Photodynamic anticancer and antimicrobial activities of π-extended BODIPY dyes and cationic mitochondria-targeted porphyrins
- Authors: Chiyumba, Choonzo Nachoobe
- Date: 2022-10-14
- Subjects: Dyes and dyeing Chemistry , Mitochondria , Cancer Chemotherapy , Porphyrins , Molecules Models , Photochemotherapy
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/362785 , vital:65362
- Description: Cancer is among the most devastating diseases and is mainly caused by gene mutation. This could be hereditary, or the mutation could be stimulated due to a lifestyle one lives, such as smoking, which induces lung cancer. The high morbidity rates of cancer are attributed to it being metastatic. The relatively poor physicochemical properties of existing drugs have caused treatment to be ineffective. Photofrin®, Foscan®, and Photogem® are some of the porphyrin-based derivatives approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in photodynamic therapy (PDT). Despite having such drugs, the quest to find better cancer drugs is still ongoing and 4,4-difluoro-4-bora-3a,4a-diaza-s-indacene (BODIPY) dyes are among the molecules that are being studied as potential photosensitisers (PS) in PDT. However, these molecules suffer from poor solubility and ineffective generation of singlet oxygen, the main ingredient in PDT treatment. Furthermore, photosensitisers used in PDT face a problem with hypoxic conditions associated with cancer cells, which causes the generation of singlet oxygen to be relatively low. The PS also suffer from the untargeted treatment, increasing their toxicity. Therefore, the main aim of this study was to improve the bioavailability of BODIPY dyes. Thus, a series of BODPIY dyes were synthesised with hydrogen bond accepting atoms and heavy atoms that enhance singlet oxygen generation. Additionally, to override hypoxia conditions, porphyrins with mitochondria targeting properties were synthesised since it has been well established that the mitochondria will always have a decent amount of oxygen in cancerous cells. When employed as PS in PDT studies, these molecules have better cytotoxic abilities than BODIPY dyes, and this potency was credited to their mitochondria targeting ability and efficient singlet oxygen generation. Finally, this study reports the synthesis of di- and mono-substituted BODIPY dyes with improved solubility and porphyrins substituted with triphenyl phosphine, a mitochondria targeting moiety. On the other hand, the work further illustrates the synthesis of β-substituted cationic porphyrin with mitochondria targeting properties. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Chemistry, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-10-14
- Authors: Chiyumba, Choonzo Nachoobe
- Date: 2022-10-14
- Subjects: Dyes and dyeing Chemistry , Mitochondria , Cancer Chemotherapy , Porphyrins , Molecules Models , Photochemotherapy
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/362785 , vital:65362
- Description: Cancer is among the most devastating diseases and is mainly caused by gene mutation. This could be hereditary, or the mutation could be stimulated due to a lifestyle one lives, such as smoking, which induces lung cancer. The high morbidity rates of cancer are attributed to it being metastatic. The relatively poor physicochemical properties of existing drugs have caused treatment to be ineffective. Photofrin®, Foscan®, and Photogem® are some of the porphyrin-based derivatives approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in photodynamic therapy (PDT). Despite having such drugs, the quest to find better cancer drugs is still ongoing and 4,4-difluoro-4-bora-3a,4a-diaza-s-indacene (BODIPY) dyes are among the molecules that are being studied as potential photosensitisers (PS) in PDT. However, these molecules suffer from poor solubility and ineffective generation of singlet oxygen, the main ingredient in PDT treatment. Furthermore, photosensitisers used in PDT face a problem with hypoxic conditions associated with cancer cells, which causes the generation of singlet oxygen to be relatively low. The PS also suffer from the untargeted treatment, increasing their toxicity. Therefore, the main aim of this study was to improve the bioavailability of BODIPY dyes. Thus, a series of BODPIY dyes were synthesised with hydrogen bond accepting atoms and heavy atoms that enhance singlet oxygen generation. Additionally, to override hypoxia conditions, porphyrins with mitochondria targeting properties were synthesised since it has been well established that the mitochondria will always have a decent amount of oxygen in cancerous cells. When employed as PS in PDT studies, these molecules have better cytotoxic abilities than BODIPY dyes, and this potency was credited to their mitochondria targeting ability and efficient singlet oxygen generation. Finally, this study reports the synthesis of di- and mono-substituted BODIPY dyes with improved solubility and porphyrins substituted with triphenyl phosphine, a mitochondria targeting moiety. On the other hand, the work further illustrates the synthesis of β-substituted cationic porphyrin with mitochondria targeting properties. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Chemistry, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-10-14
An investigation of mitochondrial dynamics and networks observed within human undifferentiated and differentiated cell lines
- Authors: Houseman, Pascalené Shannon
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Mitochondria , Mitochondrial pathology , Degeneration (Pathology) , Mesenchymal stem cells , Neural stem cells , Cell lines , Reactive oxygen species (ROS)
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/60687 , vital:27816
- Description: Mitochondrial dynamics refers to a series of constant division and fusion cycles that form interconnecting networks within healthy cells. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are the byproducts of cellular redox reactions, and, when in excess, have been linked to degenerative diseases and aging. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) require a niche that presents with low levels of ROS; this enables the stem cell to maintain its “sternness”, the stem cell population, as well as the ability to adhere, migrate, and proliferate. If ROS levels increase within the MSC niche, inhibition of cellular adhesion and migration occurs. In contrast, neural stem cells require a niche that presents with a high level of ROS, aiding in their proliferative, self- renewing capacities. Investigations into what constitutes a healthy mitochondrial network versus the disease state of the network are required in order to determine what promotes degeneration and aging within stem cells. It was hypothesized that increased levels of ROS would stunt the ability of MSCs to attach and migrate, and hinder their abilities of proliferation and differentiation. In contrast, neuronal differentiation would present with an increased proliferation. This led to the investigation into the effects of ROS and oxidative stress, and the resulting mitochondrial dynamics, have on undifferentiated and differentiated mesenchymal stem and SH-SY5Y cells. Upon the addition of non-lethal S3I-201 (STAT3 has been linked to a reduction in ROS) to MSCs, an increase in ROS was observed. Higher concentrations of STAT3 inhibitor resulted in a decrease in MSC attachment and proliferation. When exposed to similar conditions, the SH-SY5Y cells underwent an increased proliferation; due to multiple restrictions, they were not used any further within the study. Mitochondrial dynamics were observed using a fusion promoter (M1) and a fission inhibitor (Mdivi-1); the MSCs were dosed with varying concentrations in order to determine the effects that mitochondrial dysfunction may have on the established networks, and cell survival. The mitochondria within MSCs migrated to the extensions of the cell, and displayed an alteration in morphology, or were clustered around the nucleus and/or the lipid deposits. These high density clusters correlated with a high intensity of fluorescence using 2’,7’- dichlorofluorescein diacetate. In conclusion, varying concentrations of ROS have different effects on MSCs in terms of overall maintenance and function; mitochondrial dynamics play an important role in cell survivability and the fate of stem cell differentiation. Further investigation into the mitochondrial dynamics and networks of these cell lines and their differentiated progeny is required.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Houseman, Pascalené Shannon
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Mitochondria , Mitochondrial pathology , Degeneration (Pathology) , Mesenchymal stem cells , Neural stem cells , Cell lines , Reactive oxygen species (ROS)
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/60687 , vital:27816
- Description: Mitochondrial dynamics refers to a series of constant division and fusion cycles that form interconnecting networks within healthy cells. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are the byproducts of cellular redox reactions, and, when in excess, have been linked to degenerative diseases and aging. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) require a niche that presents with low levels of ROS; this enables the stem cell to maintain its “sternness”, the stem cell population, as well as the ability to adhere, migrate, and proliferate. If ROS levels increase within the MSC niche, inhibition of cellular adhesion and migration occurs. In contrast, neural stem cells require a niche that presents with a high level of ROS, aiding in their proliferative, self- renewing capacities. Investigations into what constitutes a healthy mitochondrial network versus the disease state of the network are required in order to determine what promotes degeneration and aging within stem cells. It was hypothesized that increased levels of ROS would stunt the ability of MSCs to attach and migrate, and hinder their abilities of proliferation and differentiation. In contrast, neuronal differentiation would present with an increased proliferation. This led to the investigation into the effects of ROS and oxidative stress, and the resulting mitochondrial dynamics, have on undifferentiated and differentiated mesenchymal stem and SH-SY5Y cells. Upon the addition of non-lethal S3I-201 (STAT3 has been linked to a reduction in ROS) to MSCs, an increase in ROS was observed. Higher concentrations of STAT3 inhibitor resulted in a decrease in MSC attachment and proliferation. When exposed to similar conditions, the SH-SY5Y cells underwent an increased proliferation; due to multiple restrictions, they were not used any further within the study. Mitochondrial dynamics were observed using a fusion promoter (M1) and a fission inhibitor (Mdivi-1); the MSCs were dosed with varying concentrations in order to determine the effects that mitochondrial dysfunction may have on the established networks, and cell survival. The mitochondria within MSCs migrated to the extensions of the cell, and displayed an alteration in morphology, or were clustered around the nucleus and/or the lipid deposits. These high density clusters correlated with a high intensity of fluorescence using 2’,7’- dichlorofluorescein diacetate. In conclusion, varying concentrations of ROS have different effects on MSCs in terms of overall maintenance and function; mitochondrial dynamics play an important role in cell survivability and the fate of stem cell differentiation. Further investigation into the mitochondrial dynamics and networks of these cell lines and their differentiated progeny is required.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Characterization of the Hsp40 partner proteins of Plasmodium falciparum Hsp70
- Authors: Njunge, James Mwangi
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Plasmodium falciparum , Heat shock proteins , Malaria -- Chemotherapy , Protein-protein interactions , Erythrocytes -- Biotechnology , Molecular chaperones , Host-parasite relationships , Mitochondria
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:4117 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013186
- Description: Human malaria is an economically important disease caused by single-celled parasites of the Plasmodium genus whose biology displays great evolutionary adaptation to both its mammalian host and transmitting vectors. This thesis details the 70 kDa heat shock protein (Hsp70) and J protein chaperone complements in malaria parasites affecting humans, primates and rodents. Heat shock proteins comprise a family of evolutionary conserved and structurally related proteins that play a crucial role in maintaining the structural integrity of proteins during normal and stress conditions. They are considered future therapeutic targets in various cellular systems including Plasmodium falciparum. J proteins (Hsp40) canonically partner with Hsp70s during protein synthesis and folding, trafficking or targeting of proteins for degradation. However, in P. falciparum, these classes of proteins have also been implicated in aiding the active transport of parasite proteins to the erythrocyte cytosol following erythrocyte entry by the parasite. This host-parasite “cross-talk” results in tremendous modifications of the infected erythrocyte, imparting properties that allow it to adhere to the endothelium, preventing splenic clearance. The genome of P. falciparum encodes six Hsp70 homologues and a large number of J proteins that localize to the various intracellular compartments or are exported to the infected erythrocyte cytosol. Understanding the Hsp70-J protein interactions and/or partnerships is an essential step for drug target validation and illumination of parasite biology. A review of these chaperone complements across the Plasmodium species shows that P. falciparum possesses an expanded Hsp70-J protein complement compared to the rodent and primate infecting species. It further highlights how unique the P. falciparum chaperone complement is compared to the other Plasmodium species included in the analysis. In silico analysis showed that the genome of P. falciparum encodes approximately 49 J proteins, 19 of which contain a PEXEL motif that has been implicated in routing proteins to the infected erythrocyte. Most of these PEXEL containing J proteins are unique with no homologues in the human system and are considered as attractive drug targets. Very few of the predicted J proteins in P. falciparum have been experimentally characterized. To this end, cell biological and biochemical approaches were employed to characterize PFB0595w and PFD0462w (Pfj1) J proteins. The uniqueness of Pfj1 and the controversy in literature regarding its localization formed the basis for the experimental work. This is the first study showing that Pfj1 localizes to the mitochondrion in the intraerythrocytic stage of development of P. falciparum and has further proposed PfHsp70-3 as a potential Hsp70 partner. Indeed, attempts to heterologously express and purify Pfj1 for its characterization are described. It is also the first study that details the successful expression and purification of PfHsp70-3. Further, research findings have described for the first time the expression and localization of PFB0595w in the intraerythrocytic stages of P. falciparum development. Based on the cytosolic localization of both PFB0595w and PfHsp70-1, a chaperone – cochaperone partnership was proposed that formed the basis for the in vitro experiments. PFB0595w was shown for the first time to stimulate the ATPase activity of PfHsp70-1 pointing to a functional interaction. Preliminary surface plasmon spectroscopy analysis has revealed a potential interaction between PFB0595w and PfHsp70-1 but highlights the need for further related experiments to support the findings. Gel filtration analysis showed that PFB0595w exists as a dimer thereby confirming in silico predictions. Based on these observations, we conclude that PFB0595w may regulate the chaperone activity of PfHsp70-1 in the cytosol while Pfj1 may play a co-chaperoning role for PfHsp70-3 in the mitochondrion. Overall, this data is expected to increase the knowledge of the Hsp70-J protein partnerships in the erythrocytic stage of P. falciparum development, thereby enhancing the understanding of parasite biology.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Njunge, James Mwangi
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Plasmodium falciparum , Heat shock proteins , Malaria -- Chemotherapy , Protein-protein interactions , Erythrocytes -- Biotechnology , Molecular chaperones , Host-parasite relationships , Mitochondria
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:4117 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013186
- Description: Human malaria is an economically important disease caused by single-celled parasites of the Plasmodium genus whose biology displays great evolutionary adaptation to both its mammalian host and transmitting vectors. This thesis details the 70 kDa heat shock protein (Hsp70) and J protein chaperone complements in malaria parasites affecting humans, primates and rodents. Heat shock proteins comprise a family of evolutionary conserved and structurally related proteins that play a crucial role in maintaining the structural integrity of proteins during normal and stress conditions. They are considered future therapeutic targets in various cellular systems including Plasmodium falciparum. J proteins (Hsp40) canonically partner with Hsp70s during protein synthesis and folding, trafficking or targeting of proteins for degradation. However, in P. falciparum, these classes of proteins have also been implicated in aiding the active transport of parasite proteins to the erythrocyte cytosol following erythrocyte entry by the parasite. This host-parasite “cross-talk” results in tremendous modifications of the infected erythrocyte, imparting properties that allow it to adhere to the endothelium, preventing splenic clearance. The genome of P. falciparum encodes six Hsp70 homologues and a large number of J proteins that localize to the various intracellular compartments or are exported to the infected erythrocyte cytosol. Understanding the Hsp70-J protein interactions and/or partnerships is an essential step for drug target validation and illumination of parasite biology. A review of these chaperone complements across the Plasmodium species shows that P. falciparum possesses an expanded Hsp70-J protein complement compared to the rodent and primate infecting species. It further highlights how unique the P. falciparum chaperone complement is compared to the other Plasmodium species included in the analysis. In silico analysis showed that the genome of P. falciparum encodes approximately 49 J proteins, 19 of which contain a PEXEL motif that has been implicated in routing proteins to the infected erythrocyte. Most of these PEXEL containing J proteins are unique with no homologues in the human system and are considered as attractive drug targets. Very few of the predicted J proteins in P. falciparum have been experimentally characterized. To this end, cell biological and biochemical approaches were employed to characterize PFB0595w and PFD0462w (Pfj1) J proteins. The uniqueness of Pfj1 and the controversy in literature regarding its localization formed the basis for the experimental work. This is the first study showing that Pfj1 localizes to the mitochondrion in the intraerythrocytic stage of development of P. falciparum and has further proposed PfHsp70-3 as a potential Hsp70 partner. Indeed, attempts to heterologously express and purify Pfj1 for its characterization are described. It is also the first study that details the successful expression and purification of PfHsp70-3. Further, research findings have described for the first time the expression and localization of PFB0595w in the intraerythrocytic stages of P. falciparum development. Based on the cytosolic localization of both PFB0595w and PfHsp70-1, a chaperone – cochaperone partnership was proposed that formed the basis for the in vitro experiments. PFB0595w was shown for the first time to stimulate the ATPase activity of PfHsp70-1 pointing to a functional interaction. Preliminary surface plasmon spectroscopy analysis has revealed a potential interaction between PFB0595w and PfHsp70-1 but highlights the need for further related experiments to support the findings. Gel filtration analysis showed that PFB0595w exists as a dimer thereby confirming in silico predictions. Based on these observations, we conclude that PFB0595w may regulate the chaperone activity of PfHsp70-1 in the cytosol while Pfj1 may play a co-chaperoning role for PfHsp70-3 in the mitochondrion. Overall, this data is expected to increase the knowledge of the Hsp70-J protein partnerships in the erythrocytic stage of P. falciparum development, thereby enhancing the understanding of parasite biology.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- «
- ‹
- 1
- ›
- »