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Congenital zika virus syndrome (CZS) has become a significant worldwide concern since the sudden rise of microcephaly related to zika virus (ZIKV) in Brazil. Primarily transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, ZIKV shares serologic similarities with dengue virus (DENV), complicating the diagnosis and/or clinical management. The Angiotensin I-Converting Enzyme (ACE) was associated with either neuroprotective or anti-inflammatory properties in the central nervous system (CNS). The possible role(s) of ACE in these two flaviviruses infection remain largely unexplored. In this study, we evaluate ACE activity in the brain of ZIKV- or DENV-infected mice, both compared to MOCK, showing about 30 % increased ACE activity only in ZIKV-infected mice (p = 0.024), while no change was noticed in brain from DENV-infected animals (p = 0.888). In addition, the treatment with interferon beta (IFNß), under conditions previously demonstrated to rescue the normal size of microcephalic brains determined by ZIKV infection, also restored ACE activity in ZIKV-infected animals to levels close to that of the MOCK control group. Although inflammatory responses expected for either ZIKV or DENV infections, only ZIKV was associated with microcephaly, as well as with increased ACE activity and reversion by treatment with IFNß. Furthermore, this increase in ACE activity was observed only after intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection (F (2, 16) = 7.907, p = 0.004), but not for intraperitoneal (IP) administration of ZIKV (F (2, 26) = 1.996, p = 0.156), suggesting that the observed central ACE activity modulation may be associated with the presence of this specific flavivirus in the brain.
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Maternal infections are among the main risk factors for cognitive impairments in the offspring. Zika virus (ZIKV) can be transmitted vertically, causing a set of heterogeneous birth defects, such as microcephaly, ventriculomegaly and corpus callosum dysgenesis. Nuclear distribution element like-1 (Ndel1) oligopeptidase controls crucial aspects of cerebral cortex development underlying cortical malformations. Here, we examine Ndel1 activity in an animal model for ZIKV infection, which was associated with deregulated corticogenesis. We observed here a reduction in Ndel1 activity in the forebrain associated with the congenital syndrome induced by ZIKV isolates, in an in utero and postnatal injections of different inoculum doses in mice models. In addition, we observed a strong correlation between Ndel1 activity and brain size of animals infected by ZIKV, suggesting the potential of this measure as a biomarker for microcephaly. More importantly, the increase of interferon (IFN)-beta signaling, which was used to rescue the ZIKV infection outcomes, also recovered Ndel1 activity to levels similar to those of uninfected healthy control mice, but with no influence on Ndel1 activity in uninfected healthy control animals. Taken together, we demonstrate for the first time here an association of corticogenesis impairments determined by ZIKV infection and the modulation of Ndel1 activity. Although further studies are still necessary to clarify the possible role(s) of Ndel1 activity in the molecular mechanism(s) underlying the congenital syndrome induced by ZIKV, we suggest here the potential of monitoring the Ndel1 activity to predict this pathological condition at early stages of embryos or offspring development, during while the currently employed methods are unable to detect impaired corticogenesis leading to microcephaly. Ndel1 activity may also be possibly used to follow up the positive response to the treatment, such as that employing the IFN-beta that is able to rescue the ZIKV-induced brain injury.
Assuntos
Microcefalia , Infecção por Zika virus , Zika virus , Animais , Camundongos , Infecção por Zika virus/complicações , Infecção por Zika virus/congênito , Infecção por Zika virus/patologia , Endofenótipos , Proteínas de TransporteRESUMO
Thimet oligopeptidase (THOP) is a cytosolic metallopeptidase known to regulate the fate of post-proteasomal peptides, protein turnover and peptide selection in the antigen presentation machinery (APM) system. Oxidative stress influences THOP expression and regulates its proteolytic activity, generating variable cytosolic peptide levels, possibly affecting the immune evasion of tumor cells. In the present work, we examined the association between THOP expression/activity and stress oxidative resistance in human leukemia cells using the K562 cell line, a chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), and the multidrug-resistant (MDR) Lucena 1 (K562-derived MDR cell line) as model. The Lucena 1 phenotype was validated under vincristine treatment and the relative THOP1 mRNA levels and protein expression compared to K562 cell line. Our data demonstrated increased THOP1 gene and protein levels in K562 cells in contrast to the oxidative-resistant Lucena 1, even after H2O2 treatment, suggesting an oxidative stress dependence in THOP regulation. Further, it was observed higher basal levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in K562 compared to Lucena 1 cell line using DHE fluorescent probe. Since THOP activity is dependent on its oligomeric state, we also compared its proteolytic activity under reducing agent treatment, which demonstrated that its function modulation with respect to changes in redox state. Finally, the mRNA expression and FACS analyses demonstrated a reduced expression of MHC I only in K562 cell line. In conclusion, our results highlight THOP redox modulation, which could influence antigen presentation in multidrug resistant leukemia cells.
Assuntos
Peróxido de Hidrogênio , Leucemia , Humanos , Peróxido de Hidrogênio/farmacologia , Resistencia a Medicamentos Antineoplásicos/genética , Células K562 , Leucemia/tratamento farmacológico , Leucemia/genética , Estresse Oxidativo , Peptídeos , RNA MensageiroRESUMO
Stevia species (Asteraceae) have been a rich source of terpenoid compounds, mainly sesquiterpene lactones, several of which show antiprotozoal activity. In the search for new trypanocidal compounds, S. satureiifolia var. satureiifolia and S. alpina were studied. Two sesquiterpene lactones, santhemoidin C and 2-oxo-8-deoxyligustrin, respectively, were isolated. These compounds were assessed in vitro against Trypanosoma cruzi stages, showing IC50 values of 11.80 and 4.98 on epimastigotes, 56.08 and 26.19 on trypomastigotes and 4.88 and 20.20 µM on amastigotes, respectively. Cytotoxicity was evaluated on Vero cells by the MTT assay. The effect of the compounds on trypanothyone reductase (TcTR), Trans-sialidase (TcTS) and the prolyl oligopeptidase of 80 kDa (Tc80) as potential molecular targets of T. cruzi was investigated. Santhemoidin C inhibited oligopeptidase activity when tested against recombinant Tc80 using a fluorometric assay, reaching an IC50 of 34.9 µM. Molecular docking was performed to study the interaction between santhemoidin C and the Tc80 protein, reaching high docking energy levels. Plasma membrane shedding and cytoplasmic vacuoles, resembling autophagosomes, were detected by transmission microscopy in parasites treated with santhemoidin C. Based on these results, santhemoidin C represents a promising candidate for further studies in the search for new molecules for the development of trypanocidal drugs.
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Leishmania spp. are parasitic protozoa that cause leishmaniasis, a disease endemic in 98 countries. Leishmania promastigotes are transmitted by the vector and differentiate into amastigotes within phagocytic cells of the vertebrate host. To survive in multiple and hostile environments, the parasite has several virulence factors. Oligopeptidase B (OPB) is a serine peptidase present in prokaryotes, some eukaryotes and some higher plants. It has been considered a virulence factor in trypanosomatids, but only a few studies, performed with Old World species, analysed its role in Leishmania virulence or infectivity.L. (L.) amazonensis is an important agent of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Brazil. The L. (L.) amazonensis OPB encoding gene has been sequenced and analysed in silico but has never been expressed. In this work, we produced recombinant L. (L.) amazonensis OPB and showed that its pH preferences, Km and inhibition patterns are similar to those reported for L. (L.) major and L. (L.) donovani OPBs. Since Leishmania is known to secrete OPB, we performed in vitro infection assays using the recombinant enzyme. Our results showed that active OPB increased in vitro infection by L. (L.) amazonensis when present before and throughout infection. Our findings suggest that OPB is relevant to L. (L.) amazonensis infection, and that potential drugs acting through OPB will probably be effective for Old and New World Leishmania species. OPB inhibitors may eventually be explored for leishmaniasis chemotherapy.
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Leishmania , Leishmaniose Cutânea , Animais , Leishmania/genética , Leishmaniose Cutânea/parasitologia , Macrófagos/parasitologia , Camundongos , Camundongos Endogâmicos BALB C , Serina , Serina Endopeptidases/genética , Fatores de VirulênciaRESUMO
Phyllanthus tenellus Roxb. (Phyllanthaceae) is a plant used in Brazilian folk medicine for the treatment of intestinal infections and diabetes. Despite its use in traditional medicine, it was reported that P. tenellus extract may cause several effects in the central nervous system (CNS) of animals, such as agitation and signs of depression. The aim of this study was to determine the main constituents of P. tenellus methanol extract and to investigate whether the extract is able to inhibit the enzymes prolyl oligopeptidase (POP), acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and dipeptidyl peptidase-IV (DPP-IV). Corilagin (1) was isolated as the main constituent of the P. tenellus extract, along with rutin (2) and vitexin-2â³-O-rhamnoside (3). The extract presented the ability to inhibit mainly POP. Dichloromethane and ethyl acetate fractions showed the highest inhibitory potency against POP (IC50 values of 1.7 ± 0.4 and 11.7 ± 2 µg/mL, respectively). All fractions were inactive against AChE. Corilagin displayed selective POP inhibition in a dose-dependent manner, with IC50= 19.7 ± 2.6 µg/mL. Corilagin exhibited moderate capacity to pass through the phospholipid membrane by passive diffusion, presenting effective permeability (Pe) of 1.26 × 10-7 cm/s.
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Acetilcolinesterase/metabolismo , Inibidores da Colinesterase/farmacologia , Phyllanthus/química , Prolil Oligopeptidases/antagonistas & inibidores , Animais , Barreira Hematoencefálica/efeitos dos fármacos , Brasil , Inibidores da Colinesterase/química , Glucosídeos/farmacologia , Taninos Hidrolisáveis/farmacologia , Extratos Vegetais/farmacologia , Prolil Oligopeptidases/metabolismoRESUMO
Chemotherapy is limited in the treatment of leishmaniasis due to the toxic effects of drugs, low efficacy of alternative treatments, and resistance of the parasite. This work assesses the in vitro activity of flavopereirine on promastigote cultures of Leishmania amazonensis. In addition, an in silico evaluation of the physicochemical characteristics of this alkaloid is performed. The extract and fractions were characterized by thin-layer chromatography and HPLC-DAD, yielding an alkaloid identified by NMR. The antileishmanial activity and cytotoxicity were assayed by cell viability test (MTT). The theoretical molecular properties were calculated on the Molinspiration website. The fractionation made it possible to isolate a beta-carboline alkaloid (flavopereirine) in the alkaloid fraction. Moreover, it led to obtaining a fraction with greater antileishmanial activity, since flavopereirine is very active. Regarding the exposure time, a greater inhibitory effect of flavopereirine was observed at 24 h and 72 h (IC50 of 0.23 and 0.15 µg/mL, respectively). The extract, fractions, and flavopereirine presented low toxicity, with high selectivity for the alkaloid. Furthermore, flavopereirine showed no violation of Lipinski's rule of five, showing even better results than the known inhibitor of oligopeptidase B, antipain, with three violations. Flavopereirine also interacted with residue Tyr-499 of oligopeptidase B during the molecular dynamics simulations, giving a few insights of a possible favorable mechanism of interaction and a possible inhibitory pathway. Flavopereirine proved to be a promising molecule for its antileishmanial activity.
Assuntos
Antiprotozoários/farmacologia , Apocynaceae/química , Carbolinas/farmacologia , Alcaloides Indólicos/isolamento & purificação , Leishmania mexicana/efeitos dos fármacos , Proteínas de Protozoários/antagonistas & inibidores , Serina Endopeptidases/química , Antipaína/química , Antipaína/farmacologia , Antiprotozoários/química , Antiprotozoários/isolamento & purificação , Carbolinas/química , Carbolinas/isolamento & purificação , Sobrevivência Celular/efeitos dos fármacos , Humanos , Alcaloides Indólicos/química , Alcaloides Indólicos/classificação , Concentração Inibidora 50 , Leishmania mexicana/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Estágios do Ciclo de Vida/efeitos dos fármacos , Estágios do Ciclo de Vida/fisiologia , Simulação de Acoplamento Molecular , Simulação de Dinâmica Molecular , Casca de Planta/química , Extratos Vegetais/química , Proteínas de Protozoários/química , Células THP-1RESUMO
Two new iridoids (1-2) and a new decomposition product of valepotriates (3), together with fifteen known compounds (4-18) were isolated from the roots and rhizomes of Valeriana polystachya Smith, a native species from the Pampa Biome. Their structures were elucidated by means of NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry and optical rotation. The structures of 3 and 18 were further confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. In the group of the isolated compounds, 6ß-hydroxysitostenone, hydroxymaltol and isovillosol were isolated from the Valeriana genus for the first time. The extracts and isolated compounds were evaluated for their in vitro activities against acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and prolyloligopeptidase (POP). Compounds 7, 9 and 11 showed weak inhibitory activity against AChE, while 3 and 5 displayed exceptional POP inhibitory activity, with IC50 values of 5.3⯱â¯0.07 and 7.9⯱â¯0.4⯵M, respectively.
Assuntos
Inibidores da Colinesterase/isolamento & purificação , Iridoides/isolamento & purificação , Inibidores de Serina Proteinase/isolamento & purificação , Valeriana/química , Acetilcolinesterase , Brasil , Inibidores da Colinesterase/farmacologia , Iridoides/farmacologia , Compostos Fitoquímicos/isolamento & purificação , Compostos Fitoquímicos/farmacologia , Raízes de Plantas/química , Prolil Oligopeptidases , Rizoma/química , Serina Endopeptidases , Inibidores de Serina Proteinase/farmacologiaRESUMO
Researchers are always searching for novel biologically active molecules including peptides. With the improvement of equipment for electrospray mass spectrometry, it is now possible to identify hundreds of novel peptides in a single run. However, after identifying the peptide sequences it is expensive to synthesize all the peptides to perform biological activity assays. Here, we describe a substrate capture assay that uses inactive oligopeptidases to identify putative biologically active peptides in complexes peptide mixtures. This methodology can use any crude extracts of biological tissues or cells, with the advantage to introduce a filter (i.e., binding to an inactive oligopeptidase) as a prior step in screening to bioactive peptides.
Assuntos
Encéfalo/metabolismo , Espectrometria de Massas/métodos , Fragmentos de Peptídeos/metabolismo , Peptídeo Hidrolases/metabolismo , Animais , Ensaios Enzimáticos , Células HEK293 , Humanos , Camundongos , Peptídeo Hidrolases/química , Especificidade por SubstratoRESUMO
Researchers are always searching for novel biologically active molecules including peptides. With the improvement of equipment for electrospray mass spectrometry, it is now possible to identify hundreds of novel peptides in a single run. However, after identifying the peptide sequences it is expensive to synthesize all the peptides to perform biological activity assays. Here, we describe a substrate capture assay that uses inactive oligopeptidases to identify putative biologically active peptides in complexes peptide mixtures. This methodology can use any crude extracts of biological tissues or cells, with the advantage to introduce a filter (i.e., binding to an inactive oligopeptidase) as a prior step in screening to bioactive peptides.
RESUMO
This chapter describes a protocol for measuring prolyl oligopeptidase (POP) activity using a biotinylated peptide substrate coupled to magnetic microspheres. The complex is incubated in the presence of a pituitary extract and activity can be detected by loss of the biotin label. The assay can be multiplexed for measuring multiple proprotein-cleaving enzymes simultaneously and can be used in analyses of neuropsychiatric diseases in which proteolytic cleavage of biologically active peptides is known to play a role.
Assuntos
Separação Imunomagnética/métodos , Proteínas do Tecido Nervoso/análise , Hipófise/enzimologia , Serina Endopeptidases/análise , Biotinilação , Humanos , Microesferas , Fragmentos de Peptídeos/química , Prolil Oligopeptidases , Esquizofrenia/metabolismo , EstreptavidinaRESUMO
Leishmaniasis are diseases caused by parasites of the genus Leishmania and transmitted to humans by the bite of infected insects of the subfamily Phlebotominae. Current drug therapy shows high toxicity and severe adverse effects. Recently, two oligopeptidases (OPBs) were identified in Leishmania amazonensis, namely oligopeptidase B (OPB) and oligopeptidase B2 (OPB2). These OPBs could be ideal targets, since both enzymes are expressed in all parasite lifecycle and were not identified in human. This work aimed to identify possible dual inhibitors of OPB and OPB2 from L. amazonensis. The three-dimensional structures of both enzymes were built by comparative modelling and used to perform a virtual screening of ZINC database by DOCK Blaster server. It is the first time that OPB models from L. amazonensis are used to virtual screening approach. Four hundred compounds were identified as possible inhibitors to each enzyme. The top scored compounds were submitted to refinement by AutoDock program. The best results suggest that compounds interact with important residues, as Tyr490, Glu612 and Arg655 (OPB numbers). The identified compounds showed better results than antipain and drugs currently used against leishmaniasis when ADMET in silico were performed. These compounds could be explored in order to find dual inhibitors of OPB and OPB2 from L. amazonensis.
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Antiprotozoários/química , Antiprotozoários/farmacologia , Leishmania/enzimologia , Proteínas de Protozoários/metabolismo , Serina Endopeptidases/metabolismo , Inibidores de Serina Proteinase/farmacologia , Sítios de Ligação , Simulação por Computador , Bases de Dados Factuais , Regulação Enzimológica da Expressão Gênica , Modelos Moleculares , Ligação Proteica , Conformação Proteica , Proteínas de Protozoários/genética , Serina Endopeptidases/genética , SoftwareRESUMO
Chemical investigation of the aerial parts of Leonurus sibiricus L. used in Brazilian folk medicine led to the identification of the following constituents: the labdane-type diterpenoid leojaponin, the phytosterols ß-sitosterol and ß-sitosterol glucoside and the alkaloid leonurine. The crude extracts obtained from methanol and methanol/1% HCl and pure compounds isolated from L. sibirius were investigated as acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and prolyl oligopeptidase (POP) inhibitors. Extracts obtained by maceration were active against POP (53-58%), but showed weak activity against AChE. The isolated leojaponin and leonurine were evaluated as POP inhibitors.
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Acetilcolinesterase/metabolismo , Inibidores da Colinesterase/farmacologia , Leonurus/química , Extratos Vegetais/farmacologia , Serina Endopeptidases/metabolismo , Inibidores de Serina Proteinase/farmacologia , Diterpenos/farmacologia , Ácido Gálico/análogos & derivados , Ácido Gálico/farmacologia , Prolil OligopeptidasesRESUMO
We have previously demonstrated that the secreted prolyl oligopeptidase of Trypanosoma cruzi (POPTc80) is involved in the infection process by facilitating parasite migration through the extracellular matrix. We have built a 3D structural model where POPTc80 is formed by a catalytic α/ß-hydrolase domain and a ß-propeller domain, and in which the substrate docks at the inter-domain interface, suggesting a "jaw opening" gating access mechanism. This preliminary model was refined by molecular dynamics simulations and next used for a virtual screening campaign, whose predictions were tested by standard binding assays. This strategy was successful as all 13 tested molecules suggested from the in silico calculations were found out to be active POPTc80 inhibitors in the micromolar range (lowest K i at 667 nM). This work paves the way for future development of innovative drugs against Chagas disease.
Assuntos
Simulação de Dinâmica Molecular , Serina Endopeptidases/química , Inibidores de Serina Proteinase/química , Tripanossomicidas/química , Trypanosoma cruzi/enzimologia , Animais , Derivados de Benzeno/química , Sítios de Ligação , Domínio Catalítico , Bases de Dados de Compostos Químicos , Humanos , Estrutura Molecular , Prolil Oligopeptidases , Ligação Proteica , Pirimidinas/química , Homologia de Sequência de Aminoácidos , Bibliotecas de Moléculas Pequenas , Relação Estrutura-Atividade , Sulfonamidas/química , Suínos , Tiofenos/química , Triazóis/químicaRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Angiotensin-I converting enzyme (ACE) is a key component of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS). Although the several contradictory data, ACE has been associated with schizophrenia (SCZ) pathophysiology. Here the ACE activity of SCZ patients and healthy controls (HCs), and its possible correlations with the ACE polymorphism genotype and symptomatic dimensions, was investigated. METHODOLOGY: ACE activity of 86 SCZ patients and 100 HCs paired by age, gender and educational level was measured, using the FRET peptide substrate and the specific inhibitor lisinopril. The ACE insertion/deletion (I/D) genotypes were assessed by the restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) technique. RESULTS: Significantly higher ACE activity was observed in SCZ patients compared to HCs (t=-5.09; p<0.001). The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was 0.701. Mean ACE activity levels were higher for the D-allele carriers (F=5.570; p=0.005), but no significant difference was found among SCZ patients and HCs for genotypes frequencies (Chi-squared=2.08; df=2; p=0.35). Interestingly, we found that the difference between the measured ACE activity for each SCZ patient and the expected average mean value for each respective genotype group (for control subjects) was a better predictor of SCZ than the ACE dichotomized values (high/low) or ACE I/D. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that higher levels of ACE activity are associated with SCZ with stronger impact when the genetic background of each individual is considered. This may explain the heterogeneity of the results on ACE previously reported.
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Mutação INDEL/genética , Peptidil Dipeptidase A/sangue , Peptidil Dipeptidase A/genética , Esquizofrenia/sangue , Esquizofrenia/genética , Adolescente , Adulto , Idoso , Análise Mutacional de DNA , Feminino , Transferência Ressonante de Energia de Fluorescência , Genótipo , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Pacientes Ambulatoriais , Escalas de Graduação Psiquiátrica , Curva ROC , Adulto JovemRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: Thimet oligopeptidase (TOP) is a metalloprotease that has been associated with peptide processing in several nervous system structures, and its substrates include several peptides such as bradykinin, amyloid beta (Aß), and major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules. As shown previously by our research group, patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) have a high level of kinin receptors as well as kallikrein, a kinin-releasing enzyme, in the hippocampus. METHODS: In this study, we evaluated the expression, distribution, and activity of TOP in the hippocampus of patients with TLE and autopsy-control tissues, through reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), enzymatic activity, Western blot, and immunohistochemistry. In addition, hippocampi of rats were analyzed using the pilocarpine-induced epilepsy model. Animals were grouped according to the epilepsy phases defined in the model as acute, silent, and chronic. RESULTS: Increased TOP mRNA expression, decreased protein levels and enzymatic activity were observed in tissues of patients, compared to control samples. In addition, decreased TOP distribution was also visualized by immunohistochemistry. Similar results were observed in tissues of rats during the acute phase of epilepsy model. However, increased TOP mRNA expression and no changes in immunoreactivity were found in the silent phase, whereas increased TOP mRNA expression and increased enzymatic activity were observed in the chronic phase. SIGNIFICANCE: The results show that these alterations could be related to a failure in the mechanisms involved in clearance of inflammatory peptides in the hippocampus, suggesting an accumulation of potentially harmful substances in nervous tissue such as Aß, bradykinin, and antigenic peptides. These accumulations could be related to hippocampal inflammation observed in TLE subjects.
Assuntos
Epilepsia do Lobo Temporal/genética , Epilepsia do Lobo Temporal/patologia , Hipocampo/patologia , Metaloendopeptidases/genética , RNA Mensageiro/genética , Adulto , Animais , Lobectomia Temporal Anterior , Modelos Animais de Doenças , Epilepsia do Lobo Temporal/cirurgia , Feminino , Regulação Enzimológica da Expressão Gênica/genética , Hipocampo/cirurgia , Humanos , Injeções Intraperitoneais , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Pilocarpina , Ratos , Esclerose , Lobo Temporal/patologia , Adulto JovemRESUMO
A large number of intracellular peptides are constantly produced following protein degradation by the proteasome. A few of these peptides function in cell signaling and regulate protein-protein interactions. Neurolysin (Nln) is a structurally defined and biochemically well-characterized endooligopeptidase, and its subcellular distribution and biological activity in the vertebrate brain have been previously investigated. However, the contribution of Nln to peptide metabolism in vivo is poorly understood. In this study, we used quantitative mass spectrometry to investigate the brain peptidome of Nln-knockout mice. An additional in vitro digestion assay with recombinant Nln was also performed to confirm the identification of the substrates and/or products of Nln. Altogether, the data presented suggest that Nln is a key enzyme in the in vivo degradation of only a few peptides derived from proenkephalin, such as Met-enkephalin and octapeptide. Nln was found to have only a minor contribution to the intracellular peptide metabolism in the entire mouse brain. However, further studies appear necessary to investigate the contribution of Nln to the peptide metabolism in specific areas of the murine brain. BIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Neurolysin was first identified in the synaptic membranes of the rat brain in the middle 80's by Frederic Checler and colleagues. Neurolysin was well characterized biochemically, and its brain distribution has been confirmed by immunohistochemical methods. The neurolysin contribution to the central and peripheral neurotensin-mediated functions in vivo has been delineated through inhibitor-based pharmacological approaches, but its genuine contribution to the physiological inactivation of neuropeptides remains to be firmly established. As a result, the main significance of this work is the first characterization of the brain peptidome of the neurolysin-knockout mouse. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Proteomics, mass spectrometry and peptidomics, Cancun 2013. Guest Editors: César López-Camarillo, Victoria Pando-Robles and Bronwyn Jane Barkla.
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Encéfalo/metabolismo , Metaloendopeptidases/genética , Proteômica , Alelos , Animais , Endopeptidases/química , Encefalinas/química , Genótipo , Hemoglobinas/química , Metaloendopeptidases/química , Camundongos , Camundongos Endogâmicos C57BL , Camundongos Knockout , Neuropeptídeos/química , Neurotensina/química , Fragmentos de Peptídeos/química , Peptídeo Hidrolases/química , Peptídeos/química , Precursores de Proteínas/química , Proteínas Recombinantes/química , Espectrometria de Massas em TandemRESUMO
It has been reported that serine peptidase activities of Trypanosoma cruzi play crucial roles in parasite dissemination and host cell invasion and therefore their inhibition could affect the progress of Chagas disease. The present study investigates the interference of the Stichodactyla helianthus Kunitz-type serine protease inhibitor (ShPI-I), a 55-amino acid peptide, in T. cruzi serine peptidase activities, parasite viability, and parasite morphology. The effect of this peptide was also studied in Leishmania amazonensis promastigotes and it was proved to be a powerful inhibitor of serine proteases activities and the parasite viability. The ultrastructural alterations caused by ShPI-I included vesiculation of the flagellar pocket membrane and the appearance of a cytoplasmic vesicle that resembles an autophagic vacuole. ShPI-I, which showed itself to be an important T. cruzi serine peptidase inhibitor, reduced the parasite viability, in a dose and time dependent manner. The maximum effect of peptide on T. cruzi viability was observed when ShPI-I at 1×10(-5)M was incubated for 24 and 48h which killed completely both metacyclic trypomastigote and epimastigote forms. At 1×10(-6)M ShPI-I, in the same periods of time, reduced parasite viability about 91-95% respectively. Ultrastructural analysis demonstrated the formation of concentric membranar structures especially in the cytosol, involving organelles and small vesicles. Profiles of endoplasmic reticulum were also detected, surrounding cytosolic vesicles that resembled autophagic vacuoles. These results suggest that serine peptidases are important in T. cruzi physiology since the inhibition of their activity killed parasites in vitro as well as inducing important morphological alterations. Protease inhibitors thus appear to have a potential role as anti-trypanosomatidal agents.