Made available in DSpace on 2014-08-20T13:32:53Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 dissertacao_luana_alves_dummer.pdf: 909354 bytes, checksum: d2af8cc0772177718829cf7f15391d43 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2008-06-12 / Outbreaks of fatal meningoencephalitis caused by Bovine Herpesvirus type 5 (BoHV-5) cause important economic losses in national trade of bovine beef. Commercial vaccines developed against Bovine Herpesvirus type 1 can protect cattle of neurological disease caused by BoHV-5. These cross-reactions are due to its genetic and antigenic similarities of both BoHV-1 and 5. However, these vaccines can not prevent latent infection of BoHV-5, even viral spread to healthy animals. This way, new vaccines strategies are based on envelope glycoproteins and are focusing safety, economic viability and on prevention of BoHV-5 latency and spread. This glycoprotein acts in initial steps of viral infection and glycoprotein D has drawn the attention in studies carried out with BoHV-1 and other homologous herpesvirus. The gD acts on viral membrane fusion with permissive cells through glycoproteins and host receptors interactions, so it is essential for viral entry. A vaccine that is capable to stimulate specific humoral and cellular immunity against BoHV-5 must be developed. The aim of this work was the production of a recombinant truncated form of gD of BoHV-5 in yeast Pichia pastoris and its antigenicity and immunogenicity evaluation. Data show that yeast P. pastoris can express the truncated form of BoHV-5 gD to the supernatant due to its secretion of ~190mg/L of recombinant protein, simplifying protein purification. The recombinant protein was successfully recognized by antibodies of animals immunized with BoHV-5, suggesting its antigenicity and immunogenicity and that native protein characteristic are conserved. The data presented herein allow the design of future studies aiming at expression optimization and further immunogenicity evaluation, as well as its capacity to neutralize the virus in biological models and on cattle. / Surtos de meningoencefalites fatais causadas pelo Herpesvírus Bovino tipo 5 (BoHV-5) ocasionam importantes perdas econômicas no comércio nacional de carne bovina. Vacinas comerciais destinadas ao Herpesvírus Bovino tipo 1 são capazes de impedir o aparecimento de sintomatologia clínica do BoHV-5. Estas reações cruzadas se devem a existência de semelhanças genéticas e antigênicas existentes entre ambos os vírus. No entanto, estas vacinas não impedem o estabelecimento da infecção latente e a disseminação do BoHV-5 para animais não imunizados. Desta forma, estratégias que visem à produção de vacinas seguras, economicamente viáveis e que possam ser capazes de impedir a latência do BoHV-5 e sua disseminação estão focadas para glicoproteínas localizadas no envelope viral e que atuam nas etapas iniciais da infecção. Dentre estas, a glicoproteína D tem se destacado em estudos realizados com BoHV-1 e outros herpesvírus homólogos. A gD atua na fusão do envelope viral com a membrana da célula permissiva no hospedeiro através de interações com receptores celulares e com outras glicoproteínas virais, sendo essencial para a entrada do capsídeo na célula. Assim, uma vacina que seja capaz de estimular respostas humorais e celulares contra esta glicoproteína deve ser desenvolvida. Os objetivos deste trabalho foram à produção da forma truncada da gD do BoHV-5 em levedura Pichia pastoris e a avaliação desta quanto a sua antigenicidade e imunogenicidade. Os resultados demonstram que a Pichia pastoris expressou a forma truncada da gD de BoHV-5 secretando para o meio de cultivo ~190mg/L da proteína recombinante, facilitando a purificação da mesma. Testada quanto a sua a sua antigenicidade e imunogenicidade, a proteína recombinante foi reconhecida por anticorpos de animais imunizados com o BoHV-5, sugerindo que características da proteína nativa foram conservadas na proteína recombinante. Os dados apresentados irão permitir o desenvolvimento de estudos 6 futuros com o objetivo de aperfeiçoar a expressão da proteína recombinante e avaliar a sua capacidade de neutralizar o vírus na espécie-alvo.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-08-20T13:32:58Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 dissertacao_ana_munhoz_vianna.pdf: 719262 bytes, checksum: c1b68d796b66c4c6c3d0037b6024cb3d (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-07-25 / The equine piroplasmosis caused by Theileria equi is considered one of the most important equine diseases in both tropical and subtropical countries. Theileriosis is endemic in Brazil and causes significant economic losses for equine breeders. Disease-free countries restrict horse transit coming from endemic areas due to the high prevalence of asymptomatic carrier animals. In order to prevent and control this disease, it is therefore necessary to develop efficient diagnostic methods. Previous Theileria equi immunological diagnostic studies have been based in outer membrane antigens. Equi merozoite antigen (EMA) is a major outer membrane antigen of this protozoan, recognized by antibodies of Theileria equi positive horses. In this study, we reported the expression, purification and characterization of EMA-2 protein of Theileria equi in the yeast Pichia pastoris. The EMA-2 gene was cloned into the expression vector pPICZαB and the expressed protein was secreted to the medium as a soluble form. The expression and antigenicity of rEMA-2 protein was demonstrated by Dot and Western Blotting, using anti-histidine and equine Theileriosis clinically positive antibodies. An indirect ELISA with the rEMA-2 was performed and it was possible to differentiate with more than a threefold difference between negative and positive serum from horses confirmed with Theileriosis. The data obtained in this work suggest that the rEMA-2 protein expressed in P. pastoris is a potential candidate for use as antigen in immunodiagnostic of T. equi. / A Piroplasmose equina causada por Theileria equi é considerada uma das mais importantes doenças dos equinos em regiões tropicais e subtropicais. Acomete os equinos de forma endêmica no Brasil levando a significativas perdas econômicas. Países livres da doença não permitem a entrada de animais provindos de regiões endêmicas devido à alta prevalência de animais assintomáticos. Para controle e prevenção desta enfermidade se faz necessário desenvolvimento de métodos de diagnóstico eficazes. Os estudos sobre o diagnóstico imunológico para Theileriose concentram-se em antígenos da membrana externa. O principal antígeno da membrana externa deste protozoário, Equi Antígeno Merozoite (EMA) é reconhecido por anticorpos de cavalos positivos para Theileria equi. Neste estudo reportamos a expressão, purificação e a caracterização da proteína EMA-2 de Theileria equi na levedura Pichia pastoris. O gene EMA-2 foi clonado no vetor de expressão pPICZαB sendo a proteína expressa, secretada de forma solúvel ao meio. A expressão e antigenicidade da proteína rEMA-2 foi demonstrado por Dot e Western Blotting utilizando-se anti-histidina e anticorpos de equinos clinicamente positivos para Theileriose. Um ELISA indireto com rEMA-2 foi realizado e foi possível determinar uma diferença de mais de três vezes entre os soros de equinos confirmados como positivos e negativos para Theileriose. Com os dados obtidos neste trabalho podemos sugerir que a proteína rEMA-2 é um potencial candidato para ser utilizado como antígeno em imunodiagnóstico de T. equi.

Dans cette thèse de doctorat, la structure de membranes naturelles et modèles et leurs interactions avec des molécules biologiquement actives ont été étudiées au moyen de la réflectométrie de neutrons. Les lipides naturels ont été extraits de la levure Pichia pastoris, poussée en milieux deutéré et hydrogéné. L’analyse a montré que la quantité relative de phospholipides n’est pas affectée par le changement en composition isotopique du milieu de croissance. Cependant, les cellules de levures deutérées contiennent principalement des acides gras C18 :1 alors que le degré d’insaturation est plus élevé chez les levures hydrogénés. Diminuer la température du milieu de croissance permet d’augmenter le degré d’insaturation des acides gras chez les levures deutérées. Une analyse qualitative des sphingolipides a été réalisée et un protocole pour séparer les fractions phosphocholines et phosphoethanolamine a été établi.<p><p>La structure de bicouches composées des lipides de levures a été étudiée par réflectivité de neutrons. La bicouche composée de lipides deutérés polaires a une épaisseur similaire aux bicouches faites de phosphocholines C18:1 synthétiques. En présence de stérols, la rugosité aux interfaces entre les têtes polaires et les chaînes augmente. La bicouche composée de lipides polaires hydrogénés est plus mince que celle deutérée. Ceci est dû à la composition en acides gras beaucoup plus variée et du plus grand nombre d’insaturations. En présence de stérols, l’épaisseur de la bicouche hydrogénée augmente. <p>L’interaction de ces bicouches avec l’amphotéricine B (AmB) a été étudiée. L’AmB est un antifongique qui interagit fortement avec les membranes contenant de l’ergostérol et moins fortement avec des membranes contenant du cholestérol. Dans tous les cas, les molécules d’AmB forment une couche épaisse et diluée au dessus de la bicouche lipidique. En présence de stérols, les molécules d’AmB pénètrent dans la bicouche et change sa structure selon la composition en acide gras.<p><p>La structure de bicouches lipidiques de plante et leurs interactions avec des intermédiaires de synthèse ont aussi été étudiées par réflectivité de neutrons. Des mélanges ternaires de plantes étaient déposés sur silicium et des mélanges quaternaires sur saphir. L’épaisseur de la bicouche composée de mélange ternaire est de 38 Å, tandis que celle du mélange ternaire est de 28 Å, la différence venant probablement d’un effet de substrat. La présence de diacylglycérol (DAG) a comme conséquence d’augmenter l’aire par lipide, et ainsi de changer la conformation des têtes polaires. L’interaction des bicouches de lipide de plante avec l’acide phosphatidique (PA) dans le but d’observer un flip-flop possible a aussi été étudiée mais le PA a tendance à désorbé les bicouches du substrat et aucun mécanisme de flip flop n’a été détecté.<p><p>Finalement, la localisation d’une petite molécule, le resvératrol, dans des bicouches modèles a été étudiée. Le resvératrol est connu pour être responsable du « paradoxe français » qui est une corrélation inverse entre la consommation d’aliment gras et un faible taux de maladie cardiaque. Quand le resvératrol est adsorbé à partir de la phase liquide, il induit une réorganisation des têtes polaires. Quand il est déposé sur le substrat en présence des lipides, il est présent à l’interface entre les têtes polaires et les chaines.<p> / Doctorat en Sciences / info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished

Abstract Potential lethal diarrhoea caused by enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli strains is one of the most common diseases in young pigs. It can be cured by single-chain antibody fragments (scFv), which can be produced in recombinant microorganisms. Pichia pastoris, a methylotrophic yeast, is generally considered an interesting production system candidate, as it can secrete properly folded proteins. These proteins accumulate in high concentrations during fermentation, reducing the cost for product recovery. Strong inducible AOX1 promoter, widely used in P. pastoris for fast, inexpensive production, is typically induced by methanol. The high oxygen demand of methanol metabolism makes oxygen supply a major parameter in cultivations requiring special process design strategies. In standard fed-batch cultivation, dissolved oxygen concentration inside a bioreactor is kept at a certain level by pumping air and pure oxygen into the reactor. There are safety concerns over the handling of oxygen, especially at a large scale. Therefore, there is a need to develop a production process under oxygen-limited conditions. This dissertation studies the development of a cost-efficient production process of scFv in P. pastoris. Both methanol and oxygen parameters influence the production process and the objective was to find a robust production process. Fed-batch cultivations were performed in a 10 L scale bioreactor. The effects of lower oxygen level, methanol concentration, glycerol feeding duration and specific substrate-uptake rates on product formation were studied. A P. pastoris GS115 his4 strain under an AOX1 promoter system expressing scFv was used in this study. The fed-batch fermentations were carried out in a bioreactor with basal salt media. In this doctoral dissertation, a process was developed for a single-chain antibody fragment (scFv) production in P. pastoris. The product levels of 3.5 g L-1 scFv in culture supernatant were achieved and a production process was designed without additional need of pure oxygen, thus relieving safety requirements and lowering the amount of methanol. The process developed during this research may potentially be utilised by both academia and industry having interests in expressing proteins in P. pastoris. The methanol-uptake control strategy is beneficial for those products that suffer from degradation or modification during limited feeding of methanol. / Tiivistelmä Enterotoksigeenisten E.coli kantojen aiheuttama ripuli on porsaiden tavallisimpia tauteja, joka voi johtaa jopa kuolemaan. Tautia voidaan hoitaa yhdistelmä-DNA-tekniikalla tuotetuilla vasta-ainefragmenteilla (scFv). Metylotrofista Pichia pastoris hiivaa pidetään kiinnostavana vasta-ainefragmenttien tuottoisäntänä, koska se pystyy erittämään oikealla tavalla laskostuneita proteiineja. Näitä proteiineja kertyy fermentointiprosessissa solujen ulkopuolelle korkeina pitoisuuksina, mikä vähentää tuotteiden talteenottokustannuksia. Vahva metanolilla indusoituva AOX1-promoottori on laajassa käytössä P. pastoris tuottosysteemissä tuoton nopeuden ja alhaisten kustannusten ansiosta. Metanolin aineenvaihdunta vaatii paljon happea, joten riittävän tehokas hapen liuottaminen on tärkeimpiä fermentointiparametreja ja vaatii erityisiä prosessin toteutusstrategioita. Perinteisessä fed-batch-fermentoinnissa liuenneen hapen pitoisuus bioreaktorissa pidetään halutulla tasolla lisäämällä ilmaa ja puhdasta happea reaktoriin. Koska hapen käsittelyyn liittyy turvallisuusriskejä erityisesti teollisuusmittakaavassa, happirajoitteisissa olosuhteissa toimiva tuotantoprosessi olisi hyödyllinen. Tässä väitöstutkimuksessa kehitettiin kustannustehokasta prosessia scFv-:n tuottoon P. pastoris hiivalla. Metanoliin ja happeen liittyvät parametrit ovat olennaisia prosessiin vaikuttavia tekijöitä. Tavoite oli kehittää yksinkertainen ja käytännöllinen prosessi. Työssä tutkittiin alhaisen happitason, metanolin pitoisuuden, glyserolisyötön keston ja substraattien spesifisten kulutusnopeuksien vaikutuksia tuotteen muodostumiseen 10 litran bioreaktorissa. Isäntäkantana oli P. pastoris GS115 his4, jossa scFv-ekspressiota säädeltiin AOX1 promoottorilla. Fed-batch fermentointien kasvatusalustana käytettiin Basal Salt Medium alustaa (BSM). Väitöstyössä kehitettiin tavoitteiden mukainen vasta-ainefragmenttien tuottoprosessi P.pastoris hiivalle. Menetelmällä saavutettiin tuotepitoisuus 3,5 g L-1 kasvatusliemen supernatantissa ilman puhtaan hapen lisäystarvetta, ja siten metanolin kulutus väheni ja prosessiturvallisuus parani verrattuna perinteisiin prosesseihin. Kehitetty prosessi soveltuu käytettäväksi sekä akateemisessa tutkimuksessa että teollisuudessa tuotettaessa erilaisia proteiineja P. pastoris hiivalla. Metanolin kulutuksen säätöstrategia on erityisen hyödyllinen tuotteille, joilla ongelmana on proteolyysi tai muokkautuminen metanolirajoitteisessa fermentoinnissa.

Papilomavírus humanos (HPVs) são vírus de DNA que infectam células epiteliais, podendo ser responsáveis pelo aparecimento de lesões benignas e malignas. Dentre os mais de 120 tipos identificados, o HPV -16 constitui o principal agente etiológico do câncer cervical, que é uma das maiores causas de morte por câncer em mulheres no mundo. Sendo assim, infecções associadas ao HPV devem ser prevenidas por vacinas indutoras de resposta imune vírus-específicas. A proteína L1 do capsídio viral é capaz de arranjar-se em partículas morfologicamente e antigenicamente semelhantes ao vírus, denominadas \"virus-like particles\" (VLPs), que induzem altos títulos de anticorpos neutralizantes. Neste trabalho, foram clonados os genes L1 selvagem e otimizado de HPV -16 em vetores de expressão de leveduras metilotróficas como Hansenula polymorpha e Pichia pastoris. Foi observada uma expressão consistente da proteína recombinante apenas em P. pastoris, com o gene L1 otimizado. Foram realizadas diversas tentativas de purificação da proteína heteróloga, empregando técnicas de cromatografia e ultracentrifugação em gradiente descontínuo de sacarose. A correta montagem das VLPs foi confirmada por microscopia eletrônica. Problemas de agregação, heterogeneidade e adsorção a superfícies apresentados pela proteína L1 foram resolvidos após utilização de surfactante não-iônico e de um procedimento de desmontagem e remontagem das partículas, gerando preparações mais homogêneas. Ensaios de hemaglutinação e inibição da hemaglutinação comprovaram a apresentação de epítopos conformacionais na superfície das VLPs. Este trabalho demonstrou pela primeira vez a expressão da proteína L1 de HPV -16 em P. pastoris, visando ao desenvolvimento de uma vacina profilática de baixo custo para o sistema público de saúde. / Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are DNA viruses that infect epithelial cells and can cause both benign and malignant lesions. From over 120 types catalogued so far, HPV-16 is the main etiologic agent of cervical cancer, which is the one of the most common causes of cancer deaths among women worldwide. Thus, HPV -associated infections might be prevented by vaccine inducing virus-specific immune responses. The L1 major capsid protein can self assemble into virus-like particles (VLPs), which are morphologically and antigenically indistinguishable from native viruses and induce high titers of neutralizing antibodies. In this work, we have cloned wild-type and codon-optimized L1 genes from HPV-16 in expression vectors of the methylotrophic yeasts Hansenula polymorpha and Pichia pastoris. Consistent L1 expression was only observed in P. pastoris transformed with the construction containing the codon-optimized gene. Many attempts to purify the heterologous protein were made, including chromatography and ultracentrifugation in sucrose density gradients. The correct assembly of VLPs was confirmed by electron microscopy. Some problems presented by recombinant L1 like aggregation, surface adsorption and heterogeneity were solved by using non-ionic surfactants and a procedure of disassembly and reassembly of the particles. Hemagglutination and hemagglutination inhibition assays corroborated the display of surface conformational epitopes by VLPs. This work showed for the first time the expression of the HPV-16 L1 protein in P. pastoris, aiming the development of a prophylactic vaccine free of charge for the public health system in Brazil.

ATPDases ou ATP-difosfohidrolases são enzimas que clivam o ATP e o ADP a AMP e Pi e estão envolvidos em inibição da agregação plaquetária. No parasita Schistosoma mansoni nosso grupo identificou e clonou o gene da ATPDase1, e a proteína foi localizada na superfície do tegumento. Recentemente, clonamos o gene da ATPDase2 usando a informação do banco de dados de ESTs de S. mansoni e imunolocalizamos a sua proteína também no tegumento. ATPDase2 foi encontrada em ambas as membranas do tegumento basal e apical juntamente com a ATPDase1, entretanto ATPDase2 somente foi encontrada no espaço sincicial do tegumento. A presença de ambas as enzimas sobre a superfície externa do tegumento sugere um maior papel sobre a regulação de abundância de nucleotídeos. Análise da expressão de ambos os genes foram realizadas por RT- PCR em tempo real usando RNA de ovos, miracídeo, cercária, esquistossômulo e verme adulto. Os resultados mostraram que o gene da ATPDase1 foi mais expresso em ovos (7 vezes), adulto (6 vezes), cercária (3,5 vezes) e esquistossômulo (1,5 vezes) quando comparado ao miracídio, que foi tomado como referência. O gene da ATPDase2 foi mais expresso em ovos (16 vezes), cercária (11 vezes), miracídio (7 vezes) e verme adulto (2 vezes) quando comparado a esquistossômulo, mostrando que ambos os genes são modulados ao longo de seus estágios de ciclo de vida . Para maior caracterização destas enzimas, elas foram expressas heterologamente na levedura Pichia pastoris como proteínas de fusão com cauda de 6 histidinas e as proteínas recombinantes foram purificadas por cromatografia de afinidade com resina de Ni-NTA. As ATPDases recombinantes foram obtidas de forma ativa e medições de atividade enzimática foram realizadas. ATPDase1 - mostrou atividades ATPásica e ADPásica em torno de 650 e 160 nmoles Pi.min -1. mg-1 , respectivamente. ATPDase2 teve atividades ATPásica e ADPásica na faixa de 1050 e 250 nmoles Pi.min-1.mg-1 , respectivamente. Adicionalmente, atividades UTPásica e UDPásica também foram encontradas nestas enzimas. Estudos de dicroísmo circular com estas duas enzimas elucidaram suas estruturas secundárias. Com isto, ATPDase1 (S66 to Q507 ) teve alfa-hélice (7 %), folha-beta (45 %) e estrutura randômica (48 %), e a ATPDase2 (N83 a K564 ) mostrou conter alfa-hélice (14 %), folha-beta (33 %) e estrutura randômica (53 %). Nós mostramos que a ATPDase2 é secretada pelo parasita no meio, de forma similar como descrito para as ATP-difosfohidrolases humanas CD39L2 e CD39L4. Adicionalmente, em ensaios de inibição de penetração (cercária em camundongo) usando anticorpo anti- ATPDase1 foi mostrada uma redução em 20 % da capacidade de penetração através da pele das cercárias previamente incubadas com o anti-soro. Devido a que a expressão do gene da ATPDase2 estava mais alta em miracídio e cercária, estágios que infectam caramujos e humanos, respectivamente, postulamos que ATPDase2 poderia ajudar no processo de invasão do parasita. No estágio ovo ambos os genes estão altamente expressados sugerindo um possível envolvimento das ATPDases na resposta de proteção contra o sistema imune humano. Ensaios de proteção contra S. mansoni em camundongos, usando as ATPDases 1 e 2 como antígenos, resultaram em uma baixa proteção obtendo-se não mais que 20% na redução da carga parasitária. / ATPDases or ATP-diphosphohydrolases are enzymes that cleave ATP and ADP to AMP and Pi and are involved in inhibition of platelet aggregation. In the parasite Schistosoma mansoni our group had identified and cloned the ATPDase1 gene and localized the protein on the tegument surface. Recently, we cloned the ATPDase2 gene using S. mansoni EST databank information and we immunolocalized it also in the tegument. ATPDase 2 was found on both the apical and basal tegument membranes together with ATPDase1, but only ATPDse2 was found in the syncytium space of the tegument. The presence of both enzymes on the tegumental outer surface suggests a major role in regulation of nucleotides abundance. Expression analysis of both genes was performed by Real Time RT- PCR using RNA from eggs, miracidia, cercariae, schistosomula and adult worms. The results showed that ATPDase1 gene was more expressed in eggs (7-fold), adults (6-fold), cercariae (3.5-fold) and schistosomula (1.5-fold) when compared to miracidia, which was taken as the reference. ATPDase2 gene was more expressed in eggs (16-fold), cercariae (11-fold), miracidia (7-fold) and adult worms (2-fold) when compared to schistosomula, showing that both genes are modulated along the life cycle stages. For further characterization of these enzymes, they were expressed heterologously in the yeast Pichia pastoris as fusion proteins with hexa-histidine tags and the recombinant proteins were purified by Ni-NTA affinity chromatography. The recombinant ATPDases were obtained in active form and activity measurements were performed. ATPDase1 did show ATPase and ADPase activities about 650 and 160 nmoles Pi.min-1.mg-1 , respectively. ATPDase2 had ATPase and ADPase activities in the range of 1050 and 250 nmoles Pi.min-1.mg-1 , respectively. These results were obtained in the presence of calcium as cofactor. Additionally, UTPase and UDPase activities were found for both enzymes. Circular dichroism studies with these enzymes elucidated their secondary structures; ATPDase1 (S66 to Q507 ) has alpha helix (7%), beta sheet (45%) and random coil (48%), whereas ATPDase2 (N83 a K564 ) showed alpha helix (14%), beta sheet (33%) and random coil (53%). We found that ATPDase2 was secreted by the parasite to the medium, similar to what has been described for human CD39-L2 and CD39-L4 ATP-diphosphohydrolases. Additionally, a penetration assay (cercaria to mice) using antibody anti-ATPDase1 did show a decrease of 20% in the penetration capacity through mice skin of cercaria previously incubated with this antiserum. Because ATPDase2 gene expression was increased in miracidia and cercariae, the stages that infect snail and human, respectively, we postulate that ATPDase2 may help the parasite\'s invasion process. In the egg stage both genes were highly expressed suggesting a possible involvement of the ATPDases in the protection response of eggs against the human immune system. Assays of protection against S. mansoni in mice, using recombinant ATPDase1 and 2 as antigens, resulted in low protection obtaining no more than 20% of parasite burden reduction.

Neste trabalho, construiu-se linhagens recombinantes de Pichia pastoris e Saccharomyces cerevisiae que expressam hormônio de crescimento de carpa (GHc). Para expressão de GHc em P. pastoris, o cDNA de GH de H. molitrix foi inserido nos plasmídeos pHILD2 (expressão interna) e pPIC9K (expressão e secreção) dando origem aos plasmídeos pHILGH e pPICGH. A expressão em S. cerevisiae foi controlada pelo promotor e terminador PGK e o cassete de expressão ladeado por elementos &#948;, dirigindo a integração em múltiplas cópias no genoma. Ainda, construiu-se um plasmídeo onde a sequência de GHc foi fusionada a uma sequência sinal modificada (sequência sinal de proteína de K. lactis, fusionada a fragmento de interleucina humana), visando altos níveis de secreção. Os transformantes (expressão interna) expressaram proteína recombinante de 20 KDa. Um dos transformantes de S. cerevisiae secreta cerca de 1045,0 µg/ml de GHc. As proteínas recombinantes apresentaram hibridação específica contra anticorpo anti GHc comercial indicando que são biologicamente ativas. / In order to achieve the GHc expression in P. pastoris, the GH cDNA of the carp H. molitrix was introduced into the plasmids pHILD2 (intracellular expression) and pPIC9K (expression and secretion) originating the plasmids pHILGH and pPICGH. The expression of the GH cassette in S. cerevisiae was driven by the PGK promoter and terminator and the cassette was flanked by the &#948; elements, which provides multiple copies integration into the genome. We also constructed a plasmid in which the GHc cDNA sequence was fused to a modified signal sequence (K. lactis protein signal sequence fused to a human interleukin fragment), aiming to reach high levels of secretion. P. pastoris and S. cerevisiae recombinant clones (intracellular expression) were shown to express a recombinant protein of 20 KDa. One of the S. cerevisiae recombinant clones secreted around 1045.0 µg/ml of GHc. The recombinant proteins showed hybridization of the bands against antibody anti-commercial GHc. The results indicate that the recombinant proteins produced in this work are biologically active.

Um dos eventos mais importantes durante o amadurecimento da banana é a degradação do amido, concomitante com o acúmulo de açúcares solúveis. Várias enzimas, que supostamente atuam na degradação do amido, já tiveram sua atividade/proteína específica detectadas nesta fase na banana. Entre elas a &#945;-amilase, a &#946;-amilase, as amido-fosforilases, as &#945;-glicosidases e as isoamilases. A síntese do amido e, normalmente, sua degradação, ocorrem dentro do amiloplasto, que possui duas membranas a serem transpostas antes do acesso ao grânulo de amido ou aos produtos da ação de outras enzimas. Uma das isoformas da &#946;-amilase em banana possui um peptídeo de transporte predito em sua seqüência, necessário para transpor estas membranas e entrar no amiloplasto. Uma maneira de contornar a dificuldade em estabelecer a real importância de cada enzima na degradação do amido é isolar os grânulos e as enzimas e submetê-lo à atividade seqüencial das enzimas supostamente responsáveis pela degradação. O ideal é utilizar a enzima endógena, mas o processo de purificação de enzimas em frutos é demorado e nem sempre bom em termos de pureza, quantidade e atividade. Estudos baseados na expressão heteróloga de genes da &#946;-amilase permitiriam melhor compreender os mecanismos de atuação dessa enzima presente na polpa da banana. Assim, foram feitos ensaios de expressão heteróloga em Pichia pastoris na tentativa de produzir essa enzima em quantidade suficiente para purificação, aplicação nos grânulos de amido e produção de anticorpos policlonais. Foram testadas várias condições de indução da proteína, tais como aeração, temperatura, pH, concentração de metanol e tempo de indução, bem como a montagem de uma nova construção gênica com tag de histidina no vetor de expressão pPICZ&#945;A com confirmação do fenótipo dos transformantes positivos. Porém, a obtenção de &#946;-amilase recombinante com atividade não foi bem sucedida, necessitando talvez de alterações nesses padrões de indução. / One of the most important events that occurs during ripening of banana is the starch degradation concomitantly with the accumulation of soluble sugars. Several enzymes, known by acting on starch degradation, had their activity and/or specific protein detected at this stage of banana. These include the &#945;-amylase, the &#946;-amylase, the starch-phosphorylases, the &#945;-glucosidase and the isoamilases. The synthesis and starch degradation occur inside of the amyloplast that contain two membranes which has to be reach before accessing the starch granule or the products of the other enzymes. One of the isoforms of &#946;-amylase in bananas has a transit peptide predicted in the sequence, required to access the amyloplast. To establish the real importance of each enzyme in the starch degradation it is necessary to isolate the granules and enzymes and submit them to the sequential activity to confirm the supposed degradation. The idea is to use the endogenous enzyme, but the process of purification of the enzyme in fruits demands a lot of time and the results of purity, quantity and activity are not guaranteed. Studies based on heterologous expression of the &#946;-amylase genes allow us to understand the mechanisms of action of this enzyme present in the pulp of banana. Thus, tests were carried out with heterologous expression in Pichia pastoris in order to produce this enzyme in sufficient quantity to purification, and then, applied on starch granules and produce a polyclonal antibody. We tested different conditions of protein induction such as aeration, temperature, pH, methanol concentration and induction time, as well as the new genic construction with the histidine tag with an expression vector pPICZ&#945;A confirming the phenotype of positive transformants. However, recombinant &#946;-amylase with activity was not obtained successfully, necessitating changes in these patterns of induction.

Poldip2 est une protéine ubiquitaire initialement identifiée comme étant un partenaire de la sous unité p50 de la polymerase δ intervenant dans la réplication et la réparation de l’ADN. Depuis sa découverte en 2003, beaucoup d’autres partenaires et fonctions lui ont été attribués. Elle joue, entre autre, un rôle régulateur de l’isoforme NADPH oxydase NOX4. A ce jour, le mode d’action de cette régulation n’a pas encore été identifié. Seul fait connu est que Poldip2 augmente l’activité de NOX4 en s’associant au partenaire membranaire de NOX4, la protéine p22phox. L’association de p22phox à d’autres isoformes de NADPH Oxydase (NOX1, NOX2 ou NOX3) suggère une interaction possible entre ces derniers et Poldip2. Par ailleurs la co-localisation de NOX4 et NOX2 dans plusieurs types cellulaires, tels que les cellules du muscle lisse et l’endothélium mais également la coexpression de Poldip2 et NOX2 dans les artérioles rénale font de NOX2 un bon candidat pour l’étude de l’effet régulateur possible de Poldip2 de cet isoforme. Dans cette perspective, la protéine recombinante Poldip2 (rat) a été produite de manière hétérologue dans un système d’expression de levure P. pastoris. Grace à un vecteur d’expression spécifique de cette levure, Poldip2 est sécrété dans le milieu extracellulaire. La protéine a été purifiée à partir du milieu de culture. L’analyse de la séquence par spectrométrie de masse a permis de confirmer l’identité du Poldip2 recombinant produit par la levure. Après avoir caractérisé structuralement Poldip2 et confirmé sa capacité à augmenter l’activité de NOX4, nous avons étudié son effet sur NOX2 des phagocytes. De manière surprenante, nos études en système cell-free ont montré des propriétés inhibitrices de Poldip2 sur NOX2 avec des interactions privilégiées avec certaines des composantes du complexe oxydase. Nos résultats suggèrent que l’interaction de Poldip2 avec le complexe pourrait constituer une nouvelle voie de régulation de NOX2 en perturbant l’assemblage du complexe NADPH oxydase. / Poldip2 is an ubiquitous protein initially identified as a partner for polymerase δ p50 subunit and is involved in DNA replication and repairing. Since its discovery in 2003, many partners and functions has been assigned to it. Poldip2 is also involved in NADPH Oxidase NOX4 isoform regulation. The enhancement of NOX4 activity was attributed to Poldip2 interaction with the membrane partner p22phox. However the mechanism by which it regulates NOX4 has not been identified yet. The association of p22phox with other Nox isoform (NOX1, NOX2 or NOX3) questions the possible interaction of Poldip2 with NOX2. Furthermore the colocalization of NOX4 and NOX2 in several cell types as the smouth muscle cells and endothelium cells but also Poldip2 and NOX2 coexpression in renal arterioles, makes NOX2 a good candidate for studying the possible regulatory effect of Poldip2 on the NOX2 isoform. On this purpose the recombinant protein Poldip2 (rat) was produced in the yeast P. pastoris. Using a specific expression vector Poldip2 was secreted in the extracellular media. The protein was purified from culture media. Sequence analysis by mass spectrometry allowed to confirm the recombinant protein identity produced in yeast. After the structural characterization of poldip2 and the confirmation of its functionality on NOX4, the protein was used to study its effect on NOX2 phagocyte. Surprisingly our study on cell free assay shows that Poldip2 has inhibiting properties regarding NOX2 and interacts in a privileged manner with certain components of the NADPH Oxidase complex. Our result suggest that the interaction of Poldip2 and the complex might constitute a new regulation for NOX2 by disturbing the NADPH Oxidase assembly.

Wounds in the mouth, occurring after oral surgery, take time to heal. No ointment can be added to help with the healing process because mouth saliva will constantly wash it away. In order to combat this problem, we propose engineering a normal flora microbe to grow at the site of injury and secrete a recombinant growth factor to promote healing of the damaged tissue. Our goal is to have the yeast Pichia pastoris produce human basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), which aids in cellular proliferation. P. pastoris is a good choice for this application because not only is it considered generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA, but it is a eukaryote that is able to perform posttranslational modifications and secrete large amounts of recombinant protein. Previous studies have shown that a strain of P. pastoris can be engineered to express bFGF from a methanol-sensitive promoter. The study also showed that the bFGF, which was purified from the yeast’s extracellular medium, was able to promote the growth of NIH/3T3 cells (mice fibroblasts). Because we needed the P. pastoris to express the bFGF in glucose –based tissue culture medium in the presence of mammalian cells, we expressed the bFGF from the constitutive promoter GAP promoter. Along with optimizing and characterizing expression of bFGF, we also investigated the effect of the recombinant protein on mammalian cell growth using both scratch ad MTS assays. In addition, the effects of the yeast being co-cultured with mammalian cells was studied. Our results provide a basis for how a recombinant protein can be clinically used to improve wound healing in the mouth using a yeast strain to produce and secrete a growth factor at the site of injury.