Dominance and Subordination Interactions Among Nestmates in Pre and Post-Emergence Phases of the Basal Eusocial Wasp Mischocyttarus (Monogynoecus) montei (Hymenoptera, Vespidae)

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Taxocenose de aves em um remanescente da Floresta com Araucária no Sudeste do Paraná, Brasil

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Intermolecular interactions and characterization of the novel factor Xa exosite involved in macromolecular recognition and inhibition: Crystal structure of human Gla-domainless factor Xa complexed with the anticoagulant protein NAPc2 from the hematophagous nematode Ancylostoma caninum

NAPc2, an anticoagulant protein from the hematophagous nematode Ancylostoma caninum evaluated in phase-II/IIa clinical trials, inhibits the extrinsic blood coagulation pathway by a two step mechanism, initially interacting with the hitherto uncharacterized factor Xa exosite involved in macromolecular recognition and subsequently inhibiting factor VIIa (K-i = 8.4 pM) of the factor VIIa/tissue factor complex. NAPc2 is highly flexible, becoming partially ordered and undergoing significant structural changes in the C terminus upon binding to the factor Xa exosite. In the crystal structure of the ternary factor Xa/NAPc2/selectide complex, the binding interface consists of an intermolecular antiparallel beta-sheet formed by the segment of the polypeptide chain consisting of residues 74-80 of NAPc2 with the residues 86-93 of factor Xa that is additional maintained by contacts between the short helical segment (residues 67-73) and a turn (residues 26-29) of NAPc2 with the short C-terminal helix of factor Xa (residues 233-243). This exosite is physiologically highly relevant for the recognition and inhibition of factor X/Xa by macromolecular substrates and provides a structural motif for the development of a new class of inhibitors for the treatment of deep vein thrombosis and angioplasty. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Interfacial surface charge and free accessibility to the PLA(2)-active site-like region are essential requirements for the activity of Lys49 PLA(2) homologues

Lys49 phospholipase A(2) homologues are highly myotoxic and cause extensive tissue damage but do not display hydrolytic activity towards natural phospholipids. The binding of heparin, heparin derivatives and polyanionic compounds such as suramin result in partial inhibition (up to 60%) of the myotoxic effects due to a change in the overall charge of the interfacial surface. In vivo experiments demonstrate that polyethylene glycol inhibits more than 90% of the myotoxic effects without exhibiting secondary toxic effects. The crystal structure of bothropstoxin-I complexed with polyethylene glycol reveals that this inhibition is due to steric hindrance of the access to the PLA(2)-active site-like region. These two inhibitory pathways indicate the roles of the overall surface charge and free accessibility to the PLA2-active site-like region in the functioning of Lys49 phospholipases A(2) homologues. Molecular dynamics simulations, small angle X-ray scattering and structural analysis indicate that the oligomeric states both in solution and in the crystalline states of Lys49 phospholipases A2 are principally mediated by hydrophobic contacts formed between the interfacial surfaces. These results provide the framework for the potential application of both clinically approved drugs for the treatment of Viperidae snakebites. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Crystallographic and spectroscopic characterization of a molecular hinge: Conformational changes in bothropstoxin I, a dimeric Lys49 phospholipase A2 homologue

Bothropstoxin I(BthTX-I) from the venom of Bothrops jararacussu is a myotoxic phospholipase A2 (PLA2) homologue which, although catalytically inactive due to an Asp49-->Lys substitution, disrupts the integrity of lipid membranes by a Ca2+-independent mechanism, the crystal structures of two dimeric farms of BthLTX-I which diffract X-rays eo resolutions of 3.1 and 2.1 Angstrom have been determined, the monomers in both structures are related by an almost perfect twofold axis of rotation and the dimer interfaces are defined by contacts between the N-terminal alpha-helical regions and the tips of the beta-wings of partner monomers. Significant differences in the relative orientation of the monomers in the two crystal forms results in open and closed dimer conformations, Spectroscopic Investigations of BthTX-I in solution have correlated these conformational differences with changes in the intrinsic fluorescence emission of the single tryptophan residues located at the dimer interface, the possible relevance of this structural transition in the Ca2+-independent membrane damaging activity is discussed. (C) 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

The Origin of Nonmonotonic Complex Behavior and the Effects of Nonnative Interactions on the Diffusive Properties of Protein Folding

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

Using genetic algorithm to design protein sequence

In this work, genetic algorithms concepts along with a rotamer library for proteins side chains are used to optimize the tertiary structure of the hydrophobic core of Cytochrome b(562) starting from the known PDB structure of its backbone which is kept fixed while the side chains of the hydrophobic core are allowed to adopt the conformations present in the rotamer library. The atoms of the side chains forming the core interact via van der Waals energy. Besides the prediction of the native core structure, it is also suggested a set of different amino acid sequences for this core. Comparison between these new cores and the native are made in terms of their volumes, van der Waals energies values and the numbers of contacts made by the side chains forming the cores. This paper proves that genetic algorithms area efficient to design new sequence for the protein core. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Charge injection in an LED with a hybrid composite as the emissive layer

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

Doping saturation in dye-sensitized solar cells based on ZnO:Ga nanostructured photoanodes

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

Relationship between grain-boundary capacitance and bulk shallow donors in SnO2 polycrystalline semiconductor

The relationship between grain-boundary capacitance and extrinsic shallow donors caused by Nb addition to SnO2 center dot COO binary polycrystalline system has been investigated by means of combined techniques such as I-V characteristic response, complex impedance and capacitance analysis and electrostatic force microscopy. The estimated role of the Nb doping is to increase the concentration of shallow donors that are capable of enhancing the electronic donation to grain-boundary acceptors. This effect leads to the formation of potential barriers at grain boundaries with a simultaneous increase of grain-boundary capacitance and non-Ohmic features of the polycrystalline device doped with Nb atoms.

(-)-Kolavenic acid

In the two, almost identical, molecules in the asymmetric unit of the title compound [ systematic name: (E)-3-methyl-5-(1,2,4a, 5-tetramethyl-1,2,3,4,4a,7,8,8a-octahydronaphthalen-1yl) pent-2-enoic acid], C20H32O2, the rings are trans fused. The cyclohexane ring has a chair conformation and the cyclohexene ring a distorted half-boat conformation. The two independent molecules are connected into a dimer via O-H center dot center dot center dot O hydrogen bonds. The dimers are associated into supramolecular chains along c via C-H center dot center dot center dot O contacts.

Heterospecific sociality of birds on beaches from southeastern Brazil

Studies on the sociality of heterospecific assemblages of birds have promoted a greater understanding of the types of interactions and survivorship between coexisting species. This study verified the group compositions in bird assemblages and analyzed the sociality of migratory and resident species on sandy beaches of southeastern Brazil. A transect was established on the median portion of beaches and all the groups of bird species (monospecific, heterospecific) and solitary individuals were registered four days per month from November 2006 to April 2007. The sociality of each species was calculated by its frequency in heterospecific groups, its proportional number of contacts with other species in heterospecific groups, and the number of species that it associated with. Semipalmated Sandpiper Calidris pusilla (Linnaeus, 1766) and Semipalmated Plover Charadrius semipalmatus Bonaparte, 1825 (both migratory) had the highest degree of sociality and did not show a preference to associate with either residents or migratory species. Sanderling Calidris alba (Pallas, 1764) (migratory) occupied the third position in the sociality rank and associated with migratory species frequently. Southern Caracara Carara plancus (Miller, 1777) and Black Vulture Coragyps atratus (Beschstein, 1793) (both resident) were uniquely found among heterospecific groups with necrophagous and resident species. Kelp Gull Larus dominicanus Lichtenstein, 1823 (resident) associated more frequently with resident species. The sociality in assemblages of birds may promote advantages such as an increased collective awareness in dangerous situations and indication of sites with abundant food sources.

Methylation status of CDH1 gene in samples of gastric mucous from brazilian patients with chronic gastritis infected by Helicobacter pylori

CONTEXTO:O câncer gástrico é uma das principais neoplasias que causam o óbito no Brasil e no mundo. Helicobacter pylori é um carcinógeno do tipo I relacionado à gastrite crônica. Diferenças no grau de virulência de suas cepas levam a maior risco de desenvolvimento de doenças gástricas. A metilação de ilhas CpGs está envolvida com o processo de tumorigênese em diferentes tipos de câncer. CDH1 é um gene supressor tumoral que, quando inativado, pode aumentar as chances de metástase. A metilação deste gene em estágios precoces da carcinogênese gástrica ainda não é totalmente compreendida. OBJETIVO: Investigar o padrão de metilação do gene CDH1 em amostras de gastrites crônicas e correlacionar com a presença do H. pylori. MÉTODOS: Foram usadas 60 biopsias de mucosas gástricas. A detecção de H. pylori foi realizada por PCR para o gene da urease C e a genotipagem com PCR para os genes cagA e vacA (região s e m). O padrão de metilação do gene CDH1 foi analisado usando a técnica de PCR e específica para a metilação e sequenciamento direto dos produtos de PCR. RESULTADOS: A bactéria H. pylori foi detectada em 90% das amostras de gastrites crônicas; destas, 33% portavam o gene cagA e 100% vacA s1. O genótipo vacA s2/m1 não foi detectado nas amostras analisadas. Metilação de CDH1 foi detectada em 63,3% das amostras de gastrites e 95% delas eram portadoras de H. pylori. CONCLUSÃO: Os resultados deste estudo sugerem que a metilação em CDH1 e a infecção pelo H. pylori são eventos frequentes em amostras de pacientes brasileiros com gastrite crônica e reforça a correlação entre infecção por H. pylori e inativação do gene CDH1 em estágios precoces da tumorigênese gástrica.

Dinâmica da avifauna em fragmento de mata na Fazenda Rio Claro, Lençóis Paulista, São Paulo, Brasil

Discute-se a importância do levantamento qualitativo e quantitativo da comunidade de aves da Fazenda Rio Claro (22°27'S, 48°51'W), Lençóis Paulista, para a avaliação de um fragmento de mata mesófila do interior de São Paulo. Tais levantamentos foram realizados entre agosto de 2001 a julho de 2002. Para o estudo quantitativo utilizou-se da metodologia de Pontos de Escuta. Foram analisados os índices de diversidade e de freqüência de ocorrência dessa comunidade, sendo as suas espécies organizadas tanto em função das categorias alimentares quanto sob o aspecto da ocupação do estrato vegetal. O levantamento qualitativo registrou 216 espécies. Já o quantitativo registrou 74 espécies em 761 contatos, com uma média de 12,7 contatos/amostra. O índice pontual de abundância (IPA) variou de 0,001 (um contato) a 0,07 (53 contatos); aquele da diversidade foi de H' = 3,10, mostrando um aumento significativo entre setembro e novembro; a eqüitatividade média no período foi de E = 0,95. Os insetívoros constituem quase a metade das espécies registradas no levantamento quantitativo (44,6%), seguido por frugívoros (24,9%), onívoros (16,4%), carnívoros (8,5%), nectarívoros (4,2%) e uma pequena proporção de detritívoros (1,4%). A categoria mais abundante no sub-bosque foi a de insetívoros, enquanto que os frugívoros foram os mais abundantes no solo e na copa. A comunidade de aves no fragmento estudado mostrou o mesmo padrão encontrado em outros fragmentos de mata mesófila de mesmo tamanho relativo. Algumas espécies ameaçadas foram encontradas na área de estudo.

Análise comparativa da assembléia de aves em dois remanescentes florestais no interior do Estado de São Paulo, Brasil

Realizou-se o levantamento quantitativo e qualitativo da comunidade de aves de dois fragmentos de floresta estacional semidecídua no interior do estado de São Paulo de julho de 2004 a julho de 2005. Para o estudo quantitativo utilizou-se da metodologia de Pontos de Escuta. Foram analisados os índices de diversidade e de freqüência de ocorrência dessa comunidade. O levantamento qualitativo registrou 181 espécies na Fazenda Rio das Pedras - FRP (Itapetininga, 350 ha) e 126 espécies na Fazenda Santa Maria II - FSM (Buri, 480 ha), enquanto que o levantamento quantitativo registrou a presença de 73 espécies em 988 contatos e 64 espécies em 1019 contatos para FRP e FSM, respectivamente. O índice pontual de abundância (IPA) variou de 0,01 (1 contato) a 1,32 (132 contatos), para FRP e na FSM variou entre 0,01 (1 contato) a 0,97 (97 contatos). A diversidade do fragmento da FRP foi de H = 3,04 e na FSM de H = 2,85 onde a eqüitatividade em ambas áreas foi de 0,91. A comunidade de aves nos fragmentos estudados mostrou o mesmo padrão encontrado em outros fragmentos de floresta estacional semidecídua de tamanhos relativos. As categorias alimentares mais representativas nos dois remanescentes foram insetívoras (53% na FSM e 50% na FRP) e frugívoras (23% na FSM e 26% na FRP). Dentre os insetívoros, destacaram-se as famílias Tyrannidae na FSM e Thamnophilidae na FRP. Tanto na FSM como na FRP os insetívoros de sub-bosque foram mais representativos (53% e 51,4% respectivamente), seguidos pelos frugívoros de sub-bosque (50%) na FSM e frugívoros de copa (52,6%) na FRP. A importância do estudo de comunidade de aves esta ligada à elaboração do plano de manejo e conservação das áreas naturais.