Os efeitos inibitórios do eugenol (EUG) em canais para Na+ ativados por voltagem (NaV) mostrados anteriormente não são totalmente compatíveis com nossos resultados. Nós estudamos os efeitos do EUG em correntes macroscópicas de Na+ e os comparamos aos da lidocaína, um anestésico local, para referência. O EUG bloqueou, rápida e reversivelmente, correntes de Na+ mistas (TTX-S+TTX-R) assim como as correntes de Na+ TTX-R. As IC50 para a inibição das correntes mistas e TTX-R pelo EUG foram de 2,28 e 2,27 mmol/L, respectivamente. O bloqueio depende da freqüência de despolarizações. Nas correntes mistas, o EUG desloca a curva de ativação para a direita, a de inativação para a esquerda, não altera a cinética de inativação e retarda a recuperação da inativação, rápida e lenta, dos canais. Nas correntes TTX-R, o efeito é semelhante, exceto na curva de ativação, que não é deslocada. Nós concluímos que o EUG bloqueia os NaV por se ligar a estados conformacionais de repouso e inativados, rápido e lento. Os efeitos são semelhantes, mas não idênticos aos da lidocaína. / The previously described inhibitory effects of eugenol (EUG) on voltage-activated Na+ channels (Nav) are not compatible with our results. We have studied the effects of EUG on macroscopic Na+ currents and compared them to the effects of lidocaine, a local anesthetic. EUG blocked both mixed (TTX-S and TTX-R) and TTX-R Na+ currents in a fast and reversible manner. The values of IC50 for the inhibition of mixed and TTX-R currents were 2.28 and 2.27 mmol/L respectively. The blockade depends on frequency of depolarizing pulses. In mixed currents EUG displaced the activation curve to the right, the inactivation curve to the left, does not alter the inactivation kinetics and retards the recovery from inactivation, fast and slow, of the Na+ channels. In TTX-R currents, EUG effects were similar, except on the activation curve, which was not shifted. In conclusion, EUG blocks Nav by binding to the resting and inactivated conformational states of channels, fast and slow. EUG effects resembles lidocaine ones, but are not identical.

Dissertation (Ph.D.)--University of South Florida, 2008. / Includes vita. Also available online. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 121-140).

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of South Florida, 2005. / Includes vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 128-144). Also available online.

<p>Fibroblast growth factor homologous factors (FHFs) are noncanonical members of the fibroblast growth factor family (FGFs, FGF11-FGF14) that bind directly to voltage gated sodium channels (VGSCs), thereby regulating channel activity and consequently neuronal excitability. Mutations in FGF14 cause spinocerebellar ataxia while FGF13 is a candidate for X-linked mental retardation. Since FGF13 and FGF14 are nearly identical within their respective VGSC-interacting domains, those distinct pathological consequences have generally been attributed to regional differences in expression. I have shown that FGF13 and FGF14 have non-overlapping subcellular distributions and biological roles even in hippocampal neurons where both are prominent. While both FHFs are abundant in the axon initial segment (AIS), only FGF13 is observed within the soma and dendrites. shRNA knockdown and rescue strategies showed that FGF14 regulates axonal VGSCs, while FGF13 only affects VGSCs in the somatodendritic compartment. Thus, FGF13 and FGF14 have nonredundant roles in hippocampal neurons, with FGF14 acting as an AIS-dominant positive regulator and FGF13 serving as a somatodendritic negative regulator. Both of these FHFs also perform important non-VGSC regulatory roles. FGF14 is a novel potassium channel regulator, which binds to KCNQ2 and regulates both localization and function. FGF14 is also capable of serving as a “bridge” between VGSCs and KCNQ2 thus implicating it as a broad organizer of the AIS. FGF13, on the other hand is involved in a new form of neuronal plasticity called axon initial segment structural plasticity. Knockdown of FGF13 impairs AIS structural plasticity and reduces L-type CaV current through channels known to be important to this new form of plasticity. Both of these novel non-VGSC roles are specific to the FHF in question because FGF13 does not regulate KCNQ2 whereas FGF14 knockdown does not affect AIS position. These data imply wider roles for FHFs in neuronal regulation that may contribute to differing roles in neural disease.</p> / Dissertation

Os efeitos inibitórios do eugenol (EUG) em canais para Na+ ativados por voltagem (NaV) mostrados anteriormente não são totalmente compatíveis com nossos resultados. Nós estudamos os efeitos do EUG em correntes macroscópicas de Na+ e os comparamos aos da lidocaína, um anestésico local, para referência. O EUG bloqueou, rápida e reversivelmente, correntes de Na+ mistas (TTX-S+TTX-R) assim como as correntes de Na+ TTX-R. As IC50 para a inibição das correntes mistas e TTX-R pelo EUG foram de 2,28 e 2,27 mmol/L, respectivamente. O bloqueio depende da freqüência de despolarizações. Nas correntes mistas, o EUG desloca a curva de ativação para a direita, a de inativação para a esquerda, não altera a cinética de inativação e retarda a recuperação da inativação, rápida e lenta, dos canais. Nas correntes TTX-R, o efeito é semelhante, exceto na curva de ativação, que não é deslocada. Nós concluímos que o EUG bloqueia os NaV por se ligar a estados conformacionais de repouso e inativados, rápido e lento. Os efeitos são semelhantes, mas não idênticos aos da lidocaína. / The previously described inhibitory effects of eugenol (EUG) on voltage-activated Na+ channels (Nav) are not compatible with our results. We have studied the effects of EUG on macroscopic Na+ currents and compared them to the effects of lidocaine, a local anesthetic. EUG blocked both mixed (TTX-S and TTX-R) and TTX-R Na+ currents in a fast and reversible manner. The values of IC50 for the inhibition of mixed and TTX-R currents were 2.28 and 2.27 mmol/L respectively. The blockade depends on frequency of depolarizing pulses. In mixed currents EUG displaced the activation curve to the right, the inactivation curve to the left, does not alter the inactivation kinetics and retards the recovery from inactivation, fast and slow, of the Na+ channels. In TTX-R currents, EUG effects were similar, except on the activation curve, which was not shifted. In conclusion, EUG blocks Nav by binding to the resting and inactivated conformational states of channels, fast and slow. EUG effects resembles lidocaine ones, but are not identical.

Les canaux calciques de type T Cav3.2 sont des régulateurs clés des fonctions sensorielles, et de fait sont également des cibles intéressantes pour le développement de nouveaux composés analgésiques pour le traitement et le management de la douleur. Malgré de récentes avancées dans l’identification de petites molécules organiques ciblant la famille des canaux Cav3.x/Type T, il reste encore à identifier un inhibiteur spécifique de Cav3.2. Le venin d’araignées contient une large diversité de neurotoxines incluant des modificateurs de gating des canaux calciques. En utilisant des canaux calciques recombinants, nous avons procédé à un criblage d’une bibliothèque de venins et avons identifié un nouveau peptide de 28 acides aminés (Psp3Tx1). La forme synthétique de ce peptide a été utilisé pour déterminer son profil de selectivité sur un panel de membres proches de la famille des canaux calciques (Cav) et sodiques (Nav) dépendants du voltage. Le peptide est sélectif pour le canal Nav1.7 (une cible largement validée dans le contexte des pathologies de la douleur) avec un effet complémentaire sur Cav3.2 à de fortes doses. In vivo chez la souris, le peptide possède des propriétés analgésiques avec des effets anti-hyperalgésiques et anti-allodyniques dans un contexte de douleur neuropathique. Ce peptide possède également un pouvoir analgésique dans un contexte de douleur spontanée induit par un agoniste des canaux Nav1.7. Les résultats présentés dans cette thèse sont encourageants pour la mise en place d’un projet amenant Psp3Tx1 au niveau clinique. / The T-type calcium channel Cav3.2 emerges as a key regulator of sensory functions, and therefore is an interesting drug target to develop innovative analgesic compounds for improved chronic pain management. Despite recent advances in the identification of small organic molecules targeting the Cav3.x/T-type calcium channel family, to date specific Cav3.2 inhibitors remains to be identified. Spider venoms proved to contain a large diversity of neurotoxins including gating modifiers of calcium channels. Using recombinant Cav3.2 channels, we performed a screening of a Tarantula venom library and identified a new 28 amino acid peptide (Psp3Tx1). The synthetic form of the peptide was used to determine its selectivity profile over a panel of closely related members of the voltage gated calcium (Cav) and sodium (Nav) channels. The peptide proved to be selective for the Nav1.7 channel (largely validated target in the context of pain pathologies) with an additional effect on Cav3.2 at more elevated doses. In vivo in mice, the peptide demonstrated to be an efficient analgesic molecule with anti hyperalgesic and antiallodynic properties in the context of neuropathic pain. This peptide also possess analgesic properties in a context of spontaneous pain induced by a Nav1.7 agonist. The results presented in this thesis are encouraging for the setup of a project taking Psp3Tx1 into clinical tests.

Orientador: Ana Maria Lima de Azeredo-Espin / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Biologia / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-14T11:05:22Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Silva_NormaMachadoda_D.pdf: 6129934 bytes, checksum: 5d8a07895afd2e470c9fd5caf8ac9fb8 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009 / Resumo: Cochliomyia hominivorax é considerada uma importante praga por causar perdas econômicas para a pecuária na região Neotropical. Este ectoparasita tem sido controlado principalmente por inseticidas, entretanto, este método normalmente resulta na seleção de indivíduos resistentes. Nesta tese foram investigados mecanismos associados com resistência a inseticidas organofosforados e piretróides. Os resultados apresentados nesta tese estão divididos em dois artigos. No artigo 1 foram investigados dois mecanismos de resistência a piretróides, um conhecido como kdr (knockdown resistance), associado à mutações no canal de sódio, e a mutação W251S no gene da carboxilesterase E3, a qual têm sido associada à hidrólise de piretróides. Foram investigadas populações da atual distribuição geográfica de C. hominivorax através de PCR-RFLP. Para a mutação kdr (L1014F) nenhum indivíduo mutante foi encontrado. Entretanto, a mutação W251S foi encontrada em todas as populações, com as mais altas freqüências nas amostras da Venezuela (100%) e Colômbia (93.75%). Em algumas populações amostradas, apesar da freqüência do alelo mutante ter sido relativamente baixa, o número de indivíduos portadores de pelo menos um alelo mutante foi alto. No bioensaio com cipermetrina (piretróide tipo II), utilizando amostras de Estiva (MG), os resultados analisados através do teste exato de Fisher indicaram que para a mais baixa concentração (p=0.0003) e para uma concentração intermediária (p= 0.024), a presença da mutação W251S está correlacionada com as chances de sobrevivência. Entretanto, na mais alta concentração (p= 0.221) a presença desta mutação não foi correlacionada com a sobrevivência, o que possivelmente indica dificuldade em hidrolisar este tipo de piretróide em concentrações maiores. No Artigo 2, as mutações G137D no gene da carboxilesterase E3, e as mutações I298V, G401A e F466Y no gene da acetilcolinesterase, associadas com resistência a organofosforados, foram investigadas nas mesmas populações do artigo 1, através de PCR-RFLP e sequenciamento direto de PCR. A região codificante completa da acetilcolinesterase também foi caracterizada e proposto um modelo para a estrutura tridimensional desta proteína com base na estrutura da acetilcolinesterase de Drosophila melanogaster. Possíveis alterações na proteína causadas pelas mutações associadas com resistência a organofosforados foram discutidas. No gene da acetilcolinesterase somente 2 de 135 indivíduos analisados apresentaram uma das mutações investigadas, a F466Y, o que pode estar associado ao alto custo no valor adaptativo do indivíduo, causado por algumas mutações neste gene ou inexistência dos demais alelos mutantes nestas populações. Entretanto, para a mutação G137D no gene da E3 foi encontrado um alto número de indivíduos portadores de pelo menos um alelo mutante na maioria das populações brasileiras e no Uruguai. Em Cuba, Venezuela e Colômbia nenhum indivíduo mutante para G137D foi encontrado, o que pode estar relacionado com os inseticidas usados no controle de C. hominivorax nestas regiões ou com a inexistência do alelo mutante nestas localidades. Os resultados de ambos os trabalhos indicam que mutações no gene da carboxilesterase E3 são um dos principais mecanismos de resistência selecionados nesta espécie, dentre os investigados até o momento. Este estudo representa um importante avanço no entendimento da base molecular da resistência a inseticidas em um importante ectoparasita. / Abstract: Cochliomyia hominivorax is an important ectoparasite, causing considerable economic losses to livestock sector in Neotropical region. This ectoparasite has been controlled mainly by applying insecticides, however, this method usually results in the selection of resistant individuals. In this thesis, mechanisms associated with organophosphate and pyrethroid insecticide resistance were investigated. The results presented in this thesis are divided in two articles. In the Article 1 two mechanisms associated with pyrethroid resistance were investigated, the kdr (knockdown resistance), a generic term for mutations in the sodium channel, and a mutation in the residue 251 of the carboxylesterase E3 gene, which have been associated with pyrethroid hydrolysis. Populations of actual geographical distribution of C. hominivorax were investigated through PCR-RFLP. For the kdr mutation, no mutant individuals were found. However, the W251S mutation was found in all populations investigated, with the highest frequencies in the samples from Colombia (100%) and Venezuela (93.75%). In some populations, despite relatively low mutant allele frequency, the number of individuals having at least one mutant allele was high. A bioassay with cypermethrin (pirethroid type II) was also performed, using samples from Estiva (MG). The results of the Fisher's exact test for the lowest concentration (p=0.0003, a= 0.05) and for an intermediate concentration (p= 0.024, a= 0.05) indicated that the presence of W251S mutation are correlated with the survival. However, at the highest concentration, Fisher's exact test (p= 0.221, a= 0.05) indicated that the presence of this mutation was not correlated with survival. These results indicate that the W251S mutation in C. hominivorax probably presents difficulties in hydrolyzing of this kind of pyrethroid, in high concentrations. In the Article 2, the G137D mutation, in the carboxylesterase E3 gene, and the I298V, G401A and F466Y mutations in the acetylcholinesterase gene, associated with organophosphate resistance, were investigated. The same populations of article 1 were analyzed using PCR-RFLP and PCR direct sequencing. The complete coding region of acetylcholineserase also was characterized and a putative model for the three-dimensional structure of this protein was proposed, based on solved structure of Drosophila melanogaster. Possible alterations in the protein, caused by mutations associated with organophosphate resistance, were discussed. For the acetylcholinesterase gene, only 2 of 135 individuals analyzed presented one of the mutations investigated, the F466Y. This fact may be related with the fitness cost of some mutations in this gene, or the inexistence of mutant alleles in these populations. For the G137D mutation, a high number of individuals having at least one mutant allele were found in most of the Brazilian populations and in Uruguay. In Cuba, Venezuela and Colombia no G137D mutant was found, a finding that may be related to the insecticides used for C. hominivorax control in these regions. The results of these two works indicate that mutations in the carboxylesterase E3 gene are one of the main insecticide resistance mechanisms selected in this species, so far investigated. This study represents a significant advance in the understanding of the molecular basis of insecticide resistance in an important livestock ectoparasite. / Doutorado / Genetica Animal e Evolução / Doutor em Genetica e Biologia Molecular

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Increased electrical activity in peripheral sensory neurons contributes to pain. A unique type of sodium current, fast resurgent current, is proposed to increase nerve activity and has been associated with pain pathologies. While sodium channel isoform Nav1.6 has been identified as the main carrier of fast resurgent currents, our understanding of how resurgent currents are modulated in sensory neurons is fairly limited. Thus the goal of this dissertation was to identify resurgent current modulators. In particular, we focused on sodium channel beta subunits (Navβs) and fibroblast growth factor homologous factors (FHFs) in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. We hypothesized that Navβ4 and FHF2B act as positive regulators by mediating resurgent currents and modulating Nav1.6 inactivation, respectively. In contrast, we hypothesized FHF2A negatively regulates resurgent current by increasing the probability of channels in inactivated states. Thus, the aims of this dissertation were to 1) determine if Navβ4 regulates fast resurgent currents in DRG neurons, 2) examine the effects of Navβ4 knockdown on resurgent currents, firing frequency and pain associated behavior in an inflammatory pain model and 3) determine if FHF2A and FHF2B functionally regulate Nav1.6 currents, including resurgent currents in DRG neurons. To examine the aims, we used biochemical, electrophysiological and behavioral assays. Our results suggest that Navβ4 is a positive regulator of resurgent currents: in particular, the C-terminus likely mediates these currents. Localized knockdown of Navβ4 decreased inflammation-induced enhancement of resurgent currents and neuronal excitability, and prevented the development of persistent pain associated behavior in an inflammatory pain model. FHF2B increased resurgent currents and delayed inactivation. In contrast, FHF2A limited resurgent currents; an effect that is mainly contributed by FHF2A's N-terminus activity that increased accumulation of channels in inactivated states. Interestingly, in an inflammatory pain model FHF2B was upregulated and FHFA isoforms were downregulated. Together these results suggest that FHF2A/B modulation might contribute to enhanced resurgent currents and increased neuronal excitability observed in the inflammatory pain model. Overall, our work has identified three resurgent current modulators FHF2A, FHF2B and Navβ4. Manipulation of these proteins or their activity might result in novel strategies for the study and treatment of pain.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Voltage-gated sodium channels (VGSCs) are dynamic membrane-spanning proteins crucial for determining the electrical excitability in nerve and muscle. VGSCs transition, or gate, between opened, closed, and inactivated states, in response to changes in transmembrane potential. Altered VGSC gating can affect electrical communication and is implicated in numerous channelopathies. Nav1.7, a VGSC isoform highly expressed in the peripheral nervous system, plays a unique role in pain perception as evidenced by single point missense mutations causing a spectrum of pain syndromes (inherited erythromelalgia; IEM and paroxysmal extreme pain disorder; PEPD) and nonsense mutations resulting in human insensitivity to pain (CIP). These studies indicate Nav1.7 is critical in pain transduction and, as such, structural perturbations to Nav1.7 affecting conformational stability and response to changes in transmembrane potential have the potential to cause pain. Therefore, the aims of this dissertation were to (1) examine the effects of PEPD mutations on the voltage-dependent properties Nav1.7; (2) investigate the effects Nav1.7 alternative splicing has on the impact of IEM and PEPD mutations; (3) evaluate the effects channelopathies, resulting from slowed inactivation, have on modulating an unusual type of sodium current that flows during membrane repolarization; and (4) determine the structural components involved in stabilizing Nav1.7 inactivation. Standard patch-clamp electrophysiology was used to study changes in channel properties. Results from this dissertation demonstrate that (1) PEPD mutations significantly shift the voltage-dependent properties of Nav1.7 channels, destabilize an inactivated state in a residue specific manner, and render nociceptive neurons hyperexcitable; (2) alternative splicing can functionally impact PEPD; (3) channelopathies, resulting from slowed inactivation in neuronal and muscle VGSC isoforms, increase an unusual sodium conductance that flows during repolarization; and (4) specific residues located in distinct regions of Nav1.7 serve as docking sites to stabilize inactivation at different membrane potentials. Overall, this dissertation answers key questions regarding the molecular mechanics required during inactivation and the biophysical consequences of Nav1.7 mutations implicated in painful disorders. The results of this dissertation are important for a more detailed understanding of pain perception and validate the applicability of studying Nav1.7 for discovery of therapeutic targets for treatment of pain. – Theodore R. Cummins, Chair

Introdução: Estudos experimentais com animais sugerem que a testosterona atua reduzindo a resposta nociceptiva após estímulos inflamatórios e neuropáticos, porém, o mecanismo pela qual este hormônio atua ainda não foi completamente esclarecido. O objetivo deste estudo é avaliar se o bloqueio androgênico com flutamida promove aumento da nocicepção, e ainda, investigar se esta modulação do comportamento doloroso é decorrente de aumento da expressão de canais de sódio voltagemdependente Nav1.7 e Nav1.8 no gânglio da raiz dorsal de ratos após incisão plantar. Método: Os animais estudados foram divididos em um grupo que recebeu flutamida por via subcutânea, e em um grupo controle que recebeu apenas o veículo como placebo. Após o período de indução, foram submetidos a um modelo de incisão plantar, e posteriormente submetidos à avaliação comportamental nos tempos préoperatório, 2 horas após a incisão, 1º, 2º, 3º e 7º dias de pós-operatório. O teste de von Frey foi utilizado para testar o limiar de retirada da pata, e a dor espontânea foi determinada pelo teste da proteção da pata. A expressão dos canais de sódio foi avaliada através da realização de reação de cadeia de polimerase quantitativa em tempo real para os canais Nav1.7 e Nav1.8 em amostra do gânglio da raiz dorsal correspondente à pata operada. Resultados: Os animais tratados com flutamida desenvolveram maior resposta a dor, tanto no teste de dor evocada quanto no teste da proteção da pata em todos os momentos estudados. Os grupos apresentaram diferença estatisticamente significante no 1º, 2º, 3º e 7º dias de pós-operatório para o limiar de retirada da pata. No teste da proteção da pata, foram significantes nos tempos 2 horas, 3º e 7º dia de pós-operatório. Não houve diferença entre os grupos estudados para a expressão de Nav1.7 e Nav1.8, para cada tempo. A análise de variância mostrou que a expressão de Nav1.7 variou em função do tempo em ambos os grupos, o que não ocorreu na expressão de Nav1.8. Conclusão: Neste estudo foi possível demonstrar que o bloqueio androgênico provocou a redução do limiar para retirada da pata após o 1º dia de pós-operatório, e ainda um escore acumulado no teste de proteção do membro que foi mais elevado no tempo 2 horas, no 3º e 7º dia de pós-operatório. Estes dados sugerem que os androgênios apresentaram um efeito antinociceptivo após a incisão plantar, e ainda que este efeito foi independente dos canais Nav1.7 e Nav1.8 no gânglio da raiz dorsal / Introduction: Evidence accumulated over the years has placed sex hormones as key factors of the differences found between males and females. Experimental studies with animals suggest that testosterone acts to reduce the nociceptive response after inflammatory and neuropathic stimuli, but the mechanism by which this hormone acts has not yet been fully elucidated. The objective of this study was to evaluate if androgenic blockade with flutamide promotes increased nociception in rats and to investigate whether this modulation of the painful behavior is due to an increase in the expression of voltage-dependent sodium channels Nav1.7 and Nav1.8 in the Dorsal root ganglion of rats submitted to a postoperative pain model. Methods: The animals studied were divided into a group that received flutamide subcutaneously, and in a control group receiving only placebo. After the induction period, the animals were submitted to a model of plantar incision, and then submitted to behavioral evaluation in the preoperative times, 2 hours after incision, 1st PO, 2nd PO, 3rd PO and 7th PO. The animals were submitted to Von Frey\'s test to determine the evoked pain, and the spontaneous pain was determined by the paw protection test (Guarding Pain). The expression of the sodium channels was evaluated by performing real time quantitative polymerase chain reaction for Nav channels in the dorsal root ganglion sample corresponding to the incised hindpaw. Results: Animals treated with flutamide developed greater nociception in both the evoked pain test and the paw protection test at all times studied. Statistically significant differences were found in the times 1st PO, 2nd PO, 3rd PO and 7th PO for the paw withdrawal threshold. Guarding pain test showed significant results at 2 hours, 3rd PO and 7th PO. No difference was found between the studied groups for the expression of Nav1.7 or Nav1.8 at each time point. Variance analysis showed that Nav1.7 expression was dependent on time in both groups, but Nav1.8 expression did not change over time Conclusions: In this study it was possible to demonstrate that flutamide caused a reduction in the paw withdrawal threshold after the 1st postoperative day, and also a guarding pain score that was higher 2 hours after incision, on the 3rd and 7 th day of postoperative. Data presented in this study suggest an antinociceptive effect of androgens after plantar incision that was independent of Nav channels