S. thermophilus est une bactérie largement employée dans la fabrication des produits laitiers. La capacité des souches de S. thermophilus à générer des peptides bioactifs à partir des caséines bovines a été étudiée. Dix souches exprimant différemment la protéase de surface, PrtS, ont été incubées en présence de la caséine [alpha]s1, [alpha]s2 ou [bêta]. Le nombre et le type de peptides libérés dépendent de la souche utilisée. Des peptides connus comme des peptides bioactifs ont été détectés : 13 peptides ont été générés à partir de la caséine [bêta], 5 peptides à partir de la caséine [alpha]s2 et 2 peptides à partir de la caséine [alpha]s1. L'utilisation de cette bactérie pour la production de tels peptides dans l'aliment requiert qu'elle en internalise le moins possible. Nous nous sommes intéressés aux systèmes de transport de peptides présents au sein de l'espèce S. thermophilus. Une collection de 22 souches de S. thermophilus a été choisie pour étudier la variabilité des systèmes de transport des peptides présents au sein de l'espèce. Toute d'abord, la proximité phylogénétique entre les souches a été évaluée par MLST, puis la variabilité génétique du système de transport des oligopeptides Ami et du transporteur de di- et tripeptides DtpT a été étudiée au sein de cette collection. Un cluster, composé de 4 gènes, annoté en tant que transporteur ABC de peptides et de nickel a été détecté au sein du génome de la souche LMD-9, et appelé Ots. Il est présent chez 9 sur 22 souches de S. thermophilus et est transcrit tout au long de la croissance en milieu M17. La caractérisation du système Ots suggère qu'il est impliqué dans l'internalisation de peptides de petites tailles / S. thermophilus is a widely used bacterium in the manufacture of dairy products. The capacity of S. thermophilus to generate bioactive peptides from bovine caseins was studied. Ten strains expressing different levels of the cell envelope protease, PrtS, were incubated with [alpha]s1-, [alpha]s2- or [beta]-casein. Number and type of peptides released were strain-dependent. Peptides known as bioactive peptides were detected: 13 peptides were generated from [beta]-casein, 5 peptides from [alpha]s2-casein and 2 peptides from [alpha]s1-casein. The use of this bacterium for the production of such peptides in the food products requires the least internalization of these peptides by this bacterium. We were interested in knowing the peptide transport system present in the species S. thermophilus. A collection of 22 strains of S. thermophilus was chosen to study the genetic variability of peptide transport systems present within the species. First of all, we evaluated the phylogenetic proximity between selected strains by MLST, and then the genetic variability of the transport system of oligopeptides Ami and di- and tripeptides transporter, DtpT were studied in this collection. A cluster consisting of four genes, annotated as ABC transporter of peptides and nickel was detected in the genome of strain LMD-9, and called Ots. It is present in 9 of 22 strains of S. thermophilus and is transcribed throughout the growth in M17 medium. The Ots system seems to be involved in the internalization of smaller sized peptides

Methicillin-resistenta Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) som bär på genen mecA, har förekommit och spridit sig över hela världen, främst i sjukhusmiljö, och orsakat utbrott av vårdrelaterade (så kallade nosokomiala) infektioner. Dessa infektioner kan inte behandlas med stafylokock-penicilliner och MRSA-bakterierna är ofta resistenta även mot flera andra grupper av antibiotika vilket medför att infektionerna ofta är påtagligt svårbehandlade. Under senare år har emellertid allt fler fall beskrivits av samhällsförvärvad MRSA infektion, det vill säga uppträdande av MRSA hos personer som tidigare ej har haft kontakt med sjukhusvård eller behandlats med antibiotika. Det har länge varit oklart om de samhällsförvärvade MRSA [community-acquired (CA-MRSA)] representerar spridning av bakterier från sjukhusmiljön ut till samhället eller om dessa MRSA är spontant uppträdande. Många av dessa stammar har dessutom visat sig bära på sjukdomsrelaterade gener som vanligen inte återfinns hos S. aureus, t.ex. Panton Valentine leukocidin (PVL) som associeras med hudinfektioner och allvarlig lunginflammation med hög dödlighet hos unga och annars friska individer. Denna avhandling beskriver den molekylära epidemiologin hos MRSA med fokus på samhällsförvärvade MRSA som utgjorde mer än hälften av samtliga fall av MRSA i Örebro län och som dessutom ofta producerade PVL toxinet, vars funktion vidare analyserades i detalj. Undersökning av ursprung och släktskap hos samtliga MRSA som isolerats i Örebro län, samt karaktärisering av det genetiskt element som kallas staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) vilket innehåller genen mecA och ibland även andra resistensgener, visade att CA-MRSA inte är relaterade till de nosokomiala MRSA, och att dessa har uppstått oberoende av varandra. Flertalet MRSA visade sig dessutom bära på SCCmec, och resistensmekanismer, som tidigare inte beskrivits. Troligen har dessa MRSA uppstått genom ett genetiskt utbyte av SCCmec mellan methicillin-resistenta koagulas-negativa stafylokocker (MR-KNS), som utgör huvudparten av normalfloran på huden, och methicillin-känsliga S. aureus som därvid erhåller genen mecA och resistensmekanismer mot samtliga stafylokockantibiotika. I den här avhandlingen framläggs bevis för att ett sådant genetiskt utbyte har skett på Barnkliniken på Universitetssjukhuset i Örebro i slutet på 1990-talet, vilket resulterade i uppkomsten av en ny klon av MRSA som därefter orsakade ett allvarligt utbrott. Kartläggning av DNA-sekvensen hos flertalet unika SCCmec från svenska MRSA gav dessutom en bättre förståelse för hur resistens uppkommer och sprider sig, samt mekanismerna bakom detta. Dessa nya kunskaper kan bidra till en förbättrad diagnostik av MRSA. Detta är framför allt av stor betydelse eftersom nya effektiva kloner av MRSA verkar kunna uppstå ute i samhället med potential att orsaka svårbehandlade infektioner men även att sprida sig bland den friska befolkningen. / Material and methods - During a period of 14 years, around 2000 patients with head injuries were admitted to the emergency ward at Lindesberg County Hospital and Örebro Medical Centre Hospital. Six hundred subjects suffered from skull fracture and/or brain contusion and diagnosis was established using a computed tomography scan (CT). The degree of initial brain injury was estimated using the Swedish Reaction Level Scale (RLS). Sixty-six subjects were investigated with pure tone audiometry in close proximity to the trauma, and this gave an opportunity to study the issue of progress. The investigation took place two to 14 years after trauma, and the results were compared to matched control groups. A battery of different audiological methods was used to investigate peripheral and central auditory function, and a specially designed acoustic environmental room was also utilized. Cognition was investigated using a computer-based test-battery, text information process system (TIPS). Self-assessed hearing, cognition and quality of life were explored using different questionnaires. Results - A high percentage of peripheral and central auditory impairments and also cognitive shortcomings were demonstrated. Progress of SNHL was a common finding, and fracture, high age at trauma and large initial hearing loss predicted progress. Antibody-mediated autoimmunity as a mechanism behind posttraumatic progress of SNHL or clear evidence for sympathetic cochleolabyrinthitis could not be demonstrated. Binaural auditory deficits could be demonstrated when tested in a realistic acoustic environment. Tinnitus, vertigo and memory shortcomings proved to be common sequelae, even in a long-term perspectiveCognitive shortcomings were found in several of these well-rehabilitated subjects.On a group level, there was a good correlation between self-assessments and audiometric results, even if some individuals had a tendency to over- or underestimate their abilities. Conclusion - Auditory and cognitive long-term sequelae of CHI are a common finding even in well-rehabilitated and socially well-functioning subjects, as are vertigo and tinnitus. Vertigo and tinnitus are also common sequelae after CHI, therefore a basic audiovestibular investigation after CHI is recommended, at least in selected cases.Early awareness of the risk for hearing and cognitive sequelae after CHI could lead to measurements taken to prevent tension-related symptoms.Early detection of HI offers an opportunity to try immunosuppressive treatment in cases with a large initial SNHL.

An exogenous retrovirus (XRV) that integrates into a germ cell may be inherited as a Mendelian gene; it becomes an endogenous retrovirus (ERV). The human genome consists of up to 8% HERVs. The gammaretroviral (ERV class I) HERV-H, with 926 members, is the largest ERV group. Despite millions of years since integration, it has polymorphic envelope open reading frames in at least three loci. Selections for functional envelopes are indicated on chromosomes 1 and 2. However, envelopes were present only in a fraction of the total HERV-H. Mutated polymerases, indicating old ERVs, contradicted relatively intact long terminal repeats. To explain this, we formulated a “Midwife” element theory where proteins are complemented in trans. A phylogenetic analysis did not support separate HERV-H and -F groups. The new taxonomy included HERV-H like (RGH2-like and RTVLH2-like subgroups) and Adjacent HERV-H like. A bioinformatic reconstruction of a putative ancestral HERV-H exposed novel traits. Two nucleocapsid zinc fingers and a pronounced nucleotide bias for C in the HERV-H like were unique among the gammaretroviruses. Two recently integrated gammaretroviral groups (PtNeo-I[PTERV1] and -II) were found in chimpanzees but not in humans. The PtNeo groups were most similar to baboon ERVs and a macaque sequence, but neither to other chimpanzee nor to any human gammaretroviruses. The pattern was consistent with cross-species transfer via predation. To advance the retroviral taxonomy, we projected structural markers over sequence phylogenetic trees. A number of markers were useful to distinguish between genera and to delineate groups. Basic retroviral knowledge is vital to understand emerging infections. Phylogenetic analyses of taxonomically improved sequences, facilitates the search for common retroviral denominators to target. This thesis provided new insights in retroviral evolution and taxonomy using the ERVs, with special focus on the large gammaretroviral HERV-H group, as an additional source of information next to that of XRVs.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:32:14Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2009-03-06Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T19:42:42Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 setta_n_dr_sjrp.pdf: 1404480 bytes, checksum: e8ca57a6c89dd8308471f12f028ecfe8 (MD5) / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) / O gênero Zaprionus tem sido eleito como um bom modelo biológico para estudos genéticocomparativos com as espécies do subgrupo melanogaster do gênero Drosophila, embora seu posicionamento filogenético dentro da família Drosophilidae ainda seja controverso. Na presente Tese foi investigada a presença de 10 elementos de transposição (TEs) em Zaprionus indianus e Drosophila malerkotliana, bem como a distribuição, a atividade transcricional e as relações evolutivas de três retrotransposons (copia, gypsy e micropia) em sete espécies do gênero Zaprionus. Para isso, foram empregadas as técnicas de Dot blot, PCR, RT-PCR e seqüenciamento. As seqüências obtidas foram comparadas às dos respectivos elementos das demais espécies de drosofilídeos disponíveis nas bases de dados genômicas. Os resultados indicam que Z. indianus e D. malerkotliana apresentam em seus genomas todos os TEs de D. melanogaster investigados. O retrotransposon copia foi seqüenciado e está transcricionalmente ativo nas sete espécies do gênero Zaprionus e constitui uma nova subfamília relacionada aos elementos do subgrupo melanogaster, que foi denominada subfamília GBFDouble-gap. Por outro lado, os retrotransposons gypsy e micropia foram identificados nas espécies do subgênero Zaprionus, onde também estão transcricionalmente ativos, e pertencem às subfamílias já descritas para as espécies do subgrupo melanogaster. As análises evolutivas sugeriram que esses três retrotransposons devem ter participado de eventos de transferência horizontal com as espécies do subgrupo melanogaster e com pelo menos um doador desconhecido, no caso do retrotransposon micropia. Além disso, o cálculo dos tempos de divergência dos elementos sugere que eles passaram por ondas de transferências horizontais, mais antigas para o retrotransposon copia, e mais recentes para gypsy e micropia. Esses resultados... / The Zaprionus genus has been elected as a good biological model for comparative analyses with the melanogaster subgroup of Drosophila genus, though its phylogenetic positioning within the Drosophilidae family is still controversial. This study aiming at investigating the occurrence of 10 transposable elements (TEs) in Zaprionus indianus and Drosophila malerkotliana species, as well the distribution, transcriptional activity and evolutionary relationships of three retrotransposons (copy, gypsy and micropia) in seven species of Zaprionus genus. To do so, Dot blot, PCR, RT-PCR and sequencing methods were employed. The Zaprionus sequences obtained were compared with the drosophilid sequences available in genomic databases. The results indicated that Z. indianus and D. malerkotliana harbor all D. melanogaster TEs investigated. The copia retrotransposon is present and transcriptionally active in seven species of the Zaprionus genus and represents a new subfamily related to that of the melanogaster subgroup, named as GBFDouble-gap subfamily. Additionally, gypsy and micropia retrotransposons were identified in the Zaprionus species subgenus, which are transcriptionally active and belong to the melanogaster subgroup subfamilies. The evolutionary analysis showed the three retrotransposons could have been involved in horizontal transfer events with species of the melanogaster subgroup for the three retrotransposons and at least one unknown donor regarding to micropia retrotransposon. Moreover, the time of divergence seems to indicate that the retrotransposons experienced horizontal transfer waves, the oldest involving the copia element followed by the gypsy and micropia retrotransposons in more recent times. These results suggest that the horizontal transfer phenomenon has happened repeatedly during the Zaprionus genus and melanogaster subgroup evolution in the Afrotropical region.

Resumo: O gênero Zaprionus tem sido eleito como um bom modelo biológico para estudos genéticocomparativos com as espécies do subgrupo melanogaster do gênero Drosophila, embora seu posicionamento filogenético dentro da família Drosophilidae ainda seja controverso. Na presente Tese foi investigada a presença de 10 elementos de transposição (TEs) em Zaprionus indianus e Drosophila malerkotliana, bem como a distribuição, a atividade transcricional e as relações evolutivas de três retrotransposons (copia, gypsy e micropia) em sete espécies do gênero Zaprionus. Para isso, foram empregadas as técnicas de Dot blot, PCR, RT-PCR e seqüenciamento. As seqüências obtidas foram comparadas às dos respectivos elementos das demais espécies de drosofilídeos disponíveis nas bases de dados genômicas. Os resultados indicam que Z. indianus e D. malerkotliana apresentam em seus genomas todos os TEs de D. melanogaster investigados. O retrotransposon copia foi seqüenciado e está transcricionalmente ativo nas sete espécies do gênero Zaprionus e constitui uma nova subfamília relacionada aos elementos do subgrupo melanogaster, que foi denominada subfamília GBFDouble-gap. Por outro lado, os retrotransposons gypsy e micropia foram identificados nas espécies do subgênero Zaprionus, onde também estão transcricionalmente ativos, e pertencem às subfamílias já descritas para as espécies do subgrupo melanogaster. As análises evolutivas sugeriram que esses três retrotransposons devem ter participado de eventos de transferência horizontal com as espécies do subgrupo melanogaster e com pelo menos um doador desconhecido, no caso do retrotransposon micropia. Além disso, o cálculo dos tempos de divergência dos elementos sugere que eles passaram por ondas de transferências horizontais, mais antigas para o retrotransposon copia, e mais recentes para gypsy e micropia. Esses resultados... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: The Zaprionus genus has been elected as a good biological model for comparative analyses with the melanogaster subgroup of Drosophila genus, though its phylogenetic positioning within the Drosophilidae family is still controversial. This study aiming at investigating the occurrence of 10 transposable elements (TEs) in Zaprionus indianus and Drosophila malerkotliana species, as well the distribution, transcriptional activity and evolutionary relationships of three retrotransposons (copy, gypsy and micropia) in seven species of Zaprionus genus. To do so, Dot blot, PCR, RT-PCR and sequencing methods were employed. The Zaprionus sequences obtained were compared with the drosophilid sequences available in genomic databases. The results indicated that Z. indianus and D. malerkotliana harbor all D. melanogaster TEs investigated. The copia retrotransposon is present and transcriptionally active in seven species of the Zaprionus genus and represents a new subfamily related to that of the melanogaster subgroup, named as GBFDouble-gap subfamily. Additionally, gypsy and micropia retrotransposons were identified in the Zaprionus species subgenus, which are transcriptionally active and belong to the melanogaster subgroup subfamilies. The evolutionary analysis showed the three retrotransposons could have been involved in horizontal transfer events with species of the melanogaster subgroup for the three retrotransposons and at least one unknown donor regarding to micropia retrotransposon. Moreover, the time of divergence seems to indicate that the retrotransposons experienced horizontal transfer waves, the oldest involving the copia element followed by the gypsy and micropia retrotransposons in more recent times. These results suggest that the horizontal transfer phenomenon has happened repeatedly during the Zaprionus genus and melanogaster subgroup evolution in the Afrotropical region. / Orientador: Cláudia Márcia Aparecida Carareto / Coorientador: Marie Anne Van Sluys / Banca: Hermione Elly Melara de Campos Bicudo / Banca: Maria Magdalena Rossi / Banca: Galina Ananina / Banca: Elgion da Silva Loreto / Doutor

Chez les mammifères, les cellules apoptotiques peuvent être complètement dégradées par des cellules phagocytaires spécialisées ou servir de vecteur d'ADN Le transfert d'oncogènes via les cellules apoptotiques aboutit à la transformation des cellules receveuses uniquement si celles-ci sont déficientes en p53. Sachant que Fniicogène E6 des papillomavirus humains (HPV) à haut risque induit la dégradation de p53, il est concevable que son transfert par la cellule apoptotique soit à l'origine d'un mécanisme alternatif de carcinogenèse associée aux HPV. Afin de confirmer cette hypothèse, l'apoptose de cellules dérivées de cancer du col de l'utérus, abriiam ou non des séquences d'HPV, a été induite. En collaboration avec l'équipe de Patrick Sandoz du laboratoire d'optique de FEMTO-ST, nous avons adapté leur inicr;système référencé en position à l'observation automatisée de Finternalisation des cellules apoptotiques. Nous avons aussi déterminé que les cellules apoptotiques son! phagocytées par les fîbroblastes quel que soit leur statut virologique. Seules les cellules apoptotiques dérivées de cellules abritant de l'ADN d'HPV transforment les cellules receveuses. L'expression de l'ADN viral, dont E6, dans les fîbroblastes transformés ainsi que la perte d'expression des protéines p53 et p21 suggère que les oncogènes d'HPV pourraient être à l'origine de la transformation. Les résultats présentés dans ces travaux mettent en évidence un nouveau mécanisme de carcinogenèse associée aux HPV via la phagocytose des cellules apoptotiques, potentiellement impliqué dans la transformation de cellules primaires et la progression des tumeurs associées aux HPV. / Apoptotic cells in mammals may be completely degraded by specialized phagocytic cells or serve as a DNA vector. The oncogene transfer via apoptotic cells leads to the transformation of récipient cells but only when they are p53 deficient. As the E6 oncogene of high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) leads to p53 dégradation, its transfer from apoptotic cells may be the cause of an alternative mechanism of HPV-associated carcinogenesis. To confirm this hypothesis, we induced apoptosis of cervical cancer cells that may harbor HPV sequences. In collaboration with Patrick Sandoz's team at the FEMTO-ST optical laboratory, we used their position-referenced microsystem for the automated observation of apoptotic cell internalization. We also found that apoptotic cells are phagocytized by fibroblasts regardless of their virological status. Only apoptotic cells from cells harboring HPV DNA transform recipient cells. Viral DNA expression, including E6, in transformed fibroblasts and the loss of p53 and p21 protein expression suggest that HPV oncogènes may cause transformation. These results highlight a new mechanism of HPV-associated carcinogenesis via apoptotic cell phagocytosis. This mechanism may be involved in thé transformation of primary cells and the progression of HPV-associated tumors.

Doctor of Philosophy / Department of Entomology / Ludek Zurek / House fly (Musca domestica L.) larvae develop in decaying organic substrates such as animal manure and adult flies likely play an important role in the ecology of fecal bacteria, including potentially virulent strains. House fly larval development strictly depends on an active bacterial community in the habitat. Although the principle of this symbiosis is not well understood, this association plays a fundamental role in transmission of microbes by this insect. In this study, enterococci were chosen as a model organism to assess the role of house flies in dissemination of multi-drug resistant bacteria in the agricultural environment. House flies (FF) and cattle manure (FM) from a cattle feedlot (frequent use of antibiotics) and house flies (BF) and manure of the American bison (BM) from the Konza Prairie Nature Preserve (no antibiotic use) were collected and analyzed. Results showed a significantly higher prevalence of enterococci resistant to tetracycline and erythromycin in FM and FF compared to that of BF and BM. Enterococcal diversity did not indicate the house fly development in manure in the corresponding habitats but the antibiotic resistance data showed very similar profiles among isolates from flies and corresponding locations. Resistance genes (tetM, tetS, tetO, ermB) and the conjugative transposon Tn916 were the most commonly detected determinants from resistant isolates from both environments. The house fly digestive tract was evaluated for the potential for horizontal transfer of antibiotic resistance genes among Enterococcus faecalis. Horizontal transfer of the pCF10 plasmid with the tetracycline resistance gene (tetM) occurred in the fly digestive tract with a transfer rate up to 101 T/D. In addition, eight enterococcal species were selected to evaluate their role and survival during house fly development. Overall, the survival rate (egg to adult) was significantly higher with E. hirae, E. durans and E. avium compared to other strains. These results indicate: a) house flies play an important role in the ecology of antibiotic resistant enterococci; b) the house fly digestive tract provides conditions for horizontal gene transfer among enterococci, and c) enterococci support the house fly development and can colonize the gut of newly emerging adult flies.