Dentre todas as doenças infecciosas, a malária é a que exerce maior impacto sobre a mortalidade, sobretudo a infantil, em áreas endêmicas. O fato de apenas uma pequena porcentagem de indivíduos que vivem em áreas endêmicas desenvolverem complicações sugere que fatores genéticos do hospedeiro possam exercer papel fundamental. A identificação de polimorfismos genéticos de nucleotídeo único (SNP), associados à suscetibilidade ou proteção contra as formas sintomáticas de malária poderia auxiliar na elaboração de estratégias vacinais. O presente estudo teve como objetivo determinar a frequência de polimorfismos de citocinas pró e anti-inflamatórias em indivíduos moradores de uma área endêmica da Amazônia Legal brasileira. Foram investigados cinco SNP em cinco citocinas: IL-6 (-174) e IL-12p40 (+1188), IL-4 (+33), IL-10 (-3575), TGF?1 (+869) por meio de PCR-RFLP. Foram realizadas comparações entre as frequências genotípicas e alélicas desses SNP em dois grupos de indivíduos, com malária sintomática e assintomática e verificada a existência de associação entre os SNP de citocinas e os níveis de parasitemia. Foram recrutados 104 indivíduos com malária sintomática, porém não complicada, e 37 indivíduos assintomáticos que permaneceram desta forma por um período mínimo de 60 dias. As amostras de sangue foram colhidas em 1995 e 1996, época em que a transmissão de malária na região era perene. O diagnóstico laboratorial de malária foi realizado pelo teste da gota espessa e/ou semi-nested PCR. O teste do x2 foi aplicado para a comparação entre os grupos. A frequência do genótipo TT (selvagem) na posição -3575 foi maior no grupo AS em relação ao grupo MS [?2=3,716; p=0,0269; OR=0,4249, pc=0,0424]. Também houve diferenças quando comparamos o genótipo TT em relação aos genótipos AA e AT agrupados [?2=3,747; p=0,0264; OR=0,4053; pc=0,0264]. Na análise por alelo, a frequência do alelo T também foi maior no grupo AS em relação ao MS [?2=4,506; p=0,0169; OR=0,4570; pc= 0,0250]. Na análise da parasitemia os indivíduos foram divididos em dois grupos: parasitemia não detectável (ND), n=80, ou detectável, n=61. Foram encontradas diferenças estatisticamente significantes apenas em relação ao polimorfismo IL-12p40 +1188 com 36 indivíduos no grupo ND (45%) e 18 no grupo com parasitemias detectáveis (29,50%) [?2=4,725; p=0,0149; OR=2,235; pc= 0,0232]. Ademais, quando os sujeitos de pesquisa com genótipo AA (selvagem) foram comparados aos indivíduos com genótipo AC e CC nos dois grupos, mais uma vez foram encontradas diferenças estatisticamente significantes [?2=3,515; p=0,0304; OR=1,955; pc= 0,0446]. Em relação aos cinco SNP investigados, todas as distribuições genotípicas estavam de acordo com o equilíbrio de Hardy-Weinberg. Concluindo, as cinco PCR-RFLP para a detecção de polimorfismos da IL6 (-174), IL12p40 (+1188), IL4 (+33), IL10 (-3575) e TGF?1 (+869) foram padronizadas com sucesso. Apenas para o polimorfismo da IL10 - 3575 T->A foram encontradas frequências mais elevadas do alelo selvagem T e dos genótipos TT e TA nos indivíduos assintomáticos em relação aos sintomáticos, sugerindo um possível papel protetor do alelo selvagem. Em relação ao polimorfismo da IL-12p40 +1188, foi observada frequência mais elevada do genótipo selvagem AA entre indivíduos com parasitemia indetectável pela gota espessa. / Among all infectious diseases, malaria is the one that exerts greater impact on mortality, especially among children in endemic areas. The fact that only a small percentage of individuals living in endemic areas develop complications suggests that host genetic factors may play a fundamental role. The identification of genetic polymorphisms associated with increased susceptibility or protection against symptomatic forms of malaria could help to develop vaccine strategies. This study aimed to determine the frequency of genetic polymorphisms of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines in subjects living in an endemic area of the Brazilian Legal Amazon. Five polymorphisms of IL-6 (-174), IL-12p40 (+1188), IL-4 (+33), IL-10 (-3575) and TGF-?1 (+869) were investigated by PCR-RFLP. Genotypic and allelic frequencies of these polymorphisms were compared in two groups of individuals, with symptomatic and asymptomatic malaria. We also verified the existence of any association between cytokine polymorphisms and parasitemia levels. We recruited 104 subjects with uncomplicated symptomatic malaria (MS), and 37 asymptomatic ones (AS) who remained this way for a minimum of 60 days. Blood samples were collected in 1995 and 1996, a time when malaria transmission was perennial in this region. Laboratory diagnosis of malaria was assessed by the ck blood smear and/or by a semi-nested PCR. The x2 test was applied for comparison between groups. The frequency of the wild type genotype TT at the IL- 10 -3575 SNP was higher in the AS group compared to MS [?2= 3.716, p = 0.0269, OR = 0.4249, pc = 0.0424]. This difference was also significant when the TT genotype was compared to the AA and AT genotypes grouped [?2= 3.747, p = 0.0264, OR = 0.4053, pc = 0.0264]. Analyzing by allele, the frequency of the T allele was also higher in the AS group compared to MS [?2= 4.506, p = 0.0169, OR = 0.4570, pc = 0.0250]. Studied subjects were redistributed in two groups according to the parasitemia determined by the thick blood smear: non detectable (ND), n = 80, or detectable, n = 61. Concerning the IL-12p40 +1188 polymorphism, we found 36 individuals with genotype AA in the ND group (45%) and 18 in the detectable one (29.50%) [?2=4,725, p=0.0149, OR=2.235, pc=0.0232]. Furthermore, when the analysis compared the genotype AA with AC and CC together in both parasitemia groups, once again statistically significant differences were found [?2=3,515, p=0.0304; OR=1.955, pc =0.0446]. Regarding the five polymorphisms, all genotype distributions were in agreement with the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. In conclusion, the five PCR-RFLP for the detection of IL-6 (-174), IL-12p40 (+1188), IL-4 (+33), IL- 10 (-3575) and TGF-?1 (+869) were successfully standardized. Only for IL-10 -3575 T->A higher frequencies of the wild type T allele and also of the genotypes TT and TA were found in asymptomatic individuals with respect to the symptomatic ones, suggesting a possible protective role of the wild-type allele. Regarding the IL-12p40 +1188, a higher frequency of the wild type genotype AA was found among individuals with undetectable parasitemia by the thick blood smear.

Base Teórica: O câncer de mama é provavelmente o mais temido pelas mulheres devido a sua alta freqüência e, sobretudo, pelos seus efeitos psicológicos que afetam a percepção da sexualidade e a própria imagem pessoal. Ele é relativamente raro antes dos 35 anos de idade, mas acima desta faixa etária sua incidência cresce rápida e progressivamente. Estudos indicam que fatores genéticos e ambientais são responsáveis pela incidência do câncer de mama, sendo que a hereditariedade provavelmente tenha participação restrita no desenvolvimento deste tipo de tumor. Os principais genes associados ao desenvolvimento do câncer de mama, BRCA1 e BRCA2, são responsáveis por cerca de 80% desses casos, conferindo um risco de 71 a 85% de chance de desenvolver a neoplasia em alguma fase da vida. Mutações nesses genes, classificados como supressores tumorais, demonstram que a perda de suas funções não pára o ciclo celular, não permite a ação do sistema de reparo, e não estimula a apoptose (morte celular programada), culminando em replicação anormal e câncer. A observação epidemiológica de que mulheres judias de origem Ashkenazi parecem ser mais vulneráveis ao câncer de mama está sendo explicada através de estudos moleculares dos genes BRCA1 e BRCA2, onde encontramos a prevalência de três mutações específicas: 185delAG e 5382insC, no gene BRCA1 e 6174delT, no gene BRCA2. Métodos: Utilizou-se um banco de DNA pré-existente, extraído de 209 mulheres da comunidade judaica Ashkenazi da cidade de Porto Alegre. A amplificação do DNA foi realizada por PCR, através da técnica PSM (PCR Mediated site-direct) seguida de digestão dos produtos de PCR com enzimas de restrição. Os objetivos foram verificar se as freqüências das mutações 185delAG e 5382insC, no gene BRCA1 são significativas nesta população e compará-las com demais freqüências encontradas. Resultados: Foram encontradas três pacientes com a mutação 185delAG e duas pacientes com a mutação 5382insC, com as freqüências de 1,435% (95% IC: 0,366; 3,856) e 0,957% (95% IC: 0,161; 3,125), respectivamente. / Introduction: Breast cancer is probably the worst diagnosed cancer for women due to its high frequency and furthermore by its psychological problems that affect the perception of sexuality and the self image. It is relatively rare before 35 years of age, but beyond this age its incidence increases rapidly and progressively. Studies show that genetic and environmental factors are responsible for breast cancer incidence, but heredity may play a restrict role in the development of this kind of tumor. The main genes associated to the development of breast cancer, BRCA1 and BRCA2, are responsible for almost 80% of these cases, reaching a chance between 71 and 85% of developing the disease at any life stage. Mutations in these genes, classified as tumor suppressors, do not allow the repair mechanisms of DNA to perform its action and do not stimulate apoptosis, culminating in abnormal replication and cancer. The epidemiological observation in which Ashkenazi Jewish women seems to be more vulnerable to breast cancer is explained through molecular studies of BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, where three specific mutations have been found (185delAG and 5382insC, in the BRCA1 gene and 6174delT, in the BRCA2 gene). Methods: A pre-existent bank of DNA extracted from 209 women of the Ashkenazi Jewish community of Porto Alegre city has been used. The DNA amplification was performed through PCR, using the PSM (PCR Mediated Site-Direct) technique followed by the digestion of PCR products with restriction enzymes. The objectives of this study was to identify the frequencies of mutations 185delAG and 5382insC at the BRCA1 gene and verify if they are significantly different in this population when compared to frequencies found in other studies. Results: We found three patients with 185delAG mutation and two patients with 5382insC mutation, with frequencies of 1.435% (95% CI: 0,366; 3,856) and 0,957% (95% IC: 0,161; 3,125), respectively.

The potato tuber moth, Phthorimaea operculella (Zeller), is a major pest of potato crops worldwide causing significant damage to both field and stored tubers. The current control method in South Africa involves chemical insecticides, however, there is growing concern on the health and environmental risks of their use. The development of novel biopesticide based control methods may offer a potential solution for the future of insecticides. In this study a baculovirus was successfully isolated from a laboratory population of P. operculella. Transmission electron micrographs revealed granulovirus-like particles. DNA was extracted from recovered occlusion bodies and used for the PCR amplification of the lef-8, lef-9, granulin and egt genes. Sequence data was obtained and submitted to BLAST identifying the virus as a South African isolate of Phthorimaea operculella granulovirus (PhopGV-SA). Phylogenetic analysis of the lef-8, lef-9 and granulin amino acid sequences grouped the South African isolate with PhopGV-1346. Comparison of egt sequence data identified PhopGV-SA as a type II egt gene. A phylogenetic analysis of egt amino acid sequences grouped all type II genes, including PhopGV-SA, into a separate clade from types I, III, IV and V. These findings suggest that type II may represent the prototype structure for this gene with the evolution of types I, III and IV a result of large internal deletion events and subsequent divergence. PhopGV-SA was also shown to be genetically more similar to South American isolates (i.e. PhopGV-CHI or PhopGV-INDO) than it is to other African isolates, suggesting that the South African isolate originated from South America. Restriction endonuclease profiles of PhopGV-SA were similar to those of PhopGV-1346 and PhopGV-JLZ9f for the enzymes BamHI, HindIII, NruI and NdeI. A preliminary full genome sequence for PhopGV-SA was determined and compared to PhopGV-136 with some gene variation observed (i.e. odv-e66 and vp91/p95). The biological activity of PhopGV-SA against P. operculella neonate larvae was evaluated with an estimated LC₅₀ of 1.87×10⁸ OBs.ml⁻¹ being determined. This study therefore reports the characterisation of a novel South African PhopGV isolate which could potentially be developed into a biopesticide for the control of P. operculella.

No description available.

Many genetic processes require enzymes or enzyme complexes that interact simultaneously with distant sites along the genome. Such long-range DNA-enzyme interactions are important for example in gene regulation, DNA replication, repair and recombination. In addition many restriction enzymes depend on interactions between two recognition sites and form therefore a model system for studying long-range communications on DNA. Topic of the present work are Type III restriction enzymes. For these enzymes the communication mechanism between their distant target sites has not been resolved and conflicting models including 3D diffusion, 1D translocation and 1D diffusion have been proposed. Also the role of ATP hydrolysis by their superfamily 2 helicase domains which catalyse functions of many enzyme systems is still poorly understood. To cleave DNA, Type III restriction enzymes sense the relative orientation of their distant target sites and cleave DNA only if at least two of them are situated in an inverted repeat. This process strictly depends on ATP hydrolysis. The aim of this PhD thesis was to elucidate this long-range communication. For this a new single molecule assay was developed using a setup combining magnetic tweezers and objective-type total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy. In addition of being able to mechanically manipulate individual DNA molecules, this assay allows to directly visualize the binding and movement of fluorescently labelled enzymes along DNA. Applying this assay to quantum dot labelled Type III restriction enzymes, a 1D diffusion of the enzymes after binding at their target sites could be demonstrated. Furthermore, it was found that the diffusion depends on the nucleotide that is bound to the ATPase domains of these enzymes. This suggested that ATP hydrolysis acts as a switch to license diffusion from the target site which leads to cleavage. In addition to the direct visualization of the enzyme-DNA interaction, the cleavage site selection, the DNA end influence (open or blocked) and the DNA binding kinetics were measured in bulk solution assays (not part of this thesis). The experimental results were compared to Monte Carlo simulations of a diffusion-collision-model which is proposed as long-range communication in this thesis.

The EcoR124INT restriction-modification (R-M) system contains the genes HsdS3, HsdM and HsdR. S3 encodes the N-terminal domain of the wild-type S subunit and has been shown to dimerise in solution (Smith et al., 1998). Following purification of the subunits of the EcoR124INT R-M system, complexes of the methyltransferase S3/M and restriction endonuclease S3/M/R were formed and shown to have activity in vitro, methylating and hydrolysing a symmetrical DNA recognition sequence, respectively. The DNA mimic OCR (overcome classical restriction) protein inhibited the methyltransferase activity in vitro, with maximum inhibition at a 1: 2 molar ratio of (S3/M)2 to an ocr dimer. Dynamic light scattering (DLS), sedimentation equilibrium (SE) and sedimentation velocity (SV) experiments showed S3 to exist as a dimer and S11 (the central conserved domain of S) to exist as a tetramer in solution. M was found to be dimeric in solution, whilst the R protein was monomeric. A complex of S3/M was found to have a stoichiometry (S3/M)2 and a complex of S3/M/R had a stoichiometry of S3/M/R1, even when a 2: 1 molar ratio of R to S3/M, was added. Small angle neutron scattering (SANS) experiments provided values for the radius of gyration (Rg), which for S3 was comparable to that calculated for the recently published crystal structure of the S subunit from Methanococcus jannaschii (Kim et al., 2005). These experiments also showed a decrease in the Dmax in the presence of the 30 bp DNA recognition sequence from 200A to 140A, suggesting a similar conformational change in the positioning of the subunits as has been detected for the wild-type M. EcoR124I and a related type 1 1/2 system AhdI. This change following DNA binding was also observed by SV experiments. Furthermore ab initio modelling from the SANS data has provided a low-resolution structure for the EcoR124INT MTase and its complex with DNA.

Orientador: Clarice Weis Arns / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Biologia / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-05T02:18:52Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Domingues_HelenaGallicchio_D.pdf: 1037559 bytes, checksum: 5f1aa70035e934b591bffbdd05c647b9 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2005 / Resumo: No presente estudo, técnicas para a detecção do vírus respiratório sincicial bovino, BRSV, visando ao diagnóstico e caracterização molecular deste patógeno, foram adaptadas e aplicadas em amostras coletadas de animais sem levar em consideração a presença de sinais e sintomas clínicos característicos de infecções causadas por esse agente. Foi coletado um total de 278 amostras de secreções nasais e fragmentos pulmonares de rebanhos bovinos provenientes dos estados de São Paulo e Rio Grande do Sul. Utilizando a técnica de RT-PCR detectou-se a presença de BRSV em sete amostras, duas de secreções nasais e cinco de fragmentos de pulmões. As amostras positivas foram submetidas ao isolamento viral e um novo isolado, denominado BRSV-108-BR, foi obtido após nove passagens em cultivos de células. Os fragmentos de 603 pb correspondentes ao segmento genômico da proteína G das amostras de BRSV em estudo, obtidos com a técnica de RT-PCR, foram submetidos à análise por enzimas de restrição-REA e ao seqüenciamento, visando sua caracterização molecular. Com a técnica de REA foram identificadas variações genéticas entre as amostras de BRSV detectadas, sugestivas de que duas amostras pertenciam ao subgrupo AB e cinco, ao subgrupo B de BRSV. Entretanto, a análise filogenética realizada pelo alinhamento das seqüências obtidas com seqüências disponíveis no GeneBank revelou que todas as amostras detectadas pertenciam ao subgrupo B. Com este estudo sugerimos que a técnica de REA possui utilidade limitada para classificação de BRSV em subgrupos, podendo ser utilizada como um instrumento prévio na caracterização das amostras, sendo, todavia, estritamente necessária uma análise baseada no seqüenciamento do gene da proteína G para caracterização de BRSV em subgrupos / Abstract: In this study techniques to detect the bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV), aiming at the diagnosis and molecular characterization of this pathogen, where adapted and applied in samples collected from animals regardless of the presence of clinical signs and symptoms characteristic of infections caused by this agent. A total of 278 samples of nasal secretion and pulmonary fragments of bovine herds from the States of São Paulo and Rio Grande do Sul. By using the RT-PCR technique it was detected the presence of BRSV in seven samples, two of the nasal secretion samples, and five of the pulmonary fragments samples. The positive samples were submitted to viral isolation, and a new isolate named BRSV-108-BR was obtained after nine passages in cell cultivations. 603 pb fragments corresponding to the genomic segment of the G protein of the BRSV samples in study and obtained through the RT-PCR technique were submitted to restriction enzyme analysis (REA) and sequencing, aiming at their molecular characterization. With the REA technique, genetic variations were identified among the detected BRSV samples, suggesting that two samples belonged to the BSRV AB subgroup and five belonged to the BRSV B subgroup. However, phylogenetic analysis carried out by sequence alignment obtained with sequences available at the GeneBank revealed that all samples detected belonged to subgroup B. With this study we suggest that the REA technique to classify BRSV subgroups has a limited usefulness, serving only as a prior instrument to characterize the samples. Nevertheless, a subsequent analysis based on G protein sequencing is extremely necessary to characterize samples in one of the different BRSV existing subgroups / Doutorado / Genetica Animal e Evolução / Doutor em Genetica e Biologia Molecular