Sulfonamidas e seus diferentes derivados são extensivamente utilizados na medicina devido a suas propriedades farmacológicas, tal como sua atividade antibacteriana. Propriedades toxicológicas e farmacológicas modificadas vêm sendo observadas quando essas sulfonamidas são administradas nas formas de complexos metálicos. Neste trabalho, utilizamos as moléculas sulfadimetoxina (4-p-aminobenzenosulfonamida-2,6-dimetoxipirimidina) e sulfisoxazol (N(1)-(3,4-dimetil-5-isoxazolil)sulfanilamida) complexados com Cu(II) para acessar seus mecanismos de interação com modelos de membranas lipídicas. Foram feitos experimentos de calorimetria diferencial de varredura (DSC) e de ressonância paramagnética eletrônica (RPE) em soluções contendo os complexos de cobre na presença de modelos de membranas biológicas compostos por fosfolipídios e, no caso de RPE, contendo sondas magneticamente ativas. Amostras foram preparadas utilizando-se o fosfolipídio dipalmitoilfosfatidilcolina (DPPC) e, para os experimentos de RPE, contendo também derivados de DPPC marcados com sonda magnética disposta ao longo da cadeia acila (n-PCSL, onde n=5, 12 e 16). Os resultados de DSC mostram que ambos os complexos alteram tanto a transição de fase principal quanto a pré-transição dos fosfolipídios componentes do modelo de membrana, indicando assim a existência de interação e de maior desordenamento da membrana na presença dos complexos de cobre. Os espectros de RPE mostram que os complexos de cobre afetam, principalmente, a fase gel dos fosfolipídios e maiores alterações são percebidas em posições da membrana mais próximas à interface membrana-solvente. Nossos dados indicam que interações não-específicas entre os complexos de cobre e membranas podem ser um mecanismo utilizados pelo fármaco para vencer as barreiras físicas da célula. / Sulfonamides and their different derivatives are extensively used in Medicine due to their pharmacological properties, such as antibacterial activity. Modified toxicological properties have been observed when those sulfonamides are administered in the form of metal complexes. In this work, we used the molecules sulfadimethoxine (4-p-aminobenzenesulfonamido-2,6-dimethoxypyrimidine) and sulfisoxazole (N (1) - (3,4-dimethyl-5-isoxazolyl) sulfanilamide) complexes with Cu(II) to assess their mechanism of interaction with lipid model membranes. Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) experiments were carried out to monitor the influence of the complexes on the lipid thermotropic behavior. Samples consisting of the multilamellar vesicles of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DDPC) and, in the case of EPR, spin labeled phospholipids were used as models for the membrane. DSC results showed that the presence of the complexes affects both the pre-transition and the main phase transition of the lipids in the membrane. A disordering effect is evidenced by the decrease in Tm and Tp values. ESR results showed that the major alterations are detected in the lipid gel phase and for the labels positioned close to the lipid-water interface. Overall our results indicate that non-specific interactions between the complexes and the membrane might be a mechanism used by the drugs to overcome the physical barriers found in the cell.

Cholesterol is critical to ensure proper functioning of a membrane. Despite this, the movement of cholesterol within the cell is not fully understood. The molecular order of binary and ternary mixtures of polyunsaturated fatty acids with varying degrees of hy- drocarbon chain unsaturation with 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DMPC) and/or cholesterol was studied using 2H NMR. The introduction of cholesterol into sam- ples of 18:1PC, 18:2PC (unsaturated lipid/DMPC-d54/CHOL, 75:5:20mol%) increased the C-2H bond order by ∼30%. Similar bond ordering was found for 20:4PC and 22:6PC samples, however, they were temperature dependent. A two-phase region (lo-ld) was found for 22:6PC:DMPC-d54/CHOL (75:5:20mol%) for temperatures below 286.7 K. The reorientation axis formed an angle of 78±4◦ with respect to the C3-2H bond vector re- gardless of the lipid. The order parameter of cholesterol was temperature independent, and ranged from 0.69±0.04 to 0.78±0.04 depending on the lipid unsaturation. The re- orientation axis of cholesterol was oriented at ∼25◦ to the bilayer normal.

This thesis describes the development of novel fluorescent and photocaged lipids, and their application as tools to probe the morphological effects of ceramide (Cer)-mediated membrane reorganization in supported lipid bilayers. Cer is a sphingolipid found in eukaryotic cells that plays a key role in regulating biological processes such as apoptosis, cell-to-cell communication, differentiation and some types of pathogenesis. Sphingolipid and cholesterol-rich lipid rafts in the plasma membrane are thought to be the point of origin for many of this lipid second messenger’s effects. Cer is formed in the exoplasmic leaflet of the plasma membrane via the enzymatic hydrolysis of sphingomyelin. The compositional complexity of biological membranes has prompted the adoption of simpler model systems to study the effects of Cer generation. When it is directly incorporated into model membranes, Cer segregates into highly ordered domains with physical properties that are distinct from those of the surrounding fluid environments. However, enzymatic generation of Cer induces complex and dynamic membrane heterogeneity that is difficult to interpret and reconcile with its direct incorporation. Here I describe the synthesis of 4-nitrobenzo-2-oxa-1,3-diazol-7-yl (NBD)-labelled cholesterol (Chol) and Cer analogs, and their use as probes in model membranes exhibiting liquid-disordered (Ld) and liquid-ordered (Lo) phase coexistence. The Chol probes reproduce the modest enrichment of Chol in Lo membrane domains as well as the Cer-induced displacement of cholesterol. One of the NBD Chol probes is used to provide direct visualization of Chol redistribution during enzymatic Cer generation, and assists in identifying new features as Cer-rich regions. The NBD-labelled Cer quantifies membrane order using orientational order parameter measurements derived from polarized total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy (pTIRFM) images. The probe reports on changes in membrane order upon enzymatic generation of Cer, and indicates a significant increase in the molecular order of Ld membrane regions that is consistent with the redistribution of Chol into these areas. The probe also identifies de novo Cer-rich domains as areas of particularly high molecular order. In the final project area, 6-Bromo-7-hydroxycoumarin-4-ylmethyl (Bhc)-caged Cers are shown to release Cer rapidly and efficiently upon irradiation with near-visible UV light. The caged lipids are then incorporated into supported membranes and photolyzed to release Cer with a high degree of spatial and temporal control. Controlled Cer generation is then used to drive protein-ganglioside clustering in lipid bilayers.

Sulfonamidas e seus diferentes derivados são extensivamente utilizados na medicina devido a suas propriedades farmacológicas, tal como sua atividade antibacteriana. Propriedades toxicológicas e farmacológicas modificadas vêm sendo observadas quando essas sulfonamidas são administradas nas formas de complexos metálicos. Neste trabalho, utilizamos as moléculas sulfadimetoxina (4-p-aminobenzenosulfonamida-2,6-dimetoxipirimidina) e sulfisoxazol (N(1)-(3,4-dimetil-5-isoxazolil)sulfanilamida) complexados com Cu(II) para acessar seus mecanismos de interação com modelos de membranas lipídicas. Foram feitos experimentos de calorimetria diferencial de varredura (DSC) e de ressonância paramagnética eletrônica (RPE) em soluções contendo os complexos de cobre na presença de modelos de membranas biológicas compostos por fosfolipídios e, no caso de RPE, contendo sondas magneticamente ativas. Amostras foram preparadas utilizando-se o fosfolipídio dipalmitoilfosfatidilcolina (DPPC) e, para os experimentos de RPE, contendo também derivados de DPPC marcados com sonda magnética disposta ao longo da cadeia acila (n-PCSL, onde n=5, 12 e 16). Os resultados de DSC mostram que ambos os complexos alteram tanto a transição de fase principal quanto a pré-transição dos fosfolipídios componentes do modelo de membrana, indicando assim a existência de interação e de maior desordenamento da membrana na presença dos complexos de cobre. Os espectros de RPE mostram que os complexos de cobre afetam, principalmente, a fase gel dos fosfolipídios e maiores alterações são percebidas em posições da membrana mais próximas à interface membrana-solvente. Nossos dados indicam que interações não-específicas entre os complexos de cobre e membranas podem ser um mecanismo utilizados pelo fármaco para vencer as barreiras físicas da célula. / Sulfonamides and their different derivatives are extensively used in Medicine due to their pharmacological properties, such as antibacterial activity. Modified toxicological properties have been observed when those sulfonamides are administered in the form of metal complexes. In this work, we used the molecules sulfadimethoxine (4-p-aminobenzenesulfonamido-2,6-dimethoxypyrimidine) and sulfisoxazole (N (1) - (3,4-dimethyl-5-isoxazolyl) sulfanilamide) complexes with Cu(II) to assess their mechanism of interaction with lipid model membranes. Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) experiments were carried out to monitor the influence of the complexes on the lipid thermotropic behavior. Samples consisting of the multilamellar vesicles of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DDPC) and, in the case of EPR, spin labeled phospholipids were used as models for the membrane. DSC results showed that the presence of the complexes affects both the pre-transition and the main phase transition of the lipids in the membrane. A disordering effect is evidenced by the decrease in Tm and Tp values. ESR results showed that the major alterations are detected in the lipid gel phase and for the labels positioned close to the lipid-water interface. Overall our results indicate that non-specific interactions between the complexes and the membrane might be a mechanism used by the drugs to overcome the physical barriers found in the cell.

This thesis describes the development of novel fluorescent and photocaged lipids, and their application as tools to probe the morphological effects of ceramide (Cer)-mediated membrane reorganization in supported lipid bilayers. Cer is a sphingolipid found in eukaryotic cells that plays a key role in regulating biological processes such as apoptosis, cell-to-cell communication, differentiation and some types of pathogenesis. Sphingolipid and cholesterol-rich lipid rafts in the plasma membrane are thought to be the point of origin for many of this lipid second messenger’s effects. Cer is formed in the exoplasmic leaflet of the plasma membrane via the enzymatic hydrolysis of sphingomyelin. The compositional complexity of biological membranes has prompted the adoption of simpler model systems to study the effects of Cer generation. When it is directly incorporated into model membranes, Cer segregates into highly ordered domains with physical properties that are distinct from those of the surrounding fluid environments. However, enzymatic generation of Cer induces complex and dynamic membrane heterogeneity that is difficult to interpret and reconcile with its direct incorporation. Here I describe the synthesis of 4-nitrobenzo-2-oxa-1,3-diazol-7-yl (NBD)-labelled cholesterol (Chol) and Cer analogs, and their use as probes in model membranes exhibiting liquid-disordered (Ld) and liquid-ordered (Lo) phase coexistence. The Chol probes reproduce the modest enrichment of Chol in Lo membrane domains as well as the Cer-induced displacement of cholesterol. One of the NBD Chol probes is used to provide direct visualization of Chol redistribution during enzymatic Cer generation, and assists in identifying new features as Cer-rich regions. The NBD-labelled Cer quantifies membrane order using orientational order parameter measurements derived from polarized total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy (pTIRFM) images. The probe reports on changes in membrane order upon enzymatic generation of Cer, and indicates a significant increase in the molecular order of Ld membrane regions that is consistent with the redistribution of Chol into these areas. The probe also identifies de novo Cer-rich domains as areas of particularly high molecular order. In the final project area, 6-Bromo-7-hydroxycoumarin-4-ylmethyl (Bhc)-caged Cers are shown to release Cer rapidly and efficiently upon irradiation with near-visible UV light. The caged lipids are then incorporated into supported membranes and photolyzed to release Cer with a high degree of spatial and temporal control. Controlled Cer generation is then used to drive protein-ganglioside clustering in lipid bilayers.

Polyethylene glycol-stabilized lipodisks have emerged as a novel type of lipid-based nanoparticles with high potential as both drug carriers and biomimetic membranes. In this thesis we assess both of these applications, and show how the properties of the lipodisks can be further developed and optimized. Initially, we show that the antimicrobial peptides melittin, alamethicin and magainin 2, in spite of their very different physico-chemical properties and suggested modes of action on membranes, all have high affinity to lipodisks. Using melittin as a model peptide, we confirm a maintained antimicrobial effect of disk-formulated peptides. We also show that melittin dissociates slowly from the disks, resulting in extended drug release and prolonged antibacterial effect. Additionally, we present evidence that the peptide is protected against enzymatic degradation when formulated in the disks. Further, we develop a stable HPLC-MS system with immobilized lipodisks as model membranes. The stability of the system is confirmed by drug partitioning analysis using 15 different drug compounds. We also show how the lipodisk column can be supplemented with cyclooxygenase by in situ incorporation of the protein in the lipodisks. The specific binding of the protein to the disks is confirmed using QCM-D. Finally, by changing the polymer length and applying a new preparation protocol, we have optimized the lipodisks for use as drug carriers and biomimetic membranes. Previous lipodisk studies have been conducted on systems containing PEG-lipids with polymer molecular weights of 2000 or 5000 Da. Also, conventional protocols for the preparation of lipodisks typically require a PEG-lipid concentration of 15 mol% or more. Here we show that stable lipodisks can also be produced using PEG-lipids with a 1000 Da molecular weight polymer and that the use of shorter PEG-lipids dramatically improve the amount of lipodisks that can be immobilized on silica surfaces. Moreover, through the development of a method in which lipid mixtures are sonicated at low temperatures, we produce lipodisks containing as little as 2 mol% PEG-lipid. We present data verifying that these disks are superior to disks with higher PEG-lipid content in terms of their ability to incorporate externally added PEG-lipids functionalized with targeting agents.

O estudo de agregados anfifílicos é de extrema importância devido à sua mimetização de membranas celulares, que são essenciais para a vida da célula. Sabe-se que os fosfolipídios não possuem estruturas moleculares bem definidas nas membranas, porém exercem um papel essencial na manutenção da sua integridade. Fosfolipídios zwitteriônicos são um dos principais componentes estruturais das membranas celulares, e um modelo simplificado destas membranas são as bicamadas que estes fosfolipídios podem formar em meio aquoso. A principal característica destas bicamadas lipídicas é a auto-organização dos lipídios, fazendo-se necessário o estudo de processos naturais e espontâneos, como suas propriedades estruturais e dinâmicas. A espectroscopia de fluorescência tem sido utilizada no estudo de diversos processos e sistemas de interesse biológico, principalmente por medidas de anisotropia de fluorescência, que fornece informações sobre a dinâmica rotacional das sondas fluorescentes inseridas nos sistemas de interesse, refletindo efeitos combinados de flexibilidade, fluidez e interações estáticas com moléculas circundantes. Neste trabalho examinamos as propriedades estruturais e dinâmicas de membranas modelo fosfolipídicas formadas de 1,2-dipalmitoil-sn-glicero-3-fosfocolina (DPPC) por técnicas relacionadas à espectroscopia de fluorescência, principalmente por medidas de anisotropia do estado estacionário e resolvida no tempo, das sondas fluorescentes 1,6-diphenil-1,3,5-hexatrieno (DPH), 7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazol-il (NBD) ligado em diferentes regiões das moléculas fosfolipídicas e também da sonda lipofílica 2-amino-N-hexadecil-benzamida (Ahba). As medidas foram realizadas tanto acima como abaixo da temperatura de transição de fase das bicamadas fosfolipídicas de DPPC, na fase gel e líquido-cristalina, devido à diferença da organização lateral das cadeias de hidrocarboneto nestas duas fases. Medidas de espalhamento dinâmico de luz foram realizadas para confirmar a formação das vesículas unilamelares pelo processo de extrusão da suspensão lipídica contendo vesículas multilamelares, e a técnica de calorimetria diferencial de varredura foi empregada para verificar se baixa concentração das sondas fluorescentes nas vesículas afetam seu empacotamento lipídico. Pelos resultados obtidos, constatamos que os comportamentos das três sondas fluorescentes diferem em ambas as fases das bicamadas fosfolipídicas, revelando suas propriedades estruturais e dinâmicas, principalmente pelas diferentes localizações dos fluoróforos. Verificamos que, devido à afinidade pela região hidrofóbica, o movimento do DPH é restrito ao movimento \"wobbling\", limitado pelas cadeias alifáticas. Para o NBD em lipídios marcados, o movimento do análogo fluorescente como um todo depende da localização do fluoróforo e de sua conformação em ambas as fases das bicamadas lipídicas. Devido à localização do grupo fluorescente da sonda Ahba na interface das bicamadas lipídicas, verificamos que seu movimento rotacional aumenta à medida que a bicamada torna-se mais fluida, mostrando uma dependência deste movimento com a microviscosidade destas bicamadas. / The study of amphiphilic aggregates is extremely important due to their cell membrane mimic, which are essential for the life of the cell. It is known that phospholipids do not have molecular structure well defined in membranes, but play an essential role in maintaining of their integrity. Zwitterionic phospholipids are one of the main components of cell membranes, and a simplified model for the membranes are the bilayers they can form in aqueous medium. The main characteristic of lipid bilayers is the self-organization of lipids, making it necessary to study natural and spontaneous process, as their structural and dynamical properties. The fluorescence spectroscopy has been used to study many processes and systems of biological interest, especially by measurement of fluorescence anisotropy, which gives information about the rotational dynamics of the fluorescent probe inserted in the systems of interest, reflecting the combined effects of flexibility, fluidity and static interactions with surrounding molecules. In this work we examined the structural and dynamic properties of phospholipid model membranes formed of 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocoline DPPC by techniques related to fluorescence spectroscopy, mainly by measurements of steady-state and time resolved anisotropy of the probes 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene (DPH), 7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazol-yl (NBD) attached to different regions of phospholipid molecules and also the lipophilic probe 2-amino-N-hexadecyl-benzamide (Ahba). The measurements were perfomed above and below of the phase transition temperature of the phospholipid bilayers of DPPC, gel and liquid-crystalline phase, due to the difference in the lateral organization of hydrocarbon chains in these two phases. Measures of dynamic light scattering (DLS) was performed to confirm the formation of the unilamellar vesicles by extrusion of lipid suspension containing multilamellar vesicles, and the technique of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was used to verify if the low concentration of fluorescent probes in lipid vesicles affect its packing. From the results, we found that the behavior of the three different fluorescent probes differ in both phases of phospholipid bilayers, revealing their structural and dynamic properties, mainly because to specific locations of the fluorophores. We verify that, due to the affinity for the hydrophobic region, the motion of the DPH is restricted to the \"wobbling\" motion, limited by hydrocarbon chains. For the NBD labeled in lipids, the motion of the fluorescent analogues as a whole depends on the location of the fluorophore and on the lipid conformation in both phases of lipid bilayers. Because of the location of the fluorescent group of the probe Ahba in the interface of lipid bilayers, we found that its rotational motion increases as the bilayers becomes more fluid, showing a dependency of the motion with the microviscosity of these bilayers.

O estudo de agregados anfifílicos é de extrema importância devido à sua mimetização de membranas celulares, que são essenciais para a vida da célula. Sabe-se que os fosfolipídios não possuem estruturas moleculares bem definidas nas membranas, porém exercem um papel essencial na manutenção da sua integridade. Fosfolipídios zwitteriônicos são um dos principais componentes estruturais das membranas celulares, e um modelo simplificado destas membranas são as bicamadas que estes fosfolipídios podem formar em meio aquoso. A principal característica destas bicamadas lipídicas é a auto-organização dos lipídios, fazendo-se necessário o estudo de processos naturais e espontâneos, como suas propriedades estruturais e dinâmicas. A espectroscopia de fluorescência tem sido utilizada no estudo de diversos processos e sistemas de interesse biológico, principalmente por medidas de anisotropia de fluorescência, que fornece informações sobre a dinâmica rotacional das sondas fluorescentes inseridas nos sistemas de interesse, refletindo efeitos combinados de flexibilidade, fluidez e interações estáticas com moléculas circundantes. Neste trabalho examinamos as propriedades estruturais e dinâmicas de membranas modelo fosfolipídicas formadas de 1,2-dipalmitoil-sn-glicero-3-fosfocolina (DPPC) por técnicas relacionadas à espectroscopia de fluorescência, principalmente por medidas de anisotropia do estado estacionário e resolvida no tempo, das sondas fluorescentes 1,6-diphenil-1,3,5-hexatrieno (DPH), 7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazol-il (NBD) ligado em diferentes regiões das moléculas fosfolipídicas e também da sonda lipofílica 2-amino-N-hexadecil-benzamida (Ahba). As medidas foram realizadas tanto acima como abaixo da temperatura de transição de fase das bicamadas fosfolipídicas de DPPC, na fase gel e líquido-cristalina, devido à diferença da organização lateral das cadeias de hidrocarboneto nestas duas fases. Medidas de espalhamento dinâmico de luz foram realizadas para confirmar a formação das vesículas unilamelares pelo processo de extrusão da suspensão lipídica contendo vesículas multilamelares, e a técnica de calorimetria diferencial de varredura foi empregada para verificar se baixa concentração das sondas fluorescentes nas vesículas afetam seu empacotamento lipídico. Pelos resultados obtidos, constatamos que os comportamentos das três sondas fluorescentes diferem em ambas as fases das bicamadas fosfolipídicas, revelando suas propriedades estruturais e dinâmicas, principalmente pelas diferentes localizações dos fluoróforos. Verificamos que, devido à afinidade pela região hidrofóbica, o movimento do DPH é restrito ao movimento \"wobbling\", limitado pelas cadeias alifáticas. Para o NBD em lipídios marcados, o movimento do análogo fluorescente como um todo depende da localização do fluoróforo e de sua conformação em ambas as fases das bicamadas lipídicas. Devido à localização do grupo fluorescente da sonda Ahba na interface das bicamadas lipídicas, verificamos que seu movimento rotacional aumenta à medida que a bicamada torna-se mais fluida, mostrando uma dependência deste movimento com a microviscosidade destas bicamadas. / The study of amphiphilic aggregates is extremely important due to their cell membrane mimic, which are essential for the life of the cell. It is known that phospholipids do not have molecular structure well defined in membranes, but play an essential role in maintaining of their integrity. Zwitterionic phospholipids are one of the main components of cell membranes, and a simplified model for the membranes are the bilayers they can form in aqueous medium. The main characteristic of lipid bilayers is the self-organization of lipids, making it necessary to study natural and spontaneous process, as their structural and dynamical properties. The fluorescence spectroscopy has been used to study many processes and systems of biological interest, especially by measurement of fluorescence anisotropy, which gives information about the rotational dynamics of the fluorescent probe inserted in the systems of interest, reflecting the combined effects of flexibility, fluidity and static interactions with surrounding molecules. In this work we examined the structural and dynamic properties of phospholipid model membranes formed of 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocoline DPPC by techniques related to fluorescence spectroscopy, mainly by measurements of steady-state and time resolved anisotropy of the probes 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene (DPH), 7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazol-yl (NBD) attached to different regions of phospholipid molecules and also the lipophilic probe 2-amino-N-hexadecyl-benzamide (Ahba). The measurements were perfomed above and below of the phase transition temperature of the phospholipid bilayers of DPPC, gel and liquid-crystalline phase, due to the difference in the lateral organization of hydrocarbon chains in these two phases. Measures of dynamic light scattering (DLS) was performed to confirm the formation of the unilamellar vesicles by extrusion of lipid suspension containing multilamellar vesicles, and the technique of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was used to verify if the low concentration of fluorescent probes in lipid vesicles affect its packing. From the results, we found that the behavior of the three different fluorescent probes differ in both phases of phospholipid bilayers, revealing their structural and dynamic properties, mainly because to specific locations of the fluorophores. We verify that, due to the affinity for the hydrophobic region, the motion of the DPH is restricted to the \"wobbling\" motion, limited by hydrocarbon chains. For the NBD labeled in lipids, the motion of the fluorescent analogues as a whole depends on the location of the fluorophore and on the lipid conformation in both phases of lipid bilayers. Because of the location of the fluorescent group of the probe Ahba in the interface of lipid bilayers, we found that its rotational motion increases as the bilayers becomes more fluid, showing a dependency of the motion with the microviscosity of these bilayers.

L’objection générale de ces travaux est de comprendre les mécanismes d’interaction de molécules d’intérêt avec les membranes afin de faciliter la synthèse de molécules plus efficaces contre leurs cibles tout en étant moins toxique pour l’Homme. Dans la première partie de ces travaux, nous avons étudié les interactions entre ces modèles membranaires et les polyènes antifongiques, connus pour interagir avec les stérols des membranes plasmiques. Nous nous sommes particulièrement intéressés à la Nystatine et à l’Amphotéricine B, deux molécules de structure chimique très proche et actuellement utilisées dans l’industrie pharmaceutique. L’utilisation de différents modèles membranaires et de techniques adaptées a montré que la PhosphatidylEthanolamine avait très vraisemblablement un rôle primordial dans le mécanisme d’interaction de ces molécules avec les membranes. Dans la deuxième partie de ces travaux, nous nous sommes intéressés à l’inhibition de la formation du cristal d’hémozoïne formé lors de la croissance du parasite responsable du paludisme. Ce cristal est formé d’hématine, hautement toxique pour le parasite. L’hématine et l’inhibition de la formation de l’hémozoïne constituent une cible moléculaire idéale pour combattre cette maladie. La chloroquine, la méfoquine et de nouveaux inhibiteurs dérivés de la méfloquine ont été utilisés. L’étude de l’inhibition de la formation du cristal s’est faite en utilisant des monocouches de Langmuir, servant ainsi de biocapteurs. Ces travaux ont montré que l’énantiomérie, mais aussi la lipophilicité des nouveaux composés antipaludiques sont des paramètres importants en vue de la synthèse de molécules plus efficaces. / The main purpose of this work is to better understand the mechanisms of interaction between pharmaceutical relevant molecules and model membranes in order to facilitate the synthesis of new molecules, more efficient against their molecular target and less toxic for Humans. In the first part, we studied the interactions occuring between these models and antifungal polyene molecules. It has been reported that these molecules interacted preferentially with sterols. We specifically focused on Nystatin and Amphotericin B, two polyenes with a very similar chemical structure and presently used as a treatment against fungi and molds. Using different kind of model membranes, we showed PhosphatidylEthanolamine could have a very important role in the mechanism of action of these molecules. In the second part of this work, we studied the inhibition of the formation of a cristal called « hemozoïn », which is growing during the life cycle of the parasite responsible of malaria. This cristal is made of hematin, a toxic by-product of the degradation of hemoglobin, the main source of amino-acids for the parasite. Hematin and the inhibition of the growth of this cristal is a ideal molecular target to combat malaria. Chloroquine, mefloquine and new mefloquine-derivatives were studied. The study of the inhibition of the formation of the cristal was done using Langmuir monolayers as a biosensor. We showed that stereochemistry, but also lipophilicity of these compounds, are important parameters for the synthesis of more efficient antimalarial molecules.

No description available.