L-valine is a branched chain amino acid often used in food, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and animal feed industries. The most used production method for L-valine and other branched chain amino acids is bacterial fermentation through Escherichia coli or Corynebacterium glutamicum, both of which are heterotrophic bacteria in need of added sugars and energy demanding bioreactors. Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 is a model cyanobacteria that only uses carbon dioxide and sunlight as energy source and naturally can biosynthesize L-valine, which makes it a suitable platform for sustainable production. The regulation of the L-valine biosynthesis pathway is not fully understood why more research is needed to be able to optimize the production of L-valine. In other organisms, there is feedback inhibition by L-valine that limit the biosynthesis which might be the case for Synechocystis as well. During this project, adaptive laboratory evolution was used to increase the valine tolerance of Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803, by evolving the cells to grow in increasing concentrations of L-valine over multiple generations. This resulted in a final strain that had a tenfold increase in tolerance compared to non-evolved wild type Synechocystis. Whole genome sequencing was used to determine if and what mutations had led to the increased tolerance. Another aim of the project was to evolve a strain that overproduced L-valine. This was done by adaptive laboratory evolution with norvaline as a selection pressure. Norvaline is an amino acid analogue that has a very similar structure to valine, why it can be mis incorporated during aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase. We hypothesized that the Synechocystis cells would overproduce L-valine to outcompete the increased norvaline, thereby increasing the norvaline tolerance. Through adaptive laboratory evolution the norvaline tolerance was increased, but the mechanism behind the tolerance could not be determined during this project. The production of all branched chain amino acids by the evolved strains first needs to be measured to determine if they are in fact producing more L-valine. Then, transcriptomics and/or whole genome sequencing can be used to investigate what genes are regulated or mutated to obtain the increased L-valine production.

BARBOZA, Felipe Moreira. Espectroscopia Raman na L-valina deuterada a baixas temperaturas. 2012. 75 f. Dissertação (Mestrado em Física) - Programa de Pós-Graduação em Física, Departamento de Física, Centro de Ciências, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Fortaleza, 2012. / Submitted by Edvander Pires (edvanderpires@gmail.com) on 2015-04-23T21:25:11Z No. of bitstreams: 1 2012_dis_fmbarboza.pdf: 1400454 bytes, checksum: d614be224b439b279076ca7546ca4c23 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Edvander Pires(edvanderpires@gmail.com) on 2015-04-29T17:45:05Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 2012_dis_fmbarboza.pdf: 1400454 bytes, checksum: d614be224b439b279076ca7546ca4c23 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2015-04-29T17:45:05Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 2012_dis_fmbarboza.pdf: 1400454 bytes, checksum: d614be224b439b279076ca7546ca4c23 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012 / Deuteration allows the identification of several species of vibrations, through the comparison of vibrational spectra of the deutered and hydrogeneted samples. In this work we base studied the vibrational properties of L-valine-d8 (99,8 % atom % D) through the Raman spectroscopy technique. At first, the assignment of all Raman active vibratonal mades of L-valine was revisited, and a comparison with a previous work was done. In particular, several bands associated to stretching of NH_3^+ and stretching of CH3, among others, which are observed in the interval 2000 – 2400 cm-1 were assigned. In the second part of the work, again using Raman spectroscopy, it was studied the vibrational modes of the crystal in the temperature range 100 – 300 K. It is known from literature that hydrogenated L-valine undergoes a phase transition at about 110 K. It also known that in deuterated crystals hydrogen bands - through Ubbehlode effect – tend to be less strange and, as a consequence, a comparative analyses between the deuterated and hydrogenated samples is very important. In a previous work on L-alanine it was observed that deutaration induces a new phase at low temperatures. In the investigation on L-valine, at least in the temperature range studied, it was not possible to note any change in the Raman spectra which could be associated to a structural phase transition. Both in the external modes region any great change is verified. As a consequence, we can infer that L-valine-d8 is stable between 100 and 300 K. A discussion about the difference behaviors at low temperatures of L-valine and L-alanine (both deuterated and hydrogenated) is also furnished in the present work. / A deuteração de uma determinada amostra permite fazer a identificação de vários tipos de vibrações, comparando-se o espectro vibracional com o de uma amostra hidrogenada. Neste trabalho estudou-se o comportamento vibracional da L-valina-d8 (99,8 átomo % D) através da técnica de espectroscopia Raman. Inicialmente revisitou-se o assinalamento de todos os modos vibracionais ativos no Raman, comparando-se com um estudo previamente realizado. Em particular foram identificadas diversas bandas associadas a vibrações do tipo estiramento do NH3+ e estiramento do CH3, entre outros, que são observadas na região entre 2000 e 2400 cm-1. Na segunda parte do trabalho foi realizado um estudo via espalhamento Raman dos modos vibracionais do cristal no intervalo de temperatura entre 100 e 300 K. Sabe-se da literatura que a L-valina hidrogenada apresenta uma transição de fase em torno de 110 K. Uma vez que nos cristais deuterados as ligações de hidrogênio via o efeito Uhbehlode tendem a ser mais fracas, uma análise comparativa entre as amostras hidrogenada e deuterada se faz necessário. Em particular, num estudo realizado na L-alanina descobriu-se que a deuteração induz a formação de uma nova fase em baixas temperaturas. No caso da L-valina, pelo menos no intervalo de temperatura investigado, não foi possível observar nenhuma mudança nos espectros Raman que pudessem ser associadas a uma transição de fase estrutural. De fato, tanto na região dos modos externos, quanto na região dos modos internos nenhuma grande modificação é verificada. Isso implica que a estrutura da L-valina-d8 é estável no intervalo de 100-300 K. Uma discussão acerca da diferença do comportamento a baixas temperaturas dos cristais de L-valina e de L-alanina nas formas hidrogenadas e deuteradas é também fornecida no presente trabalho.

Introdução: A Doença da Urina do Xarope de Bordo é uma doença hereditária do metabolismo dos aminoácidos de cadeia ramificada, de caráter autossômico recessivo. O diagnóstico precoce é fundamental na prevenção da deterioração neurológica, que se dá pela ausência da implementação do tratamento nutricional adequado. Objetivo: Realizar triagem das mutações em todos os éxons dos três genes envolvidos na Doença da Urina do Xarope de Bordo (BCKDHA, BCKDHB e DBT) através do sequenciamento gênico direto e correlacionar com a heterogeneidade fenotípica. Métodos: Estudo clínico transversal com pacientes chilenos diagnosticados com Doença da Urina do Xarope de Bordo. A genotipagem foi realizada com produtos purificados de reação em cadeia da polimerase (PCR) de DNA.Foi realizada análise in silico das substituições de nucleotídeos através dos softwares MutPred® v1.2, Polyphen-2® - Polymorphism Phenotyping v2 e SIFT®. As características clínicas dos pacientes foram fornecidas pela equipe de nutrição do Instituto de Nutrição e Tecnologia da Universidade de Chile (INTA). Foi realizado um teste exato de Fisher no grupo de pacientes portadores da mutação mais prevalente na amostragem, a I214K com a intenção de avaliar o grau de correlação entre algumas variáveis clínicas e genéticas para verificar a possibilidade de se estabelecer uma relação fenótipo/genótipo. Resultados: Dos 18 pacientes 88% apresentaram mutação no gene BCKDHB, 1 pacientes 5% apresentou mutação no gene BCKDHA e 1 (5%) paciente apresentou mutação no gene DBT. Foram encontradas um total de 8 mutações na amostra e 4 novas mutações (50%). Não se pode afirmar que há correlação de nenhuma das variáveis clínicas com os genótipos encontrados nessa amostragem. Conclusão: Este estudo reportou 4 novas mutações em pacientes portadores de DXB na população chilena, o que pode ajudar em futuros diagnósticos genéticos da doença. Se a DXB fosse diagnosticada de forma mais rápida, na triagem neonatal, talvez fosse possível estabelecer uma relação genótipo-fenótipo de forma mais eficiente / Introduction: Maple Syrup Urine Disease (MSUD) is an autossomal recessive hereditary disease of the branched-chain amino acid metabolism. Early diagnosis is essential in preventing neurological deterioration, which occurs due to inadequate nutritional implametation treatment. Purpose: Screen mutations in all exons from the three genes involved in MSUD (BCKDHA, BCKDHB and DBT) through direct gene sequencing and correlation with phenotypic heterogeneity. Methods: A cross-sectional study with Chilean patients diagnosed with Maple Syrup Urine Disease. Genotyping was performed using purified polymerase chain reaction (PCR) DNA. Nucleotide substitutions In Silico analysis was performed using MutPred® v1.2, Polyphen-2® - Polymorphism Phenotyping v2 and SIFT® softwares. Patients clinical characteristics were provided by the nutrition team from Chile University, Nutriton and Technology Institute (INTA). Results: Of the 18 patients, 88% presented mutation in BCKDHB gene, 1 patient had mutation in BCKDHA gene and 1 patient (5%) presented a mutation in DBT gene. A total of 8 mutations in the sample and 4 new mutations (50%) were found. It can not be affirmed that there is correlation between clinical variables and genotypes in this sample. Conclusion: This study reported 4 new mutations in patients with MSUD in Chilean population, which may help in future genetic diagnosis. If MSUD was diagnosed more rapidly in neonatal screening, it might be possible to establish a genotype-phenotype relationship more efficiently

A doença de Chagas é uma doença negligenciada com aproximadamente 8 milhões de pessoas cronicamente infectadas e mais de 40 milhões sob risco de infecção. Atualmente as poucas drogas disponíveis para o tratamento da doença são limitadas em relação à eficácia e tolerância, o que evidencia a necessidade de novos alvos terapêuticos visando o desenvolvimento de drogas eficazes para o tratamento da doença. Estudos têm descrito a importância dos aminoácidos no ciclo de vida do T. cruzi, que além de atuarem na síntese proteica e no metabolismo energético, estão relacionados a diferentes funções no parasito. Apesar de estudos anteriores indicarem os aminoácidos de cadeia ramificada (BCAA - leucina, isoleucina e valina) como integrantes do metabolismo em T. cruzi é curioso o fato de ainda haver poucos estudos na literatura sobre a identificação de funções relevantes dos BCAA para a biologia do parasita, bem como associados a outros aminoácidos do T. cruzi. Esse projeto teve o propósito de: (1) Avaliar o papel biológico que os BCAA tem ao longo do ciclo de vida do parasita, com especial enfase nos processos de diferenciação, (2) Avaliar o transporte dos BCAA em T. cruzi. (2) Caracterizar cinéticamente se as enzimas transaminases tirosina aminotransferase TAT e aspartato aminotransferase ASAT catalisam a reação de desaminação/aminação dos derivados de BCAA. (3) Avaliar o papel funcional do complexo enzimático desidrogenase de alfa-cetoácidos ramificados BCAKDH. (4) Estudar a localização intracelular do complexo enzimático nas formas do parasita. (5) Avaliar os o potencial terapêutico. (6) Investigar a funcionalidade do mesmo e as proteinas associadas ao complexo enzimático BCAKDH. / Chagas disease is a neglected disease with approximately 8 million people chronically infected and more than 40 million at risk of infection. Currently the few drugs available for the treatment of the disease are limited in relation to efficacy and tolerance, which highlights the need for new therapeutic targets aimed at the development of drugs effective for the treatment of the disease. Studies have described the importance of amino acids in the life cycle of T. cruzi, which in addition to acting on protein synthesis and energetic metabolism, are related to different functions in the parasite. Although previous studies indicate branched chain amino acids (BCAA - leucine, isoleucine and valine) as components of metabolism in T. cruzi, it is curious that there are still few studies in the literature on the identification of relevant BCAA functions for the biology of parasite, as well as associated with other T. cruzi amino acids. The purpose of this project was to: (1) Evaluate the biological role of BCAAs in the life cycle of the parasite, with special emphasis on differentiation processes; (2) Evaluate BCAA transport in T. cruzi. (2) Kinetically characterize whether the enzymes transaminases tyrosine aminotransferase TAT and aspartate aminotransferase ASAT catalyze the deamination / amination reaction of the BCAA derivatives. (3) To evaluate the functional role of the enzymatic complex dehydrogenase of branched alpha-ketoacids BCAKDH. (4) To study the intracellular localization of the enzymatic complex in the forms of the parasite. (5) Evaluate the therapeutic potential. (6) Investigate the functionality of the proteins associated with the enzymatic complex BCAKDH.

Native states of globular proteins typically show stabilization in the range of 5 to 15 kcal/mol with respect to their unfolded states. There has been a considerable progress in the area of protein stability and folding in recent years, but increasing protein stability through rationally designed mutations has remained a challenging task. Current ability to predict protein structure from the amino acid sequence is also limited due to the lack of quantitative understanding of various factors that defines the single lowest energy fold or native state. The most important factors, which are considered primarily responsible for the structure and stability of the biological active form of proteins, are hydrophobic interactions, hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interactions such as salt bridges as well as packing interactions. Several studies have been carried out to decipher the importance of each these factors in protein stability and structure via rationally designed mutant proteins. The limited success of previous studies emphasizes the need for comprehensive studies on various aspect of protein stability. An integrated approach involving thermodynamic and structural analysis of a protein is very useful in understanding this particular phenomenon. This approach is very useful in relating the thermodynamic stability with the structure of a protein. A survey of the current literature on thermodynamic stability of protein indicates that the majority of the model proteins which have been used for understanding the determinants of protein stability are small, monomeric, single domain globular proteins like RNase A, Lysozyme and Myoglobin. On the other hand large proteins often show complex unfolding transition profiles that are rarely reversible. The major part of this thesis is focused on studying potential stabilizing/destabilizing interactions in small and large globular proteins. These interactions have been identified and characterized by exploring the effects of various rationally designed mutations on protein stability. Spectroscopic, molecular biological and calorimetric techniques were employed to understand the relationships between protein sequence, structure and stability. The experimental systems used are Leucine binding proteins, Leucine isoleucine valine binding protein (LIVBP), Maltose binding protein (MBP), Ribose binding protein (RBP) and Thioredoxin (Trx). The last section of the thesis discusses thermodynamic properties of molten globule states of the periplasmic protein LBP, LIVBP, MBP and RBP. The amino acid Pro is unique among all the twenty naturally occurring amino acids. In the case of proline, the Cδ of the side chain is covalently linked with the main chain nitrogen atom in a five membered ring. Therefore, Pro lacks amide hydrogen and it is not able to form a main chain hydrogen bond with a carbonyl oxygen. Hence Pro is typically not found in the hydrogen bonded, interior region of α-helix. There have been several studies which showed that introduction of the Pro residue into the interior of an α-helix is destabilizing. Although, it is not common to find Pro residue in the interiors of an α-helix, it has been reported that it occurs with appreciable frequency (14%). The thermodynamic effects of replacements of Pro residue in helix interiors of MBP were investigated in Chapter 2 of this thesis. Unlike many other small proteins, MBP contains 21 Pro residues distributed throughout the structure. It contains three residues in the interiors of α-helices, at positions 48, 133 and 159. These Pro residues were replaced with an alanine and serine amino acids using site directed mutagenesis. Stabilities of all the mutant and wild type proteins have been studied via isothermal chemical denaturation at pH 7.4 and thermal denaturation as a function of pH ranging from pH 6.5 to 10.4. It has been observed that replacement of a proline residue in the middle of an α-helix does not always stabilize a protein. It can be stabilizing if the carbonyl oxygen of residue (i-3) or (i-4) is well positioned to form a hydrogen bond with the ith (mutated) residue and the position of mutation is not buried or conserved in the protein. Partially exposed position have the ability to form main chain hydrogen bonds and Ala seems to be a better choice to substitute Pro than Ser. Unlike other amino acids, the pyrolidine ring of Pro residue imposes rigid constraints on the rotation about the N---Cα bond in the peptide backbone. This causes conformational restriction of the φ dihedral angle of Pro to -63±15º in polypeptides. Therefore, introduction of a rigid Pro residue into an appropriate position in a protein sequence is expected to decrease the conformational entropy of the denatured state and consequently lead to protein stabilization. In Chapter 3 of this thesis, the thermodynamic effects of Pro introduction on protein stability has been investigated in LIVBP, MBP, RBP and Trx. Thirteen single and two double mutants have been generated in the above four proteins. Three of the MBP mutants were characterized by X-ray crystallography to confirm that no structural changes had occurred upon mutation. In the remaining cases, CD spectroscopy was used to show the absence of structural changes. Stability of all the mutant and wild type proteins was studied via isothermal chemical denaturation at neutral pH and thermal denaturation as a function of pH. The mutants did not show enhanced stability with respect to chemical denaturation at room temperature. However, six of the thirteen single mutants showed a small but significant increase in the free energy of thermal unfolding in the range of 0.3-2.4 kcal/mol, two mutants showed no change and five were destabilized. In five of the six cases, the stabilization was because of a reduced entropy of unfolding. Two double mutants were constructed. In both cases, the effects of the single mutations on the free energy of thermal unfolding were non-additive. In addition to the hydrogen bond, hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions, other interactions like cation-π and aromatic-aromatic interactions etc. are also considered to make important contributions to protein stability. The relevance of cation-π interaction in biological systems has been recognized in recent years. It has been reported that positively charged amino acids (Lys, Arg and His) are often located within 6 Å of the ring centroids of aromatic amino acids (Phe, Tyr and Trp). The importance of cation-π interaction in protein stability has been suggested by previous theoretical and experimental studies. We have attempted to determine the magnitude of cation-π interactions of Lys with aromatic amino acids in four different proteins (LIVBP, MBP, RBP and Trx) in Chapter 4 of the thesis. Cation-π pairs have been identified by using the program CaPTURE. We have found thirteen cation-π pairs in five different proteins (PDB ID’s 2liv, 1omp, 1anf, 1urp and 2trx). Five cation-π pairs were selected for the study. In each pair, Lys was replaced with Gln and Met. In a separate series of experiments, the aromatic amino acid in each cation-π pair was replaced by Leu. Stabilities of wild type (WT) and mutant proteins were characterized by similar methods, to those discussed in previous chapters. Gln and Aromatic → Leu mutants were consistently less stable than the corresponding Met mutants reflecting the non-isosteric nature of these substitutions. The strength of the cation-π interaction was assessed by the value of the change in the free energy of unfolding (ΔΔG0=ΔG0 (Met) - ΔG0(WT)). This ranged from +1.1 to –1.9 kcal/mol (average value – 0.4 kcal/mol) at 298 K and +0.7 to –2.6 kcal/mol (average value –1.1 kcal/mol) at the Tm of each WT. It therefore appears that the strength of cation-π interactions increases with temperature. In addition, the experimentally measured values are appreciably smaller in magnitude than the calculated values with an average difference |ΔG0expt -ΔG0calc|avg of 2.9 kcal/mol. At room temperature, the data indicate that cation-π interactions are at best weakly stabilizing and in some cases are clearly destabilizing. However at elevated temperatures, close to typical Tm’s, cation-π interactions are generally stabilizing. In Chapter 5, we have attempted to characterize molten globule states for the periplasmic proteins LBP, LIVBP, MBP and RBP. It was observed that all these proteins form molten globule states at acidic pH (3 - 3.4). All these molten globule states showed cooperative thermal transitions and bound with their ligand comparable to (LBP and LIVBP) or with lower (MBP and RBP) affinity than the corresponding native states. Trp, ANS fluorescence and near-UV CD spectra for ligand bound and free forms of molten globule states were found to be very similar. This shows that molten globule states of these proteins have the ability to bind to their corresponding ligand without conversion to the native state. All four molten globule states showed destabilization relative to the native state. ΔCp values indicate that these molten globule states contain approximately 29-67% of tertiary structure relative to the native state. All four proteins lack prosthetic groups and disulfide bonds. Therefore, it is likely that molten globule states of these proteins are stabilized via hydrophobic and hydrogen bonding interactions.

CoordenaÃÃo de AperfeiÃoamento de Pessoal de NÃvel Superior / A deuteraÃÃo de uma determinada amostra permite fazer a identificaÃÃo de vÃrios tipos de vibraÃÃes, comparando-se o espectro vibracional com o de uma amostra hidrogenada. Neste trabalho estudou-se o comportamento vibracional da L-valina-d8 (99,8 Ãtomo % D) atravÃs da tÃcnica de espectroscopia Raman. Inicialmente revisitou-se o assinalamento de todos os modos vibracionais ativos no Raman, comparando-se com um estudo previamente realizado. Em particular foram identificadas diversas bandas associadas a vibraÃÃes do tipo estiramento do NH3+ e estiramento do CH3, entre outros, que sÃo observadas na regiÃo entre 2000 e 2400 cm-1. Na segunda parte do trabalho foi realizado um estudo via espalhamento Raman dos modos vibracionais do cristal no intervalo de temperatura entre 100 e 300 K. Sabe-se da literatura que a L-valina hidrogenada apresenta uma transiÃÃo de fase em torno de 110 K. Uma vez que nos cristais deuterados as ligaÃÃes de hidrogÃnio via o efeito Uhbehlode tendem a ser mais fracas, uma anÃlise comparativa entre as amostras hidrogenada e deuterada se faz necessÃrio. Em particular, num estudo realizado na L-alanina descobriu-se que a deuteraÃÃo induz a formaÃÃo de uma nova fase em baixas temperaturas. No caso da L-valina, pelo menos no intervalo de temperatura investigado, nÃo foi possÃvel observar nenhuma mudanÃa nos espectros Raman que pudessem ser associadas a uma transiÃÃo de fase estrutural. De fato, tanto na regiÃo dos modos externos, quanto na regiÃo dos modos internos nenhuma grande modificaÃÃo à verificada. Isso implica que a estrutura da L-valina-d8 à estÃvel no intervalo de 100-300 K. Uma discussÃo acerca da diferenÃa do comportamento a baixas temperaturas dos cristais de L-valina e de L-alanina nas formas hidrogenadas e deuteradas à tambÃm fornecida no presente trabalho. / Deuteration allows the identification of several species of vibrations, through the comparison of vibrational spectra of the deutered and hydrogeneted samples. In this work we base studied the vibrational properties of L-valine-d8 (99,8 % atom % D) through the Raman spectroscopy technique. At first, the assignment of all Raman active vibratonal mades of L-valine was revisited, and a comparison with a previous work was done. In particular, several bands associated to stretching of NH_3^+ and stretching of CH3, among others, which are observed in the interval 2000 â 2400 cm-1 were assigned. In the second part of the work, again using Raman spectroscopy, it was studied the vibrational modes of the crystal in the temperature range 100 â 300 K. It is known from literature that hydrogenated L-valine undergoes a phase transition at about 110 K. It also known that in deuterated crystals hydrogen bands - through Ubbehlode effect â tend to be less strange and, as a consequence, a comparative analyses between the deuterated and hydrogenated samples is very important. In a previous work on L-alanine it was observed that deutaration induces a new phase at low temperatures. In the investigation on L-valine, at least in the temperature range studied, it was not possible to note any change in the Raman spectra which could be associated to a structural phase transition. Both in the external modes region any great change is verified. As a consequence, we can infer that L-valine-d8 is stable between 100 and 300 K. A discussion about the difference behaviors at low temperatures of L-valine and L-alanine (both deuterated and hydrogenated) is also furnished in the present work.

The goal of cancer chemotherapy is to develop effective, safe, and well-tolerated medications. The over-expression of certain receptors on cancer cell membrane provides a basis for active targeting by not only specific interaction between drug delivery system and cells, but also facilitated cellular uptake via receptor-mediated endocytosis. In this study, LDV oligomers up to six LDV repeating units were synthesized via solid phase peptide synthesis method, and evaluated as drug carrier as well as targeting moiety to deliver doxorubicin (Dox) to human malignant melanoma cells (A375), which over-express integrin α 4 β 1 . Cells expressing different levels of integrin α 4 β 1 or modulated using integrin α 4 -specific siRNA knock-down technique were verified by western blot and PCR. Magnetic beads with tripeptides LDV, VDL, or LNV on the surface were used in the binding specificity studies. Results verified that LDV was the minimally required ligand sequence for the specific binding to integrin α 4 β 1 , of which the interaction depends on the amount of integrin and can be utilized for the design of targeted drug delivery. The studies on A375 cells uptake of FITC-labeled LDV oligomers examined the effects of EDTA, temperature, endocytosis inhibitor, and competitive ligand. Cellular uptake mechanism was revealed to be temperature-dependent, receptor-mediated endocytosis, involving the specific interaction between LDV and integrin α 4 β 1 . The internalization extent of LDV monomer was the highest and was also inhibited to the most by the addition of free LDV when compared to other LDV oligomers. Cytotoxicity profiles of Dox-conjugated LDV oligomers were obtained on wild-type A375, integrin α4 knock-down A375, and normal human epithelial keratinocytes (NHEK) using SRB assay. A significant decrease (3∼6 folds) in the cytotoxicity of oligo(LDV)-Dox on A375 cells were observed when the integrin α4 expression was knocked down by ∼50%. Cytotoxicity further decreased on NHEK, which has the lowest integrin α4 expression among three cell lines. In contrast to oligo(LDV)-Dox, free Dox was not able to differentiate between cancerous and normal cells. This result demonstrated the potential of oligo(LDV) as targeting ligand. However, increase of repeating LDV unit did not lead to any apparent trend in cytotoxicity capacity. To facilitate the intracellular Dox release, hydrazone bond (HYD) was introduced between LDV and Dox. In vitro Dox release profiles in pH 6.0, 7.4, and rat plasma proved the pH-sensitivity of LDV-HYD-Dox. Cytotoxicity studies showed an increased cytotoxic effect of LDV-HYD-Dox when compared with LDV-Dox on wild-type A375 (2.5 times), knock-down A375 (1.5 times); while no significant difference in cytotoxicity on NHEK was observed. In vivo animal study supported the in vitro findings on LDV-HYD-Dox, which showed a significant inhibition of tumor growth and longest mice life span when compared to free Dox, poly(L,D,V)-Dox, and LDV-Dox, with averagely only ¼ of the tumor size and almost twice the life span of that from the free Dox group. In conclusion, based on the concept of specific interaction between LDV and integrin α 4 β 1 , oligo(LDV)-Dox targeted drug delivery system was developed and proved to be effective in the delivery of Dox to melanoma cells.

Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) is an X-linked recessive, progressive muscle-wasting disease characterized by mutations in the dystrophin gene. Duchenne muscular dystrophy is the most common and most severe form of inherited muscle diseases, with an incidence of 1 in 3,500 male births1,2. Mutations in the dystrophin gene result in non-functional dystrophin or the complete absence of the protein dystrophin, resulting in necrosis and fibrosis in the muscle, loss of ambulation, cardiomyopathies, inadequate or failure of respiratory function, and decreased lifespan. Although there has been little research for effective nutritional strategies, dietary intervention may be effective as an adjuvant treatment. In this study, wild type (WT) and mdx animals were provided either a control or elevated branched chain amino acid (BCAA) diet nocturnally for 25 weeks to determine if the elevated BCAAs would attenuate muscle torque loss. Twenty-five weeks of chronic, elevated BCAA supplementation had no impact on muscle function measures. Interestingly, mdx and WT animals had the same torque responses in the low stimulation frequencies (1 Hz – 30 Hz) compared to higher stimulation frequencies. Tetanus was reached at a much lower stimulation frequency in mdx animals compared to WT animals (100 Hz vs +150 Hz). The mdx mouse consistently had more cage activity in the light cycle X- and Y-planes. Interestingly, animals on the BCAA diet increased X-, Y-, and Z-plane activity in the dark cycles at four weeks while animals on the control diet more Z-plane activity at 25 weeks, although not significant. All three BCAAs were elevated in the plasma at 25 weeks, although only Leu was significantly elevated. The BCAAs had no effect on. The diaphragm and skeletal muscle masses were larger in mdx animals, and WT animals had a significantly larger epididymal fat pad. The active state of BCKDC determined by phosphorylation of the E1α enzyme was greater in WT animals in white skeletal muscle, but not red skeletal muscle. Protein synthesis effectors of the mTORC1 signaling pathway and autophagy markers were similar among groups. Wild type animals had increased mTORC1 effectors and animals on the BCAA diet had decreased autophagy markers, although not significant. Although BCAAs did not affect muscle function, fibrosis, or protein synthesis effectors, this study illustrates the functionality of mdx muscles over time. It would be interesting to see how the different muscle fiber types are affected by DMD, noting the differences between the diaphragm, heart, red muscle, and white muscle fibrosis markers. Although there was no increase in mTORC1 effectors with an elevated BCAA diet, it would be interesting to determine muscle protein synthesis, myofibrillar protein synthesis, and total protein turnover in the mdx mouse with an elevated BCAA diet, although the dietary intervention started when mice arrived at 4 weeks of age, earlier intervention may be beneficial early in the disease process. / Doctor of Philosophy / Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) is an X-linked recessive, progressive muscle-wasting disease characterized by mutations in the dystrophin gene. Duchenne muscular dystrophy is the most common and most severe form of inherited muscle diseases, with an incidence of 1 in 3,500 male births1,2. Mutations in the dystrophin gene result in non-functional dystrophin or the complete absence of the protein dystrophin, resulting in necrosis and fibrosis in the muscle, loss of movement and walking ability, cardiomyopathies, inadequate or failure of respiratory function, and decreased lifespan. Although there has been little research for effective nutritional strategies, dietary intervention may be effective as an adjuvant treatment and palliative care. The branched chain amino acids (BCAAs) are known to directly stimulate muscle protein synthesis by direct activation of the mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1). This study aimed to illustrate the differences between diseased and healthy mice and determine if BCAAs can reduce muscle torque loss. Twenty-five weeks of chronic, elevated BCAA supplementation had no impact on muscle function measures. Interestingly, mdx and WT animals had the same torque responses in the low stimulation frequencies (1 Hz – 30 Hz) compared to higher stimulation frequencies. Tetanus was reached at a much lower stimulation frequency in mdx animals compared to WT animals (100 Hz vs +150 Hz). The mdx mouse consistently had more cage activity in the light cycle X- and Y-planes. Interestingly, animals on the BCAA diet increased X-, Y-, and Z-plane activity in the dark cycles at four weeks while animals on the control diet more Z-plane activity at 25 weeks, although not significant. All three BCAAs were elevated in the plasma at 25 weeks, although only Leu was significantly elevated. The BCAAs had no effect on. The diaphragm and skeletal muscle masses were larger in mdx animals, and WT animals had a significantly larger epididymal fat pad. The active state of BCKDC determined by phosphorylation of the E1α enzyme was greater in WT animals in white skeletal muscle, but not red skeletal muscle. Protein synthesis effectors of the mTORC1 signaling pathway and autophagy markers were similar among groups. Wild type animals had increased mTORC1 effectors and animals on the BCAA diet had decreased autophagy markers, although not significant. Although BCAAs did not affect muscle function, fibrosis, or protein synthesis effectors, this study illustrates the functionality of mdx muscles over time. It would be interesting to see how the different muscle fiber types are affected by DMD, noting the differences between the diaphragm, heart, red muscle, and white muscle fibrosis markers. Although there was no increase in mTORC1 effectors with an elevated BCAA diet, it would be interesting to determine muscle protein synthesis, myofibrillar protein synthesis, and total protein turnover in the mdx mouse with an elevated BCAA diet, although the dietary intervention started when mice arrived at 4 weeks of age, earlier intervention may be beneficial early in the disease process.

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