Autosomal dominant epidermolytic ichthyosis (EI) is a rare disease characterized by intra-epidermal blistering due to mutations in either of two keratin genes, KRT1 and KRT10, expressed by suprabasal keratinocytes. Autosomal recessive congenital ichthyosis (ARCI) is a non-blistering, hyperkeratotic disease caused by mutations in one of the following genes: ABCA12, ALOX12B, ALOXE3, TGM1, CYP4F22, NIPAL4 and SLC27A4, which are all essential for skin barrier homeostasis. ARCI and EI often respond well to treatment with retinoids, but the mechanism of action is unclear. The aim of this thesis was to increase the knowledge of pathogenic pathways in ichthyosis and to find new explanations to the effect of retinoids. In vitro studies of immortalized keratinocytes from EI patients showed an abnormal keratin aggregation after heat stress, that could be partially inhibited by pre-treatment with all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) or retinoic acid receptor α-agonists. ATRA treatment also reduced the relative expression of mutated vs wildtype KRT10. The clearance of ATRA in human keratinocytes was found to be mediated by CYP26B1. In skin biopsies from ARCI patients, immunofluorescence analysis of 12R-LOX, eLOX-3, TGM1, ichthyin and FATP4 showed altered expression, not only of the mutated protein, but also of the other proteins. These observations are consistent with a feedback regulatory mechanism by which the loss of one protein results in an up-regulation of other proteins. Furthermore, 12R-LOX, eLOX-3 and TGM1 were intimately co-localized in stratum corneum, as were ichthyin and FATP4, suggesting that the proteins are linked to the same metabolic pathway. When treated with a CYP26 inhibitor known to raise the endogenous ATRA level of the skin, two patients with NIPAL4 mutations, initially exhibiting increased co-localization signals for 12R-LOX and eLOX-3, displayed normalized lipoxygenase expressions and showed clinical improvement. In conclusion, mechanisms are proposed by which pathogenic keratin aggregations in EI and epidermal protein deficiencies in ARCI patients may be mitigated by retinoids. Furthermore, the vivid crosstalk between proteins incriminated in ARCI suggests that these enzymes operate along a common metabolic pathway essential for producing barrier lipids in stratum corneum. Any abrogation of this production may cause barrier failure, hence resulting in a compensatory hyperkeratosis characteristic of congenital ichthyosis.

Orientador: Flavia Maria Netto / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia de Alimentos / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-19T11:45:02Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Vuolo_MilenaMorandi_M.pdf: 1172548 bytes, checksum: 0065404d0770c2d788c07526e0f82ae8 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012 / Resumo: O leite bovino contém proteínas que são consideradas antigênicas e capazes de induzir algum tipo de resposta imunológica, dentre elas destaca-se a ß-lactoglobulina (ß-Lg). A utilização da enzima transglutaminase (TG), que catalisa reações de ligação e-(?-glutamina)lisil inter ou intramoleculares, incorporação de aminas e desaminação tem demonstrado eficiência em alterar o potencial antigênico de alimentos. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo estudar o efeito da reação de polimerização induzida pela TG na atividade antigênica da ß-Lg e sua digestibilidade, na presença dos agentes redutores glutationa (GSH) e ácido ascórbico (AA). As modificações da ß-Lg com a TG na presença dos agentes redutores foram realizadas através de experimentos fatoriais 22 nos quais as variáveis independentes foram a relação enzima:substrato (E/S) (0 ¿ 51,6 U TG g -1 de proteína) e concentração dos agentes redutores, [GSH] (0 - 0,67 mmol/L) ou [AA] (0- 0,02 mol/L) e as variáveis dependentes foram grau de polimerização e concentração de IgE. A polimerização foi avaliada por eletroforese em gel de poliacrilamida (SDS-PAGE), e grau de polimerização (GP) através da determinação de lisinas livres. A avaliação da antigenicidade foi feita por ELISA, utilizando soro de camundongos BALB/c sensibilizados com ß-Lg na forma nativa. A resistência das amostras à ação da pepsina foi avaliada por eletroforese em gel de poliacrilamida na presença de SDS e tricina (SDSPAGE/Tricina). Os tratamentos realizados com TG e GSH apresentaram polímeros de alta massa molar (MM > 97,4 kDa), exceto para a condição do ensaio 5 (0,34 mmol/L GSH), que não utilizou TG. Os tratamentos com TG e AA também apresentaram polímeros de alta massa molar (MM > 97,4 kDa), exceto para a condição do ensaio 2 (44,1 U de TG g -1 e 0,003 mol/L de AA) e ensaio 5 (0,01 mol/L AA, que não utilizou TG). O GP foi maior para as amostras tratadas com TG na presença de agentes redutores, quando comparadas às amostras tratadas somente com TG ou agente redutor. Os resultados mostraram que a presença dos agentes redutores levou ao aumento da polimerização pela TG ao desnaturar a proteína levando à maior exposição dos aminoácidos lisina e glutamina. Não houve diminuição na antigenicidade da ß-Lg tratada com TG na presença de GSH ou AA, porém houve aumento da antigenicidade de algumas amostras obtidas sob algumas das condições dos ensaios realizados com os agentes redutores quando comparadas à ß-Lg. Os tratamentos realizados com TG na presença dos agentes redutores não aumentaram a digestibilidade da ß-Lg pela pepsina. Os digeridos das amostras obtidas sob as condições relativas aos níveis extremos do planejamento experimental (±1,41) e o ponto central, foram avaliados quanto à sua antigenicidade. Os resultados mostraram que não houve diminuição da antigenicidade da ß-Lg tratada com TG e GSH ou TG e AA., quando comparadas à ß-Lg. A polimerização com TG na presença de agentes redutores GSH e AA não foi capaz de modificar a antigenicidade das amostras digeridas, sugerindo que não houve modificações na proteína capazes de aumentar sua digestibilidade pela pepsina ou modificar regiões de epítopos / Abstract: Cow¿s milk contains proteins which are considered antigenic and able to lead to immune response, among them ß-lactoglobulin (ß-Lg) is the most important. The transglutaminase (TG) is the only enzyme commercially used that catalyses inter or intramolecular cross linking reaction in various proteins and demonstrates efficiency to alter the antigenic potential of food. The current work aimed at studying the effect of the reaction of induced polymerization by TG in presence of the reducing agents glutathione (GSH) as well as ascorbic acid (AA) in the antigenic activity of ß-Lg and its digestibility. The modifications in ß-Lg induced by TG in presence of reducing agents were carried out using factorial experiments 22, in which the independent variables were the enzyme:substrate ratio (E/S) (0 ¿ 51,6 U TG g -1) and concentration of reducing agents, [GSH] (0 - 0,67 mmol/L) or [AA] (0- 0,02 mol/L), and the dependent variables were the polymerization degree and concentration of IgE. Polymerization was assessed by electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gel (SDSPAGE), and the polymerization degree (PD) was determined by the free lysine content. The assessment of antigenicity was by ELISA assay, using serum of BALB/c mice sensitized with native ß-Lg. The resistance of the samples to the action of pepsin was evaluated by electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gel in presence of SDS and tricine (SDSPAGE/Tricine). The treatments using TG and GSH showed high molecular weight polymers (MM > 97,4kDa), except for a test condition 5 (0,34 mmol/L GSH), where TG was not used. The treatments with TG and AA also showed polymers of high molecular weight (MM > 97,4kDa), except for the test condition 2 (44,1 U TG g -1 and 0,003 mol/L of AA) and test 5 (0,01 mol/L AA, without TG). The PD was higher in the samples treated with TG in presence of reducing agents, when compared to samples treated only with TG or reducing agents. The results showed that the presence of reducing agents led to the increase of polymerization by TG since they denature the protein, leading to increased exposure of the amino acids glutamine and lysine, substrate for TG. The results showed that there was no reduction in the antigenicity of ß-Lg treated with TG in presence of GSH or AA, however an increase in the antigenicity of some modified samples was observed when compared to the native ß-Lg. . The treatments carried out with TG and reducing agents did not increase the digestibility of the ß-Lg by pepsin. The antigenicity of the digested from the samples obtained under the conditions of the extreme levels of experimental planning (±1,41) and at the central point were assessed. The results showed that after digestion with pepsin there was no decrease of the antigenicity of ß-Lg treated with TG in the presence of GSH or AA as compared to digested ß-Lg. Polymerization with TG in the presence of reducing agents was not able to alter the antigenicity of the samples, which suggests that there were no modifications in the protein that would be able to increase its digestibility by pepsin as well as the epitopes regions of the ß-Lg / Mestrado / Nutrição Experimental e Aplicada à Tecnologia de Alimentos / Mestre em Alimentos e Nutrição

Orientadores: Flavia Maria Netto, Ricardo de Lima Zollner / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia de Alimentos / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-21T22:30:18Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Morais_JanainaMadruga_M.pdf: 1775595 bytes, checksum: 5ee1d5b4bacec45d3dfff615d49f7ca8 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013 / Resumo: O leite bovino contém várias proteínas capazes de induzir resposta alérgica, sendo que a ß-lactoglobulina (ß-Lg) e a a-lactalbumina (a-La), proteínas mais abundantes do soro, estão entre as principais proteínas antigênicas. A homogeneização à alta pressão (HAP) é uma tecnologia emergente que pode alterar a estrutura das proteínas do soro de leite (IPS) e, portanto, seu caráter alergênico. Estudos anteriores apontam que a polimerização com a enzima transglutaminase (TG) reduziu o potencial antigênico da ß-Lg. O presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar o efeito da HAP associada à polimerização por TG na suscetibilidade à digestão gástrica e gastrointestinal e na resposta antigênica da ß-Lg e a-La antes e após a digestão gástrica. Soluções de IPS (1% m/v), tratadas termicamente (72 °C/22 min) ou não, foram homogeneizadas a diferentes níveis de pressão (0, 100, 180 MPa) ou multiprocessadas por 3 ciclos consecutivos a 180 MPa. As amostras foram caracterizadas por turbidez, pelo teor de grupos sulfidrila reativos e livres e por eletroforese em sistema nativo e em SDS-PAGE em condições redutoras e não-redutoras. As amostras processadas foram polimerizadas com TG (25 U g-1 de proteína) e caracterizadas por eletroforese SDS-PAGE em sistema redutor e densitometria dos géis. Foi avaliada a suscetibilidade da ß-Lg e da a-La à digestão gástrica e gastrointestinal após tratamento térmico, HAP e polimerização, associados ou não. As condições de digestão foram: 182 U de pepsina g-1 de proteína e a relação 1:25 (enzima:proteína) para a pancreatina. A caracterização dos digeridos foi realizada por eletroforese SDS-PAGE/Tricina e cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência de fase reversa (CLAE-FR). A antigenicidade das proteínas foi avaliada pelo método ELISA, utilizando soro anti-ß-Lg ou anti-a-La de camundongos BALB/c imunizados com as proteínas nativas. A homogeneização das soluções de IPS, previamente tratadas termicamente ou não, resultou na diminuição da turbidez e do teor de grupos sulfidrila reativos e livres com o aumento dos níveis de pressão. A polimerização com TG resultou na formação de polímeros com massa molecular (MM) acima de 97,4 kDa, principalmente nas amostras tratadas termicamente e homogeneizadas a 180 MPa por 1 e 3 ciclos, alcançando aproximadamente 20% de polímeros de alta MM. As amostras pré-tratadas e polimerizadas foram mais suscetíveis à digestão gástrica e gastrointestinal, resultando em menor residual de proteína intacta em relação às amostras homogeneizadas pré-tratadas termicamente ou não. Foi observado aumento (P< 0,05) da capacidade de ligação à IgE anti-a-La para a amostra de IPS tratado termicamente e homogeneizado a 180 MPa (IPS-TT-180, 27,88 µg IgE mL-1), em relação ao IPS nativo (IPS-N, 12,80 µg IgE mL-1), sugerindo que a associação do tratamento térmico e HAP aumentou a exposição de seus epítopos. Após a digestão gástrica, não foi observada redução da atividade antigênica da a-La em nenhuma das amostras analisadas. Já para a ß-Lg verificou-se que após a digestão gástrica a amostra de IPS tratado termicamente, homogeneizado a 180 MPa e polimerizado (IPS-TT-180 TG) apresentou diminuição (P< 0,05) da resposta antigênica para IgE anti-ß-Lg (13,59 µg IgE mL-1) em relação ao IPS-N (34,21 µg IgE mL-1). Em conclusão, os tratamentos utilizados alteraram a estrutura das principais proteínas do IPS, resultando na diminuição moderada da resposta antigênica da ß-Lg e no aumento da antigenicidade da a-La / Abstract: Bovine milk contains several proteins, which can induce allergic response. The most abundant whey proteins, â-lactoglobulin (â-Lg) and á-lactalbumin (á-La) are among the major antigenic proteins of cow¿s milk. High pressure homogenization (HPH) is an emergent technology which can alter whey proteins (WPI) structures and possibly WPI antigenicity. Previous studies indicated that polymerization with transglutaminase enzyme (TG) reduced the antigenic potential of â-Lg. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of HPH associated to polymerization by TG on the susceptibility to simulated gastric and gastrointestinal digestion and on antigenic response of â-Lg and á-La before and after gastric digestion. Solutions of WPI (1% w/v) previously heat treated (72 °C/22 min) or without heat treatment were homogenized at several pressure levels (0, 100 and 180 MPa) or at 180 MPa for three consecutive cycles. The samples were characterized by turbidity, content of exposed and free sulfhydryl groups and by electrophoresis on native system and SDS-PAGE under non-reducing and reducing conditions. The processed samples were polymerized with TG enzyme (25 U g-1 of protein) and characterized by SDS-PAGE under reducing conditions followed by densitometry of gels. The susceptibility of â-Lg and á-La to gastric and gastrointestinal digestion was evaluated after heat treatment, HPH and polymerization, associated or not with each other. The digestion conditions were: 182 U pepsin g-1 protein and pancreatin:protein ratio of 1:25. Characterization of the digests was carried out by SDS-PAGE/Tricine and reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). Protein antigenicity was evaluated by ELISA assay, using serum from BALB/c mouse immunized with native â-Lg and á-La. The homogenization of the WPI solutions, previously heat treated or without heat treatment, resulted in reducing both turbidity and exposed and free sulfhydryl group content as the pressure levels increased. The polymerization with TG enzyme resulted in polymers with molecular mass (MM) above 97.4 kDa, mainly in the samples heat treated and homogenized at 180 MPa for 1 or 3 cycles, forming around 20% of high MM polymers. Either polymerized samples previously treated with heat and/or HPH were more susceptible to gastric and gastrointestinal digestion, resulting in less residual intact protein as compared to the homogenized samples previously heat treated or without heat treatment. It was observed higher (P< 0.05) binding capacity to anti-á-La IgE for the sample heat treated and homogenized at 180 MPa WPI (WPI-TT-180, 27.88 ìg IgE mL-1) than for native WPI (WPI-N, 12.80 ìg IgE mL-1) suggesting that the association of heat treatment and HPH increased the exposition of á-La epitopes. After gastric digestion it was not observed a reduction of á-La antigenic activity. In relation to â-Lg antigenicity, after gastric digestion, the WPI sample heat treated, homogenized at 180 MPa and polymerized (WPI-TT-180 TG) showed reduction (P< 0.05) of anti-â-Lg IgE response (13.59 ìg IgE mL-1) as compared to WPI-N (34.21 ìg IgE mL-1). In conclusion, the treatments studied altered the structure of major protein of WPI, resulting in moderate reduction of â-Lg antigenic response and increased á-La antigenicity / Mestrado / Nutrição Experimental e Aplicada à Tecnologia de Alimentos / Mestra em Alimentos e Nutrição

Orientador: Yoon Kil Chang / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia de Alimentos / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-22T11:08:16Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Jaekel_LeandraZafalon_D.pdf: 6646939 bytes, checksum: 22f384ec4204fdfd6cd400a411696f70 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013 / Resumo: O interesse dos consumidores por alimentos com características funcionais tem aumentado nos últimos anos. A farinha de trigo de grão inteiro (FTGI) contém constituintes com efeitos benéficos a saúde (fibras, minerais, vitaminas, antioxidantes e aminoácidos). O amido resistente (AR) também tem sua contribuição à saúde, atuando como fibra alimentar. Massas alimentícias, cuja produção brasileira cresce a cada ano, constituem uma excelente forma de aplicação dessas matérias-primas. Contudo, a FTGI e o AR podem trazer prejuízos tecnológicos. A enzima transglutaminase (TG) mostra-se como alternativa a esse problema, pode atuar formando ligações cruzadas com a glutenina e a gliadina. O objetivo geral foi estudar o efeito de diferentes fontes de fibras (FTGI ou AR) e da transglutaminase nas características tecnológicas, estruturais e sensoriais de massas alimentícias tipo espaguete. O estudo foi desenvolvido em quatro artigos: 1°) estudar a influência da adição de FTGI (51 a 100 %) e TG (0 a 0,5 %) nas características reológicas, de cozimento, textura e solubilidade de proteínas dos espaguetes, através de um delineamento composto central rotacional (DCCR); 2°) estudar o efeito da TG (0,5 %) nas características de cozimento e textura, estruturais e sensoriais de espaguetes adicionados de 58 % de FTGI; 3°) estudar o efeito da adição de AR (0 a 20 %) e TG (0,2 a 1,0 %) nas características (citadas no 1°artigo) dos espaguetes, através de um DCCR; 4°) estudar o efeito da TG (1,0 %) nas características (citadas no 2° artigo) de espaguetes adicionados de 14 % de AR. No 1°) observou-se que a adição de FTGI e TG foi estatisticamente significativa (p<0,10) para o tempo de desenvolvimento da massa, índice de tolerância à mistura e cor (L*). Os produtos constituem fontes de fibras, pois contêm mais de 3 % de fibra alimentar no produto pronto para o consumo (Portaria SVS/MS nº 27, 13/01/1998). No 2°) verificou-se que a TG aumentou (p<0,05) a firmeza e a temperatura final de gelatinização; também observou-se seu efeito na estrutura do produto por microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV). A avaliação sensorial mostrou que o produto adicionado ou não de TG não diferiu estatisticamente (p<0,05) do controle quanto à textura e sabor, e a aparência foi melhor. Nos testes de aceitação e intenção de compra, a média dos espaguetes foi 7 e 4, que correspondem a "gostei moderadamente" e "provavelmente compraria", respectivamente. Além disso, as massas com adição de 58 % de FTGI são consideradas fonte de fibras e produtos e baixo índice glicêmico (aproximadamente 65 %). No 3°) AR e TG foram estatisticamente significativos (p<0,10) para cor, tempo ótimo de cozimento, aumento de peso, elasticidade e o teor de AR. Alguns dos produtos desenvolvidos foram fontes de fibra. No 4°) TG aumentou significativamente (p<0,05) a firmeza e elasticidade. A solubilidade proteica foi inferior no produto com TG para um tipo de solvente. O efeito da TG também foi observado através de MEV. Na avaliação sensorial, os espaguetes com ou sem TG não apresentaram diferença estatística para os parâmetros analisados através do teste de comparação múltipla, na aceitação e intenção de compra. A adição de 14 % de AR, além de caracterizar os produtos como fonte de fibras e de baixo índice glicêmico, possibilita a obtenção de produtos de qualidade tecnológica semelhante aos existentes no mercado / Abstract: The consumer interest in foods with better nutritional and functional characteristics is increasing in recent years. Whole-grain wheat flour (WGWF) contains many constituents with beneficial health effects (fiber, minerals, vitamins, natural antioxidants and amino acids). The resistant starch (RS) also contributes to human health once it presents similar effect of dietary fiber. Pasta, whose Brazilian production is increasing every year, consists of an excellent way of applying these raw materials. However, WGWF and RS may produce harmful effects during production process, since these components dilute the proteins forming the gluten in the product. The transglutaminase enzyme (TG) can act by forming cross links with the glutenin and gliadin, showing up as an alternative to this problem. The general objective was to develop spaghetti and study the effect of different sources of fiber (WGWF or RS) and transglutaminase on the technological, structural and sensory characteristics of the pasta. The study was conducted in four article: 1) the influence of adding WGWF and TG on texture, cooking characteristics and protein solubility of pasta using a randomized central composite design (RCCD), where the independent variables were WGWF (51 to 100%) and TG (0 to 0.5); 2) the effect of TG (0.5%) in texture, cooking, sensory and structural characteristics of pasta added 58% WGWF; 3) the effect of adding RS and TG on texture, cooking characteristics and protein solubility of pasta using a RCCD, where the independent variables were RS (0 to 20%) and TG (0.2 to 1.0); 4) the effect of TG (1.0%) on texture, cooking, structural and sensory characteristics of pasta containing 14% of RS. 1) The addition of TG and WGWF was statistically significant (p <0.10) in the dough development time, mixing tolerance index and color (L *). All formulations can be considered sources of fiber, since they contain more than 3% total dietary fiber. 2) We found that the addition of TG significantly increased (p <0.05) firmness and final gelatinization temperature and this effect was also observed in scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The sensory evaluationbased on the multiple comparison test showed that either pasta with TG addition orwithout the enzyme was not statistically different (p <0.05) than control sample with respect to texture and flavor. The appearance of these products was considered better than the control sample and did not differ from each other. Regarding the acceptance test and purchase intention, the average scores was 7 and 4, which correspond to "like moderately" and "probably buy" respectively. In addition, astacontaining 58% WGWF is considered source of fiber and low glycemic index food (about 65%). 3) RS and TG influenced the product quality, being statistically significant (p<0.10) for the color (L *, a *, b * and _E) optimum cooking time, increase weight, elasticity and RS content. It is worth mentioning any of the pasta developed in this study is source of dietary fiber. 4) We observed a significant effect (p <0.05) of TG on the characteristics of texture (firmness and resilience), once the product with added TG showed higher values than the product without TG addition. A significant effect was also observed on protein solubility, which was lower in the product containing TG when using a mixture of solvent. The effect of TG was also observed in scanning electron microscopy. In sensory evaluation, pasta with TG added or without the enzyme showed no statistical difference for theparameters studied by multiple comparison test, acceptance test and purchase intention. Besides characterizing the products as a source of fiber and low glycemic index, adding 14% of RS allows for obtaining competitive high-quality products / Doutorado / Tecnologia de Alimentos / Doutora em Tecnologia de Alimentos

Enzymes and biochemical mechanisms essential to survival are under extreme selective pressure and are highly conserved through evolutionary time. We applied this evolutionary concept to barnacle cement polymerization, a process critical to barnacle fitness that involves aggregation and cross-linking of proteins. The biochemical mechanisms of cement polymerization remain largely unknown. We hypothesized that this process is biochemically similar to blood clotting, a critical physiological response that is also based on aggregation and cross-linking of proteins. Like key elements of vertebrate and invertebrate blood clotting, barnacle cement polymerization was shown to involve proteolytic activation of enzymes and structural precursors, transglutaminase cross-linking and assembly of fibrous proteins. Proteolytic activation of structural proteins maximizes the potential for bonding interactions with other proteins and with the surface. Transglutaminase cross-linking reinforces cement integrity. Remarkably, epitopes and sequences homologous to bovine trypsin and human transglutaminase were identified in barnacle cement with tandem mass spectrometry and/or western blotting. Akin to blood clotting, the peptides generated during proteolytic activation functioned as signal molecules, linking a molecular level event (protein aggregation) to a behavioral response (barnacle larval settlement). Our results draw attention to a highly conserved protein polymerization mechanism and shed light on a long-standing biochemical puzzle. We suggest that barnacle cement polymerization is a specialized form of wound healing. The polymerization mechanism common between barnacle cement and blood may be a theme for many marine animal glues. / Dissertation

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Ovarian cancer (OC) is a lethal disease due to metastasis and chemoresistance. Our laboratory previously reported that tissue transglutaminase (TG2) is overexpressed in OC and enhances OC peritoneal metastasis. TG2 is a multifunctional protein which catalyzes Ca2+-dependent cross-linking of proteins. The purpose of this study was to explore the mechanism by which TG2 is upregulated in OC and its role in OC progression. We demonstrated that transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 is secreted in the OC milieu and regulates the expression and function of TG2 primarily through the canonical Smad signaling pathway. Increased TG2 expression level correlates with a mesenchymal phenotype of OC cells, suggesting that TGF-β1 induced TG2 promotes epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). TG2 induces EMT by negatively regulating E-cadherin expression. TG2 modulates E-cadherin transcriptional suppressor Zeb1 expression by activating NF-κB complex, which leads to increased cell invasiveness in vitro and tumor metastasis in vivo. The N-terminal fibronectin (FN) binding domain of TG2 (tTG 1-140), lacking both enzymatic and GTPase function, induced EMT in OC cells, suggesting the interaction with FN involved in EMT induction. A TGF-β receptor kinase inhibitor, SD-208, blocked TGF-β1 induced TG2 upregulation and EMT in vitro and tumor dissemination in vivo, which confirms the link between TGF-β1 and TG2 in EMT and tumor metastasis. TG2 expression was correlated with the number and size of self-renewing spheroids, the percentage of CD44+CD117+ ovarian cancer stem cells (CSCs) and with the expression level of stem cell specific transcriptional factors Nanog, Oct3/4, and Sox2. These data suggest that TG2 is an important player in the homeostasis of ovarian CSCs, which are critical for OC peritoneal metastasis and chemoresistance. TG2 expression was also increased in CSCs isolated from human ovarian tumors, confirming the implication of TG2 in CSCs homeostasis. Further, we demonstrated that TG2 protects OC cells from cisplatin-induced apoptosis by regulating NF-κB activity. We proposed a model whereby TGF-β-inducible TG2 modulates EMT, metastasis, CSC homeostasis and chemoresistance in OC. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the mechanisms of OC metastasis modulated by TG2.