Submitted by Marco Antonio Oliveira da Silva (maosilva@ipen.br) on 2016-08-26T11:30:14Z No. of bitstreams: 0 / Made available in DSpace on 2016-08-26T11:30:14Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / Diversos estudos de serpentes têm mostrado que algumas substâncias componentes de seus venenos possuem eficiência na atividade antitumoral nos ensaios realizados em laboratório em células in vitro e in vivo. O veneno da cascavel Crotalus vegrandis possuem atividades neurotoxica, miotoxica e hemorrágica. A crotoxina simile é um importante componente desse veneno sendo formada por uma proteína que possui uma unidade ácida (Crotapotina) ligada a uma subunidade básica (PLA2). Devido ao fato de existirem poucos estudos relativos ao veneno de Crotalus vegrandis, torna-se necessário o isolamento e a caracterização de suas biomoléculas e uma maior investigação do seu potencial e sua eficácia como agente terapêutico contra células tumorais. No presente trabalho, foi realizado o isolamento e a caracterização da crotoxina simile de Crotalus vegrandis, bem como seu efeito citotóxico em células L929 e B16F10. Realizou-se o cultivo dessas células em placas com 96 poços, para, então, serem colocadas em contato direto com diferentes frações do veneno purificado de Crotalus vegrandis por um tempo total de 48 horas. Para efeitos de comparação realizou-se o mesmo ensaio com frações do veneno purificado da cascavel brasileira Crotalus durissus terrificus. Para a avaliação da viabilidade celular o tratamento com as frações do veneno purificado de Crotalus vegrandis e Crotalus durissus terrificus, realizou-se os ensaios com MTT. Os resultados mostraram uma atividade de grande toxicidade para ambos os venenos em células tumorais B16F10 e pouca toxicidade para as células normais L929. Ainda nos ensaios comparativos com os dois venenos, verificou-se que, para uma dada concentração, as frações do veneno de Crotalus vegrandis possuem uma maior eficiência que qualquer concentração do veneno de Crotalus durissus terrificus, havendo uma maior especificidade para as células B16F10. A crotoxina símile isolada do veneno de Crotalus vegrandis apresentou atividade citotóxica mais preponderante na linhagem celular tumoral B16F10, após 48 horas concentrações de 250 e 125 ug/mL. / Dissertação (Mestrado em Tecnologia Nuclear) / IPEN/D / Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares - IPEN-CNEN/SP

Myostatin (GDF-8) is the chief chalone in skeletal muscle and negatively controls adult skeletal muscle growth. The role of myostatin during overload-induced hypertrophy of adult muscle is unclear. We tested the hypothesis that overloaded adult rodent skeletal muscle would result in reduced myostatin protein levels. Overload-induced hypertrophy was accomplished by unilateral tenotomy of the gastrocnemius tendon in male adult Sprague-Dawley rats followed by a two-week period of compensatory overload of the plantaris and soleus muscles. Western blot analysis was performed to evaluate changes in active, latent and precursor myostatin protein levels. Significant hypertrophy was noted in the plantaris (494 ± 29 vs. 405 ± 15 mg, p < 0.05) and soleus (289 ± 12 vs. 179 ± 37 mg, p < 0.05) muscles following overload. Overloaded soleus muscle decreased the concentration of active myostatin protein by 32.7 ± 9.4% (p < 0.01) while the myostatin precursor protein was unchanged. Overloaded plantaris muscle decreased the concentration of active myostatin protein by 28.5 ± 8.5% (p < 0.01) while myostatin precursor levels were reduced by 17.5 ± 5.9% (p < 0.05). Myostatin latent complex concentration decreased in the overloaded soleus and plantaris muscle by 15.0 ± 5.9% and 70.0 ± 2.3% (p < 0.05), respectively. These data support the hypothesis that the myostatin signaling pathway in overloaded muscles is generally downregulated and contributes to muscle hypertrophy. Plasma concentrations of total and active myostatin proteins were similar in overloaded and control animals and averaged 8865 ± 526 pg/ml and 569 ± 28 pg/ml, respectively. Tissue levels of BMP-1, an extracellular proteinase that converts myostatin to its active form, also decreased in overloaded soleus and plantaris muscles by 40.4 ± 12.9% and 32.9 ± 6.9% (p < 0.01), respectively. These data support the hypothesis that local, rather than systemic, regulation of myostatin contributes to the growth of individual muscles, and that an association exists between the extracellular matrix proteinase BMP-1 and the amount of active myostatin in overloaded muscles.

Com o intuito de gerar subsídios para melhoria do processo de produção de Metarhizium anisopliae, o presente estudo teve como principais objetivos, determinar os efeitos de inibidores de proteinases de soja no crescimento vegetativo, esporulação e virulência do fungo e comparar a produção, viabilidade e virulência dos conídios produzidos em diferentes tipos de arroz e aditivos. A adição de 5 g.L-1 de inibidores de proteinases semi-purificados de soja ou 0,5 g.L-1 de inibidor purificado do tipo Kunitz no meio de cultura ME resultou em grande aumento na esporulação (de duas a 75 vezes) sem afetar a viabilidade dos conídios de quatro isolados (ESALQ-1037, IBCB348, E9, F20) de M. anisopliae. A presença destes inibidores de proteinases também alterou a morfologia dos conídios produzidos em ME. Os mecanismos responsáveis por estas alterações fisiológicas não foram determinados, mas provavelmente estejam associados à ação anti-nutricional, diminuindo a absorção protéica e estimulando a esporulação. Os conídios produzidos no meio com adição de 0,5 g.L-1 de inibidor de proteinase do tipo Kunitz ou com 2,5 g.L-1 de albumina de soro bovino e no meio BDA apresentaram virulência superior aos conídios produzido no meio ME sem inibidores. Quando o inibidor de proteinase do tipo Kunitz foi adicionado à suspensão de conídios do fungo antes da pulverização de lagartas de Diatraea saccharalis, a eficiência de controle foi 35,1%, inferior ao apresentado pelos demais tratamentos sem a presença deste inibidor. Nos estudos para determinação dos melhores tipos de arroz para produção de M. anisopliae, tentou-se correlacionar à produção de conídios com características destes substratos como valor nutricional, teor de resíduos de agrotóxicos e densidade de microorganismos. O arroz parboilizado foi responsável pela maior produção de conídios (4,38 x 109 conídios.g-1). Este tipo de arroz apresentou teor de proteína bruta menor do que a maioria dos arrozes e o maior teor de umidade (41,3% após a autoclavagem). Além disto, os grãos após autoclavagem ficaram menos gelatinosos e mais soltos, o que facilita o processo de produção do fungo. Enquanto que os arrozes dos tipos brancos polidos, canjicão e integral ficaram pegajosos e formaram grumos, o que provavelmente deve acarretar em menor superfície de desenvolvimento para o fungo. O segundo melhor arroz, o canjicão, com produção de 3,42 x 109 conídios.g-1, teve a maior quantidade de fungos contaminantes nos grãos crus. Quantidades intermediárias de conídios foram produzidas pelos arrozes branco polido irrigado, de terras altas e orgânico. O integral foi o que resultou na menor quantidade de conídios (1,53 x 109 conídios.g-1), sendo o mais rico em minerais, proteína bruta e extrato etéreo. Nenhum dos aditivos (farelo de soja, grãos de soja partidos, extrato de soja, peptona de soja, inibidores de proteinases de soja semipurificados e purificado do tipo Kunitz, polpa cítrica e levedura) resultou em aumento na produção de conídios em comparação com o arroz parboilizado sem aditivos. Os conídios produzidos em todos os arrozes e aditivos apresentam viabilidade superior a 99%. As vantagens da utilização do arroz parboilizado levando-se em consideração custo, facilidade de manuseio e produtividade são discutidas. / In order to optimize the production process of Metarhizium anisopliae, the present study aimed to determine the effects of soybean proteinase inhibitors on growth, sporulation and virulence of the fungus and to compare yield, viability and virulence of M. anisopliae conidia produced in different types of rice and additives. The addition of 5 g.L-1 of semi-purified soybean proteinase inhibitor or 0.5 g.L-1 of Kunitz-type inhibitor purified on the culture medium ME resulted in large increases in sporulation (two to 75 times) without affecting the viability of conidia of four M. anisopliae isolates (ESALQ-1037, IBCB348, E9, F20). The presence of proteinase inhibitors altered morphology of conidia produced in ME. Mechanisms responsible for these physiological changes in the fungus have not been determined, but it is probably associated to an anti-nutritional action, reducing the absorption of protein and stimulating sporulation. Spores produced in the medium with the addition of 0.5 g.L-1 Kunitz-type inhibitor purified or 2.5 g.L-1 of bovine serum albumin (BSA) and PDA medium showed higher virulence of conidia produced in ME without inhibitors. When the Kunitz-type inhibitor was added to conidial suspension of the fungus before spraying larvae of Diatraea saccharalis, control efficiency was 35.1% lower than that presented in other inhibitor-free treatments. In the studies aiming to determine the best types of rice for production of M. anisopliae, we tried to correlate production of conidia with characteristics of these substrates such as nutritional content, pesticide residues and density of microorganisms. The parboiled rice was responsible for greater production of conidia (4.38 x 109 conidia.g-1). This type of rice showed crude protein content lower than most rice and the highest moisture content (41.3% after autoclaving). Besides that, grains became less gelatinous and loose after autoclaving, and these feature favored fungus production. While types of polished white, brown rice and course (broken) rice grain were sticky and formed clumps, providing a smaller area for fungus development. The second best rice, course rice grain, with production of 3.42 x 109 conidia.g-1, had the highest amount of fungal contaminants in raw grains. Intermediate amounts of conidia were produced by white irrigated polished rice, upland rice and organic rice. The brown rice was the kind that resulted in fewer conidia (1.53 x 109 conidia.g-1), being the richest in minerals, protein and lipids. None of the additives (soybean meal, soybean parties, soy extract, soy peptone, semi-purified soybean proteinase inhibitor, Kunitz-type inhibitor purified, citrus pulp and yeast) resulted in increased production of conidia compared to parboiled rice without additives. Conidia produced in all types of rice and additives presented viability greater than 99%. The advantages of the use of parboiled rice taking into consideration the cost, easy handling and productivity are discussed.

Apart from CAD, the transient liberation of AIF during day 6 of TF-1 differentiation could pose another threat to the genomic DNA in cells. We have demonstrated the absence of AIF in the nucleus of TF-1 cells despite its release from the mitochondria by using confocal studies. Moreover, the expression of heat shock protein 70 kDa (Hsp70), a well-known antagonist of AIF, was found to be temporarily increased at day 6. Taken together, our results implied a plausible retention of AIF in the cytoplasm by Hsp70. Although Hsp70 is commonly utilized by many cancer cells to counteract AIF and avoid DNA fragmentation, we are the first to demonstrate its role in suppressing AIF during normal erythroid maturation. / As a whole, we have illustrated that the activated caspase-3, mediated most likely by the mitochondrial pathway, is an essential component in the differentiation of TF-1 cells. Its activation was nevertheless not coupled with DNA fragmentation due to some protective mechanisms such as CAD downregulation, Hsp70 upregulation and overexpression of Bcl-XL. Our study therefore provides some insights in the understanding of the relationship between human erythropoiesis and apoptosis and a better understanding in this regard will undoubtedly facilitate the development of new drugs in the treatment of different hematopoietic diseases. / Caspases play a central role in apoptosis. Their activations during the process are accounted for different biochemical and morphological changes in apoptotic cells. Yet in recent years, increasing studies had shown that caspases were also involved in some non-apoptotic cellular events, including T and B-lymphocytes activation, as well as the terminal differentiation of lens cells, megakaryocytes and erythrocytes. / In order to find out other unknown cellular mechanisms in erythropoiesis, mRNA differential display was employed to compare the gene expression pattern of TF-1 cells at different stages of differentiation. Several differentially expressed genes were identified and subsequently confirmed by RT PCR. These genes include formin binding protein 3, destrin and T-complex protein-1 (TCP-1). Their involvement in erythroid differentiation was still not clear at the moment but would be investigated in the near future. Furthermore, aiming at identifying the interacting proteins or inhibitors of caspase-3 in the system, a pull down assay was developed by means of the bacterial expression of a recombinant human caspase-3 mutant protein. With the mutation in the active site, the binding of our recombinant caspase-3 mutant with two known partners ICAD and BIRII (Baculovirus Inhibitor of apoptosis protein Repeat II) domain has been demonstrated. We hope in the near future that it can be employed to fish out some novel caspase-3 substrates from the differentiating TF-1 cell lysate. / In the present study, the participation of caspase in in vitro erythropoiesis was investigated using a human erythroleukemia cell line TF-1. Erythropoietin (EPO) induced erythroid maturation of TF-1 as indicated by the expression of erythroid-lineage markers like glycophorin A (GPA), transferrin receptors (CD71) and synthesis of hemoglobin (Hb). Activation of caspase-3 was observed from day 6 to day 12 during TF-1 differentiation after EPO treatment. With the administration of caspase-3 specific inhibitor, expressions of GPA and CD71 were partially blocked, suggesting that caspase-3 activation is essential in erythropoiesis in our TF-1 model. / Possible involvement of the intrinsic and extrinsic apoptotic pathways was studied by investigating respectively the activation of pro-caspase-9 and -8. It was found that caspase-9, but not -8, was activated at the corresponding time point when caspase-3 was activated. Besides, a transient mitochondrial depolarization coupled with the release of cytochrome c and apoptosis inducing factor (AIF) were detected on day 6, strongly implying a role of mitochondria in triggering the activation of executioner caspase-3. On the other hand, GPA and CD71 expressions were blocked by the application of mitochondrial depolarization inhibitor cyclosporin A (CyA). Also, the recovery of mitochondrial membrane potential was found to be correlated with an overexpression of Bcl-XL at a late stage of TF-1 differentiation, and the role of Bcl-XL was subsequently manifested further by a significant retardation of erythroid differentiation in the siRNA Bcl-XL knocked down TF-1 cells. / The exact role of caspase-3 in erythroid differentiation is far from clear at this moment. Yet, its regulation in the process is equally intriguing. On the course of TF-1 maturation, activated caspase-3 was able to cleave and de-localize the Inhibitor of Caspase-activated DNase (ICAD) from the nucleus, but at the same time DNA fragmentation was not detected by TUNEL assay nor agarose electrophoresis. Furthermore, protection against DNA fragmentation was observed in the EPO-treated TF-1 cells when challenged with a potent apoptotic inducer staurosporine (STS). These observations are in contrast to our understanding that DNA is fragmented by CAD (Caspase-activated DNase) when ICAD in the ICAD-CAD complex is cleaved by caspase-3. For these apparently contradictory observations, we demonstrated that downregulation of CAD occurred at the mRNA and protein levels during the erythroid differentiation in TF-1. This provides a cell rescuing mechanism in non-apoptotic cells with activated caspases. / Lui Chun Kin Julian. / "September 2006." / Adviser: Siu Kai Kong. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 68-03, Section: B, page: 1620. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 239-253). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. [Ann Arbor, MI] : ProQuest Information and Learning, [200-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / School code: 1307.

Orientador: Paula Rahal / Banca: Hamilton Cabral / Banca: Nelson José Freitas da Silveira / Banca: Maria Tercília Vilela de Azeredo Oliveira / Banca: José Osmar Gaspar / Resumo: A proteína NS3 apresenta dois domínios e é bifuncional. Apresenta três funções enzimáticas que são; 1) atividade de protease; 2) NTPase e 3) helicase. A função protease relaciona-se a tradução da proteína precursora e as funções NTPase e helicase tem grande participação na replicação do material genético viral. Trata-se de uma molécula essencial para o processamento da poliproteína precursora e também para a replicação viral e portanto, um dos principais alvos para o desenvolvimento de drogas antivirais. No domínio Protease foram evidenciadas substituições na tríade catalítica e na região de ligação ao íon zinco nos pacientes avaliados. Estas substituições, quando somadas podem explicar a resposta ao tratamento. Também foram visualizadas alterações na porção Helicase da NS3. As substituições ocorreram nos sítios de ligação ao ATP e ao RNA. Outros resíduos da Helicase relevantes para o desenvolvimento de inibidores, como R2133 e F258 e F264 não apresentaram substituições, evidenciando tratarem-se de aminoácidos conservados nessa região. Os resultados obtidos nesse trabalho fornecem informações sobre o perfil genético do vírus HCV do genótipo 3 especificamente da região codificadora da proteína NS3, permitindo o conhecimento do genoma viral e a identificação de regiões para ligação de possíveis inibidores. Este projeto certifica que a modelagem é uma ferramenta útil para a biologia estrutural e funcional, e que os modelos obtidos aqui contribuem para o desenho de novas drogas anti-virais específicas para o genótipo 3 do vírus HCV / Abstract: The NS3 protein has two domains and is bifuntional. It presents three functions: 1) protease activity, 2) NTPase and 3) helicase. The protease function is related to the translation of the poliprotein precursor and functions NTPase and helicase has great participation in the replication of the viral genetic material. So. The NS3 is considered the major target for the development of antiviral drugs. In the Protease portion substitutions were evidenced in catalytic triad and the zinc ion binding sites, in the patients evaluated. These substitutions, when added up can explain the response to treatment. Also were observed changes in Helicase portion of NS3. The substitutions took place on ATP and RNA binding sites. Other residues of Helicase relevant to the development of inhibitors, as R2133 and F258 and F264, showed no substitutions, highlighting the great conservation of amino acids in this region. The results obtained in this work provide information on the genetic profile of the HCV virus genotype 3, specifically the region of NS3 protein, allowing the knowledge of the viral genome and the identification of regions for possible connection of inhibitors. This project certifies that the modeling is a useful tool for structural biology and functional, and that the models obtained here contribute to the design of new anti-viral drugs specific to the genotype 3 of HCV virus / Doutor

Com o intuito de gerar subsídios para melhoria do processo de produção de Metarhizium anisopliae, o presente estudo teve como principais objetivos, determinar os efeitos de inibidores de proteinases de soja no crescimento vegetativo, esporulação e virulência do fungo e comparar a produção, viabilidade e virulência dos conídios produzidos em diferentes tipos de arroz e aditivos. A adição de 5 g.L-1 de inibidores de proteinases semi-purificados de soja ou 0,5 g.L-1 de inibidor purificado do tipo Kunitz no meio de cultura ME resultou em grande aumento na esporulação (de duas a 75 vezes) sem afetar a viabilidade dos conídios de quatro isolados (ESALQ-1037, IBCB348, E9, F20) de M. anisopliae. A presença destes inibidores de proteinases também alterou a morfologia dos conídios produzidos em ME. Os mecanismos responsáveis por estas alterações fisiológicas não foram determinados, mas provavelmente estejam associados à ação anti-nutricional, diminuindo a absorção protéica e estimulando a esporulação. Os conídios produzidos no meio com adição de 0,5 g.L-1 de inibidor de proteinase do tipo Kunitz ou com 2,5 g.L-1 de albumina de soro bovino e no meio BDA apresentaram virulência superior aos conídios produzido no meio ME sem inibidores. Quando o inibidor de proteinase do tipo Kunitz foi adicionado à suspensão de conídios do fungo antes da pulverização de lagartas de Diatraea saccharalis, a eficiência de controle foi 35,1%, inferior ao apresentado pelos demais tratamentos sem a presença deste inibidor. Nos estudos para determinação dos melhores tipos de arroz para produção de M. anisopliae, tentou-se correlacionar à produção de conídios com características destes substratos como valor nutricional, teor de resíduos de agrotóxicos e densidade de microorganismos. O arroz parboilizado foi responsável pela maior produção de conídios (4,38 x 109 conídios.g-1). Este tipo de arroz apresentou teor de proteína bruta menor do que a maioria dos arrozes e o maior teor de umidade (41,3% após a autoclavagem). Além disto, os grãos após autoclavagem ficaram menos gelatinosos e mais soltos, o que facilita o processo de produção do fungo. Enquanto que os arrozes dos tipos brancos polidos, canjicão e integral ficaram pegajosos e formaram grumos, o que provavelmente deve acarretar em menor superfície de desenvolvimento para o fungo. O segundo melhor arroz, o canjicão, com produção de 3,42 x 109 conídios.g-1, teve a maior quantidade de fungos contaminantes nos grãos crus. Quantidades intermediárias de conídios foram produzidas pelos arrozes branco polido irrigado, de terras altas e orgânico. O integral foi o que resultou na menor quantidade de conídios (1,53 x 109 conídios.g-1), sendo o mais rico em minerais, proteína bruta e extrato etéreo. Nenhum dos aditivos (farelo de soja, grãos de soja partidos, extrato de soja, peptona de soja, inibidores de proteinases de soja semipurificados e purificado do tipo Kunitz, polpa cítrica e levedura) resultou em aumento na produção de conídios em comparação com o arroz parboilizado sem aditivos. Os conídios produzidos em todos os arrozes e aditivos apresentam viabilidade superior a 99%. As vantagens da utilização do arroz parboilizado levando-se em consideração custo, facilidade de manuseio e produtividade são discutidas. / In order to optimize the production process of Metarhizium anisopliae, the present study aimed to determine the effects of soybean proteinase inhibitors on growth, sporulation and virulence of the fungus and to compare yield, viability and virulence of M. anisopliae conidia produced in different types of rice and additives. The addition of 5 g.L-1 of semi-purified soybean proteinase inhibitor or 0.5 g.L-1 of Kunitz-type inhibitor purified on the culture medium ME resulted in large increases in sporulation (two to 75 times) without affecting the viability of conidia of four M. anisopliae isolates (ESALQ-1037, IBCB348, E9, F20). The presence of proteinase inhibitors altered morphology of conidia produced in ME. Mechanisms responsible for these physiological changes in the fungus have not been determined, but it is probably associated to an anti-nutritional action, reducing the absorption of protein and stimulating sporulation. Spores produced in the medium with the addition of 0.5 g.L-1 Kunitz-type inhibitor purified or 2.5 g.L-1 of bovine serum albumin (BSA) and PDA medium showed higher virulence of conidia produced in ME without inhibitors. When the Kunitz-type inhibitor was added to conidial suspension of the fungus before spraying larvae of Diatraea saccharalis, control efficiency was 35.1% lower than that presented in other inhibitor-free treatments. In the studies aiming to determine the best types of rice for production of M. anisopliae, we tried to correlate production of conidia with characteristics of these substrates such as nutritional content, pesticide residues and density of microorganisms. The parboiled rice was responsible for greater production of conidia (4.38 x 109 conidia.g-1). This type of rice showed crude protein content lower than most rice and the highest moisture content (41.3% after autoclaving). Besides that, grains became less gelatinous and loose after autoclaving, and these feature favored fungus production. While types of polished white, brown rice and course (broken) rice grain were sticky and formed clumps, providing a smaller area for fungus development. The second best rice, course rice grain, with production of 3.42 x 109 conidia.g-1, had the highest amount of fungal contaminants in raw grains. Intermediate amounts of conidia were produced by white irrigated polished rice, upland rice and organic rice. The brown rice was the kind that resulted in fewer conidia (1.53 x 109 conidia.g-1), being the richest in minerals, protein and lipids. None of the additives (soybean meal, soybean parties, soy extract, soy peptone, semi-purified soybean proteinase inhibitor, Kunitz-type inhibitor purified, citrus pulp and yeast) resulted in increased production of conidia compared to parboiled rice without additives. Conidia produced in all types of rice and additives presented viability greater than 99%. The advantages of the use of parboiled rice taking into consideration the cost, easy handling and productivity are discussed.

Medicago truncatula est une Légumineuse établissant une interaction symbiotique avec une bactérie tellurique de la famille des Rhizobiacées, Sinorhizobium meliloti. Cette interaction induit l’organogénèse racinaire d’un nouvel organe, la nodosité dans laquelle s’établit un microenvironnement propice à la différenciation de S. meliloti en bactéroïde fixateur du diazote atmosphérique. Ce dernier réduit ainsi le N2 atmosphérique en ammonium, assimilé ensuite par la plante hôte. Cette réduction étant très endergonique M. truncatula fournit aux bactéroïdes des substrats carbonés issus de la photosynthèse. Cependant, cette interaction n’est pas pérenne, du fait de la mise en place d’un processus de sénescence ; processus conduisant à la lyse des bactéroïdes et des cellules hôtes végétales. Cependant, à l’heure actuelle, ce processus de rupture symbiotique reste largement méconnu. Afin de mieux caractériser ce processus de sénescence, nous avons développé de nouveaux outils cytologiques permettant par microscopie confocale de suivre in vivo la viabilité, mais également le fonctionnement des bactéroïdes au sein de la cellule hôte végétale. Ces nouvelles approches cytologiques pourraient ainsi offrir de nouvelles perspectives pour une caractérisation plus précise du déroulement du processus de sénescence nodositaire. Dans le cadre de ce travail de thèse, nous avons également cherché à déterminer l’implication de deux cystéines protéases dans la mise en place du processus de sénescence nodositaire. Une des caractéristiques de ce processus de sénescence est une hausse de l’activité protéolytique, notamment des activités cystéine protéases. L’analyse transcriptomique par cDNA-AFLP du processus de sénescence nodositaire (Van de Velde et al. 2006) a pu mettre en évidence 508 gènes différentiellement exprimés dont deux cystéines protéases, MtCP6 et MtVPE. L’analyse spatio-temporelle de MtCP6 et MtVPE, par fusion transcriptionnelle avec le gène rapporteur GUS, a permis de mettre en évidence l’induction de ces deux gènes lors du processus de sénescence nodositaire aussi bien développementale qu’induit par un traitement abiotique ou lors d’une interaction symbiotique non efficace. De plus, nous avons pu démontrer, par génétique inverse, que la diminution de l’expression de ces deux protéases retarde la mise en place du processus de sénescence, alors que leur expression précoce conduit à la promouvoir. Enfin, l’étude par microscopie confocale de la localisation subcellulaire de ces protéases par fusion traductionnelle avec la GFP, démontre leur adressage aux bactéroïdes. Nos données tendent donc à démontrer le rôle clef de MtCP6 et de MtVPE dans le processus de sénescence nodositaire, où ces protéases pourraient participer directement au déclenchement d’une dégradation des bactéroïdes. / Medicago truncatula is a leguminous plant establishing a symbiotic interaction with the bacteria Sinorhizobium meliloti. This symbiosis leads to the de novo development of root nodules involved in biological nitrogen fixation. However, this symbiotic interaction is time limited and an early senescence appears in mature nodule entailing the formation of a senescence zone (zone IV). This degradation process occurs earlier in comparison to senescence of the whole plant. During nodule developmental senescence of plant host cells, a gradual degradation process induces a loss of vacuole and peribacteroid membrane (PBM). But this nodule degradation process still remains to be unravelled. To increase our understanding of the nodule senescence process, we developed new cytologic tools allowing an in vivo assessment of the viability and functioning of bacteroids within plant host cells. Therefore, these new tools provide a new insight of the nodule senescence process which may help for a finer characterization of the nodule senescence. In the M. truncatula model, a previous cDNA-AFLP analysis enlightens an upregulation of several cysteine proteinases during the transition from nitrogen fixing nodule to a senescent one; including an early expression of an SPG31-like peptidase known to be involved in leaf senescence (MtCP6) and a Vacuolar Processing Enzyme described as a plant caspase-like protein (MtVPE) involved in mechanisms similar to hypersensitive response in A. thaliana. In planta spatiotemporal analysis of the expression of these two cysteine proteinases using promoter:reporter gene GUS confirmed their expression during natural senescence at the junction between the nitrogen fixing zone (zone III) and the senescence zone (zone IV). Therefore, to acquire a better insight into the role of these cysteine proteases during the senescence program, we knocked down by RNAi the expression of each gene specifically at the interzone III-IV. Depletion of these transcripts induced a drastic increased of N2 fixation and nodule size. Conversely, overexpression of both genes in the zone III of nodule leads to an extension of the senescence zone. Confocal microscopy images of protein:GFP fusions showed that both proteinases are addressed to bacteroids within plant host cells. Our data revealed that MtCP6 and MtVPE are key players of the nodule senescence process and may be directly involved in symbiosome degradation.

Submitted by Pedro Silva Filho (pfsilva@ipen.br) on 2017-11-23T11:17:22Z No. of bitstreams: 0 / Made available in DSpace on 2017-11-23T11:17:22Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) / A papaína é uma enzima proteolítica empregada no debridamento e cicatrização de feridas. Contudo, problemas de estabilidade na forma farmacêutica, bem como reações alérgicas reportadas por pacientes submetidos à tratamentos com a enzima, culminaram na restrição aos produtos contendo papaína para uso tópico por órgãos regulatórios internacionais. Este trabalho objetivou desenvolver hidrogel nanoestruturado contendo complexo de papaína e ciclodextrina visando obter forma farmacêutica estável e eficaz como curativo dérmico, com redução da resposta imunológica. A síntese do hidrogel foi realizada combinando fenômenos de cristalização e/ou reticulação e esterilização simultânea induzida por radiação gama, de modo a promover nanoestruturação adequada da membrana para veiculação da papaína nativa e do complexo. O complexo e o produto final tiveram suas propriedades biológicas e físico-químicas avaliadas. O hidrogel a base de PVA contendo complexo de papaína-ciclodextrina apresentou características adequadas para aplicação como curativo, além de apresentar indícios de redução na resposta imunológica e melhora na citocompatibilidade quando comparado à papaína nativa, isso devido ao encapsulamento molecular com a ciclodextrina e à alta retenção do complexo por parte da matriz. Por outro lado, a irradiação, não alterou o perfil citotóxico da enzima, mas acarretou leve diminuição em seu potencial imunogênico. O hidrogel se mostrou promissor para uso como curativo e demonstrou potencial redução nas reações adversas desencadeadas pelo uso da papaína. / Tese (Doutorado em Tecnologia Nuclear) / IPEN/T / Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares - IPEN-CNEN/SP / FAPESP:10/10935-9

Des résultats d’expériences cliniques de reconstruction de l’os maxillaire faites à partir de la greffe d’une "pâte osseuse" gélifiée par l’ajout de facteur tissulaire ont été le primum movens de ce travail. Cette "pâte osseuse", faite d’os en poudre et de plasma enrichi en plaquette (PRP) à laquelle on ajoute du facteur tissulaire, est un modèle à la fois de la coagulation et de la régénération osseuse.<p>Pour analyser des effets de la coagulation, nous avons utilisé un modèle connu :la culture primaire de cellules endothéliales (HUVEC). Les effets in vitro des facteurs de coagulation, dénommés protéases de la coagulation, pris séparément, ont été bien étudiés dans ces cellules, néanmoins aucune information sur l’effet combiné de ces protéases ou du plasma en coagulation n’était connue. Nous avons mesuré la "signalisation calcium" comme réponse cellulaire aux différents agents et ces mesures de la signalisation calcium ont été complétées par la mesure d’une autre réponse biologique, à savoir la sécrétion de cytokines pro-inflammatoires (IL-6 et IL-8). Pour l’étude de la régénération osseuse, la signalisation calcium a été mesurée sur une lignée d’ostéosarcomes humains (SaOS-2), stimulée par des protéases de la voie extrinsèque de la coagulation (facteur VIIa, facteur Xa et thrombine). Comme réponse biologique complémentaire, nous avons évalué l’effet des protéases d’intérêt sur l’apoptose induite par l’absence de sérum dans le milieu de culture.<p>\ / Doctorat en Sciences biomédicales et pharmaceutiques / info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished

Les protéases Tolloïdes constituent un groupe de métalloprotéases extracellulaires comptant quatre membres chez les mammifères (BMP-1, mTLD, mTLL-1 et mTLL-2). Ces protéases jouent un rôle majeur dans le développement et la réparation tissulaire, ainsi que dans certaines pathologies comme les fibroses. En 2006, le premier inhibiteur endogène des protéases Tolloïdes a été identifié chez le xénope et le poisson zèbre. Il s'agit de la protéine Sizzled, qui appartient à la famille des secreted Frizzled-Related proteins (sFRPs). Le travail présenté dans ce manuscrit suggère que ce mécanisme d'inhibition des protéases Tolloïdes par les sFRPs n'est pas conservé chez les mammifères. En effet, trois des cinq sFRPs de mammifères ont été testées (sFRP1, sFRP2 et sFRP4), et aucune d'entre elles ne s'est avérée capable d'inhiber l'activité de la protéase BMP-1 humaine in vitro. Ce travail montre toutefois que les protéases BMP-1, mTLD et mTLL-1 humaines peuvent être inhibées de façon puissante et spécifique par la protéine Sizzled de xénope. Cette inhibition repose sur l'interaction du domaine Frizzled de Sizzled avec le domaine catalytique des protéases Tolloïdes. Plus particulièrement, les résidus Asp-92, Phe-94, Ser-43 et Glu-44 de Sizzled (dont certains ne sont pas présents chez les sFRPs de mammifères) jouent un rôle crucial dans cette inhibition. Enfin, nous nous sommes intéressés au variant long du collagène XVIII, qui comporte également un domaine Frizzled. Nous avons pu montrer que BMP-1 clive le collagène XVIII in vitro, libérant un fragment contenant le domaine Frizzled. Des expériences sont en cours pour déterminer si ce fragment est capable d'inhiber les protéases Tolloïdes / Tolloid proteinases constitute a group of extracellular metalloproteinases which includes four members in mammals (BMP-1, mTLD, mTLL-1, mTLL-2). These proteinases play major roles in development, tissue repair and related pathological conditions such as fibrosis. In 2006, the first endogenous inhibitor of Tolloid proteinases was identified in Xenopus and zebrafish. This inhibitor, called Sizzled, is a member of the secreted Frizzled- related proteins (sFRPs). The present study strongly suggests that inhibition of Tolloid proteinases activity by sFRPs is not conserved in mammals. Indeed, three of the five mammalian sFRPs were tested (sFRP1, sFRP2 and sFRP4) and none of them was found to inhibit human BMP-1 activity in vitro. In contrast, this study demonstrates that Xenopus Sizzled is a potent and specific inhibitor of human BMP-1, mTLD and mTLL-1. This inhibition involves an interaction between the Frizzled domain of Sizzled and the catalytic domain of Tolloid proteinases. More precisely, residues Asp-92, Phe-94, Ser-43 and Glu-44 of Sizzled (among which only Asp-92 is conserved in mammalian sFRPs) play a crucial role in Tolloid proteinase inhibition. Finally, we studied the longest isoform of collagen XVIII, which also contains a Frizzled domain. We found that BMP-1 can cleave collagen XVIII in vitro, resulting in a Frizzled domain-Containing fragment. Experiments are in progress to determine if this fragment can also inhibit Tolloid proteinase activity