Edema Induced by sPLA2 from <em>Crotalus durissus terrificus</em> Involves PLC and PKC Signaling, Activation of cPLA2, and Oxidative Stress

sPLA2 from Crotalus durissus terrificus venom, free of crotapotin (Cdt sPLA2), purified and isolated sPLA2, was able to significantly increase lipid peroxidation, which occurred simultaneously with increased arachidonic acid (AA) metabolism. In addition, MDA and AA levels were elevated at 15 min after Cdt sPLA2 injection and after peak edema (negative control). Thus, oxidative stress and ROS play important roles in the inflammation induced by Cdt sPLA2. On the other hand, edema induced by sPLA2 involves the direct and indirect mobilization of arachidonic acid by the involvement of phosphokinase C (PKC) and phospholipase C (PLC), which indirectly stimulates cytosolic PLA2 (cPLA2). We also observed that the specific antivenin against Cdt venom had no significant effect on the neutralization of induced edema compared to the natural products 5-caffeine-linoleic acid (5CQA) and dexamethasone (AACOCF3). Our results also indicate that there was improvement in the inhibition of edema of natural polyphenolic compounds compared to antivenin or inhibition of the enzymatic activity of sPLA2 due to the fact that 5CQA is a potent antioxidant compound. Thus, our results show a clear correlation between increased arachidonic acid metabolism and oxidative stress

Electronic conduction and electrocatalysis by supramolecular tetraruthenated copper porphyrazine films

A new tetraruthenated copper(II)-tetra(3,4-pyridyl)porphyrazine species, [CuTRPyPz]4+, has been synthesized and fully characterized by means of analytical, spectroscopic and electrochemical techniques. This À-conjugated system contrasts with the related meso-tetrapyridylporphyrins by exhibiting strong electronic interaction between the coordinated peripheral complexes and the central ring. Based on favorable À-stacking and electrostatic interactions, layer-by-layer assembled films were successfully generated from the appropriate combination of [CuTRPyPz]4+ with copper(II)-tetrasulfonated phtalocyanine, [CuTSPc]4-. Their conducting and electrocatalytic properties were investigated by means of impedance spectroscopy and rotating disc voltammetry, exhibiting metallic behavior near the Ru(III/II) redox potential, as well as enhanced catalytic activity for the oxidation of nitrite and sulphite ions.Uma nova espécie cobre(II)-tetra(3,4-piridil) porfirazina tetrarrutenada, [CuTRPyPz]4+ foi sintetizada e sua caracterização conduzida por meio de métodos analíticos, espectroscópicos e eletroquímicos. Sua extensa conjugação-À a distingue dos derivados análogos da meso-tetrapiridilporfirina, levando à ocorrência de interações eletrônicas mais fortes entre os complexos periféricos e o anel porfirazínico central. Com base nas interações eletrostáticas e de empilhamento-À, foram realizadas montagens, camada-por-camada, de filmes funcionais, combinando-se a [CuTRPyPz]4+ com a ftalocianina de cobre(II) tetrassulfonada, [CuTSPc]4-. As propriedades condutoras e eletrocatalíticas desses filmes foram investigadas através de técnicas de impedância e de voltametria de disco rotatório, observando-se um comportamento metálico nas proximidades do potencial do par redox Ru(III)/(II), bem como uma pronunciada atividade catalítica na oxidação de íons nitrito e sulfito, em meio aquoso.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Instituto do Milênio de Materiais Complexo

Purification and Preliminary Crystallographic Analysis of a New Lys49-PLA2 from B. Jararacussu

BjVIII is a new myotoxic Lys49-PLA2 isolated from Bothrops jararacussu venom that exhibits atypical effects on human platelet aggregation. To better understand the mode of action of BjVIII, crystallographic studies were initiated. Two crystal forms were obtained, both containing two molecules in the asymmetric unit (ASU). Synchrotron radiation diffraction data were collected to 2.0 Å resolution and 1.9 Å resolution for crystals belonging to the space group P212121 (a = 48.4 Å, b = 65.3 Å, c = 84.3 Å) and space group P3121 (a = b = 55.7 Å, c = 127.9 Å), respectively. Refinement is currently in progress and the refined structures are expected to shed light on the unusual platelet aggregation activity observed for BjVIII

Evaluation of Rhamnetin as an Inhibitor of the Pharmacological Effect of Secretory Phospholipase A2

Rhamnetin (Rhm), 3-O-methylquercetin (3MQ), and Rhamnazin (Rhz) are methylated derivatives of quercetin commonly found in fruits and vegetables that possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Phospholipase A2 (PLA2) displays several important roles during acute inflammationtherefore, this study aimed at investigating new compounds able to inhibit this enzyme, besides evaluating creatine kinase (CK) levels and citotoxicity. Methylated quercetins were compared with quercetin (Q) and were incubated with secretory PLA2 (sPLA2) from Bothrops jararacussu to determine their inhibitory activity. Cytotoxic studies were performed by using the J774 cell lineage incubated with quercertins. In vivo tests were performed with Swiss female mice to evaluate decreasing paw edema potential and compounds' CK levels. Structural modifications on sPLA2 were made with circular dichroism (CD). Despite Q and Rhz showing greater enzymatic inhibitory potential, high CK was observed. Rhm exhibited sPLA2 inhibitory potential, no toxicity and, remarkably, it decreased CK levels. The presence of 3OH on the C-ring of Rhm may contribute to both its anti-inflammatory and enzymatic inhibition of sPLA2, and the methylation of ring A may provide the increase in cell viability and low CK level induced by sPLA2. These results showed that Rhm can be a candidate as a natural compound for the development of new anti-inflammatory drugs.Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP)Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Univ Fed São Paulo, Postgrad Program Food Nutr & Hlth, BR-11015020 São Paulo, BrazilUniv Estadual Paulista, Biosci Inst, BR-11330900 São Paulo, BrazilBrazil Univ, Prorector Res, BR-08230030 São Paulo, BrazilUniv São Paulo, Pathol Lab Infect Dis LIM50, Dept Pathol, Sch Med, BR-01246903 São Paulo, BrazilUniv Fed São Paulo, Postgrad Program Food Nutr & Hlth, BR-11015020 São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Modulation of the pharmacological effects of enzymatically-active PLA2 by BTL-2, an isolectin isolated from the Bryothamnion triquetrum red alga

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>An interaction between lectins from marine algae and PLA₂from rattlesnake was suggested some years ago. We, herein, studied the effects elicited by a small isolectin (BTL-2), isolated from <it>Bryothamnion triquetrum</it>, on the pharmacological and biological activities of a PLA₂isolated from rattlesnake venom (<it>Crotalus durissus cascavella</it>), to better understand the enzymatic and pharmacological mechanisms of the PLA₂and its complex.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>This PLA₂consisted of 122 amino acids (approximate molecular mass of 14 kDa), its pI was estimated to be 8.3, and its amino acid sequence shared a high degree of similarity with that of other neurotoxic and enzymatically-active PLA₂s. BTL-2 had a molecular mass estimated in approximately 9 kDa and was characterized as a basic protein. In addition, BTL-2 did not exhibit any enzymatic activity.</p> <p>The PLA₂and BTL-2 formed a stable heterodimer with a molecular mass of approximately 24–26 kDa, estimated by molecular exclusion HPLC. In the presence of BTL-2, we observed a significant increase in PLA₂activity, 23% higher than that of PLA₂alone. BTL-2 demonstrated an inhibition of 98% in the growth of the Gram-positive bacterial strain, <it>Clavibacter michiganensis michiganensis </it>(Cmm), but only 9.8% inhibition of the Gram-negative bacterial strain, <it>Xanthomonas axonopodis </it>pv <it>passiflorae </it>(Xap). PLA₂decreased bacterial growth by 27.3% and 98.5% for Xap and Cmm, respectively, while incubating these two proteins with PLA₂-BTL-2 inhibited their growths by 36.2% for Xap and 98.5% for Cmm.</p> <p>PLA₂significantly induced platelet aggregation in washed platelets, whereas BTL-2 did not induce significant platelet aggregation in any assay. However, BTL-2 significantly inhibited platelet aggregation induced by PLA₂. In addition, PLA₂exhibited strong oedematogenic activity, which was decreased in the presence of BTL-2. BTL-2 alone did not induce oedema and did not decrease or abolish the oedema induced by the 48/80 compound.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The unexpected results observed for the PLA₂-BTL-2 complex strongly suggest that the pharmacological activity of this PLA₂is not solely dependent on the presence of enzymatic activity, and that other pharmacological regions may also be involved. In addition, we describe for the first time an interaction between two different molecules, which form a stable complex with significant changes in their original biological action. This opens new possibilities for understanding the function and action of crude venom, an extremely complex mixture of different molecules.</p

Extraction, purification and biochemical characterization of a peroxidase from Copaifera langsdorffii leaves

The aim of this work is to obtain, purify and characterize biochemically a peroxidase from Copaifera langsdorffii leaves (COP). COP was obtained by acetone precipitation followed by ion-exchange chromatography. Purification yielded 3.5% of peroxidase with the purification factor of 46.86. The COP optimum pH is 6.0 and the temperature is 35 ºC. COP was stable in the pH range of 4.5 to 9.3 and at temperatures below 50.0 ºC. The apparent Michaelis-Menten constants (Km) for guaiacol and H2O2 were 0.04 mM and 0.39 mM respectively. Enzyme turnover was 0.075 s-1 for guaiacol and 0.28 s-1 for hydrogen peroxide. Copaifera langsdorffii leaves showed to be a rich source of active peroxidase (COP) during the whole year. COP could replace HRP, the most used peroxidase, in analytical determinations and treatment of industrial effluents at low cost.10671071Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES

Proteins of Leishmania (Viannia) shawi confer protection associated with Th1 immune response and memory generation

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>Leishmania (Viannia) shawi </it>parasite was first characterized in 1989. Recently the protective effects of soluble leishmanial antigen (SLA) from <it>L. (V.) shawi </it>promastigotes were demonstrated using BALB/c mice, the susceptibility model for this parasite. In order to identify protective fractions, SLA was fractionated by reverse phase HPLC and five antigenic fractions were obtained.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>F1 fraction was purified from L. (V.) shawi parasite extract by reverse phase HPLC. BALB/c mice were immunized once a week for two consecutive weeks by subcutaneous routes in the rump, using 25 μg of F1. After 1 and 16 weeks of last immunization, groups were challenged in the footpad with L. (V.) shawi promastigotes. After 2 months, those same mice were sacrificed and parasite burden, cellular and humoral immune responses were evaluated.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The F1 fraction induced a high degree of protection associated with an increase in IFN-γ, a decrease in IL-4, increased cell proliferation and activation of CD8⁺T lymphocytes. Long-term protection was acquired in F1-immunized mice, associated with increased CD4⁺central memory T lymphocytes and activation of both CD4⁺and CD8⁺T cells. In addition, F1-immunized groups showed an increase in IgG2a levels.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The inductor capability of antigens to generate memory lymphocytes that can proliferate and secrete beneficial cytokines upon infection could be an important factor in the development of vaccine candidates against American Tegumentary Leishmaniasis.</p

TsTX-V, uma 'alfa'-toxina do nosso mundo : estrutura e estudo do efeito sobre o mecanismo de secreção de insulina

Orientador: Sergio MarangoniDissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de BiologiaResumo: As neurotoxinas escorpiônicas têm sido classificadas em duas grandes categorias: as a -toxinas (encontradas em espécies do Velho Mundo) que retardam a inativação dos canais de sódio e as ß-toxinas (provenientes de espécies do Novo Mundo), que induzem um estado persistente de despolarização das membranas de células excitáveis (neurônios). A TsTX-V foi obtida por cromatografia de troca iônica em CM-Cellulose 52 e teve seu grau de pureza confirmado por cromatografia de fase reversa em HPLC e por eletroforese em PAGE-SDS Tricina. A estrutura primária da TsTX-V foi determinada por degradação automática de Edman, a partir da proteína pura carboximetilada e reduzida e de seus digestos peptídicos obtidos por Tripsina e Protease V8. Sua seqüência, 64 resíduos de aminoácidos e uma massa molecular, calculada através da somatória dos resíduos, de 7,2 kDa, contendo oito resíduos de cisteina. Testes eletrofisiológicos realizados em nervo vago de coelho mostraram que a toxina TsTX-V (0,03µg/mL) induz um prolongamento do potencial de ação das fibras B do nervo vago devido ao retardo na inativação do canal de Na+. A 0,3µg/mL ela induz também uma despolarização do nervo. Esses efeitos são irreversíveis e podem ser abolido por tetrodoxina (200 - 500 mM), mas não por um aumento da concentração de potássio no meio externo. Estes resultados demosntraram que TsTX-V é uma a-toxina (Arantes et aI., 1994). Em ilhotas de Langerhans, isoladas de ratos, a TsTX-V (a-toxina) potencializou a secreção de insulina, na ausência ou na presença de 8,3 mM de glicose. A Ts-g potencializou a secreção de insulina por 8,3 mM de glicose. A toxina TsTX-V (5,6 mg/ ml) induziu um aumento do efluxo de 86Rb+ cerca de 2,0 a 2,4 vezes em relação ao induzido por 8,3 mM de glicose em ilhotas de Langerhans. Este efeito foi persistente e lentamente reversível. Efeito similar foi observado em presença de (110 mM) de veratridina, substância que retarda a inativação de canais de sódio sensíveis a voltagem. Estes dados sugerem que a toxina TsTX-V prolonga o período de despolarização das células B, ativando indiretamente os canais de K+ dependente de voltagem, mantendo, desta forma, a permeabilidade da membrana ao K+, medida indiretamente pelo efluxo de 86Rb+, mateve-se elevada.. A estrutura tridimensional da toxina TsTX-V foi determinada através de modelagem molecular, utilizando-se para isso os dados cristalográficos da toxina CsE-V3, cujas coordenadas estão depositadas em banco de dados, e da toxina AaH II. De um modo geral, ela tem as feições típicas das neurotoxinas de escorpiões, como a formação em a.-hélice e as três folhas b antiparalelas, mas diferindo quanto à disposição das alças J e B, e da região N-terminal e Carboxi terminal, quando comparados com a toxina do Androctonus autralis Hector (AaH II). O dendograma obtido através das similaridades e coincidências de resíduos e do alinhamento das estruturas secundárias mostra que as toxinas do Novo Mundo podem ser subdivididas em três subgrupos: duas (beta) b e uma (alfa) aAbstract: Antimamals scorpion neurotoxins are classified in two groups: a-toxins (from the Old World species) that induce a slowing down of the inactivation of the sodium channel, and b-toxins (from the New World species), that induce a persistant depolarization of excitable cell membranes. TsTX-V was obtained by ion-exchange chromatography on CM-Cellulose 52 and its of purity was confirmed by reverse phase chromatography and Tricine SDS-PAGE. Primary structure of TsTX-V has been determined by automatic Edman degradation from the reduced and carboxymethyled protein and digestic peptide obtained by Protease V8 and Tripsin. Its sequence shows, a total of 64 aminoacid residues, a calculated molecular weight of 7200.and eight cysteine residues. Electrophysiological assay performed on the vagus nerve of rabit, showed that TsTX-V (0,03 ).mg/mL) induce a persistent depolarized state during long time on B fibers, this effect was abolished by addition of tetrodoxin (200 - 500 mM) but not abolished by high externaI potassium depolarization. Those effects characterized TsTX-V as a-toxins.(Arantes et al, 1994) On isolated rat islets of Langerhans TsTX-V induced insulin secretion in both absecence or presence os glucose (8,3 mM)presence of glucose 8,3 mM, but in absence any effect was observed. However, Tsg (b toxin) potentiated insulin secretion in the presence of glucose 8,3 mM. TsTX-V (5,6 mg/mL) induced a 86Rb+ outflow increase, 2,0~2,4 fold the rate of the marker outflow in the presence of 8,3 mM glucose. This effect was persistent and slowly reversible, showing similarity to that induced by 100 mM veratridine, an agent that prolong the open period of Na+ channel, delaying their inactivation. This suggested that, by extending the depolarized period, TsTX-V indirectly affect b cells voltage dependent K+ channels, thus increasing K+ permeability. Homology studies performed with TsTX-V and other scorpion neurotoxins revealed common folding among them, for example the presence of highly conserved regions and residues and the presence of eight cystein residues at same locations. The three-dimensional structure of TsTX-V was determined by modeling from crystalographic determined structure of CsE-V3 and AaH II. TsTX-V has conserved a and b structure present in other scorpion neurotoxins. Basically its three-dimensional structure is similar to CsE-V3 and AaH lI, but differs in the folding patterns in the J and B loops. Computer simulation performed on the three-dimensional structure obtained by molecular modeling, shows that the C-terminal and N-terminal loops have a great degree of freedom. On the other hand J and B loops did not show great diferences in its leght spatial disposition whem compared with atoxic fraction TsTX-VI or Ts-g (b toxins)MestradoBioquimicaMestre em Ciências Biológica

Contribution to supramolecular chemistry of tetramerized 3,4-tetra (pyridyl) porphyrazines

Neste trabalho, descreve-se a síntese, caracterização e propriedades dos complexos derivados da tetra(3,4-piridil)porfirazina com os grupos [Ru(bipy)2Cl]1+. A conjugação eletrônica entre o resíduo piridínico e o anel da porfirazina promovem uma eficiente comunicação entre os grupos periféricos e o central, que é refletido no espectro de emissão e seu correspondente perfil de excitação. Esse tipo de comportamento revela um efeito antena no sistema H2TPyPzTRu, contrastante com as propriedades fotofisicas das porfirinas análogas TPyPRu, onde os grupos piridínicos exibem baixa interação eletrônica ao anel porfirínico. Apesar do forte acoplamento eletrônico entre os grupos perféricos e o central, as propriedades eletrônicas dos complexos de rutênio foram preservadas, exibindo potenciais redox muito próximos dos complexos livres e comportamento espectroeletroquímico típicos de complexos metálicos N-heterocíclicos. Esses aspectos levam a novas perspectivas relacionadas à estrutura dos compostos, pois são potencialmente interessantes para o estudo referente à formação de oxigênio singlete e para PDT. Outro direcionamento desta tese, foi o de explorar a geração de novas interfaces baseadas na formação de pares iônicos constituídos pelas espécies H2TPyPzTRu/CuTSPc em comparação com o filme da espécie catiônica H2TPyPzTRu. Através de medidas de espectroscopia de impedância eletroquímica, foram constatados mecanismos distintos de condução nos filmes formados, que pode ser ou um mecanismo misto envolvendo os complexos periféricos e o anel central da porfirazina, ou um mecanismo de condução eletrônica envolvendo somente o sistema de empilhamento &#960; do anel central da porfirazina.In this work, we describe the synthesis, characterization and properties of derived tetra(3,4-pyridil)porphyrazine complex containing four [Ru(bipy)2Cl]1+ groups. The electronic conjugation between the pyridinium moiety and the porphyrazine ring promote an efficient communication between the peripherical groups and central ring, which is reflected in the emission spectrum and related excitation profile. The observed behavior reveals an efficient antenna effect in the H2TPyPzTRu system. ln spite of the strong electronic coupling between the central and peripherical groups, the electronic properties of ruthenium complex were preserved, exhibiting redox potencials very close to those of free complexes. These aspects provided new perspectives of exploiting the compound strutures, particularly the oxygen singlet formation and PDT application. Another aspect focused in this investigation was the generation of new interfaces based on ion-pair formation of H2TPyPzTRu/CuTSPc, in comparison with its cationic species H2TPyPzTRu alone. By means of electrochemical impedance spectrocopy, it was shown that the conduction mecanisms in these films involve either the peripherical complex and the central porphyrazine ring