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Cytochrome c and its role in apoptosis
Rajsiglová, Lenka ; Kalous, Martin (advisor) ; Švadlenka, Jan (referee)
Cell energetic metabolism and cell survival are strictly controlled by pathways in which cytochrome molecules play a central role, in particular cytochrome c. It is localized in the mitochondrial intermembrane space with other molecules cooperating in keeping energetic metabolism. Permeabilization of outer mitochondrial membrane by proteins from Bcl-2 family or changes in Ca2+ levels causes cytochrome c release into cytosol. In cytosol cytochrome c interacts with other pro-apoptotic proteins (Apaf-1, procaspase-9) cooperating to form apoptosome and phosphatidylserine. As a result of these interactions, the cell is going to apoptosis. This bachelor thesis summarizes the current state of knowledge of these processes. In the first part it focuses on the biosynthesis of cytochrome c, further on the mechanisms of its releasing from mitochondria and its interactions with other proteins within apoptosis including options of regulation of these processes.
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Effect of membrane lipid composition on resistance against surfactin
Pinkas, Dominik ; Seydlová, Gabriela (advisor) ; Sýkora, Jan (referee)
Surfactin is an antibiotic produced by several strains of B. subtilis. Its broad range of biological activities is interesting from perspective of medicine, food industry and bioremediation and is based on its surface-active properties and interaction with biological membranes. The latter means mainly forming ion channels, conductive pores and with increasing concentration eventually disrupting membrane structure in detergent-like manner. Mechanism of resistance of producing strain against its own toxic product is not yet fully understood. This work shows that it could be based on surfactin target modification - which means altering membrane lipid composition. We were able to recognize surfactin-formed ion channels or pores with a broad range of conductivities spanning from 2 pS to 2 nS using BLM method. Liposome leakage assay with carboxyfluorescein revealed few distinct mechanisms of lysis, differing in amplitude, rate of lysis and cooperativity. Increased content of anionic lipids with conical shape, namely cardiolipin and phosphatidic acid led to substantial increased membrane resistance to surfactin-induced permeabilization. Key words: membrane, surfactin, Bacillus subtilis, cardiolipin, black lipid membranes, liposomes
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The inner mitochondrial membrane cristae biogenesis
Efimova, Iuliia ; Mráček, Tomáš (advisor) ; Petrů, Markéta (referee)
Invaginations of the inner mitochondrial membrane originate cristae - important structural and bioenergetic mitochondrial compartments. Long-term observations of mitochondrial ultrastructure uncovered cristae dynamics, but did not identify mechanisms of cristae formation and maintenance. This thesis summarizes results of latest research on molecular mechanisms of mitochondrial cristae biogenesis, which are conserved from fungi to mammals including human. The emphasis is put on major remodeling factors: F1Fo-ATP synthase dimers, MICOS complex, OPA1 protein and cardiolipin. Their defects lead to extensive changes on cristae level, as well as on mitochondrial, cellular and organismal levels. Various pathophysiological conditions and human mitochondrial diseases are related to these defects. More detailed research of cristae biogenesis is therefore of high significance, new findings could assist in the development of new treatments for mitochondrial disorders.
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Functional membrane microdomains in the bacterial cytoplasmic membrane
Švecová, Magdaléna ; Mikušová, Gabriela (advisor) ; Koukalová, Alena (referee)
Functional membrane microdomains are structural heterogeneities in bacterial cytoplasmic membrane with up to few tens of nanometers in size. Same as in the case of eukaryotic lipid rafts the lipid and protein composition and fluidity of bacterial membrane microdomains differ from the rest of the membrane. Membrane microdomains contain the structural analogues of eukaryotic flotilin as well as hopanoids and carotenoids as functional analogues of cholesterol in eukaryotic lipid rafts. In functional membrane microdomains there are located proteins associated with membrane trafficking, signaling, secretion, biofilm formation, and sporulation. Functional membrane microdomains are specific sites for the entry of certain antibiotics into cells. What is more, disassembly of functional membrane microdomains might be regarded as a possible novel mechanism of bacterial infections suppression that is caused by antibiotic resistant bacterial pathogens. In the absence of membrane domains proteins which require for their functions the membrane domain localization lose their activity. This may result in inhibition of bacterial cell growth. Key words: Functional membrane microdomains, bacterial cytoplasmic membrane, cardiolipin, hopanoids, flotilins, antibiotic resistance
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The inner mitochondrial membrane cristae biogenesis
Efimova, Iuliia ; Mráček, Tomáš (advisor) ; Petrů, Markéta (referee)
Invaginations of the inner mitochondrial membrane originate cristae - important structural and bioenergetic mitochondrial compartments. Long-term observations of mitochondrial ultrastructure uncovered cristae dynamics, but did not identify mechanisms of cristae formation and maintenance. This thesis summarizes results of latest research on molecular mechanisms of mitochondrial cristae biogenesis, which are conserved from fungi to mammals including human. The emphasis is put on major remodeling factors: F1Fo-ATP synthase dimers, MICOS complex, OPA1 protein and cardiolipin. Their defects lead to extensive changes on cristae level, as well as on mitochondrial, cellular and organismal levels. Various pathophysiological conditions and human mitochondrial diseases are related to these defects. More detailed research of cristae biogenesis is therefore of high significance, new findings could assist in the development of new treatments for mitochondrial disorders.
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Cytochrome c and its role in apoptosis
Rajsiglová, Lenka ; Kalous, Martin (advisor) ; Švadlenka, Jan (referee)
Cell energetic metabolism and cell survival are strictly controlled by pathways in which cytochrome molecules play a central role, in particular cytochrome c. It is localized in the mitochondrial intermembrane space with other molecules cooperating in keeping energetic metabolism. Permeabilization of outer mitochondrial membrane by proteins from Bcl-2 family or changes in Ca2+ levels causes cytochrome c release into cytosol. In cytosol cytochrome c interacts with other pro-apoptotic proteins (Apaf-1, procaspase-9) cooperating to form apoptosome and phosphatidylserine. As a result of these interactions, the cell is going to apoptosis. This bachelor thesis summarizes the current state of knowledge of these processes. In the first part it focuses on the biosynthesis of cytochrome c, further on the mechanisms of its releasing from mitochondria and its interactions with other proteins within apoptosis including options of regulation of these processes.
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Effect of membrane lipid composition on resistance against surfactin
Pinkas, Dominik ; Seydlová, Gabriela (advisor) ; Sýkora, Jan (referee)
Surfactin is an antibiotic produced by several strains of B. subtilis. Its broad range of biological activities is interesting from perspective of medicine, food industry and bioremediation and is based on its surface-active properties and interaction with biological membranes. The latter means mainly forming ion channels, conductive pores and with increasing concentration eventually disrupting membrane structure in detergent-like manner. Mechanism of resistance of producing strain against its own toxic product is not yet fully understood. This work shows that it could be based on surfactin target modification - which means altering membrane lipid composition. We were able to recognize surfactin-formed ion channels or pores with a broad range of conductivities spanning from 2 pS to 2 nS using BLM method. Liposome leakage assay with carboxyfluorescein revealed few distinct mechanisms of lysis, differing in amplitude, rate of lysis and cooperativity. Increased content of anionic lipids with conical shape, namely cardiolipin and phosphatidic acid led to substantial increased membrane resistance to surfactin-induced permeabilization. Key words: membrane, surfactin, Bacillus subtilis, cardiolipin, black lipid membranes, liposomes
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Antitrophoblast cell-mediated immunity /AT-CMI/ in recurrent miscarriage and ectopic pregnacy
Madar, J. ; Kučera, E. ; Šůla, K. ; Chaloupková, A. ; Pěknicová, Jana ; Tolarová, M. ; Nouza, K. ; Kinský, R.
Specific mechanisms operate in decidua nad trophoblast to establish and maintain immunological tolerance of the embryo in mother's uterus. due to the lack of this tolerance, disturbances of pregnancy may result. In this presentation, we have tested the hypothesis that anti-trohhoblast cell-mediated immunity (AT-CMI) is elevated in habitually aborting women and that extra-uterine localisation of the embryo leads to subsequent elevation of AT-CMI.
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