Trypanosoma cruzi: establishment of permeable cells for RNA processing analysis with drugs

Pre-mRNA maturation in trypanosomatids occurs through a process called trans-splicing which involves excision of introns and union of exons in two independent transcripts. For the first time, we present the standardization of Trypanosoma cruzi permeable cells (Y strain) as a model for trans-splicing study of mRNAs in trypanosomes, following by RNase protection reaction, which localizes the SL exon and intron. This trans-splicing reaction in vitro was also used to analyze the influence of NFOH-121, a nitrofurazone-derivative, on this mechanism. The results suggested that the prodrug affects the RNA processing in these parasites, but the trans-splicing reaction still occurred.

Caracterização genética e evolução dos vírus dengue no Estado do Rio Grande do Norte

Dengue is considered as the most important arthropod-borne viral disease throughout the world due to the high number of people at risk to be infected, mainly in tropical and subtropical regions of the planet. The etiologic agent is Dengue Virus (DENV), it is a single positive-stranded RNA virus of the family Flavivirus, genus Flaviviridae. Four serotypes are known, DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3 and DENV-4. One of the most important characteristic of these viruses is the genetic variability, which demands phylogenetic and evolutionary studies to understand key aspects like: epidemiology, virulence, migration patterns and antigenic characteristics. The objective of this study is the genetic characterization of dengue viruses circulating in the state of Rio Grande does Norte from January 2010 to December 2012. The complete E gene (1485 pb) of DENV1, 2 e 4 from Brazilian (Rio Grande do Norte) patients was sequenced. Phylogenetic analysis was performed using MEGA 5.2 software, Tamura-Nei model and Neighbor-Joining trees were inferred for the datasets. In Brazil, there is just one DENV-1 genotype (genotype V), one DENV-2 genotype (Asian/American) and two DENV-4 genotypes (genotypes I and II). Brazilian strains of DENV-1 are subdivided in two different lineages (BR-I and BR-II), the Brazilian strains of DENV-2 are subdivided in four lineages (BRI-IV) and genotype II of DENV-4 is subdivided in three Brazilian lineages (BRI-III). The viruses isolated in RN belong to lineage BR-II (DENV-1), BR-IV (DENV-2) and BR-III (DENV-4).The Caribbean and near Latin American countries are the main source of these viruses to Brazil. Amino acids substitutions were detected in three domains of E protein, this makes clear the necessity of studies that associate epidemiological and molecular data to better understand the effects of these mutations. This is the first study about genetic characterization and evolution of Dengue viruses in Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil

Interleukin 18 messenger RNA and proIL-18 protein expression in chorioamniotic membranes from pregnant women with preterm prelabor rupture of membranes

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

DNA viruses in human cancer: An integrated overview on fundamental mechanisms of viral carcinogenesis

The first experimental data suggesting that neoplasm development in animals might be influenced by infectious agents were published in the early 1900s. However, conclusive evidence that DNA viruses play a role in the pathogenesis of some human cancers only emerged in the 1950s, when Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) was discovered within Burkitt lymphoma cells. Besides EBV, other DNA viruses consistently associated with human cancers are the hepatitis B virus (HBV), human papillomavirus (HPV), and Kaposi sarcoma herpesvirus (KSHV). Although each virus has unique features, it is becoming clearer that all these oncogenic agents target multiple cellular pathways to support malignant transformation and tumor development. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V.. All rights reserved.

Efeito do estresse térmico agudo sobre os níveis da proteína e RNA mensageiro da Hsp70, em fígado e cérebro de pintos de corte de diferentes linhagens

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

Lipopolysaccharide-induced Stem Cell Factor Messenger RNA Expression and Production in Odontoblast-like Cells

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

Implication of RNA-Binding Protein La in Proliferation, Migration and Invasion of Lymph Node-Metastasized Hypopharyngeal SCC Cells

The 5-year survival rate for oral cavity cancer is poorer than for breast, colon or prostate cancer, and has improved only slightly in the last three decades. Hence, new therapeutic strategies are urgently needed. Here we demonstrate by tissue micro array analysis for the first time that RNA-binding protein La is significantly overexpressed in oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Within this study we therefore addressed the question whether siRNA-mediated depletion of the La protein may interfere with known tumor-promoting characteristics of head and neck SCC cells. Our studies demonstrate that the La protein promotes cell proliferation, migration and invasion of lymph node-metastasized hypopharyngeal SCC cells. We also reveal that La is required for the expression of beta-catenin as well as matrix metalloproteinase type 2 (MMP-2) within these cells. Taken together these data suggest a so far unknown function of the RNA-binding protein La in promoting tumor progression of head and neck SCC.

Strand Analysis, a free online program for the computational identification of the best RNA interference (RNAi) targets based on Gibbs free energy

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

Caracterização de um isolado do Sugarcane mosaic virus que quebra a resistência de variedades comerciais de cana-de-açúcar

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

Extensive antigenic and genetic variation among foot-and-mouth disease type A viruses isolated from the 1994 and 1995 foci in São Paulo, Brazil

Nine foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) type A isolates recovered from the field FMD foci in São Paulo State, Brazil, during 1994 and 1995 (a period preceding the last reported focus of FMD in 1996 in this state) were compared among themselves and with the reference vaccine strain A(24)Cruzeiro. The techniques used were sandwich ELISA, virus neutralization (VN), polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) of the structural polypeptides and direct sequencing of the VP1-coding region (1D gene). Results of VN were recorded as serological relationships R and those from ELISA were expressed as percentage of the homologous reaction r. ELISA and VN gave comparable results (correlation coefficient, 0.936) allowing assignment of these field viruses to four groups which were distinct from the A(24)Cruzeiro strain. PAGE and ID nucleotide sequencing were also able to distinguish between these viruses. The high level:of genetic and antigenic variation found when comparing the A(24)Cruzeiro vaccine strain and type A strains recovered, from the last identified foci of FMD came from a formerly endemic area where vaccination with polyvalent vaccines (O(1)Campos, A(24)Cruzciro and C(3)Indaial) had been extensively applied. The similarity between the results of the serological and genetic analyses suggest that the antigenic differences found are mainly located in the 1D protein. (C) 2002 Elsevier B.V. B.V. All rights reserved.

Vírus da leucemia felina: análise da classificação da infecção, das técnicas de diagnóstico e da eficácia da vacinação com o emprego de técnicas sensíveis de detecção viral

O Vírus da leucemia felina (FeLV) pertence à família Retroviridae, gênero Gammaretrovirus. Diferentemente de outras retroviroses, uma parcela dos gatos jovens e adultos exposta ao FeLV não apresenta antigenemia/viremia, de acordo com as técnicas convencionais de detecção viral, como isolamento em cultivo celular, imunofluorescência direta e ELISA. O emprego de técnicas de maior sensibilidade para detecção e quantificação viral, como o PCR quantitativo, permitiu a identificação de animais positivos para a presença de DNA proviral e RNA na ausência de antigenemia/viremia e, com isso, um refinamento da análise das diferentes evoluções da infecção. Assim, reclassificou-se a patogenia do FeLV em 4 categorias: infecção abortiva, regressiva, latente e progressiva. Foi possível também detectar DNA proviral e RNA em animais considerados imunes ao FeLV após vacinação. Diante disso, os objetivos desta revisão de literatura foram demonstrar as implicações da utilização de técnicas sensíveis de detecção viral na interpretação e classificação da infecção do FeLV e rever as técnicas de detecção do vírus para fins de diagnóstico. Além disso, apresentar os resultados referentes à eficácia da vacinação contra o FeLV com a utilização dessas técnicas.

Cytoplasmic RNA and nuclear changes detected cytochemically during the degeneration of salivary glands of the tick Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Latreille, 1806) (Acari, Ixodidae)

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

The dynamics of RNA participation in the vitellogenesis of Rhipicephalus sanguineus ticks Latreille 1806 (Acari:Ixodidae). I. Nucleoli or Cajal bodies?

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

The dynamics of RNA participation in the vitellogenesis of Rhipicephalus sanguineus ticks Latreille 1806 (Acari: Ixodidae). I. Nucleoli or Cajal bodies?

To understand the morphological and histological aspects of internal systems of ticks has become important matter since these arthropods have an impact in the areas of the economy and public health. In this context, this study has provided morphological data on female germinative cells of Rhipicephalus sanguineus ticks, ectoparasites of dogs that maintain a close relationship with human on a daily basis. Oocytes of engorged females were analyzed, through the PAS reaction (detection of polysaccharides) counterstained by methyl green (detection of RNA) revealing information that allowed to infer for the first time the presence of Cajal bodies, in the germinal vesicles (nuclei) of developing oocytes, as well as showing how the RNA and the polysaccharides are involved in the dynamics of the vitellogenesis in this species. [copyright] 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.