Acetylcholinesterase from Atta sexdens:development of assays Screening Inhibitors

• Grant number: 12/16811-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: November 01, 2012
• End date: February 28, 2017
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Biochemistry - Chemistry of Macromolecules
• Principal Investigator: Dulce Helena Ferreira de Souza
• Grantee: Adriana Miranda dos Santos
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Exatas e de Tecnologia (CCET). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Ants, especially species belonging to the genus Atta (ants) and the genus Acromyrmex (quenquéns), are known for their destructiveness of a large number of plant species and the lossEconomic caused to agriculture. The control of these insects can be done by methodsmechanical, biological and / or chemical agents, the latter being carried out with the use ofinsecticides which act by blocking the hydrolysis of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine,by inhibiting the enzyme acetylcholinesterase (EC 3.1.1.7). The inactivation of thisenzyme causes a synaptic widespread collapse resulting in death of the insect.However, the insecticides used are highly toxic to animals and humans once that acetylcholinesterase vertebrates are similar in structure and function. In this case a very interesting approach, which has recentlybeen raised, is exploring other regions of the active site of acetylcholinesterase.Although there was great similarity in this region, human and insects acetylcholinesterases have important differences. Considering that Brazil is the country thathas the largest number of species of ants in South America and in view of theacetylcholinesterase presents itself today as a good avenue for exploration indevelopment of new insecticides we propose to obtain the recombinant acetylcholinesteraseAtta sexdens, its kinetic study and immobilization with the objective ofproduce IMers (Immobilized Enzyme Reactors) that will be used online atidentifying ligands collections natural and / or synthetic liquid chromatography.