The solubility of peptides in aqueous buffers used for the enzyme assays is a common limitation f... more The solubility of peptides in aqueous buffers used for the enzyme assays is a common limitation for all peptide libraries. In principle, the more water-soluble peptides are, the more susceptible they will be to peptidase hydrolysis. We have demonstrated that this bias can be circumvented in a portion-mixing fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) peptide library by introducing k (lysine in the D-form) in both termini of the peptides. This more solvated library and another one without the k were assayed using trypsin and chymotrypsin as standard peptidases with high selectivity for R and K and for hydrophobic F and Y, respectively. Significantly improved consistency of the information on substrate profiles was obtained from the solvated library. The influence of improved solvation on substrate specificity determination was successfully demonstrated by the difference in specificity observed between the two libraries employing the human cathepsin S (accepts acidic, basic, or neutral amino acids at P 1 position) and Dengue 2 virus NS2B-NS3 protease (high specificity to the pair of basic amino acids K-R, R-R, or Q-R/K at P 2 -P 1 positions).
Toxicon : official journal of the International Society on Toxinology, 2014
Gyroxin is a serine protease displaying a thrombin-like activity found in the venom of the South ... more Gyroxin is a serine protease displaying a thrombin-like activity found in the venom of the South American rattlesnake Crotalus durissus terrificus. Typically, intravenous injection of purified gyroxin induces a barrel rotation syndrome in mice. The serine protease thrombin activates platelets aggregation by cleaving and releasing a tethered N-terminus peptide from the G-protein-coupled receptors, known as protease-activated receptors (PARs). Gyroxin also presents pro-coagulant activity suggested to be dependent of PARs activation. In the present work, the effects of these serine proteases, namely gyroxin and thrombin, on PARs were comparatively studied by characterizing the hydrolytic specificity and kinetics using PARs-mimetic FRET peptides. We show for the first time that the short (sh) and long (lg) peptides mimetizing the PAR-1, -2, -3, and -4 activation sites are all hydrolyzed by gyroxin exclusively after the Arg residues. Thrombin also hydrolyzes PAR-1 and -4 after the Arg re...
Cathepsin X, purified to homogeneity from human liver, is a single chain glycoprotein with a mole... more Cathepsin X, purified to homogeneity from human liver, is a single chain glycoprotein with a molecular mass of < 33 kDa and pI 5.1±5.3. Cathepsin X was inhibited by stefin A, cystatin C and chicken cystatin (K i 1.7±15.0 nm), but poorly or not at all by stefin B (K i . 250 nm) and l-kininogen, respectively. The enzyme was also inhibited by two specific synthetic cathepsin B inhibitors, CA-074 and GFG-semicarbazone. Cathepsin X was similar to cathepsin B and found to be a carboxypeptidase with preference for a positively charged Arg in P1 position. Contrary to the preference of cathepsin B, cathepsin X normally acts as a carboxymonopeptidase. However, the preference for Arg in the P1 position is so strong that cathepsin X cleaves substrates with Arg in antepenultimate position, acting also as a carboxydipeptidase. A large hydrophobic residue such as Trp is preferred in the P1 H position, although the enzyme cleaved all P1 H residues investigated (Trp, Phe, Ala, Arg, Pro). Cathepsin X also cleaved substrates with amide-blocked C-terminal carboxyl group with rates similar to those of the unblocked substrates. In contrast, no endopeptidase activity of cathepsin X could be detected on a series of o-aminobenzoic acid-peptidyl-N-[2,-dinitrophenyl]ethylenediamine substrates. Furthermore, the standard cysteine protease methylcoumarine amide substrates (k cat /K m < 5.0 Â 10 3 m 21´s21 ) were degraded < 25-fold less efficiently than the carboxypeptidase substrates (k cat /K m < 120.0 Â 10 3 m 21´s21 ).
Proteins-structure Function and Bioinformatics, 2005
Human kallikreins are serine proteases that comprise a recently identified large and closely rela... more Human kallikreins are serine proteases that comprise a recently identified large and closely related 15-member family. The kallikreins include both regulatory- and degradative-type proteases, impacting a variety of physiological processes including regulation of blood pressure, neuronal health, and the inflammatory response. While the function of the majority of the kallikreins remains to be elucidated, two members are useful biomarkers for prostate cancer and several others are potentially useful biomarkers for breast cancer, Alzheimer&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39;s, and Parkinson&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39;s disease. Human tissue kallikrein (human K1) is the best functionally characterized member of this family, and is known to play an important role in blood pressure regulation. As part of this function, human K1 exhibits unique dual-substrate specificity in hydrolyzing low molecular weight kininogen between both Arg-Ser and Met-Lys sequences. We report the X-ray crystal structure of mature, active recombinant human apo K1 at 1.70 A resolution. The active site exhibits structural features intermediate between that of apo and pro forms of known kallikrein structures. The S2 to S2&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39; pockets demonstrate a variety of conformational changes in comparison to the porcine homolog of K1 in complex with peptide inhibitors, including the displacement of an extensive solvent network. These results indicate that the binding of a peptide substrate contributes to a structural rearrangement of the active-site Ser 195 resulting in a catalytically competent juxtaposition with the active-site His 57. The solvent networks within the S1 and S1&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39; pockets suggest how the Arg-Ser and Met-Lys dual substrate specificity of human K1 is accommodated.
The substrate specificity of cruzipain, the major cysteine proteinase of Trypanosoma cruzi, was i... more The substrate specificity of cruzipain, the major cysteine proteinase of Trypanosoma cruzi, was investigated using a series of dansyl-peptides based on the putative autoproteolytic sequence of the proteinase (VVG-GP) located at the hinge region between the catalytic domain and the C-terminal extension. Replacing Val with Pro at P2 in this sequence greatly improved the rate of cleavage by cruzipain. Tyr and Val residues are preferred at P3 by all cysteine proteinases whatever their origin, whereas only cruzipain and cathepsin L cleaved substrate with a His at that position. The combination of a Pro at P2 and His at P3 abolished cleavage by cathepsin L, so that only cruzipain was able to cleave the HPGGP peptide at the GG bond. A substrate with intramolecularly quenched fluorescence was raised on this sequence (Abz-HPGGPQ-EDDnp) which was also specifically cleaved by cruzipain (k cat /K m of 157 000 m ±1´s±1) and by a homologous proteinase from Trypanosoma congolense. The pH activity profile of cruzipain on Abz-HPGGPQ-EDDnp showed a narrow peak with a maximum at pH 5.5 and no cleavage above pH 6.8, although trypanosomal cysteine proteinases remain active at basic pH. The lack of activity at neutral and basic pH was due to a decrease in k cat , while the K m remained essentially unchanged, demonstrating that the substrate still binds to the enzyme and therefore behaves as an inhibitor. Changing the substrate into an inhibitor depended on the deprotonation of the His residue in the substrate, as deduced from a comparison of the pH activity profile with that of a related, but uncharged, substrate. Abz-HPGGPQ-EDDnp also inhibited mammalian cathepsins B and L but was not cleaved by these proteinases at any pH. The importance of the His residue at P3 for cleavage by cruzipain was confirmed by substituting Lys for His at that position. The resulting peptide was not cleaved by cruzipain in spite of the presence of a positively charged group at P3, but still interacted with the enzyme. It was concluded that the presence of an imidazolium group at P3 was essential to endow the HPGGPQ sequence with the properties of a cruzipain substrate.
Identification of synthetic peptide substrates for novel peptidases is an essential step for thei... more Identification of synthetic peptide substrates for novel peptidases is an essential step for their study. With this purpose we synthesized fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) peptide libraries Abz (or MCA)-GXXXXXQ-EDDnp and Abz (or MCA)-GXXZXXQ-EDDnp, where X consists of an equimolar mixture of all amino acids, the Z position is fixed with one of the proteinogenic amino acids (cysteine was excluded),
The recombinant cysteine peptidases, cruzain from Trypanosoma cruzi and CPB2.8DeltaCTE from Leish... more The recombinant cysteine peptidases, cruzain from Trypanosoma cruzi and CPB2.8DeltaCTE from Leishmania mexicana, are cathepsin L-like and characteristically endopeptidases. In this study, we characterized the carboxydipeptidase activities of these enzymes and compared them with those of human recombinant cathepsin B and cathepsin L. The analysis used the internally quenched fluorescent peptide Abz-FRFK*-OH and some of its analogues, where Abz is ortho-aminobenzoic acid and K* is (2,4-dinitrophenyl)-epsilon-NH2-lysine. These peptides were demonstrated to be very sensitive substrates, due to the strong quenching effect of K* on the fluorescence of the Abz group. The carboxydipeptidase activity of cruzain was shown to be very similar to that of cathepsin B, while that of CPB2.8DeltaCTE is closer to the carboxydipeptidase activity of cathepsin L. The S2 subsite architecture of cruzain and the nature of the amino acid at the P2 position of the substrates determine its carboxydipeptidase activity and gives further and direct support to the notion that the carboxydipeptidase activity of the papain family cysteine peptidases rely on the S2-P2 interaction [Nägler D. K., Tam, W., Storer, A.C., Krupa, J.C., Mort, J.S. &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp; Menard, R. (1999) Biochemistry38, 4868-4874]. Cruzain and CPB2.8DeltaCTE presented a broad pH-range for both the endo- and exo-peptidase activities, although the later is approximately one order of magnitude lower. This feature, that is not common in related mammalian cysteine peptidases, is consistent with the enzymes being exposed to different environmental conditions and having different locations during parasite development.
We have previously described a kinin-inactivating endopeptidase (H2), which was purified 19-fold ... more We have previously described a kinin-inactivating endopeptidase (H2), which was purified 19-fold from human urine by DEAE-cellulose chromatography and gel filtration. The enzyme was inhibited 100% by PMSF, TPCK and pOHMB. In the present communication, we further characterized this enzyme using the fluorogenic substrates Abz-RPPGFSPFRQ-EDDnp (Abz-BKQ-EDDnp) and Abz-FRQ-EDDnp (Abz = ortho-aminobenzoic acid; EDDnp = N-[2,4-dinitrophenyl] ethylenediamine). Also a rapid, sensitive and specific assay for the H2 was developed. The enzyme hydrolyzed bradykinin (BK = RPPGFSPFR) at the F-S peptide bond, differing from the cleavage site F-R, in the fluorogenic substrates Abz-BKQ-EDDnp and Abz-FRQ-EDDnp. Other enzymes present in urine as the serine endopeptidase H1, prolyl endopeptidase and neutral endopeptidase-like were not able to hydrolyze the related substrate Abz-FRQ-EDDnp. The determined Km for Abz-BKQ-EDDnp and Abz-FRQ-EDDnp were 0.79 microM and 3.02 microM, respectively. Using the fluorogenic substrates, we observed that PMSF and p-hydroxymercuribenzoate irreversibly inhibited the enzyme H2. E-64 was a weak and reversible inhibitor, whereas EDTA and pepstatin were not inhibitory. The inhibition observed in the presence of pOHMB was partially reversed by 2 mM cysteine. These results suggest that the H2 enzyme belongs to the subfamily of SH-containing serine proteases. Based on the molecular weight of isolated H2 (60 kDa), we believe that this enzyme originated from the kidney and may cleave the kinins filtered through the glomerulus and also that produced in the kidney.
Enteroaggregative and uropathogenic E. coli, Shigella flexneri 2a and the hybrid enteroaggregativ... more Enteroaggregative and uropathogenic E. coli, Shigella flexneri 2a and the hybrid enteroaggregative/Shiga toxin-producing E. coli strain (O104:H4) are important pathogens responsible for intestinal and urinary tract infections, as well as sepsis and hemolytic uremic syndrome. They have in common the production of a serine protease called Pic. Several biological roles for Pic have been described, including protection of E. coli DH5α from complement mediated killing. Hereby we showed that Pic significantly reduces complement activation by all three pathways. Pic cleaves purified C3/C3b and other proteins from the classical and lectin pathways, such as C4 and C2. Cleavage fragments of C3, C4 and C2 were also observed with HB101(pPic1) culture supernatants, and C3 cleavage sites were mapped by fluorescence resonance energy transfer peptides. Experiments using human serum as a source of complement proteins confirmed Pic proteolytic activity on these proteins. Furthermore, Pic works synerg...
In this work, the proteinase activity detect in the acetone precipitate (80%, v/v) of B. forficat... more In this work, the proteinase activity detect in the acetone precipitate (80%, v/v) of B. forficata leaves, trivially known as cow paw, and popularly used in folk medicine for treatment of diabetes mellitus, was purified by chromatography on Sephadex G-25, Canecystatin-Sepharose, and on Con A-Sepharose. The molecular weight 30 kDa was estimated by SDS-PAGE and zymography, and the N-terminal sequence and CD spectra indicated a relationship with the papain family of cysteine proteinases. Denominated baupain, the enzyme was activated by dithiotreitol and inhibited by E-64 and iodoacetamide, but not by benzamidine, TLCK, TPCK and EDTA. The S2 and S1 substrate specificity of baupain, assayed with two series of fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) peptide substrates derived from Abz-KLRSSK-Q-EDDnp, indicates a preference for Phe and Tyr at P2 position over Leu found in papain. Baupain releases bradykinin from HMWK (human high molecular weight kininogen) though its proteolytic activity is blocked by the sequence motif QVVA of kininogen (K iapp = 1.9 × 10 −8 M). Canecystatin, from sugar cane, which also lodges the QVVA sequence, inhibits baupain (K iapp = 0.18 × 10 −9 M).
The International Journal of Biochemistry & Cell Biology, 2008
with homologies to endopeptidase on the X chromosome (PHEX) Metallopeptidase Heparan sulfate Hepa... more with homologies to endopeptidase on the X chromosome (PHEX) Metallopeptidase Heparan sulfate Heparin Proteoglycans a b s t r a c t
International Journal of Peptide and Protein Research, 1991
The N-terminal heptadecapeptide of human angiotensinogen (Asp-Arg-Val-Tyr-Ile-His-Pro-Phe-His-Leu... more The N-terminal heptadecapeptide of human angiotensinogen (Asp-Arg-Val-Tyr-Ile-His-Pro-Phe-His-Leu-Val-Ile-His-Asn-Glu-Ser-Thr-NH2 ), with the C-terminal carboxyl group amidated, was synthesized in order to study the role of Asn-Glu-Ser, a putative carbohydrate binding site, on the hydrolysis by human renin. The synthesis was performed by fragment condensation using the Honzl and Rudinger azide procedure. In our conditions for azide segment condensation, histidine racemization was demonstrated to be negligible for most of the condensation reactions. Human renin liberates angiotensin I from h-angiotensinogen (1-17)-NH2 with a Km value of 3.4 x 10(-5) M, at pH 7.3 and 37 degrees being similar to h-angiotensinogen (1-13), an analog without the carbohydrate binding site. However, the Vmax value of 4.1 x 10(-9) mol/G.U. min is one order of magnitude higher. Porcine pepsin was demonstrated to cleave preferentially Leu10-Val11 bond and, surprisingly, His9-Leu10 as well.
Current therapies against malignant melanoma generally fail to increase survival in most patients... more Current therapies against malignant melanoma generally fail to increase survival in most patients, and immunotherapy is a promising approach as it could reduce the dosage of toxic therapeutic drugs. In the present study, we show that an immunotherapeutic approach based on the use of the Toll-like receptor (TLR)-5 ligand flagellin (Salmonella Typhimurium FliCi) combined with the major histocompatibility complex class II-restricted P10 peptide, derived from the Paracoccidioides brasiliensis gp43 major surface protein, reduced the number of lung metastasis in a murine melanoma model. Compounds were administered intranasally into C57Bl/6 mice intravenously challenged with syngeneic B16F10-Nex2 melanoma cells, aiming at the local (pulmonary) immune response modulation. Along with a marked reduction in the number of lung nodules, a significant increase in survival was observed. The immunization regimen induced both local and systemic proinflammatory responses. Lung macrophages were polarized towards a M1 phenotype, lymph node cells, and splenocytes secreted higher interleukin-12p40 and interferon (IFN)-γ levels when re-stimulated with tumor antigens. The protective effect of the FliCi+P10 formulation required TLR-5, myeloid differentiation primary response gene 88 and IFN-γ expression, but caspase-1 knockout mice were only partially protected, suggesting that intracellular flagellin receptors are not involved with the anti-tumor effect. The immune therapy resulted in the activation of tumor-specific CD4(+) T lymphocytes, which conferred protection to metastatic melanoma growth after adoptive transfer. Taken together, our results report a new immunotherapeutic approach based on TLR-5 activation and IFN-γ production capable to control the metastatic growth of B16F10-Nex2 melanoma, being a promising alternative to be associated with chemotherapeutic drugs for an effective anti-tumor responses.
The increased incidence, high rates of mortality and few effective means of treatment of malignan... more The increased incidence, high rates of mortality and few effective means of treatment of malignant melanoma, stimulate the search for new anti-tumor agents and therapeutic targets to control this deadly metastatic disease. In the present work the antitumor effect of arazyme, a natural bacterial-derived metalloprotease secreted by Serratia proteomaculans, was investigated. Arazyme significantly reduced the number of pulmonary metastatic nodules after intravenous inoculation of B16F10 melanoma cells in syngeneic mice. In vitro, the enzyme showed a dose-dependent cytostatic effect in human and murine tumor cells, and this effect was associated to the proteolytic activity of arazyme, reducing the CD44 expression at the cell surface, and also reducing in vitro adhesion and in vitro/in vivo invasion of these cells. Arazyme treatment or immunization induced the production of protease-specific IgG that cross-reacted with melanoma MMP-8. In vitro, this antibody was cytotoxic to tumor cells, an effect increased by complement. In vivo, arazyme-specific IgG inhibited melanoma lung metastasis. We suggest that the antitumor activity of arazyme in a preclinical model may be due to a direct cytostatic activity of the protease in combination with the elicited anti-protease antibody, which cross-reacts with MMP-8 produced by tumor cells. Our results show that the bacterial metalloprotease arazyme is a promising novel antitumor chemotherapeutic agent.
International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2015
Somatic angiotensin-I converting enzyme (sACE) is a broadly distributed peptidase which plays a r... more Somatic angiotensin-I converting enzyme (sACE) is a broadly distributed peptidase which plays a role in blood pressure and electrolyte homeostasis by the conversion of angiotensin I into angiotensin II. N-domain isoforms (nACE) with 65 and 90 kDa have been described in body fluids, tissues and mesangial cells (MC), and a 90 kDa nACE has been described only in spontaneously hypertensive rats. The aim of this study was to investigate the existence of proteolytic enzymes that may act in the hydrolysis of sACE generating nACEs in MC. After the confirmation of the presence of ACE sheddases in Immortalized MC (IMC), we purified and characterized these enzymes using fluorogenic substrates specifically designed for ACE sheddases. Purified enzyme identified as a serine protease by N-terminal sequence was able to generate nACE. In the present study, we described for the first time the presence of ACE sheddases in IMC, identified as serine proteases able to hydrolyze sACE in vitro. Further investigations are necessary to elucidate the mechanisms responsible for the expression and regulation of ACE sheddases in MC and their roles in the generation of nACEs, especially the 90 kDa form possibly related to hypertension.
The metalloendopeptidase 24.15 (EP24.15) is ubiquitously present in the extracellular environment... more The metalloendopeptidase 24.15 (EP24.15) is ubiquitously present in the extracellular environment as a secreted protein. Outside the cell, this enzyme degrades several neuropeptides containing from 5 to 17 amino acids (e.g. gonadotropin releasing hormone, bradykinin, opioids and neurotensin). The constitutive secretion of EP24.15 from glioma C6 cells was demonstrated to be stimulated linearly by reduced concentrations of extracellular calcium. In the present report we demonstrate that extracellular calcium concentration has no effect on the total amount of the extracellular (cell associated + medium) enzyme. Indeed, immuno-cytochemical analyses by confocal and electron microscopy suggested that the absence of calcium favors the enzyme shedding from the plasma membrane into the medium. Two putative calcium-binding sites on EP24.15 (D93 and D159) were altered by site-directed mutagenesis to investigate their possible contribution to binding of the enzyme at the cell surface. These mutated recombinant proteins behave similarly to the wild-type enzyme regarding enzymatic activity, secondary structure, calcium sensitivity and immunoreactivity. However, immunocytochemical analyses by confocal microscopy consistently show a reduced ability of the D93A mutant to associate with the plasma membrane of glioma C6 cells when compared with the wild-type enzyme. These data and the model of the enzyme's structure as determined by X-ray diffraction suggest that D93 is located at the enzyme surface and is consistent with membrane association of EP24.15. Moreover, calcium was also observed to induce a major change in the EP24.15 cleavage site on distinctive fluorogenic substrates. These data suggest that calcium may be an important modulator of ep24.15 cell function.
Hematophagous animals counteract physical and molecular barriers such as the epidermis and the in... more Hematophagous animals counteract physical and molecular barriers such as the epidermis and the inflammatory, hemostatic and immune systems of the hosts to fulfill their nutritional needs [1]. Therefore, their saliva has evolved for the specific task of circumventing several biochemical cascades to facilitate blood acquisition. Triatomine insects are exclusive bloodfeeders that transmit Chagas' disease, acquiring Trypanosoma cruzi from the blood of infected mammalian hosts, and transmitting this parasite through their feces, instead of injecting protozoa during the bite, like anophelines, sand-flies, or tsetse flies . In the salivary secretion of Triatoma infestans are found three different anticoagulant activities [3]: proteases [4], a sialidase [5], apyrases [6], an inhibitor of platelet aggregation
The CPB genes of the protozoan parasite Leishmania mexicana encode stage-regulated cathepsin L-li... more The CPB genes of the protozoan parasite Leishmania mexicana encode stage-regulated cathepsin L-like cysteine proteases that are important virulence factors and are in a tandem array of 19 genes. In this study, we have compared the substrate preferences of two CPB isoforms, CPB2.8 and CPB3, and a H84Y mutant of the latter enzyme, to analyse the roles played by the few amino acid differences between the isoenzymes in determining substrate specificity. CPB3 differs from CPB2.8 at just three residues (N60D, D61N and D64S) in the mature domain. The H84Y mutation mimics an additional change present in another isoenzyme, CPB18. The active recombinant CPB isoenzymes and mutant were produced using Escherichia coli and the S 1 -S 3 and S 1 ¢-S 3 ¢ subsite specificities determined using a series of fluorogenic peptide derivatives in which substitutions were made on positions P 3 to P 3 ¢ by natural amino acids. Carboxydipeptidase activities of CPB3 and H84Y were also observed using the peptide Abz-FRAK(Dnp)-OH and some of its analogues. The kinetic parameters of hydrolysis by CPB3, H84Y and CPB2.8 of the synthetic substrates indicates that the specificity of S 3 to S 3 ¢ subsites is influenced greatly by the modifications at amino acids 60, 61, 64 and 84. Particularly noteworthy was the large preference for Pro in the P 2 ¢ position for the hydrolytic activity of CPB3, which may be relevant to a role in the activation mechanism of the L. mexicana CPBs.
The solubility of peptides in aqueous buffers used for the enzyme assays is a common limitation f... more The solubility of peptides in aqueous buffers used for the enzyme assays is a common limitation for all peptide libraries. In principle, the more water-soluble peptides are, the more susceptible they will be to peptidase hydrolysis. We have demonstrated that this bias can be circumvented in a portion-mixing fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) peptide library by introducing k (lysine in the D-form) in both termini of the peptides. This more solvated library and another one without the k were assayed using trypsin and chymotrypsin as standard peptidases with high selectivity for R and K and for hydrophobic F and Y, respectively. Significantly improved consistency of the information on substrate profiles was obtained from the solvated library. The influence of improved solvation on substrate specificity determination was successfully demonstrated by the difference in specificity observed between the two libraries employing the human cathepsin S (accepts acidic, basic, or neutral amino acids at P 1 position) and Dengue 2 virus NS2B-NS3 protease (high specificity to the pair of basic amino acids K-R, R-R, or Q-R/K at P 2 -P 1 positions).
Toxicon : official journal of the International Society on Toxinology, 2014
Gyroxin is a serine protease displaying a thrombin-like activity found in the venom of the South ... more Gyroxin is a serine protease displaying a thrombin-like activity found in the venom of the South American rattlesnake Crotalus durissus terrificus. Typically, intravenous injection of purified gyroxin induces a barrel rotation syndrome in mice. The serine protease thrombin activates platelets aggregation by cleaving and releasing a tethered N-terminus peptide from the G-protein-coupled receptors, known as protease-activated receptors (PARs). Gyroxin also presents pro-coagulant activity suggested to be dependent of PARs activation. In the present work, the effects of these serine proteases, namely gyroxin and thrombin, on PARs were comparatively studied by characterizing the hydrolytic specificity and kinetics using PARs-mimetic FRET peptides. We show for the first time that the short (sh) and long (lg) peptides mimetizing the PAR-1, -2, -3, and -4 activation sites are all hydrolyzed by gyroxin exclusively after the Arg residues. Thrombin also hydrolyzes PAR-1 and -4 after the Arg re...
Cathepsin X, purified to homogeneity from human liver, is a single chain glycoprotein with a mole... more Cathepsin X, purified to homogeneity from human liver, is a single chain glycoprotein with a molecular mass of < 33 kDa and pI 5.1±5.3. Cathepsin X was inhibited by stefin A, cystatin C and chicken cystatin (K i 1.7±15.0 nm), but poorly or not at all by stefin B (K i . 250 nm) and l-kininogen, respectively. The enzyme was also inhibited by two specific synthetic cathepsin B inhibitors, CA-074 and GFG-semicarbazone. Cathepsin X was similar to cathepsin B and found to be a carboxypeptidase with preference for a positively charged Arg in P1 position. Contrary to the preference of cathepsin B, cathepsin X normally acts as a carboxymonopeptidase. However, the preference for Arg in the P1 position is so strong that cathepsin X cleaves substrates with Arg in antepenultimate position, acting also as a carboxydipeptidase. A large hydrophobic residue such as Trp is preferred in the P1 H position, although the enzyme cleaved all P1 H residues investigated (Trp, Phe, Ala, Arg, Pro). Cathepsin X also cleaved substrates with amide-blocked C-terminal carboxyl group with rates similar to those of the unblocked substrates. In contrast, no endopeptidase activity of cathepsin X could be detected on a series of o-aminobenzoic acid-peptidyl-N-[2,-dinitrophenyl]ethylenediamine substrates. Furthermore, the standard cysteine protease methylcoumarine amide substrates (k cat /K m < 5.0 Â 10 3 m 21´s21 ) were degraded < 25-fold less efficiently than the carboxypeptidase substrates (k cat /K m < 120.0 Â 10 3 m 21´s21 ).
Proteins-structure Function and Bioinformatics, 2005
Human kallikreins are serine proteases that comprise a recently identified large and closely rela... more Human kallikreins are serine proteases that comprise a recently identified large and closely related 15-member family. The kallikreins include both regulatory- and degradative-type proteases, impacting a variety of physiological processes including regulation of blood pressure, neuronal health, and the inflammatory response. While the function of the majority of the kallikreins remains to be elucidated, two members are useful biomarkers for prostate cancer and several others are potentially useful biomarkers for breast cancer, Alzheimer&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39;s, and Parkinson&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39;s disease. Human tissue kallikrein (human K1) is the best functionally characterized member of this family, and is known to play an important role in blood pressure regulation. As part of this function, human K1 exhibits unique dual-substrate specificity in hydrolyzing low molecular weight kininogen between both Arg-Ser and Met-Lys sequences. We report the X-ray crystal structure of mature, active recombinant human apo K1 at 1.70 A resolution. The active site exhibits structural features intermediate between that of apo and pro forms of known kallikrein structures. The S2 to S2&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39; pockets demonstrate a variety of conformational changes in comparison to the porcine homolog of K1 in complex with peptide inhibitors, including the displacement of an extensive solvent network. These results indicate that the binding of a peptide substrate contributes to a structural rearrangement of the active-site Ser 195 resulting in a catalytically competent juxtaposition with the active-site His 57. The solvent networks within the S1 and S1&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39; pockets suggest how the Arg-Ser and Met-Lys dual substrate specificity of human K1 is accommodated.
The substrate specificity of cruzipain, the major cysteine proteinase of Trypanosoma cruzi, was i... more The substrate specificity of cruzipain, the major cysteine proteinase of Trypanosoma cruzi, was investigated using a series of dansyl-peptides based on the putative autoproteolytic sequence of the proteinase (VVG-GP) located at the hinge region between the catalytic domain and the C-terminal extension. Replacing Val with Pro at P2 in this sequence greatly improved the rate of cleavage by cruzipain. Tyr and Val residues are preferred at P3 by all cysteine proteinases whatever their origin, whereas only cruzipain and cathepsin L cleaved substrate with a His at that position. The combination of a Pro at P2 and His at P3 abolished cleavage by cathepsin L, so that only cruzipain was able to cleave the HPGGP peptide at the GG bond. A substrate with intramolecularly quenched fluorescence was raised on this sequence (Abz-HPGGPQ-EDDnp) which was also specifically cleaved by cruzipain (k cat /K m of 157 000 m ±1´s±1) and by a homologous proteinase from Trypanosoma congolense. The pH activity profile of cruzipain on Abz-HPGGPQ-EDDnp showed a narrow peak with a maximum at pH 5.5 and no cleavage above pH 6.8, although trypanosomal cysteine proteinases remain active at basic pH. The lack of activity at neutral and basic pH was due to a decrease in k cat , while the K m remained essentially unchanged, demonstrating that the substrate still binds to the enzyme and therefore behaves as an inhibitor. Changing the substrate into an inhibitor depended on the deprotonation of the His residue in the substrate, as deduced from a comparison of the pH activity profile with that of a related, but uncharged, substrate. Abz-HPGGPQ-EDDnp also inhibited mammalian cathepsins B and L but was not cleaved by these proteinases at any pH. The importance of the His residue at P3 for cleavage by cruzipain was confirmed by substituting Lys for His at that position. The resulting peptide was not cleaved by cruzipain in spite of the presence of a positively charged group at P3, but still interacted with the enzyme. It was concluded that the presence of an imidazolium group at P3 was essential to endow the HPGGPQ sequence with the properties of a cruzipain substrate.
Identification of synthetic peptide substrates for novel peptidases is an essential step for thei... more Identification of synthetic peptide substrates for novel peptidases is an essential step for their study. With this purpose we synthesized fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) peptide libraries Abz (or MCA)-GXXXXXQ-EDDnp and Abz (or MCA)-GXXZXXQ-EDDnp, where X consists of an equimolar mixture of all amino acids, the Z position is fixed with one of the proteinogenic amino acids (cysteine was excluded),
The recombinant cysteine peptidases, cruzain from Trypanosoma cruzi and CPB2.8DeltaCTE from Leish... more The recombinant cysteine peptidases, cruzain from Trypanosoma cruzi and CPB2.8DeltaCTE from Leishmania mexicana, are cathepsin L-like and characteristically endopeptidases. In this study, we characterized the carboxydipeptidase activities of these enzymes and compared them with those of human recombinant cathepsin B and cathepsin L. The analysis used the internally quenched fluorescent peptide Abz-FRFK*-OH and some of its analogues, where Abz is ortho-aminobenzoic acid and K* is (2,4-dinitrophenyl)-epsilon-NH2-lysine. These peptides were demonstrated to be very sensitive substrates, due to the strong quenching effect of K* on the fluorescence of the Abz group. The carboxydipeptidase activity of cruzain was shown to be very similar to that of cathepsin B, while that of CPB2.8DeltaCTE is closer to the carboxydipeptidase activity of cathepsin L. The S2 subsite architecture of cruzain and the nature of the amino acid at the P2 position of the substrates determine its carboxydipeptidase activity and gives further and direct support to the notion that the carboxydipeptidase activity of the papain family cysteine peptidases rely on the S2-P2 interaction [Nägler D. K., Tam, W., Storer, A.C., Krupa, J.C., Mort, J.S. &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp; Menard, R. (1999) Biochemistry38, 4868-4874]. Cruzain and CPB2.8DeltaCTE presented a broad pH-range for both the endo- and exo-peptidase activities, although the later is approximately one order of magnitude lower. This feature, that is not common in related mammalian cysteine peptidases, is consistent with the enzymes being exposed to different environmental conditions and having different locations during parasite development.
We have previously described a kinin-inactivating endopeptidase (H2), which was purified 19-fold ... more We have previously described a kinin-inactivating endopeptidase (H2), which was purified 19-fold from human urine by DEAE-cellulose chromatography and gel filtration. The enzyme was inhibited 100% by PMSF, TPCK and pOHMB. In the present communication, we further characterized this enzyme using the fluorogenic substrates Abz-RPPGFSPFRQ-EDDnp (Abz-BKQ-EDDnp) and Abz-FRQ-EDDnp (Abz = ortho-aminobenzoic acid; EDDnp = N-[2,4-dinitrophenyl] ethylenediamine). Also a rapid, sensitive and specific assay for the H2 was developed. The enzyme hydrolyzed bradykinin (BK = RPPGFSPFR) at the F-S peptide bond, differing from the cleavage site F-R, in the fluorogenic substrates Abz-BKQ-EDDnp and Abz-FRQ-EDDnp. Other enzymes present in urine as the serine endopeptidase H1, prolyl endopeptidase and neutral endopeptidase-like were not able to hydrolyze the related substrate Abz-FRQ-EDDnp. The determined Km for Abz-BKQ-EDDnp and Abz-FRQ-EDDnp were 0.79 microM and 3.02 microM, respectively. Using the fluorogenic substrates, we observed that PMSF and p-hydroxymercuribenzoate irreversibly inhibited the enzyme H2. E-64 was a weak and reversible inhibitor, whereas EDTA and pepstatin were not inhibitory. The inhibition observed in the presence of pOHMB was partially reversed by 2 mM cysteine. These results suggest that the H2 enzyme belongs to the subfamily of SH-containing serine proteases. Based on the molecular weight of isolated H2 (60 kDa), we believe that this enzyme originated from the kidney and may cleave the kinins filtered through the glomerulus and also that produced in the kidney.
Enteroaggregative and uropathogenic E. coli, Shigella flexneri 2a and the hybrid enteroaggregativ... more Enteroaggregative and uropathogenic E. coli, Shigella flexneri 2a and the hybrid enteroaggregative/Shiga toxin-producing E. coli strain (O104:H4) are important pathogens responsible for intestinal and urinary tract infections, as well as sepsis and hemolytic uremic syndrome. They have in common the production of a serine protease called Pic. Several biological roles for Pic have been described, including protection of E. coli DH5α from complement mediated killing. Hereby we showed that Pic significantly reduces complement activation by all three pathways. Pic cleaves purified C3/C3b and other proteins from the classical and lectin pathways, such as C4 and C2. Cleavage fragments of C3, C4 and C2 were also observed with HB101(pPic1) culture supernatants, and C3 cleavage sites were mapped by fluorescence resonance energy transfer peptides. Experiments using human serum as a source of complement proteins confirmed Pic proteolytic activity on these proteins. Furthermore, Pic works synerg...
In this work, the proteinase activity detect in the acetone precipitate (80%, v/v) of B. forficat... more In this work, the proteinase activity detect in the acetone precipitate (80%, v/v) of B. forficata leaves, trivially known as cow paw, and popularly used in folk medicine for treatment of diabetes mellitus, was purified by chromatography on Sephadex G-25, Canecystatin-Sepharose, and on Con A-Sepharose. The molecular weight 30 kDa was estimated by SDS-PAGE and zymography, and the N-terminal sequence and CD spectra indicated a relationship with the papain family of cysteine proteinases. Denominated baupain, the enzyme was activated by dithiotreitol and inhibited by E-64 and iodoacetamide, but not by benzamidine, TLCK, TPCK and EDTA. The S2 and S1 substrate specificity of baupain, assayed with two series of fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) peptide substrates derived from Abz-KLRSSK-Q-EDDnp, indicates a preference for Phe and Tyr at P2 position over Leu found in papain. Baupain releases bradykinin from HMWK (human high molecular weight kininogen) though its proteolytic activity is blocked by the sequence motif QVVA of kininogen (K iapp = 1.9 × 10 −8 M). Canecystatin, from sugar cane, which also lodges the QVVA sequence, inhibits baupain (K iapp = 0.18 × 10 −9 M).
The International Journal of Biochemistry & Cell Biology, 2008
with homologies to endopeptidase on the X chromosome (PHEX) Metallopeptidase Heparan sulfate Hepa... more with homologies to endopeptidase on the X chromosome (PHEX) Metallopeptidase Heparan sulfate Heparin Proteoglycans a b s t r a c t
International Journal of Peptide and Protein Research, 1991
The N-terminal heptadecapeptide of human angiotensinogen (Asp-Arg-Val-Tyr-Ile-His-Pro-Phe-His-Leu... more The N-terminal heptadecapeptide of human angiotensinogen (Asp-Arg-Val-Tyr-Ile-His-Pro-Phe-His-Leu-Val-Ile-His-Asn-Glu-Ser-Thr-NH2 ), with the C-terminal carboxyl group amidated, was synthesized in order to study the role of Asn-Glu-Ser, a putative carbohydrate binding site, on the hydrolysis by human renin. The synthesis was performed by fragment condensation using the Honzl and Rudinger azide procedure. In our conditions for azide segment condensation, histidine racemization was demonstrated to be negligible for most of the condensation reactions. Human renin liberates angiotensin I from h-angiotensinogen (1-17)-NH2 with a Km value of 3.4 x 10(-5) M, at pH 7.3 and 37 degrees being similar to h-angiotensinogen (1-13), an analog without the carbohydrate binding site. However, the Vmax value of 4.1 x 10(-9) mol/G.U. min is one order of magnitude higher. Porcine pepsin was demonstrated to cleave preferentially Leu10-Val11 bond and, surprisingly, His9-Leu10 as well.
Current therapies against malignant melanoma generally fail to increase survival in most patients... more Current therapies against malignant melanoma generally fail to increase survival in most patients, and immunotherapy is a promising approach as it could reduce the dosage of toxic therapeutic drugs. In the present study, we show that an immunotherapeutic approach based on the use of the Toll-like receptor (TLR)-5 ligand flagellin (Salmonella Typhimurium FliCi) combined with the major histocompatibility complex class II-restricted P10 peptide, derived from the Paracoccidioides brasiliensis gp43 major surface protein, reduced the number of lung metastasis in a murine melanoma model. Compounds were administered intranasally into C57Bl/6 mice intravenously challenged with syngeneic B16F10-Nex2 melanoma cells, aiming at the local (pulmonary) immune response modulation. Along with a marked reduction in the number of lung nodules, a significant increase in survival was observed. The immunization regimen induced both local and systemic proinflammatory responses. Lung macrophages were polarized towards a M1 phenotype, lymph node cells, and splenocytes secreted higher interleukin-12p40 and interferon (IFN)-γ levels when re-stimulated with tumor antigens. The protective effect of the FliCi+P10 formulation required TLR-5, myeloid differentiation primary response gene 88 and IFN-γ expression, but caspase-1 knockout mice were only partially protected, suggesting that intracellular flagellin receptors are not involved with the anti-tumor effect. The immune therapy resulted in the activation of tumor-specific CD4(+) T lymphocytes, which conferred protection to metastatic melanoma growth after adoptive transfer. Taken together, our results report a new immunotherapeutic approach based on TLR-5 activation and IFN-γ production capable to control the metastatic growth of B16F10-Nex2 melanoma, being a promising alternative to be associated with chemotherapeutic drugs for an effective anti-tumor responses.
The increased incidence, high rates of mortality and few effective means of treatment of malignan... more The increased incidence, high rates of mortality and few effective means of treatment of malignant melanoma, stimulate the search for new anti-tumor agents and therapeutic targets to control this deadly metastatic disease. In the present work the antitumor effect of arazyme, a natural bacterial-derived metalloprotease secreted by Serratia proteomaculans, was investigated. Arazyme significantly reduced the number of pulmonary metastatic nodules after intravenous inoculation of B16F10 melanoma cells in syngeneic mice. In vitro, the enzyme showed a dose-dependent cytostatic effect in human and murine tumor cells, and this effect was associated to the proteolytic activity of arazyme, reducing the CD44 expression at the cell surface, and also reducing in vitro adhesion and in vitro/in vivo invasion of these cells. Arazyme treatment or immunization induced the production of protease-specific IgG that cross-reacted with melanoma MMP-8. In vitro, this antibody was cytotoxic to tumor cells, an effect increased by complement. In vivo, arazyme-specific IgG inhibited melanoma lung metastasis. We suggest that the antitumor activity of arazyme in a preclinical model may be due to a direct cytostatic activity of the protease in combination with the elicited anti-protease antibody, which cross-reacts with MMP-8 produced by tumor cells. Our results show that the bacterial metalloprotease arazyme is a promising novel antitumor chemotherapeutic agent.
International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2015
Somatic angiotensin-I converting enzyme (sACE) is a broadly distributed peptidase which plays a r... more Somatic angiotensin-I converting enzyme (sACE) is a broadly distributed peptidase which plays a role in blood pressure and electrolyte homeostasis by the conversion of angiotensin I into angiotensin II. N-domain isoforms (nACE) with 65 and 90 kDa have been described in body fluids, tissues and mesangial cells (MC), and a 90 kDa nACE has been described only in spontaneously hypertensive rats. The aim of this study was to investigate the existence of proteolytic enzymes that may act in the hydrolysis of sACE generating nACEs in MC. After the confirmation of the presence of ACE sheddases in Immortalized MC (IMC), we purified and characterized these enzymes using fluorogenic substrates specifically designed for ACE sheddases. Purified enzyme identified as a serine protease by N-terminal sequence was able to generate nACE. In the present study, we described for the first time the presence of ACE sheddases in IMC, identified as serine proteases able to hydrolyze sACE in vitro. Further investigations are necessary to elucidate the mechanisms responsible for the expression and regulation of ACE sheddases in MC and their roles in the generation of nACEs, especially the 90 kDa form possibly related to hypertension.
The metalloendopeptidase 24.15 (EP24.15) is ubiquitously present in the extracellular environment... more The metalloendopeptidase 24.15 (EP24.15) is ubiquitously present in the extracellular environment as a secreted protein. Outside the cell, this enzyme degrades several neuropeptides containing from 5 to 17 amino acids (e.g. gonadotropin releasing hormone, bradykinin, opioids and neurotensin). The constitutive secretion of EP24.15 from glioma C6 cells was demonstrated to be stimulated linearly by reduced concentrations of extracellular calcium. In the present report we demonstrate that extracellular calcium concentration has no effect on the total amount of the extracellular (cell associated + medium) enzyme. Indeed, immuno-cytochemical analyses by confocal and electron microscopy suggested that the absence of calcium favors the enzyme shedding from the plasma membrane into the medium. Two putative calcium-binding sites on EP24.15 (D93 and D159) were altered by site-directed mutagenesis to investigate their possible contribution to binding of the enzyme at the cell surface. These mutated recombinant proteins behave similarly to the wild-type enzyme regarding enzymatic activity, secondary structure, calcium sensitivity and immunoreactivity. However, immunocytochemical analyses by confocal microscopy consistently show a reduced ability of the D93A mutant to associate with the plasma membrane of glioma C6 cells when compared with the wild-type enzyme. These data and the model of the enzyme's structure as determined by X-ray diffraction suggest that D93 is located at the enzyme surface and is consistent with membrane association of EP24.15. Moreover, calcium was also observed to induce a major change in the EP24.15 cleavage site on distinctive fluorogenic substrates. These data suggest that calcium may be an important modulator of ep24.15 cell function.
Hematophagous animals counteract physical and molecular barriers such as the epidermis and the in... more Hematophagous animals counteract physical and molecular barriers such as the epidermis and the inflammatory, hemostatic and immune systems of the hosts to fulfill their nutritional needs [1]. Therefore, their saliva has evolved for the specific task of circumventing several biochemical cascades to facilitate blood acquisition. Triatomine insects are exclusive bloodfeeders that transmit Chagas' disease, acquiring Trypanosoma cruzi from the blood of infected mammalian hosts, and transmitting this parasite through their feces, instead of injecting protozoa during the bite, like anophelines, sand-flies, or tsetse flies . In the salivary secretion of Triatoma infestans are found three different anticoagulant activities [3]: proteases [4], a sialidase [5], apyrases [6], an inhibitor of platelet aggregation
The CPB genes of the protozoan parasite Leishmania mexicana encode stage-regulated cathepsin L-li... more The CPB genes of the protozoan parasite Leishmania mexicana encode stage-regulated cathepsin L-like cysteine proteases that are important virulence factors and are in a tandem array of 19 genes. In this study, we have compared the substrate preferences of two CPB isoforms, CPB2.8 and CPB3, and a H84Y mutant of the latter enzyme, to analyse the roles played by the few amino acid differences between the isoenzymes in determining substrate specificity. CPB3 differs from CPB2.8 at just three residues (N60D, D61N and D64S) in the mature domain. The H84Y mutation mimics an additional change present in another isoenzyme, CPB18. The active recombinant CPB isoenzymes and mutant were produced using Escherichia coli and the S 1 -S 3 and S 1 ¢-S 3 ¢ subsite specificities determined using a series of fluorogenic peptide derivatives in which substitutions were made on positions P 3 to P 3 ¢ by natural amino acids. Carboxydipeptidase activities of CPB3 and H84Y were also observed using the peptide Abz-FRAK(Dnp)-OH and some of its analogues. The kinetic parameters of hydrolysis by CPB3, H84Y and CPB2.8 of the synthetic substrates indicates that the specificity of S 3 to S 3 ¢ subsites is influenced greatly by the modifications at amino acids 60, 61, 64 and 84. Particularly noteworthy was the large preference for Pro in the P 2 ¢ position for the hydrolytic activity of CPB3, which may be relevant to a role in the activation mechanism of the L. mexicana CPBs.
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Papers by Maria Juliano