CHAPER I: Through a review of the literature, this article discusses the genetic mechanisms that control tooth morphogenesis. Emphasis is placed upon the structure and function of some key molecules that participate in interactions between its epithelial-mesenchimal components. In this paper we will can understand the mechanisms that control tooth morphogenesis and the dentistry should pay special attention to possible consequences of tooth number anomalies. CHAPER II: The analysis of DNA is widely employed in the genetic studies. Human DNA in most cases is performed with samples obtained from peripheral blood. The use of buccal epithelial cells as a source of DNA for PCR amplifications has several advantages over blood sampling. In the present study our objective was to standardize DNA extraction from an oral swab, using a simple method. To test DNA quality, we amplified the exons 2 of MSX1 gene and the promoter region of LEF1 gene to patients with hypodontia. In conclusion, we standardized a simple DNA. extraction of oral cells, which presented lower costs and faster results, indicating to that DNA from oral brushes/swabs are a reliable source for genetic studies. The quantity and quality of extracted DNA was shown to be adequate for PCR and polymorphism analyses. CHAPER III: Hypodontia, the congenital absence of one or a few teeth, is one of the most common alterations of the human dentition. The most common permanent missing teeth are the third molars, second premolars, and maxillary lateral incisors. Although hypodontia does not represent a serious public health problem, it may cause masticatory and speech dysfunctions and esthetic problems. In human the participation of MSX1 gene in craniofacial development have been evidenced by the studes that showed mutations in this gene. Hypodontia were shown to be caused by mutations in the MSX1 gene in human however, the mutation in the MSX1 gene cannot explain all types of tooth agenesis. Our data suggest that polymorphisms in MSX1 gene are associated with hypodontia. / CAPITULO I: Este artigo apresenta uma revisão bibliográfica sobre as evidências mais atuais sobre os aspectos genéticos da formação dos dentes. São abordadas nesse artigo as principais moléculas envolvida na interação epitélio-mesênquima, responsável pela formação da estrutura dental. O objetivo é contribuir para um melhor entendimento da expressão genética envolvida na formação do dente, bem como auxiliar na prática odontológica, procurando despertar a atenção do profissional para o conhecimento científico e facilitar assim a identificação de possíveis problemas relacionados à formação dos elementos dentais. CAPITULO II: A análise do DNA é largamente usada em estudos genéticos. O DNA humano, em muitos casos, é obtido através de amostras de sangue periférico. O uso de células descamadas da mucosa oral, como fonte de DNA para amplificação por PCR, tem apresentado muitas vantagens. Nesse estudo, nosso objetivo foi padronizar extração de DNA de células obtidas da mucosa oral, usando um novo método. Para testar a qualidade do DNA, nós amplificamos o segundo éxon do gene MSX1 em pacientes com hipodontia. Criamos um novo método de extração de DNA através de células da mucosa oral, que apresenta baixo custo e rápidos resultados, indicando que o DNA dessas células,quando extraídos por essa técnica, é suficiente para estudos genéticos. O DNA extraído mostrou-se adequado em quantidade e qualidade, para estudos de PCR e análises de polimorfismos. CAPITULO III: Hipodontia, a ausência congênita de dentes, é uma das alterações mais comuns na dentição humana. Vários dentes podem estar ausentes porém, os mais comuns são os terceiros molares, segundo pré-molares e incisivos laterais superiores. Embora essa alteração de número não represente um problema de saúde pública, ela pode causar disfunções mastigatórias e problemas estéticos graves. Nos humanos, o papel do gene MSX1 no desenvolvimento crânio facial tem sido esclarecido em estudos que identificaram mutações nesses genes, associadas a alterações da normalidade. Mutações-polimorfismos no gene MSX1 têm sido relatadas como responsáveis pela agenesia dental, no entanto, mutações neste gene não explicam todas as formas dessa alteração. Nossos resultados sugerem que polimorfismos no gene MSX1 estão associados com a hipodontia. / Doutor em Genética e Bioquímica

Chez le fœtus de rat, en fin de gestation, le taux de glucocorticoïdes (GC) fœtal présente un pic de secrétion entre le 16ème et le 20ème jour de la vie embryonnaire, phénomène concomitant à l'apparition des centres d'ossification du 17ème au 19ème jour de gestation pour le calvaria et pour le septum nasal, respectivement. Dans le cartilage, les GC modulent l'effet des facteurs insulino-mimétiques (IGF-I et -II) par des mécanismes complexes et mal définis, auxquels nous nous sommes intéressés. Nos résultats montrent que les GC, en concentrations physiologiques, peuvent induire la biominéralisation des matrices extracellulaires des chondrocytes de septum nasal et des ostéoblastes du calvaria de fœtus du rat en culture primaire (augmentation de la phosphatase alcaline, du dépôt minéral, des GAG et du Co I). Dans le septum nasal, cette induction est liée à une régulation différentielle des IGFBP et de leurs fragments de dégradation. Les mécanismes moléculaires gouvernant la différenciation des structures craniofaciales par les GC, en particulier, la régulation des homéogènes de la famille Msx et Dlx par cette hormone, sont peu connus. Une partie de notre travail a donc consisté à décrypter l'effet des GC sur l'expression des gènes Msx-2, Dlx-5 et Runx-2 au cours de la minéralisation de calvaria de fœtus du rat. Nos résultats indiquent que les GC induisent, in vitro et in vivo, dans le calvaria de fœtus de rat, l'expression des homéogènes Msx-2, Dlx5 et du gène maître Runx-2, nécessaires à l'induction d'un marqueur fonctionnel de la biominéralisation, l'ostéocalcine. Dans notre laboratoire, l'implication du gène Msx-1 lors de l'amélogenèse et de la dentinogenèse ainsi que la présence d'un ARN antisens naturel de ce gène ont été montrées chez la souris. Nous avons mis en évidence un homologue de cet ARN AS chez le rat. Nos résultats montrent que ce dernier est exprimé au cours de la biominéralisation du calvaria de fœtus de rat, et permettront d'une part de poursuivre l'étude du rôle de cet ARN AS dans des modèles in vitro et in vivo, et d'autre part, d'aborder les mécanismes d'action de cet ARN AS.

<p>This dissertation explains why behavioral genetic research can be better informed by using characteristics in the human iris as biomarkers for personality, and is divided into five parts. Part I gives an introduction to the classical twin method and an overview of the findings that have led most developmental researchers to recognize that the normal variation of personality depends on a complex interplay between genetic and environmental factors. Part II highlights empirical findings that during the last twenty years have gradually moved genetic and environmental theory and research to evolve toward one another, and also presents the theory of genetics and experience that currently is used to explain how the interplay between genes and the environment works. Part III explains why, from a developmental perspective, it is of interest to identify candidate genes for personality, and gives a brief overview of genes that have been associated with personality. Problems associated with genetic research on the molecular level and how these apply to personality are also highlighted. Part IV examines molecular research on the iris and the brain, which suggests that genes expressed in the iris could be associated with personality, and explains how the use of iris characteristics can increase power to test candidate genes for personality by taking advantage of the self-organizing properties of the nervous system. The empirical foundation for the questions posed in this dissertation and also the empirical results are presented here. Part V discusses the associations found between iris characteristics and personality, and exemplifies how iris characteristics can be used within the theoretical frameworks presented in parts I, II, III and IV. In other words, Part V explains how iris characteristics – in addition to identify as well as test candidate genes for personality – can be used to investigate how people’s experiences in themselves are influenced by genetic factors.</p>

This dissertation explains why behavioral genetic research can be better informed by using characteristics in the human iris as biomarkers for personality, and is divided into five parts. Part I gives an introduction to the classical twin method and an overview of the findings that have led most developmental researchers to recognize that the normal variation of personality depends on a complex interplay between genetic and environmental factors. Part II highlights empirical findings that during the last twenty years have gradually moved genetic and environmental theory and research to evolve toward one another, and also presents the theory of genetics and experience that currently is used to explain how the interplay between genes and the environment works. Part III explains why, from a developmental perspective, it is of interest to identify candidate genes for personality, and gives a brief overview of genes that have been associated with personality. Problems associated with genetic research on the molecular level and how these apply to personality are also highlighted. Part IV examines molecular research on the iris and the brain, which suggests that genes expressed in the iris could be associated with personality, and explains how the use of iris characteristics can increase power to test candidate genes for personality by taking advantage of the self-organizing properties of the nervous system. The empirical foundation for the questions posed in this dissertation and also the empirical results are presented here. Part V discusses the associations found between iris characteristics and personality, and exemplifies how iris characteristics can be used within the theoretical frameworks presented in parts I, II, III and IV. In other words, Part V explains how iris characteristics – in addition to identify as well as test candidate genes for personality – can be used to investigate how people’s experiences in themselves are influenced by genetic factors.

Le rat Dumbo présente un aspect malformatif évoquant certains syndromes crânio-faciaux humains. La compréhension du phénotype Dumbo pourrait expliquer les événements cellulaires et moléculaires à l’origine de ces syndromes. Le données recueillies chez le rat Dumbo et comparées à celles du rat Wistar sont susceptibles de constituer de précieuses informations éventuellement transposables à l’espèce humaine.<p><p>La première étape de cette étude a consisté en des analyses morphologiques et morphométriques afin de vérifier les perturbations morphologiques communes entre les rats Dumbo et les syndromes malformatifs humains :la brièveté des os zygomatique, maxillaire, mandibulaire et la position basse des oreilles. Ces analyses ont été réalisées sur les squelettes embryonnaires âgés de 16 jours à 21 jours de rats Dumbo et Wistar à l’aide d’une coloration in toto au Bleu Alcian – Alizarine. La deuxième étape de cette étude consistait en une analyse cytogénétique. Pour ce faire, nous avons établi le caryotype du rat Dumbo et nous l’avons comparé avec le caryotype du rat Wistar. L’étape suivante fut de procéder à l’analyse histologique des malformations crânio-faciales chez le rat Dumbo en observant la chondrogenèse pendant la morphogenèse crânio-faciale. Enfin, l’examen de l’expression des gènes Msx1 sens (S) ,Msx1 antisens (AS) et Dlx1 dans l’extrémité céphalique des rats Dumbo a été réalisé par les techniques de RT–PCR (Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction method). Des estimations semi-quantitatives ont été validées en utilisant des dilutions ADNc du rat Wistar. Des densitométries de la densité d’amplicons fluorescence ont été réalisées à l’aide du logiciel VilberLourmat Bio1D software.<p><p>Les résultats obtenus ont permis de caractériser de manière précise les malformations crânio-faciales chez le rat Dumbo.<p> <p>1-\ / Doctorat en Sciences biomédicales et pharmaceutiques / info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Purpose of the Study: Determine if there is an association of the CII/D2 malocclusion and genes linked to hypodontia, namely PAX9 and MSX1. Methods and Materials: One hundred probands with CII/D2 and one hundred non-CII/D2 with no hypodontia were enrolled in this study. Clinical exam, photographs, models, radiographs, and saliva were gathered. DNA was isolated from the saliva and sent for genetic analysis. Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) from the PAX9 and MSX1 genes were analyzed using the LightCycler® 480 to verify the presence of each with the CII/D2 malocclusion. A Hardy-Weinberg test was used to screen for genotyping errors, then a chi-square test was used to evaluate the association of the SNP genotypes. A p-value of 0.05 was considered significant. Results: The Hardy-Weinberg test showed no significant differences between observed and expected counts thus we used them for association analysis. Chi-square analysis indicated no significant association between CII/D2 and the MSX1 rs3821949 and the PAX9 1955734 genotypes. Although a p-value of 0.06 for the PAX9 rs8004560 suggested association, it was considered a grey area and insufficient to conclude that there was significant association. Since the SNP PAX9 rs8004560 was insufficient, additional statistical analysis was also performed on the PAX9 rs8004560 genotype of the CII/D2 affected subjects reported to have hypodontia of any tooth including third molars and excluding third molars. A chi-square test yielded a p-value of 0.08 on the analysis of CII/D2 with hypodontia for any permanent tooth except third molars, which suggested association, but insufficient to conclude a significant association. All other analyses indicated a lack of association of the PAX9 rs8004560 SNP. Conclusions: There is no significant association of CII/D2 and the SNPs MSX1 rs3821949 and PAX9 rs1955734. There is a suggestion that there is an association of the SNP PAX9 rs8004560 and CII/D2. There is a suggestion that there is an association of SNP PAX9 rs8004560 and CII/D2 subjects with hypodontia of any tooth except third molars.