Assessment of the stability of new endogenous catecholamines in biological liquids and identification of possible metabolites

• Grant number: 24/08067-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: July 01, 2024
• End date: June 30, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Biochemistry
• Principal Investigator: Gilberto de Nucci
• Grantee: Alex Henrique Miller
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Médicas (FCM). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 19/16805-4 - Evaluation of the pathophysiological role of endothelial catecholamines, AP.TEM

Abstract

Endogenous catecholamines 6-nitrodopamine, 6-cyanodopamine, 6-bromodopamine, among others, were recently identified in the group led by Prof. Gilberto De Nucci. Although these catecholamines are released in various tissues, such as, for example, human umbilical cords, their respective synthetic pathways, whether of chemical or enzymatic origin, are still unknown. This project aims to elucidate the synthesis route of these catecholamines, as well as the identification of possible metabolites of these compounds when incubated in different biological liquids: plasma, serum, urine, amniotic fluid, aqueous humor and cerebrospinal fluid. This characterization will provide tools to expand the characterization of the role of these new catecholamines in physiological processes, and, potentially, in the search for pharmacological applications. The stability of these new catecholamines will be evaluated in biological liquids and monitored by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The degradation of these catecholamines is possible and strongly indicated by previous studies in the group. When identifying metabolites, they will be purified and characterized spectroscopically (NMR, IR, EPR). This characterization will be fundamental for understanding the mechanisms of both synthesis and metabolization of these catecholamines, and will help to clarify the synthesis route used (chemical, enzymatic, or both).