N-Terminal microdomain peptide from human dihydroorotate dehydrogenase: structure and model membrane interactions

The N-terminus of the human dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (HsDHODH) has been described as important for the enzyme attachment in the inner mitochondrial membrane and possibly to regulate enzymatic activity. In this study, we synthesized the peptide acetyl-GDERFYAEHLMPTLQGLLDPESAHRL AVRFTSLGamide, comprising the residues 33-66 of HsDHODH N-terminal conserved microdomain. Langmuir monolayers and circular dichroism (CD) were employed to investigate the interactions between the peptide and membrane model, as micelles and monolayers of the lipids phosphatidylcholine (PC), 3-phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) and cardiolipin (CL). These lipids represent the major constituents of inner mitochondrial membranes. According to CD data, the peptide adopted a random structure in water, whereas it acquired α-helical structures in the presence of micelles. The π–A isotherms and polarization- modulated infrared reflection-absorption spectroscopy on monolayers showed that the peptide interacted with all lipids, but in different ways. In DPPC monolayers, the peptide penetrated into the hydrophobic region. The strongest initial interaction occurred with DPPE, but the peptide was expelled from this monolayer at high surface pressures. In CL, the peptide could induce a partial dissolution of the monolayer, leading to shorter areas at the monolayer collapse. These results corroborate the literature, where the HsDHODH microdomain is anchored into the inner mitochondrial membrane. Moreover, the existence of distinct conformations and interactions with the different membrane lipids indicates that the access to the enzyme active site may be controlled not only by conformational changes occurring at the microdomain of the protein, but also by some lipid-protein synergetic mechanism, where the HsDHODH peptide would be able to recognize lipid domains in the membrane. - See more at: http://www.eurekaselect.com/122062/article#sthash.1ZZbc7E0.dpuf

Efeitos do FK-506 na regeneração de nervos após neurorrafia láteo-terminal: estudo em ratos

Pós-graduação em Bases Gerais da Cirurgia - FMB

Development of a New Container for Storage and Release of the Parasitoid Cotesia flavipes (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Terminal-repeat retrotransposons with GAG domain in plant genomes: a new testimony on the complex world of transposable elements

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Genetic parameter estimates and principal component analysis on performance and carcass traits of a terminal pig sire line

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Care to terminal patients. Perception of nurses from the intensive care unit of a hospital

Objective. To identify the perception of nurses with regard to the process of providing care to patients in the context of hospice care. Method. Qualitative study using the methodological framework Collective Subject Discourse. A total of 18 nursing professionals of the adult intensive care unit of a public hospital in São Paulo, Brazil were interviewed between June and August 2012. Results. The process of providing care to terminal patients is permeated by negative, conflictive and mixed feelings. As regards communication, while the participants acknowledge its importance as a therapeutic resource, they also admit a lack of professional qualification. Conclusion. The interviewees have difficulties to deal with care provided to terminal patients. The qualification of these professionals needs to be improved, starting in the undergraduate program.

Conformational changes of the HsDHODH N-terminal microdomain via DEER spectroscopy

The human enzyme dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (HsDHODH) has been studied for being a target for development of new antineoplasic and antiproliferative drugs. The synthetic peptide N-t(DH) represents the N-terminal microdomain of this enzyme, responsible for anchoring it to the inner mitochondrial membrane. Also, it is known to harbor quinones that are essential for enzyme catalysis. Here we report structural features of the peptide/membrane interactions obtained by using CD and DEER spectroscopic techniques, both in micelles and in lipid vesicles. The data revealed different peptide conformational states in micelles and liposomes, which could suggest that this microdomain acts in specific regions or areas of the mitochondria, which can be related with the control of the quinone access to the HsDHODH active site. This is the first study to report on conformational changes of the HsDHODH N-terminal microdomain through a combination of CD and DEER spectroscopic techniques.

Synthesis and characterization of an antibacterial and non-toxic dimeric peptide derived from the C-terminal region of Bothropstoxin-I

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Células-tronco na neurorrafia látero-terminal: estudo experimental em ratos

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Cuidados paliativos para pacientes em estado terminal em Unidades de Terapia Intensiva: revisão sistemática e metanálise

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Participação de mecanismos angiotensinérgicos do núcleo leito da estria terminal nas respostas autônomas desencadeadas pelo estresse por restrição agudo em ratos

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Envolvimento da neurotransmissão glutamatérgica do núcleo leito da estria terminal (NLET) nas respostas autônomas ao estresse por restrição agudo em ratos

O núcleo leito da estria terminal (NLET) é uma estrutura límbica localizada no prosencéfalo rostral, no qual constitui uma importante região no circuito neural das respostas comportamentais e fisiológicas a estímulos aversivos. Estudos anteriores demonstraram o envolvimento do NLET nas respostas cardiovasculares desencadeados por estímulos aversivos. No entanto, os mecanismos neuroquímicos locais envolvidos nesse controle pelo NLET ainda são pouco compreendidos. O glutamato é um importante neurotransmissor excitatório no SNC, e evidências têm apontado que a neurotransmissão glutamatérgica é um importante mecanismo neuroquímico envolvido no controle das respostas fisiológicas durante o estresse em várias estruturas límbicas. Entretanto, um possível envolvimento da neurotransmissão glutamatérgica do NLET nas respostas cardiovasculares ao estresse nunca foi investigado. Assim, o objetivo do presente estudo foi estudar o envolvimento da neurotransmissão glutamatérgica no NLET nas respostas autônomas observadas durante o estresse de restrição agudo em ratos. Nós observamos que a microinjeção bilateral no NLET de LY235959 (antagonista seletivo do receptor glutamatérgico NMDA) reduziu a resposta taquicárdica desencadeada pelo estresse de restrição, porém não afetou as respostas pressora e de redução da temperatura cutânea da cauda. O tratamento bilateral do NLET com NBQX (antagonista seletivo de receptores glutamatérgicos não-NMDA) reduziu a resposta taquicárdica e a de redução da temperatura cutânea desencadeadas pelo estresse de restrição, porém sem interferir com a resposta pressora. Dessa forma, nossos dados sugerem que a neurotransmissão glutamatérgica do NLET tem uma influência facilitatória nas respostas taquicárdica e de vasoconstrição cutânea induzidas pelo estresse.