Gold Nanoparticles associated to Bromelain-derived Cisteine-Proteases: Structural Characterization and Collagenolytic Activity.

• Grant number: 19/01487-7
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: April 01, 2019
• End date: January 31, 2022
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Biophysics
• Principal Investigator: Marcelo Yudi Icimoto
• Grantee: Marcelo Yudi Icimoto
• Host Institution: Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus São Paulo. São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Giselle Zenker Justo ; Iseli Lourenço Nantes Cardoso ; Rodrigo Luiz Oliveira Rodrigues Cunha ; Vitor Marcelo Silveira Bueno Brandão de Oliveira
• Associated scholarship(s): 20/13030-9 - Synthesis of gold nanoparticles associated with bromelain-derived cysteine proteases: structural characterization and collagenolytic activity, BP.TT; 20/12626-5 - Mass spectrometry-based characterization of proteases linked to gold nanoparticles and functional analysis by peptidomic, BP.TT; 19/14619-9 - Gold nanoparticles associated to Bromelain-derived Cisteine-Proteases: structural characterization and collagenolytic activity, BP.TT

Abstract

Bromelain (Bro) is a multiprotein complex extract (from the pineapple plant [Ananas comosus]) composed of at least eight cysteine-proteases. Bro is described as possessing anti-inflammatory, anti-coagulant and anti-tumor properties, including applications in the food, cosmetic and environmental industries. Concerning proteases applications, the increase of stability is considered a key factor, obtained, for example, by immobilization in nanoparticles (NPs). In addition, proteins can be used during the NP synthesis process, directely influencing the physico-chemical characteristics of the particles. In particular, gold nanoparticles (GNPs) have high biocompatibility and unique optical, electronic and catalytic properties. In order to synthesize and characterize new GNPs produced and immobilized with proteases, preliminary data from our group demonstrate that the complex Bro extract acts both as reducing agent and stabilizer during the process of GNP synthesis. In contrast, once in association with GNPs, Bro presented a significant increase in thermal stability and structural recovery when previously inactivated. When tested against collagen membranes, Bro-GNP activity resulted in uniques structural profiles in the membranes as observed under Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Infrared Absorption Spectroscopy (FTIR), suggesting the importance of individual Bromelain-derived proteases processing collagen. Since GNPs also have potential use for drug delivery, their association with proteases with collagenolytic activity points out the possibility to act direct in extracellular matrix, bringing interests to use Bro-GNPs in future anti-tumor treatments. Considering these significant effects, the present project aims to purify the possible eight proteolytic fractions of the Bro complex and to use them separately in the synthesis of new GNPs. The free forms of Bro (1-8) and the Bro(1-8)GNPs generated will be characterized structurally by Electron Transmission Microscopy and functionally using substrates as fluorogenic peptides and collagen membranes, which will be analyzed and compared through Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy (CLSM), SEM and ATR-FTIR. Bro(1-8)GNPs produced will further be tested for cytotoxicity in non-tumor and tumor cells, essential assays for future directions of the project. Also, we will purify the four major cysteine proteases contained in commercial papain, as well perform the synthesis and initial characterization of derived nanoparticles - Pap(1-4)GNPs. Taken together, these data may represent advances in the characterization of proteases-GNPs complexes and will provide subsidies for biotechnological and pharmaceutical uses in these and other applications. (AU)

Scientific publications

(4)

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

NEVES, RAQUEL LEAO; BRANQUINHO, JESSICA; ARATA, JULIA GALANAKIS; BITTENCOURT, CLARISSA AZEVEDO; GOMES, CAIO PEREZ; RIGUETTI, MICHELLE; DA MATA, GUSTAVO FERREIRA; FERNANDES, DANILO EUCLIDES; ICIMOTO, MARCELO YUDI; KIRSZTAJN, GIANNA MASTROIANNI; et al. ACE2, ACE, DPPIV, PREP and CAT L enzymatic activities in COVID-19: imbalance of ACE2/ACE ratio and potential RAAS dysregulation in severe cases. Inflammation Research, v. 72, n. 8, p. 13-pg., 2023-08-03. (19/01487-7, 14/27198-8, 19/05266-5)

NEVES, RAQUEL LEAO; MAREM, ALYNE; CARMONA, BRUNO; ARATA, JULIA GALANAKIS; RAMOS, MARCOS PAULO CYRILLO; JUSTO, GISELLE ZENKER; DE MELO, FABIANA HENRIQUES MACHADO; OLIVEIRA, VITOR; ICIMOTO, MARCELO YUDI. Expression of thimet oligopeptidase (THOP) modulated by oxidative stress in human multidrug resistant (MDR) leukemia cells. Biochimie, v. 212, p. 10-pg., 2023-04-14. (18/09158-0, 19/01487-7, 17/04352-0)

BRITO, ADRIANNE M. M.; OLIVEIRA, VITOR; ICIMOTO, MARCELO Y.; NANTES-CARDOSO, ISELI L.. Collagenase Activity of Bromelain Immobilized at Gold Nanoparticle Interfaces for Therapeutic Applications. PHARMACEUTICS, v. 13, n. 8, AUG 2021. (18/09158-0, 19/01487-7, 19/14619-9)

ICIMOTO, MARCELO YUDI; BRITO, ADRIANNE MARLISE MENDES; RAMOS, MARCOS PAULO CYRILLO; OLIVEIRA, VITOR; NANTES-CARDOSO, ISELI LOURENCO. Increased Stability of Oligopeptidases Immobilized on Gold Nanoparticles. CATALYSTS, v. 10, n. 1, JAN 2020. (19/01487-7, 17/02317-2, 18/09158-0)