The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), a ligand-dependent transcription factor, plays a crucial role in regulation of xenobiotic metabolism. AhR is also involved in dioxin-induced metabolic disorders and alteration of circadian rhythm. Furthermore, circadian clock disruption and metabolic dysfunction are integrally associated with each other. This study was designed to understand the mechanisms by which AhR contributes to regulation of circadian clocks, fat metabolism and glucose homeostasis. In the first aim, I have tested whether AhR interacts with the core clock gene, brain and muscle AhR nuclear translocator like-1(BMAL1), disrupting circadian locomotor output cycle kaput (CLOCK)/BMAL1 complex activity, and leading to the suppression of period1 gene (Per1) expression rhythm. My studies indicate that AhR activation by its agonists 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) and beta-naphoflavone (BNF) disrupts the rhythm and inhibits the expression of Per1 in mouse liver and hepatoma cell lines, respectively. Mechanistically, the disruption of the rhythm and the inhibition of Per1 expression occur secondary to the interaction between AhR and BMAL1, which attenuates transcriptional activity of the core clock complex CLOCK/BMAL1. These results suggest alteration of the circadian clock as a novel signaling event downstream of AhR activation. The integral relationship between the clock and metabolic function further suggest that AhR activation may cause metabolic dysfunction. In the second aim, I have tested whether AhR activation inhibits Per1 gene induction and influences circadian clock resetting through activation of JNK pathway. AhR activation by it agonists TCDD and BNF decreases light-induced phase shifts in the early night and inhibits light-induced Per1 expression in both suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) and liver. Inhibition of Per1 induction results from increased phospho-JNK induced by AhR activation. Taken together, activation of AhR disrupts circadian clock resetting which also could cause metabolic dysfunction. In the third aim, I have tested whether AhR deficiency regulates nuclear receptor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor a; (PPARa) and alters glucose homeostasis. PPARa, a clock-controlled gene (CCG) that acts as a fat metabolism sensor, is important for lipid metabolism and glucose homeostasis. AhR knockout (AhRKO or AhR-/-) mice exhibit enhanced insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance, accompanied by decreased expression of PPARa, key gluconeogenic genes, glucose-6 phosphatase (G6Pase) and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) and key fatty acid oxidation enzymes, carnitine palmitoyl transferase1b (CPT1b) and acyl-CoA oxidase (ACO). Conversely, AhR agonists increase PPARa; expression in a BMAL1-dependent manner. In addition, AhRKO mice display altered rhythm for clock genes, clock-controlled genes (CCGs) and physiological blood glucose. These data suggest that AhR may modulate the glucose homeostasis through regulation of CCGs such as PPARa and that PPARa may be an important link between the circadian clock and metabolism. In the fourth aim, I have tested the effects of AhR ablation or attenuation in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity, insulin resistance and hepatic steatosis in mice. Recent studies suggest that PPARα expression is elevated with HFD feeding as an adaptive response to attenuate hepatic steatosis, and PPARa deficiency protects against HFD-induced insulin resistance. AhR-/- as well as AhR heterozygous (AhR+/-) mice are protected from the HFD-induced obesity, insulin resistance, hepatic steatosis and show reduced inflammatory cytokine expression. In addition, AhR-/- and AhR+/- mice display protected insulin signaling, a higher adiponectin and a lower leptin and insulin in serum. Food intake and physical activity are not significantly different among WT, AhR-/- and AhR+/- mice with HFD feeding. Indirect calorimetry has demonstrated that the AhR+/- mice have higher oxygen consumption, CO2 production and heat production. In addition, Real-time PCR data show that uncoupling protein 1(Ucp1) is higher in brown adipose tissue which supports the higher heat production; moreover, the muscle gene profile reveals that the fatty acid beta-oxidation genes and mitochondrial respiratory genes are higher in AHR+/- mice which further support higher energy expenditure in these mice. Collectively, these data suggest that AhR signaling could be a potential target for treatment of obesity and type 2 diabetes, and AhR antagonist may be developed into a drug for these metabolic diseases.

CUNHA, Juliana Ribeiro. Resposta antioxidante de raízes de arroz deficientes em peroxidases de ascorbato do citosol aos estresses salino e osmótico. 2014. 73 f. Dissertação (Mestrado de Bioquímica) - Universidade Federal do Ceará, Fortaleza-CE, 2014. / Submitted by Eric Santiago (erichhcl@gmail.com) on 2016-06-01T12:29:58Z No. of bitstreams: 1 2014_dis_jrcunha.pdf: 1279314 bytes, checksum: a28bd01afc552e65a95fd7899e549097 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by José Jairo Viana de Sousa (jairo@ufc.br) on 2016-07-12T23:28:08Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 2014_dis_jrcunha.pdf: 1279314 bytes, checksum: a28bd01afc552e65a95fd7899e549097 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-07-12T23:28:08Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 2014_dis_jrcunha.pdf: 1279314 bytes, checksum: a28bd01afc552e65a95fd7899e549097 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014 / Salt and osmotic stresses are responsible for significant losses in agriculture, particularly in semiarid regions. In such conditions, roots are the first plant organ in contact with the stress and are responsible for perception and signaling. In leaves, cytosolic ascorbate peroxidases (APX) are the main isoforms involved with antioxidative defence against H2O2 excess and signaling under stressful conditions. Nevertheless, such metabolic mechanisms in roots are still unknown. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that cytosolic APX isoforms are essential to antioxidant protection in rice roots exposed to salt and osmotic stresses. To test this hypothesis, rice mutants double silenced for cytosolic APXs (APX1/2) and non-transformed plants, both with 45 day-old, were submitted to two stressful treatments: (1) NaCl and mannitol in iso-osmotic concentrations (-0.62MPa) for eight days and (2) mannitol 268 mM (-0.62MPa) for two days. In mutant plants, OsAPX1 and OsAPX2 transcript amounts (RNAs) were reduced by 90% whereas both protein abundance measured by Western blotting were not detectable. Under control conditions, total APX activity was reduced by 66% in comparison with NT plants, showing that the silencing was effective in roots. In APX1/2 roots, H2O2 level was increased by 51% as a consequence of APX1/2 silencing. Both stresses affected similarly root and shoot growing compared with NT. Membrane damage was increased at the same level in both genotypes and in both stresses, showing that APX1/2 were as sensible as NT plants. In NT roots, OsAPX1 and OsAPX2 transcript amounts was slightly increased by NaCl and mannitol whereas only NaCl increased APX activity. Under salt stress, both genotypes increased other APX isoforms, especially OsAPX3, OsAPX5 and OsAPX8. These increases were correlated with the increased APX activity. In addition, other peroxidases (GPX and GPOD) displayed the same trend as APX, increasing their activity in response to NaCl. On the other hand, mannitol induced a prominent increase in catalase activity in NT plants, while in APX1/2 plants CAT activity did not changed. The H2O2 content was increased in both genotypes exposed to mannitol treatments, and was reduced for NaCl. TBARS level was not altered in the presence of both stresses for both genotypes. This study shows that rice plants exposed to salt or osmotic stresses display complex responses regarding to redox metabolism. Apparently, both cytosolic APXs are not essential to antioxidative protection, since mutant plants presented similar physiological performance to NT plants. The responses to both stresses, NaCl and mannitol, were contrasting for both genotypes, suggesting that different mechanisms of antioxidative protection were triggered for each different stress condition. / Os estresses salino e osmótico são responsáveis por perdas significativas na produção agrícola, particularmente nas regiões semiáridas. Nessas condições, a raiz é o órgão da planta que sofre os primeiros efeitos e é responsável pela percepção e sinalização bioquímica dos estresses. Em folhas, as peroxidases do ascorbato do citosol são as principais isoformas envolvidas com a proteção antioxidativa contra o excesso de H2O2 e são também relacionadas na sinalização em condições de estresses. Entretanto, esses mecanismos de ação em raízes são pouco conhecidos. O objetivo deste estudo foi testar a hipótese de que as APXs citosólicas são essenciais para a proteção antioxidativa de raízes de arroz expostas às condições de estresse salino e osmótico. Para isso, plantas transgênicas silenciadas nas duas isoformas de APXs citosólicas (APX1/2) e plantas não transformadas (45 dias de idade) foram expostas a duas condições de estresse: (1) NaCl e manitol em concentrações iso-osmóticas (-0,62 MPa) durante oito dias e (2) manitol 268 mM (-0,62 MPa) por dois dias. Em plantas silenciadas, a quantidade de transcritos (RNAs) de OsAPX1 e OsAPX2 foi reduzida em 90% enquanto que a abundância das duas proteínas mensurada por western blotting não foi detectável. A atividade total de APX foi diminuída em 66% em comparação com as NTs na condição controle, evidenciando que o silenciamento foi efetivo nas raízes. Como consequência da deficiência das APX1/2, o nível de H2O2 foi aumentado em 51% comparado com as NTs. Ambos os estresses afetaram de modo similar o crescimento da raiz e parte aérea das APX1/2, em comparação com as plantas não transformadas (NT). Os valores de danos de membrana nas raízes foram aumentados na mesma intensidade nos dois genótipos e nos dois tipos de estresses, indicando que as APX1/2 apresentaram mesma sensibilidade aos estresses estudados. Nas plantas NT, as quantidades de transcritos de OsAPX1 e OsAPX2 foram aumentadas discretamente por NaCl e manitol enquanto que a atividade de APX foi aumentada somente pelo NaCl. As plantas APX1/2 mostraram a mesma tendência das NTs quanto a expressão e atividade de APX. O aumento na quantidade relativa dos transcritos das outras isoformas de APX, principalmente de OsAPX3, OsAPX5 e OsAPX8, em ambos os genótipos sob estresse salino, foi correlacionado com o aumento da atividade da APX. Além disso, outras peroxidases (GPX e GPOD) apresentaram a mesma tendência de aumento de atividade apenas sob estresse salino. Diferentemente, manitol induziu um aumento proeminente na atividade de catalase nas plantas NT enquanto que nas APX1/2 essa enzima já apresentava atividade aumentada antes do estresse e permaneceu no mesmo nível. As concentrações de H2O2 foram aumentadas intensamente por manitol e reduzidas na presença de NaCl. O nível de TBARS (indicador de peroxidação lipídica) foi mantido inalterado na presença dos dois estresses e nos dois tipos de plantas. Os resultados deste estudo, quando analisados em conjunto, mostram que raízes de arroz expostas aos estresses salino e osmótico exibiram respostas complexas em termos de metabolismo redox. Aparentemente, as duas APXs citosólicas não são essenciais para a proteção antioxidativa, uma vez que as plantas mutantes apresentaram uma performance fisiológica semelhante as plantas NT. As respostas aos dois fatores de estresse, NaCl e manitol, foram contrastantes nos dois genótipos, sugerindo que diferentes mecanismos de proteção antioxidante foram acionados para cada tipo de estresse.

Cette thèse de mathématiques appliquées en physiologie rénale a pour thème principal l'étude de l'homéostasie du calcium à travers le développement d'un modèle mathématique à l'échelle de l'organisme. Nous cherchons à répondre à certaines questions soulevées par les néphrologues dans le cas de pathologies impliquant la formation de calculs rénaux ou de calcifications. Nous examinons notamment les cas de l'hypercalciurie observée durant l'hyperparathyroïdie primaire dont les causes ne sont pas élucidées ainsi que les mécanismes de complexation du calcium et phosphate et notamment les conséquences d'une infusion intraveineuse de phosphate sur l'homéostasie du calcium. Notre modèle est composé d'équations différentielles décrivant la dynamique du calcium dans les compartiments impliqué dans son métabolisme (intestin, os, reins) ainsi que les mécanismes de régulation par l'hormone parathyroïdienne (PTH), la vitamine D3 et le récepteur sensible au calcium (CaSR). Ce modèle est par ailleurs couplé à un modèle de l'homéostasie du phosphate. Les résultats de ce modèle suggèrent que la présence ou non d'une hypercalciurie lors de l'hyperparathyroïdie primaire peut être expliquée par des mécanismes antagonistes dans la branche ascendante large de Henle, avec d'un côté le CaSR inhibant la réabsorption de calcium et de l'autre la PTH diminuant l'excrétion de calcium. Nous concluons que l'infusion intraveineuse de phosphate induit une hypocalcémie majeure, due principalement à la précipitation du calcium et du phosphate dans le plasma et dans l'os. En outre, cette étude suggère un retard dans l'activation de la synthèse de PTH par le phosphate. / This thesis of applied mathematics in renal physiology focuses on the study of calcium homeostasis, through the development of a mathematical model at the organism scale. This model is built based upon recent experimental studies as well as previous models in the field. We aim to answer several questions raised by nephrologists regarding diseases involving calcium stone formation or calcifications. In particular, we are interested in the origins of the hypercalciuria observed during primary hyperparathyroidism, the causes of which remain to be elucidated, the effects of bone resorption inhibition by bisphosphonates on calcium metabolism, as well as the consequences of an intravenous infusion of phosphate on calcium homeostasis. Our model is composed of differential equations describing the dynamics of calcium in the compartments involved in its metabolism (intestine, bone and kidneys), as well as complex feedback mechanisms by parathyroid hormone (PTH), vitamin D3 and the calcium sensing receptor (CaSR). Besides, this model is coupled to a phosphate homeostasis model. This model suggests that the variable presence of hypercalciuria during primary hyperparathyroidism can be explained by counteracting mechanisms in the thick ascending limb of Henle, involving on one hand the calcium sensing receptor, which inhibits calcium reabsorption, and on the other hand PTH which decreases calcium excretion. We conclude that the intravenous infusion of phosphate triggers a major hypocalcemia, mainly due to the precipitation of calcium and phosphate in both bone and plasma. Moreover, this study suggests a delay in the activation of PTH synthesis by phosphate

L'étude des formes de la nature, de leur diversité, de leur reproductibilité ainsi que de leurs origines a toujours suscité un vif intérêt et, en particulier, la forme polygonale des cellules au sein des épithéliums monocouches, depuis leur observation par Hooke en 1665. Le travail de thèse exposé à travers ce mémoire vise une meilleure compréhension de la morphogenèse de ces tissus. Pour y parvenir, trois approches ont été combinées : la biologie expérimentale du développement, l'analyse biostatistique et, principalement ici, la modélisation biomécanique et numérique. L'hypothèse d'une influence des efforts mécaniques dans l'organisation des épithéliums monocouches en formation a conduit au développement d'un modèle bidimensionnel de cellules, basé sur la physique des milieux divisés et permettant une plasticité de forme ainsi qu'une capacité de libre auto-organisation. Les simulations de morphogenèse de tissus constitués de ces cellules ont alors, d'une part, été confrontées aux observations et, d'autre part, permis de faire varier des paramètres difficilement accessibles expérimentalement, principalement ceux régissant l'évolution cellulaire ainsi que les conditions aux limites. Les résultats issus de ces simulations ont ainsi permis de corroborer ceux provenant des expérimentations : les tissus non prolifératifs sont plus organisés que les prolifératifs et l'apoptose semble jouer un rôle stabilisateur de la morphogenèse des épithéliums prolifératifs. En outre, les études numériques montrent que l'organisation des tissus non prolifératifs semble décroître quand leur vitesse de développement augmente. Par ailleurs, les tissus paraissent plus organisés avec une division et une apoptose contrôlées par des critères mécaniques plutôt que lorsque le système prolifère suivant des critères aléatoires. En conclusion, ce travail de thèse montre l'importance des interactions mécaniques dans le processus de morphogenèse épithéliale et représente une première base prometteuse pour des études futures en ce domaine (étude tridimensionnelle, structuration du cytosquelette, tissus hyperprolifératifs, etc.). / The study of natural forms, their diversity, their reproducibility and their origin has always fascinated the scientists, and particularly the polygonal form of cells in monolayer epithelia, since their observation by Hooke in 1665. The present PhD work aims to better understand tissue morphogenesis. To do so, three approaches have been combined: experimental biology, biostatistical analysis and, mainly here, biomechanical and numerical modeling. The hypothesis of the influence of mechanical efforts on the organization of forming monolayer epithelia leads to the development of a 2D cell model based on the physics of divided media, that enables form plasticity and the ability of free auto-organization. The simulations of tissue morphogenesis composed by these cells have been compared to biological observations. Besides, this approach enables the variation of parameters hardly accessible by experiments, mainly those governing the cell evolution as well as boundary conditions. Thus, the results issued from these simulations corroborate experimental data: non-proliferative tissues appear more organized than proliferative ones and apoptosis seems to be a positive regulator in morphogenetic stability. Furthermore, numerical studies show that the organization of non-proliferative tissues seems to decrease as their development speeds increase. In addition, the tissues appear more organized if the proliferation is mechanically controlled than if it is randomly governed. To conclude, this PhD work shows the importance of mechanical interactions in epithelial morphogenesis and constitutes a first promising basis for further studies in this field (3D study, cytoskeleton structuration, hyperproliferative tissue, etc.).

Orientador: Patrícia Monteiro Seraphim / Banca: Ismael Forte Freitas Júnior / Banca: Cecília Edna Mareze da Costa / Resumo: A gravidez é um período de ajustes metabólicos e, quando associado ao tabagismo provoca alterações que trazem malefícios tanto à saúde materna quanto à saúde fetal. Assim, o estudo investigou o efeito da exposição à fumaça de cigarro sobre a expressão do transportador de glicose GLUT4 e parâmetros séricos e morfométricos de ratas prenhes e sua prole. Foram utilizadas ratas Wistar divididas em: CG- controle sacrificadas após a gestação, com prole adotada pelo grupo CL; CL - controle sacrificadas após o término da lactação; FG - expostas à fumaça de cigarro até o período gestacional e sacrificadas posteriormente, com prole adotada pelo grupo FL; FG - expostas à fumaça de cigarro até o fim da amamentação e posteriormente sacrificadas. As proles foram divididas por sexo e de acordo com a exposição ou não da rata à fumaça. Foram coletados sangue e tecidos para análise de glicemia e do conteúdo gênico e protéico de GLUT4. Nas ratas expostas à fumaça de cigarro, houve redução de peso corpóreo e de tecido adiposo, aumento da glicemia e modulação do transportador GLUT4 no músculo esquelético. Nas proles, houve... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Pregnancy is a period of metabolic adjustments, and when associated with cigarette smoke causes changes both to maternal health as the fetal. The study has investigated the effect of cigarette smoke exposure on the expression of glucose transporter GLUT4 and morphometric parameters and serum of pregnant smoker rats and their offspring. Wistar rats were divided in: CG- nonsmokers sacrificed after pregnancy with offspring adopted by CL; CL - nonsmoker group sacrificed after the end of lactation; FG - smoker group sacrificed after pregnancy with offspring adopted by FL; FL - smoker sacrificed after the end of lactation. The offspring was divided by sex and according to the protocol of their mothers. Blood and tissue were collected for analysis of glucose and the content of GLUT4 gene and protein. In smoker mothers, body weight and adipose tissue were reduced, glucose level was increased, and GLUT4 expression was higher in skeletal muscle. In offspring... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

Este estudo investigou se o tratamento com glicocorticoide durante a gestação altera o metabolismo energético, hormonal e molecular materno, a função das ilhotas pancreáticas e mudanças correlativas sobre miRNAs. Foram utilizadas 80 ratas dividas em dois grupos de 40 animais, sendo um grupo destinado para envelhecimento até um ano após o desmame da prole, e o seguinte grupo destinado para experimentação no 20º dia de gestação, ambos dispostos em: CTL - controle, CTL-Dex - controle tratadas com dexametasona por 6 dias, P - prenhes e P-Dex - prenhes tratadas com dexametasona do 14º-19º dia de gestação. A expressão de miRNA das ilhotas foram analisadas em larga escala. Os genes alvos foram rastreados em banco de dados e confirmados. Por fim, investigou-se o mecanismo de modulação da homeostasia glicêmica. Inúmeras modificações resultaram da terapia com DEXA na gestação concluindo que a associação do tratamento ao período gravídico modula positivamente membros da família miRNA-29 ocasionando um desequilíbrio na homeostasia glicêmica por meio de falha na maquinaria exocitótica em longo prazo, desencadeado pela modulação negativa de progesterona e seu receptor promovendo prejuízo no processo de remodelação da ilhota pancreática na fase final da gestação. / This study investigated whether treatment with glucocorticoids during pregnancy alters the energetic, hormonal and molecular maternal metabolism, function of pancreatic islets and correlative changes of miRNAs. Were used 80 rats divided into two groups of 40 animals, one group designed to aging up one year after weaning, and the next group destined to experimentation at 20th day of gestation, both arranged: CTL - control, CTL-Dex - control treated with dexamethasone for 6 days, P - pregnant rats and P-Dex - pregnant rats treated with dexamethasone from 14th to 19th day of pregnancy. Pancreatic islets were collected for large-scale analysis of miRNA expression. The target genes were screened and confirmed by qPCR. Finally it was investigated the mechanism of modulation of glucose homeostasis through qPCR and Western Blot. We can be observed numerous changes resulting from therapy with DEXA in pregnancy concluded that the association of treatment to the pregnancy period modulates members of the miRNA-29 family causing an imbalance in glucose homeostasis through long-term failure in exocytotic machinery, triggered by the downregulation of the progesterone and its receptor promoting injury in the pancreatic islet remodeling process in late pregnancy.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:23:02Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2008-04-17Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T18:50:13Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 damineli_dsc_me_rcla.pdf: 754791 bytes, checksum: bfbdcea3d2e6e4d7e5a07ecc4b1fd915 (MD5) / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) / A estabilidade é fundamental para todos os sistemas biológicos, possibilitando que lidem com a variabilidade ambiental. As propriedades que conferem estabilidade a sistemas biológicos ainda são desconhecidas, mas evidências apontam para a complexidade da dinâmica de certas variáveis fisiológicas e para a força de interação entre elementos de suas redes organizacionais subjacentes. Esta relação foi investigada no sistema de trocas gasosas de espécies florestais tropicais, pertencentes a grupos funcionais distintos: pioneiras e não-pioneiras. O modelo de recursos múltiplos atribui maior flexibilidade fisiológica às espécies pioneiras, mas os métodos geralmente empregados não são capazes de avaliar a estabilidade de um sistema adequadamente. Este estudo foi realizado em séries temporais de trocas gasosas, onde foi possível estimar parâmetros relacionados à estabilidade do sistema. A força de interação entre elementos foi avaliada pela conectância da rede (Cg) e a complexidade da dinâmica de assimilação de CO2 (A) e condutância estomática (gs) pelo algoritmo de entropia aproximada (ApEn). Os resultados revelaram que espécies com perfil fisiológico de pioneira, em condições constantes, apresentam maior Cg e ApEn de gs, possivelmente indicando maior estabilidade. Estas espécies tiveram maior aproveitamento de pulsos de luz (“lightflecks”), o que indicou a importância da modulação de rede (mudanças na conectância) na resposta às variações ambientais, e que maior Cg pode conferir maior capacidade de controle. Além da conectância, grau de acoplamento do sistema ao ambiente foi decisivo na resposta a “sunflecks”. Os resultados sugerem que dinâmicas mais complexas estão ligadas a redes com maior conectância, que por sua vez conferem maior capacidade de controle ao sistema, sendo fundamental a capacidade de modulação da rede. / Stability is a key feature to all biological systems, enabling them to deal with environmental variability. The properties that promote stability in biological systems are still unknown, but evidences point towards the complexity of the dynamics of certain physiological variables and to the strength of interaction among elements pertaining to its underlying organizational networks. This relationship was investigated in the gasexchange system of tropical forest species, belonging to distinct functional groups: pioneer and non-pioneer. The multiple resources model attributes higher physiological flexibility to pioneer species, but the methods usually employed are not capable of properly evaluating a system’s stability. This study was carried out in gas-exchange time-series, enabling the calculation of parameters related to the system’s stability. The strength of interaction among elements was evaluated by network connectance (Cg), and the complexity of CO2 assimilation (A) and stomatal conductance (gs) dynamics was evaluated by the algorithm of Approximate Entropy (ApEn). The results revealed that, under constant conditions, species with a pioneer-like physiological profile showed higher Cg and ApEn of gs, possibly indicating greater stability. These species showed higher lightfleck use efficiency, indicating the importance of network modulation (connectance changes) in response to environmental variability, and that higher Cg could provide greater control capability. Besides connectance, the strength of coupling between system and environment was decisive in response to sunflecks. The results suggest that more complex dynamics are linked to higher network connectance, which provide greater control capability to the system, network modulation being fundamental. Also, higher coupling of the system with its environment apparently promotes stability in contexts where environmental variability occurs within the system’s control capability.

Submitted by Maike Costa (maiksebas@gmail.com) on 2017-02-17T12:43:01Z No. of bitstreams: 1 rquivo total.pdf: 1353702 bytes, checksum: 83db724c3c959a4e1d35f4040336484d (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-02-17T12:43:01Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 rquivo total.pdf: 1353702 bytes, checksum: 83db724c3c959a4e1d35f4040336484d (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-11-28 / Most organisms have circadian rhythms with a periodicity of 24-hour that are generated by an endogenous mechanism, the molecular clock, which has the ability to synchronize biological functions with environmental signals. This mechanism has fundamental importance in the homeostasis of the tissues that are under its influence. Among the genes of the molecular clock machinery, the clock and bmal are positive regulators of clock mechanism and they present sigmoid expression profile in the skeletal muscle in zebrafish (Danio rerio). CLOCK and BMAL participate on the activation of the myogenic regulatory factors (MRFs - myoD, myog, myf5 and myf6), which are important in the development and differentiation of muscle cells. Despite this knowledge, the physiological importance of circadian rhythm in skeletal muscle of fish is not known. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to produce a zebrafish transgenic lineage that expresses bmal1a constitutively in the skeletal muscle to investigate the role of the molecular clock in the muscle. The transfer rate of the transgene to offspring, effect of transgenesis in the survival and fish growth, and expression of the bmal1a, clock1a and MRFs were investigated. The founding transgenic population (F0) was obtained after microinjection, and positive larvae were observed as specimens which presented green fluorescent heart. F1 was obtained from natural crossings between F0 and NT fish. Likewise, F2 was obtained from F1. F2 transgenic and NT were used in this study. The transgenic lineage was successfully generated with 50% transmission from the transgene to the offspring following a Mendelian model. The analysis of gene expression was made by qPCR. The survival (41,4±0% F2 and 44,3±6% NT) and growth (3.7±0.1 cm F2 and 3.8±0.2 cm NT) of F2 were not statistically different from NT fish. Among the genes, clock1a and myog presented statistically significant differences between the lineages with circadian profile in NT fish, suggesting that myog may be a clock controlled genes. The other genes (bmal1a, myf5, myf6, and myoD) presented constitutive expression. In general, it can be verified that the constitutive expression of bmal1a did not present change in the expression of the molecular clock, not affecting the homeostasis of the skeletal muscle, survival and growth. / A maioria dos organismos apresentam ritmos circadianos em torno de um período de 24 horas que são gerados por um mecanismo endógeno, o relógio molecular, que tem a capacidade de sincronizar-se com sinais ambientais. Este mecanismo tem fundamental importância na homeostase dos tecidos que estão sob sua influência. Dentre os genes que compõem a maquinaria do relógio molecular os genes clock e bmal são os reguladores positivos do mecanismo desse relógio e apresentam expressão com perfil sigmoide em tecido como o músculo do peixe-zebra (Danio rerio), participando da ativação de alguns fatores regulatórios miogênicos (MRFs – myoD, myog, myf5 e myf6), os quais possuem importância para o desenvolvimento e diferenciação do músculo. Apesar deste conhecimento, não se sabe a importância fisiológica do ritmo de expressão circadiana no músculo esquelético de peixes. Neste sentido, o objetivo desse estudo foi investigar a taxa de transferência do transgene para a prole; se a transgenia para o gene bmal1a no músculo esquelético interferiu na sobrevivência e crescimento dos peixes; e avaliar se a expressão dos genes bmal1a, clock1a e MRFs apresentaram diferenças na linhagem transgênica comparada à linhagem não-transgênica (NT). Os fundadores (F0) foram obtidos após a microinjeção do plasmídeo e as larvas positivas foram observadas com coração verde fluorescente. A F1 foi obtida a partir de cruzamentos entre peixes F0 e NT. Da mesma forma, F2 foi obtida a partir da F1, os quais foram utilizados no presente estudo. A análise da expressão gênica das linhagens aos 11 meses de idade foi realizada utilizando a técnica qPCR. A linhagem transgênica foi gerada com sucesso, transmitindo o transgene para a prole seguindo a herança mendeliana. A sobrevivência e crescimento da prole F2 não apresentaram diferenças entre as linhagens, sendo 41,4±0% para a linhagem transgênica e 44,3±6% NT até 30 dpf e 3.7±0.1 cm transgênicos e 3.8±0.2 cm para NT aos 11 meses de idade, respectivamente. Dentre os genes, o clock1a e o myog apresentaram diferenças estatisticamente significativas entre as linhagens com perfil circadiano em peixes NT, sugerindo que myog seja um gene controlado pelo relógio. Os demais genes apresentaram expressão constitutiva. De um modo geral, pode-se verificar que a expressão constitutiva do bmal1a não apresentou alteração na expressão do relógio molecular, desta forma, não afetou a homeostasia do organismo, a sobrevivência das larvas, bem como não afetou o crescimento.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:30:17Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2003-02Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T18:47:31Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 fariafilho_de_me_jabo.pdf: 794969 bytes, checksum: caaa709107ba7fdc6ca989fe83628fea (MD5) / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) / Foram conduzidos dois experimentos com o objetivo de avaliar a utilização de dietas com baixo teor protéico, formuladas usando o conceito de proteína ideal, para frangos de corte de 7 a 21 dias (experimento 1) e de 21 a 42 dias (experimento 2) criados em diferentes temperaturas. Foram utilizados 900 e 720 frangos machos para os experimentos 01 e 02 respectivamente, da linhagem Cobb-500, distribuídos em um delineamento inteiramente ao acaso em esquema fatorial 3 x 3, com os fatores: níveis de proteína bruta (uma dieta controle e duas com redução protéica de 1,5 e 3,0% em relação a dieta controle) e temperaturas ambiente (fria, termoneutra e quente), totalizando nove tratamentos com quatro repetições cada. Foram avaliados o desempenho, rendimento de carcaça e de cortes comerciais, percentagem de gordura abdominal, temperaturas superficiais e cloacal e a perda de calor por radiação. No experimento 1 a redução do teor protéico prejudicou o desempenho dos frangos independente da temperatura, enquanto que no experimento 2 a redução da proteína bruta foi prejudicial somente para a temperatura quente. O desempenho foi reduzido pelas temperaturas quente e fria (experimento 1) e quente (experimento 2). A redução protéica aumentou a deposição de gordura abdominal das aves em ambos os experimentos. A temperatura quente proporcionou maior rendimento de carcaça, de coxa+sobrecoxa e de asas, enquanto o rendimento de peito foi reduzido. A gordura abdominal aumentou com a elevação da temperatura somente no experimento 1. Nos dois experimentos, as temperaturas superficial e cloacal aumentaram com a elevação da temperatura ambiente, e a perda de calor por radiação diminuiu, enquanto que os níveis de proteína não afetaram a homeostase térmica das aves. / Two experiments were carried out to evaluate the use of low-protein diets, formulated on ideal protein concept, for broilers from 7 to 21 days (experiment 1), and from 21 to 42 days (experiment 2) reared under different environmental temperatures. Nine hundred (experiment 1), and seventy hundred and twenty (experiment 2) male broilers of Cobb-500 strain were randomly housed in a 3 x 3 factorial arrangement: crude protein levels (a control diet, and two other diets with reductions of 1,5 and 3,0% of the protein level from control diet), and environmental temperatures (cold, thermoneutral, and hot) resulting in nine treatments with four replicates each. Performance, carcass and part yields, abdominal fat deposition, surface and cloacal temperatures, and heat loss by radiation were evaluated. Low-protein diets impaired broiler performance irrespective the environment temperature in experiment 1, while the performance was reduced only when low-protein diets were fed at hot temperature in experiment 2. Performance was reduced by cold and hot temperature (experiment 1) and hot temperature (experiment 2). Low-protein diets increased the abdominal fat deposition in both experiments. Hot temperatures improved carcass, thigh+drumstick, and wing yields, while breast yield was reduced. Abdominal fat (experiment 1), and surface and cloacal temperatures (experiments 1 e 2) increased as environmental temperature was increased, while heat loss by radiation decreased. There was no effect of protein levels on thermal homeostasis of broilers.

abstract: The ability to tolerate bouts of oxygen deprivation varies tremendously across the animal kingdom. Adult humans from different regions show large variation in tolerance to hypoxia; additionally, it is widely known that neonatal mammals are much more tolerant to anoxia than their adult counterparts, including in humans. Drosophila melanogaster are very anoxia-tolerant relative to mammals, with adults able to survive 12 h of anoxia, and represent a well-suited model for studying anoxia tolerance. Drosophila live in rotting, fermenting media and a result are more likely to experience environmental hypoxia; therefore, they could be expected to be more tolerant of anoxia than adults. However, adults have the capacity to survive anoxic exposure times ~8 times longer than larvae. This dissertation focuses on understanding the mechanisms responsible for variation in survival from anoxic exposure in the genetic model organism, Drosophila melanogaster, focused in particular on effects of developmental stage (larval vs. adults) and within-population variation among individuals. Vertebrate studies suggest that surviving anoxia requires the maintenance of ATP despite the loss of aerobic metabolism in a manner that prevents a disruption of ionic homeostasis. Instead, the abilities to maintain a hypometabolic state with low ATP and tolerate large disturbances in ionic status appear to contribute to the higher anoxia tolerance of adults. Furthermore, metabolomics experiments support this notion by showing that larvae had higher metabolic rates during the initial 30 min of anoxia and that protective metabolites were upregulated in adults but not larvae. Lastly, I investigated the genetic variation in anoxia tolerance using a genome wide association study (GWAS) to identify target genes associated with anoxia tolerance. Results from the GWAS also suggest mechanisms related to protection from ionic and oxidative stress, in addition to a protective role for immune function. / Dissertation/Thesis / Results of GWAS for Adults Exposed to 6 H of Anoxia / Results of GWAS for Larvae Exposed to 1 H of Anoxia / Doctoral Dissertation Evolutionary Biology 2018