Maria Luiza Vilela Oliva
Maria Luiza Vilela Oliva (UNIFESP, São Paulo/Brazil)
Regulation of cellular signaling in the human diseases by using plant protease inhibitor
Proteins obtained from seeds of Brazilian plants with inhibitory function on different classes of proteolytic enzymes, on coagulation factors and fibrinolysis, on platelet aggregation were characterized. The inhibitors of coagulation factors and antagonists of platelet activation can be considered for the development of anti-thrombotic drugs. Others inhibit the adhesion of tumor cells to extracellular matrix and apoptosis, thus suggesting a strong potential as anti-metastatic agents. Major structural differences between the inhibitors might be significant for the specificity and mechanism of action that this study proposes to clarify. This knowledge may contribute to clarify the physiopathology of diseases and to develop compounds that could be applied as tools for diagnostic or therapeutic use. Financial support: FAPESP, CNPq, CAPES.
