This thesis is divided into two parts and covers biosynthetic studies on two secondary metabolites, tropic acid in Part I and piliformic acid, in Part II.(S)-Tropic acid is the acid moiety of the alkaloids hyoscyamine and scopolamine, which are produced by a number of plants of the Solanacae family. An intriguing rearrangement of the L-phenylalanine side chain gives rise to the isopropanoid (S)-tropic acid skeleton. The detailed nature of the rearrangement has however remained elusive despite continued interest over the years. In chapter two the identification of intermediates between L-phenylalanine and (S)-tropic acid is discussed, which has placed (R)-D-phenyllactic acid as an immediate precursor. The stereochemical features of the rearrangement are described in chapter 3 and finally in chapter 4 a mechanism for the rearrangement is proposed. This is based on information obtained from the incorporation of various isotopically labelled precursors to tropic acid into two of the minor alkaloids, 3a-2'-hydroxyacetoxytropane and 3a- phenylacetoxytropane. This work was carried out in collaboration with Dr Richard Robins at the AFRC Institute of Food Research in Norwich. Piliformic acid is elaborated by the slow growing fungus Poronia piliformis. The incorporation of a number of isotopically labelled substrates into piliformic acid has revealed a mixed biosynthetic origin, comprising C(_8) and C(_3) fragments. These have been shown to be of acetogenic and citric acid cycle origins respectively. The C(_8) fragment has been further demonstrated to be a degradation product of a longer chain fatty acid. The mode of coupling of the two fragments has been investigated and suggests the intermediacy of a novel a-carboxyoctanoate. A pathway for the assembly of piliformic acid, involving a 1,3-hydrogen shift, is proposed, consistent with the above findings. These results are the subject of chapter 6.

Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz Family Euphorbiaceae) is an important tropical food crop. However, harvested cassava roots have a shelf-life of only days due to post-harvest physiological deterioration (PPD). Within 1-3 days of harvesting, the roots show blue-black vascular streaking and are unpalatable. PPD includes altered gene expression and the accumulation of hydroxycoumarin secondary metabolites, e.g. scopoletin and esculetin, and their respective glucosides scopolin and esculin. In this research several important aspects of the biosynthesis of these phytochemically important hydroxycoumarins were resolved. Stable isotopically labelled intermediates on the postulated biosynthetic pathways of scopoletin were fed to cassava cubes and PPD was allowed to occur. Ethanolic extracts of these deteriorated roots were separated (HPLC) and analysed (HRESI-MS). Incorporation (in both scopoletin and scopolin) of only 3 deuterons from E-cinnamic-2,3,2',3',4',5',6'-d7 and E-cinnamic-3,2',3',4',5',6'-d6 is strong support that the E-Zisomerisation step is enzymatic and not photochemical. There are three hypothetical pathways for the biosynthesis of scopoletin via: 2',4'-dihydroxycinnamate, caffeate, or ferulate. High incorporation of label from p-coumaric-2-13C, caffeic-2-13C and ferulic-2-13C acids was observed into labelled scopoletin and scopolin while there was only a small incorporation from 18O-umbelliferone and 18O-esculetin. We conclude that the major biosynthetic pathway to scopoletin and scopolin is via ferulic acid. C18O2-enrichment of E-cinnamic and ferulic acids and feeding gave scopoletin containing only one 18O-labelled oxygen atom. Therefore the lactonisation step is through o-hydroxylation and not via a postulated spirolactone-dienone intermediate. These results were confirmed by feeding experiments in an atmosphere of 18O2-air which showed that the major isotopic peak was 18O3-enriched scopoletin. Three glucosyltransferases were isolated and identified from a cassava PPDrelated cDNA library. These genes are expressed in the cassava storage root during PPD and they are also expressed in the fresh root. While one of these glucosyltransferases was novel, two had previously been isolated from cassava cotyledons.

<p>In order to understand biological processes, to treat and diagnose diseases, find appropriate vaccines and to prevent the outbreak of epidemics, it is essential to obtain more knowledge about carbohydrate structures. This thesis deals with structure and conformation of carbohydrates, analysed by NMR spectroscopy and MD simulations.In the first two papers, the structures of O-antigen polysaccharides (PS) from two different <i>E. coli</i> bacteria were determined using NMR spectroscopy. The O-antigenic PS from <i>E. coli</i> O152 (paper I) consists of branched pentasaccharide repeating units, built up of three different carbohydrate residues and a phosphodiester, whilst the repeating unit of the O-antigen from <i>E. coli</i> O176 (paper II) is built up of a linear tetrasaccharide consisting of two different monosaccharides.</p><p>In papers III and IV, the conformational analysis of different disaccharides is described. Conformational analysis was performed using NMR spectroscopy and MD simulations (paper IV). In paper III four different glucobiosides were studied using coupling constants and Karplus-type relationships. By use of specific ¹³C isotopically labelled derivatives, additional coupling constants were obtained and the number of possible torsion angles was reduced by half. In paper IV, we examine the conformations of two disaccharides that are part of an epitope of malignant cells. From NOE and T-ROE experiments, short proton-proton distances around the glycosidic linkage were estimated. Furthermore, interpretation of the extracted coupling constants using Kaplus relationships gave the values of the torsion angles. As in paper III, isotopically labelled compounds were synthesised in order to enhance the sensitivity of the analysis. Finally, MD simulations were performed and the results were compared with results from NMR data.</p>

This work deals with radiochemistry and new approaches to develop novel PET tracers labelled with the radionuclide 11C. Two methods for the synthesis of 11C-labelled acrylamides have been explored. First, [1-11C]-acrylic acid was obtained from a palladium(0)-mediated 11C-carboxylation of acetylene with [11C]carbon monoxide; this could be converted to the corresponding acyl chloride and then combined with benzylamine to form N-benzyl[carbonyl-11C]acrylamide. In the second method, the palladium(0)-mediated carbonylation of vinyl halides with [11C]carbon monoxide was explored. This latter method, yielded labelled acrylamides in a single step with retention of configuration at the C=C double bond, and required less amine compared to the acetylene method. The vinyl halide method was used to synthesize a library of 11C-labelled EGFr-inhibitors in 7-61% decay corrected radiochemical yield via a combinatorial approach. The compounds were designed to target either the active or the inactive form of EGFr, following computational docking studies. The rhodium(I)-mediated carbonylative cross-coupling of an azide and an amine was shown to be a very general reaction and was used to synthesize a library of dual VEGFr-2/PDGFrβ inhibitors that were 11C-labelled at the urea position in 38-78% dc rcy. The angiotensin II AT1 receptor antagonist eprosartan was 11C-labelled at one of the carboxyl groups in one step using a palladium(0)-mediated carboxylation. Autoradiography shows specific binding in rat kidney, lung and adrenal cortex, and organ distribution shows a high accumulation in the intestines, kidneys and liver. Specific binding in frozen sections of human adrenal incidentalomas warrants further investigations of this tracer. Three angiotensin II AT2 ligands were 11C-labelled at the amide group in a palladium(0)-mediated aminocarbonylation in 16-36% dc rcy. One of the compounds was evaluated using in vitro using autoradiography, and in vivo using organ distribution and animal PET. The compound was metabolized fast and excreted via urine. High radioactivity was also found in the liver, meaning that more metabolically stable compounds are desirable for future development.

In order to understand biological processes, to treat and diagnose diseases, find appropriate vaccines and to prevent the outbreak of epidemics, it is essential to obtain more knowledge about carbohydrate structures. This thesis deals with structure and conformation of carbohydrates, analysed by NMR spectroscopy and MD simulations.In the first two papers, the structures of O-antigen polysaccharides (PS) from two different E. coli bacteria were determined using NMR spectroscopy. The O-antigenic PS from E. coli O152 (paper I) consists of branched pentasaccharide repeating units, built up of three different carbohydrate residues and a phosphodiester, whilst the repeating unit of the O-antigen from E. coli O176 (paper II) is built up of a linear tetrasaccharide consisting of two different monosaccharides. In papers III and IV, the conformational analysis of different disaccharides is described. Conformational analysis was performed using NMR spectroscopy and MD simulations (paper IV). In paper III four different glucobiosides were studied using coupling constants and Karplus-type relationships. By use of specific 13C isotopically labelled derivatives, additional coupling constants were obtained and the number of possible torsion angles was reduced by half. In paper IV, we examine the conformations of two disaccharides that are part of an epitope of malignant cells. From NOE and T-ROE experiments, short proton-proton distances around the glycosidic linkage were estimated. Furthermore, interpretation of the extracted coupling constants using Kaplus relationships gave the values of the torsion angles. As in paper III, isotopically labelled compounds were synthesised in order to enhance the sensitivity of the analysis. Finally, MD simulations were performed and the results were compared with results from NMR data.

Les chaperonines sont des chaperonnes moléculaires indispensables pour le repliement de certaines protéines dans les cellules. La taille et la complexité de ces machineries biologiques rendent complexes l'étude de leurs propriétés structurales et fonctionnelles. La spectroscopie RMN permet de suivre des changements structuraux et dynamiques en temps réel avec une résolution atomique. Cependant, l'étude par RMN de protéines ou de complexes de haut poids moléculaires a été un challenge pendant de nombreuses années. Dans la première partie de cette thèse, il a été montré que la combinaison de marquage spécifique des groupements méthyles, d'expériences RMN optimisées et de microscopie électronique peut être utilisée pour suivre différents états du cycle fonctionnel d'une chaperonine de 1 MDa. Pour étudier ce mécanisme, la chaperonine native a été reconstituée avec un marquage des groupements méthyles des méthionines et valines. Les résidus méthionines ont pu être utilisés comme des sondes pour identifier les spectres RMN correspondant aux états intermédiaires et aux espèces actives du cycle fonctionnel. Grâce à ces sondes il a été possible de suivre en temps réel les réarrangements structuraux correspondant aux différentes conformations de la chaperonine durant son cycle fonctionnel. La seconde partie traite de la caractérisation de l'interaction de la chaperonine avec une protéine cliente dépliée. L'observation de la stabilisation de l'état déplié de la protéine par la chaperonine a permis de mettre en évidence une activité de "holdase" de la chaperonine. En utilisant une combinaison astucieuse de différents marquages de groupements méthyles et d'expériences RMN optimisés pour des assemblages de haut poids moléculaire, il a été possible d'observer le repliement de cette protéine par la chaperonine et les effets de la présence d'une protéine dépliée sur le cycle fonctionnel de la chaperonine en action. / Chaperonins are essential molecular chaperons for the refolding of proteins in the cells. Size and complexity of these biological machineries make complex the study of their structural and functional properties. NMR spectroscopy offers an unique ability to monitor structural and dynamic changes in real-time and at atomic resolution. However, the NMR studies of large proteins and complexes has been a real challenge for a long time. In the first part of this thesis, it has been shown that the combination of methyl specific labeling, optimized NMR spectroscopy for large assemblies and electron microscopy can be used to monitor the different states of the functional cycle of a 1 MDa chaperonin. To study this mechanism, the native chaperonin was reconstituted with a labeling of the methionines and valines methyl groups. Methionines residues have been used as probes to identify the NMR spectra corresponding to intermediates states and active species of the functional cycle. Thanks to theses probes, it has been possible to follow in real time the structural rearrangements corresponding to the different conformations of the chaperonin during its functional cycle. The second part deals with the characterization of the interaction between the chaperonin and an unfolded protein. Observation of the stabilization of the unfolded protein by the chaperonin allowed to identify the holdase activity of the chaperonin. Using a clever combination of a differential methyl labeling and optimized NMR spectroscopy for large assemblies, it has been possible to follow the refolding of the unfolded protein by the chaperonin and the effects of the unfolded protein on the functional cycle of the chaperonin in action.

Es gliomes sont des tumeurs cérébrales associées à une mortalité élevée. Le glioblastome multiforme (GBM) est la forme la plus fréquente des tumeurs cérébrales primaires. Malgré une prise en charge thérapeutique optimale constituée d'une chirurgie, d'une radiochimiothérapie concomitante et d'une chimiothérapie adjuvante, la survie médiane est de 15 mois. Ceci s'explique surtout par le potentiel infiltratif de ces tumeurs. Il est donc difficile de réaliser une exérèse chirurgicale totale, ce qui entraine une récidive quasi-systématique avec l'apparition de chimiorésistance. Ces phénomènes de résistances associés à une importante toxicité des molécules cytotoxiques mettent en évidence l'importance de rechercher de nouvelles stratégies thérapeutiques. Parmi ces dernières, les anticorps monoclonaux thérapeutiques sont très prometteurs, leurs actions ciblées limitent la toxicité au niveau du tissu sain. Cependant ces nouvelles thérapies manquent cruellement de suivi. L'apparition d'effets secondaires graves remet en cause leur intérêt. C'est pourquoi ces nouvelles thérapies, bien qu'efficaces, doivent être contrôlées par l'intermédiaire de biomarqueurs compagnons ce qui permettrait une meilleure efficience de la molécule. Le bevacizumab en est un bon exemple, de par une pharmacocinétique interindividuelle variable (de 11 à 50 jours) et une absence d'adaptation de la posologie on constate l'apparition d'effets secondaires (phlébite, hémorragie) qui entrainent l'arrêt du traitement. Or, ces effets secondaires pourraient être limités par un simple suivi de la concentration sérique de bevacizumab. De plus, dans le cas particulier des GBM, la présence de la barrière hémato-encéphalique (BHE) nécessite de développer de nouvelles stratégies pour favoriser une meilleure biodistrubution de molécules au niveau de la tumeur cérébrale. De ce fait, nous avons étudié l'efficacité d'un contournement de la BHE mécanique par une administration localisée directement dans la tumeur. Et dans cette étude préclinique, une amélioration significative de la médiane de survie des animaux ayant eu un traitement par CED (Convection Enhanced Delivery) par rapport à une administration intrapéritonéale. Enfin, dans le but de proposer une technique innovante de criblage de biomarqueurs compagnons, nous avons mis en place une stratégie innovante de marquage isotopique in vivo afin d'étudier la dynamique du protéome tumoral en réponse au traitement. Cette stratégie, déjà validée, est en cours de transfert chez l'homme dans l'étude du métabolisme des GBM. / Gliomas are brain tumors associated with important mortality. Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most frequent of primary brain tumors. Despite an optimal therapeutic management consists that includes surgery, radiotherapy plus concomitant and adjuvant chemotherapy, the median survival is 15 months. This, is mainly due to the presence of infiltrative tumor cells that hamper total surgical excision, and leads to relapse with the emergence of drug resistance. This highlights the importance of seeking new therapeutic strategies.Of these, therapeutic monoclonal antibodies are very promising. Their targeted actions limit the toxicity to healthy tissue. However, these new therapies are desperately short of monitoring. The appearance of serious side effects is a present challenge to their use. In consequences, these targeted therapies, even effective, have to be controlled via companion’s biomarkers that would provide better monitoring of the molecule. Bevacizumab is a good illustration for the existence of interindividual pharmacokinetic variability (11 to 50 days). In addition to its effect on the therapy efficiency, this inte variability must be also considered for side effects (phlebitis, hemorrhage) that lead to failure of treatment. However, these side effects could be limited by a simple monitoring of serum concentration of bevacizumab.Moreover, in the specific case of GBM, the action to the blood-brain barrier (BBB) requires the development of new strategies to promote a better bio-distribution of molecules in the brain tumor. Therefore, we investigated the effectiveness of a mechanical bypass of BBB in experimental brain tumors by a localized administration directly in the tumor. In this preclinical study, a significant improvement in median survival of animals treated with convection-enhanced delivery (CED) versus intraperitoneal administration was demonstrated.Finally, in order to offer an innovative technique of companion’s biomarkers screening, we have implemented an isotope labeling in vivo in order to study the dynamics of the proteome in tumor response to treatment. This strategy has already been released and is being transferred in humans in the study of the metabolism of GBM.

Cette thèse vise à développer de nouvelles méthodes efficaces pour incorporer des isotopes de l’hydrogène dans les molécules organiques complexes, après une introduction portant sur les applications et la synthèse des molécules marquées par le deutérium et tritium. Les méthodes permettant le marquage, par échange isotopique direct, d’hétérocycles azotés par des isotopes de l’hydrogène restent perfectibles, voire inexistantes dans certains cas, malgré la récurrence de ce type de sous-structures dans les molécules d’intérêt pharmacologique. Pour cette raison, la majeure partie de ce travail a consisté au développement de nouvelles méthodes d’incorporation d’atomes de deutérium et de tritium sur des hétérocycles azotés catalysées par des nanoparticules métalliques. Dans un premier chapitre, la mise au point, le champ d’application d’une méthode de marquage mettant en jeu l’utilisation de nanocatalyseurs de ruthénium seront discutés. Dans ce cadre, des calculs théoriques ont permis de rationaliser les regiosélectivités obtenues expérimentalement et d’identifier notamment des intermédiaires clefs inédits. D’un point de vue applicatif, cette méthode a permis de synthétiser des étalons internes deutérés pour la quantification LC-MS mais aussi des molécules complexes tritiées ayant des activités spécifiques élevées en une étape de synthèse. Dans un autre chapitre, la synthèse et la réactivité de nouveaux nanocatalyseurs de nickel permettant de réaliser des échanges isotopiques sélectifs seront discutés. / This PhD thesis deals with the development of new efficient methods for the incorporation of hydrogen isotopes into organic molecules, which represents a serious issue especially for drug discovery and drug development processes. After giving an introduction about hydrogen isotopes and their applications in organic molecules, the course will proceed to an overview of different chemical transformations for establishing deuterium or tritium labels on molecular frameworks. The possibilities to label N-heterocycles by hydrogen isotopes through hydrogen isotope exchange (HIE) are still very restricted and even impossible for some representatives despite the strong recurrence of these substructures in numerous biologically active molecules. For this reason, the emphasis of the practical part will lie on the development of new methods for the incorporation of deuterium and tritium on N-heterocycles through metal nanoparticle catalysis. In the first chapter, HIE through ruthenium nanocatalysts will be optimized and the application range will be demonstrated. In this context, DFT-based calculations allowed to explain experimental regioselectivities and to identify new keyintermediates. In terms of application, it was shown that the ruthenium-catalyzed method is useful for the synthesis of deuterium labelled internal standards for LC-MS quantifications and for the tritiation of complex molecules displaying satisfying specific activities. In the next chapter, the synthesis of new nickel nanoparticles and their potential to catalyze selective HIE on N-heterocyclic derivatives will be discussed.

O ozônio (O3) é um poderoso oxidante e quantidades significativas podem ser formadas em ambientes urbanos, como resultado de uma série de eventos fotoquímicos, sendo um risco para a saúde humana. Devido a sua reatividade química, o ozônio é capaz de promover modificações oxidativas em diversas biomoléculas, tais como, DNA, proteínas e lipídios. As reações do O3 com biomoléculas geram quantidades significativas de O2 (1&#916;g). Sendo assim, essas reações são caracterizadas pela transferência de um átomo de oxigênio do O3 ao substrato oxidado. Devido à regra de conservação do Spin, isto requer que o dioxigênio gerado nesta reação esteja no seu estado singlete. Neste específico mecanismo, a formação do hidrotrióxido tem sido frequentemente assumida como um importante intermediário da ozonização. Ainda, constatou-se o elevado potencial mutagênico do O3 sobre o DNA, levando, principalmente, à substituição de suas bases. A frequência das substituições das bases foi essencialmente localizada no par G: C\'s (75%), uma característica das espécies reativas de oxigênio, como o O2 (1&#916;g). No entanto, os mecanismos pelos quais O3 causa danos ao DNA ainda não foram completamente elucidados. No presente trabalho, as evidências espectroscópicas na geração do O2 (1&#916;g) foram obtidas através da emissão de luz bimolecular na região vermelha do espectro (&#955; = 634 nm) e através da emissão de luz monomolecular na região do infravermelho próximo (&#955; = 1270 nm ) durante a reação de O3 com dGuo e 8-oxodGuo. Além disso, desenvolveu-se uma metodologia para a geração de ozônio isotopicamente marcado com átomo de oxigênio-18 a partir do 18O2 (3&#931;g-). Deste modo, as evidências da formação dos diastereoisômeros da spiroiminodihidantoina, tanto a isotopicamente marcada no 18O quanto a não marcada, juntamente com a 8-oxodGuo, imidazolona e oxazolona, foram detectados como produtos de oxidação das reações com 18O3. Para tal observação, análises foram realizadas por HPLC acoplado ao espectrômetro de massas. Ademais, a detecção do 18O2 (1&#916;g) durante a decomposição do 18O3 foi obtida por captação química do O2 (1&#916;g) pelo derivado de antraceno, EAS, detectando o endoperóxido corresponde com a adição de dois átomos de 18O na posição 9,10 do antraceno. Além disso, mais uma evidência da presença do O2 (1&#916;g) foi inequivocamente demonstrada pela caracterização do espectro de emissão no infravermelho próximo. / Ozone (O3) is a potent oxidant and significant amounts can be formed in urban environments as a result of a series of complex photochemical events. It is a threat for human health. Due its chemical reactivity towards biological targets, ozone is able to promote oxidative modification in several biomolecules, such as DNA, proteins and lipids. Reactions of O3 with biomolecules are able to generate in high yields of singlet molecular oxygen [O2 (1&#916;g)]. The transfer of one oxygen atom from O3 to the oxidized substrate characterizes these reactions. Spin conservation rules require that the dioxygen generated in this reaction has to be in its singlet state. In this specific mechanism, hydrotrioxide has often been assumed as important intermediates in the ozonization process. In addition, ozone has been established as a powerful mutagenic agent, and the most observed mutation is in G:C transversion. This kind of transversion is typical in reactions involving DNA and reactive oxygen species, such as O2 (1&#916;g). However, the mechanisms by which O3 causes DNA damage have not yet been fully elucidated. In the present research, spectroscopic evidence for the generation of O2 (1&#916;g) was obtained by measuring the dimol light emission in the red spectral region (&#955; = 634 nm) and the monomol light emission in the near-infrared region (&#955;=1270 nm). Both measuements were done during interaction of O3 with dGuo and 8-oxodGuo. In addition, a system was built to produce isotopically labeled ozone with 18O. Thefore, in the same system that 8-oxodGuo, imidazolone and oxazolone, 18O-labeled and unlabeled diastereoisomeric spiroiminodihydantoin nucleosides were detected as the oxidation products with 18O3. In that case, analyses by HPLC coupled to mass spectrometry were performed. Moreover, in the O3 decomposition the formation of 18O-labeled O2 (1&#916;g) from 18O-labeled ozone was obtained by chemical trapping of O2 (1&#916;g) with EAS anthracene derivative and detected the corresponding 18O-labeled EAS endoperoxide. More evidence of the presence of O2 (1&#916;g) was unequivocally demonstrated by the direct characterization of the near-infrared light emission spectrum.

As proteínas são consideradas importantes alvos para os oxidantes, devido à abundância em sistemas biológicos e às altas constantes de reações com estas espécies. Adicionalmente, têmse demonstrado que o triptofano (W) é um aminoácido extremamente susceptível a oxidação, inclusive pelo oxigênio singlete (1O2). A reação do W com o 1O2 tem despertado o interesse de diversos pesquisadores. Recentemente, esta reação tem atraído mais atenção, uma vez que produtos de oxidação do W tais como N-formilquinurenina (FMK) e quinurenina (kn) têm sido associados com algumas condições patológicas, tais como o desenvolvimento de catarata e a formação de agregados covalentes da superóxido dismutase envolvidos na esclerose lateral amiotrófica. Entretanto, há poucos trabalhos enfocando detalhadamente as reações, com estudos de estabilidade, identificação de subprodutos e propostas mecanísticas. Desta forma, pretendemos com este trabalho contribuir no esclarecimento do mecanismo de oxidação do triptofano pelo 1O2, através da análise e caracterização de produtos de oxidação gerados. Com este intuito, dois hidroperóxidos de triptofano isômeros (WOOH cis e trans, em relação ao grupamento carboxila) foram completamente caracterizados por análises de HPLC/espectrometria de massa e RMN como os principais produtos de oxidação do W pelo 1O2. Estes hidroperóxidos demonstraram ser relativamente estáveis às temperaturas ambiente e fisiológica, decompondo lentamente para os alcoóis correspondentes. O aumento do pH e/ou o aquecimento das soluções contendo os WOOH leva a decomposição quimiluminescente dos WOOH à FMK. Utilizando hidroperóxidos isotopicamente marcados com [18O] (W18O18OH) foi possível confirmar que a FMK formada durante esta decomposição era marcada com dois átomos de oxigênio. Este resultado demonstra que os dois átomos da FMK são derivados do grupamento hidroperóxido. Em adição, estas reações são quimiluminescentes, sugerindo o envolvimento de um intermediário dioxetano. Este mecanismo foi confirmado uma vez que o espectro de quimiluminescência da decomposição dos WOOH pode ser sobreposto ao espectro de fluorescência da FMK, inequivocamente identificado a FMK como a espécie emissora. Dioxindoilalaninas diastereoisoméricas também foram caracterizadas como produtos de oxidação do triptofano pelo 102; uma possível via radicalar foi excluída. Em suma, este estudo contribuiu na elucidação das bases químicas envolvidas na oxidação do triptofano por 102, através da caracterização dos produtos formados e da investigação detalhada dos mecanismos de decomposição destes produtos. / Proteins have been considered important targets for reactive oxygen species. Indeed, tryptophan (W) has been shown to be a highly susceptible amino acid to many oxidizing agents, including singlet molecular oxygen (1O2). The reaction of 1O2 with W has long been a matter of concern, and has recently attracted considerably more attention because W-derived oxidation products such as N-formylkynurenine (FMK) and kynurenine (kn) have been associated with some pathological conditions such as the development of cataracts and the formation of covalent aggregates of superoxide dismutase, which has been implicated in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Despite the intense interest in the mechanism of W oxidation, there are a lot of gaps that remains to be elucidated. In this context, the current study was undertaken to investigate the chemical basis involved in W oxidation by 1O2. We are concerned about the chemistry of the initially formed hydroperoxides, their stability, further reactions and the mechanism leading to FMK conversion. With this purpose, two cis and trans tryptophan hydroperoxide (WOOH) isomers were completely characterized by HPLC/mass spectrometry and NMR analyses as the major W-oxidation photoproducts. Also, they were shown to be relatively stable at ambient and physiological temperatures, leading to a slow decomposition to the corresponding alcohols. Increasing the pH or heating the solutions gives rise to a luminescent decomposition of the WOOH to FMK. Using 18O-labeled hydroperoxides (W18O18OH), it was possible to confirm the formation of a two-oxygen-labeled FMK molecule derived from W18O18OH decomposition. This result shows that both oxygen atoms in FMK are derived from the hydroperoxide group. In addition, these reactions are chemiluminescent (CL), indicating a dioxetane cleavage pathway. This mechanism was confirmed since the CL spectrum of the WOOH decomposition matched the FMK fluorescence spectrum, unequivocally identifying FMK as the emitting species. Diastereoisomeric dioxindoyalanine were also characterized as oxidation products derived from the reaction of W with 1O2. The involvement of radicals in this reaction was excluded. In summary, this work offers further insights into the chemistry involved in W-oxidation, through the characterization of photoproducts and the detailed investigation about the decomposition mechanism of these products.