Traditional Chinese medicine has a long history of using plants therapeutically including multiple species of the genus Rubus (Rosaceae). Fruits and other parts of Rubus plants have had a significant effect on human health and nutrition in both ancient and modern times. The pharmacological effects of Rubus include anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, anti-stress, anti-cancer and anti-aging properties. One of the current challenges limiting further development of Rubus resources in traditional Chinese medicine is a poor understanding of phylogenetic relationships among Rubus species in general and especially among Asian species, and also the need for additional studies of phytochemicals. Several confounding factors are frequent hybridization, polyploidy, and highly variable morphology due in part to diverse ecological conditions across species’ distributions. The goal of this study was to elucidate phylogenetic relationships among Rubus species in the predominantly Asian subgenera Idaeobatus and Malachobatus emphasizing species valued in traditional Chinese medicine. Sequences of six noncoding (plus matK) chloroplast DNA regions totaling 8,276 aligned characters were analyzed for 35 Rubus species using maximum parsimony (MP) and maximum likelihood (ML). Both analytical approaches yielded topologically identical phylogenies except for one additional grouping in the ML tree. The phylogeny has nearly complete resolution and divides the species into two primary clades; one comprises R. geoides (representing the Southern Trans-Pacific clade), R. nivalis (subg. Chamaebatus) and R. trivialis (representing subg. Rubus) and the other is composed largely of R. arcticus and R.saxatilis (subg. Cylactis), and the large subgenera Idaeobatus (raspberries) and Malachobatus. Within the latter, principally Asian clade, three unresolved lineages exist (four using MP) precluding an improved understanding of the relationships among them. However, three major subclades containing Asian species have good support. Two contain subg. Idaeobatus species only, and the third comprises members of the exclusively polyploid subgenera Malachobatus and Dalibardastrum. Examination of the presence of biochemically active terpenes reveal that triterpenes are common among subg. Idaeobatus species with diterpenes reported only in R. pungens and R. chingii (not sampled). Subg. Malachobatus species have not been as thoroughly investigated so triterpenes may also be common in these species. From these results, multiple subg. Idaeobatus and subg. Malachobatus species may be good candidates for terpene analysis as members of their respective clades possess triterpenes. Moreover, five species not currently used in traditional Chinese medicine should be evaluated as they also occur in China, and may possess medicinal value.

The in situ proximity ligation assay (in situ PLA) is an immunoassay that enables directvisualisation of single protein targets or protein interactions in cell or tissue samples. This project revolves around designing and introducing several novel multiplexable components tobe used in conjunction with Olink Bioscience's Duolink product line. In this report, a novel in silico approach to DNA oligomer interaction design is presented. Using this in silico method, a multiplexed system of DNA oligomers has been designed andevaluated using in situ PLA and fluorescence microscopy.

<p>A metagenomic gene library prepared from soil found beneath a mummified seal carcass in the Miers Valley, Antarctica, suggests an environment rich in uncharacterised biodiversity including enzymes with possible application to industrial processes. A sequence based gene mining investigation was performed on a clone, which archives a metagenomic sequence from this environment. The sequence was annotated using de novo bioinformatics and molecular biology techniques. A predicted NAD+-dependent DNA ligase, ligDB1 was selected for further characterisation. LigDB1 encodes a gene product that contains all the sequence features of a functional ligase. The protein was overexpressed in a heterologous E. coli host and purified to homogeneity. LigDB1 did not exhibit nick sealing activity, but was able to perform AMP-dependent DNA relaxation in the presence of high concentrations of enzyme. DNA modifying enzymes from cold environments perform optimally at low temperatures and may be of use as molecular tools in biotechnology. Complete characterisation of this enzyme is subject to further investigations.</p>

The larger grain borer (LGB) Prostephanus truncatus (Horn) is the most important pest of farm stored maize and cassava in Africa. This alien invasive species was introduced into the continent from Mesoamerica in the late 1970s and by 2008 had spread to at least 18 countries. In contrast to indigenous primary storage pests, LGB exists as on-farm and as wild populations, hence, sustainable control must target both environments. Biological control is especially attractive for wild populations to reduce early season grain store infestation, while cultural and chemical methods are useful to protect stored produce directly. Two populations of the predator Teretrius nigrescens Lewis were introduced into several African countries' as a biocontrol agent. It has shown long-term success and cost effective control in warm-humid areas. Control has however not been successful in cool and hot-dry zones. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible underlying genetic and ecological explanations for these observations and the possibility of joint use of molecular markers and ecological parameters in the development of sustainable control strategies. A 28-month baseline monitoring and recovery activity was done in from 2004 in five regions in Kenya along an east-westerly transect. Monitoring and live sample collection was also done in the original outbreak area in eastern Kenya. There was greater LGB flight activity in western Kenya (high potential maize production area) than the low potential areas. Very few T. nigrescens were recovered, solely in the eastern regions. LGB flight activity followed a seasonal pattern mostly related to changes in the relative humidity at 12:00, rainfall and dew point temperature but with a 3 - 4 week lag. A linear predictive model based on these factors predicted 27 % of the observed flight activity. The survival and predation of five strains of T. nigrescens were compared at eight temperature levels between 15 °C and 36 °C at low and high humidity. All the strains of T. nigrescens exerted a significant reduction of LGB population build-up between 21 °C and 33 °C with generally better performance under humid conditions. There was no evidence of T. nigrescens development at 15 °C. At 18 °C, T. nigrescens oviposition and development was observed but the effect on LGB did not differ significantly from the control. The KARI population was the least effective in preventing grain damage at lower temperatures, but performed better than other strains above 30 °C at low humidity conditions. There was no control at 18 °C and 36 °C under both high and low humidity conditions. Since the extent of genetic differentiation in T. nigrescens was unclear from prior studies, several molecular marker techniques were progressively used. The RAPD-PCR did not reveal any genetic diversity between geographical populations. A 1000bp region of the mitochondrial mtCOI gene revealed two distinct clades differing consistently at 26 segregating sites. The two clades can be identified by simple PCR-RFLP procedure using single or double sequential restriction with EcoR1, HincII, RsaI and DdeI digestion. However, the two lineages co-exist among the mid-altitude Central American populations. The internal transcribed spacer regions ITS1 and ITS2 with some neighbouring coding sequences of the ribosomal DNA were cloned and sequenced. The spacer regions were so variable in length and sequence between T. nigrescens and related Histeridae species that direct sequence alignment was not meaningful. Within T. nigrescens, there was intragenomic variability of the spacer regions mostly involving insertions and deletions of variable tandem repeat units predominantly within the ITS regions. The short flanking coding (18S, 5.8S and 21S) regions were conserved across populations and six other Histeridae species. There was no significant secondary structure variation of the ITS regions among populations of T. nigrescens. Twenty-four novel variable microsatellite markers were developed and tested on the Honduras populations. Alleles per locus ranged between two and twelve with observed heterozygosity between 0.048 and 0.646. Six loci deviated significantly from Hardy Weinberg Equilibrium and possibly had null alleles. The success of microsatellite amplification in outgroup species and variability of markers declined with an increase in the phylogenetic distance between the test species and T. nigrescens. Genotyping 432 individuals from 13 geographic populations revealed a comparatively higher genetic diversity in field populations. Partial isolation by distance and time was observed. Population bottlenecks were not detected, but recent expansion was evident in laboratory populations. Although five dominant genetic clusters were identified by Bayesian methods, meaningful hierarchical population structure was observed at between two and nine population groups (p < 0.01; 10,000 iterations). Biological control of the larger grain borer using T. nigrescens seems an important aspect of the sustainable integrated control approach of the pest. Ecological adaptations, appropriate release strategies and genetic diversity are all essential considerations in these efforts and could be responsible for the variable success already observed. There is some genetic differentiation between populations of T. nigrescens but, further studies would be necessary to ascertain the contribution of such diversity to its predatory performance. The effect of laboratory culturing in aggravating genetic drift should be accommodated to avoid loss of diversity during sampling, quarantine, rearing and release of the predator. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Environmental Science))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2009.

The larger grain borer (LGB) Prostephanus truncatus (Horn) is the most important pest of farm stored maize and cassava in Africa. This alien invasive species was introduced into the continent from Mesoamerica in the late 1970s and by 2008 had spread to at least 18 countries. In contrast to indigenous primary storage pests, LGB exists as on-farm and as wild populations, hence, sustainable control must target both environments. Biological control is especially attractive for wild populations to reduce early season grain store infestation, while cultural and chemical methods are useful to protect stored produce directly. Two populations of the predator Teretrius nigrescens Lewis were introduced into several African countries' as a biocontrol agent. It has shown long-term success and cost effective control in warm-humid areas. Control has however not been successful in cool and hot-dry zones. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible underlying genetic and ecological explanations for these observations and the possibility of joint use of molecular markers and ecological parameters in the development of sustainable control strategies. A 28-month baseline monitoring and recovery activity was done in from 2004 in five regions in Kenya along an east-westerly transect. Monitoring and live sample collection was also done in the original outbreak area in eastern Kenya. There was greater LGB flight activity in western Kenya (high potential maize production area) than the low potential areas. Very few T. nigrescens were recovered, solely in the eastern regions. LGB flight activity followed a seasonal pattern mostly related to changes in the relative humidity at 12:00, rainfall and dew point temperature but with a 3 - 4 week lag. A linear predictive model based on these factors predicted 27 % of the observed flight activity. The survival and predation of five strains of T. nigrescens were compared at eight temperature levels between 15 °C and 36 °C at low and high humidity. All the strains of T. nigrescens exerted a significant reduction of LGB population build-up between 21 °C and 33 °C with generally better performance under humid conditions. There was no evidence of T. nigrescens development at 15 °C. At 18 °C, T. nigrescens oviposition and development was observed but the effect on LGB did not differ significantly from the control. The KARI population was the least effective in preventing grain damage at lower temperatures, but performed better than other strains above 30 °C at low humidity conditions. There was no control at 18 °C and 36 °C under both high and low humidity conditions. Since the extent of genetic differentiation in T. nigrescens was unclear from prior studies, several molecular marker techniques were progressively used. The RAPD-PCR did not reveal any genetic diversity between geographical populations. A 1000bp region of the mitochondrial mtCOI gene revealed two distinct clades differing consistently at 26 segregating sites. The two clades can be identified by simple PCR-RFLP procedure using single or double sequential restriction with EcoR1, HincII, RsaI and DdeI digestion. However, the two lineages co-exist among the mid-altitude Central American populations. The internal transcribed spacer regions ITS1 and ITS2 with some neighbouring coding sequences of the ribosomal DNA were cloned and sequenced. The spacer regions were so variable in length and sequence between T. nigrescens and related Histeridae species that direct sequence alignment was not meaningful. Within T. nigrescens, there was intragenomic variability of the spacer regions mostly involving insertions and deletions of variable tandem repeat units predominantly within the ITS regions. The short flanking coding (18S, 5.8S and 21S) regions were conserved across populations and six other Histeridae species. There was no significant secondary structure variation of the ITS regions among populations of T. nigrescens. Twenty-four novel variable microsatellite markers were developed and tested on the Honduras populations. Alleles per locus ranged between two and twelve with observed heterozygosity between 0.048 and 0.646. Six loci deviated significantly from Hardy Weinberg Equilibrium and possibly had null alleles. The success of microsatellite amplification in outgroup species and variability of markers declined with an increase in the phylogenetic distance between the test species and T. nigrescens. Genotyping 432 individuals from 13 geographic populations revealed a comparatively higher genetic diversity in field populations. Partial isolation by distance and time was observed. Population bottlenecks were not detected, but recent expansion was evident in laboratory populations. Although five dominant genetic clusters were identified by Bayesian methods, meaningful hierarchical population structure was observed at between two and nine population groups (p < 0.01; 10,000 iterations). Biological control of the larger grain borer using T. nigrescens seems an important aspect of the sustainable integrated control approach of the pest. Ecological adaptations, appropriate release strategies and genetic diversity are all essential considerations in these efforts and could be responsible for the variable success already observed. There is some genetic differentiation between populations of T. nigrescens but, further studies would be necessary to ascertain the contribution of such diversity to its predatory performance. The effect of laboratory culturing in aggravating genetic drift should be accommodated to avoid loss of diversity during sampling, quarantine, rearing and release of the predator. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Environmental Science))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2009.

abstract: Genomic and proteomic sequences, which are in the form of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and amino acids respectively, play a vital role in the structure, function and diversity of every living cell. As a result, various genomic and proteomic sequence processing methods have been proposed from diverse disciplines, including biology, chemistry, physics, computer science and electrical engineering. In particular, signal processing techniques were applied to the problems of sequence querying and alignment, that compare and classify regions of similarity in the sequences based on their composition. However, although current approaches obtain results that can be attributed to key biological properties, they require pre-processing and lack robustness to sequence repetitions. In addition, these approaches do not provide much support for efficiently querying sub-sequences, a process that is essential for tracking localized database matches. In this work, a query-based alignment method for biological sequences that maps sequences to time-domain waveforms before processing the waveforms for alignment in the time-frequency plane is first proposed. The mapping uses waveforms, such as time-domain Gaussian functions, with unique sequence representations in the time-frequency plane. The proposed alignment method employs a robust querying algorithm that utilizes a time-frequency signal expansion whose basis function is matched to the basic waveform in the mapped sequences. The resulting WAVEQuery approach is demonstrated for both DNA and protein sequences using the matching pursuit decomposition as the signal basis expansion. The alignment localization of WAVEQuery is specifically evaluated over repetitive database segments, and operable in real-time without pre-processing. It is demonstrated that WAVEQuery significantly outperforms the biological sequence alignment method BLAST for queries with repetitive segments for DNA sequences. A generalized version of the WAVEQuery approach with the metaplectic transform is also described for protein sequence structure prediction. For protein alignment, it is often necessary to not only compare the one-dimensional (1-D) primary sequence structure but also the secondary and tertiary three-dimensional (3-D) space structures. This is done after considering the conformations in the 3-D space due to the degrees of freedom of these structures. As a result, a novel directionality based 3-D waveform mapping for the 3-D protein structures is also proposed and it is used to compare protein structures using a matched filter approach. By incorporating a 3-D time axis, a highly-localized Gaussian-windowed chirp waveform is defined, and the amino acid information is mapped to the chirp parameters that are then directly used to obtain directionality in the 3-D space. This mapping is unique in that additional characteristic protein information such as hydrophobicity, that relates the sequence with the structure, can be added as another representation parameter. The additional parameter helps tracking similarities over local segments of the structure, this enabling classification of distantly related proteins which have partial structural similarities. This approach is successfully tested for pairwise alignments over full length structures, alignments over multiple structures to form a phylogenetic trees, and also alignments over local segments. Also, basic classification over protein structural classes using directional descriptors for the protein structure is performed. / Dissertation/Thesis / Ph.D. Electrical Engineering 2011

O gênero Nocardia é composto por bactérias gram-positivas e filamentosas, que normalmente só causam doença em indivíduos imunocomprometidos. No entanto, certo número de infecções por nocardia têm sido relatados em pacientes imunocompetentes. Nos últimos anos, observou-se um aumento da frequência de infecções por Nocardia spp. e, com o aumento do número de espécies descritas, a identificação correta tem sido de difícil obtenção mas de grande importância para a aplicação do tratamento correto e elucidação epidemiológica. O objetivo deste estudo foi caracterizar, por métodos fenotípicos e moleculares, 72 isolados de Nocardia spp. de interesse médico, avaliando as metodologias para elaborar um algoritmo de identificação. Os isolados foram provenientes da Micoteca do Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo e da rotina do Núcleo de Tuberculose e Micobacterioses do Instituto Adolfo Lutz. Os isolados foram identificados por testes fenotípicos, identificação molecular por análise de restrição (PRA-hsp65), sequenciamento dos genes hsp65 e 16S rRNA e MALDI-TOF MS (Matrix-associated laser desorption time of flight mass spectrometry). O perfil de suscetibilidade foi analisado pelo método de Concentração Inibitória Mínima (MIC) e disco difusão (DD), com os fármacos: amicacina, ciprofloxacina, minociclina, tobramicina, amoxacilina+ácido clavulânico, imipenem e sulfametoxazol+trimetoprim. Os resultados revelaram que a identificação fenotípica foi insuficiente para definir as espécies. Apenas 24 (33,4%) isolados tiveram identificação fenotípica concordante com o sequenciamento do gene 16S rRNA. Na analise feita pela técnica de PRA-hsp65 foram observados 20 (27,8%) N. brasiliensis, seis (8,3%) isolados de outras espécies de nocardias e 38 (52,8%) foram considerados novos padrões (NP). Foi detectado um isolado misto e em cinco isolados não foi obtido produto de amplificação. O sequenciamento do gene hsp65 proporcionou a identificação de 51 isolados como Nocardia, 14 foram identificados como pertencentes a outros gêneros, dos quais, um apresentou mistura de nocardia e micobactéria, sendo identificado como Mycobacterium abscessus no gene hsp65 (análise in silico) e N. otitidiscaviarum no gene 16S rRNA. Sete isolados não foram sequenciados devido à ausência de amplificação do fragmento. Os isolados analisados através do sequenciamento do gene 16S rRNA, foram identificados como Nocardia (57-79,2%), Gordonia (7-9,7%), Rhodoccocus (3-4,2%), Tsukamurella (2-2,8%), Mycobacterium (2-2,8%) e Streptomyces (1-1,3%). Para a análise de MALDI-TOF MS foi observado que, dos 72 isolados estudados, 49 foram identificados como Nocardia, 11 como pertencentes a outros gêneros e 12 amostras não puderam ser identificadas devido aos valores de leitura não serem adequados para análise. Pela primeira vez o corante resazurina foi utilizado para leitura de MIC de Nocardia sp. Entre os fármacos testados através do MIC, os que apresentaram maior sensibilidade foram amicacina (100%) e tobramicina (84%). As maiores resistências foram encontradas com os fármacos sulfametoxazol+trimetoprim (76%) e imipenem (54%). Devido à ausência de critérios interpretativos de disco difusão para o gênero Nocardia, foi elaborado um critério para o presente estudo. Os resultados obtidos no teste de DD mostraram 100% de sensibilidade para os fármacos amicacina, minociclina e sulfametoxazol+trimetroprim. Os isolados apresentaram a maior porcentagem de resistência ao fármaco ciprofloxacina (64%). Comparando os resultados de DD com os obtidos no MIC, observamos que os fármacos ciprofloxacina, imipenem e sulfametoxazol+trimetoprim apresentaram porcentagem de discordância acima de 20%. O fármaco sulfametoxazol+trimetoprim teve a maior discordância (>75%), com elevada porcentagem de isolados resistentes na MIC, mas baixa porcentagem de resistência em DD. O único fármaco com 100% de concordância entre os resultados foi amicacina. Foi elaborado um algoritmo de identificação que utiliza técnicas fenotípicas para triagem para diferenciar nocardias de outros gêneros. A identificação por PRA-hsp65 será útil na rotina de laboratório de micobactérias como identificação presuntiva. A identificação definitiva das espécies deve ser obtida pelo sequenciamento do gene 16S rRNA. / The genus Nocardia comprises filamentous gram-positive bacteria that usually cause disease only in immunocompromised individuals. However, a number of Nocardia infections have been reported in immunocompetent patients. Overall, it has been reported in the recent years an increased frequency of infections caused by Nocardia spp. due to an also increasing number of species, making the correct identification of the species more difficult. Correct identification assumes a major importance with respect to antimicrobial treatment\'s choice as well a for epidemiological investigation purposes. The objective of this study was to characterize by phenotypic and molecular methods 72 isolates of Nocardia spp. of medical interest, designing the methodologies for an identification algorithm. The isolates were obtained from the fungal collection of the Tropical Medicine Institute of São Paulo and the routine service of the Tuberculosis and Mycobacteriosis Center of the Adolfo Lutz Institute. The isolates were identified by phenotypic testing, molecular identification by restriction analysis (PRA-hsp65), hsp65 and 16S rRNA genes sequencing, and MALDI-TOF MS (matrix-associated laser desorption time-of-flight mass spectrometry). The susceptibility profile was analyzed by the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration method (MIC) and disk diffusion (DD), with the following drugs: amikacin, ciprofloxacin, minocycline, tobramycin, amoxicillin+ clavulanic acid, imipenem and sulfamethoxazole trimethoprim. The results showed that the phenotypic identification was insufficient to define the species. Only 24 (33.4%) of the isolates had phenotype identification that was concordant with the 16S rRNA gene sequencing. In the analysis made with the PRA-hsp65 technique were observed 20 (27.8%) N. brasiliensis and six (8.3%) isolates from other species of Nocardia spp., while 38 isolates (52.8%) were considered as new standards (NP). Also by this technique a mixed isolate was detected and an amplification product was not obtained in five isolates. The hsp65 gene sequencing provided identification of 51 isolates as Nocardia, 14 were identified as belonging to other genera, one of them being identified either as Mycobacterium abscessus by in silico analysis of the hsp65 gene and as N. otitidiscaviarum by the 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Seven isolates were not sequenced due to the absence of the amplified fragment. The isolates analyzed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing were identified as Nocardia (57 to 79.2%), Gordonia (7 to 9.7%), Rhodoccocus (3 to 4.2%), Tsukamurella (2-2, 8%), Mycobacterium (2 to 2.8%) and Streptomyces (1-1.3%). By MALDI-TOF MS analysis of the 72 isolates, 49 were identified as Nocardia, 11 were identified as belonging to other genera and 12 isolates could not be identified because the samples provided reading values that were inadequate for analysis. For the first time, to our knowledge, the resazurin dye was used to determine the MICs of Nocardia sp. Among the drugs tested, the most sensitives were amikacin (100%) and tobramycin (84%). The higher resistances were found with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (76%) and imipenem (54%). Due to the absence of establishe criteria for the interpretation of the disk diffusion assay with Nocardia, we designed a specific criterion for this study. The results obtained in the DD test showed 100% sensitivity for the drugs amikacin, minocycline and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. The isolates showed the highest percentage of resistance to ciprofloxacin drug (64%). Comparing the results with those obtained with DD and MIC, we observed that ciprofloxacin, imipenem and sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim showed a percentage of disagreement above 20%. The sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim drug had the highest discrepancy (> 75%), with high percentage of resistant isolates with MIC but low percentage of resistance in DD. The only drug with 100% agreement between the both results was amikacin. We designed a recognition algorithm using phenotyping techniques to screen and differentiate nocardias from other genera. The identification by PRA-hsp65 will be useful in routine mycobacteria laboratory as a presumptive identification tool. The final identification of the species should be obtained by sequencing the 16S rRNA gene.

Orientador: Vera Lúcia Gil da Silva Lopes / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-19T02:52:06Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Sgardioli_IlariaCristina_M.pdf: 3234786 bytes, checksum: cb2f0f67f9d7df7814742dbf6ed4fb44 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011 / Resumo: A Síndrome Velocardiofacial (SVCF), uma das formas do espectro da Síndrome de deleção 22q11.2, possui incidência de 1/4.000 a 1/6.000 nascimentos. Embora a microdeleção em 22q11.2 seja a principal causa da síndrome, cerca de 10 a 20% dos pacientes com características clínicas da SVCF não a apresentam. Em alguns indivíduos com características clinicas da SVCF e sem microdeleção em 22q11.2, foram encontradas outras aberrações cromossômicas e mutações no gene TBX1. Existem evidências em modelos animais que aventam a associação de alterações no gene FGF8 ao fenótipo da SVCF em humanos. No entanto, até o momento, o gene FGF8 ainda não havia sido estudado em pacientes com SVCF sem microdeleção. Os objetivos deste trabalho foram: 1 - investigar as causas genéticas em pacientes com suspeita clínica da SVCF por meio de cariótipo e triagem de microdeleções, utilizando a técnica de MLPA e FISH; 2 - verificar a presença de alterações nas seqüências codificantes dos genes TBX1 e FGF8 em pacientes sem deleção 22q11.2. Foram incluídos 109 indivíduos com suspeita clínica de SVCF avaliados clinicamente por médico geneticista e os métodos utilizados foram: cariótipo com bandas G; MLPA, FISH; seqüenciamento direto das regiões codificantes dos genes TBX1 e FGF8 e SNP-array. Dos 101 casos em que o exame de cariótipo foi realizado, quatro apresentaram aberrações cromossômicas não relacionadas à SVCF, sendo que em duas foi possível a confirmação dos resultados por SNP-array. Realizou-se MLPA de 106 casos, sendo que 29 foram positivos para a deleção. Dos casos negativos, selecionou-se 31 indivíduos após reavaliação clínico-dismorfológica com a hipótese clínica mantida e foi realizado seqüenciamento das regiões codificantes dos genes TBX1 e FGF8. No gene TBX1 foram encontradas variações normais na seqüência e no gene FGF8 não foram detectadas alterações, com exceção dos exons 1 e 2, em que não foi possível análise por problemas técnicos. O exame de cariótipo contribuiu na investigação inicial e permitiu concluir a investigação por outras técnicas. O MLPA se mostrou eficiente para a investigação diagnóstica da deleção 22q11.2, identificando, também, outras alterações; FISH confirmou 82,1% dos resultados obtidos por MLPA. Não foram identificadas alterações patogênicas nas regiões codificantes dos genes TBX1 e em 90% das regiões codificantes do gene FGF8 / Abstract: Velocardiofacial Syndrome (SVCF), one of the forms of the 22q11.2 Microdeletion Syndrome spectrum, has an incidence of 1/4.000 to 1/6.000 births. Although the 22q11.2 microdeletion is the main cause of the syndrome, approximately 10 to 20% of the patients with clinical features of SVCF don't present it. In a few individuals with SVCF clinical features and without 22q11.2 microdeletion other chromosomal aberrations and changes in TBX1 gene were found. There is evidence in animal models that suggests the associated changes in FGF8 gene in humans. However, the FGF8 gene had not been studied in patients with SVCF without microdeletion yet. The purpose of this work was: 1 - To investigate the genetic causes in patients with clinical suspicion of SVCF through the karyotype and microdeletion screening using MLPA and FISH techniques; 2 - To check the presence of changes in coding sequences of the TBX1 gene and FGF8 gene in patients without 22q11.2 deletion. 109 individuals with clinical suspicion of SVCF and clinically evaluated by a clinical geneticist were included, and the following methods were used: karyotype with GTG banding, MLPA, FISH, direct sequencing of coding regions of TBX1 and FGF8 gene and SNP-array. Four out of 102 cases in which the tests of karyotype were performed presented chromosomal aberrations not related to SVCF, two of them confirmed by SNP-array. The MLPA of 106 cases was performed, 29 of them positive to deletion. 31 individuals were selected among negative cases, after clinical reevaluation based on the same clinical hypothesis maintained, and direct sequencing of coding regions of TBX1 and FGF8 gene were performed. Normal variations in sequence were found in TBX1 gene and alterations were not detected in FGF8 gene except for 1 and 2 exons because of technical problems. The karyotype test contributed in the first investigation and permitted us to conclude the investigation by means of other techniques. The MLPA proved to be effective for the diagnostic investigation of 22q11.2 deletion, identifying other alterations as well; FISH confirmed 82,1% results obtained by MLPA. Pathogenic alterations in coding regions of TBX1 gene and in 90% of the coding regions of FGF8 gene were not identified / Mestrado / Ciencias Biomedicas / Mestre em Ciências Médicas

Abstract The mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation system (OXPHOS) generates energy but also deleterious reactive oxygen species (ROS). Changes in the cytoskeleton, composed mainly of microfilaments, microtubules and intermediate filaments, have been observed in OXPHOS deficiency. The 3243A>G point mutation in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) leads to mitochondrial encephalomyopathy, lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes (MELAS), which is the most common mitochondrial disease. Interestingly, mitochondrial aberrations have been demonstrated in patients with a mutation in NOTCH3, the genetic cause of cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL). Randomization of vimentin intermediate filament direction and length together with slower population growth was observed in myoblasts with 3243A>G, with no difference in the amount of apoptotic cell death. Upon complex IV inhibition (with or without the microtubule-depolymerizing compound nocodazole) or a lack of mtDNA (ρ0) in osteosarcoma cells the vimentin network collapsed perinuclearly, forming thick bundles, whereas complex I inhibition led to thinner vimentin network bundles. Furthermore, the amount of vimentin was increased in ρ0 cells. Mitochondria accumulated around the nucleus upon complex IV inhibition and in ρ0 cells. Analysis of the total proteome revealed that specific OXPHOS deficiencies led to changes in the expression of cytoskeletal proteins and proteins involved in apoptosis, OXPHOS, glycolysis and oxidative stress response. Muscle histochemical and genetic analysis showed ragged red fibres and cytochrome c oxidase-negative fibres to be associated with 5650G>A in a patient with R133C in NOTCH3 and 5650G>A in MTTA. Immunolabelling of cells with R133C and 5650G>A revealed a sparse tubulin network with asters and less abundant mitochondria by comparison with control cell lines. Comparison of nucleotide diversity between CADASIL pedigrees and controls showed increased mtDNA sequence variation in the CADASIL patients. Also maternal relatives in two CADASIL pedigrees differed from each other in their mtDNA. These findings suggest that defects in OXPHOS lead to selective changes in the vimentin network, which may have a role in the pathophysiology of mitochondrial diseases. They also suggest a relationship between NOTCH3 and mtDNA, and establish the pathogenicity of 5650G>A. The overall results emphasize that a deficiency in the energy converting system together with oxidative stress can lead to cytoskeletal changes.

The phylogenetics of eight species of the Peromyscus truei and P. boylii species groups from 15 populations were analyzed based on mitochondrial DNA sequence differentiation, using 13 hexanucleotide specific restriction enzymes. P. difficilis, P. nasutus, and P. attwateri were found to be members of the same clade. P. leucopus was not found to be closely related to any of the species of the boylii or truei species groups. Phylogenetic interpretations for the remaining species differed based on Wagner and Dollo parsimony analyses. P. true appears to be most closely related to P. gratus based on Wagner parsimony and the phenetic analysis, while the relationship of P. gratus to other species could not be resolved based on Dollo parsimony.