Desenvolvimento de uma plataforma analítica para aquisição de imagens moleculares em tecidos animais

• Autor(a) principal: Pratavieira, Marcel [UNESP]
• Data de Publicação: 2013
• Tipo de documento: Trabalho de conclusão de curso
• Idioma: por
• Título da fonte: Repositório Institucional da UNESP
• Texto Completo: http://hdl.handle.net/11449/120661
• topic: Proteínas; Moleculas - Imagem; Neuropeptídeos; Espectrometria de massa; Neurobiologia; Abelha

New developments in mass spectrometry offer currently new opportunities for studies involving the specific localization of molecular ions directly in tissue samples. An example of recent advances in mass spectrometry was the development of technique Mass Spectral Imaging (MALDI MSI) that allows spatial analysis of chemical distribution patterns in intact tissues. This technique uses the sensitivity and specificity of mass spectrometry for mapping compounds distribution and to produce stereo spatial images, like a ``chemical photography´´, of molecules present in histological sections. Thereby, it´s possible to study molecular interactions, complexity and relative abundance of biomolecules. In this work, it was developed a new analytical platform for MALDI MSI in honeybee Apis mellifera brain, which make possible to study the spatial distribution of some physiologically important neuropeptides (Nps) – allatostatin (AST) and tachykinin (TRP). These Nps were studied in the honeybee brain with 20 days of age, comparing individuals who had aggressive behavior excited (aggressive individuals) and individuals who have not exercised aggressive behavior (control individuals). After mass spectrometer analysis, the mass spectra were converted into images, creating density maps for each mass/charge ratio distribution. In this study, it was identified two Nps protein precursor and some Nps belonging to ASTs and TRPs classes. The results suggest that AST and TRP precursors underwent a rapid cleavage and subsequent transport of mature Nps for different brain regions. A different Nps profile was observed in different brain regions, including qualitative and quantitative relative differences between non-aggressive and aggressive groups. These differences demonstrate the brain complexity of the studied insects and the Nps heterogeneous distribution, indicating that these molecules act in specific brain regions and that they can act in aggressive...