to be involved in the pathogenesis of brain edema in numerous neurological conditions. NKCC1 can transport NH4+ into the brain and is regulated by ROS. Therefore, the expression of NKCC1 was evaluated in primary EC submitted to different concentrations of ROS and NH4+ as well as in cerebral microvessels (CMV) isolated from the bile-duct ligated (BDL) rat, a model HE induced by chronic liver disease. No upregulation of NKCC1 was present in either the treated EC or CMV. Glutamine synthetase (GS) is an enzyme with an important compensatory role in NH4+ detoxification during liver disease. GS is expressed in muscle and brain (astrocytes) but has never been thoroughly explored in ECs of the BBB. GS protein expression and activity was found in EC of the BBB in vitro (primary EC) and in vivo (CMV isolated from naive rats). In the BDL model, GS expression in CMVs was not significantly different from SHAM-operated controls. In addition, we treated ECs with conditioned medium from plasma of BDL rats and found a decrease in GS protein and activity when compared to SHAM. Furthermore, EC treated with NH4+ increased GS activity while treatments with ROS with and without NH4+ decreased GS activity. Overall these results demonstrate for the first time that GS is present in EC both in vivo and in vitro. GS is downregulated in EC treated with BDL plasma (but not in BDL CMV). Interestingly, NH4+ stimulates GS activity in ECs, while ROS inhibits GS activity, possibly justifying the results found from the conditioned medium studies. We speculate that ROS prevents the upregulation of GS in the BBB, decreasing the capacity of the EC to detoxify ammonia and to limit ammonia entry into the brain. We foresee that upregulating GS in ECs of the BBB could become a new therapeutic target for HE.

PII-Proteine, zu denen GlnB und GlnK zählen, sind ubiquitär verbreitete kleine Regulatorproteine, die den internen Stickstoffzustand der Zelle sensieren und weiterleiten und hierdurch maßgeblich an der Regulation des Stickstoffmetabolismus beteiligt sind.Ziel dieser Arbeit war es, das GlnK1-Protein aus dem methanogenen Archeaon Methanosarcina mazei Stamm Gö1 umfassend zu charakterisieren und seine potentielle Rolle in der Regulation des Stickstoffmetabolismus aufzuklären. Das M. mazei GlnK1-Protein weist den typischen Tyrosin51-Rest auf, der in Bakterien stickstoffabhängig posttranslationell modifiziert wird. Sowohl in vitro als auch in vivo Experimente haben jedoch gezeigt, dass GlnK1 in M. mazei nicht stickstoffabhängig modifiziert wird. Weitere strukturelle Unterschiede zu bakteriellen PII-Proteinen haben Experimente zur Bildung von Heterotrimeren aufgezeigt. Trotz dieser deutlichen Unterschiede haben Komplementationsversuche ergeben, dass das archaeelle GlnK-Protein in der Lage ist, E. coli GlnK funktionell zu komplementieren. Dieses läßt darauf schließen, dass das GlnK1-Protein in M. mazei auch in der Regulation des Stickstoffmetabolismus involviert ist. Um dieses zu bestätigen, wurde eine chromosomale M. mazei glnK1-Mutante generiert. Hierfür war es erforderlich, zunächst ein funktionelles System zur Transformation von M. mazei Gö1 zu entwickeln. Es gelang, (i) durch Selektion einer potentiellen spontanen Zellwandmutante von M. mazei, die eine stark verbesserte Plattierungseffizienz aufwies, sowie (ii) durch mehrere Modifizierungen des von W. Metcalf (Urbana) entwickelten Liposomen-vermittelten Transformationsprotokolls für Methanosarcina-Stämme M. mazei Gö1 genetisch zugänglich zu machen. Wachstumsanalysen des konstruierten M. mazei glnK1-Mutantenstamms zeigten einen partiell reduzierten Wachstumsphänotyp unter stickstofflimitierenden Bedingungen. Quantitative Reverse Transkriptions-PCR Analysen ausgewählter Gene ergaben allerdings, dass das GlnK1 keinen Einfluss auf die Transkription stickstoffregulierter Gene ausübt.Sowohl biochemische Experimente mit gereinigtem Enzym als auch in vivo Versuche zeigten jedoch, dass das GlnK1-Protein mit der Glutamin-Synthetase (GlnA) interagiert und hierdurch deren Enzymaktivität inhibiert. Ein aktivierender Effekt auf die GlnA Enzymaktivität wurde hingegen bei Anwesenheit von 2-Oxoglutarat beobachtet, welches den internen Stickstoffstatus wiederspiegelt. Aus der Gesamtheit der Ergebnisse läßt sich folgendes hypothetisches Regulationsmodel ableiten: Unter Stickstofflimitierung wird 2-Oxoglutarat akkumuliert, welches die Glutamine-Synthetase Aktivität stark stimuliert; bei einem Übergang zu Stickstoffüberschuss wird die Glutamine-Synthetase sowohl durch einen reduzierten 2-Oxoglutarat-Spiegel als auch durch direkte Protein-Interaktion mit GlnK1 inaktiviert. Letzteres dient der Feinregulation und ermöglicht schnell auf eine veränderte Stickstoffversorgung reagieren zu können.

This study has been concerned with the design and synthesis of A TP analogues with the potential to act as inhibitors of glutamine synthetase - a novel target for therapeutic intervention in the treatment of tuberculosis. Using a structural -analogy approach, various 3-indolylalkanoic acid, benzimidazole and pyrazolo[3,4-dJpyrimidine derivatives have been prepared and characterized. Alkylation of the heterocyclic bases using 4-(bromomethyl)-2,2-dimethyl-1 ,3-d ioxolane, 2-(bromomethoxy)ethyl acetate and 2-(chloroethoxy)ethanol in the presence of either NaH or BulOK afforded the corresponding N-alkylated derivatives of benzimidazole and 4-aminopyrazolo[3,4-dJpyrimidine (4-APP). Similar reactions with 3-indo lylalkanoic esters resulted in O-alkyl cleavage with the formation of new esters. Alkylation of benzimidazole with allyl bromide, 4-bromobutene and 2-methylbut-2-ene has also been shown to afford the corresponding l-alkenylbenzimidazoles in moderate to excellent yield (43-96%). Subsequent oxidation of these products using CTAP, gave the dihydroxy derivatives in poor to good yields (26-77%). Phosphorylation of various hydroxy derivatives of benzimidazole and 4-APP has been achieved using diethyl chlorophosphate to afford the corresponding monophosphate and 1,2-diphosphate esters. Glycosylation of each of the heterocyclic bases has been successfully achieved using 1,2,3,4,6-penta-O-acetyl-D-glucopyranose and SnCl4 in acetonitri le, while methanolysis of the resulting tetraacetates, using methanolic NaOMe, afforded the hydroxy derivatives in good yield (50-70%). Various 1- and 2-dimensional NMR spectroscopic methods (e.g., IH, 13C, lip, COSY, HSQC and HMBC) have been used to confirm the structures of the synthesized A IP analogues. The application of NMR prediction programmes has been explored, permitting assessment of their agreement with the experimental data and confirmation of assigned structures. High-resolution electron impact (EI) mass spectrometric data have been used to explore the mass fragmentation pathways exhibited by selected derivatives, and certain common fragmentations have been identified. Molecular modelling of selected products as potential glutamine synthetase ligands has been performed on the Accelrys Cerius2 platform, and interactive receptor-ligand docking studies have been conducted using the Ligand-Fit module. These studies have revealed possible hydrogen-boding interactions between the selected analogues and various amino acid residues in the glutamine synthetase active site.