https://repositorio.ufu.br/handle/123456789/5167 Alterada nomencatura do antigo Instituto de Genética e Bioquímica: Resolução 05/99 do Conselho Universitário 2026-10-09T12:38:29Z https://repositorio.ufu.br/handle/123456789/50557 Title: Avaliação dos efeitos de meio condicionado derivado de células de câncer de mama triplo negativo tratadas com ecdisterona sobre fibroblastos: um foco na sinalização purinérgica Abstract: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most aggressive BC subtype, that presents an enrichment of fibroblasts in its immunosuppressive microenvironment that contributes to tumor cell progression and resistance. The mechanisms involved in this interaction remain poorly understood, especially when natural compounds are used. In the present study, the effects of Ecdysterone on modulating TNBC cell migration and how its conditioned medium alters the behavior of human fibroblasts were investigated, highlighting the role of purinergic signaling in this context. To this end, MDA-MB231 (TNBC) and HFF-1 (fibroblasts) cells were treated with Ecdysterone (20E), and horizontal and vertical migration assays were conducted with non-cytotoxic concentrations. Interestingly, Ecdysterone influenced the migratory behavior of MDA-MB-231 cells, especially vertically, suggesting its potential to contain the invasion of these cells. Furthermore, its conditioned medium inhibited horizontal fibroblast migration, which did not occur when HFF cells were treated directly with the compound. Computational analyses demonstrated the potential of 20E to interact with CD73 and the A2A and A2B adenosine receptors. For CD73, 20E exhibited a higher binding affinity than the endogenous ligand and comparable affinity to synthetic inhibitors. In fibroblasts treated with conditioned medium, ADORA2B (gene encoding A2B) transcript levels were significantly reduced, whereas NT5E (gene encoding CD73) transcript levels were increased. Taken together, the results demonstrate that 20E, even at non-cytotoxic concentrations, alters the behavior of TNBC cells and interferes with their communication with cells within the tumor microenvironment, suggesting the involvement of purinergic signaling and its potential role in modulating tumor–stroma interactions. 2026-09-09T00:00:00Z https://repositorio.ufu.br/handle/123456789/50495 Title: Desenvolvimento e caracterização espectroscópica de biopolímeros de quitosana na presença de nanopartículas de produtos naturais para encapsulamento de alimentos minimamente processados Abstract: This study presents the development, spectroscopic and microbiological characterization of an edible coating with the potential to extend the shelf life of fresh and minimally processed foods. The formulation was based on a chitosan solution, a natural anthocyanin dye extracted from Tradescantia pallida purpurea, and carbon nanoparticles (CDots) obtained via green synthesis. The coating was produced by extracting the natural dye, preparing chitosan and gelatin solutions, and synthesizing nanoparticles, followed by characterization using absorbance and fluorescence spectroscopy and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). The resulting film was evaluated for antifungal and antibacterial activities, as well as visual appearance and durability when applied to food. The results demonstrated that the developed coating exhibits promising antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, contributing to the preservation and extension of the shelf life of minimally processed foods. Thus, this study reinforces the potential of biopolymers and natural pigments as sustainable alternatives to conventional packaging and for increasing shelf life, contributing to advancements in food preservation technologies. 2025-09-22T00:00:00Z https://repositorio.ufu.br/handle/123456789/50494 Title: Validação do potencial antineurodegenerativo do peptídeo P5LFM-BSB, em Drosophila melanogaster modelo de doença de Alzheimer Abstract: Alzheimer’s disease is the leading cause of dementia worldwide and represents one of the greatest public health challenges of the 21st century. It is characterized by the accumulation of β-amyloid peptide (Aβ) in brain tissue. Given the limitations of currently available treatments and the challenges associated with developing effective inhibitors of the enzyme BACE1, responsible for the rate-limiting step of the amyloidogenic pathway, the search for new bioactive molecules with neuroprotective potential becomes imperative. In this context, the present study investigated the antineurodegenerative potential of the synthetic peptide P5LFMBSB (Peptide 5 from the larval food microbiome of Brazilian stingless bees), derived from the secretome of bacteria isolated from the larval food of Brazilian stingless bees, using a transgenic Drosophila melanogaster line as a model of Alzheimer’s disease. To this end, peptide toxicity was assessed through eclosion and metamorphosis progression assays, as well as its effects on the neurodegenerative phenotype through qualitative and quantitative analyses of the fly eye surface, using scanning electron microscopy and the Flynotyper plugin. The experimental model was previously validated, showing significant disorganization of ommatidia in the ADlike genotype compared to the control line UAS-Aβ/+. The peptide P5LFM-BSB did not exhibit toxicity at the tested concentrations (25, 50, 100, and 200 µM), and treated groups showed a reduction in the degree of ommatidial disorganization compared to the untreated group, with a statistically significant difference at the 50 µM concentration. These results indicate that the peptide P5LFM-BSB exhibits antineurodegenerative activity when evaluated in a Drosophila melanogaster rough eye model, highlighting its potential as a promising molecule for the development of new therapeutic strategies for Alzheimer’s disease. 2026-04-29T00:00:00Z https://repositorio.ufu.br/handle/123456789/50436 Title: Avaliação de efeitos citotóxicos de um novo complexo de rutênio “Ru-Naftil” em modelo celular de câncer de próstata metastático Abstract: Prostate cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality among men worldwide, particularly in advanced stages such as metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer, where resistance to hormonal therapy and limited chemotherapy efficacy compromise clinical outcomes. Ruthenium-based compounds have emerged as promising alternatives to conventional chemotherapy because of their distinct mechanisms of action and improved tumor selectivity. In this study, a novel ruthenium(II)-β-diketonate complex, cis-[Ru(tfnb)(dppm)₂]PF₆ (Ru-Naphthyl), was synthesized in good yield and fully characterized by elemental analysis, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, multinuclear nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, confirming the proposed structure. The complex exhibited selective cytotoxicity toward PC-3 prostate cancer cells, with an IC₅₀ value of 14.19 μM, whereas lower toxicity was observed in non-tumoral PNT-2 cells (IC₅₀ = 34.85 μM), resulting in a selectivity index of 2.46. In contrast, neither the non-coordinated ligand nor the ruthenium precursor showed significant cytotoxic activity under the same experimental conditions. Furthermore, the complex markedly reduced clonogenic survival and promoted intracellular reactive oxygen species accumulation, predominantly in tumor cells. Oxidative stress may have been associated with disruption of cell cycle progression, evidenced by a reduced G2/M population and increased sub-G1 events, culminating in apoptotic cell death. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that Ru-Naphthyl exhibits promising antitumor activity against prostate cancer cells through oxidative stress-mediated mechanisms and supports further investigations to elucidate its molecular targets and evaluate its therapeutic potential. 2026-06-30T00:00:00Z