La maturation des collagènes fibrillaires est régulée par la libération protéolytique des propeptides qui conduit à la formation spontanée de fibres, à partir des molécules de collagène mature. Les fibres de collagène ainsi formées confèrent résistance et solidité aux tissus. Les métalloprotéases Tolloïdes sont les principales enzymes responsables de la maturation C-terminale des procollagènes. Ces protéases possèdent de nombreux autres substrats et se distinguent par un mode de régulation original, l’utilisation de régulateurs « substrats-spécifiques », qui leur permet de moduler leur activité vis-à-vis de ces différents substrats. Parmi ces régulateurs, les Procollagen C-Proteinase Enhancers (PCPE-1 et 2) semblent jouer un rôle important car ils augmentent l’activité de clivage du C-propeptide des procollagènes jusqu’à 20 fois. Même si PCPE-1 a été découvert en 1985, son mode d’action n’est toujours pas compris. Le principal objectif de cette thèse était donc de mieux comprendre le mécanisme de l’activation. Nous avons commencé par identifier la région minimale de PCPE-1 capable d’activer les Tolloïdes et démontré une très forte coopérativité entre les domaines de cette région. Par ailleurs, nous avons mis en évidence, pour la première fois, un nouveau rôle physiologique pour le domaine C-terminal de PCPE-1 (NTR). Concernant les autres partenaires du complexe de maturation, nous avons observé une interaction d’affinité modérée entre PCPE-1 et la protéase Tolloïde appelée BMP-1 et montré que PCPE-1 se fixe uniquement sur la partie C-terminale du procollagène. Enfin, nous avons mis en évidence que d’autres métalloprotéases, les Méprines, pourraient également jouer un rôle dans la maturation de collagènes fibrillaires en étant régulées négativement par les PCPEs. L’ensemble de ces résultats nous a permis de proposer un nouveau schéma d’interaction pour les PCPEs et de faire de nouvelles hypothèses concernant leur mécanisme d’action / The maturation of fibrillar collagens is a tightly regulated process controlled by two proteolytic cleavages that remove the propeptide regions from procollagen precursors leading to spontaneous assembly of mature collagen molecules into fibrils. These fibrils provide tensile strength and toughness to connective tissues and consequently to the organism itself. The group of extracellular metalloproteinases mostly responsible for procollagen processing are the tolloids. As these enzymes have several functions other than procollagen processing, their activities on different substrates are controlled by a growing number of substrate-specific regulators. The most prominent of these regulators are the procollagen C-proteinase enhancers (PCPEs), of which PCPE-1 is a 55 kDa glycoprotein composed of two CUB and a C-terminal NTR domain, which is capable of enhancing the proteolytic activity of tolloids up to 20-fold. Even though PCPE-1 has been known since 1985 the molecular mechanism of enhancement is still unclear. The aim of this thesis was to understand and characterize this mechanism with the aid of biochemical and biophysical methods. We have identified the minimal unit responsible for enhancing activity. In addition, we propose a mechanism for how the subdomains responsible for enhancement cooperatively bind to procollagen substrates. Furthermore, we have for the first time been able to identify a possible physiological function of the NTR domain. Also, we have identified meprins as new players involved in procollagen processing and this has given valuable insights in the mechanism of action of PCPEs. Finally, we have been able to demonstrate that the interaction of PCPE-1 with procollagen is mostly limited to the C-propeptide region. Based on these findings we propose a new hypothetical interaction mechanism for PCPE-1

A presença de inibidores no plasma e soro de animais resistentes ao veneno de serpentes, assim como no plasma ou soro de serpentes imunes a seu próprio veneno, é amplamente conhecida. Um grupo destes inibidores são os inibidores de metaloproteases do veneno de serpente (SVMPs), eles têm sido caracterizados do ponto de vista físico químico, porém a falta de informações estruturais e termodinâmicas acerca da sua inibição sobre as SVMPs, tem permanecido como um grande obstáculo para sua aplicação terapêutica ou desenvolvimento como ferramentas moleculares. Por tanto, isolamos um novo inibidor de metaloproteases a partir do soro de C. d. terrificus, por nós denominado crotaini, e realizamos a caracterização cinética de sua interação com a bothropasina, uma das principais metaloproteases do veneno de B. jararaca, e da mesma forma, caracterizamos cineticamente a interação desta metaloprotease com dos inibidores já conhecidos, DM40 e DM43, isolados do soro de D. marsupialis. Determinando as constantes cinéticas mediante cinética enzimática e ressonância plasmônica de superfície (SPR) no Biacore T200. Os valores obtidos permitiram estabelecer que a interação entre o crotaini e a bothropasina, é de alta afinidade, além de evidenciar a sua ligação de forma equimolar e estável. Assim mesmo, o crotaini apresentou uma constante de inibição menor às constantes determinadas para o DM40 e DM43. Adicionalmente, estudos de interação após tratamento quelante da enzima permitem prever que existem diferenças respeito aos domínios estruturais envolvidos na interação do crotaini com a bothropasina, em comparação aos inibidores DM40 e DM43. / The presence of inhibitors in plasma or serum from snake venom - resistant animals is well known. These inhibitors are also present in plasma and serum of snakes that are immune to their own venom. A group of these molecules are snake venom metalloprotease inhibitors (SVMPIs). Although the physicochemical properties of these inhibitors are well established, the lack of structural and thermodynamic information has been a bottleneck for their therapeutic use and development as molecular tools. In this work a new metalloprotease inhibitor was isolated from C. d. terrificus, and named crotaini. The kinetic interaction of crotaini with bothropasin, one of the main metalloproteases from the B. jararaca venom, was investigated. Similarly, the kinetic interactions of crotaini with the inhibitors DM40 and DM43, isolated from D. marsupialis serum, were also studied. The kinetic constants were determined by enzymatic kinetics and surface plasmonic resonance (SPR) in a Biacore T200. The obtained values enabled us to demonstrate the high affinity of the inhibitors toward the metalloprotease, achieved through an equimolar and stable complex formation. In addition, studies of interactions of the metaloprotease bothropasin with its inhibitors in the presence of chelant agents revealed differences between that established with crotaini as compared with those made with DM40 and DM43.

smig-1(ev809) is a novel suppressor of multiple distal tip cell (DTC) migration mutants in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. In the C. elegans hermaphrodite, the two U-shaped gonad arms develop and form as a result of the migration of two DTCs. smig-1(ev809) suppresses DTC migration defects of mutants encoding components of intracellular glycosylation pathways as well as extracellular basement membrane glycoproteins. The smig-1(ev809) mutation bypasses the requirement for a fully functional chondroitin pathway and MIG-17 metalloprotease in DTC pathfinding. I found that i) suppression of the hypomorphic chondroitin mutant mig-22(k141) is not completely dependent on MIG-17 activity; ii) the smig-1(ev809) mutant is likely to be a loss- of-function suppressor; and iii) SMIG-1 does not visibly affect the localization of poorly glycosylated MIG-17 on the gonad surface. Understanding SMIG-1 function will shed light on the role of glycosylation, the extracellular matrix and basement membranes in cell migration during development.

smig-1(ev809) is a novel suppressor of multiple distal tip cell (DTC) migration mutants in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. In the C. elegans hermaphrodite, the two U-shaped gonad arms develop and form as a result of the migration of two DTCs. smig-1(ev809) suppresses DTC migration defects of mutants encoding components of intracellular glycosylation pathways as well as extracellular basement membrane glycoproteins. The smig-1(ev809) mutation bypasses the requirement for a fully functional chondroitin pathway and MIG-17 metalloprotease in DTC pathfinding. I found that i) suppression of the hypomorphic chondroitin mutant mig-22(k141) is not completely dependent on MIG-17 activity; ii) the smig-1(ev809) mutant is likely to be a loss- of-function suppressor; and iii) SMIG-1 does not visibly affect the localization of poorly glycosylated MIG-17 on the gonad surface. Understanding SMIG-1 function will shed light on the role of glycosylation, the extracellular matrix and basement membranes in cell migration during development.

Submitted by Vasti Diniz (vastijpa@hotmail.com) on 2017-09-05T12:51:09Z No. of bitstreams: 1 arquivototal.pdf: 1137139 bytes, checksum: e12ef38589083b7a6e2b1cbb011a5ed4 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-09-05T12:51:09Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 arquivototal.pdf: 1137139 bytes, checksum: e12ef38589083b7a6e2b1cbb011a5ed4 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-02-27 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / DNA methylation is a key process for the regulation of gene expression by reversible inactivation of genes. Environmental factors such as solar radiation, can alter the DNA methylation profile. MMP-9 protein is part of a collagenases family whose function is to remodel the extracellular matrix, which presents itself very active in the early stages of cancer and photoaging. MicroRNAs are non-coding RNA molecules that act as post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression by degrading or repressing the target messenger RNA. It is estimated that about 10% of microRNA expression is controlled via DNA methylation. The microRNA-137 has tumor suppressor function in various types of cancer, including squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma. The aim of our study was to analyze the influence of sun exposure on the DNA methylation profile of matrix metalloprotease-9 (MMP9) and microRNA-137 (MIR137) genes of skin cells. To this purpose, skin samples were analyzed, which were obtained from sun-exposed and sun-protected areas from 28 corpses of both sexes, aged 30-89 years with no history of skin diseases obtained from the Brazilian Service of Death Investigation. Genomic DNA was extracted using Trizol and with the aid of a tissue homogenizer. The DNA methylation analysis was performed using Methylation Specific PCR (MSP) by previous modification of the DNA with sodium bisulfite. The amplified samples were subjected to electrophoresis on polyacrylamide gel followed by staining with silver nitrate. Statistical analysis was performed using the McNemar paired test at a significance level of 5%. No differences were found among the areas (p>0.05), with the partially methylated condition found to be a common event in skin for both MMP9 (96.4% of samples) and MIR137 (60.4% of samples). We conclude that sun exposure does not induce changes in DNA methylation status in the studied CpG sites. / A metilação do DNA constitui um dos principais processos para a regulação da expressão gênica através da inativação reversível dos genes. Fatores ambientais tais como a radiação solar, podem alterar o perfil de metilação de DNA. A proteína MMP-9 faz parte de uma família de colagenases cuja função é a remodelação da matriz extracelular, apresentando-se muito ativa em fases iniciais do câncer e do fotoenvelhecimento. Os microRNAs são moléculas de RNA não codificantes que agem como reguladores pós-transcricionais da expressão gênica através da degradação ou repressão do RNA mensageiro alvo. Estima-se que cerca de 10% da expressão de microRNAs é controlada via metilação de DNA. O microRNA-137 possui função de supressor tumoral em vários tipos de câncer, incluindo o carcinoma espinocelular e melanoma. O objetivo do trabalho foi analisar a influência da exposição solar sobre o perfil de metilação de DNA dos genes da metaloprotease de matriz-9 (MMP9) e microRNA-137 (MIR137) em células da pele. Para isso, foram analisadas amostras de pele obtidas de uma área exposta e não exposta ao sol de 28 cadáveres de ambos os sexos, com idade entre 30-89 anos sem histórico de doenças de pele obtidas no Serviço de Verificação de Óbitos da Paraíba (SVO). O DNA genômico foi extraído dos tecidos utilizando-se Trizol e após homogeneização com auxílio de um homogeneizador de tecidos. A análise de metilação de DNA foi realizada pela técnica de PCR Específica para Metilação (MSP), através da prévia modificação do DNA com bissulfito de sódio. As amostras amplificadas foram submetidas à eletroforese em gel de poliacrilamida seguidas de coloração por nitrato de prata. A análise estatística foi realizada pelo teste pareado McNemar ao nível de significância de 5%. A análise revelou que não há diferença significativa entre as regiões exposta e não exposta ao sol, sendo a condição parcialmente metilada a mais frequente para ambos os genes MMP9 (96,4% das amostras) e MIR137 (60,4% das amostras) (p>0,05). Deste modo, concluímos que não há influência da exposição solar no perfil de metilação de DNA nos sítios CpG estudados.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / CHAPTER II: Bothrops snake venoms contain proteins that contribute to the local and systemic effects seen after envenoming, such as edema, myonecrosis, coagulation disorders and hemorrhage. These effects can be triggered by the toxic action of metalloproteinases present in the bothropic venom. This study aimed to perform the purification, biochemical and functional characterization of a metalloproteinase called Moozincin, from Bothrops moojeni snake venom. Moozincin has approximate molecular mass of 28 kDa, displays relevant fibrinogenolytic activity and can be classified as a non-hemorrhagic fibrinogenolytic metalloprotease, in the class P-I. Moozincin was also able to induce edema, myonecrosis and hyperalgesia in experimental animals. Morphological analysis of the evolution of muscle injury revealed the occurrence of degenerative events and leukocyte infiltration already at three hours after application of Moozincin. These effects dominate until 48 hours after administration of the metalloprotease, when hemorrhagic effect was also demonstrated later in skeletal muscle, probably triggered by the action characteristic of metalloproteinases on vascular components and / or indirect action resulting from muscle injury. / CAPÍTULO II: As peçonhas de serpentes do gênero Bothrops contêm toxinas que contribuem com efeitos locais e sistêmicos vistos no envenenamento, como edema, mionecrose, distúrbios de coagulação e hemorragia. Grande parte desses efeitos pode ser desencadeada pela ação tóxica de metaloproteases presentes na peçonha botrópica. Este trabalho teve o objetivo de realizar a purificação e caracterização bioquímica e funcional de uma metaloprotease, denominada Moozincina, presente na peçonha da serpente Bothrops moojeni. A Moozincina tem massa molecular aproximada de 28 kDa e apresenta atividade fibrinogenolítica relevante, podendo ser classificada como uma metaloprotease fibrinogenolítica não-hemorrágica, pertencente à classe P-I. A Moozincina também foi capaz de induzir edema, hiperalgesia e mionecrose em animais experimentais. A análise morfológica da evolução da lesão muscular evidenciou a ocorrência de eventos degenerativos e infiltrado leucocitário já na terceira hora após a aplicação da toxina (Moozincina). Esses efeitos predominam até 48 horas após a administração da metaloprotease, quando também foi evidenciado efeito hemorrágico tardio no músculo esquelético, provavelmente desencadeado pela ação característica de metaloproteases sobre componentes vasculares e/ou por ação indireta decorrente da lesão muscular. CAPÍTULO III: Moozincina é uma metaloprotease recentemente isolada da peçonha da serpente Bothrops moojeni. No presente trabalho foi realizada a caracterização farmacológica de efeitos inflamatórios induzidos pela Moozincina. A aplicação intraplantar da Moozincina (5, 25 and 50 μg/pata) induziu edema e hiperalgesia na pata de ratos. Os efeitos edematogênico e hiperalgésico máximos foram observados 3 e 4 horas após a injeção da toxina, respectivamente. Alguns fármacos como dexametasona (2,5 mg/kg) e indometacina (8,0 mg/kg) reduziram significantemente o edema e a hiperalgesia, já a prometazina (15 mg/kg) e o ácido nordiidroguaiarético (100 mg/kg) reduziram apenas o efeito edematogênico, enquanto HOE-140 (10 μg/pata) e NG-monometil-I-arginina (100 μg/pata) reduziu apenas a hiperalgesia. Esses resultados demonstram a participação de metabólitos de ácido araquidônico em ambos os efeitos inflamatórios induzidos pela Moozincina. Além disso, a ativação de receptores H1 de histamina está especificamente relacionada ao edema e a ação de bradicinina e de óxido nítrico à hiperalgesia. / Mestre em Genética e Bioquímica

Staphylococcus lugdunensis est un staphylocoque à coagulase négative qui présente de nombreuses particularités sur le plan clinique et microbiologique. Cette bactérie commensale de la peau est impliquée dans des infections humaines d’une particulière gravité. Ce travail de thèse nous a permis de déterminer que S. lugdunensis présente bien une pathogénicité tout à fait inhabituelle pour un SCN car 37.2% de toutes les souches recueillies entre 2013 et 2016 étaient impliquées dans un processus infectieux. Nous avons aussi observé que les infections ostéo-articulaires en étaient la première manifestation. Nous avons découvert une nouvelle protéase excrétée par 61.7% des souches qui présente une association statistique forte avec les infections ostéo-articulaires. Il s’agit d’une métalloprotéase de 37 kDa que nous avons pu purifier puis séquencer afin de caractériser ses propriétés biochimiques et son environnement génique. Enfin, nous avons aussi réalisé un séquençage de novo de 7 souches de S. lugdunensis et démontrer l’existence de multiples éléments génétiques mobiles. / Staphylococcus lugdunensis is a coagulase negative staphylococcus species that may causes various infections of unusual severity. We conducted a translational study with a prospective clinical trial that aimed to describe S. lugdunensis infections and its real pathogenicity, associated with a systematic research of in vitro putative virulence factors. The final objective was to determine the statistical relationship between those two and find a putative real virulence factor. This trial was conducted between 2013 and 2016. It showed that S. lugdunensis displayed a high level of pathogenicity as 37.2% of all strains isolated came from infected patients and most of those infections were osteoarticular infections. We discovered a new protease that we named lugdulysin and that was strongly associated with osteoarticular infections. This secreted protein of 37 kDa was purified and sequenced, we characterized its chemical properties and the nucleotide environment of the coding sequence. We also achieved de novo sequencing of 7 strains of S. lugdunensis and found that several mobile genetic elements belonged to the sequences as plasmids and prophages.

No description available.

L’altération de la barrière hématoencéphalique (BHE) par les cellules tumorales et les cellules immunes circulantes peut mener à la neuroinflammation. Les cellules leucémiques promyélocytaires HL-60 sont un excellent modèle pour étudier et comprendre les mécanismes de signalisation moléculaires qui caractérisent le développement tumoral et métastatique. La cancérogenèse peut s’accompagner de modulations de l’expression de biomarqueurs tels que la cyclooxygénase-2 et la métalloprotéase-9. Les recherches décrites dans ce mémoire relatent l’analyse des biomarqueurs inflammatoires et invasifs régulés lors de la différenciation induite par le PMA des cellules HL-60 en macrophages. Le statut de différenciation cellulaire pourrait avoir un impact sur les gènes cibles de la voie NF-κB. Nous émettons l’hypothèse que le PMA active la voie NF-κB et que cette signalisation peut être renversée par l’(-)-épigallocatéchine-gallate (EGCG). En effet, une régulation à la hausse de l’expression de plusieurs gènes combinée à la diminution de l’expression d’IκB mettent en évidence l’implication de la voie NF-κB dans l’activation des mécanismes pro-inflammatoires et pro-invasifs. Les mêmes observations sont faites dans les cellules différenciées appelées «macrophages-like». L’EGCG, un polyphénol dérivé du thé vert, a un potentiel chimiopréventif. Il est capable d’inhiber la signalisation moléculaire passant par la voie NF-κB dans les cellules HL-60 traitées simultanément par l’EGCG et le PMA, mais pas dans les cellules «macrophages-like». Cette différence peut s’expliquer par une modulation de l’expression du récepteur de surface cellulaire de l’EGCG, le récepteur à la laminine de 67 kDa, et de son précurseur de 37 kDa. Collectivement, nos résultats montrent que le statut de différenciation des cellules promyélocytaires HL-60 concorde avec l’activation des mécanismes favorisant le développement d’un cancer et des métastases. Cet effet peut être prévenu par l’utilisation d’agents naturels tel l’EGCG. Le ciblage de biomarqueurs liés au statut de différenciation des cellules tumorales impliquées dans la perturbation de la barrière hématoencéphalique qui cause la neuroinflammation permettrait l’avancement des connaissances dans la prévention de la cancérogenèse. / Blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption by circulating tumor and immune cells leads to secondary inflammatory infections. Promyelocytic HL-60 cells represent an excellent model to study and to get a better understanding of the molecular signaling mechanisms involved in carcinogenesis and metastasis. The research described in this thesis shows the analysis of several inflammatory and invasive biomarkers regulated during PMA-induced differentiation of promyelocytic HL-60 cells into macrophages. Carcinogenesis involves some modifications in the expression of biomarkers such as cyclooxygenase-2 and matrix metalloprotease-9. The differentiation status could have an impact on the NF-κB signaling pathway that regulates the target genes, given that these target genes expression varies during cell differentiation. We hypothesize that the activation of the NF-κB pathway by PMA can be reverse by (-)-epigallocatechin-gallate (EGCG). Indeed, the up-regulation of downstream genes combined with the down-regulation of IκB expression showed the significant implication of the NF-κB signaling pathway to activate pro-inflammatory and pro-invasive mechanisms linked to carcinogenesis. The same evidence exhibits in the differentiated cells called «macrophages-like». Moreover, the green tea polyphenol, EGCG, shows chemopreventive property since it better inhibited NF-κB signaling in cells treated simultaneously with EGCG and PMA compared to the «macrophages-like». This difference could be due, in part, to the down-regulation of the 67 kDa laminin receptor, known to be the non-integrin membrane receptor for EGCG. All together, our results suggest that the differentiation status of promyelocytic cells is linked to the activation of mechanisms involved in carcinogenesis and metastasis. These phenomena can be prevented by using natural agents such as EGCG. Targeting the specific biomarkers linked to the differentiation status of tumor cells and involved in the disruption of the BBB may help reduce secondary neuroinflammation and enable the advancement of knowledge towards carcinogenesis prevention.

Submitted by Celso Magalhaes (celsomagalhaes@ufrrj.br) on 2017-05-17T11:44:30Z No. of bitstreams: 1 2016 - Francis Barbosa Ferreira.pdf: 4527522 bytes, checksum: 6a5a6589610ff851e68801c3ec05e3c9 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-05-17T11:44:30Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 2016 - Francis Barbosa Ferreira.pdf: 4527522 bytes, checksum: 6a5a6589610ff851e68801c3ec05e3c9 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-08-04 / Coordena??o de Aperfei?oamento de Pessoal de N?vel Superior - CAPES / In this work, semi and thiosemicarbazones selected from the LaDMol-QM library, were used to study their interactions with a metalloproteinase from the snake Bothrops pauloensis (BpMP-I) by molecular modelling and enzymatic inhibition assays with the toxin. The crystalographic structure of BaPI (PDB code: 2W12) was used as a mold to build the 3D model of BpMP-I by homology modeling. The theorical model of BpMP-I showed good quality parameters and was used in a subsequent molecular modeling study. The thiossemicarbazones showed better molecular docking results and in vitro enzymatic inhibitions assays than semicarbazones. Studies by semi-empirical methods indicate a positive enthalpy of interaction, suggesting that the enzyme inhibition by these compounds must be a entropy-driven process. The results were used together to select the LDQM-IN-23 compound and propose rationally designed modifications to improve the interactions with the toxin. The study of the catalytic site of BpMP-I showed that there is an adjacent pocket with amino groups of the peptide bonds available for interaction. All results were used together to design structural changes, aiming the enhancing of the interaction with toxin. Therefore, was proposed the insertion of the carboxyl group with different spacers, containing 2 (LDQM-IN- 23b) and 3 methylene groups (LDQM-IN-23c). The docking results and semi-empiric optimization showed that there was a considerable improvement in the interaction for the modified compounds. The modified compounds were synthesized and tested for biological and enzymatic inhibition activity. It was observed that the IC50 values have improved: the original molecule, LDQM-IN-23 has an IC50 of 3,011 ?M and the modified molecules have IC50 of 79.12 (LDQM-IN-23b) and 1.77 ?M (LDQM-IN-23c). These molecules were tested for inhibition of hemorrhagic activity induced by Bothropoidin, a P-III class metalloproteinase, and by the B. pauloensis whole snake venom. The three molecules can inhibit the hemorrhagic activity induced by isolated toxin and whole venom, and LDQM-IN- 23c showed higher efficiency compared with the other two, and in a rate of 1:10 (w/w venom/inhibitor) the inhibition of the hemorrhagic activity was 100%. A molecular docking study of this lead compound with Snake Venom Metalloproteases (SVMPs) from different snake species and genera showed that this molecule can effectivelly interact with these SVMPs. / Neste trabalho, foram utilizadas semi e tiossemicarbazonas, selecionadas na quimioteca do LaDMol-QM (Dequim-UFRRJ), para o estudo das intera??es destas com o s?tio ativo de uma metaloprotease da pe?onha da serpente Bothrops pauloensis por modelagem molecular e ensaios de inibi??o da atividade enzim?tica e biol?gica sobre a toxina. A estrutura cristalogr?fica de uma metaloprotease (BaPI) complexada com um inibidor (um peptideomim?tico) (c?digo PDB 2W12) foi utilizada como molde para a constru??o do modelo 3D da metaloprotease da pe?onha de B. pauloensis (BpMP-I). O modelo 3D te?rico da BpMP-I, in?dito para esta toxina, apresentou bons par?metros de qualidade, sendo considerado adequado para estudos de planejamento de ligantes baseado na estrutura. As tiossemicarbazonas obtiveram melhores resultados, quando comparados com os resultados das semicarbazonas, tanto para os ensaios de docagem molecular quanto para estudos de inibi??o da atividade enzim?tica in vitro. Estudos por m?todos semiemp?ricos indicam uma entalpia de intera??o positiva, sugerindo que a inibi??o enzim?tica por estes compostos deve ser um processo controlado entropicamente. Os resultados foram utilizados para selecionar o derivado LDQM-IN-23 e propor modifica??es estruturais planejadas racionalmente, visando melhorar a intera??o deste com a toxina. O estudo do s?tio catal?tico da metaloprotease mostrou que esta possui uma cavidade adjacente com grupos amino das liga??es pept?dicas dispon?veis para intera??o. Foi proposta, ent?o, a inser??o de um grupo carboxilato com diferentes espa?adores, 2 (LDQM-IN-23b) e 3 grupos metileno (LDQM-IN-23c). Os resultados de docagem e otimiza??o semi-emp?rica mostraram que houve uma melhora consider?vel na intera??o dos ligantes modificados, os quais foram sintetizados e testados para as atividades de inibi??o enzim?tica e biol?gica. Na inibi??o enzim?tica, houve melhora da CI50 com o aumento do espa?ador. O composto LDQM-IN-23 tem CI50 de 3011,00 ?M e os compostos modificados possuem a CI50 de 79,12 (LDQM-IN-23b) e 1,77 ?M (LDQM-IN- 23c). Estes compostos foram testados para a inibi??o da atividade hemorr?gica in vivo induzida pela Botropoidina, uma metaloprotease da classe P-III, e pela pe?onha bruta de B. pauloensis. Os tr?s compostos conseguiram inibir a atividade hemorr?gica induzida pela toxina isolada e pela pe?onha, sendo que o composto LDQM-IN-23c mostrou maior efici?ncia, quando comparado com os outros dois, e para a propor??o de 1:10 (m/m pe?onha/inibidor) a inibi??o da atividade foi de 100%. Foi realizado um estudo de docagem deste composto l?der com outras metaloproteases de pe?onha de serpentes (SVMPs ? Snake Venom Metalloproteinases), de esp?cies e g?neros diferentes, mostrando que este ligante consegue interagir com outras SVMPs e ? um candidato para inibir a atividade hemorr?gica de SVMPs presentes na pe?onha, n?o s? de B. pauloensis, mas de outras serpentes