Ce travail décrit la synthèse, l’oligomérisation et l’étude structurale de [alpha-N-amino]mères. En extrapolant une stratégie de synthèse originale d’alpha-hydrazinoacides optiquement purs développée au LCPM nous avons pu obtenir de manière satisfaisante les N-aminodipeptides, précurseurs indispensables à la suite du projet. Nous avons pu montrer que l’activation du partenaire acide impliqué dans la réaction clé de Mitsunobu, habituellement obtenue par l’utilisation du groupement phtalimide, pouvait être avantageusement réalisée par l’introduction d’une fonction hydrazone à caractère fortement électroattracteur. Une extension de cette méthode de synthèse sur résine est un résultat qui constitue une mise en œuvre efficace de la réaction de Mitsunobu en SPS. Les N-aminodipeptides obtenus ont ensuite été engagés dans des réactions d’oligomérisation. Une étude préliminaire en phase liquide a permis de démontrer la faisabilité d’un couplage peptidique classique entre deux unités pseudopeptidiques déprotégées. La suite de l’étude a été effectuée sur phase solide et nous a permis d’obtenir les tous premiers oligomères à squelette alpha-N-aminopeptidique jamais synthétisés à ce jour. Enfin, dans le troisième chapitre, ces oligomères ont été étudiés par modélisation moléculaire et par différentes méthodes spectroscopiques (RMN, IR) qui ont permis de mettre en évidence un repliement par l’établissement de liaisons hydrogène intramoléculaires / This work describes the synthesis, the oligomerization and the structural study of N-aminopeptides. By extrapolating an original strategy of hydrazinoacids synthesis developed in the LCPM we were able to obtain N-aminodipeptides in high optical purity in a satisfactory way. These compounds were the indispensable precursors in order to continue the project. We were able to show that the activation of the acidic partner involved in the key reaction of Mitsunobu usually obtained by the use of the phtalimide group, could be advantageously realized by the introduction of a hydrazone moiety with strong electron-withdrawing character. An extension of this method on solid support is a result which constitutes an effective application of a Mitsunobu protocol in Solid Phase Organic Chemistry. The N­aminodipeptides thus obtained were studied in reactions of oligomérisation. A preliminary study in liquid phase allowed to demonstrate that a classic peptidic coupling reaction could occur between two pseudopeptidic units. The continuation of the study was made on solid phase and allowed us to obtain the first [alpha-N-amino]peptides never synthesized to this day. Finally, in the third chapter, these oligomers were studied by molecular modelling and various spectroscopic methods (NMR, IR) who allowed to suggest a folding by the establishment of intramolecular hydrogen bonds

La contamination des ressources en eau potable et des terres agricoles par les pesticides qui entrent dans la chaine alimentaire est un problème environnemental et sanitaire majeur. Des études épidémiologiques ont montré un lien entre l’exposition aux pesticides et la maladie de Parkinson, mais peu d’études sont disponibles sur les autres pathologies neurodégénératives. Notre hypothèse est que les pesticides pourraient être des facteurs déclencheurs ou aggravants, communs aux maladies neurodégénératives.Au laboratoire, nous avons identifié par criblage sur la protéine prion, PrP, un composé nommé A6 décrit pour ses propriétés herbicides. A6 est un dérivé de l’α-terthiényl, molécule naturelle extraite des œillets d’inde. Le composé A6 a la capacité de promouvoir des formes oligomériques de la protéine prion sur une lignée cellulaire infectée par des prions. Mon projet de recherche visait à étudier les effets du bio-herbicide A6 sur l’agrégation et la propagation des prions in vivo. Des souris infectées par les prions ont été traitées avec différentes doses de cette molécule (5, 10 et 20 mg/kg). A la dose de 5 mg/kg, le composé A6 diminue le temps de survie des animaux avec une augmentation de la charge amyloïde. Tandis qu’aux plus fortes doses le traitement par A6 augmente la survie des souris avec une diminution de la charge amyloïde. Par un test de centrifugation rapide (RCA), nous avons montré que les faibles concentrations d’A6 favorisent la formation d’oligomères solubles de PrPSc SDS résistants (rSDS-PrPSc), alors que les plus fortes concentrations induisent des formes insolubles. L’analyse des cerveaux montre que seules les souris traitées avec 10 et 20 mg/kg d’A6 présentent des formes dimériques de rSDS-PrPSc. Cette étude montre une dualité d’effet du composé A6 : à de faibles doses, il favorise la pathologie probablement via des formes oligomériques solubles favorisant la réplication des prions. A de plus fortes doses, le composé A6 piègerait une partie de l’infectiosité des prions sous forme d’agrégats amorphes SDS résistants, bloquant la réplication des prions, et ayant un effet « protecteur ».Une recherche d’analogues structurels au composé A6 a permis l’identification d’une classe d’antifongiques commercialisés : les anilinopyrimidines. Cette famille est composée de 3 molécules : cyprodinil, mépanipyrim et pyriméthanil, qui luttent contre des champignons responsables de la pourriture grise des fruits. L’analyse de nombreux rapports a révélé que nous sommes chroniquement exposés à des résidus d’anilinopyrimidines. Dans cette deuxième étude, nous avons étudié l’effet de ces 3 fongicides dans plusieurs modèles de la maladie d’Alzheimer (MA) et les conséquences sur les marqueurs de la pathologie. Des études d’incubation ex vivo associées à des expériences de cinétique d’agrégation de peptides Aβ1-42 ont montré que ces composés interagissent directement avec les peptides et accélèrent sa cinétique d’agrégation. Afin de déterminer leurs effets in vivo, nous avons exposé chroniquement des souris J20 à un cocktail des 3 fongicides via l’eau de boisson. Les souris ont été traitées à 0,1 μg/L (0,44 nM) de chaque composé, correspondant à la concentration maximale autorisée dans l’eau potable. Après 9 mois de traitement, l’analyse des souris J20 a montré une augmentation du nombre et de la surface des plaques amyloïdes au niveau de l’hippocampe et du cortex. Pour déterminer à quel moment se produit l’effet proagrégant du cocktail, une étude longitudinale d’apparition des agrégats à 3, 6 et 9 mois par microscopie biphotonique, a montré que les plaques amyloïdes augmentent entre 6 et 9 mois et que les pesticides exacerbent les agrégats vasculaires. Les anilinopyrimidines modifient la production et la clairance des peptides Aβ en augmentant l’expression de BACE1 et en diminuant l’expression de la néprilysine. Nos travaux montrent que les antifongiques aggravent la MA. / Contamination of the drinking water and agricultural lands by the use of pesticides entering into the food chain is a major environmental and health problem. Epidemiological studies have shown a link between pesticide exposure and Parkinson's disease, but few studies are available on other neurodegenerative disorders. Our hypothesis is that pesticides may be triggering or aggravating factors common to neurodegenerative diseases.In the laboratory, we identified by a screening on the prion protein, PrP, a compound named A6 described for its herbicidal properties. A6 is a derivative of α-terthienyl, a natural molecule extracted from marigolds. A6 compound has the ability to promote oligomeric forms of the prion protein on a prion-infected cell line. My research project aimed to study the effects of the bioherbicide A6 on prion aggregation and propagation in vivo. Mice infected with prions were treated with different doses of this molecule (5, 10 and 20 mg/kg). At the dose of 5 mg/kg, A6 compound decreases the survival time of animals with an increase of the amyloid load. While at the higher doses, A6 treatment increases survival of mice with a decreased amyloid burden. Using a rapid centrifugation assay (RCA), we have shown that low concentrations of A6 promote soluble SDS-resistant oligomers of PrPSc (rSDS-PrPSc), while higher concentrations favour insoluble forms. Brain analysis shows that only mice treated with 10 and 20 mg/kg of A6 exhibit dimeric forms of rSDS-PrPSc. This study shows a dual effect of A6 compound: at low doses, it strenghtens the pathology probably via soluble oligomeric forms favouring the replication of prions. At higher doses, A6 compound would trap part of the infectivity of prions as SDS resistant amorphous aggregates, blocking prion replication, and thus having a “protective” effectA search for structural analogs of A6 compound allowed the identification of a class of commercial antifungals: anilinopyrimidines. This family is composed of 3 molecules: cyprodinil, mepanipyrim and pyrimethanil, used to fight against fungi responsible for the gray mold of fruits. Analysis of many reports have revealed that we are chronically exposed to residues of anilinopyrimidines. In this second study, we evaluated the impact of the 3 fungicides in several models of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and their consequences on pathological markers. Ex vivo incubation studies associated to kinetics of fibril formation of Aβ1-42 peptides have shown that these compounds interact directly with Aβ peptides and accelerate its kinetics of aggregation. To determine their effects in vivo, we chronically exposed J20 mice to a cocktail of the 3 fungicides through drinking water. Mice were treated with 0.1 μg/L (0.44 nM) of each compound, corresponding to the maximal concentration allowed in the tap water. After 9 months of treatment, analysis of J20 mice showed an increase in the number and surface of plaques in the hippocampus and cortex. To determine the moment when the pro-aggregative effect occurs, a longitudinal study of appearance of aggregates at 3, 6 and 9 months by 2-photon microscopy was done. Our results showed that amyloid plaques increase between 6 and 9 months, and exacerbate vascular amyloid aggregates. Anilinopyrimidines modified the production and clearance of Aβ peptides by increasing BACE1 expression and by decreasing neprilysin expression. Our researches show a role of fungicides in the aggravation of AD.

A produção de proteínas recombinantes é uma ferramenta essencial para a indústria biotecnológica e suporta a expansão da pesquisa biológica moderna. Uma variedade de hospedeiros pode ser utilizada para produzir estas proteínas e dentre eles, as bactérias E. coli são as hospedeiras mais utilizadas. No entanto, a expressão heteróloga de genes em E. coli frequentemente resulta em um processo de enovelamento incompleto que leva ao acúmulo de agregados insolúveis, conhecidos como corpos de inclusão (CI). Altas pressões hidrostáticas são capazes de desfavorecer interações intermoleculares hidrofóbicas e eletrostáticas, levando à dissociação dos agregados e por isso são úteis para solubilizar e renaturar proteínas agregadas em CI. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo o estudo do processo de desagregação dos CI e de renaturação das proteínas oligoméricas subunidade B da toxina colérica (CTB) e região globular da fibra adenoviral (RGFA) utilizando altas pressões hidrostáticas. A toxina colérica (CT) é composta por uma subunidade A e cinco subunidades B combinadas em uma holotoxina AB5. A CTB é a porção pentamérica não tóxica da CT, responsável pela ligação da holotoxina ao receptor gangliosídeo GM1. A fibra do adenovírus é uma proteína homotrimérica que forma parte do capsídeo viral, organizada em três regiões: a cauda N-terminal, a haste central e a região C-terminal (região globular). A RGFA se liga à proteína de membrana CAR nas células hospedeiras e promove a internalização do vírus. Os estudos apresentados neste trabalho demonstraram que a alta pressão hidrostática foi eficaz na desagregação dos CI da CTB e da RGFA. As condições de renaturação foram otimizadas utilizando-se diferentes proporções do par redox glutationa oxidada e reduzida, concentrações de agentes caotrópicos, presença de aditivos e esquemas diferenciados de compressão/descompressão daqueles previamente descritos na literatura. CTB solúvel e pentamérica foi obtida pela compressão da suspensão de CI a 2,4 kbar por 16 horas em tampão TrisHCl 50 mM pH 8,5, 1 mM de tween 20 e descompressão direta seguida de incubação em pressão atmosférica. O rendimento de renaturação da CTB solúvel e pentamérica foi de até 45 % e 288 mg de CTB/litro de cultura bacteriana. Esta proteína apresentou estrutura regular e atividade biológica. RGFA trimérica foi obtida pela compressão da suspensão de CI em tampão TrisHCl 50 mM pH 8,0 e 0,5 M de L-arginina a 2,4 kbar por 1,5 horas e 0,4 kbar por 16 horas antes da completa descompressão. O rendimento de proteína solúvel trimérica da RGFA foi de 4 %, porém não foi possível obter a atividade biológica desta proteína. / The production of recombinant proteins is an essential tool for the biotechnology industry and supports the expansion of modern biological research. Recombinant proteins can be produced by a variety of hosts and among them the bacteria E. coli is the most commonly used. However, the expression of heterologous genes in E. coli often results in an incomplete folding process that leads to the accumulation of insoluble aggregates known as inclusion bodies (IB). The application of high hydrostatic pressure impairs intermolecular hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions of proteins in solution, leading to dissociation of aggregates and is therefore useful tool to solubilize and refold aggregated proteins in IB. This work aimed to study the process of disaggregation of IB and refolding of oligomeric proteins the B subunit of cholera toxin (CTB) and the globular region of the adenoviral fiber (RGFA) using high hydrostatic pressure. The cholera toxin (CT) comprises one A subunit and five B subunits, combined in the AB5 holotoxin. The pentameric CTB is non-toxic moiety of CT which is responsible for binding to the receptor ganglioside GM1 holotoxin. The adenovirus fiber is a homotrimeric protein wich forms part of the viral capsid and it is organized into three regions: the N-terminal tail, the central rod and the C-terminal region (globular region). The RGFA binds to membrane protein CAR in host cells and promotes the internalization of virus. The studies presented here demonstrate that high hydrostatic pressure was effective in the disaggregation of the CTB and RGFA IB. The refolding conditions were optimized using different proportions of the redox couple oxidated and reduced glutathione, concentrations of chaotropic agents, presence of additives and pressure/decompression schemes distinguished from the previously described in the literature. Soluble pentameric CTB was obtained when the suspension of IB were compressed at 2.4 kbar for 16 hours in 50 mM of Tris-HCl buffer pH 8.5, 1 mM of tween 20, followed by direct decompression and incubation at atmospheric pressure. The yield of refolded soluble pentameric CTB was up to 45 % and 288 mg of CTB/ liter of bacterial culture. This protein was shown to presented regular structure and biological activity. Trimeric RGFA was obtained by compression of the suspension of IB in 50 mM of Tris-HCl buffer pH 8.0, 0.5M L-arginine at 2.4 kbar for 1.5 hours and at 0.4 kbar for 16 hours prior to the complete decompression. The yield of soluble trimeric RGFA was 4 %, however this protein did not present biological activity.

A produção de proteínas recombinantes é uma ferramenta essencial para a indústria biotecnológica e suporta a expansão da pesquisa biológica moderna. Uma variedade de hospedeiros pode ser utilizada para produzir estas proteínas e dentre eles, as bactérias E. coli são as hospedeiras mais utilizadas. No entanto, a expressão heteróloga de genes em E. coli frequentemente resulta em um processo de enovelamento incompleto que leva ao acúmulo de agregados insolúveis, conhecidos como corpos de inclusão (CI). Altas pressões hidrostáticas são capazes de desfavorecer interações intermoleculares hidrofóbicas e eletrostáticas, levando à dissociação dos agregados e por isso são úteis para solubilizar e renaturar proteínas agregadas em CI. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo o estudo do processo de desagregação dos CI e de renaturação das proteínas oligoméricas subunidade B da toxina colérica (CTB) e região globular da fibra adenoviral (RGFA) utilizando altas pressões hidrostáticas. A toxina colérica (CT) é composta por uma subunidade A e cinco subunidades B combinadas em uma holotoxina AB5. A CTB é a porção pentamérica não tóxica da CT, responsável pela ligação da holotoxina ao receptor gangliosídeo GM1. A fibra do adenovírus é uma proteína homotrimérica que forma parte do capsídeo viral, organizada em três regiões: a cauda N-terminal, a haste central e a região C-terminal (região globular). A RGFA se liga à proteína de membrana CAR nas células hospedeiras e promove a internalização do vírus. Os estudos apresentados neste trabalho demonstraram que a alta pressão hidrostática foi eficaz na desagregação dos CI da CTB e da RGFA. As condições de renaturação foram otimizadas utilizando-se diferentes proporções do par redox glutationa oxidada e reduzida, concentrações de agentes caotrópicos, presença de aditivos e esquemas diferenciados de compressão/descompressão daqueles previamente descritos na literatura. CTB solúvel e pentamérica foi obtida pela compressão da suspensão de CI a 2,4 kbar por 16 horas em tampão TrisHCl 50 mM pH 8,5, 1 mM de tween 20 e descompressão direta seguida de incubação em pressão atmosférica. O rendimento de renaturação da CTB solúvel e pentamérica foi de até 45 % e 288 mg de CTB/litro de cultura bacteriana. Esta proteína apresentou estrutura regular e atividade biológica. RGFA trimérica foi obtida pela compressão da suspensão de CI em tampão TrisHCl 50 mM pH 8,0 e 0,5 M de L-arginina a 2,4 kbar por 1,5 horas e 0,4 kbar por 16 horas antes da completa descompressão. O rendimento de proteína solúvel trimérica da RGFA foi de 4 %, porém não foi possível obter a atividade biológica desta proteína. / The production of recombinant proteins is an essential tool for the biotechnology industry and supports the expansion of modern biological research. Recombinant proteins can be produced by a variety of hosts and among them the bacteria E. coli is the most commonly used. However, the expression of heterologous genes in E. coli often results in an incomplete folding process that leads to the accumulation of insoluble aggregates known as inclusion bodies (IB). The application of high hydrostatic pressure impairs intermolecular hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions of proteins in solution, leading to dissociation of aggregates and is therefore useful tool to solubilize and refold aggregated proteins in IB. This work aimed to study the process of disaggregation of IB and refolding of oligomeric proteins the B subunit of cholera toxin (CTB) and the globular region of the adenoviral fiber (RGFA) using high hydrostatic pressure. The cholera toxin (CT) comprises one A subunit and five B subunits, combined in the AB5 holotoxin. The pentameric CTB is non-toxic moiety of CT which is responsible for binding to the receptor ganglioside GM1 holotoxin. The adenovirus fiber is a homotrimeric protein wich forms part of the viral capsid and it is organized into three regions: the N-terminal tail, the central rod and the C-terminal region (globular region). The RGFA binds to membrane protein CAR in host cells and promotes the internalization of virus. The studies presented here demonstrate that high hydrostatic pressure was effective in the disaggregation of the CTB and RGFA IB. The refolding conditions were optimized using different proportions of the redox couple oxidated and reduced glutathione, concentrations of chaotropic agents, presence of additives and pressure/decompression schemes distinguished from the previously described in the literature. Soluble pentameric CTB was obtained when the suspension of IB were compressed at 2.4 kbar for 16 hours in 50 mM of Tris-HCl buffer pH 8.5, 1 mM of tween 20, followed by direct decompression and incubation at atmospheric pressure. The yield of refolded soluble pentameric CTB was up to 45 % and 288 mg of CTB/ liter of bacterial culture. This protein was shown to presented regular structure and biological activity. Trimeric RGFA was obtained by compression of the suspension of IB in 50 mM of Tris-HCl buffer pH 8.0, 0.5M L-arginine at 2.4 kbar for 1.5 hours and at 0.4 kbar for 16 hours prior to the complete decompression. The yield of soluble trimeric RGFA was 4 %, however this protein did not present biological activity.

Effective analytical techniques need to be developed to characterize the products of lignin degradation experiments to be able to generate renewable products from lignin. Mass spectrometry is an valuable analytical approach for lignin characterizaion, but it is hindered by lignin’s poor ionization efficiency, especially in the positive ion mode. In this work, we attempt to improve lignin’s ionization by utilizing electrospray and laser desorption mass spectrometry coupled with the addition of cations and chemical derivatives. We confronted the ionization problem from both a top-down and bottom-up analytical approach by analyzing synthesized monomers, dimers, and polymers along with natural lignin extracts from switchgrass. We also utilized tandem mass spectrometry to sequence lignin dimers and determine their bonding motifs from their fragmentation patterns. We believe that resolving the ionization issues with lignin will open the door for easier and more efficient lignin break-down techniques and ultimately more accessible renewable products from lignin.

Détermination du potentiel prébiotiques des hémicelluloses de bois résineux / Determining the prebiotic potential of softwood hemicellulose

Coupled two-dimensional HPLC systems were developed for the separation of complex sample matrices. Low molecular weight polystyrene oligomers were used as model compounds for the development of these systems since the sample dimensionality of oligostyrenes could be defined and classified according to two sample characteristics. That is, oligostyrenes could be classed as a two-dimensional sample, where one sample dimension is the variation in the number of monomers that make up oligomeric units determining the weight of the polymer, with a second sample dimension being the variation in stereoisomerism of each oligomer. During this study it was found that by combining two separation dimensions consisting of C18 and carbon clad zirconia (CCZ) phases separation of oligostyrenes according to molecular weight and stereochemistry was possible in coupled two-dimensional systems. The C18 phase separated the sample according to molecular weight, while the CCZ phase separated the sample according to the stereochemistry. The stereoisomer separations of the oligostyrenes reported on the CCZ surface were far superior to those previously reported in the literature. The efficiency of the separation process in a coupled two-dimensional system was then evaluated by studying the variation in band variance of a test probe. The results of the study indicated that the performance of a two-dimensional separation process was highly dependent upon the mobile phase compatibility, even when solvents were completely miscible and of similar polarities. Extracts from 17 species of Australian native plants were examined for xanthine oxidase inhibitory activity, the enzyme responsible for the formation of the disease gout. Chromatographic separation was conducted on plant extracts found to possess significant inhibitory activity against xanthine oxidase, with an extract from the species Clerodendrum floribundum R. Br. found to possess the greatest activity of the species examined. A two-dimensional separation of a crude extract from Clerodendrum floribundum R. Br. was conducted using one of the developed HPLC systems, to illustrate the use of such a system for the separation of a non-model complex sample mixture / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Thesis (Ph.D.) -- Mississippi State University. Dave C. Swalm School of Chemical Engineering.. / Title from title screen. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Wyoming, 2006. / Title from PDF title page (viewed on Dec. 21, 2007). Includes bibliographical references.

<p>In this thesis, chitosan, a biocompatible polysaccharide that has been approved as a food additive was selected as a platform for the development of safe, efficient non-viral gene delivery systems to mammalian cells. Previously, chitosan-based gene formulations had been generally associated with high molecular weight chitosans, which were poorly characterised in terms of molecular weight distribution and degree of acetylation. Therefore, in order to improve the properties of chitosan-based gene formulations, the research associated with this thesis focused on establishing the structure-property relationships of well-defined, low molecular weight chitosans (chitosan oligomers) as delivery systems for nucleic acids (pDNA and siRNA)<i> in vitro</i> and after lung administration <i>in vivo</i>. pDNA dissociated more easily from chitosan oligomers than from conventional high molecular weight chitosans, resulting in a faster onset and higher levels of<i> in vivo</i> gene expression, comparable to those mediated by polyethyleneimine (PEI), one of the most efficient non-viral delivery systems. Coupling of a trisaccharide branch to the chitosan oligomers so as to target extracellular lectins resulted in a significant improvement in transfection efficiency because of enhanced cellular uptake and colloidal stability. In contrast to pDNA, longer linear chitosan oligomers were required to form physically-stable nanoparticles with siRNA that mediated efficient, sustained gene silencing <i>in vitro</i>. Finally, the use of an optimised catheter device for the nebulisation of small volumes of pDNA formulations resulted in improved dose precision and lung distribution<i> in vivo</i> compared with conventional intratracheal instillation. In conclusion, chitosan oligomers are interesting and viable alternatives to other non-viral gene delivery systems.</p>