[Truncated abstract] The placenta forms a barrier regulating the transfer of gases, nutrients and wastes between the mother and the developing conceptus, and also produces hormones affecting both the fetus and the mother. This barrier is formed by the differentiation of the outer layer of the blastocyst- the trophoblast- to facilitate implantation and subsequent invasion of the uterus. The trophoblast consists of an underlying proliferative pool of cytotrophoblasts, which differentiate to replenish the overlying continuous, multi-nucleated syncytiotrophoblast that forms the barrier between the mother and fetus. Moreover, the location of the syncytiotrophoblast directly in contact with the maternal circulation suggests an endothelial role for the trophoblast regulating blood flow, thrombosis and immune cell adhesion. Disruption to the function of the human trophoblast may result in preeclampsia, a maternally manifested disorder of pregnancy characterised by hypertension and proteinurea. Blood flow to preeclamptic placentae is reduced and the cytotrophoblast pool is diminished; however the exact cause (or causes) remains elusive. Many potential causes are hypothesised, including endothelial damage, premature remodelling of maternal spiral arteries, increased oxidative stress and impaired trophoblast differentiation and apoptosis. Caspase-14 is an unusual caspase in that it is not involved in apoptosis. Furthermore, it possesses a limited, predominantly epithelial, tissue distribution. In the epidermis, caspase-14 is expressed in the apical differentiating layers. Here it cleaves profilaggrin to stabilise intracellular keratin intermediate filaments, and indirectly provides natural hydration and UV protection to the corneocytes. Thus, caspase-14 is vital to the maintenance of the barrier function of the skin. ... As differentiation-associated genes were elevated in the absence of caspase-14, this implies that caspase-14 suppresses biochemical trophoblast differentiation. The cytoskeletal keratin network was also examined following RNA Interference. The synthesis of cytokeratin 18 was significantly enhanced after caspase-14 suppression during BeWo differentiation, linking caspase-14 with keratin homeostasis. Therefore caspase-14 suppresses trophoblast differentiation, potentially through modulation of the cytoskeletal keratin filament network. The precise mechanism remains to be elucidated, however the identification of pathways regulated by caspase-14 advances our knowledge of trophoblast differentiation and potential causes of disorders of pregnancy. In summary, caspase-14 appears to be involved in the suppression of differentiation in the human trophoblast. As disorders of pregnancy such as preeclampsia often feature disturbed differentiation and a diminished cytotrophoblast pool, a greater understanding of caspase-14 biology in the human placenta could lead potential therapies for various disorders of pregnancy.

Thesis (Ph.D.) -- Mississippi State University. Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. / Title from title screen. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hong Kong, 2009. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 192-203). Also available in print.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Virginia Commonwealth University, 1997. / Prepared for: Dept. of Microbiology and Immunology. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hong Kong, 2009. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 192-203). Also available online.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Alberta, 2010. / A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology. Title from pdf file main screen (viewed on April 24, 2010). Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Virginia Commonwealth University, 1997. / Prepared for: Dept. of Microbiology and Immunology. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references.

Submitted by Marco Antônio de Ramos Chagas (mchagas@ufv.br) on 2016-10-05T10:48:41Z No. of bitstreams: 1 texto completo.pdf: 697501 bytes, checksum: 226788e066952b4d3ef7e7b8fa9382b3 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-10-05T10:48:41Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 texto completo.pdf: 697501 bytes, checksum: 226788e066952b4d3ef7e7b8fa9382b3 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2002-08-06 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / A identificação e caracterização de proteases de intestino médio de insetos são importantes para o desenvolvimento de cultivares resistentes ao ataque de insetos. Neste estudo, a atividade proteolítica em intestino médio de larvas de A. gemmatalis foi investigada. O extrato enzimático foi obtido após ciclos de congelamento e descongelamento dos intestinos e posterior centrifugação do homogenato a 100,000 g, e o sobrenadante resultante (Fração I) foi utilizado como fonte de proteína solúvel. Como parte de nossos estudos, envolvendo a identificação de proteases do intestino médio de larvas de of A. gemmatalis, a presença de enzimas ligadas a membrana foi avaliada. Para este propósito, o precipitado do homogenato de intestino médio centrifugado a 100,000 g. foi ressuspendido em tampão com Triton X-100, centrifugado como anteriormente e o sobrenadante (Fração II) usado como fonte de proteases ligadas à membrana. A Fração I foi capaz de hidrolisar a caseína, e o substratos sintéticos L -BApNA e TAME. Usando L - BApNA como substrato, a atividade da Fração I foi investigada na presença de vários inibidores de proteases. Assim, EDTA, PMSF, TLCK, benzamidina e aprotinina, foram todos capazes de inibir a atividade da Fração I, com maior inibição observada com TLCK e benzamidina. De acordo com este resultados, conclui-se que o intestino médio de larvas de A. gemmatalis possui uma serino protease trpsina-like. Com o propósito de caracterizar melhor a atividade tripsina-like, foi determinada a atividade ótima para a Fração I. O pH ótimo foi de 8.5 e à temperatura ótima foi a 35 o C, sobre L -BApNA. O pH ótimo e temperatura foi de 8.0 e 30 o C, sobre TAME. O efeito de cálcio na atividade da Fração I foi investigado usando L -BApNA como substrato. A atividade máxima foi obtida na concentração de 20 mM de cálcio. Valores de K Mapp para L -BApNA e TAME foram de 0.32mM e 52.5μM, respectivamente. A Fração II foi capaz de hidrolisar a caseína, e os substratos sintéticos, L -BApNA e TAME. O efeito de vários inibidores de proteases também foi avaliado, usando L -BApNA como substrato. EDTA, PMSF, TLCK, benzamidina e aprotinina foram capazes de inibir a atividade da Fração II, com TLCK e benzamidina exibindo forte inibição. Estes resultados mostram que o intestino médio de larvas de A. gemmatalis possui proteases tripsin-like ligadas a membrana. Esta atividade tripsina-like foi melhor caracterizada. O pH ótimo para a Fração II usando L -BApNA e TAME foi 8.5 e 8.0, respectivamente. A atividade ótima exibida foi a 50 o C para ambos substratos, L-BApNA e TAME. Na concentração de 20 mM de cálcio, a Fração II mostrou um aumento na atividade sobre o L -BApNA. Os valores de K Mapp para L -BApNA e TAME foram de 0.23mM e 95.4 μM, respectivamente. / The identification and characterization of proteases from insects midgut are important in developing cultivars resistant to insect attack. In this study, proteolytic activities in the larval midgut of A. gemmatalis were investigated. Enzymatic extracts were obtained after frozen-and-thawed several times and centrifugation of the midgtus homogenate at 100,000 g, and the resulting supernatant (Fraction I) used as source of soluble proteins. As part of our studies involving the identification of proteases from midgut larvae of A. gemmatalis, the presence of the membrane-bound enzymes was evaluated. For this purpose, the pellet from midgut homogenates centrifuged at 100,000 g. was resuspended in buffer with Triton X-100, centrifuged as before and the supernatant (Fraction II), used as a source of membrane-bound proteases. Fraction I was able to hydrolyze casein, and the synthetic substrates, L-BApNA and TAME. Using L-BApNA as substrate, Fraction I activity was investigated in the presence of several protease inhibitors. Thus, EDTA, PMSF, TLCK, benzamidine and aprotinin, were all able to inhibit Fraction I activity, with greater inhibition observed with TLCK and benzamidine. According with these results, we conclude that the midgut larvae of A. gemmatalis have a trypsin-like serine protease. In order to further characterize the trypsin-like activities, the optimal activity for Fraction I was determined. The optimal pH was 8.5 and the optimal temperature was 35 o C, toward L-BApNA. Optimum pH and temperature were 8.0 and 30 o C, toward TAME. The effect of calcium on Fraction I activity was investigated using L-BApNA as substrate. The maximum activity was obtained at 20 mM calcium concentration. K Mapp values for L- BApNA and TAME were 0.32mM and 52.5μM, respectively. Fraction II was able to hydrolyze casein, and the synthetic substrates, L-BApNA and TAME. Also, the effect of several proteases inhibitors were evaluated, using L-BApNA as substrate. EDTA, PMSF, TLCK, Benzamidine and Aprotinin were able to inhibit Fraction II activity, with TLCK and benzamidine exhibiting stronger inhibition. These results showed that the midgut larvae of A. gemmatalis have a membrane-bound trypsin-like protease. These trypsin-like activities were further characterized. Optimum of pH for Fraction II activity using L-BApNA and TAME were 8.5 and 8.0, respectively. Optimal activity was exhibited at 50 o C toward L- BApNA and TAME. At 20 mM calcium concentration, Fraction II showed the highest activity toward L-BApNA. K Mapp values for L-BApNA and TAME were 0.23mM and 95.4 μM, respectively. / Dissertação importada do Alexandria

Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T12:53:38Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T14:08:26Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / Dissertação (Mestrado) / IPEN/D / Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares - IPEN-CNEN/SP

CoordenaÃÃo de AperfeiÃoamento de Pessoal de NÃvel Superior / A detecÃÃo de inibidores de proteinases cisteÃnicas em raÃzes de feijÃo-de-corda [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walpers] bem como o acÃmulo de fraÃÃes ricas nestes inibidores por meio de precipitaÃÃo com sulfato de amÃnio seguida de cromatografia lÃquida de fase reversa foram realizados no presente trabalho. FraÃÃes contendo os maiores nÃveis de atividade de inibidores de proteinases cisteÃnicas foram selecionadas e sujeitas à avaliaÃÃo de sua habilidade em suprimir a mobilidade de juvenis de segundo estÃgio (J2) do nematÃide das galhas Meloidogyne javanica, raÃa 1. Em adiÃÃo o efeito nematicida destas tambÃm foi avaliado. Quanto ao parÃmetro mobilidade, a fraÃÃo F 30/60 precipitada com sulfato de amÃnio, numa dose de 40 Âg de proteÃnas, mostrou ser a mais potente de todas as amostras testadas, Ãs 24 h de incubaÃÃo. No entanto, com relaÃÃo à mortalidade ambos os picos PIHPLC e PIIHPLC, obtidos dos passos de HPLC, foram os mais ativos causando um percentual de mortes de nematÃides de 95,0 e 94,7 %, respectivamente, quando as doses mais potentes destes picos foram comparadas. AlÃm disso, a fraÃÃo F 30/60 acoplada a FITC foi usada em experimentos de microscopia de luz-fluorescÃncia para responder as seguintes questÃes: 1) Estariam os efeitos observados sobre a mobilidade e mortalidade relacionados à ligaÃÃo das proteÃnas no nematÃide? e 2) Se sim, esta interaÃÃo à realizada com a superfÃcie do nematÃide ou seu intestino, ou com ambas estruturas? A fraÃÃo F 30/60 parece ser incorporada pelos juvenis e ligar-se especificamente à regiÃo correspondente ao intestino dos nematÃides Ãs 6 h apÃs incubaÃÃo, enquanto que Ãs 24 h apÃs incubaÃÃo o complexo fluorescente parece se dispersar ao longo de todo o corpo do nematÃide, como observado pela microscopia de luz-fluorescÃncia. Estes resultados, somados, sugerem o possÃvel uso dos inibidores presentes em raÃzes de feijÃo-de-corda como ferramentas biolÃgicas potenciais no controle do nematÃide das galhas, M. javanica. / Detection of cysteine proteinase inhibitors in cowpea[Vigna unguiculata(L.) Walpers] roots as well as the accumulation of inhibitors enriched fractions throughammonium sulfate precipitation followed by reversed-phase liquid chromatography were in this present work accomplished. Fractions containing higher levels of cysteine proteinase inhibitor activity were selected and subjected to evaluation of its ability of to suppress the mobility of second stage juveniles (J2) of the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne javanica, race 1. In addition, the nematicidal effect of these fractions was also tested. When the mobility parameter was analyzed the ammonium sulfate precipitated F 30/60 fraction, at a dose of 40 μg of proteins, it shown to be the most potent of all tested samples at 24 h after incubation. However, regarding to mortality the both picks, PIHPLC and PIIHPLC, obtained from the HPLC step were the more actives causing a percentage of killing nematodes of 95.0 % and 94.2 %, respectively when the most potent doses of these picks were compared. Moreover, FITC-coupled F 30/60 fraction was used in light-flu orescence microscopy experiments in order to answer the following basic questions: 1) the observed effects on mobility and mortality will be related to the binding of the proteins in the nematode? And 2) If yes, this interaction is performed with the gut or surface nematode, or yet in the both structures? F 30/60 fraction appears to be incorporated by juveniles and specifically bind to the region corresponding to the gut of nematodes at 6 h after incubation, while at 24 h after incubation the fluorescent complex appears to be widespread along the whole body of the nematode, as observed by light-fluorescence microscopy. These results, all together, suggest the possible use of the inhibitors present in cowpea roots as a potential biological tool in the control of the root-knot nematode, M. javanica.