Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University, 2007. / Title from first page of PDF file. Includes bibliographical references (p. 129-159).

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Ohio University, March, 2007. / Title from PDF t.p. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--West Virginia University, 2001. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains vii, 106 p. : ill. (some col.). Vita. Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 83-102).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2000. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 150-177). Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (MSc (Plant Biotechnology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2005. / Previous studies indicated that cytosolic aldolase (ALDc) could be a rate limiting step in glycolysis and thus play a role in the regulation of carbon partitioning in sink tissues. In this study the role of ALDc in sugarcane was studied. Expression patterns of both ALDc transcript and protein were examined. In contrast to the leaves where ALDc expression is very low, the enzyme (transcript and protein) levels were high in all internodal tissues at all stages of maturity. In the leaves the plastidic isoform was prevalent as found previously in other C4 plants. The similar pattern of expression in transcript and protein abundance illustrate that there are no activators or inhibitors of ALDc activity present in sugarcane. The control on ALDc activity in sugarcane is therefore regulation of gene expression. To investigate the possibility that ALDc could be regulating carbon partitioning in sugarcane a series of transgenic sugarcane plants in the varieties NCo310 and N19 were produced. The presence and expression of the transgene and resultant effect on ALDc levels were determined for all the transgenic lines. The degree of ALDc reduction varied, with the biggest suppression of aldolase being 90% of that of the control plants. Alteration of ALDc activity caused no obvious phenotype. In both the varieties large decreases in ALDc tended to to lead to higher sucrose levels than that of the the control plants. 14C radiolabelling studies were conducted to investigate the effect of reduced ALDc levels on respiration and carbon partitioning. No differences in carbon metabolism could be found between the transgenic and control plants. Even in the line exhibiting a more than 90% decrease, the residual ALDc was sufficient for plants to grow normally under favourable glasshouse conditions. This would suggest that ALDc does not play a role in the regulation of flux through glycolysis, carbon partitioning and sucrose accumulation.

Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Global food security is hampered by a variety of insects/pest and plant diseases. In wheat, the Russian wheat aphid (RWA) is a significant pest problem in many areas of the world. Wheat has developed defensive mechanisms against the RWA over time which are activated upon feeding. One such mechanism is the hypersensitive response (HR) which is effective against phloem-feeding insects i.e. D. noxia (Diuraphis noxia, Kurdjumov, RWA). In this study, two genes associated with the hypersensitive response i.e. ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and glutathione S transferase (GSTF6b) were investigated to elucidate their function in the defensive mechanism of wheat using a reverse genetic approach i.e. particle bombardment. This study has succeeded in the established of a tissue culture and transformation system which generated three genetically modified wheat plants with decreased resistance to RWA feeding due to gene silencing. The establishment of this system enabled to test the association of defensive related genes in wheat to RWA resistance. Expression analysis performed on obtained transgenics before and after RWA infestation reavealed that the silenced plants were more susceptible to RWA feeding. Chlorosis was observed in the Gamtoos-S-APX transgenic plant which is an indicator of oxidative damage to the photosynthetic machinery of the plant. Decreased GSTF6b transcripts was found in the transgenic Gamtoos-S-GSTF6b and transgenic Gamtoos-R-GSTF6b transgenic plants but no visible symptoms of infestation was observed in these two plants. Resistance breeding could be strengthened by developing broad spectrum resistance plants by incorporating wheat defensive related genes with known function into the breeding programs. The use of this transformation system will allow rapid identification and introduction of agronomically important genes by upregulating these genes to enhance bread wheat against aphid infestation.

A linhagem S1M29 de Penicillium echinulatum é um fungo filamentoso cujo sistema celulolítico tem potencial para aplicação em processos de degradação de materiais lignocelulósicos visando a obtenção de produtos com interesse biotecnológico, como o etanol de segunda geração. A abundância de biomassas lignocelulósicas associada à busca por alternativas aos combustíveis fósseis faz aumentar o interesse em estudos que envolvam a elucidação dos mecanismos de secreção de enzimas lignocelulolíticas. Neste estudo, o P. echinulatum S1M29 foi crescido em condições de indução para a produção de endoglicanases, celobiohidrolases, β-glicosidases, xilanases e swoleninas. Foram avaliados os perfis enzimáticos em géis de poliacrilamida e o padrão de expressão gênica para estas proteínas. Observou-se que a produção enzimática foi favorecida pela presença de celulose Celufloc E® e bagaço de cana-de-açúcar (BCA) no meio de cultivo em comparação à glicose, sendo que o uso de resíduo de biomassa proporcionou a obtenção dos melhores rendimentos. Resultado semelhante foi atingido na análise dos perfis de secreção enzimática em gel de poliacrilamida, sugerindo ainda, a presença de uma endoglicanase constitutiva de aproximadamente 80 kDa. O estudo de qRT-PCR revelou a presença de quatro genes para endoglicanases com padrão de expressão distintos, destacando-se um acúmulo de transcritos 9779,19 vezes superior à amostra calibradora do gene egl1 em 24 h de cultivo no meio formulado com celulose Celufloc E®. Este mesmo gene gerou 1257,58 vezes mais transcritos acumulados que a amostra calibradora em meio suplementado com BCA. Na avaliação da expressão relativa do gene para celobiohidrolase obteve-se expressão superior no meio formulado com BCA em 48 h em relação ao meio com celulose Celufloc E® em 24 h, correspondendo, respectivamente, a 6464,49 e 3093,26 vezes mais transcritos acumulados que a amostra calibradora. O gene para β-glicosidase expressou-se em meio formulado com BCA no início do cultivo, embora a atividade desta enzima tenha ocorrido ao final do cultivo. A expressão de xilanases foi mais significativa com o uso de celulose Celufloc E® no meio de cultivo. Já o gene para swolenina apresenta um perfil de expressão com valores semelhantes em comparação ao uso de celulose Celufloc E® e BCA no meio de cultivo, apesar da presença de BCA ter proporcionado uma expressão mais tardia. Para todos os genes avaliados foram verificados valores muito reduzidos de expressão quando a glicose foi utilizada como fonte de carbono para o P. echinulatum. Observou-se ainda uma expressão coordenada de genes codificadores de endoglicanases, celobiohidrolase, β-glicosidase e swolenina. / Submitted by Ana Guimarães Pereira (agpereir@ucs.br) on 2016-01-27T12:06:29Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Tese Denise Zampieri.pdf: 4586084 bytes, checksum: be5eb9fbb555f957a4e737205334ac6d (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-01-27T12:06:30Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Tese Denise Zampieri.pdf: 4586084 bytes, checksum: be5eb9fbb555f957a4e737205334ac6d (MD5) / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico, CNPq. / The strain S1M29 of Penicillium echinulatum is a filamentous fungus that presents a cellulolytic system with potential for application in the degradation process of lignocellulosic materials to obtain products of biotechnological interest, such as second-generation ethanol. The availability of lignocellulosic biomass associated with the search for alternatives to fossil fuels increases the interest in studies that involve understanding the secretion mechanisms of lignocellulolytic enzymes. In this study, P. echinulatum S1M29 was grown under inducing conditions for the production of endoglucanases, cellobiohydrolases, β-glucosidases, xylanases and swollenins. The enzyme secretion profiles were evaluated in polyacrylamide gels and the pattern of gene expression for these proteins was also assessed. It was observed that enzyme production was enhanced in the presence of cellulose Celufloc E® and sugar cane bagasse (SCB) in the culture medium compared to glucose, with the use of biomass residue providing the best yields. A similar result was obtained analyzing enzyme secretion profiles in polyacrylamide gels, suggesting the presence of constitutive endoglucanases of approximately 80 kDa. Studies with qRT-PCR revealed the presence of four genes encoding endoglucanases with distinct expression patterns, standing out an accumulation of transcripts from egl1 gene 9779.19 times higher than the calibrator sample in 24 h of growth in medium formulated with cellulose Celufloc E®. The same gene generated 1257.58 more accumulated transcripts than the reference sample in medium supplemented with SCB. Evaluation of gene expression for cellobiohydrolase yielded higher expression levels in the medium formulated with SCB in 48 h, in comparison to the medium containing cellulose Celufloc E® in 24 h, corresponding, respectively, to 6464.49 and 3093.26 more accumulated transcripts than the reference sample. The β-glucosidase gene was expressed in medium formulated with SCB at the beginning of growth, as opposed to that seen for activity of this enzyme, which occurred at the end of cultivation. The xylanase expression was more significant with the use of cellulose Celufloc E® in the culture medium. On the other hand, the gene for swollenin presents an expression profile with similar values compared to using cellulose Celufloc E® and SCB in the culture medium, although the presence of SCB has provided a later expression. Very low values of gene expression have been found for all genes evaluated when glucose was used as carbon source for P. echinulatum. A coordinated expression of endoglucanases, cellobiohydrolase, β-glucosidase and swollenin was was also verified.

A linhagem S1M29 de Penicillium echinulatum é um fungo filamentoso cujo sistema celulolítico tem potencial para aplicação em processos de degradação de materiais lignocelulósicos visando a obtenção de produtos com interesse biotecnológico, como o etanol de segunda geração. A abundância de biomassas lignocelulósicas associada à busca por alternativas aos combustíveis fósseis faz aumentar o interesse em estudos que envolvam a elucidação dos mecanismos de secreção de enzimas lignocelulolíticas. Neste estudo, o P. echinulatum S1M29 foi crescido em condições de indução para a produção de endoglicanases, celobiohidrolases, β-glicosidases, xilanases e swoleninas. Foram avaliados os perfis enzimáticos em géis de poliacrilamida e o padrão de expressão gênica para estas proteínas. Observou-se que a produção enzimática foi favorecida pela presença de celulose Celufloc E® e bagaço de cana-de-açúcar (BCA) no meio de cultivo em comparação à glicose, sendo que o uso de resíduo de biomassa proporcionou a obtenção dos melhores rendimentos. Resultado semelhante foi atingido na análise dos perfis de secreção enzimática em gel de poliacrilamida, sugerindo ainda, a presença de uma endoglicanase constitutiva de aproximadamente 80 kDa. O estudo de qRT-PCR revelou a presença de quatro genes para endoglicanases com padrão de expressão distintos, destacando-se um acúmulo de transcritos 9779,19 vezes superior à amostra calibradora do gene egl1 em 24 h de cultivo no meio formulado com celulose Celufloc E®. Este mesmo gene gerou 1257,58 vezes mais transcritos acumulados que a amostra calibradora em meio suplementado com BCA. Na avaliação da expressão relativa do gene para celobiohidrolase obteve-se expressão superior no meio formulado com BCA em 48 h em relação ao meio com celulose Celufloc E® em 24 h, correspondendo, respectivamente, a 6464,49 e 3093,26 vezes mais transcritos acumulados que a amostra calibradora. O gene para β-glicosidase expressou-se em meio formulado com BCA no início do cultivo, embora a atividade desta enzima tenha ocorrido ao final do cultivo. A expressão de xilanases foi mais significativa com o uso de celulose Celufloc E® no meio de cultivo. Já o gene para swolenina apresenta um perfil de expressão com valores semelhantes em comparação ao uso de celulose Celufloc E® e BCA no meio de cultivo, apesar da presença de BCA ter proporcionado uma expressão mais tardia. Para todos os genes avaliados foram verificados valores muito reduzidos de expressão quando a glicose foi utilizada como fonte de carbono para o P. echinulatum. Observou-se ainda uma expressão coordenada de genes codificadores de endoglicanases, celobiohidrolase, β-glicosidase e swolenina. / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico, CNPq. / The strain S1M29 of Penicillium echinulatum is a filamentous fungus that presents a cellulolytic system with potential for application in the degradation process of lignocellulosic materials to obtain products of biotechnological interest, such as second-generation ethanol. The availability of lignocellulosic biomass associated with the search for alternatives to fossil fuels increases the interest in studies that involve understanding the secretion mechanisms of lignocellulolytic enzymes. In this study, P. echinulatum S1M29 was grown under inducing conditions for the production of endoglucanases, cellobiohydrolases, β-glucosidases, xylanases and swollenins. The enzyme secretion profiles were evaluated in polyacrylamide gels and the pattern of gene expression for these proteins was also assessed. It was observed that enzyme production was enhanced in the presence of cellulose Celufloc E® and sugar cane bagasse (SCB) in the culture medium compared to glucose, with the use of biomass residue providing the best yields. A similar result was obtained analyzing enzyme secretion profiles in polyacrylamide gels, suggesting the presence of constitutive endoglucanases of approximately 80 kDa. Studies with qRT-PCR revealed the presence of four genes encoding endoglucanases with distinct expression patterns, standing out an accumulation of transcripts from egl1 gene 9779.19 times higher than the calibrator sample in 24 h of growth in medium formulated with cellulose Celufloc E®. The same gene generated 1257.58 more accumulated transcripts than the reference sample in medium supplemented with SCB. Evaluation of gene expression for cellobiohydrolase yielded higher expression levels in the medium formulated with SCB in 48 h, in comparison to the medium containing cellulose Celufloc E® in 24 h, corresponding, respectively, to 6464.49 and 3093.26 more accumulated transcripts than the reference sample. The β-glucosidase gene was expressed in medium formulated with SCB at the beginning of growth, as opposed to that seen for activity of this enzyme, which occurred at the end of cultivation. The xylanase expression was more significant with the use of cellulose Celufloc E® in the culture medium. On the other hand, the gene for swollenin presents an expression profile with similar values compared to using cellulose Celufloc E® and SCB in the culture medium, although the presence of SCB has provided a later expression. Very low values of gene expression have been found for all genes evaluated when glucose was used as carbon source for P. echinulatum. A coordinated expression of endoglucanases, cellobiohydrolase, β-glucosidase and swollenin was was also verified.

Orientador: Lucia Elvira Alvares / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Biologia / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-22T18:28:57Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Grade_CarlaVermeulenCarvalho_D.pdf: 3007033 bytes, checksum: 522d9d385305f8744861d38f7dabf5aa (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013 / Resumo: A Miostatina é um regulador negativo da deposição de musculatura esquelética e mutações no gene que codifica esta proteína têm sido associadas a um aumento marcante na massa muscular de organismos vertebrados, resultado de hiperplasia e hipertrofia das fibras musculares. Nosso grupo identificou previamente o promotor basal do gene da Miostatina e análises de bioinformática revelaram a presença de sítios evolutivamente conservados para a ligação de CREB, Meis, FXR e NFY, além de um sítio TATA. No presente trabalho nós utilizamos mutagênese sítio-dirigida para gerar diversas construções delecionais que possuem um ou mais sítios mutados, e testamos sua atividade in vitro usando mioblastos C2C12 de camundongo sob condições de proliferação e diferenciação, para analisar o papel destes sítios de ligação sobre a atividade do promotor. Os resultados mostraram que FXR aparentemente não confere efeito na atividade transcricional do promotor da Miostatina em ambos os momentos analisados, indicando que o papel regulador desta proteína pode estar relacionado ao controle da expressão da Miostatina em outro tipo celular, que não o mioblasto. O NFY apresentou um papel de ativador transcricional, enquanto CREB e Meis atuaram inicialmente como repressores durante a proliferação, passando a relaxar esta repressão durante a diferenciação dos mioblastos, permitindo que a atividade do promotor aumentasse significativamente. Trabalhando juntos, estes fatores de transcrição são capazes de manter a atividade do promotor em níveis mais baixos durante a proliferação dos mioblastos e, com o início da diferenciação, a repressão é liberada, e os níveis de atividade podem aumentar. Este padrão está de acordo com o padrão de expressão dinâmico observado para a proteína da Miostatina durante o desenvolvimento da musculatura esquelética em vertebrados / Abstract: Myostatin is a negative regulator of skeletal muscle deposition and mutations in the gene that encodes this protein have been associated to a remarkable increase in skeletal muscle mass, attributable to both hyperplasia and hypertrophy. We have previously identified Myostatin's basal promoter and bioinformatic analyses revealed the presence of evolutionarily conserved binding sites for CREB, Meis, FXR and NFY, besides a TATA box. In the present study we used site-directed mutagenesis to generate several expression constructs possessing one or more mutated sites, and tested their activity in vitro using mouse C2C12 myoblasts in proliferation and differentiation conditions, to analyze the role of these sites on the activity of the promoter. The results show that FXR appears not to confer any effect on the transcriptional activity of the promoter in both conditions, indicating that the regulatory role of this protein might be involved in the control of Myostatin expression in another cell type. NFY presents a role as transcriptional activator, while CREB and Meis act initially as repressors during proliferation, releasing this repression upon differentiation, which allows the activity of the promoter to significantly increase. Working together, these transcription factors are capable of maintaining the promoter activity at lower levels during the proliferation of myoblasts and, upon differentiation, the repression is released, and activity levels can be increased. This pattern is in agreement with the dynamic expression pattern observed for Myostatin during the skeletal muscle development in vertebrates / Doutorado / Histologia / Doutor em Biologia Celular e Estrutural

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