Banca de QUALIFICAÇÃO: VIVIANE DOMINGUES COSTA

Uma banca de QUALIFICAÇÃO de MESTRADO foi cadastrada pelo programa.
STUDENT : VIVIANE DOMINGUES COSTA
DATE: 02/02/2024
TIME: 09:00
LOCAL: Remota
TITLE:

Identification, purification and biochemical characterization of proteases in Cornitermes cumulans (Insecta, Blattodea, Termitidae)

PAGES: 50
BIG AREA: Ciências Biológicas
AREA: Bioquímica
SUBÁREA: Biologia Molecular
SUMMARY:

Termites are insects of the order Isoptera, they feed on wood (and other cellulosic components), they are social species, forming castes of wingless or winged individuals. Termites live in populated colonies and build their nests to protect the colony, store food and maintain optimal conditions for the development of individuals. In their natural habitat, they perform an important function in nature related to converting plant remains and dead trees into humus.
Cornitermes cumulans is a species of mound termite widely found in Brazil, notable for its diet based on dry and deteriorated vegetation. Investigations related to these termites encompass ecological assessments, explorations of the associated microbiota and biological control strategies. This is due to its prominent presence and relevance in the ecosystem, playing a fundamental role in the decomposition and recycling of nutrients.

Many studies on termites focus on ecology, symbiotic microbiota and biological control with chemical substances. In termites there are not many studies on protease inhibitors, but recent studies show that there is a significant amount of total proteins, however, the literature is still scarce in reports on the characterization of proteolytic activities and inhibitory activities.
In recent studies with C. cumulans termites, proteases belonging to the class of serine proteases were identified in the body (thorax-abdomen) in order to infer the importance of these enzymes in the development and adaptation of the termite in different environments. know the physiological processes of these individuals to apply in different segments.

The present study aimed to identify, characterize and purify the proteolytic activity in protein extracts of the termite species C. cumulans in two castes, soldiers and workers.

Initially, adult colonies of the termite species C. cumulans were located to collect samples from two castes of the species, soldiers and workers. Subsequently, protein extraction and quantification was carried out, using the entire animal and by dissection of the intestine to extract hemolymph and production of protein extract and we carried out protein analysis using the Bradford quantification method and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS -PAGE). To identify proteases, activity tests were carried out accompanied by the hydrolysis of fluorescent substrates. The protein extracts obtained were subjected to zymography to evaluate the activity of the proteases. The purification of the samples was carried out by ion exchange chromatography, the selected samples showed trypsin and chymotrypsin activity.

COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
Presidente - Interno ao Programa - 2605490 - SERGIO DAISHI SASAKI
Membro Titular - Examinador(a) Interno ao Programa - 2605420 - MARIA CRISTINA CARLAN DA SILVA
Membro Titular - Examinador(a) Externo ao Programa - 1308531 - TIAGO FERNANDES CARRIJO
Membro Suplente - Examinador(a) Interno ao Programa - 1696841 - LUCIANO PUZER