In vivo analysis of StAP3 cytotoxic activity

FERNANDO MUÑOZ; JORGE ZOPPI; RICARDO ABAURREA; EDUARDO SCANDOGLIERO; GUSTAVO DALEO; MARÍA G. GUEVARA.

Mendoza

Congreso; XLVIII Reunión Anual de la Sociedad Argentina de Investigación en Bioquímica y Biología Molecular; 2012

The increasing resistance of pathogenic bacteria to conventional antibiotics has become a serious problem in health care, which requires alternatives to be developed. One strategy is the use of antimicrobial proteins/peptides (AMPs) which act by the disruption of the microorganisms plasma cell membrane. Previously, we have reported the in vitro cytotoxic selective activity of potato aspartic proteases (StAPs) on human pathogen microorganisms and cancer cells, but not on human erythrocytes and T lymphocytes. The aim of this work was to evaluate the in vivo cytotoxicity of StAP3 using the Balb/c mice model. Mice were treated with a single dose of StAP3 (from 1 to 10mg protein/kg) or physiological solution (control). Results obtained show that not changes in the body weight, behavior, morphology and histology of the organs and tissues of treated mice compared with control mice, were observed at all times analyzed (2, 6, 8, 24 h and 1, 2, 9 weeks). Additionally, not significant changes in the serum levels of urea, creatinine, and transaminases were determined in treated mice, at all times and concentration assayed. Pharmacokinetic studies indicated that StAP3 is bioavailable in the serum from 2 h to 14 days. These results allow us to continue with the studies in vivo with StAPs as potential new drugs for infectious diseases and cancer treatment.