Les protéines à « Methyl-CpG-binding domain » (MBD) jouent un rôle important dans l’interprétationde la méthylation de l’ADN conduisant à la répression transcriptionnelle via le recrutement decomplexes remodelant la chromatine. Dans les cancers, MBD2 jouerait un rôle essentiel dans la perted’expression des gènes hyperméthylés. Ainsi, MBD2 serait une cible potentielle pour rétablir, enpartie au moins, leur expression. Caractériser, à l’échelle du génome, la distribution de MBD2 et sesconséquences sur la répression transcriptionnelle au cours de la cancérogenèse est donc une étapeincontournable. (1) L’impact sur l’expression génique de l’inhibition de MBD2 par interférence àl’ARN, a été étudié en utilisant des puces, dans des cellules normales MRC5. La perte de MBD2n’induit pas de surexpression génique globale et la densité en CpG des promoteurs méthylés sembleêtre une composante importante dans la force de répression par MBD2. (2) Les profils de méthylationde l’ADN, de liaisons de MBD2 et de l’ARN polymérase II dans les cellules HeLa ont été analysés parChIP-on-chip avec des puces promoteurs. Ces mêmes approches couplées à l’analyse de l’acétylationdes histones H3 ont été réalisées dans un modèle cellulaire syngénique de progression tumoralemammaire humain. Dans les modèles étudiés, une forte proportion de gènes silencieux et méthylés estliée par MBD2. Les comparaisons entre cellules immortalisées et transformées ne montrent pas dechangements majeurs de la méthylation de l’ADN ou de la répression transcriptionnelle, par contreune redistribution de MBD2 parmi ces sites est observée, suggérant une redondance entre les protéinesliant l’ADN méthylé. / The Methyl-CpG-Binding Domain (MBD) proteins represent key molecules in the interpretation ofDNA methylation signals leading to gene silencing through recruitment of chromatin remodelingcomplexes. In cancer, a member of this protein family, MBD2, seems to play an important role in theloss of expression of aberrantly methylated genes. Thus, MBD2 may be a potential target toreestablish their expression. Mapping of MBD2 binding sites and the relationship between MBD2binding and transcriptional activity was, therefore, a crucial step. (1) We investigated the impact ofMBD2 inhibition by RNA interference on gene expression, using microarray analysis, in a normalhuman fibroblastic cell line, MRC-5. MBD2 depletion did not induce global gene overexpression andCpG density of the methylated promoters seems to be an important parameter in the strength of thetranscriptional repression mediated by MBD2. (2) Global profiling for different layers of epigeneticmodifications (DNA methylation, MBD2 association) and RNA polymerase II binding sites in HeLacells was analyzed by a ChIP-chip method using human promoter arrays. This approach, combinedwith an analysis of H3 histone acetylation patterns, was performed in a syngenic model of breastcancer progression. In the models analyzed MBD2 appeared to be a true methylation-dependenttranscriptional repressor. Furthermore, MBD2 binds to a high proportion of methylated silent genes.Comparisons between immortalized and transformed cells did not indicate major changes of DNAmethylation or gene silencing, while a redistribution of MBD2 among these sites was observed,suggesting a redundancy between methylated binding proteins.

by Wai Yuen. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2000. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 123-157). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Acknowledegment --- p.iv / Abstract --- p.v / List of Abbreviations --- p.ix / Chapter CHAPTER ONE: --- INTRODUCTION / Chapter 1.1 --- Parkinson's Disease (PD) --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1.1 --- Epidemiology --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1.2 --- Neuropathology --- p.2 / Chapter 1.1.3 --- Clinical Symptoms --- p.3 / Chapter 1.1.4 --- Treatment --- p.6 / Chapter 1.2 --- Proposed Mechanisms of Neurodegeneration in PD --- p.11 / Chapter 1.2.1 --- Oxidative Stress --- p.11 / Chapter 1.2.2 --- Mitochondrial Dysfunction --- p.13 / Chapter 1.2.3 --- Genetic Factors --- p.15 / Chapter 1.2.4 --- Environmental Factors --- p.17 / Chapter 1.2.5 --- Ageing --- p.20 / Chapter 1.3 --- "1-Methy-4-Phenyl-1,2,3,6-Tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) as a PD Model" --- p.22 / Chapter 1.3.1 --- Discovery of MPTP --- p.22 / Chapter 1.3.2 --- The Mechanisms of MPTP-induced Neurotoxicity --- p.23 / Chapter 1.4 --- Antioxidants in the Central Nervous System --- p.26 / Chapter 1.4.1 --- Superoxide Dismutase --- p.26 / Chapter 1.4.2 --- Glutathione --- p.27 / Chapter 1.5 --- Metallothioneins (MTs) --- p.29 / Chapter 1.5.1 --- Characteristics of MTs --- p.29 / Chapter 1.5.2 --- Functions of Astrocytes --- p.31 / Chapter 1.6 --- Astrocytes --- p.34 / Chapter 1.6.1 --- Characteristics of Astrocytes --- p.34 / Chapter 1.6.2 --- Functions of Astrocytes --- p.35 / Chapter 1.6.3 --- Role of Astrocytes in Parkinson's Disease --- p.39 / Chapter 1.7 --- Aim of Project --- p.41 / Chapter CHAPTER TWO: --- MATERIALS AND METHODS / Chapter 2.1 --- In Vitro Study --- p.44 / Chapter 2.1.1 --- Astrocyte Cultures --- p.44 / Chapter 2.1.2 --- Treatment Regimen --- p.46 / Chapter 2.1.2.1 --- 1 -methyl-4-phenyl-pyridinium (MPP+) Treatment --- p.46 / Chapter 2.1.2.2 --- Induction of Metallothioneins (MTs) and Glutathione (GSH) --- p.46 / Chapter 2.1.2.2.1 --- Northern Blot Analysis --- p.47 / Chapter 2.1.2.2.2 --- Immunocytochemical Staining for MTs --- p.48 / Chapter 2.1.2.2.3 --- GSH Assay --- p.49 / Chapter 2.1.2.3 --- Iron Chelation --- p.51 / Chapter 2.1.2.4 --- Combined Pretreatment --- p.51 / Chapter 2.1.3 --- Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) Assay --- p.51 / Chapter 2.1.4 --- "3,(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) Assay" --- p.53 / Chapter 2.1.5 --- Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) Assay --- p.55 / Chapter 2.1.6 --- Protein Assay --- p.56 / Chapter 2.1.7 --- Statistics --- p.57 / Chapter 2.2 --- In Vivo Study --- p.57 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- "Administration of 1 -methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)" --- p.57 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- Tyrosine Hydroxylase (TH) Immunocytochemical Staining --- p.58 / Chapter 2.2.3 --- DAT Receptor Binding Assay --- p.59 / Chapter 2.2.4 --- Dopamine (DA) and DA metabolites - High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) --- p.60 / Chapter 2.2.5 --- Statistics --- p.61 / Chapter CHAPTER THREE: --- RESULTS / Chapter 3.1 --- In Vitro Study --- p.62 / Chapter 3.1.1. --- Induction of Metallothioneins (MTs) in Astrocytes with Zinc Sulfate (ZnS04) --- p.62 / Chapter 3.1.1.1 --- Immunocytochemical changes --- p.62 / Chapter 3.1.1.2 --- Northern Blot Analysis --- p.62 / Chapter 3.1.1.3 --- The Effects of ZnSO4 Pretreatment on 1 -methyl-4-phenyl- pyridinium (MPP+)-treated Astrocytes --- p.63 / Chapter 3.1.1.3.1 --- Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) Activities --- p.63 / Chapter 3.1.1.3.2 --- "3,(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)2,5-diphenyl- tetrazolium bromide (MTT) Activities" --- p.67 / Chapter 3.1.1.3.3 --- Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) Production --- p.71 / Chapter 3.1.2 --- The Effects of NAc Pretreatment on MPP+-treated Astrocytes --- p.75 / Chapter 3.1.2.1 --- Glutathione (GSH) levels --- p.75 / Chapter 3.1.2.2 --- LDH Activities --- p.77 / Chapter 3.1.2.3 --- MTT Activities --- p.80 / Chapter 3.1.2.4 --- ROS Production --- p.83 / Chapter 3.1.3 --- The Effects of Deferoxamine on MPP+-treated Astrocytes --- p.87 / Chapter 3.1.3.1 --- LDH Activities --- p.87 / Chapter 3.1.3.2 --- ROS Production --- p.89 / Chapter 3.1.4 --- The Effects of ZnSO4 and NAc Combined Treatment on MPP+-treated Astrocytes --- p.92 / Chapter 3.1.4.1 --- LDH Activities --- p.92 / Chapter 3.1.4.2 --- ROS Production --- p.95 / Chapter 3.2 --- "Effects of 1 -methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) on MT-I, -II Knock-out Mice" --- p.99 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- The Effects of MPTP on Substantia Nigral (SN) Cell Loss --- p.99 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- The Effects of MPTP on Striatal (ST) and SN Dopamine Transporter (DAT) Binding --- p.99 / Chapter 3.2.3 --- The Effects of MPTP on ST Dopamine (DA) Metabolites --- p.100 / Chapter CHAPTER FOUR: --- DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION --- p.102 / REFERENCES --- p.123

Submitted by Wendell Amoedo (wendell.amoedo@hotmail.com) on 2018-11-26T15:15:35Z No. of bitstreams: 3 Tese Bruna de Oliveira-correcaoposdefesa-versaoFINAL.pdf: 9414772 bytes, checksum: 23fd577cbdccab11729ea5da62b18de2 (MD5) ficha catalografica.pdf: 1870 bytes, checksum: 853f822f2c2a4569b1b196a49b10a940 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Submitted by Wendell Amoedo (wendell.amoedo@hotmail.com) on 2018-11-28T12:59:58Z No. of bitstreams: 3 license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Tese Bruna de Oliveira-correcaoposdefesa-versaoFINAL.pdf: 9414772 bytes, checksum: 23fd577cbdccab11729ea5da62b18de2 (MD5) ficha catalografica.pdf: 1870 bytes, checksum: 853f822f2c2a4569b1b196a49b10a940 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Divisão de Documentação/BC Biblioteca Central (ddbc@ufam.edu.br) on 2018-11-28T18:11:52Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 3 license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Tese Bruna de Oliveira-correcaoposdefesa-versaoFINAL.pdf: 9414772 bytes, checksum: 23fd577cbdccab11729ea5da62b18de2 (MD5) ficha catalografica.pdf: 1870 bytes, checksum: 853f822f2c2a4569b1b196a49b10a940 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-11-28T18:11:52Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 3 license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Tese Bruna de Oliveira-correcaoposdefesa-versaoFINAL.pdf: 9414772 bytes, checksum: 23fd577cbdccab11729ea5da62b18de2 (MD5) ficha catalografica.pdf: 1870 bytes, checksum: 853f822f2c2a4569b1b196a49b10a940 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2018-03-14 / CAPES - Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / The malaria situation in Brazil and in the world is still very worrying these days. One of the causes of this situation is the existence of Plasmodium strains resistant to current antimalarials. Therefore, there is a need for the search for new drugs, which are more effective and less toxic. Several plant species have been used in folk medicine as antimalarials, such as Cinchona spp. and Artemisia annua, plants that have been isolated from quinine and artemisinin. In the family Apocynaceae, the species of the genus Geissospermum and Aspidosperma, has been highlighted as an antimalarial potential. Thus, the objective of this work was to study the chemical composition and to evaluate the in vitro antiplasmodic activity of extracts, fractions and substances of Geissospermum urceolatum, through a bioguided study. The plant material was collected at the Ducke Forest Reserve of the National Institute of Amazonian Research (INPA), in Manaus, Amazonas. Seven (7) different extraction methods were compared for each part of the plant (leaf, twig and bark), but method 7 was tested only on the bark. In order to define the initial chemical profile of dry extracts, high resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) analysis was performed by direct infusion of the samples. The data obtained by EMAR were treated and interpreted chemimetrically through the Chemoface program. These were evaluated by the plant separately (leaf, twig and bark), comparing extraction method, m / z and percentage relative to the base peak (greater than 5%). The nineteen extracts were tested for antimalarial activity (Inhibitory Concentration 50% - IC50) in vitro, three (3) of the shell extracts were active, with IC50 of 14.5 μg / mL, 12 μg / mL and 9 , 7 μg / mL respectively. The chemometric data were used to find a relation between the active extracts and the chemical profile, where what differentiates this group from the others is the presence of three (3) main peaks: 329,18; 175.18; 217.07. In order to correlate the activity and yield of the tested methods, method 7 (M7) was defined as the method of study, then a new scale extraction was performed, two dry extracts (BOT1 and BOT2) were obtained. Sephadex LH-20 and mobile phase 100% of the 8 subfractions obtained were submitted to IC 50 test, using a chromatographic column (CC) as the stationary phase. and EMAR. Of these, one was partially active (PA) (30 μg / mL) and one was active (A) (1.93 μg / mL). The dry extract (BOT2) was partitioned and 2 main fractions were obtained, both of which were submitted to NMR, HRT and IC50 test, both fractions were active. These fractions were fractionated using CC and HPLC, of these 4 substances were elucidated as: Methyl Sinapiato (S2) (IC50 24.5 μg / mL) and 4-N-methyl-akuammicine (S3) (IC50 27.1 μg / mL ) that did not present antiplasmodic activity in the in vitro tests; aspidocarpine (S1) (IC50 2.42 μg / mL) which showed lower antiplasmodic activity than observed in previous studies and phenyl propanoid (S4) dimer. The bioguided fractionation was efficient in the isolation of substances with antiplasmodic activity in vitro. / A situação da malária no Brasil e no mundo ainda é muito preocupante nos dias atuais. Uma das causas desta situação é a existência de cepas do Plasmodium resistente aos antimaláricos atuais. Por isso, há necessidade da busca por novas drogas, que sejam mais eficazes e menos tóxicas. Diversas espécies vegetais vêm sendo usadas na medicina popular como antimaláricos, como a Cinchona spp. e a Artemisia annua, plantas que foi isolado a quinina e a artemisinina. Na família Apocynaceae, as espécies do gênero Geissospermum e Aspidosperma, tem se destacado como potencial antimalárico. Assim, esse trabalho teve como objetivo estudar a composição química e avaliar a atividade antiplasmódica in vitro de extratos, frações e substâncias da Geissospermum urceolatum, através de estudo bioguiado. O material vegetal foi coletado na Reserva Florestal Ducke do Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia (INPA), em Manaus, no Amazonas. Foram comparados sete (7) métodos de extração diferentes para cada parte da planta(folha, galho e casca), porém o método 7 foi testado apenas na casca. Para definir o perfil químico inicial dos extratos secos foi realizada análise por espectroscopia de massa de alta resolução (EMAR) por infusão direta das amostras. Os dados obtidos por EMAR foram tratados e interpretados quimiometricamente através do programa Chemoface. Esses foram avaliados por parte da planta separadamente (folha, galho e casca), comparando método de extração, m/z e porcentagem em relação ao pico base (maior que 5%). Os dezenove (19) extratos foram testados para atividade antimalárica (Concentração Inibitória 50% - CI50) in vitro, três (3) dos extratos da casca se mostraram ativos, com CI50 de 14,5 μg/mL, 12 μg/mL e 9,7 μg/mL respectivamente. Os dados quimiométricos foram trabalhados para encontrar uma relação entre os extratos ativos e o perfil químico, onde o que diferencia esse grupo dos demais é a presença de três (3) picos principais: 329,18; 175,18; 217,07. Correlacionando atividade e rendimento dos métodos testados, definiu-se o método 7 (M7) como método de estudo, então uma nova extração em maior escala foi realizada, foram obtido dois extratos secos (BOT1 e BOT2). O extrato seco preparado (BOT1), foi submetido a fracionamento, utilizando coluna cromatográfica (CC), como fase estacionária foi utilizado Sephadex LH-20 e fase móvel MeOH 100%, das 8 subfrações obtidas, 5 foram submetidas a teste de CI50, RMN e EMAR. Destas uma foi parcialmente ativa (PA) (30 μg/mL) e uma foi ativa (A) (1,93 μg/mL). O extrato seco (BOT2) foi submetido a partição e foi obtido 2 frações principais, ambos foram submetidos RMN, EMAR e teste de CI50, ambas frações foram ativas. Essas frações foram fracionadas utilizando CC e CLAE, destas 4 substâncias foram elucidadas como: Sinapiato de metila (S2) (CI50 24,5 μg/mL) e 4-N-metil-akuammicine (S3) (CI50 27,1 μg/mL) que não apresentaram atividade antiplasmódica nos testes in vitro; aspidocarpina (S1) (CI50 2,42 μg/mL) que apresentou atividade antiplasmódica menor do que observado em estudos anteriores e o dímero de fenil propanóide (S4). O fracionamento bioguiado se mostrou eficiente no isolamento de substâncias com atividade antiplasmódica in vitro.

Very little is known about why and how the Parkinson's disease (PD) neurodegenerative process begins and progresses. In the course of developments for treatment of PD, the discovery of the inhibition of monoamine oxidase (MAO B) was a conceptual breakthrough, and has now been firmly established. MAO B has also been implicated in the neurodegenerative processes resulting from exposure to xenobiotic amines. For example, MAO B catalyzes the first step of the bioactivation of the parkinsonian inducing pro-neurotoxin, 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP). Additional insight into the mechanism of catalysis of MAO B and the mechanism of neurotoxicity by MPTP is therefore very valuable in the pursuit of the treatment of PD. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Pharmaceutical Chemistry))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2008.

Résumé : A ce jour, lutilité des cyclodextrines comme adjuvant pharmaceutique nest plus à démontrer. En biologie cellulaire, la méthyl-b-cyclodextrine est un outil couramment utilisé par les expérimentateurs. La déstructuration quelle induit au niveau des microdomaines membranaires que sont les radeaux lipidiques ou les cavéoles est mise à profit pour létude des fonctions cellulaires qui y sont associées. Le but de notre recherche est détudier les interactions de différentes cyclodextrines couramment utilisées dans le domaine pharmaceutique avec les constituants des membranes liposomales ou biologiques afin de mieux comprendre les conséquences de ces interactions au niveau cellulaire. Lhypothèse dune interaction des cyclodextrines avec les constituants lipophiles des membranes cellulaires a souvent été énoncée pour expliquer la cytotoxicité de certains dérivés. Nous avons pu montrer à laide de liposomes unilamellaires utilisés comme modèles membranaires, que linteraction des cyclodextrines avec leurs constituants, en particulier le cholestérol, est en relation avec une perte de lintégrité de la membrane. Ces premières études nous ont permis de prédire quels seraient les dérivés qui induiraient la cytotoxicité la plus importante. La cytotoxicité importante de certains dérivés méthylés (D.S. proche de 2) a été corrélée avec une capacité dextraction du cholestérol cellulaire relativement élevée. A linverse, nous avons montré que les dérivés faiblement substitués extraient peu le cholestérol, ce qui permet dexpliquer la meilleure tolérance observée au niveau biologique avec la Crysmeb et lHP-b-CD. Nous nous sommes ensuite intéressés à leffet de la b-CD et de ses dérivés méthylés sur la déstructuration des microdomaines membranaires. Nous avons étudié la relation entre leur capacité de déstructuration des cavéoles et dextraction du cholestérol cellulaire. Une extraction relativement élevée du lipide induit un effet important au niveau des microdomaines voire très important dans le cas de la Dimeb, le dérivé ayant leffet le plus délétère sur lintégrité des membranes artificielles et biologiques. Un effet moins marqué a également pu être corrélé avec une extraction plus faible du cholestérol par certains dérivés (Crysmeb, Trimeb). Les taux dextraction du cholestérol cellulaire mesurés sont en bonne corrélation, mis à part pour la Trimeb et la b-CD, avec les résultats des diagrammes de solubilité. La capacité de solubilisation du cholestérol par les cyclodextrines est en accord avec les interactions plus ou moins importantes observées en RMN. Les résultats de mesure de lintégrité des membranes artificielles correspondent à ceux obtenus avec les membranes biologiques excepté pour la b-CD, cette dernière nayant pu être testée dans les mêmes conditions que les autres cyclodextrines sur les liposomes. Il est maintenant admis que les cyclodextrines pourraient avoir un intérêt thérapeutique potentiel. En effet, la modulation des taux de cholestérol par lutilisation de cyclodextrines pourrait être mise à profit pour traiter des maladies ou infections impliquant ces microdomaines membranaires. Summary : Nowadays, the usefulness of cyclodextrins as pharmaceutical adjuvants is obvious. In cell biology, methyl-b-CD is a tool commonly used by scientists. The disruption of membrane microdomains (such as lipid rafts and caveolae) caused by cyclodextrins is used to study cellular functions. The aim of this research is to study the interactions of various cyclodextrins currently used in pharmaceutical development with the components of liposomal and biological membranes for a better understanding of the consequences of these interactions at the cell level. The hypothesis of an interaction between cyclodextrins and lipophilic components of cell membranes has often been suggested to explain the cytotoxicity of some cyclodextrin derivatives. Using unilamellar liposomes as model membranes, this research has shown that the interaction between cyclodextrins and their components, especially cholesterol, is linked with a loss of membrane integrity. This preliminary study has allowed predicting which derivatives will be the most cytotoxic. The high cytotoxicity of some methylated derivatives (D.S. close to 2) has been correlated with a relatively strong extraction capacity of cell cholesterol. On the other hand, it has been shown that low substituted derivatives do not extract much cholesterol, which is in agreement with the better biological compatibility observed with Crysmeb and HP-b-CD. The research has then focused on the effect of b-CD and its methylated derivatives on membrane microdomains disruption. The relation between caveolae disruption and cell cholesterol extraction capacities has been studied. A relatively strong extraction of the lipid highly disturbs the microdomains and this effect is even more important for Dimeb, the derivative showing the highest loss of integrity of artificial and biological membranes. A less marked effect has also been correlated with the lowest cholesterol extraction capacities of some derivatives (Crysmeb, Trimeb). The measured cell cholesterol extraction rates are in good correlation, except for Trimeb and b-CD, with the results of the solubility diagrams. The cholesterol solubilisation capacity of cyclodextrins is in accordance with the intensity of the interactions observed by NMR. The effects on the integrity of artificial membranes correspond to those obtained with biological membranes except for b-CD, which was not tested on liposomes in the same conditions as those used for the other cyclodextrins. It is now agreed that cyclodextrins could have a therapeutical potential. Indeed, the modulation of cholesterol levels could be applied for treating raft-related infections and diseases.

Very little is known about why and how the Parkinson's disease (PD) neurodegenerative process begins and progresses. In the course of developments for treatment of PD, the discovery of the inhibition of monoamine oxidase (MAO B) was a conceptual breakthrough, and has now been firmly established. MAO B has also been implicated in the neurodegenerative processes resulting from exposure to xenobiotic amines. For example, MAO B catalyzes the first step of the bioactivation of the parkinsonian inducing pro-neurotoxin, 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP). Additional insight into the mechanism of catalysis of MAO B and the mechanism of neurotoxicity by MPTP is therefore very valuable in the pursuit of the treatment of PD. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Pharmaceutical Chemistry))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2008.

Very little is known about why and how the Parkinson's disease (PD) neurodegenerative process begins and progresses. In the course of developments for treatment of PD, the discovery of the inhibition of monoamine oxidase (MAO B) was a conceptual breakthrough, and has now been firmly established. MAO B has also been implicated in the neurodegenerative processes resulting from exposure to xenobiotic amines. For example, MAO B catalyzes the first step of the bioactivation of the parkinsonian inducing pro-neurotoxin, 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP). Additional insight into the mechanism of catalysis of MAO B and the mechanism of neurotoxicity by MPTP is therefore very valuable in the pursuit of the treatment of PD. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Pharmaceutical Chemistry))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2008.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Stockholm : Karolinska institutet, 2006. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

Dysfunction of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor is thought to contribute to the cognitive deficits of many neurodegenerative diseases and psychiatric disorders. Cognitive symptoms of Alzheimer's disease can be treated with NMDA receptor antagonists or drugs targeting the cholinergic system; however, there are no effective treatments for cognitive deficits of schizophrenia or Huntington's disease. With the discovery of a potent and selective allosteric modulator of the NMDA receptor, there is the possibility of new treatments based on NMDA receptor functional-enhancement through neuroactive steroids, closely related in structure to the endogenous neurosteroid, cerebrosterol. The aim of this thesis was to examine steroidal modulation of the NMDA receptor both in vitro and in vivo. In chapter 2, NMDA receptor enhancement of both the synthetic and endogenous neuroactive steroids was assessed in neurons maintained in cell culture using calcium imaging techniques. Sulphation of the steroids greatly increased the efficacy of NMDA receptor enhancement compared to the unsulphated steroids. Chapters 3 and 4 investigate the potential for neuroactive steroids to treat cognitive impairments of Huntington's disease. Using a mouse model, tests were selected that were analogous to those in which patients are impaired; however, no impairments were found in the mouse model. Chapter 5, therefore, used a different model of cognitive impairment – namely, rats with a set-shifting impairment, as is seen in many psychiatric and neurological disorders, including Huntington's disease – to assess the effect of the synthetic steroid administration. Unfortunately, the rats did not show the expected impairment. The lack of reliable animal models compromised testing the efficacy of these promising NMDA receptor positive allosteric modulators. Nevertheless, the promising in vitro results suggest that there could still be therapeutic potential. In addition, the compound is a useful research tool for exploring NMDA receptor function in health and disease.

La valorisation du carbone renouvelable joue un rôle croissant dans l'industrie chimique. Ces travaux rapportent l'utilisation d'huiles végétales comme matières premières en substitution de celles d'origine fossiles pour la synthèse de monomères bio-sourcés destinés à la production de polyesters ou de polyamides.La production du 9 oxononanoate de méthyle, comme molécule plateforme, à partir d'esters méthyliques d'huile de colza a été réalisée par coupure oxydante (ozonolyse) sans solvant à température ambiante, suivie d'une réduction des intermédiaires par hydrogénation catalytique sous pression de H2 et de Pd(5)/C. Ainsi, le rendement en aldéhyde-ester est de 92%. Ce procédé a été appliqué à la synthèse de molécules plateformes avec des longueurs de chaînes de 9 à 13 atomes de carbone. Une matière première renouvelable, des conditions de réaction douces, le recyclage du catalyseur et des co-produits non toxiques et valorisables ont permis de développer un procédé durable plus respectueux de l'environnement. La réduction de la fonction aldéhyde a été menée par hydrogénation catalytique, à 50°C dans le méthanol, pour former l'alcool-ester correspondant. Le nickel de Raney ainsi que le Pd(5)/C offrent des rendements en 9-hydroxynonanoate de méthyle supérieurs à 90 %, mais le premier catalyseur conduit à un temps de réaction plus court. L'amination réductrice de la fonction aldéhyde a été menée avec succès à partir de NH3 gazeux et de Pd(5)/C, à 50°C dans le méthanol, pour conduire majoritairement à la synthèse de l'amino-ester primaire. La quantité de NH3(g) influence la sélectivité et au moins trois équivalents sont nécessaires pour limiter la formation d'amino-ester. / A high interest has been devoted to the use of renewable carbon in the chemical industry. The goal of this work is the substitution of fossil oils by vegetable oils to synthesize bio sourced monomers for polyesters and polyamides production. The synthesis of methyl 9-oxononanoate as a platform molecule from fatty acid methyl esters of rapeseed oil was carried out in solvent free ozonolysis at room temperature. Intermediary ozonides was reduced to aldehydes by catalytic hydrogenation under H2 pressure and in the presence of Pd(5)/C catalyst giving a 92% carbonyl yield. This process was applied to a wide range of unsaturated esters with a chain length within 9 and 13 carbon atoms. This process allows the selective conversion of renewable materials to value added chemicals, in mild conditions and in the presence of a recyclable catalyst. Moreover, the co products are non toxic and valuable. Hydrogenation of aldehyde group was performed in the presence of methanol at 50°C under hydrogen pressure. Raney Nickel and Pd(5)/C exhibit a yield to methyl 9 hydroxynonanoate higher than 90%. Reductive amination of the aldehyde functional group was investigated with success in the presence of NH3(g) and Pd(5)/C at 50°C in methanol to produce primary amino ester. The amount of ammoniac is directly correlated to the selectivity of the reaction. As a consequence a minimum amount of 3 eq. of ammoniac is required to avoid the formation of secondary amino-ester.