Taxonomic and phylogenetic relationships between neotropical species of ticks from genus Amblyomma (Acari: Ixodidae) inferred from second internal transcribed spacer sequences of rDNA

The accurate specific identification of ticks is essential for the study, control and prevention of tick-borne diseases. Herein, we determined ribosomal nucleotide sequences of the second internal transcribed spacer (ITS2) of 15 Neotropical hard tick species of the genus Amblyomma Koch found in Brazil. Most of the studied ticks accidentally parasite humans and potentially act as vectors of zoonoses. Lengths of the ITS2 sequences ranged from 956 to 1,207 bp, whereas GC content varied from 62.4 to 66.9%. A matrix of ITS2 divergence was calculated with the ITS2 sequence data obtained showing divergence levels varying from 1.5 to 28.8%. The analysis indicated that this molecular marker can be useful for Amblyomma-specific identification. Phylogenetic inferences based on the ITS2 sequences were used to assess some issues in subgenus taxonomy. © 2007 Entomological Society of America.

Mitochondrial genome sequence of the Brazilian luminescent click beetle Pyrophorus divergens (Coleoptera: Elateridae): Mitochondrial genes utility to investigate the evolutionary history of Coleoptera and its bioluminescence

The Coleoptera order is the richest group among Metazoa, but its phylogenetics remains incompletely understood. Among Coleoptera, bioluminescence is found within the Elateroidea, but the evolution of this character remains a mystery. Mitochondrial DNA has been used extensively to reconstruct phylogenetic relationships, however, the evolution of a single gene does not always correspond to the species evolutionary history and the molecular marker choice is a key step in this type of analysis. To create a solid basis to better understand the evolutionary history of Coleoptera and its bioluminescence, we sequenced and comparatively analyzed the mitochondrial genome of the Brazilian luminescent click beetle Pyrophorus divergens (Coleoptera: Elateridae). © 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

miRNApath: A database of miRNAs, target genes and metabolic pathways

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that regulate target gene expression and hence play important roles in metabolic pathways. Recent studies have evidenced the interrelation of miRNAs with cell proliferation, differentiation, development, and diseases. Since they are involved in gene regulation, they are intrinsically related to metabolic pathways. This leads to questions that are particularly interesting for investigating medical and laboratorial applications. We developed an miRNApath online database that uses miRNA target genes to link miRNAs to metabolic pathways. Currently, databases about miRNA target genes (DIANA miRGen), genomic maps (miRNAMap) and sequences (miRBase) do not provide such correlations. Additionally, miRNApath offers five search services and a download area. For each search, there is a specific type of input, which can be a list of target genes, miRNAs, or metabolic pathways, which results in different views, depending upon the input data, concerning relationships between the target genes, miRNAs and metabolic pathways. There are also internal links that lead to a deeper analysis and cross-links to other databases with more detailed information. miRNApath is being continually updated and is available at http://lgmb.fmrp.usp.br/mirnapath. ©FUNPEC-RP.

The natural absence of RPA1N domain did not impair Leishmania amazonensis RPA-1 participation in DNA damage response and telomere protection.

We have previously shown that the subunit 1 of Leishmania amazonensis RPA (LaRPA-1) alone binds the G-rich telomeric strand and is structurally different from other RPA-1. It is analogous to telomere end-binding proteins described in model eukaryotes whose homologues were not identified in the protozoan's genome. Here we show that LaRPA-1 is involved with damage response and telomere protection although it lacks the RPA1N domain involved with the binding with multiple checkpoint proteins. We induced DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) in Leishmania using phleomycin. Damage was confirmed by TUNEL-positive nuclei and triggered a G1/S cell cycle arrest that was accompanied by nuclear accumulation of LaRPA-1 and RAD51 in the S phase of hydroxyurea-synchronized parasites. DSBs also increased the levels of RAD51 in non-synchronized parasites and of LaRPA-1 and RAD51 in the S phase of synchronized cells. More LaRPA-1 appeared immunoprecipitating telomeres in vivo and associated in a complex containing RAD51, although this interaction needs more investigation. RAD51 apparently co-localized with few telomeric clusters but it did not immunoprecipitate telomeric DNA. These findings suggest that LaRPA-1 and RAD51 work together in response to DNA DSBs and at telomeres, upon damage, LaRPA-1 works probably to prevent loss of single-stranded DNA and to assume a capping function.

Nucleotide and phylogenetic analysis of human papillomavirus types 6 and 11 isolated from recurrent respiratory papillomatosis in Brazil

There are few studies about the distribution of natural molecular variants of low-risk HPVs. Our aim was to evaluate the E6 early gene variability among HPV-6 and HPV-11 isolates detected in recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP) samples obtained in a cohort of Brazilian patients. We also performed a phylogenetic analysis in order to compare nucleotide sequences identified in our study with previously reported isolates from different anatomic sites (laryngeal papillomas, genital warts, cervical cancer and anal swabs) obtained from other parts of the world to determine the phylogenetic relationships of variants detected in Brazil. The complete coding region of the E6 gene of 25 samples was cloned and sequenced: 18 isolates of HPV-6 (72%) and 7 isolates of HPV-11 (28%). A total of four different HPV-6 genomic variants and two HPV-11 genomic variants was identified. It was not possible to correlate specific variants with disease severity. Phylogenetic trees for both HPV types were constructed enclosing both E6 sequences detected in our study and formerly published sequences. In both phylogenetic trees, the sequences from Brazil did not group together. We could not establish a geographical association between HPV-6 or HPV-11 variants, unlike HPV-16 and HPV-18. © 2013 Elsevier B.V.

Validação de recursos de cargas viral do HIV-1 obtidos para insumos/kids/equipamentos de diferentes procedênias

Pós-graduação em Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento (Biotecnologia Médica) - FMB

Desenvolvimento e controle de qualidade de formulação cosmética contendo digluconato de clorexidina

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Caracterização da proteina LaRbp38: mapeamento do domínio de interação com ácidos nucléicos e identificação de possíveis proteínas parceiras

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Padronização da coaglutinação na preparação de ácidos nucléicos do parvovírus canino e vírus da cinomose para diagnóstico molecular

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Uso de peptideos sintéticos no estudo da proteína diidrooratato desidrogenase humana (HsDHODH)

Pós-graduação em Biotecnologia - IQ

Análise de genotoxicidade: otimização de método laboratorial e avaliação em recém-nascidos de mães com restrição de crescimento intrauterino exercitadas durante a prenhez

Pós-graduação em Ginecologia, Obstetrícia e Mastologia - FMB

Transição vesícula-micela em mistura aquosa de sais dialquilados de amônio quaternário com Pluronic® F127

Pós-graduação em Biofísica Molecular - IBILCE

Capacitive DNA detection driven by electronic charge fluctuations in a graphene nanopore

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Determinação simultânea de biomarcadores de função renal em urina utilizando dispositivo analítico microfluídico em papel

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Development of globular embryos from the hybridization between 'Pêra Rio' sweet orange and 'Poncã' mandarin

Objetivou-se estudar a influência de diversas concentrações do meio MT, sacarose, vitaminas, carvão ativado e ácido giberélico no cultivo de embriões imaturos oriundos do cruzamento entre laranjeira 'Pêra Rio' x tangerineira 'PONCÃ' . Os embriões foram excisados sob condições assépticas e inoculados em 15 mL do meio de cultura MT, de acordo com cada experimento a seguir: 1) concentrações do meio de cultura MT (0%, 50%, 100%, 150% e 200%) combinados com 0, 30, 60 e 90 g.L-1 de sacarose; 2) concentrações de vitaminas do meio MT (0%, 50%, 100%, 150% e 200%) combinados com 0, 30, 60 e 90 g.L-1 de sacarose e; 3) concentrações de carvão ativado (0; 0.5; 1; 1.5 e 2 g.L-1) combinados com GA3 (0; 0.01; 0.1; 1 e 10 mg.L-1). Após a inoculação, os embriões foram mantidos por 90 dias em sala de crescimento à temperatura de 27±1ºC, fotoperíodo de 16 horas e irradiância de 32 µmol.m-2.s-1. A utilização de 50% e 100% do meio MT associado a 60 e 90 g.L-1 de sacarose, respectivamente, acrescido de 0.01 mg.L-1 de GA3, proporcionou melhor desenvolvimento de embriões globulares. Não houve necessidade da adição de carvão ativado e vitaminas no meio MT para o cultivo de embriões globulares.