Anita Dolly Panek
Scientific
Name: Panek, A.D.
E-mail: anita@iq.ufrj.br
From
1959 to 1987 we devoted our studies to the regulation of trehalose
metabolism in yeast cells. In 1988 we were able to show unequivocally
that endogenous trehalose protects cells against the damage caused
by freezing. Since than we have demonstrated that the disaccharide
is required for survival of cells when submitted to various kinds
of stress, such as, dehydration, ethanol, heat and germination.
It does not seem to play a part, directly, in the protection against
oxidative stress. Furthermore, the role of the trehalose transporter
was assessed, although it seemed difficult to envisage its existence
since trehalose is not widely spread in nature. We have shown
that, although, the carrier protein behaves as a trehalose-H,
high affinity, symport, its main role is to export part of the
accumulated trehalose to the outer side of the membrane, thus
allowing for better protection. Both academic studies and technological
applications are being currently carried out.
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Biographical Data
Born in Cracow, Poland on 1 September 1930.
Educated at Bennett College, Rio de Janeiro, 1942-1949;
Federal Univ. of Rio de Janeiro, B.Sc. in Chemistry, 1954;
Privatdozent, 1962;
Ph.D., 1962.
Research Scientist, Natl. Research Council, 1961 to date.
Assistant Professor in Industrial Microbiology, School of Chemistry,
Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), 1954-1961
Associate Professor in Biochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, UFRJ,
1962-1975
Full Professor, 1976
Member Univ. Resarch Council, 1961-1984.
Head Dept. of Biochemistry, Inst. of Chemistry, UFRJ, Brazil,
1990-1995.
Professor Emeritus, 1995.
Member
Brazilian Academy of Sciences, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 1986.
Latin American Academy of Sciences, Caracas, Venezuela, 1989.
Third World Academy of Sciences, 1989.
Awarded
Commander of the Order of Natl. Scientifc Merit, Brazil, 1996.
Research Areas
Regulation of energy metabolism using the
yeast cell as an experimental model. Of special international interest
is the metabolism of trehalose, a compound considered today not
only as a source of energy, but mainly, as a protective substance
for membranes and proteins when the cell is submitted to environmental
stress. This investigation has given the group she coordinates approximately
138 publications in international journals, the registration of
3 patents, and 48 theses of Master and PhD degrees. The technological
applications that derive from this basic research are of wide interest
and trelalose is being used in the preservation of dehydrated and
lyophilized biological materials. Therefore another of her aims
is achieved, that of the association of basic research and biotechnology
in service of the community.
Selected Papers
Souza,
A.C., De Mesquita, J.F., Panek, A.D. et al.
Evidence for a modulation of neutral trehalase activity by Ca2+
and cAMP signaling pathways in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Braz J
Med Biol Res, Jan 2002, vol.35, no.1, p.11-16.
Peixoto
DN, Panek AD.
The involvement of hexokinases in trehalose synthesis.
Biochem Mol Biol Int. 1999 May;47(5):873-80.
Eleutherio
EC, Silva JT, Panek AD.
Identification of an integral membrane 80 kDa protein of Saccharomyces
cerevisiae induced in response to dehydration.
Cell Stress Chaperones. 1998 Mar;3(1):37-43.
De
Mesquita JF, Paschoalin VM, Panek AD.
Modulation of trehalase activity in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
by an intrinsic protein.
Biochim Biophys Acta. 1997 Mar 15;1334(2-3):233-9.
Cuber
R, Eleutherio EC, Pereira MD, Panek AD.
The role of the trehalose transporter during germination.
Biochim Biophys Acta. 1997 Dec 4;1330(2):165-71.
Paiva
CL, Panek AD.
Biotechnological applications of the disaccharide trehalose.
Biotechnol Annu Rev. 1996;2:293-314. Review.
Autobiography
"Carta aos Meus Netos
- Uma Autobiografia"
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