The Rab family of small GTPases orchestrates intracellular endomembrane transport through the recruitment of diverse effector proteins. Since its first discovery in 1987, almost 70 Rab proteins have been identified in humans to date and their perturbed function is implicated in several hereditary and acquired diseases. In this Ph.D. thesis, I systematically characterize cell type expression and subcellular localization of all Rab proteins present in Drosophila melanogaster utilizing a genetic resource that represents a major advance for studying membrane trafficking in vivo: the ’Drosophila YRab library’. This collection comprises 27 different D. melanogaster knock-in lines that harbor YFPMyc fusions to each Rab protein, referred to as YRab. For each YRab, I present a comprehensive data set of quantitative and qualitative expression profiles across six larval and adult tissues that include 23 annotated cell types. The whole image data set, along with its annotations, is publicly accessible through the FLYtRAB database that links to CATMAID for online browsing of tissues. I exploit this data set to address basic cell biological questions. i) How do differentiating cells reorganize their transport machinery to perform cell type-specific functions? My data indicates that qualitative and quantitative changes in YRab protein expression facilitate the functional specialization of differentiated cells. I show that about half of the YRab complement is ubiquitously expressed across D. melanogaster tissues, while others are missing from some cell types or reflect strongly restricted cell type expression, e.g. in the nervous system. I also depict that relative YRab expression levels change as cells differentiate. ii) Are specific Rab proteins dedicated to apical or basolateral protein transport in all epithelia? My data suggests that the endomembrane architecture reflects specific tasks performed by particular epithelial tissues, rather than a generalized apicobasal organization. I demonstrate that there is no single YRab that is similarly polarized in all epithelia. Rather, different epithelial tissues dynamically polarize the subcellular localization of many YRab compartments, producing membrane trafficking architectures that are tissue- and stage-specific. I further discuss YRab cell type expression and subcellular localization in the context of Rab family evolution. I report that the conservation of YRab protein expression across D. melanogaster cell types reflects their evolutionary conservation in eukaryotes. In addition, my data supports the assumption that the flexible deployment of an expanded Rab family triggered cell differentiation in metazoans. The FLYtRAB database and the ’Drosophila Rab Library’ are complementary resources that facilitate functional predictions based on YRab cell type expression and subcellular localization, and to subsequently test them by genetic loss-of-function experiments. I demonstrate the power of this approach by revealing new and redundant functions for Rab23 and Rab35 in wing vein patterning. My data collectively highlight that in vivo studies of endomembrane transport pathways in different D. melanogaster cell types is a valuable approach to elucidate functions of Rab family proteins and their potential implications for human disease.

Proteingebundene Maillard-Reaktionsprodukte (MRP) und Crosslink-Aminosäuren (CLAS) werden mit der Nahrung täglich in nicht unerheblichen Mengen aufgenommen. In Humanstudien wurde gezeigt, dass einzelne dieser Produkte resorbiert werden. Die Beteiligung einzelner MRP und CLAS an pathophysiologischen Prozessen wird diskutiert. Im ersten Teil der Arbeit wurden MRP (Fructoselysin, Lactuloselysin, CML, CEL, Pyrralin, MG-H1, Pentosidin) und CLAS (LAL, Glutamyllysin) in Casein angereichert und die Caseine einer simulierten gastrointestinalen Verdauung unterzogen. Mit der posttranslationalen Modifizierung ging eine Verschlechterung der Verdaubarkeit einher. Dies zeigte sich daran, dass während der Verdauung bei zunehmendem Modifizierungsgrad Peptide mit Molmassen > 1000 Da schlechter abgebaut wurden und somit die Bildung von Peptiden < 1000 Da abnahm. Die Verschlechterung der Verdaubarkeit ließ sich vor allem auf die Quervernetzung der Caseine, weniger auf die Modifizierung von Aminosäuren zurückführen. Zudem wurde die Freisetzbarkeit einzelner Aminosäuren durch posttranslationale Modifizierung gesenkt. Dies konnte praktisch ausschließlich auf die Modifizierung von Lysinresten, nicht auf die Quervernetzung, zurückgeführt werden. Vor allem Aminosäuren, die im Casein in der Nähe von Lysinresten überrepräsentiert sind, wurden mit zunehmender Modifizierung schlechter freigesetzt. Die modifizierten Aminosäuren selbst wiesen ein sehr differenziertes Freisetzungsmuster auf. Amadori-Produkte wurden sehr gut freigesetzt, quervernetzende Aminosäuren dagegen nur zu einem geringen Anteil. Als Referenzsubstanzen für chromatographische Messungen und als Testsubstanzen für Inhibitions- und Transportexperimente wurden im zweiten Teil der Arbeit insgesamt 19 freie MRP (Fructoselysin, Lactuloselysin, Tagatoselysin, Ribuloselysin, Carboxymethyllysin, Carboxyethyllysin, Pyrralin, Formylin, Maltosin, MG-H1, 3-DG-H, PIO, Argpyrimidin, Pentosidin) und CLAS (Lysinoalanin, π- und τ-Histidinoalanin, Ornithinoalanin, Lanthionin) in hohen Ausbeuten synthetisiert und charakterisiert. Zwölf der Produkte (Fructoselysin, Carboxymethyllysin, Carboxyethyllysin, Pyrralin, Formylin, Maltosin, MG-H1, Argpyrimidin, Lysinoalanin, π- und τ-Histidino¬alanin und N-ε-(γ-Glutamyl)-Lysin) wurden erstmals auch Dipeptidderivate (Ala-Xaa bzw. Xaa-Ala) synthetisiert und charakterisiert. Mithilfe von Kompetitionsexperimenten an Caco-2-Zellen konnte gezeigt werden, dass freie MRP und CLAS die Aufnahme von L-[3H]Lysin kaum hemmten und somit nicht mit Transportsystemen für basische Aminosäuren wechselwirken können. Der überwiegende Teil der dipeptidgebundenen Derivate hemmte jedoch in konzentrationsabhängiger Weise den Transport von [14C]Gly-Sar . Diese Dipeptide stellen somit z.T. hoch affine Inhibitoren des Peptidtransporters dar. Die Affinität zum Transporter ist stark sequenzabhängig. Caco-2-Zellen, die als Monolayer wachsen, wurden auf porösen Polycarbonatmembranen kultiviert und zu Transportstudien eingesetzt. Keines der freien MRP und CLAS wurde aktiv über den Monolayer transportiert. Wurden die Derivate dagegen dipeptidgebunden eingesetzt, stieg, außer bei fructosylierten Peptiden, der transepitheliale Transport stark an. Allerdings wurden die Peptide meist nicht intakt transportiert, sondern intrazellulär gespalten und die freien Aminosäuren basolateral abgegeben. Zum Teil reicherten sich die modifizierten Aminosäuren, besonders die hydrophilen, intrazellulär an. Hydrophobe Aminosäuren (Pyrralin, Formylin, Maltosin, Argpyrimidin) konnten die Zelle dagegen schnell verlassen. Diese Aminosäuren sollten daher auch in vivo effektiv resorbiert werden. In Kompetitionsexperimenten an OK-Zellen zeigte sich, dass modifizierte Aminosäuren auch an Nierenzellen nicht mit Transportsystemen für Lysin wechselwirken. Keine der freien Aminosäuren wurde aktiv über den OK-Zellmonolayer transportiert. Somit ist nicht von einer renalen Reabsorption der untersuchten MRP und CLAS auszugehen.

Uric acid is a main metabolite of purine degradation in humans and in higher primates. Its increased plasmatic level is called hyperuricemia and may be the cause of gout and many other similar diseases. Uricemia is controlled by many transporters, which are located in proximal tubule of human kidney. When some transporter have abnormal function, the physiological plasmatic level of uric acid may be impaired. In genome wide association study (GWAS) it was discovered that some hyperuricemia or gout patients have ABCG2 protein damaged. This protein carries out uric acid from epithelial cell to the urine. The goal of this diploma thesis is the determination of transport capacity of ABCG2 allelic variants found via GWAS (Institute of Rheumatology of 1st medical faculty UK in Prague) in vitro with Xenopus laevis oocyte expression system. Uric acid secretion was compared with wild type variant. Keywords: Uric acid, GWAS study, Xenopus laevis, membrane transport protein, ABCG2

The proton dependent oligopeptide transporters (POT family) are members of the Major Facilitator Superfamily of secondary active transporter proteins. They use the transmembrane proton gradient to drive the uptake of di- and tripeptides into the cytoplasm. Members of the family are highly conserved in pro- and eukaryotic genomes, and in humans they are responsible for the oral absorption of many drug families, including -lactam antibiotics. Recently, the crystal structures of PepTSo and PepTSt, two prokaryotic homologues of the human proteins PepT1 and PepT2, captured the proteins in two distinct conformations, providing insight into the structural aspects of the transport mechanism. A protocol was designed for functional liposome reconstitution of POT proteins, and transport assays were conducted to characterise their substrate specificity, pH dependence and kinetic properties. Using site-directed mutagenesis, we identified binding site residues involved in peptide recognition and proton translocation, and distinguished between the two roles by comparing protein activity in proton- and peptide-driven conditions. We also investigated the roles of key residues in the conformational transitions that accompany the transport cycle, using data from biochemical assays, molecular dynamics simulations and modeling, as well as electron paramagnetic resonance measurements. In addition, several bacterial POT members were screened for crystallisation, in order to assess their stability and crystal diffraction quality in different detergents. Further work was performed with bacterial POT homologues YdgR and GkPOT, including binding studies using NMR spectroscopy and assaying drug transport in vivo and in vitro. Together, the data establish bacterial POTs as model systems for studying the mammalian oligopeptide transporters, and a mechanistic model for peptide transport is proposed.

No description available.

<p>Interindividualne razlike u sastavu i aktivnosti crevne mikroflore mogu uticati na metabolizam lekova kao i na njihov konačan terapijski odgovor. Simvastatin je lek iz grupe statina i karakteri&scaron;e ga izuzetno mala rastvorljivost u vodi, mala bioraspoloživost (&lt;5%) i velike interindividualne razlike u terapijskom odgovoru čiji uzroci nisu u potpunosti obja&scaron;njeni. Poslednjih godina velika pažnja se posvećuje ispitivanjima žučnih kiselina u razvoju novih farmaceutskih formulacija zbog svoje uloge u solubilizaciji i modifikaciji prodora lekova kroz biolo&scaron;ke membrane. Zbog svega navedenog, u fokusu na&scaron;eg istraživanja su bile potencijalne interakcije između simvastatina, probiotskih bakterija i žučnih kiselina o kojima se vrlo malo zna, a od izuzetne su važnosti, zbog mogućeg uticaja na farmakokinetske i farmakodinamske osobine simvastatina, pa samim tim i na konačan terapijski odgovor kod pacijenta.Cilj istraživanja je bio da se ispita prodor i metabolizam simvastatina u probiotskim bakterijama kao i uticaj različitih žučnih kiselina na transport ovog leka u bakterijske ćelije. Takođe, cilj je bio da se ispita uticaj soli žučnih kiselina na distribucioni koeficijent simvastatina, kao i interakcije žučnih kiselina sa simvastatinom na nivou transportnih proteina probiotskih bakterija kako bi se objasnila priroda očekivanih interakcija.Identifikacija i kvantifikacija uzoraka vr&scaron;ena je metodom tečne hromatografije sa masenom spektrometrijom (LC-MS/MS). Kori&scaron;ćenjem programskih paketa VolSurf+ i Molinspiration, za identifikovane metabolite su izračunati molekulski deskriptori koji opisuju fizičko-hemijske i farmakokinetske osobine molekula. Određivanje distribucionog koeficijenta vr&scaron;eno je Shake-flask metodom. Interakcije žučnih kiselina sa simvastatinom na nivou transportnih proteina probiotskih bakterija ispitane su doking studijama pomoću SwissDock programa. Prilikom dvadesetčetvoročasovne inkubacije sa probiotskim bakterijama uočen je statistički značajan pad koncentracije simvastatina u ekstracelularnom sadržaju. Ukupan sadržaj simvastatina, kao zbir ekstracelulamog i intracelularnog sadržaja, je tokom čitavog ispitivanog perioda bio statistički značajno niži u odnosu na kontrolnu grupu bez probiotika navodeći na zaključak da se deo simvastatina tokom vremena metabolisao pod dejstvom enzima ispitivanih bakterija. Detektovano je i identifikovano 8 metaboličkih produkata simvastatina. Na osnovu izračunatih vrednosti molekulskih deskriptora, očekuje se da će metabolit M-452, koji predstavlja hidroksilovani produkt simvastatinske kiseline, pokazati najbolje rezultate u pogledu fizičko-hemijskih osobina i bioraspoloživosti u biolo&scaron;kom sistemu. Žučne kiseline nisu dovele do statistički značajne modifikacije transporta simvastatina u/iz probiotskih bakterija. Ipak, u nekim vremenskim tačkama primećena je ne&scaron;to veća koncentracija leka u ekstracelulamom prostoru u grupama sa žučnim kiselinama. Ove razlike se mogu delimično objasniti rezultatima određivanja distribucionog koeficijenta koji su pokazali da ispitivane žučne kiseline dovode do statistički značajnog smanjenja distribucionog koeficijenta simvastatina usled povećanja rastvorljivosti u vodenoj fazi. Rezultatima doking studija procenjeno je da ispitivane žučne kiseline imaju veći afinitet prema čak 80% multidrug transportera ispitivanih bakterija u odnosu na simvastatin &scaron;to govori o mogućnosti ostvarivanja interakcija žučnih kiselina sa ovim lekom na nivou transportnih proteina probiotskih bakterija. Na osnovu dobijenih rezultata možemo zaključiti da probiotske bakterije imaju ogroman uticaj na sudbinu simvastatina u biolo&scaron;kom sistemu. Uzimajući u obzir činjenicu da probiotske bakterije ulaze u sastav normalne crevne flore i da svaki organizam poseduje specifičan bakterijski sastav, trebalo bi posvetiti vi&scaron;e pažnje ispitivanju njegovog uticaja na farmakokinetiku lekova. Neophodna su dalja in vivo ispitivanja kako bi se utvrdila potencijalna farmakolo&scaron;ka aktivnost identifikovanih metabolita simvastatina nastalih pod dejstvom enzimske aktivnosti probiotskih bakterija. Povećanje rastvorljivosti simvastatina pomoću žučnih kiselina otvara mogućnost za dalja istraživanja u cilju razvoja novih farmaceutskih formulacija sa pobolj&scaron;anom bioraspoloživosti i farmakokinetskim osobinama.</p> / <p>Interindividual differences in the composition and activity of the gut microflora may affect the metabolism of drugs as well as their final therapeutic response. Simvastatin is drug from the group of statins and has extremely low water solubility, low bioavailability (&lt;5%) and high interindividual differences in therapeutic response whose causes are not fully understood. In recent years, great attention has been paid to studies of bile acids in the development of new pharmaceutical formulations because of their role in the drug solubilization and modification of drug transport through biological membranes. Accordingly, interactions between simvastatin, probiotic bacteria and bile acids were the focus of our research due to great importance and potential influence on the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of simvastatin, and therefore the final therapeutic response in the patients. The aim of the study was to investigate the simvastatin transport and metabolism in probiotic bacteria as well as the effect of various bile acids on drug transport into the bacterial cell. Additonally, the aim was to investigate the influence of bile salts on the distribution coefficient of simvastatin, and the interactions of bile acids with simvastatin at the level of probiotic transport proteins in order to elucidate the nature of expected interactions. Identification and quantification of samples were performed with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Molecular descriptors that describe the physico-chemical and pharmacokinetic properties of identified metabolites were calculated using the software packages VolSurf+ and Molinspiration. Determination of the distribution coefficient was performed using Shake-flask method. Interaction of bile acids with simvastatin at the level of bacterial transport proteins were studied using docking studies with SwissDock program. During the twenty-four hours of incubation with probiotic bacteria, simvastatin concentrations in the extracellular contet showed a statistically significant decrease. The total amount of simvastatin, as the sum of the extracellular and intracellular amount, during the whole study period, was significantly lower in comparison with control group without probiotics, suggesting that the part of simvastatin was metabolized by the enzymatic activity of studied bacteria. Accordingly, eight metabolic products of simvastatin were detected and identified. Based on the calculated values of molecular descriptors, it is expected that the metabolite M-452, which is the hydroxylated product of simvastatin acid, will show the best results in terms of physico-chemical properties and bioavailability in biological system. Bile acids did not show a significant influence on simvastatin transport into probiotic bacteria. However, in some time points, slightly higher drug concentrations in the extracellular medium in groups with bile acids were observed. These differences can be partly explained by the results of the determination of the distribution coefficients which showed that investigated bile acids lead to a statistically significant decrease in simvastatin distribution coefficient due to increased solubility in the aqueous phase. The results of docking studies estimated that studied bile acids have stronger affinities for the 80% of bacterial multidrug transporters compared to simvastatin indicating the possibility of achieving the interactions of bile acids with simvastatin at the level of transport proteins of probiotic bacteria. Based on the obtained results it could be concluded that probiotic bacteria have great influence on the fate of simvastatin in a biological system. Taking into account the fact that probiotic bacteria are the normal part of gut microflora and that each individual has specific bacterial fingerprint, more attention should be paid on studying its influence on drug pharmakocinetics. Further in vivo studies are required in order to determine potential pharmacological activity of identified simvastatin metabolites. Increased water solubility of simvastatin with bile acids may open the possibility for further investigations with the aim of development of new pharmaceutical formulation with improved bioavailability and pharmacokinetic properties.</p>

Cette thèse s’applique à améliorer la compréhension de l’absorption du cadmium (Cd) par le maïs et le tabouret calaminaire, dans l’objectif de mieux modéliser son transfert vers les plantes comestibles ou hyperaccumulatrices. Le modèle utilisé étant sensible aux caractéristiques d’absorption racinaire, le premier objectif était de développer une méthode rigoureuse de mesure de ces paramètres. Deux protocoles ont été mis au point pour décrire précisément, en fonction de la concentration de Cd en solution, l’influx net de Cd dans les parois et dans le milieu intracellulaire des racines. Les résultats ont mis en évidence, pour la première fois, l’existence d’un système de transport à faible affinité (LATS) qui agit en même temps que le système de transport à forte affinité pour le Cd (HATS). Les nouveaux paramètres cinétiques mesurés n’ont cependant pas amélioré significativement le modèle : le prélèvement de Cd par le maïs est surestimé de 100%, et son prélèvement par le tabouret calaminaire est sous-estimé de 66%. Plusieurs facteurs ont alors été étudiés pour comprendre les raisons de ce décalage. Nous avons montré que les conditions dans lesquelles ont été mesurés les paramètres cinétiques présentaient des caractéristiques capables de modifier radicalement leurs valeurs : la composition ionique de la solution d’exposition au Cd, la concentration de Cd durant la croissance et la structure racinaire engendrée par l’hydroponie. Cette thèse suggère de cultiver les plantes en aéroponie et de mesurer les paramètres cinétiques dans une composition ionique représentative du voisinage des parois et des membranes racinaires en sol, composition qu’il reste encore à déterminer. / This thesis aimed to improve the comprehension of cadmium (Cd) absorption by maize and alpine pennycress plants in order to model better its transfer into edible and hyperaccumulating plants. Since the model used is sensitive to the characteristics of root absorption, the first objective was to develop a rigorous method for measuring those parameters. Two protocols were finalized to describe precisely Cd net influx in both root compartments (apoplast and symplast) according to Cd concentration in solution. The results highlighted, for the first time, the existence of a low-affinity transport system (LATS) that works at the same time with the high-affinity transport system (HATS). However, the kinetics parameters measured through these experimentations did not succeed in improving significantly the model: Cd uptake by maize is overestimated by 100%, and Cd uptake by alpine pennycress is under-estimated by 66%. Several factors were investigated in order to understand the reasons of this difference. We showed that the experimental conditions used to measure the kinetics parameters present characteristics that are able to modify their values significantly: the ionic composition of the solution of exposition to Cd, Cd concentration during growth, and the root structure that forms in hydroponics. This thesis suggests to choose aeroponics as controlled culture condition, and to measure the kinetics parameters in an ionic composition that is representative of the close vicinity of the root cell walls and membranes in soil. This composition remains to be investigated.

Charles University in Prague Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology Student: Radek Machan Supervisor: PharmDr. Lukáš Červený, Ph.D. Title of diploma thesis: Determination of permeability and active transport of selected butyrylcholinesterase inhibitors in vitro European Medicine Agency (EMA) and Food and Drug Administration agency (FDA) emphasise drug membrane permeability and drug-drug interactions on ABC transporters expressed in physiological barriers should be investigated for compounds in preclinical studies or for those already clinically used but evidence free. In this work we aimed to assess the capability of several experimental butyrylcholinesterase inhibitors that had been designed to treat dementia to permeate blood-brain barrier and to elucidate role of ATP-binding (ABC) cassette transporters in this transport. For this purpose, we employed in vitro bidirectional transport study across monolayers formed by polarized and highly differentiated Caco-2 cells. The permeability values gained from measurements were similar to values of several commonly used drugs for treatment of CNS disorders (e.g. antidepressants, antiepileptics). In addition, the compounds showed values of efflux ratio (basolateral- to-apical/apical-to-basolateral) approximately one...

O trabalho descrito nesta tese mostra de forma detalhada a fabricação e caracterização de diferentes microssensores eletroquímicos os quais têm sido recentemente utilizados como sondas em grupo de técnicas conhecida como Scanning Electrochemical Probe Microscopy (SEPM). Desta forma, a caracterização de superfícies pode ser feita explorando diferentes fenômenos interfaciais relevantes à Ciência. Neste sentido, as interfaces de materiais cristalinos como hidroxiapatita (materiais dentários) e calcita foram o foco de estudo neste trabalho. Assim, diferentes técnicas SEPM foram exploradas no sentido de se obter informações relevantes relacionadas aos processos dentários, como a erosão ácida e hipersensibilidade. Inicialmente, microeletrodos de platina foram desenvolvidos empregando uma metodologia convencional na qual são utilizados microfibras encapsuladas em capilares de vidro. Scanning Electrochemical Microscopy (SECM) no modo amperométrico foi utilizada para obtenção de informações com relação às alterações de topografia do esmalte dentário causadas pelo contato com substâncias ácidas. Adicionalmente, SECM foi empregada no estudo do transporte de espécies eletroativas em amostras de dentina e investigações relacionadas ao bloqueio dos túbulos empregando-se cremes dentais comerciais foram realizadas. A permeação de peróxido de hidrogênio pela dentina também foi estudada. Os resultados de SECM foram comparados com imagens SEM obtidas nas mesmas condições experimentais. Microeletrodos de membrana ionófora íon-seletiva (Ion Selective Microelectrodes-ISMEs) sensíveis a íons cálcio também foram desenvolvidos e caracterizados, com subsequente aplicação em SECM no modo potenciométrico. A dissolução ácida de esmalte bovino (erosão dentária) foi investigada em diferentes valores de pH (2,5; 4,5; 6,8). Além disso, o transporte de íons cálcio através de membranas porosas sintéticas foi avaliado a uma distância tip/substrato de 300&#181;m. Alterações no fluxo de íons cálcio foram correlacionadas em experimentos realizados na presença e ausência de campos magnéticos gerados por nanopartículas de magnetita incorporadas à membrana porosa. Microcristais de calcita facilmente sintetizados pelo método de precipitação foram utilizados como superfície modelo para investigações interfaciais, cujos resultados podem ser correlacionados aos materiais dentários. Desta forma, nanopipetas de vidro preenchidas com eletrólito suporte foram fabricadas e utilizadas como sonda em Scanning Ion Conductance Microscopy (SICM). O mapeamento topográfico de alta resolução espacial da superfície de um microcristal de calcita foi obtido utilizando o modo de varredura hopping mode. Adicionalmente, sondas multifuncionais ISME-SICM também foram desenvolvidas e caracterizadas para investigações simultâneas com relação às alterações topográficas e quantificação de íons cálcio sobre a superfície de um microcristal de calcita. A adição de reagentes ácidos no canal SICM promoveu a dissolução da superfície do microcristal, sendo obtidos dados cinéticos de dissolução. Investigações em meio neutro também foram realizadas utilizando a sonda ISME-SICM. Os resultados experimentais obtidos também foram comparados com aqueles oriundos de simulação computacional. / The study reported in this thesis shows in details the fabrication and characterization of different electrochemical microsensors which have been employed as probes in SEPM. Thus, the characterization of surfaces can be performed by exploiting different interfacial phenomena that are relevant to life sciences. In this sense, the interfaces of crystalline materials such as hydroxyapatite (dental materials) and calcite were the focus of this study. Thus, different SEPM techniques were explored in order to obtain relevant information related to dental materials processes such as acid erosion and hypersensitivity. Initially, platinum microelectrodes were developed employing conventional methodology that utilizes microfibers encapsulated in glass capillaries. Amperometric SECM mode was used to obtain information regarding the topography changes of tooth enamel caused by contact with acid chemicals. In addition, SECM was used to study the transport of electroactive species in dentin samples. Investigations related to the treatment of dental hypersensitivity and dental whitening were also evaluated. SECM results were compared with SEM images obtained under the same experimental conditions. Ion-selective microelectrode (ISME) based on the ionophore membrane sensitive to calcium ions were also developed and characterized followed by application in SECM potentiometric mode. The acid dissolution of bovine enamel (dental erosion) was investigated at different pH values (2.5; 4.5; 6.8). In addition, the transport of calcium ions through synthetic porous membranes was evaluated at a tip/substrate distance of 300&#181;m. Changes in calcium ion flux were studied in the presence and absence of magnetic fields generated by magnetite nanoparticles incorporated into the porous membrane. Calcite microcrystals easily synthesized by precipitation method were used as a model of an interfacial surface for investigations which can be correlated to the dental materials. Thus, glass nanopipette filled with supporting electrolyte was fabricated and used as SICM probe. The high resolution topographic mapping of the calcite microcrystal was obtained using hopping mode. Additionally, ISME-SICM multifunction probes were developed and characterized for simultaneous investigations related to the topographical changes and quantification of local calcium ions on the surface of a calcite microcrystal. The addition of acidic reagents in the SICM channel promoted the dissolution of the microcrystal surface and dissolution kinetic data were obtained. Investigations in neutral medium were also studied using the ISME-SICM multifunctional probe. The experimental results were also compared with those obtained by computer simulation.

O trabalho descrito nesta tese mostra de forma detalhada a fabricação e caracterização de diferentes microssensores eletroquímicos os quais têm sido recentemente utilizados como sondas em grupo de técnicas conhecida como Scanning Electrochemical Probe Microscopy (SEPM). Desta forma, a caracterização de superfícies pode ser feita explorando diferentes fenômenos interfaciais relevantes à Ciência. Neste sentido, as interfaces de materiais cristalinos como hidroxiapatita (materiais dentários) e calcita foram o foco de estudo neste trabalho. Assim, diferentes técnicas SEPM foram exploradas no sentido de se obter informações relevantes relacionadas aos processos dentários, como a erosão ácida e hipersensibilidade. Inicialmente, microeletrodos de platina foram desenvolvidos empregando uma metodologia convencional na qual são utilizados microfibras encapsuladas em capilares de vidro. Scanning Electrochemical Microscopy (SECM) no modo amperométrico foi utilizada para obtenção de informações com relação às alterações de topografia do esmalte dentário causadas pelo contato com substâncias ácidas. Adicionalmente, SECM foi empregada no estudo do transporte de espécies eletroativas em amostras de dentina e investigações relacionadas ao bloqueio dos túbulos empregando-se cremes dentais comerciais foram realizadas. A permeação de peróxido de hidrogênio pela dentina também foi estudada. Os resultados de SECM foram comparados com imagens SEM obtidas nas mesmas condições experimentais. Microeletrodos de membrana ionófora íon-seletiva (Ion Selective Microelectrodes-ISMEs) sensíveis a íons cálcio também foram desenvolvidos e caracterizados, com subsequente aplicação em SECM no modo potenciométrico. A dissolução ácida de esmalte bovino (erosão dentária) foi investigada em diferentes valores de pH (2,5; 4,5; 6,8). Além disso, o transporte de íons cálcio através de membranas porosas sintéticas foi avaliado a uma distância tip/substrato de 300&#181;m. Alterações no fluxo de íons cálcio foram correlacionadas em experimentos realizados na presença e ausência de campos magnéticos gerados por nanopartículas de magnetita incorporadas à membrana porosa. Microcristais de calcita facilmente sintetizados pelo método de precipitação foram utilizados como superfície modelo para investigações interfaciais, cujos resultados podem ser correlacionados aos materiais dentários. Desta forma, nanopipetas de vidro preenchidas com eletrólito suporte foram fabricadas e utilizadas como sonda em Scanning Ion Conductance Microscopy (SICM). O mapeamento topográfico de alta resolução espacial da superfície de um microcristal de calcita foi obtido utilizando o modo de varredura hopping mode. Adicionalmente, sondas multifuncionais ISME-SICM também foram desenvolvidas e caracterizadas para investigações simultâneas com relação às alterações topográficas e quantificação de íons cálcio sobre a superfície de um microcristal de calcita. A adição de reagentes ácidos no canal SICM promoveu a dissolução da superfície do microcristal, sendo obtidos dados cinéticos de dissolução. Investigações em meio neutro também foram realizadas utilizando a sonda ISME-SICM. Os resultados experimentais obtidos também foram comparados com aqueles oriundos de simulação computacional. / The study reported in this thesis shows in details the fabrication and characterization of different electrochemical microsensors which have been employed as probes in SEPM. Thus, the characterization of surfaces can be performed by exploiting different interfacial phenomena that are relevant to life sciences. In this sense, the interfaces of crystalline materials such as hydroxyapatite (dental materials) and calcite were the focus of this study. Thus, different SEPM techniques were explored in order to obtain relevant information related to dental materials processes such as acid erosion and hypersensitivity. Initially, platinum microelectrodes were developed employing conventional methodology that utilizes microfibers encapsulated in glass capillaries. Amperometric SECM mode was used to obtain information regarding the topography changes of tooth enamel caused by contact with acid chemicals. In addition, SECM was used to study the transport of electroactive species in dentin samples. Investigations related to the treatment of dental hypersensitivity and dental whitening were also evaluated. SECM results were compared with SEM images obtained under the same experimental conditions. Ion-selective microelectrode (ISME) based on the ionophore membrane sensitive to calcium ions were also developed and characterized followed by application in SECM potentiometric mode. The acid dissolution of bovine enamel (dental erosion) was investigated at different pH values (2.5; 4.5; 6.8). In addition, the transport of calcium ions through synthetic porous membranes was evaluated at a tip/substrate distance of 300&#181;m. Changes in calcium ion flux were studied in the presence and absence of magnetic fields generated by magnetite nanoparticles incorporated into the porous membrane. Calcite microcrystals easily synthesized by precipitation method were used as a model of an interfacial surface for investigations which can be correlated to the dental materials. Thus, glass nanopipette filled with supporting electrolyte was fabricated and used as SICM probe. The high resolution topographic mapping of the calcite microcrystal was obtained using hopping mode. Additionally, ISME-SICM multifunction probes were developed and characterized for simultaneous investigations related to the topographical changes and quantification of local calcium ions on the surface of a calcite microcrystal. The addition of acidic reagents in the SICM channel promoted the dissolution of the microcrystal surface and dissolution kinetic data were obtained. Investigations in neutral medium were also studied using the ISME-SICM multifunctional probe. The experimental results were also compared with those obtained by computer simulation.