O Câncer é uma doença responsável pelos maiores índices de morbidade e mortalidade em todo o mundo. A ocorrência do câncer é relacionada com vários fatores, entre eles, ambientais, nutricionais, genéticos, infecções virais e estilo de vida. Devido a complexidade da doença, há uma busca incessante em novos tratamentos. Atualmente, os medicamentos conhecidos, além de danificar células anormais prejudicam células saudáveis, o que causa efeitos colaterais e toxicidade. Algumas moléculas, por exemplo peptídeos, possuem a capacidade de interagir com proteínas de membrana de células cancerígenas, atuando diretamente nestas células. Estes peptídeos podem ser obtidos a partir da hidrólise de diferentes fontes de proteínas com a utilização de peptidases de origem microbiana. O objetivo do presente estudo foi produzir e purificar peptidases de dois fungos, Eupenicillium javanicum e Myceliophthora thermophila, realizar ensaios de caracterização bioquímica e eficiência catalítica destas enzimas, aplica las na obtenção de peptídeos bioativos a partir de proteínas do leite, ovo e gelatina, e avaliar a atividade antioxidante (in vitro) e atividade antitumoral (in vitro e in vivo) destes peptídeos. Foram produzidas e purificadas duas peptidases, uma metalopeptidase (E. javanicum) e uma serinopeptidase (M. thermophila), o ensaio de cinética enzimática mostrou maior eficiência catalítica na utilização de substratos com alanina na posição P\'2 e tirosina na posição P\'1 da cadeia polipeptídica, respectivamente para cada uma das enzimas. Os peptídeos, produzidos a partir de caseína, apresentaram maior atividade de sequestro de radicais e de quelar ferro. Peptídeos de soro de leite e gelatina inibiram o crescimento de células tumorais de câncer oral e melanoma (in vitro). Peptídeos de soro de leite produzidos por ambas as peptidases reduziram o volume tumoral (células Cal27) em camundongos imunodepriminidos. Ensaios proteômicos destes tumores, com comparação entre grupos tratados e sem tratamento, mostraram que algumas vias envolvidas com a apoptose podem estar envolvidas na redução do volume dos tumores do camundongos tratados com peptídeos obtidos de soro de leite / The cancer is a disease responsible to the higher levels of mortality and morbity around the world. This disease is related to many factors, as environment, nutrition, genetic, virus infection and life style.The complexity of this disease increases the research of new treatments. Currently, the medicines damage both, normal and cancer cells, it promotes side effects and toxicity. Some molecules present specificity and bind to proteins from membranes of cancer cells, some examples are peptides. Peptides can be obtained from proteins by hydrolisys with microrbial proteases. The aim of this study was to produce and purify two proteases from fungi, Eupenicillium javanicum and Myceliophthora thermophila. Biochemical characterization and kinetic assays of these enzymes were evaluated. And then, the proteases were applied on obtention of peptides from milk, egg and gelatin proteins, and the antioxidant (in vitro) and antitumoral activity (in vitro e in vivo) of these peptides were evaluated. The purified enzymes belong to metalo (E. javanicum) and serine (M. thermophila) protease classes, the kinetic assay showed higher catalytic efficiency with tyrosine at P\'1 position and alanine at P\'2 position of polypeptide chain of substrate, to metalo and serine protease, respectively. The peptides from casein presented capacity to scavenge free radicals and to quelate iron. Peptides derived from whey and gelatin inhibited the grown of oral cancer and melanoma cells (in vitro). Peptides obtained from whey decreased the tumor volume of immunosupressed mice. Proteomic assays of these tumors, when compared treatment and control group, showed that peptides can be envolved in some apoptosys pathway and it influences the tumor volume, cosequently, it is decreased on treatment with peptides derived from milk whey

A biomassa lignocelulósica é uma fonte abundante de açúcares simples passíveis de serem fermentados em uma variedade de bioprodutos de maior valor agregado, além do etanol de segunda geração. Tal diversidade é relevante ao desenvolvimento e aprimoramento do conceito de biorrefinarias e da bioeconomia, em um viés mais amplo. Todavia, a elevada recalcitrância dos lignocelulósicos dificulta a sua sacarificação enzimática, resultando em bioprocessos mais onerosos. Por isso, coquetéis com diferentes enzimas ativas em carboidrato (CAZymes) são desenvolvidos, em busca de uma maior eficiência e melhor relação custo/benefício, para processos em larga escala. Dentre as CAZymes estudadas, encontram-se as mono-oxigenases líticas de polissacarídeo (LPMOs), tendo em vista a sua atestada capacidade de otimizar a hidrólise da lignocelulose, quando em sinergismo com diversas hidrolases. Levando isto em conta, selecionou-se, ao atual estudo, o ascomiceto termofílico Thermothelomyces thermophila (anteriormente denominado Myceliophthora thermophila), pois este tem se mostrado capaz de expressar e secretar ampla gama de LPMOs ativas em diferentes substratos. Objetivando-se estudar duas LPMOs derivadas deste organismo, as mesmas foram expressas, heterologamente, por Aspergillus nidulans linhagem A773, utilizando-se o vetor de expressão pEXPYR construído para viabilizar a secreção de altas concentrações de proteínas recombinantes. As proteínas heterólogas aqui analisadas foram denominadas TtLPMO1A9 e TtLPMO2A9. Embora ambas tenham sido capazes de gerar peróxido de hidrogênio na presença de oxigênio molecular e de um doador de elétrons, apenas TtLPMO2A9 apresentou atividade contra substratos celulósicos e bagaço de cana pré-tratado hidrotermicamente, atuando, em associação com hidrolases homemade e o preparo enzimático comercial Celluclast 1.5L, a degradação de tais materiais. / The lignocellulosic biomass is an abundant source of simple sugars that can be fermented to various value-added bio-based products. This diversity is seen as relevant to the improvement of biorefinery and bioeconomy concept. Nevertheless, the significant recalcitrance of lignocellulose imposes dificulties to its enzymatic saccharification, resulting in onerous bioprocessing. This scenario stimulates studies based on the development of efficient and cost-effective customizable carbohydrate-active enzyme (CAZymes) cocktails for large-scale processes. Among the available CAZymes, there are the lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases (LPMOs), a set of oxidative proteins capable of optimizing the lignocellulose hydrolysis, when acting in synergism with various hydrolases. Based on this fact, in the current study, the thermophilic ascomycete Thermothelomyces thermophila (previously known as Myceliophthora thermophila) was adopted, because of its ability of expressing and secreting large amounts of LPMOs. Thus, two LPMOs derived from this fungus was heterologously produced by an expression system composed by Aspergillus nidulans strain A773 and the vector pEXPYR: an expression vector built to increase the secretion of recombinant proteins. The heterologous proteins herein analysed were termed as TtLPMO1A9 and TtLPMO2A9. Although both enzymes were able to produce hydrogen peroxide in the presence of molecular oxygen and an electron donor, only the second one was active in reactions with cellulosic substrates and hydrothermally pre-treated sugar cane bagasse. When tailor-made hydrolases and the commercial enzymatic mixture Celluclast 1.5L were supplemented with TtLPMO2A9, it was noticed na improvement of the deconstruction of the aforementioned substrates.

A biomassa lignocelulósica é uma fonte abundante de açúcares simples passíveis de serem fermentados em uma variedade de bioprodutos de maior valor agregado, além do etanol de segunda geração. Tal diversidade é relevante ao desenvolvimento e aprimoramento do conceito de biorrefinarias e da bioeconomia, em um viés mais amplo. Todavia, a elevada recalcitrância dos lignocelulósicos dificulta a sua sacarificação enzimática, resultando em bioprocessos mais onerosos. Por isso, coquetéis com diferentes enzimas ativas em carboidrato (CAZymes) são desenvolvidos, em busca de uma maior eficiência e melhor relação custo/benefício, para processos em larga escala. Dentre as CAZymes estudadas, encontram-se as mono-oxigenases líticas de polissacarídeo (LPMOs), tendo em vista a sua atestada capacidade de otimizar a hidrólise da lignocelulose, quando em sinergismo com diversas hidrolases. Levando isto em conta, selecionou-se, ao atual estudo, o ascomiceto termofílico Thermothelomyces thermophila (anteriormente denominado Myceliophthora thermophila), pois este tem se mostrado capaz de expressar e secretar ampla gama de LPMOs ativas em diferentes substratos. Objetivando-se estudar duas LPMOs derivadas deste organismo, as mesmas foram expressas, heterologamente, por Aspergillus nidulans linhagem A773, utilizando-se o vetor de expressão pEXPYR construído para viabilizar a secreção de altas concentrações de proteínas recombinantes. As proteínas heterólogas aqui analisadas foram denominadas TtLPMO1A9 e TtLPMO2A9. Embora ambas tenham sido capazes de gerar peróxido de hidrogênio na presença de oxigênio molecular e de um doador de elétrons, apenas TtLPMO2A9 apresentou atividade contra substratos celulósicos e bagaço de cana pré-tratado hidrotermicamente, atuando, em associação com hidrolases homemade e o preparo enzimático comercial Celluclast 1.5L, a degradação de tais materiais. / The lignocellulosic biomass is an abundant source of simple sugars that can be fermented to various value-added bio-based products. This diversity is seen as relevant to the improvement of biorefinery and bioeconomy concept. Nevertheless, the significant recalcitrance of lignocellulose imposes dificulties to its enzymatic saccharification, resulting in onerous bioprocessing. This scenario stimulates studies based on the development of efficient and cost-effective customizable carbohydrate-active enzyme (CAZymes) cocktails for large-scale processes. Among the available CAZymes, there are the lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases (LPMOs), a set of oxidative proteins capable of optimizing the lignocellulose hydrolysis, when acting in synergism with various hydrolases. Based on this fact, in the current study, the thermophilic ascomycete Thermothelomyces thermophila (previously known as Myceliophthora thermophila) was adopted, because of its ability of expressing and secreting large amounts of LPMOs. Thus, two LPMOs derived from this fungus was heterologously produced by an expression system composed by Aspergillus nidulans strain A773 and the vector pEXPYR: an expression vector built to increase the secretion of recombinant proteins. The heterologous proteins herein analysed were termed as TtLPMO1A9 and TtLPMO2A9. Although both enzymes were able to produce hydrogen peroxide in the presence of molecular oxygen and an electron donor, only the second one was active in reactions with cellulosic substrates and hydrothermally pre-treated sugar cane bagasse. When tailor-made hydrolases and the commercial enzymatic mixture Celluclast 1.5L were supplemented with TtLPMO2A9, it was noticed na improvement of the deconstruction of the aforementioned substrates.

A produção de biocombustíveis e a obtenção de alguns compostos químicos a partir de materiais renováveis, como a biomassa lignocelulósica, ainda não são processos triviais, principalmente devido a recalcitrância destes materiais. Estudos recentes reconheceram as enzimas acessórias, como xilanases e enzimas com Atividade Auxiliar, como potencializadores da atividade de celulases no processo de despolimerização da lignocelulose. A prospecção de enzimas com características termoestáveis é vantajosa para este tipo de aplicação e além disso, estudos sobre o secretoma de diversos fungos cultivados em biomassa como fonte de carbono, tem encontrado enzimas com mecanismo oxidativo, dentre eles, o fungo termofílico Myceliophthora thermophila M77. Porém, estas enzimas tem sido pouco estudadas quanto a sua aplicação na sacarificação da biomassa. Sendo assim, este trabalho visou a expressão heteróloga, a caracterização bioquímica e a ação da enzima oxidativa celobiose desidrogenase do fungo M. thermophila (M77CDH) em conjunto com outras celulases no processo de sacarificação da biomassa. Pela análise filogenética a M77CDH prospectada foi classificada como pertencente a Classe IIB das CDHs. O gene que codifica esta enzima foi clonado no vetor pEXPYR e heterólogamente expresso em A. nidulans. A proteína recombinante M77CDH foi purificada e teve sua identidade confirmada por espectrometria de massas. Nas análises bioquímicas, apresentou atividade ótima a 65 °C e reteve mais de 80% da sua atividade a 50°C por 2 horas e pela análise de dicroísmo circular apresentou um desenovelamento da sua estrutura na temperatura de transição de 62,8 °C. Apresentou mais de 80% de atividade em uma faixa ampla de pH (4,5 - 9), em que o domínio citocromo mostrou maior afinidade em pHs alcalinos, característica incomum entre as CDHs descritas na literatura. A atividade da M77CDH foi ligeiramente aumentada pela adição de MgCl2 e Na2MoO4 e altamente afetada por CuSO4 e FeCl3. A eficiência catalítica (kcat/km=266 mM-1s-1) utilizando celobiose foi bastante similar aos valores indicados por CDHs da Classe IIA. O envelope da M77CDH gerado por SAXS foi satisfatório e conveniente com a literatura. Na sacarificação de bagaço de cana pré-tratado hidrotermicamente, utilizando coquetel de A. niveus suplementado com M77CDH, foi possível observar que a adição de M77CDH modificou o perfil de produtos liberados na desconstrução da biomassa. Por fim, na sacarificação do PASC observou-se a sacarificação e produção de ácido celobiônico. / The production of biofuels and chemicals from renewable materials such as lignocellulosic biomass are non-trivial processes mainly due to the recalcitrance of the material. Recent studies have recognized accessory enzymes such as xylanases and Auxiliary Activity enzymes as potentiators in cellulase activity during the depolymerization of lignocellulose. The prospection of thermostable enzymes can be an advantage the improve the depolymerization of these materials. In addition, several enzymes showing oxidative mode of action were found in the secretoma of the thermophilic fungus Myceliophthora thermophila strain M77. However, these enzymes are poor studied regarding their application in biomass saccharification. Therefore, this project aimed the heterologous expression and biochemical characterization of the oxidative enzyme cellobiose dehydrogenase of the fungus M. thermophila (M77CDH). By phylogenetic analysis the M77CDH was classified as belonging to Class IIB of CDHs. The gene encoding this enzyme was cloned and heterologously expressed in A. nidulans, the M77CDH was purified and had its identity confirmed by mass spectrometry. In the biochemical analyzes the M77CDH showed an optimum activity at 65 °C and retained more than 80% of its activity at 50 °C for 2 hours. The circular dichroism analysis showed a denaturation of its structure at the transition temperature of 62.8 ° C. M77CDH also kept more than 80% of its activity in a wide pH range (4.5 - 9), in which the cytochrome domain showed higher affinity at alkaline pH, an unusual behavior compared with other CDHs described in the literature. The activity of M77CDH was increased slightly in the presence of MgCl2 and Na2MoO4 and was highly affected by CuSO4 and FeCl3. The catalytic efficiency (kcat/km = 266 mM-1s-1) in cellobiose was quite similar to the values indicated by CDHs from Class IIA. The envelope of M77CDH generated by SAXS was satisfactory and convenient with the literature. In saccharification of sugarcane bagasse hydrothermally pretreated using A. niveus cocktail supplemented with M77CDH was possible to observe the addition of M77CDH modified the profile of released products in the deconstruction of the biomass. Finally, in the action on PASC was observed the saccharification and production of cellobionic acid.

La laccase de Myceliophtora thermophila oxyde certains acides hydroxycinnamiques avec formation éphémère d’intermédiaires de différentes couleurs avant que ceux-ci n’évoluent ensuite spontanément en polymères brun noir. Quand cette oxydation est effectuée en milieu biphasique (tampon phosphate pH 7,5 / acétate d’éthyle), une partie de ces intermédiaires colorés peut être récupérée dans la phase organique et ainsi soustraite à la polycondensation ultérieure. Dans le cas de l’acide férulique, on peut ainsi isoler une fraction colorée en jaune orangé surtout composée de dimères résultant de la condensation des semiquinones initialement formées. La synthèse de ces colorants peut être favorisée et le rendement amélioré en contrôlant la réaction par un ajout minimum régulé d’oxygène. Ces colorants conservent le pouvoir antioxydant de l’acide férulique parent mais à concentration élevée (100 à 200 mg/ml), ils présentent une cytotoxicité plus élevée vis-à-vis de cellules humaines normales (HUVEC) et cancéreuses (Caco-2) ce qui limite éventuellement leur intérêt comme colorants naturels. Les semi quinones de l’acide férulique ne forment pas de dimères mixtes, quand on effectue l’oxydation laccasique de cet acide en présence d’autres acides phénoliques car la laccase de M. thermophila effectue une oxydation séquencée en fonction de sa plus ou moins grande affinité pour les différents substrats mis en jeu. En présence d’un polyoside aminé insoluble comme le chitosane, les intermédiaires d’oxydation laccasique de différents composés phénoliques (acides férulique, sinapique, syringique et catéchine) réagissent avec les groupements NH2 pour former des liaisons de covalence et conduire ainsi à des chitosanes colorés doués de nouvelles propriétés dues au greffage d’entités phénoliques. Ces chitosanes fonctionnalisés conservent les propriétés filmogènes du chitosane natif mais en plus, forment des solutions plus visqueuses et sont devenus solubles en milieux acide et basique. Ils permettent la croissance de cellules HUVEC. Ils ont surtout acquis des propriétés antioxydantes et forment des films imperméables à l’oxygène ce qui laisse entrevoir de multiples applications intéressantes / The laccase of Myceliophtora thermophila oxidizes some hydroxycinnamic acids with ephemeral formation of intermediates of different colors before these evolve spontaneously in dark brown polymers. When this oxidation is performed in biphasique medium (phosphate buffer pH 7.5 and ethyl acetate), a part of these colored intermediates can be recovered in the organic phase and it can be subtracted from an ulterior polycondensation. In the case of ferulic acid, we could isolate an orange yellow fraction, which is especially composed of dimers resulting from the condensation of the semiquinones initially formed. The synthesis of these colorants can be enhanced and their yield can be improved by controlling the reaction through a regulated minimum addition of oxygen. They keep the antioxidant power of related ferulic acid, but in high concentration (from 100 to 200 mg/ml), their cytotoxicity toward the human normal cells (HUVEC) and cancerous one (Caco-2) is important and consequently, their interest is limited as natural colorants. The semiquinone of ferulic acid doesn't form any mixed dimers, when the laccase-catalysed ferulic acid oxidation is performed in the presence of other phenolic acids. This can be explained by the fact that laccase from M. thermophila performes a multioxidation in the function of its high or little affinity for the involved substrates. In presence of an insoluble amino polyoside as chitosan, the intermediates of laccase-catalysed oxidation of different phenolic compounds (ferulic, sinapic, syringic acids and catechin) react with its NH2 groups forming covalent liaisons. Actually, this type of link leads to colored chitosans endowed of news properties due to the grafting of phenolic entities. These functionalized chitosans keep the filmogens properties of the native one. Moreover, also it can form more viscous solutions and become soluble in acidic and basic medium. It can permit the growth of HUVEC cells. They especially acquired some antioxidant properties and formed impermeable films to the oxygen which highlights multiple interesting applications

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 2006. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 90-99).

Msh2 and Mlh1 proteins from Tetrahymena thermophla are homologues of MutS and MutL from Escherichia coli respectively. MutS and MutL are DNA mismatch repair proteins. In eukaryotes, MutS homologues recognize the replication errors and MutL homologues interact with MutS homologues and other proteins to make the repair occur. Biolistic transformation has been done to make the msh2 and mlh1 single knockouts in the macronuclei of different strains and the knockouts were verified complete. Two strains of WT crossing KO or KO crossing KO, with different mating types, were induced to conjugate. The processes were studied by microscopy using DAPI staining. For the msh2 knockouts, there were no crescent micronuclei formed throughout the conjugation of two knockout cells, and the pairing level was reduced severely. However, a knockout cell and a wild-type cell could conjugate normally at a high level pairing efficiency. Msh2 protein seems to be important to cell pairing and indispensible for the formation of the crescent micronuclei during cell conjugation. For the mlh1 knockouts, the pairing level of a knockout and a wild-type was reduced by half and the pairing level of two knockouts was reduced more than 80%; however, the paired cells in both could complete the conjugation with delay. Pms2 protein may have redundant roles in the MutL heterodimer (Mlh1-Pms2). In addition, chemical mutagens treated knockout was crossed with non-treated wild-type and the conjugation was compared with treated wild-types. Most of the treated knockout cells could not pair after starvation and mixing with non-treated wild-type cells, which means most of the cells could not enter meiotic phase. It is probable that G2/M checkpoint arrested the meiotic cell cycle and the intra-S phase was inactivated. Thus, Msh2 protein may have a role in the meiotic intra-S phase checkpoint system.

The DNA of all organisms is continuously exposed to exogenous and endogenous genotoxic agents. Fortunately, through the concerted actions of several DNA repair and mutation avoidance pathways, DNA damage can be removed and an organism’s genomic stability maintained. DNA base-base mismatches are generated as a result of the inherent replication errors made by the DNA replication machinery, as well as during the meiotic pairing of homologous but non-identical chromosomes. Through the coordinated actions of the highly conserved DNA mismatch repair (MMR) system, these errors are detected, removed and corrected, thus restoring the integrity of the DNA. In the absence of DNA MMR, genetic instability is unavoidable, resulting in the accumulation of mutations, and in mammals, a susceptibility to cancer. To better understand the roles of the MMR system in mutation avoidance during DNA replication, meiosis, and in nuclear apoptosis, we have utilized the nuclear dimorphic, ciliate protozoan Tetrahymena thermophila. We have identified seven putative MMR homologues; two are similar to eukaryotic MLH1 and PMS2, respectively, and five are similar to eukaryotic MutS homologues, one with eukaryotic MSH2 and four with MSH6. Our studies demonstrate that during conjugation, the relative transcript abundance of each MMR homologue is increased compared to vegetatively growing or nutritionally deprived (starved) cells. Also, the expression profile throughout conjugation is bimodal, corresponding to micronuclear (MIC) meiosis and macronuclear (MAC) anlagen development, both periods in which DNA replication occurs. Cells containing macronuclear knockouts of the PMS2, MSH2 and MSH6_1 genes were unable to successfully pair and complete conjugation, but were viable throughout vegetative growth. Cells in which the macronuclear MSH6_2 gene was knocked out had a phenotype that was similar to wild-type cells, during conjugation and vegetative growth. Interestingly, we observed that the MIC of cells containing MAC knockouts of the PMS2 and TML1 genes appear to have decreased copy number of specific “target sequences”, as determined by qPCR using the Random Mutation Capture (RMC) assay. This decrease reflects neither a loss of micronuclei nor a reduction in total micronuclear DNA content. These studies demonstrate that the PMS2, TML1, MSH2, and MSH6_1 homologues are necessary for the maintenance of micronuclear function and stability during conjugal development and vegetative growth, whereas the remaining MSH6 homologues have less pronounced roles in DNA repair and development. Additionally, macronuclear development in Tetrahymena appears less reliant on the DNA mismatch repair system and perhaps uses alternate surveillance mechanisms to maintain genomic stability during asexual and sexual development. / Graduate / 0306 / 0379 / 0307

Submitted by Emily Colferai Bonfá null (miemilymi@hotmail.com) on 2016-03-22T01:17:39Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Mestrado-Emily Finall.pdf: 1593107 bytes, checksum: ce9ebf44b67e4020e069a84d708f2f71 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Ana Paula Grisoto (grisotoana@reitoria.unesp.br) on 2016-03-22T17:56:40Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 bonfa_ec_me_sjrp.pdf: 1593107 bytes, checksum: ce9ebf44b67e4020e069a84d708f2f71 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-03-22T17:56:40Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 bonfa_ec_me_sjrp.pdf: 1593107 bytes, checksum: ce9ebf44b67e4020e069a84d708f2f71 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-02-29 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / As celulases podem ser utilizadas na bioconversão da fração de celulose de resíduos agro-industriais em açúcares fermentáveis, visando a obtenção de combustíveis renováveis e produtos químicos. As β-glicosidases são cruciais para a total sacarificação da celulose, mas na maioria dos casos elas são fortemente inibidas pelo seu produto, a glicose. Portanto, o conhecimento das cinéticas de hidrólise e as respostas dessa enzima frente a diferentes substratos e produtos pode definir a eficiência de hidrólise e do processo biotecnológico no qual poderia ser incorporada. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo caracterizar a β -glicosidase de 50 kDa (BG50) produzida pelo fungo termofílico Myceliophthora thermophila M.7.7 cultivado em estado sólido, em mistura de bagaço de cana e farelo de trigo (1:1). O zimograma do extrato bruto evidenciou duas isoformas, de aproximadamente 200 e 50 kDa, as quais foram separadas por cromatografia de filtração em gel. A caracterização da BG50 mostrou atividade ótima a 60 ˚C e pH 5,0 quando usado o 4-nitrofenol-β-D-glicopiranosídeo (pNPG), enquanto com celobiose o valor da temperatura e pH ótimo foram de 50 ˚C e pH 4,5, respectivamente. Testes realizados com adição de íons e reagentes mostraram diferenças nos efeitos sobre a atividade da enzima dependendo do substrato, principalmente com a adição de Ditiotreitol (DTT) utilizando celobiose, e inibição completa com Cu2+ e Fe3+ para pNPG e celobiose. Além disso, a enzima não mostrou efeito inibitório quando testada na presença de nove compostos fenólicos, uma característica significativa. Os estudos cinéticos revelaram um perfil de inibição competitiva pela glicose quando utilizado pNPG com valor de KI=1,5 mM e um Km significativamente menor (0,52 mM) pelo pNPG do que pela celobiose (Km=8,50 mM). Os parâmetros termodinâmicos mostraram que a BG50 é bastante estável, destacando seu tempo de meia vida de 855,6 minutos a 60 °C, porém desnatura facilmente acima dessa temperatura. Os resultados enfatizam a importância de investigar potencialidades de β-glicosidases baseadas na celobiose, uma vez que no processo industrial a enzima atuará sobre o substrato natural, além da compreensão da termoestabilidade da enzima. / Cellulases can be used in bioconversion of cellulose from agro-industrial waste into fermentable sugars in order to obtain renewable fuels and chemicals. The β-glucosidases are crucial to the overall saccharification of cellulose, but in most cases, they are strongly inhibited by its product, glucose. Therefore, knowledge of the hydrolysis kinetics of the enzyme and its responses against different substrates and products can set the hydrolysis efficiency and possible incorporation in biotechnological process. This study aimed to characterize the 50 kDa β-glucosidase (BG50) produced by the thermophilic fungus Myceliophthora thermophila M.7.7 grown in solid state, in a mixture of sugarcane bagasse and wheat bran (1:1). The zymogram of the crude extract showed two isoforms of 200 and 50 kDa, which were separated by gel filtration chromatography. The characterization of BG50 showed optimal activity at 60 °C and pH 5.0 when used pNPG, whereas using cellobiose the values of the optimal temperature and pH were 50 °C and pH 4.5, respectively. Tests with addition of reactants and ions showed differences in the effects on enzyme activity depending on the substrate, especially with the addition of dithiothreitol (DTT) utilizing cellobiose, and complete inhibition with Cu2+ and Fe3+ for 4-nitrophenyl-β- D-glucopyranoside (pNPG) and cellobiose. Furthermore, the enzyme showed no inhibitory effect when tested in the presence of nine phenolic compounds, a remarkable characteristic. Kinetic studies showed a profile of competitive inhibition by glucose when using pNPG with Ki = 1.5 mM and Km significantly lower (0.52 mM) with pNPG than using cellobiose (Km = 8.50 mM). The thermodynamic parameters show that BG50 is quite stable, highlighting its half life of 855.6 minutes at 60 ° C, but above this temperature easily denatured. The results emphasize the importance of investigating β-glucosidases’ potential based on cellobiose, since for the industrial processes the enzyme will function with its natural substrate, in addition to understanding the thermal stability of the enzyme.

DNA mismatch repair (MMR) is an essential part of genomic stability, guarding the integrity of the genome in virtually all cells. MMR corrects mismatched bases in DNA and is one of several DNA repair pathways conserved from bacteria to humans. In Escherichia coli, MutS and MutL are the key proteins in MMR. In prokaryotes, the MMR proteins function as homodimers whereas in eukaryotes the MMR proteins come together as heterodimers. In the absence of MMR there is a great increase in mutation frequency and a higher susceptibility to cancer in mammals. Previous studies in our laboratory have identified five MutS homologs and two MutL homologs in the single-celled ciliated protozoan, Tetrahymena thermophila. MMR repair has been extensively studied in E. coli but less is known in eukaryotes. T. thermophila 's biology and the recent sequencing of its genome make it an attractive eukaryotic research model. In this study, poly-histidine tagged MMR genes from T. thermophila and human thymine DNA glycosylase (TDG) were cloned into two different types of T thermophila expression plasmid. The integrated homologously recombinational T. thermophila vector approach and the espisomal rDNA vector approach which utilized Gateway® technology a cloning method based on the bacteriophage lambda site-specific recombination system. The homologous vector approach relies on mutant strains of T. thermophila harboring a negatively selectable allele of a P-tubulin gene producing sensitivity to paclitaxol. Upon knocking out the mutant J3-tubulin with the gene of interest the resistance of the Tetrahymena strain is then resorted and selected for. The various T. thermophila expression plasmids and DNA transformations techniques to follow such as biolistic bombardment and conjugated electroporation were carried out in order to optimize the technical aspect of working with T. thermophila. and finally lead to the purification of histidine tagged T. thermophila MMR proteins for antibody production and further studies. This study will lead to insight into the inner workings of DNA mismatch repair and technical aspect of working with the organism and will permit functional and structural studies of the MMR homolog proteins in T. thermophila.