Caracterização estrutural e ação cicatrizante de uma proteína ligante à quitina de sementes de Moringa oleifera com atividade anti-inflamatória

Abstract

Lectins are defined as proteins that have the ability to specifically bind carbohydrates without, however, changing their chemical structures. Due to the diverse biological activities presented by these proteins, they have been gaining enormous importance in the field of Biotechnology and most of these activities are directly related to the domain of interaction with carbohydrates. Currently, there is an increasing number of studies focusing on the determination of the three-dimensional structure of lectins in order to elucidate the mechanisms of action involved in such activities. In this context, the present project proposes to study the mechanisms of action involved in the anti-inflammatory activity presented by Mo-CBP4, a chitin-binding lectin isolated from Moringa oleifera seeds. Therefore, the primary and three-dimensional structures of the lectin will be obtained through mass spectrometry and X-ray crystallography techniques for further in silico analysis of the interaction with its ligands. In addition to proposing the investigation of the effects of Mo-CBP4 on the healing process of skin wounds through the use of experimental models of skin wounds in mice and the use of cell culture. As perspectives, it is expected that the results obtained in this project can contribute to a better understanding of the three-dimensional structure of Mo-CBP4 and the relationship with its anti-inflammatory activity. In addition, to contribute to the provision of information on the use of this lectin as a potential healing agent.