Nanoencapsulation of CPI-4 cistatin from Sugar Cane

• Grant number: 11/13554-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: September 01, 2011
• End date: July 31, 2012
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Physics - Condensed Matter Physics
• Principal Investigator: Valtencir Zucolotto
• Grantee: Cristiane Casonato Melo
• Host Institution: Instituto de Física de São Carlos (IFSC). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Carlos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The expression of certain cystein proteases, such as cathepsins B and L, in tumor tissues is related to the development of metastasis. The natural inhibitors of these proteases are the cystatins, and the misbalance between cathepsins and their inhibitors can result in an invasive phenotype and metastatic tumor cell. Recently, it was possible to isolate some cystatins from sugar cane, in which the CaneCPI-4, in particular, has demonstrated a significant inhibitory activity for both cathepsin B and L. As the quantity of these proteases to inhibit cathepsins is very low and an imbalance in the proportions can cause undesirable reactions, the nanoencapsulation and the controlled release of sugar cane cystatin (for treatment of tumor lines with this deficiency) has appeared as an interesting and promising alternative. In this proposal, we aim at developing nanoparticles encapsulating CaneCPI-4 cystatin using two different methods of nanoparticles fabricationbased upon the use of sodium tripolyphosphate as a crosslinking agent, or using methacrylic acid, which promotes electrostatic interaction with the amino groups of chitosan.