Plasmodium falciparum est responsable de la forme la plus grave de paludisme avec plus de 600 000 décès par an. L'absence de vaccin efficace, combinée à l'émergence de résistances aux traitements récurrents, exige le développement de nouvelles molécules. Afin de limiter ces résistances, il est nécessaire de cibler de nouvelles voies métaboliques indispensables à la survie du parasite. Ce travail de thèse repose sur l'étude de deux voies métaboliques essentielles au parasite que sont la voie de recyclage des bases puriques et la voie de biosynthèse des ancres glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI).En ce qui concerne la voie de recyclage des bases puriques, la détermination des structures cristallines de l' « IMP specific 5‘-nucleotidase » (PfISN1) associée aux études biochimiques et biophysiques (SAXS, EM, MALS…), a permis de préciser le mécanisme d'action fournissant ainsi une base solide pour la mise au point d'inhibiteurs. Une banque de plus 3000 composés a été criblée par Fluorimétrie à Balayage Différentiel et les effets des molécules sélectionnées seront évalués sur l'enzyme et sur la croissance du parasite en culture.Quatre cibles thérapeutiques potentielles appartenant à la voie de biosynthèse des ancres GPI ont été sélectionnées. L'utilisation de plusieurs systèmes d'expression disponibles au laboratoire (bactérie, levure, acellulaire en germe de blé) ou via des plateformes européennes pour l‘expression en cellules de mammifères HEK293T (Oxford), de cellules BHK21 transfectées avec le virus de la vaccine modifié, T7-MVA, (Strasbourg) ou la plateforme ESPRIT (Grenoble) ont permis de passer outre les difficultés rencontrées pour exprimer les protéines d'intérêt. L'une des quatre cibles, la mannose-1-phosphate guanylyltransférase (PfMPG), a pu être exprimée de manière suffisante quantitativement et qualitativement pour une caractérisation biochimique et structurale. Une analyse par SAXS et cristallographie aux rayons X a été réalisée / Plasmodium falciparum is responsible for the most severe form of malaria with more than 600,000 deaths per year. The lack of an effective vaccine, combined with the emergence of drug resistant parasites, necessitates the development of new drugs. In order to limit these resistances, it is necessary to target new metabolic pathways essential for parasite survival. This thesis work is based on the study of two metabolic pathways essential to the parasite, the purine salvage pathways and the glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchor biosynthesis pathway.Concerning the purine salvage pathway, the determination of the crystal structures of the IMP -specific 5'-nucleotidase (PfISN1) associated with biochemical and biophysical studies (SAXS, EM, MALS, etc.) have allowed to propose a reaction mechanism, thereby providing a solid basis for the conception and development of inhibitors. A library of more than 3000 compounds was screened by Differential Scanning Fluorimetry and the selected molecules will be evaluated for their inhibitory effect on the enzyme and on the growth of parasites in culture.Four potential therapeutic targets belonging to the GPI anchor biosynthesis pathway were selected. The use of several in-house available expression systems (bacteria, yeast, and acellular wheat germ) as well as European platforms for the expression in HEK293T mammalian cells (Oxford), in BHK21 cells transfected with the modified vaccinia virus, T7-MVA, (Strasbourg) or the ESPRIT platform (Grenoble) has allowed us to overcome the difficulties encountered on obtaining the selected protein targets. One of the four targets has been expressed in sufficient amount and quality for biochemical- and structural characterization, namely the mannose-1-phosphate guanylyltransferase (PfMPG). SAXS and X-ray crystallography analyses have been carried out

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disorder of multiple etiology characterized by chronic hyperglycemia resulting from deficiency of production and / or insulin action. This state of hyperglycemia may cause a variety of cardiovascular, renal, neurological and eye complications. Adenosine deaminase (ADA), ecto-5 'nucleotidase (5'NT) and Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) are important enzymes responsible for regulating the levels of adenosine (ado) and acetylcholine (ACh) respectively, and changes in their activities have been demonstrated in various diseases, including Diabetes. Syzygium cumini is a plant mostly used for the treatment of DM and presents hypoglycemic, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic and antioxidants properties. The aim of this study was to verify the effect of aqueous leaf extract of Syzygium cumini (ASc) in 100 and 200μg/mL concentrations, in vitro, on enzymes 5'NT in platelets, ADA in erythrocytes and platelets and AChE in erythrocytes, as well as on parameters of oxidative stress in samples of Type 2 diabetic patients. The results showed an increase in the activity of ADA and 5'NT in platelets from diabetic (n=30) compared to the control group (n=17), as well as in the levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive species (TBARS). ASc at concentrations of 100 and 200 μg / mL was able to reverse these effects. Correlations between 5 NT activity and triglycerides levels, as well as between ADA activity and glucose levels were also found in this work. An increase in the activity of enzymes ADA and AChE in erythrocytes of patients with type 2 diabetes (n=30) compared to the control group (n=20), as well as changes in parameters of oxidative stress, such as increased levels of TBARS and decrease in superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and levels of non-protein sulfhydryl groups (NP-SH) in these cells also were observed. Likewise, ASc reduced the ADA and AChE activities and lipid peroxidation, and reversed the effect of the evaluated oxidative parameters. Still, there were found significant positive correlations between levels of Vitamin C and protein sulfhydryl groups (P-SH), plasma glucose and levels of P-SH and NP-SH, levels of P-SH and ADA activity, besides a negative correlation between TBARS and NP-SH levels. Therefore, it is possible to suggest that the ASc was able to promote a compensatory response in the platelet function and may act in the maintenance of adenosine levels and vasodilatation and thereby, contributes to the maintenance of the vascular integrity which is important in the hyperglycemic state. It is also possible that ASc might modulate the levels of ACh, interfering with oxidative stress and / or inflammatory processes from the diabetic state. So far, these results confirm the already known antioxidants properties of Syzygium cumini, which makes this compound present significant effects on the cellular metabolism, as well as the reduction and prevention of cardiovascular disease risk in diabetics. / O Diabetes mellitus (DM) é uma disfunção metabólica de múltipla etiologia caracterizado por hiperglicemia crônica resultante da deficiência da produção e/ou ação da insulina. Esse estado de hiperglicemia pode provocar uma série de complicações cardiovasculares, renais, neurológicas e oculares. A adenosina deaminase (ADA), ecto-5 nucleotidase (5 NT) e acetilcolinesterase (AChE) são importantes enzimas responsáveis por regular os níveis de adenosina (ado) e acetilcolina (ACh), respectivamente, e alterações nas suas atividades têm sido demonstradas em várias doenças, incluindo o DM. O Syzygium cumini é uma das plantas mais utilizadas no tratamento do DM, apresenta propriedades hipoglicêmicas, antiinflamatórias, antipiréticas e antioxidantes. O objetivo deste estudo foi verificar o efeito do extrato aquoso das folhas de Syzygium cumini (ASc), nas concentrações de 100 e 200 μg/mL, in vitro, sobre as enzimas 5 NT em plaquetas, ADA em eritrócitos e plaquetas e AChE em eritrócitos, bem como sobre parâmetros de estresse oxidativo em amostras de pacientes diabéticos Tipo 2. Os resultados demonstraram um aumento na atividade das enzimas ADA e 5 NT em plaquetas de diabéticos (n=30) em relação ao grupo controle (n=17), assim como nos níveis de espécies reativas ao ácido tiobarbitúrico (TBARS). ASc, nas concentrações de 100 e 200 μg/mL foi capaz de reverter estes efeitos. Correlações entre a atividade da 5 NT e os níveis de triglicerídeos, bem como entre a atividade da ADA e os níveis de glicose também foram encontradas nesse trabalho. Um aumento na atividade das enzimas ADA e AChE em eritrócitos de pacientes com Diabetes tipo 2 (n=30) em relação ao grupo controle (n=20), além de alterações nos parâmetros de estresse oxidativo, como aumento nos níveis de TBARS e redução na atividade da enzima Superóxido Dismutase (SOD) e nos níveis de grupamentos sulfidrílicos não protéicos (NP-SH) nessas células também foram observados. Igualmente, ASc reduziu a atividade das enzimas ADA e AChE e a lipoperoxidação, e reverteu o efeito dos parâmetros oxidantes avaliados. Ainda foram encontradas correlações positivas significativas entre os níveis de Vitamina C e grupamentos sulfidrílicos protéicos (P-SH), glicose plasmática e níveis de P-SH e NP-SH, níveis de P-SH e atividade da ADA, além de correlação negativa entre os níveis de TBARS e NP-SH. Portanto, é possível sugerir que o ASc foi capaz de promover uma resposta compensatória na função plaquetária, podendo atuar na manutenção dos níveis de adenosina e na vasodilatação e, assim, contribuindo para a manutenção da integridade vascular importante no estado hiperglicêmico, tendo em vista o papel cardioprotetor exercido pela mesma. Também é possível que ASc possa modular os níveis de ACh, interferindo no estresse oxidativo e/ou nos processos inflamatórios provenientes do estado diabético. Ao mesmo tempo esses resultados corroboram com as já conhecidas propriedades antioxidantes de Syzygium cumini, o que faz com que esse composto apresente efeitos significativos no metabolismo celular, bem como na redução e prevenção do risco de doença cardiovascular em diabéticos.

Escherichia coli 5'-nucleotidase is a periplasmically localised enzyme capable of hydrolysing a broad range of substrates, including all 5'-ribo- and 5'-deoxyribonucleotides, uridine diphosphate sugars, and a number of synthetic substrates such as bis (r-nitrophenyl) phosphate. The enzyme has been shown to contain at least one zinc ion following purification, and to have two metal binding sites in the catalytic cleft. 5'-Nucleotidase activity is significantly stimulated by the addition of particular divalent metal ions, most notably cobalt which results in a 30-50 fold increase in activity. Significant sequence homology between the E. coli 5'-nucleotidase and members of the Ser/Thr protein phosphatase family in the catalytic site has lead to 5'-nucleotidase being included in this protein family. This thesis describes the development of a rapid purification methodology for milligram quantities of 5'-nucleotidase, and the investigation of a number of physical and biochemical properties of the enzyme with the aim of comparing these properties to those of certain catalytic site mutants. The molecular weight of the mature protein was estimated as 58219 daltons, with a specific activity for 5'-AMP, in the presence of 4 mM Co2+ and 13 mM Ca2+ at pH 6.0, of 730 mmol/min/mg. The presence of up to two zinc ions associated with the purified enzyme was observed using ICP-ES analysis, suggesting both metal ion binding sites are occupied by zinc in vivo, and some degree of displacement of zinc by cobalt could be observed. Mass spectrometry data, gathered at 60 and 70 mS orifice potential, suggested the presence of a small proportion of material with a mass 118 to 130 daltons greater than the main 5'-nucleotidase mass estimation. This study suggests that this mass difference, only evident at the lower orificepotential, is due to the presence of two zinc ions closely associated with 5'-nucleotidase. To account for the observed high level of activation of 5'-nucleotidase activity by particular divalent metal ions, this thesis describes a proposed model in which these divalent ions may displace the zinc ion at one of the metal ion binding sites. This displacement only occurs at one of the two metal ion binding sites, with the other metal binding site retaining the zinc ion already present. Studies with purified enzyme, each with a single amino acid substitution, lend support to this hypothesis and suggest the identity of the metal ion binding site at which displacement occurs. Seven key catalytic site residues (Asp-41, His-43, Asp-84, His-117, Glu-118, His-217 and His-252) were selected on the basis of sequence conservation within the Ser/Thr protein phosphatases and 5'-nucleotidases. X-ray crystallographic data published by others during this study implicated five of the selected residues (Asp-41, His-43, Asp-84, His-217 and His-252) directly in metal ion binding, including two residues from each metal ion binding site and one directly involved in both sites (Asp-84). The remaining two residues (His-117 and Glu-118) are highly conserved but were not thought to play direct roles in metal ion binding. The seven selected residues were modified by site-directed mutagenesis, and the effect of the amino acid substitutions upon the kinetic properties of 5'-nucleotidase activity was determined. Residues hypothesised to be involved in metal ion displacement, and subsequent activation of 5'-nucleotidase activity, were identified by reductions in metal ion affinity and increased levels of activation by cobalt compared to the wild type 5'-nucleotidase. This study suggests that the metal binding site, M2, that includes residues Asp-84, His-217 and His-252, is involved in metal ion displacement, while the other metal binding site, M1, is not. This, in turn, suggests the metal binding sites are functionally non-equivalent and kinetically distinct. No residues were identified in this study as playing significant roles in substrate binding, as there was no significant reduction observed in affinity for 5'-AMP observed in any of the catalytic site mutants.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Nucleotide- and nucleoside-degrading enzymes are present in the surface of platelets, blood cells involved in clotting disturbances of Trypanosoma evansi-infected animals. Thus, this study was aimed at evaluating the activity of the enzymes NTPDase, 5 - nucleotidase and adenosine deaminase in platelets of rats experimentally infected by T. evansi. Animals were divided into four groups, according to the degree of parasitemia. Samples were collected at days 3 (group A: at the beginning of parasitemia), 5 (group B: high parasitemia) and 15 (group C: chronic infection). Group D (control group) was composed of non-infected animals. Blood samples with citrate as the anticoagulant were collected and used for platelet separation and enzymatic assays. NTPDase, 5 - nucleotidase and adenosine deaminase (ADA) activities were decreased (p<0.05) in platelets from rats of groups A and B, when compared to the control group. In group C, only NTPDase and 5 -nucleoside activities were decreased (p<0.001), observed by ADP and AMP hydrolysis. The correlation between platelet count and nucleotide and nucleoside hydrolysis was positive and statistically significant (p<0.05) in groups A and B. Platelet aggregation of all infected groups was decreased in comparison to the control group (p<0.05). Based upon the results, it is concluded that the alterations observed in the activity of the enzymes NTPDase, 5 -nucleotidase and adenosine deaminase in platelets of T. evansi-infected animals might be related to thrombocytopenia. / Nucleotide- and nucleoside-degrading enzymes are present in the surface of platelets, blood cells involved in clotting disturbances of Trypanosoma evansi-infected animals. Thus, this study was aimed at evaluating the activity of the enzymes NTPDase, 5 - nucleotidase and adenosine deaminase in platelets of rats experimentally infected by T. evansi. Animals were divided into four groups, according to the degree of parasitemia. Samples were collected at days 3 (group A: at the beginning of parasitemia), 5 (group B: high parasitemia) and 15 (group C: chronic infection). Group D (control group) was composed of non-infected animals. Blood samples with citrate as the anticoagulant were collected and used for platelet separation and enzymatic assays. NTPDase, 5 - nucleotidase and adenosine deaminase (ADA) activities were decreased (p<0.05) in platelets from rats of groups A and B, when compared to the control group. In group C, only NTPDase and 5 -nucleoside activities were decreased (p<0.001), observed by ADP and AMP hydrolysis. The correlation between platelet count and nucleotide and nucleoside hydrolysis was positive and statistically significant (p<0.05) in groups A and B. Platelet aggregation of all infected groups was decreased in comparison to the control group (p<0.05). Based upon the results, it is concluded that the alterations observed in the activity of the enzymes NTPDase, 5 -nucleotidase and adenosine deaminase in platelets of T. evansi-infected animals might be related to thrombocytopenia.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Inflammatory and degenerative pathophysiological processes within the central nervous system (CNS) and platelets are important causes of human disease promoted by cigarette smoke. The objective of the present study was to evaluate activity of the enzymes that hydrolyze nucleotides and nucleosides in synaptosomes of cerebral cortex and platelets from rats exposed to aged and sidestream diluted smoke of commercial cigarettes. The animals were randomly divided into two groups (ten rats in each group): control (not exposed to cigarette smoke) and smoke (exposed to cigarette smoke). The smoke group was exposed via inhalation through the nose only 15 minutes per day inside a cigarette smoke exposure chamber during 3 weeks. The results demonstrated that E-NTPDase (with ATP and ADP as substrate) activity was significantly higher in the smoke group (p<0.05), while the 5'- nucleotidase with AMP as substrate demonstrated decreased activity in the smoke group (p<0.05). However, in platelets activities demonstrated that E-NPP and ENTPDase with ATP as substrate and 5´-nucleotidase with AMP as substrate were significantly higher in the smoke group (p<0.05) as compared to the control group, while E-NTPDase with ADP as substrate demonstrated decreased activity in the smoke group (p<0.05). A decrease of adenosine, a neuroprotective nucleoside, was observed in brain, which could lead to damage of the brain tissue. However, in platelets, there was an increase of adenosine, which may reflect adaptative changes. These alterations caused by cigarette smoke on ectonucleotidase activities may assist in verifying pathophysiological effects in biological systems. / Os processos patofisiológicos inflamatórios e degenerativos no sistema nervoso central (SNC) e plaquetas são importantes causas de doenças humanas promovidas pela fumaça de cigarro. O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar a atividade das enzimas que hidrolisam nucleotídeos e nucleosídeos em sinaptossomas de córtex cerebral e plaquetas de ratos expostos à fumaça envelhecida e diluída inalada por via secundária de cigarros comerciais. Os animais foram aleatoriamente divididos em dois grupos (10 ratos por grupo): controle (não exposto a fumaça de cigarro) e fumo (exposto a fumaça de cigarro). O grupo fumo foi exposto à fumaça de cigarro 15 minutos por dia no interior de uma câmara de exposição durante 3 semanas. Em relação ao sinaptossoma de córtex cerebral os resultados demonstraram que a atividade da E-NTPDase (ATP e ADP como substrato) aumentou significativamente no grupo exposto à fumaça de cigarro (p<0.05) e a atividade da 5'-nucleotidase (AMP com substrato) diminuiu neste grupo (p<0.05), comparado ao grupo controle. Nas plaquetas foi demonstrado um aumento na atividade das enzimas E-NPP e ENTPDase (ATP como substrato) e 5 -nucleotidase (AMP como substrato) no grupo exposto à fumaça de cigarro (p<0.05) quando comparado ao grupo controle. Já a ENTPDase (ADP como substrato) demonstrou uma diminuição de sua atividade no grupo exposto à fumaça de cigarro (p<0.05). Pode-se sugerir que a provável diminuição da adenosina, uma molécula neuroprotetora, pode levar ao dano no tecido do encéfalo. Entretanto, em plaquetas, houve um aumento da adenosina, a qual pode refletir mudanças adaptativas. As alterações na atividade das ectonucleotidases em animais submetidos à exposição de fumaça de cigarro podem contribuir na elucidação de seus efeitos patológicos em sistemas biológicos.

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico / Diabetes mellitus is a major public health problem throughout the world. Besides the most common complications in the peripheral nervous system, diabetes may also cause a series of cognitive, structural and functional alterations in the central nervous system (CNS). Acetylcholinesterase (AChE), NTPDase and 5 -nucleotidase are important enzymes involved in neurotransmission and alterations in their activities have been observed in various diseases including diabetes. Resveratrol is a polyphenol abundant in grapes and red wine that possesses many biological activities such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective. In this context, the objective of the present study was to investigate the effect of resveratrol on the activity of the enzymes AChE, NTPDase and 5 -nucleotidase in the brain from streptozotocin (STZ) -induced diabetic rats. Furthermore, the effects of diabetes and resveratrol on memory were investigated through the inhibitory avoidance test. The following groups were studied: Control/saline; Control/RV 10 mg/kg; Control/RV 20 mg/kg; Diabetic/saline; Diabetic/RV 10 mg/kg; Diabetic/RV 20 mg/kg. The animals were treated during 30 days after which time they were sacrificed and samples were collected for enzymatic assays. The results demonstrated that AChE activity in the supernatant of cortex, striatum, hippocampus, cerebellum, hypothalamus and cerebral cortex synaptosomes were increased in the diabetic/saline group compared to the control/saline group. Treatment with resveratrol prevented the increase of AChE activity in the diabetic/RV 10 and diabetic/RV 20 groups. When resveratrol was administered per se, a decrease in AChE activities was observed in the cortex, striatum and hippocampus in the control/RV 10mg/kg and control/RV 20 groups. In the inhibitory avoidance test, a decrease in step down latency was observed in the diabetic/saline group and the treatment with resveratrol prevented this increase in the diabetic /RV 10 and diabetic/RV 20 groups. In relation to NTPDase and 5 - nucleotidase, an increase in the activities was observed in the diabetic/saline group. Treatment with resveratrol produced a more pronounced increase in the activities of these enzymes in the diabetic /RV 10 and diabetic/RV 20 groups. When administered per se, resveratrol also triggered an increase in NTPDase and 5 -nucleotidase. The results obtained in the present study demonstrate that AChE, NTPDase and 5 - nucleotidase activities are altered in diabetic rats and treatment with resveratrol was able to modulate the activity of these enzymes, indicating that this compound may be promising in the treatment of disorders in the cholinergic and purinergic neurotransmission in the diabetic state. / O diabetes mellitus é um dos maiores problemas de saúde pública no mundo. Além das principais complicações no sistema nervoso periférico o diabetes pode também causar uma série de alterações cognitivas, funcionais e estruturais no sistema nervoso central (SNC). A acetilcolinesterase (AChE), NTPDase e 5 -nucleotidase são importantes enzimas envolvidas na neurotransmissão e alterações na sua atividade tem sido encontradas em várias doenças incluindo o diabetes. O resveratrol é um polifenol abundante em uvas e no vinho tinto, e possui muitas atividades biológicas como antioxidante, antiinflamatória e neuroprotetora. Neste contexto, o objetivo do presente estudo foi investigar o efeito do resveratrol na atividade das enzimas AChE, NTPDase e 5 -nucleotidase em encéfalo de ratos diabéticos induzidos com estreptozotocina. Além disso, foi investigado o efeito do diabetes e do resveratrol na memória através do teste de esquiva inibitória. Os seguintes grupos foram estudados (n=8-13): Controle/salina; Controle/RV 10mg/kg; Controle/RV 20 mg/kg; Diabético/salina; Diabético/RV 10 mg/kg; Diabético/RV 20 mg/kg. O tratamento foi realizado por 30 dias e após este período os animais foram sacrificados e as amostras coletadas para os ensaios enzimáticos. Os resultados demonstraram que a atividade da AChE em sobrenadante de córtex, estriado, hipocampo, cerebelo, hipotálamo e em sinaptossomas de córtex cerebral está aumentada no grupo diabético/salina comparado para o grupo controle/salina. O tratamento com resveratrol foi capaz de prevenir o aumento da atividade da AChE nos grupos diabético/RV 10 e diabético/RV 20. Quando o resveratrol foi administrado per se um decréscimo na atividade da AChE no córtex estriado e hipocampo nos grupos controle/RV 10; controle/RV 20 foi observado comparado com o grupo controle /salina. Na tarefa de esquiva inibitória um decréscimo no tempo de latência foi observado no grupo diabético/salina e o tratamento com resveratrol preveniu este decréscimo nos grupos diabético/RV 10 e diabético/RV 20. Em relação a NTPDase e 5 -nucleotidase um aumento na atividade foi observado no grupo diabético/salina comparado para o grupo controle/salina. O tratamento com resveratrol potencializou o aumento na atividade destas enzimas nos grupos diabético/RV 10 e diabético/RV 20. Quando administrado per se, o resveratrol também provocou um aumento na atividade da NTPDase e da 5 -nucleotidase. Os resultados obtidos no presente estudo demonstram que a atividade da AChE, NTPDase e 5 -nucleotidase está alterada em ratos diabéticos e o tratamento com resveratrol foi capaz de modular a atividade destas enzimas indicando que este composto pode ser promissor no tratamento de desordens na neurotransmissão colinérgica e purinérgica causadas no estado diabético.

Orientador: Anete Pereira de Souza / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Biologia / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-14T21:21:36Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Saraiva_AntonioMarcos_D.pdf: 12032714 bytes, checksum: 1262a05ca10735e855fa138a2093d04b (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009 / Resumo: A linhagem 9a5c da bactéria Xylella fastidiosa foi o primeiro fitopatógeno a ter seu genoma completamente sequenciado, o qual gerdu diversas informações sobre seu metabolismo e patogenicidade. Das orfs codificadas por esta bactéria, destaca-se; no presente trabalho, a XF0703, cuja proteína correlata (com 28,3 kDa) possui similaridade com proteínas SurE de várias outras bactérias. Proteínas SurEs são nucleotidases que desfosforilam diversos nucleosideos monofosforilados para seus respectivos nucleosideos. Tal função é de fundamental importância para manter o pool balanceado dos quatro (deoxi)ribonucleosideos para síntese de DNA e RNA, respectivamente. Este trabalho descreve a clonagem da orfXF0703 no vetor pET29a, a expressão da proteína recombinante (XfSurE) em Escheríchia coli BL21(DE3) e a purificação da mesma por cromatografia de afinidade ao níquel. A análise da estrutura secundária foi feita por dicroísmo circular e realizou-se a determinação do estado oligomérico por cromatografia de gel filtração e espalhamento de luz a baixo ângulo (SAXS), os quais revelaram que a proteína é um tetrâmero. Dados de caracterização funcional indicam que a proteína possui maior atividade em pH neutro na presença do íon manganês como cofator, com uma maior afinidade pelo substrato 3'-AMP (K0,5=0,16 mM). Além disso, ensaios cinéticos mostram que a proteína possui um comportamento alostérico com alta cooperatividade positiva (coeficiente de Hill em torno de 2,6) com todos os quatro substratos naturais testados (3'-AMP, 5'-dAMP, 5'-AMP e 5-GMP). Experimentos com a técnica de SAXS permitiram calcular o raio de giro (32,7 ± 0.2 A), distância máxima intramolecular (100 A) e a simetria do envelope da molécula (222). A estrutura de diversas SurEs homólogas já cristalizadas foram superpostas ao envelope obtido, sendo que StSurE (SurE de Salmonella com maior idenjidade de aminoácidos) mostrou ter o melhor ajuste. No entanto, notou-se que havia espaços vazios no envelope de XfSurE e tais espaços podiam ser preenchidos a partir do afastamento das alças responsáveis pela tetramerização e pela rotação dos f dímeros. Estes movimentos (translação e rotação) podem explicar o comportamento alostérico da proteína, facilitando a entrada de substrato ao sítio catalítico da molécula. / Abstract: The 9a5c strain from bacterium Xylella fastidiosa was the first phytopathogen to have its genome completely sequenced, which revealed a lot of information about its metabolism and its pathogenicity. 'From a variety of orfs encoded by this bacterium, we highlight, in this work, the XF0703, which correlated protein (with 28.3 kDa) has similarity with SurE proteins from several other bacteria. The SurE proteins *are nucleotidases that dephosphorylate various monophosphorylated nucleosides to their respective nucleosides. This function is critical for maintaining the balanced pool of four (deoxy) ribonucleosides for DNA and RNA synthesis. In this work, we describes the cloning of the XF0703 orf into the vector pET29a, the recombinant protein overexpression (XfSurE) in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3) and the protein purification by nickel affinity chromatography. The secondary structure analysis was done by circular dichroism, while oligomeric state determination was achieved by gel filtration chromatography and small-angle X-ray light scattering (SAXS), which showed that the protein is a tetramer. Functional characterization data indicate that the protein has a highest activity at neutral pH in the presence of manganese as a cofactor, with a highest affinity for the 3-AMP substrate (K0,5 = 0,16 mM). Furthermore, kinetic tests showed that the protein has a allosteric behavior with a high positive cooperativity (Hill coefficient around 2.6) for all natural substrates screened (3-AMP, 5'-dAMP, 5'-AMP and 5'-GMP). Experiments with SAXS technique have allowed to calculate the radius of gyration (32.7 ± 0.2 A), maximum intramolecular distance (100 A) and molecule symmetry. / Doutorado / Genetica de Microorganismos / Doutor em Genetica e Biologia Molecular

Extracellular adenosine has the potential to influence many aspects of target cell metabolism. The present study has determined the endogenous levels of adenosine in the pregnant mouse uterus and developing embryodecidual unit with respect to the expression of two key enzymes of adenosine metabolism, 5′‐nucleotidase (5′‐NT; EC 3.1.3.5) and adenosine deaminase (ADA; EC 3.5.4.4). To measure adenosine levels, nucleoside extracts were etheno‐derivatized and quantitated by high‐performance liquid chromatography‐fluorescence detection (0.03 pmol/mg protein sensitivity). Adenosine levels were determined to be 0.18 nmol/mg protein in the nonpregnant uterus; however, two statistically significant changes were identified in the pregnant uterus: (1) a periimplantation surge between day 3 (0.24 nmol/mg protein) and day 5 (0.59 nmol/mg protein) of gestation (plug day 0; implantation day 4); and (2) an early postimplantation decline between day 6 (0.54 nmol/mg protein) and day 7 (0.10 nmol/mg protein). The periimplantation adenosine surge coincided with uterine expression of 5′‐NT, an enzyme which catalyzes the irreversible dephos‐phorylation of 5′‐AMP to adenosine. 5′‐NT expression was shown by Northern blot analysis to peak in the embryo‐decidual unit on day 5 of gestation and then to decline through day 9; transcripts remained elevated in the placenta between day 9 and day 13 (the latest day examined in this study). By use of specific enzyme histochemistry, most 5′‐NT activity was localized to the primary decidual zone on day 5. This expression subsequently declined during regression of the primary decidua; however, 5′‐NT appeared on giant trophoblast (days 7–13) and the metrial gland (days 11–13). Other purine catabolic enzymes degrading AMP (adenylate deaminase) or generating adenosine (S‐adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase) were not detected in the embryo‐decidual unit suggesting that the net flux of utero‐placental AMP catabolism proceeds with adenosine as an intermediate, this being the major pathway of adenosine formation. The sharp drop in adenosine levels between day 6 and day 7 coincided with a rise in the activity and mRNA expression of ADA, an enzyme which catalyzes the irreversible deamination of adenosine to inosine. ADA was previously localized to the secondary decidual zone (days 6–11), secondary giant cells (days 7–13), and spongiotrophoblasts (days 8–13) in the mouse (Knudsen et al., 1991). Results of developmental Northern blot analysis demonstrated a direct correlation of relative 5′‐NT/ADA mRNA band intensity to adenosine content between day 4 and day 9 of gestation, suggesting that the local availability of adenosine in the antimesometrium is dependent upon the distribution of these enzymatic activities. Purine nucleoside phosphorylase and xanthine oxidase, which are two catabolic enzymes acting subsequent to 5′‐NT and ADA in the sequential degradation of AMP to xanthine, remained low and constant in the tissues examined suggesting that the catabolic pathway is geared toward regulation of adenosine levels. These results suggest the establishment of an adenosine gradient across the developing antimesometrium. It is proposed that the source of adenosine is AMP released during uterine cell death, and that adenosine, in turn, serves as a regulatory signal to coordinate early postimplantation morphogenetic events with the progression of cell death at the uterine‐embryo interface.

Le cancer représente l'un des problèmes majeurs en santé publique. Jusqu'à présent, en parallèle de l'intervention chirurgical, plusieurs traitements ont été mis au point et largement utilisés en thérapie clinique telles que les chimiothérapies. Cependant, leur efficacité est parfois limitée et couplée à des effets secondaires très néfastes, laissant les patients dans une impasse thérapeutique. Par conséquent, de nouvelles approches thérapeutiques doivent être développées sur de nouvelles cibles avérées en oncologie afin d'apporter des soins personnalisés aux patients. La première partie de mon travail de thèse a été dédiée à la compréhension des mécanismes moléculaires de la nucléotidase cytosolique de type II (cN-II), une enzyme du métabolisme des purines dont l'implication dans des phénomènes de résistance à des traitements anticancéreux a pu être démontrée. Aussi, une étude sur la cinétique enzymatique à l'état pré-stationnaire et stationnaire a été entreprise sur la forme sauvage et une forme mutée de l'enzyme lui conférant une activité accrue fortement impliquée dans les cas de résistance. Par cette approche, il a été possible de décortiquer le mécanisme cinétique, de définir l'étape cinétiquement limitant afin d'identifier les intermédiaires prépondérants de la réaction pouvant être ciblés pour le développement de nouveaux inhibiteurs. Cette étude cinétique est présentée dans ce premier volet de la thèse. En second lieu, mon travail s'est focalisée sur un second membre de cette famille d'enzyme qui est l'ecto-5'-nucléotidase (CD73). Cette enzyme exprimée sous forme dimérique à la surface extracellulaire régule la concentration en adénosine extracellulaire (par hydrolyse de l'adénosine monophosphate), ce dernier étant un puissant immunosuppresseur de la réponse immune anticancéreuse. L'objectif de mon travail de thèse a été de développer de nouveaux inhibiteurs de type allostérique en utilisant une approche basée sur la structure tridimensionnelle et la dynamique moléculaire. Une des étapes clés a été tout d'abord de mettre au point un système expression hétérologue afin d'obtenir l'enzyme recombinante en quantité suffisante pour les études enzymatiques ultérieures. Différents systèmes d'expression ont été testés et seul le système en cellules d'insecte infectées par le baculovirus a permis d'obtenir l'enzyme active en grande quantité. En parallèle, une étude in silico a permis de reproduire la dynamique fonctionnelle de l'enzyme requise pour sa fonction. A partir de ses données, un criblage virtuel d'une chimiothèque de 324 000 molécules a été réalisé sur le site de dimérisation et a permis d'identifier 33 composés chefs de files. Parmi, ces composés, dix molécules se sont avérés être de puissants inhibiteurs de CD73 (Ki < 1 µM) avec un mécanisme d'inhibition de type allostérique ou non-compétitif. La cytotoxicité des composés a été évaluée sur des lignées cellulaires transformées ou tumorales montrant un effet uniquement à des concentrations très élevées (supérieures à 100 µM). L'étude des relations structure-fonction devrait permettre à présent de proposer de voies d'optimisation afin d'améliorer l'efficacité des composés les plus actifs afin d'aboutir à de nouveaux candidats médicaments. / Cancer burden still remains a major worldwide health problem. To date, several types of conventional anticancer treatments are widely used in clinical. However, the alternative effects of these treatments often leave patients impaired. Therefore, it is required to understand the unique medical needs of individual patients and to conduct effective, high–quality research focusing on the not yet identified oncotargets.The first part of my thesis is dedicated to decipher molecular basis of cN-II reaction. This study characterizes the steady state and transient state kinetics of cN-II wild type and hyperactive mutant which involved in cancer treatment resistance. Furthermore, the characterization of the rate-limiting step and reaction intermediates gave insights into the binding mechanisms and the development of small molecules inhibitors of cN-II.In the second part of this work, we aimed to investigate allosteric inhibitors of CD73 using structure-based drug design approach. In this study the suitable protein expression system was established for the production of sufficient quantities of fully active CD73. This work followed by in silico studies, including molecular dynamics, virtual screening, and hits identification and in vitro hits validations and kinetics characterizations. The cytotoxicity of the most powerful inhibitors exhibited on different cell types was determined. SAR studies gave insights into the binding mode of best compounds and function.

Adenosine (ADO) is an endogenous neuroprotectant. Under ischemic conditions ADO levels rise in the brain up to 100-fold. ADO in the brain is dependent on the movement across cell membranes by equilibrative nucleoside transporters (ENT) or produced from membrane bound ecto-5’ nucleotidase (eN). We used transgenic neurons with neuronal specific expression of human ENT1 (hENT1) and eN knockout (CD73 KO) astrocytes. The aim of this research was to determine the role of ENT1 and eN in ADO release from ischemic-like conditions in primary cultured neurons, astrocytes or co-cultures. Neurons primarily release intracellular ADO via ENTs; this effect was blocked by transporter inhibitor, dipyridamole (DPR). Astrocytes primarily convert ADO extracellularly from eN; this effect was with eN inhibitor α, β-methylene ADP (AOPCP). Combined neuron and KO astrocytes produced less ADO, extracellular ADO was inhibited by DPR but not AOPCP. Overall these results suggest that eN is prominent in the formation of ADO but other enzymes or pathways contribute to rising ADO levels in ischemic conditions.