Dois sistemas para amplificação simultânea de short tandem repeats (STRs) do cromossomo X foram desenvolvidos neste trabalho. O Multiplex 1 foi composto por HPRTB, DXS101, DXS7424, DXS6807, DXS6800 e GATA172D05 e o Multiplex 2 foi composto por DXS8378, DXS7133, DXS9898, DXS7423, DXS6809, DXS6789, DXS8377 e DXS6801. Além do desenvolvimento de dois sistemas multiplex, nós apresentamos, neste estudo, a freqüência alélica para esses locos na população do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. A amostra foi composta por um total de 266 indivíduos, sendo 125 mulheres e 141 homens. O equilíbrio de Hardy-Weinberg (HWE) foi testado na amostra feminina e não foram encontrados desvios significativos após a correção de Bonferroni. Os testes de desequilíbrio de ligação (LD) foram realizados para todos os pares de locos e três resultados significativos, após a correção de Bonferroni, de 91 comparações, foram obtidos entre DXS101 e DXS8377 (P<0,001), DXS7133 e DXS6809 (P<0,001) e DXS7423 e DXS6809 (P<0,001). O poder de discriminação em mulheres (PDF) variou entre 0,832 para DXS6801 e 0,987 para DXS8377. DXS6801 foi o marcador menos informativo (PIC=0,605), enquanto o DXS8377 foi o loco mais polimórfico (PIC=0,911), seguido pelo DXS101 (PIC=0,872). / We developed two multiplex systems for the coamplification of X-chromosomal short tandem repeats (STRs). X-Multiplex 1 consisted of HPRTB, DXS101, DXS7424, DXS6807, DXS6800 and GATA172D05 and X-Multiplex 2 consisted of DXS8378, DXS7133, DXS9898, DXS7423, DXS6809, DXS6789, DXS8377 and DXS6801. In addition, we present allele frequencies for this loci in a south Brazilian population comprising 125 females and 141 males. Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE) was tested in the female sample and no significant deviations were found, after applying Bonferroni’s correction. Linkage disequilibrium (LD) tests were performed for all pairs of loci and three significant results, even after applying Bonferroni’s correction, out of 91 pairwise comparisons, were obtained between DXS101 and DXS8377 (P<0.001), DXS7133 and DXS6809 (P<0.001) and DXS7423 and DXS6809 (P<0.001). The power of discrimination in females (PDF) varied between 0,832 for DXS6801 and 0,987 for DXS8377. DXS6801 was the least informative marker (PIC=0,605), while DXS8377 was the most polymorphic (PIC=0,911), followed by DXS101 (PIC=0,872).

Dois sistemas para amplificação simultânea de short tandem repeats (STRs) do cromossomo X foram desenvolvidos neste trabalho. O Multiplex 1 foi composto por HPRTB, DXS101, DXS7424, DXS6807, DXS6800 e GATA172D05 e o Multiplex 2 foi composto por DXS8378, DXS7133, DXS9898, DXS7423, DXS6809, DXS6789, DXS8377 e DXS6801. Além do desenvolvimento de dois sistemas multiplex, nós apresentamos, neste estudo, a freqüência alélica para esses locos na população do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. A amostra foi composta por um total de 266 indivíduos, sendo 125 mulheres e 141 homens. O equilíbrio de Hardy-Weinberg (HWE) foi testado na amostra feminina e não foram encontrados desvios significativos após a correção de Bonferroni. Os testes de desequilíbrio de ligação (LD) foram realizados para todos os pares de locos e três resultados significativos, após a correção de Bonferroni, de 91 comparações, foram obtidos entre DXS101 e DXS8377 (P<0,001), DXS7133 e DXS6809 (P<0,001) e DXS7423 e DXS6809 (P<0,001). O poder de discriminação em mulheres (PDF) variou entre 0,832 para DXS6801 e 0,987 para DXS8377. DXS6801 foi o marcador menos informativo (PIC=0,605), enquanto o DXS8377 foi o loco mais polimórfico (PIC=0,911), seguido pelo DXS101 (PIC=0,872). / We developed two multiplex systems for the coamplification of X-chromosomal short tandem repeats (STRs). X-Multiplex 1 consisted of HPRTB, DXS101, DXS7424, DXS6807, DXS6800 and GATA172D05 and X-Multiplex 2 consisted of DXS8378, DXS7133, DXS9898, DXS7423, DXS6809, DXS6789, DXS8377 and DXS6801. In addition, we present allele frequencies for this loci in a south Brazilian population comprising 125 females and 141 males. Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE) was tested in the female sample and no significant deviations were found, after applying Bonferroni’s correction. Linkage disequilibrium (LD) tests were performed for all pairs of loci and three significant results, even after applying Bonferroni’s correction, out of 91 pairwise comparisons, were obtained between DXS101 and DXS8377 (P<0.001), DXS7133 and DXS6809 (P<0.001) and DXS7423 and DXS6809 (P<0.001). The power of discrimination in females (PDF) varied between 0,832 for DXS6801 and 0,987 for DXS8377. DXS6801 was the least informative marker (PIC=0,605), while DXS8377 was the most polymorphic (PIC=0,911), followed by DXS101 (PIC=0,872).

abstract: Rapid advancements in genomic technologies have increased our understanding of rare human disease. Generation of multiple types of biological data including genetic variation from genome or exome, expression from transcriptome, methylation patterns from epigenome, protein complexity from proteome and metabolite information from metabolome is feasible. "Omics" tools provide comprehensive view into biological mechanisms that impact disease trait and risk. In spite of available data types and ability to collect them simultaneously from patients, researchers still rely on their independent analysis. Combining information from multiple biological data can reduce missing information, increase confidence in single data findings, and provide a more complete view of genotype-phenotype correlations. Although rare disease genetics has been greatly improved by exome sequencing, a substantial portion of clinical patients remain undiagnosed. Multiple frameworks for integrative analysis of genomic and transcriptomic data are presented with focus on identifying functional genetic variations in patients with undiagnosed, rare childhood conditions. Direct quantitation of X inactivation ratio was developed from genomic and transcriptomic data using allele specific expression and segregation analysis to determine magnitude and inheritance mode of X inactivation. This approach was applied in two families revealing non-random X inactivation in female patients. Expression based analysis of X inactivation showed high correlation with standard clinical assay. These findings improved understanding of molecular mechanisms underlying X-linked disorders. In addition multivariate outlier analysis of gene and exon level data from RNA-seq using Mahalanobis distance, and its integration of distance scores with genomic data found genotype-phenotype correlations in variant prioritization process in 25 families. Mahalanobis distance scores revealed variants with large transcriptional impact in patients. In this dataset, frameshift variants were more likely result in outlier expression signatures than other types of functional variants. Integration of outlier estimates with genetic variants corroborated previously identified, presumed causal variants and highlighted new candidate in previously un-diagnosed case. Integrative genomic approaches in easily attainable tissue will facilitate the search for biomarkers that impact disease trait, uncover pharmacogenomics targets, provide novel insight into molecular underpinnings of un-characterized conditions, and help improve analytical approaches that use large datasets. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Molecular and Cellular Biology 2015

A epigenética aborda o controle da expressão gênica através de diversos fatores que agem sob a cromatina, os melhor estudados são a metilação do DNA e a acetilação em histonas, relacionadas à repressão e ativação gênica, respectivamente. Em mamíferos, existem dois fenômenos epigenéticos interessantes: a inativação do cromossomo X (ICX) em fêmeas, que garante o equilíbrio transcricional gênico entre os sexos, e o imprinting genômico, caracterizado pela expressão monoalélica dependente da origem parental. No presente estudo, propusemos verificar a manutenção do controle epigenético em células humanas normais e transformadas em condições semelhantes de hipometilação do DNA e hiperacetilação em histonas (após uso das drogas 5-aza-2-\'deoxicitidina (5-aza-dC) e ácido valproico, respectivamente), através do monitoramento da expressão alelo-específica pelo uso de polimorfismos de única base presentes em regiões codificadoras. Em células normais houve manutenção da ICX e do imprinting genômico, enquanto que em células transformadas hipometiladas foram observadas indução de XIST, e perda de imprinting dos genes IGF2, H19 e PEG10. Observamos que ambas as drogas podem diminuir a expressão de DNMT1, e 5-aza-dC altera o equilíbrio entre acetilação e desacetilação da histona H4. Ainda, a ordem de adição dos reagentes ocasionou diferenças no nível de acetilação da histona H4 e na expressão gênica de XIST e PEG10. Nossos dados sugerem que: células humanas normais apresentam maior estabilidade do controle epigenético comparadas às células humanas transformadas, genes submetidos à ICX e \"imprintados\" não apresentam diferenças na rigidez do controle de expressão, e a cascata de reação seguida após perturbação de marcas epigenéticas pode ser alterada dependendo da modificação inicial. / Epigenetics refers to mechanisms related to gene activity through conformational modifications in DNA without changes in the nucleotide sequence. Key players in the epigenetic control are DNA methylation and histone acetylation, which are related to gene activation and repression, respectively. Two striking epigenetic phenomena in mammalians are X chromosome inactivation (XCI) and genomic imprinting. XCI triggers the transcriptional silencing of all but one X chromosome in each female cell, while genomic imprinting is a process that leads to mono-allelic gene expression based on parental origin. In the present study, we intended to verify the maintenance of epigenetic control in normal and transformed human cells under the same conditions of epigenetic disturbance. For this purpose, 5-aza-2\'-deoxycytidine (5-aza-dC) and valproic acid (VPA) were used to cause DNA hypomethylation and histone hyperacetylation, respectively. By monitoring allelic-specific expression using single nucleotide polymorphisms present in coding regions, we were able to check the effects of the modifications in the expression pattern of imprinted or subjected to XCI genes. While in female normal cells XCI and genomic imprinting were not affected by VPA or 5-aza-dC treatments, transformed male cells showed XIST activation and loss of imprinting of PEG10, IGF2 and H19 genes in the hypomethylation scenario. In addition, both drugs can decrease the expression of DNMT1, and 5-aza-dC alters the balance between acetylation and deacethylation of histone H4. Furthermore, we could see different degrees of histone H4 acetylation levels and of XIST and PEG10 expression, depending on which of the drugs was added first. Our data suggest that the epigenetic control in normal human cells is more stable when compared to transformed human cells. In addition, both XCI and genomic imprinting are epigenetic features equally hard to disturb. Finally, depending on the initial epigenetic modification (global demethylation or acethylation), it will induce different epigenetic control networks, with consequence to the final status of gene expression.

Dois sistemas para amplificação simultânea de short tandem repeats (STRs) do cromossomo X foram desenvolvidos neste trabalho. O Multiplex 1 foi composto por HPRTB, DXS101, DXS7424, DXS6807, DXS6800 e GATA172D05 e o Multiplex 2 foi composto por DXS8378, DXS7133, DXS9898, DXS7423, DXS6809, DXS6789, DXS8377 e DXS6801. Além do desenvolvimento de dois sistemas multiplex, nós apresentamos, neste estudo, a freqüência alélica para esses locos na população do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. A amostra foi composta por um total de 266 indivíduos, sendo 125 mulheres e 141 homens. O equilíbrio de Hardy-Weinberg (HWE) foi testado na amostra feminina e não foram encontrados desvios significativos após a correção de Bonferroni. Os testes de desequilíbrio de ligação (LD) foram realizados para todos os pares de locos e três resultados significativos, após a correção de Bonferroni, de 91 comparações, foram obtidos entre DXS101 e DXS8377 (P<0,001), DXS7133 e DXS6809 (P<0,001) e DXS7423 e DXS6809 (P<0,001). O poder de discriminação em mulheres (PDF) variou entre 0,832 para DXS6801 e 0,987 para DXS8377. DXS6801 foi o marcador menos informativo (PIC=0,605), enquanto o DXS8377 foi o loco mais polimórfico (PIC=0,911), seguido pelo DXS101 (PIC=0,872). / We developed two multiplex systems for the coamplification of X-chromosomal short tandem repeats (STRs). X-Multiplex 1 consisted of HPRTB, DXS101, DXS7424, DXS6807, DXS6800 and GATA172D05 and X-Multiplex 2 consisted of DXS8378, DXS7133, DXS9898, DXS7423, DXS6809, DXS6789, DXS8377 and DXS6801. In addition, we present allele frequencies for this loci in a south Brazilian population comprising 125 females and 141 males. Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE) was tested in the female sample and no significant deviations were found, after applying Bonferroni’s correction. Linkage disequilibrium (LD) tests were performed for all pairs of loci and three significant results, even after applying Bonferroni’s correction, out of 91 pairwise comparisons, were obtained between DXS101 and DXS8377 (P<0.001), DXS7133 and DXS6809 (P<0.001) and DXS7423 and DXS6809 (P<0.001). The power of discrimination in females (PDF) varied between 0,832 for DXS6801 and 0,987 for DXS8377. DXS6801 was the least informative marker (PIC=0,605), while DXS8377 was the most polymorphic (PIC=0,911), followed by DXS101 (PIC=0,872).

Submitted by Fabio Sobreira Campos da Costa (fabio.sobreira@ufpe.br) on 2016-03-30T13:52:07Z No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 1232 bytes, checksum: 66e71c371cc565284e70f40736c94386 (MD5) Tese_Adriana_Bispo_final_ficha catalografica.pdf: 4400523 bytes, checksum: b3e9eb79c58483144a4659be5ab2d45c (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-03-30T13:52:07Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 1232 bytes, checksum: 66e71c371cc565284e70f40736c94386 (MD5) Tese_Adriana_Bispo_final_ficha catalografica.pdf: 4400523 bytes, checksum: b3e9eb79c58483144a4659be5ab2d45c (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-09-15 / A síndrome de Turner (ST) é caracterizada primariamente pelo cariótipo 45,X, mas podem ocorrer linhagens celulares incluindo o cromossomo Y. A precisa identificação do cromossomo Y nessas pacientes é de grande importância clínica devido a um aumento no risco de tumores gonadais. A alta frequência de mosaicismo na ST faz dessa síndrome um importante modelo para investigação do efeito dos polimorfismos dos genes da rota do folato como fatores de risco à não disjunção cromossômica somática. Alterações no metabolismo do folato podem promover aneuploidias por um efeito indireto sobre os padrões de metilação do DNA. Neste trabalho reportamos a frequência de mosaicismo críptico do cromossomo Y e sua associação clínica, como também a descrição de uma alteração cromossômica rara. Adicionalmente, foi investigada uma possível associação entre os polimorfismos de genes da rota do folato e o risco de não disjunção cromossômica somática na ST. A presença de mosaicismo oculto do cromossomo Y foi detectada em 2,7% dos casos, os quais mostraram genitália feminina normal sem sinais de virilização ou desenvolvimento tumoral. Assim, a busca de sequências do Y deve ser realizada na ST independente do cariótipo e/ou sinais clínicos. Não foi possível estabelecer uma associação entre os polimorfismos dos genes MTHFR, MTR, RFC1 e TYMS, independentes ou combinados, modulando o risco de não disjunção somática na ST, demostrando que polimorfismos nesses genes, envolvidos na rota do folato, podem não representar uma importante contribuição para os mecanismos de geração das aneuploidias. / Turner syndrome (TS) is primarily characterized by the 45,X karyotype, but can occur cell lines including the Y-chromosome. The precise identification of Y-chromosome in TS patients is of great clinical importance due to an increased risk of gonadal tumors. The high frequency of mosaicism in TS makes this syndrome an important model to investigate the effect of genetic polymorphisms in folate pathway as risk factors to somatic non-disjunction. Changes in folate metabolism can promote aneuploidies by an indirect effect on the DNA methylation patterns. In this work was reported the frequency of Y-chromosome hidden mosaicism and its clinical association, and also described a rare chromosomal alteration. Additionally, a possible association between gene polymorphisms in folate pathway and the risk of somatic chromosome non-disjunction in TS was investigated. The presence of hidden Y chromosome mosaicism was detected in 2.7% of cases, which showed normal female genitalia without signs virilization or tumor development. Thus, the search for Y sequences should be held at TS regardless of the karyotypes and/or clinical signs. We could not establish an association between polymorphisms of MTHFR, MTR, RFC1 and TYMS genes, independent or combined, modulating the risk of somatic non-disjunction in TS, showing that polymorphisms in these genes, involved in folate metabolism, may not represent an important contribution to the generation mechanisms of aneuploidies.

Em fêmeas de mamíferos, um dos cromossomos X é inativado proporcionando compensação de dose entre os produtos gênicos de machos e fêmeas. A inativação do cromossomo X (ICX) ocorre no embrião em desenvolvimento, e se caracteriza pela aquisição de marcas heterocromáticas no cromossomo X inativado (Xi), que são mantidas nas células somáticas ao longo das divisões celulares. O melhor modelo para estudo do início da ICX são as células-tronco embrionárias femininas. Provenientes da massa celular interna de blastocistos, elas representam um embrião em desenvolvimento e possuem os dois X ativos; a diferenciação das células promove a ICX in vitro, o que permite a identificação dos fatores e mecanismos moleculares envolvidos. A derivação de linhagens de célulastronco embrionárias humanas (human embryonic stem cells - hESCs) em 1998 permitiu novas possibilidades de estudo da ICX, pois a maioria dos trabalhos procurou esclarecer o mecanismo da ICX no modelo murino. Tradicionalmente, a manutenção da ICX em humanos tem sido investigada em células somáticas híbridas ou transformadas; porém, sabe-se que estas não representam um contexto celular natural. Assim, o presente trabalho teve como objetivos principais explorar a potencialidade de hESCs no estudo do início da ICX, e ainda investigar a função de três fatores na manutenção da ICX em células humanas imortalizadas: DNMT1 (enzima responsável pela manutenção da metilação do DNA), SMCHD1 (proteína da família de coesinas/condensinas), e XIST (um RNA não-codificador que inicia o processo de heterocromatinização do futuro Xi) foram selecionados para este estudo, uma vez que todos participam da manutenção da ICX em camundongos. Até o momento foram derivadas em nosso laboratório quatro linhagens de hESCs, as primeiras da América Latina. A caracterização das linhagens mostrou que, apesar de se manterem indiferenciadas, as hESCs femininas encontram-se em estágio pós-ICX, pois mesmo indiferenciadas já apresentam um dos X inativado. Nossos dados indicam que, submetidas às atuais condições de cultivo, as hESCs não são bons modelos para o estudo do início da ICX, e é possível que a inativação de um cromossomo X durante o cultivo confira alguma vantagem seletiva às células. A estratégia utilizada no estudo da manutenção da ICX foi o silenciamento dos três genes por interferência de RNA (RNAi). Não foi possível diminuir significativamente a expressão dos genes XIST e SMCHD1. Porém, o silenciamento de DNMT1 foi expressivo, e em resposta foi observada reativação do gene MAOA, localizado no cromossomo X e submetido à inativação. Apesar de nossas análises mostrarem que os efeitos da diminuição de DNMT1 foram restritos ao gene MAOA, estes resultados sugerem a existência de diferentes hierarquias de controle epigenético dos genes submetidos à ICX em células humanas / In female mammals, one of the X chromosomes is inactivated to achieve dosage compensation between males and females. The X chromosome inactivation (XCI) occurs early during embryogenesis and is characterized by the acquisition of heterochromatic features on the inactive X (Xi), which are maintained during all the subsequent cell divisions. Embryonic stem cells are the most suitable cells to study the establishment of XCI. They are obtained from the inner cell mass (ICM) of blastocysts, and can represent a developing female embryo, possessing two active X-chromosomes; when differentiated, these cells recapitulate XCI in vitro, and thus one can identify XCI regulators and factors involved. The derivation of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) in 1998 offered new possibilities to study XCI, since most of the mechanistic studies of XCI have so far been investigated in the mouse model system. Traditionally, maintenance of XCI in humans has been addressed in somatic cell hybrids or transformed cells; however, they do not represent a natural cellular context. The main goals of the present work were to verify the potential of hESCs as models of XCI, and also to study the function of three important factors in XCI maintenance in immortalized human cells. DNMT1 (DNA-methyltransferase 1), SMCHD1 (a cohesin/condensin protein family member) and the XIST gene (a non-coding RNA which triggers XCI and promotes X heterochromatin formation on the future Xi) were selected, as they are key factors in XCI maintenance in the mouse. Until now four hESCs lines were derived in our lab. Their characterization showed that, in spite of been undifferentiated, the female hESCs have already undergone XCI. Our data suggest that, under the actual culture conditions, hESCs are not good models to study XCI, and it is also possible that X inactivation confers selective advantage to hESCs. Knockdown by RNA interference was used to study the roles of three genes in XCI maintenance. We could not efficiently knockdown XIST or SMCHD1. However, the DNMT1 silencing was substantial, and led to the reactivation of MAOA, an X-linked gene subjected to XCI. Although the effect of DNMT1 silencing was restricted to MAOA, our data suggest that there are different epigenetic hierarchies to control the expression of the genes subjected to XCI in human cells.

A identificação forense através da análise de ácidos nucléicos é realizada, freqüentemente, pelo estudo de regiões polimórficas do DNA, tais como os STRs, regiões que apresentam repetições consecutivas curtas. Para a utilização destes marcadores na identificação humana é necessário conhecer a distribuição de seus alelos na população a qual o indivíduo pertence, visto que essa varia entre diferentes populações. Desta forma, o presente trabalho teve como objetivo determinar a freqüência alélica de cinco STRs do cromossomo X (DXS6854, DXS7424, DXS101, DXS6808 e DXS7132), a fim de avaliar a contribuição destes marcadores, através de cálculos estatísticos, na prática forense e em testes de paternidade. Foram coletadas amostras de esfregaço bucal, através de swab bucal, sendo depositado em cartão de coleta, e/ou sangue, através de punção digital depositada em cartão de coleta, em 243 sujeitos da pesquisa, sendo estes indivíduos não aparentados, residentes no Estado de São Paulo. A extração do DNA foi realizada a partir do Kit DNA IQ® (Promega), de acordo com as normas do fabricante e, na reação de PCR, utilizou-se um multiplex desenvolvido pela empresa BIOCOD (Belo Horizonte, MG), sendo a tipagem dos loci obtida através de corrida eletroforética, em gel de poliacrilamida desnaturante, no seqüenciador automático AlfExpress® (Amersham Biosciences). Os resultados foram analisados através dos programas PowerStats ver. 12 (Promega®) e Arlequin ver. 3.1. Como resultados principais foram observados: a grande variabilidade de alelos presentes na população estudada para os STRs selecionados; que o Poder de Discriminação em mulheres variou de 0,658 (DXS6808) a 0,975 (DXS101), assim como em homens entre 0,451 (DXS6808) e 0,881 (DXS101); as chances de exclusão foram calculadas em duas situações, par pai/filha (MECD) e trio pai/mãe/filha (MECT), sendo os melhores resultados apresentados pelo DXS101; além de verificar que a diversidade haplotípica (nas amostras masculinas) foi de 0,9993, indicando uma Probabilidade de Coincidência menor que 0,0007. Sendo assim, é possível concluir que, com exceção do DXS6808, os demais loci STR permitem uma boa aplicação na prática forense, permitindo sua utilização para cálculo estatístico em análises de identificação humana e testes de parentesco. / The forensic identification through DNA analysis is, frequently, done by the study of DNA?s polymorphic regions, such as STR, short tandem repeats. In order to use these markers in human identification, it?s necessary to know the allelic distribution in the population in wich the person belongs. This research aimed to settle the allelic frequencies of five X-chromosome?s STR (DXS6854, DXS7424, DXS101, DXS6808 e DXS7132) and analysis the contribution of these markers, through statistical parameters, in forensic activities and paternity tests. For this, samples of oral rub were collected by oral swab, being deposited on collect card, and/or blood by digital punction, deposited on collect card, with 243 research subject, being not related, living at Sao Paulo State, Brazil. The DNA extraction was performed using Kit DNA IQ® (Promega), according to manufacturer rules and, at PCR, was used a multiplex developed by BIOCOD (Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais State), being the loci typifying obtained by eletrophoretical procedure, on polyacrilamid gel, using AlfExpress® (Amersham Biosciences). The results were statistically analyzed by PowerStats ver. 12 (Promega®) and Arlequin ver. 3.1 programs. The principal results showed: the great allele variability in this population sample to the selected STRs; that Power of Discrimination in women varied from 0.658 (DXS6808) to 0.975 (DXS101), as well as in men between 0.451 (DXS6808) and 0.881 (DXS101); the mean exclusion chance were calculated at two conditions, pair father/daughter (MECD) and trios involving daughters (MECT), being the best results performed by DXS101; and verify that haplotipical diversity (in men samples) was 0.9993, showing a Chance of Coincidence under 0.0007. In this way, it?s possible to conclude that, with exception of DXS6808, the other STRs loci studied can be used at forensic practice, using for statistical math in human identification and kinship testing.

Sex influences the severity and evolution of various inflammatory conditions. Women exhibit better clinical courses and increased survival compared to men in acute inflammatory processes, yet worse prognosis in several chronic inflammatory diseases, probably due to the higher inflammation observed in females. This higher inflammation in females may contribute to better pathogen clearance during the early inflammatory response, but also to enhanced tissue damage during prolonged inflammatory response. Many X-linked genes are involved in the immune response and the mechanisms underlying these sex-dependent differences are multiple and probably involve both hormonal and genetic factors. To evaluate the sex differences in the immune response and the role of the X chromosome relatively to the sex hormones, we studied acute inflammatory response in prepubertal children, whose sex hormones levels are very low, as well as women at different phases of the menstrual cycle and subjects with various X/Y sex chromosome ratios. In children with severe sepsis, we observed, in vivo, higher inflammation and lower pH, in girls compared to boys. In vitro stimulation of certain immune functions depending on X-linked genes showed specific profiles of inflammatory cytokine production and leucocyte migration markers expression in males and subjects carrying only one X chromosome but phenotypically females (Turner patients), compared to females and subjects carrying two X chromosomes but phenotypically males (Klinefelter patients), in favor of a role for the X chromosome. Our work highlighted important sex differences in terms of in vivo acute inflammatory response and in vitro activation of certain X-linked genes. These differences cannot be explained by the sex steroid levels, thus supporting the hypothesis of a preponderant role of sex chromosomes in inflammatory response. / Doctorat en Sciences médicales (Médecine) / info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished

Selfish genes that bias their own transmission during gametogenesis can spread rapidly in populations, even if they contribute negatively to the fitness of their host. Driving X chromosomes provide a clear example of this type of selfish propagation. These chromosomes, which are found in a broad range of taxa including plants, mammals, and insects, can have important evolutionary and ecological consequences. In this thesis, I report a new case of X chromosome drive (X drive) in a widespread woodland fly, Drosophila testacea. I show that males carrying the driving X (SR males) sire 80-100% female offspring, and that the majority of sons produced by SR males are sterile and appear to lack a Y chromosome. This suggests that meiotic defects involving the Y chromosome may underlie X drive in this species. Abnormalities in sperm cysts of SR males reflect that some spermatids are failing to develop properly, confirming that drive is acting during gametogenesis. Further, I show that SR males possess a diagnostic X chromosome haplotype that is perfectly associated with the sex ratio distortion phenotype. Phylogenetic analysis of X-linked sequences from D. testacea and related species strongly suggests that the driving X arose prior to the split of D. testacea and its sister species, D. neotestacea and D. orientacea. Suppressed recombination between the XST and XSR due to inversions on the XSR likely explains their disparate evolutionary histories. By screening wild-caught flies using progeny sex ratios and a diagnostic X-linked marker, I demonstrate that the driving X is present in wild populations at a frequency of ~10% and that autosomal suppressors of drive are segregating in the same population. Both SR males and homozygous females for the driving X have reduced fertility, which helps to explain the persistence of the driving X over evolutionary timescales. The testacea species group appears to be a hotspot for X drive, and D. testacea is a promising model to compare driving X chromosomes in closely related species, some of which may even be younger than the chromosomes themselves. / Graduate / 2019-04-16