Low-hierarchy selenoproteins are sensitive to selenium (Se) deficiency and are proposed to confer the protection of body Se against age- and development-related diseases. Selenoprotein H (SELENOH), a low-hierarchy selenoprotein, is greatly downregulated by both dietary Se deficiency and age. To explore physiological roles of SELENOH, Selenoh knockout mice were employed. Segregation analyses demonstrated reduced frequencies of homozygotes and heterozygotes among the neonates of the breeding combinations of Selenoh+/- males vs. Selenoh+/- or Selenoh-/- females, demonstrating essential roles of SELENOH in embryogenesis. Litter sizes from these two breeding groups were comparable with control, suggesting a role of SELENOH in zygotic but not somatic embryogenesis. By contrast, SELENOH was dispensable for longevity in mice. Selenoh-/- males showed azoospermia and a 34%-63% reduction in testis mass in the mice. Histological examination and the analyses of stage-specific markers by qRT-PCR indicated that the Selenoh-/- spermatocytes were arrested in the pachytene stage. Furthermore, GPX4 plausibly accounted for some of the Se loss in the testes because the knockout resulted in a 90% decrease in GPX4 mRNA level. Interestingly, the knockout increased the Selenop and Gpx1 mRNA levels by over 2.3- and 1.9-folds, respectively, but decreased the mRNA amount of Selenov by 99.9% in the testes. As a key component of the meiotic cohesion complex to promote sister chromatid cohesion, Rec8 mRNA amount was reduced by 91.1% in the Selenoh-/- testes aged 42 days. SELENOH knockout did not affect body weight or food intake but resulted in glucose intolerance and insulin resistance in the mice. Additionally, SELENOH knockout reduced the mRNA amounts of Gpx1, Gpx4, and Txnrd1 in the liver and Gpx4 in the skeletal muscle. These findings suggest that SELENOH plays a role in glucose metabolism and regulates body Se metabolism in mice. In summary, results of these three studies unveil essential roles of SELENOH in embryogenesis, spermatogenesis, and glucose tolerance in mice. SELENOH plausibly plays upstream roles to optimize these physiological events in association with the transcriptional regulation of several selenoproteins and meiotic proteins. Future studies are warranted to understand the mechanisms by which SELENOH maintains such developmental and metabolic processes.

L’organisation cellulaire repose sur une distribution organisée des macromolécules dans la cellule. Deux ARNm, cen et ik2, montrent une colocalisation parfaite aux centrosomes. Ces deux gènes font partie du même locus sur le chromosome 2L de Drosophila melanogaster et leur région 3’ non traduite (3’UTR) se chevauchent. Dans le mutant Cen, le transport de Ik2 est perturbé, mais dans le mutant Ik2, la localisation de cen n’est aucunement affectée. Ces résultats suggèrent que cen est le régulateur principal de la co-localisation de cen et ik2 aux centrosomes et que cette co-localisation se produit par un mécanisme impliquant la région complémentaire au niveau du 3’UTR des deux transcrits. La localisation de cen au niveau des centrosomes dans les cellules épithéliales de l’embryon est conservée dans différentes espèces de Drosophile : D. melanogater, D. simulans, D. virilis et D. mojavensis. Cependant, la localisation de ik2 n’est pas conservée dans D. virilis et D. mojavensis, deux espèces dont les gènes cen et ik2 sont dissociés dans le génome. Ces résultats suggèrent que la proximité de Cen et Ik2 dans le génome est importante afin d’avoir un événement de co-localisation de ces deux transcrits. J’ai généré différentes lignées de mouches transgéniques dans lesquelles un transgène contenant la séquence GFP fusionnée à différentes partie de Cen (partie codante, 3’UTR, Cod+3’UTR) qui sont sous le contrôle du promoteur UAS et qui sont gal4 inductibles. La région codante de l’ARNm cen était suffisante pour avoir un ciblage précis du transcrit aux centrosomes. / Messenger RNA (mRNA) localization plays a key role in establishing cellular architecture and function. The centrocortin (cen) and IkB Kinase-like 2 (ik2) mRNAs are co-localized to centrosomes in embryonic epithelial cells. Interestingly, both of these genes are organized in a head-to-head configuration in the genome, with their 3’ untranslated regions (3’UTRs) overlapping on opposite DNA strands. Here we show that gene positioning of cen and ik2 is important for the co-localization of these transcripts during Drosophila embryogenesis. The localization of cen is conserved within the Drosophila phylogeny and ik2 cannot localize when it is separated from the cen locus. Also, loss of function mutants of cen show a complete loss of ik2 localization, proposing that cen is the main driver of the co-localization. Structure-function analysis revealed that the coding region of cen is necessary for its centrosomal targeting, suggesting that a cis-regulatory motif that drives its localization is located in the coding region. This study reveals for the first time the importance of gene positioning for RNA localization. We suggest a model where cen mRNA is the main driver of centrosomal localization, which may occur through post-transcriptional interaction/annealing of these mRNAs via their 3’UTRs.

Dans cette étude, nous avons dans un premier temps adapte le protocole d'embryogenèse somatique primaire a différentes variétés d'hybrides porte-greffes (3309C, 110R, Fercal, 41B et SO4) en nous appuyant sur l'expérience acquise au laboratoire sur Vitis vinifera cv Chardonnay. Les résultats montrent que le génotype, le type d'explant (étamine, fleur ou nœud), le type et la dose d'auxine utilisés dans le milieu d’induction (2,4-D ou 2,4,5-T) ont une influence sur les efficacités d'embryogenèse somatique. En effet, pour le 3309C, l'utilisation du 2,4,5-T dans le milieu d'induction a montré une efficacité embryogène supérieure à partir de nœuds par rapport à celle obtenue à partir d'étamines. Cependant la meilleure efficacité a été obtenue à partir de fleurs de cette variété, sur un milieu d'induction contenant du 2,4-D. De plus, le protocole d'embryogenèse somatique secondaire utilise de manière récurrente au laboratoire nous a permis d'obtenir des masses embryogènes ainsi que des embryons somatiques secondaires de ces porte-greffes. Le protocole de conversion des embryons en plantes, en présence de 4,5 uM de cytokinine (BAP) s'est avère efficace pour le 11OR et le 41B. Dans un second temps, nous avons co-cultivé le matériel embryogène obtenu pour quatre de ces génotypes (110R, 3309C, Fercal et 41B), avec Agrobacterium tumefaciens contenant trois constructions génétiques : (i) une copie d'une séquence partielle (1020 pb) du gène de la coque protéique du virus en orientation sens; (ii) une partie courte en sens et en anti-sens (280 pb) de cette même séquence formant une structure en épingle a cheveux (hpRNA = hairpin RNA) ; (iii) un amiRNA ciblant une séquence virale. Le gène bactérien codant la néomycine phosphotransférase et conférant la résistance à un antibiotique, la kanamycine, a été utilisé comme gène de sélection. Les conditions de sélection a la kanamycine ont nécessité des adaptations expérimentales telles que l’ajustement de la concentration en antibiotique puisque la sélection avec 75 mg.L-1 de kanamycine s'avère insuffisamment drastique dans Ia plupart de nos expériences de co-cullture. Les résultats d'analyse moléculaire par PCR ont montré l'amplification probable des fragments d'intérêt (CPGFLV et amiRI1TA-71) dans des échantillons de 11OR et de 41B résistants à la kanamycine. Cependant des analyses moléculaires supplémentaires par AL-PCR ne nous ont pas renseignées sur une éventuelle intégration du transgène amiRATA-71 dans des masses embryogènes de 41B. / In this study, we initially adapted the protocol of primary somatic embryogenesis in different varieties of hybrid rootstocks (3309C, 110R, Fercal, 41B and SO4) building on the experience gained in the laboratory on Vitis vinifera cv Chardonnay. The results show that the genotype, the explant type (stamen, flower or node), the type and the dose of auxin used in the induction medium (2,4-D or 2,4,5-T) influence the efficiency of somatic embryogenesis. Indeed, for the 3309C, the use of 2,4,5-T in the induction medium showed a higher efficiency from embryogenic nodes compared to that obtained from stamens. However, the better efficiency was obtained from the flowers of this variety on an induction medium containing 2,4-D. In addition, a protocol used in the laboratory for secondary somatic embryogenesis allowed us to obtain embryogenic masses as well as secondary somatic embryos from these rootstocks. The protocol conversion of embryos into plants, in the presence of 4.5 [tM of cytokinin (BAP), was effective for the 110R and 41B. In a second step, we co-cultivated embryogenic material obtained for four of these genotypes (110R, 3309C, Fercal and 41B), with Agrobacteriwn tumefaciens containing three genetic constructs: (i) a copy of a partial sequence (1020 bp) of the coat protein gene of the virus in the sense orientation, (ii) a short part-way and antisense (280 bp) of the same sequence forming a hairpin structure (hairpin RNA = hpRNA) (iii) one amiRNA targeting a viral sequence. The nptll bacterial gene encoding neomycin phosphotransferase and conferring resistance to the antibiotic kanamycin, was used as the selection gene. The selection conditions to kanamycin have required experimental adaptations such as adjusting the concentration of antibiotic because the selection with 75 mg.L-1 of kanamycin was not enough drastic in most of our experiments of co-culture. The results of molecular analysis by PCR showed probable amplification of fragments of interest (CPGFLV and amiRNA-71) in samples of 11OR and 41B resistant to kanamycin. However, additional molecular analysis by AL-PCR did not inform us about a possible integration of the transgene amiRNA-71 in embryogenic masses of 41B.

O experimento foi conduzido com o objetivo de avaliar a influência da interação entre o nitrato de amônio e nitrato de potássio sobre as respostas morfogênicas de embriões somáticos de pupunheiras in vitro a fim de otimizar o protocolo de micropropagação da espécie. As concentrações utilizadas foram 0, 825, 1650, 2475 e 3300 mg L-1 de nitrato e amônio e 0, 950 , 1900, 2850 e 3800 mg L-1 de nitrato de potássio, combinadas entre si, perfazendo um total de 25 tratamentos. Os tratamentos foram preparados a partir da solução completa de Murashige e Skoog, devidamente modificado para as proporções desses íons no suprimento de nitrogênio. Utilizaram-se duzentos e cinqüenta embriões somáticos com características morfológicas homogêneas, isentos de raízes e folhas, obtidos a partir de microplantas mantidas em sala de crescimento com temperatura e luminosidade controladas. Foram aferidos dados do comprimento da parte aérea e da raiz, o número de raízes, brotações e folhas, a porcentagem de ramificação da raiz, a porcentagem de raízes finas, medianas e grossas, em quatro períodos de cultura, a cada 60 dias, totalizando 240 dias de cultivo. Ao final desse período, avaliou-se também o teor de proteínas totais solúveis, o teor de clorofila pelo índice SPAD e os teores de macro e micronutrientes nas microplantas. Utilizou-se delineamento estatístico inteiramente casualizado e os dados foram submetidos ao teste de Bartlett a 5% e análise de variância (ANOVA) a 1% e 5% de probabilidade de erro ou foi elaborada uma matriz de correlação de Pearson a 1% e 5% de probabilidade de erro, conforme o caso. Os resultados permitiram inferir que aos 240 dias de cultivo as microplantas passam a investir mais em formação de parte aérea e aumentam a porcentagem de raízes finas, e funcionais. Os tratamentos que melhor favoreceram a formação de proteínas foram aqueles com concentração de 2475 mg L-1 de NH4NO3 ou com 2850 mg L-1 de KNO3. Os maiores índices SPAD ocorreram nos tratamentos com até 1650 mg L-1 de NH4NO3 combinado com até 1900 mg L-1 de KNO3. Diferentes combinações dos sais de NH4NO3 e KNO3 podem favorecer a absorção de cada nutriente. Conclui-se que os resultados obtidos no trabalho podem contribuir com a melhoria do protocolo de micropropagação de B. gasipaes, na medida em que permitem estabelecer o melhor tratamento para maximização de uma resposta específica desejada para cada momento do processo de cultivo dos embriões somáticos de pupunheiras, como enraizamento, crescimento da parte aérea, formação de proteínas e formação de brotações, facilitando dessa forma a otimização da produção de microplantas com características desejáveis e, conseqüentemente, sua aclimatização e desenvolvimento ex vitro. / This study aimed to evaluate the influence of the interaction between ammonium nitrate and potassium nitrate on the morphogenetic responses of peach palm somatic embryos in vitro cultivated, to optimize the micropropagation protocol for this species. The concentrations used were 0, 825, 1650, 2475 and 3300 mg L-1 of ammonium nitrate and 0, 950 , 1900, 2850 and 3800 mg L-1 of potassium nitrate, in all possible associations, totalizing 25 treatments. The treatments were prepared with the complete solution of Murashige and Skoog, with modified proportions of these ions in relation to the nitrogen supply. Two hundred and fifty somatic embryos with homogeneous morphological characteristics, without roots and leaves, obtained from microplants from a controlled temperature and luminosity room, were used in the experiment. Every 60 days, during 240 days, the length of shoot and root, the number of roots, propagules and leaves and the root architecture were measured. At the end of 240 days of cultivation, it was also analyzed the total soluble proteins, the foliar chlorophyll by a chlorophyll meter equipment (SPAD-502) and the macronutrients and micronutrients concentrations in the microplants. The experiment was conducted in a randomized design. The data were subjected to Bartlett´s test at 5% and variance analysis (ANOVA) at 1% and 5% of probability of error, or it was made a correlation matrix at 1% and 5% of probability of error, according to each analysis. The results showed that at 240 days of cultivation the microplants spent more energy building the shoot part and raised the percentage of thin, functional root. The best treatments for proteins formation were those with 2475 mg L-1 of NH4NO3 or with 2850 mg L-1 of KNO3. The highest SPAD index occurred in the treatments with at most 1650 mg L-1 of NH4NO3 associated with at most 1900 mg L-1 of KNO3. Different associations of NH4NO3 e KNO3 may favor the absorption of each nutrient. We conclude that the results obtained may contribute to the optimization of the B. gasipaes micropropagation protocol, as it is possible to establish the best treatment for maximization of a specific answer for each moment of the somatic embryos cultivations process, such as rooting, shoot growth, propagules and protein formation, and thus increase the optimization of microplants production with wanted characteristics and hence its acclimatization and ex vitro development.

Submitted by Ricardo Cedraz Duque Moliterno (ricardo.moliterno@uefs.br) on 2017-04-11T21:06:17Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Tese final Ana Carolina-.pdf: 2069305 bytes, checksum: d639d8880ea9572c9a3ab7a9e940b690 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-04-11T21:06:17Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Tese final Ana Carolina-.pdf: 2069305 bytes, checksum: d639d8880ea9572c9a3ab7a9e940b690 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-09-26 / (In vitro propagation and acclimatization of medicinal species: Alpinia zerumbet (Pers.) B.L.Burtt&R.M.Sm. (Zingiberaceae) and Solidago chilensis Meyen (Asteraceae). Alpinia zerumbet and Solidago chilensis are known for their ornamental and medicinal values. There are few reports in the literature on micropropagation of Alpinia zerumbet and none about Solidago chilensis, which demonstrates the need for studies. This work aimed to study in vitro propagation of the species, involving micropropagation and developing protocols for organogenesis. For in vitro establishment were tested different types of explants, disinfestation methods and antioxidants. For multiplication, these explants were tested with plant growth regulators naftalen acetic acid and benzilaminopurin isolated and combined, and dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and kinetin, isolated and combined. It was made anatomical characterization of callus formation. For acclimatization, after pre-acclimatization, the seedlings were transferred to plastic cups containing sterilized substrate, capped with plastic bottles and taken to a greenhouse with 50% shading, where the bottle caps were unscrewed slowly. The results showed success in establishing in vitro of A. zerumbet crucial step to start large-scale cultivation. Against contamination, the most effective treatment was 4ml PPM/L (Plant Preservative Mixture), controlling 100% of pathogens. As an antioxidant, ascorbic acid (2%) was the most efficient. There was budding A. zerumbet derivatives bud explants. There was no decline in the propagation rate during in vitro subcultures, however growth is very slow. S. chilensis, explants nodal segments showed a higher rate of multiplication. There was no decline in the spread rate over four subcultures in vitro and the seedlings had a high survival rate in the acclimatization phase. / Alpinia zerumbet e Solidago chilensis s?o conhecidas pelos valores ornamental e medicinal. Existem poucos relatos na literatura sobre micropropaga??o de Alpinia zerumbet e nenhum sobre Solidago chilensis, o que demonstra necessidade de estudos. Este trabalho objetivou estudar a propaga??o in vitro das esp?cies, envolvendo micropropaga??o e desenvolvendo protocolos para organog?nese. Para o estabelecimento in vitro foram testados diferentes tipos de explantes, m?todos de desinfesta??o e antioxidantes. Para multiplica??o, esses explantes foram testados com reguladores vegetais: ?cido naftalenoac?tico e benzilaminopurina isolados e combinados, al?m de ?cido 2,4-diclorofenoxiac?tico e cinetina, isolados e combinados. Foi feita caracteriza??o anat?mica da calog?nese. Para aclimatiza??o, ap?s a pr?-aclimatiza??o, as mudas foram transferidas para copos pl?sticos contendo substrato esterilizado, tampados com garrafas pet e levados para casa de vegeta??o com sombrite 50%, onde as tampas das garrafas foram desenroscadas aos poucos. Os resultados mostraram sucesso no estabelecimento in vitro de A. zerumbet, etapa crucial para iniciar cultivo em larga escala. Contra contamina??o, o tratamento mais efetivo foi 4mL de PPM/L (Plant Preservative Mixture), controlando 100% dos pat?genos. Como antioxidante, o ?cido asc?rbico (2%) foi o mais eficiente. Houve brota??o de A. zerumbet em explantes derivados de gemas. N?o foi observado decl?nio na taxa de propaga??o no decorrer dos subcultivos in vitro, contudo o crescimento ? muito lento. Para S. chilensis, explantes de segmentos nodais apresentaram maior taxa de multiplica??o. N?o foi observado decl?nio na taxa de propaga??o no decorrer de quatro subcultivos in vitro e as mudas apresentaram alto ?ndice de sobreviv?ncia na fase de aclimatiza??o.

A Araucaria angustifólia é uma conífera nativa do Brasil que apresenta sementes recalcitrantes. Devido a sua importância econômica, foi intensamente explorada ao longo dos anos, encontrando-se atualmente classificada como espécie em perigo crítico de extinção pela International Union for Conservation of Nature. A embriogênese somática apresenta-se como uma ferramenta biotecnológica de grande valia na propagação de espécies recalcitrantes e de difícil propagação, com aplicação em programas de conservação, reflorestamento, e melhoramento genético vegetal. Estudos comparativos dos processos de embriogênese somática e zigótica têm permitido o conhecimento dos fatores bioquímicos, fisiológicos e genéticos que controlam o desenvolvimento do embrião, e o estabelecimento as condições artificiais para o correto desenvolvimento embrionário in vitro. O objetivo deste trabalho foi estudar a participação do ácido salicílico como sinalizador do processo de embriogênese zigótica e somática em A. angustifólia. Para tanto foi determinado o conteúdo de ácido salicílico livre e conjugado ao longo da embriogênese zigótica, e o efeito de sua suplementação em culturas embriogênicas com diferentes potenciais para a maturação. Para a embriogênese somática, a presença do ácido salicílico foi correlacionada com a geração de óxido nítrico e espécies reativas de oxigênio , e com a expressão do gene \"Somatic Embryogenesis Receptor Kinase\" (AaSERK). Os resultados obtidos demonstram que: a) ocorre um maior conteúdo de ácido salicílico na forma livre e conjugada nas etapas iniciais da embriogênese zigótica; b) a suplementação de ácido salicílico, nas concentrações de 0,5 a 2 mM, inibiram a indução de culturas embriogênicas; c) culturas embriogênicas incubadas em ácido salicílico apresentaram redução da síntese endógena de espécies reativas de oxigênio e aumento no conteúdo de óxido nítrico; d) a redução de espécies reativas de oxigênio indicou uma relação dose dependente com o ácido salicílico; e) a adição de um doador de óxido nítrico e um sequestrador inibiram a produção de espécies reativas de oxigênio; f) a expressão do gene AaSERK atingiu o maior nível no período de quatro horas de incubação em 0,1 mM de AS / Araucaria angustifolia is a conifer native of Brazil with recalcitrant seeds. Due to its economic importance, the exploration has been extensively over the years, currently this specie is classified as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Somatic embryogenesis is presented as a biotechnological tool of great value in the propagation of recalcitrant species and difficult to spread, with applications in conservation, reforestation programs, and plant breeding. Comparative studies of the processes of zygotic and somatic embryogenesis has allowed the knowledge of biochemical, physiological and genetic factors that control embryo development, and the establishment artificial conditions for proper embryonic development in vitro. The objective of this work was to study the role of salicylic acid as a marker of zygotic embryogenesis and somatic process in A. angustifolia. Thus, we determined the content of free salicylic acid and conjugated along the zygotic embryogenesis, and the effect of their supplementation with different potential embryogenic cultures for maturation. For somatic embryogenesis, the presence of salicylic acid was correlated with the generation of nitric oxide, reactive oxygen species and in the gene expression \"Somatic embryogenesis Receptor Kinase\" (AaSERK). The results show that: a) there is an increased content of salicylic acid in free and conjugated form in the initial stages of zygotic embryogenesis; b) salicylic acid supplementation, in concentrations from 0.5 to 2 mM, inhibited the induction of embryogenic cultures; c) embryos incubated in salicylic acid decreased endogenous synthesis of reactive oxygen species and increase in content of nitric oxide; d) the reduction of reactive oxygen species indicated a dose-dependent relationship with salicylic acid; e) the addition of a nitric oxide donor and a kidnapper inhibited the production of reactive oxygen species; f) the expression of the gene AaSERK reached the highest level in four hours of incubation in 0.1 mM AS

A implantação embrionária e a placentação em cobaios são caracterizadas pela presença trofoblastos que se destacam da placenta principal, semelhantes ao trofoblasto extra-viloso de humanos. Nestes animais ultrapassam os limites, e podem ser encontrados infiltrados no profundamente no endométrio e no em ambiente externo ultrapassando aos limites da parede uterina. A cobaia desenvolve uma importante estrutura fisiológica de troca materno-embrionária, denominada de placenta vitelina invertida, definidas como membrana fetal destituída parcial ou totalmente do revestimento trofoblástico que permite a exposição do endoderma extra-embrionário em contato direto com o tecido materno. Tais características denotam um mecanismo de controle da resposta imune materna distinta dos paradigmas estabelecidos na reprodução humana e de roedores, assim como ratos e camundongos. Sendo a mais intrigante, a destituição do trofoblasto como célula da interface-materno-fetal que controla a tolerância imune-materna.No presente trabalho, procurou-se estabelecer a organização da placenta vitelina de cobaios a partir da identificação das células que compõe esta membrana extra-embrionária e identificar em que momento ocorre à remoção das células trofoblásticas, e a subseqüente forma de interação das células da placenta vitelina na interface com o tecido materno. Para tanto foram utilizados cobaias fêmeas com idade gestacional conhecida, sacrificadas para coleta de segmentos uterinos nos períodos iniciais da gestação e destinados ao processamento histotógico de embebição em parafina. Na ausência de marcadores celulares específicos conhecidos para cobaios, foram realizados testes prospectivos com reações: citoquímicas de PAS e azul de toluidina (AT; um painel de lectinas biotinadas com afinidade específica para diferentes açúcares; e imunocitoquímica para citoqueratina. As reações realizadas com PAS e AT não identificaram populações celulares com marcação seletiva. Contudo dentre as lectinas tetadas, a Erytrina cristagali lectin (ECL) apresentou reação altamente seletiva para a população de trofoblasto mural (TM) que se origina do trofectoderma, mantendo esta reatividade ao longo da gestação. Esta marcação permitiu avaliar temporal e espacialmente o destino destas células que ao longo da gestação eram mantidas como monocamada de TM revestindo externamente a placenta vitelina e, portanto, não expondo as células do endoderma parietal ou visceral ao ecido materno. Pelo acompanhamento do desenvolvimento embrionário nos cortes seriados, foi constatada no interior do blastocisto a organização de duas massas celulares internas em pólos opostos desde a fase de pré-eclosão. Uma das massas celulares constituída de embrioblastos que dará origem aos os folhetos embrionários nas fases subseqüentes, enquanto a outra formada as células tronco trofoblásticas precursora do cone ectoplacentário (CE). A cavidade da blastocele que separa estas duas massas celulares tem a sua parede revestida pelo endoderma parietal em fase tardia, após a formação da cavidade amniótica. Estes achados demonstram a pecularidade da embriogênese no cobaio, diferente daquelas descritas para humanos e outros roedores, não permitem analogias diretas, o que pode ter contribuído para o equívoco na descrição clássica da organização e constituição da placenta vitelina invertida de constituição córion-amniótica. Isto é, o trofoblasto participa da organização da placenta vitelina inicial e permanece na membrana âmnion-córion-vitelina perfazendo todo o limite do embrião ao longo da gestação. Portanto a hipótese da placenta vitelina parcial ou totalmente invertida baseada na descrição clássica em cobaios é decorrente da interpretação equivocada da embriogênese destes animais. / The guinea pig embryo implantation and placentation is characterized by trophoblast cells detaching from the main placenta in a similar way of human extra-villous trophobasts that deeply intrude inside the endometrium and sometimes also found outside the uterine wall. Furthermore, this animal also develops inverted yolk sac placenta defined as fetal membrane partially or fully devoided of trophoblast sheet that allows extra-embryonic endoderma direct exposition to the maternal environment. These characteristics denote a distinct control mechanism of maternal immune response from the established paradigm for human and rodents (rat and mouse) reproduction, being most intriguing the depriving of trophoblast as cells of maternal-fetal interface regulating the maternal immune tolerance. The present work aimed to establish the organization of guinea pig yolk sac based on identification of cell populations composing this membrane and identification if, or, when the trophoblast cells are removed from and subsequent interaction way of yolk sac cell in interface with maternal tissue. It was used pregnant guinea pig sacrificed on established gestational day to collect uterine fragments on early pregnancy stage and processed by conventional paraffin embedding. Due to absence of known specific cell markers for guinea pig, was performed the prospective evaluation using PAS and toluidine blue (TB) cytochemistry and a screening using a panel of biotinylated lectin specific for different sugars and, anti-cytokeratin. The PAS and TB staining did not identify any specific cell population, however, among the lectins used, Erytrina cristagali lectin (ECL) showed high selective labeling to the trophoblast cells originated from the trophectoderm that was kept through the gestational period. This reaction pattern was useful to evaluate chronologically and topologically the fate of this cell and confirmed the constancy of these cells layering the yolk sac placenta in contact with maternal tissue and therefore, endodermal cells were not exposed to maternal environment. Evaluation of embryo development step by step in the serial sections showed the presence of two inner cell mass in opposite sites inside the pre-hatched blastocyst. One of this, was formed with embryoblast that latter will originate the embryonic sheets and the other formed with trophoblast stem cells (ST) will originate the ectoplacental-cone. The wall of blastocele cavity separate these two inner cell mass was initially covered by a single ECL positive mural trophoblast and only later after the amniotic cavity is formed the extraembyonic endodermal cells migrate from the embryonic sheets to cover internally the blastocele cavity to organize the yolk sac placenta. These findings show the peculiarity of guinea pig embryogenesis, quite different from those described for human and rodents and therefore, does not allow direct analogy and seems to contribute in the misunderstanding of classic description of inverted yolk sac placenta and its cellular organization. It means, the trophoblast cell participates in the early organization of yolk sac placenta and remains in chorioamniotic yolk sac fetal membrane constantly limiting the embryo surface in contact with maternal environment. Therefore, the hypothesis of complete or partially inverted yolk sac placenta seems to be a miss understanding of guinea pig embryogenesis.

Nos últimos anos, nós propusemos um modelo de duas etapas para a padronização antero-posterior do coração. Ácido retinóico (AR) produzido pela enzima RALDH2 induz o destino sino atrial nos precursores cardíacos posteriores. Subsequentemente, estes precursores adquirem a capacidade de expressar RALDH2, formando uma onda caudo-rostral desta enzima. A nossa hipótese é que esta onda surgiu nos para padronizar as células precursoras da bomba circulatória ancestral em regiões de influxo e efluxo, resultando na origem das câmaras cardíacas. Para testar se a onda cauro-rostral é ancestral nos vertebrados, nós mapeamos a expressão de RALDH2 em relação ao campo cardíaco em anfíbios, vertebrados basais e no cordado invertebrado anfioxo. Nossos dados sugerem que o modelo de duas etapas está presente em anfíbios e peixes. Clonagem do gene RALDH em lampréias indica presença de AR no campo cardíaco. Em anfioxo, a caracterização do padrão de expressão do ortólogo da RALDH2 revela ausência da onda caudo-rostral. Nossos resultados sugerem que a onda caudo-rostral de RALDH2 foi cooptada nos vertebrados para padronizar o campo cardíaco no eixo AP, o que corrobora a hipotése de que este mecanismo foi importante na origem evolutiva das câmaras cardíacas. / In the last years, we have proposed a 2-step model for the establishment of cardiac chamber identities. Retinoic acid (RA) produced by its synthetic enzyme RALDH2, induces an atrial fate in posterior cardiac precursors of amniote embryos. Subsequently, a RALDH2 caudorostral wave engulfs posterior precursors. Our hypothesis is that this wave evolved in vertebrates to pattern an ancestral circulatory pump into AP fields, which were later fashioned into cardiac chambers. To test whether the wave is an ancestral or derived feature of amniotes, we mapped expression of RALDH2 in relation to the cardiac field in amphibians, basal vertebrates and the amphioxus. Our data suggests RA signaling patterns amphibian and piscine hearts. Cloning of RALDH in lampreys shows that RA synthesis takes place in the heart field. In the amphioxus, cloning of RALDH reveals a vertebrate-like expression pattern, although the RALDH2 wave is absent. Our results support the hypothesis that the caudorostral wave of RALDH2 was coopted to pattern the vertebrate cardiac field. This supports the hypothesis that the caudorostral wave of RALDH2 was an important player in the evolutionary origin of the cardiac chambers.

Les médicaments sont fréquement retrouvés dans les effluents de STEP relargués dans l’environnement aquatique. Dans le but de prévenir et de mieux comprendre les impacts des médicaments sur les écosystèmes aquatiques, il semble pertinent d’évaluer les perturbations comportementales, physiologiques et transcriptomiques des psychotropes sur les organismes aquatiques. Dans ce contexte, l’objectif de cette étude a été d’évaluer les perturbations induites par 4 psychotropes (oxazépam, carbamazépine, cyamémazine et sertraline) chez deux organismes, Radix balthica et Schmidtea polychroa. Pour ce faire, des embryons de Radix au stade trochophore et des planaires adultes ont été exposés à chaque psychotrope (du μg/L jusqu’à 100 μg/L). Il en ressort que les psychotropes allongent la durée du développement embryonnaire du Radix et perturbent le déplacement, la reproduction et la digestion, mais pas la régénération de la planaire. D’un point de vue transcriptomique, nous avons réalisé le séquençage du transcriptome en conditions différentielles chez le Radix. Ainsi, nous avons obtenu d’une part les séquences du transcriptome et d’autre part, après analyse en différentiel, 144 contigs différentiellement exprimés par l’oxazépam parmi lesquels 94 ont été vérifiés en RT-qPCR chez des Radix exposés à chaque psychotrope. Il ressort de cette analyse que les psychotropes impactent principalement la voie de signalisation Notch, mais aussi les voies de biosynthèse des polyamines et des catécholamines. Les psychotropes modulent aussi l’expression de gènes codant des protéines de la Matrice Extra Cellulaire (MEC), comme la Matriline ou encore la Dentine sialophosphoprotéine. Chez la planaire, nous avons analysé l’expression de 87 gènes impliqués dans différentes fonctions. Il ressort de cette étude que les 4 psychotropes modulent l’expression de nombreux gènes impliqués dans la mobilité ciliaire et musculaire et dans les systèmes nerveux, reproducteur, excréteur et digestif. / Pharmaceuticals are often found in WWTP effluents realesed in surface water. In order to prevent and to understand the pharmaceuticals impact on aquatic ecosystems, it seems relevant to evaluate behavioural, physiological and transcriptomic disturbances of psychotropics on freshwater organisms. The aim of this study was thus to analyse disturbances of 4 psychotropics (oxazepam, carbamazepine, cyamemazine and sertraline) on 2 freshwater organisms, Radix balthica and Schmidtea polychroa. In our experiments, both Radix embryos at the trochophore stage and mature planarian were exposed to each psychotropic (from 1 to 100 μg/L). This psychotropic exposure results in an increase of the duration of Radix embryonic development and a disturbance of the mobility, the reproduction and the digestion but not the regeneration of planarian. Regarding the transcriptomic impact, we performed RNA sequencing in differential conditions of Radix embryos exposed or not to oxazepam. On one hand, this analysis allowed us to obtain the transcriptome sequences and, on the other hand, 144 contigs differentially expressed among which 94 genes were verified by RT-qPCR. The results showed that psychotropics impact mainly the Notch signalling pathways, but also the biosynthetic pathways of polyamines and catecholamines. Psychotropics also disturb the gene expression encoding some Extra Cellular Matrix (ECM) protein such as Matrilin and Dentin sialophosphoprotein. Regarding the molecular study of the psychotropics impact on planarian, we analysed the expression of 87 genes involved in different functions. The results showed that the 4 psychotropics modulate expression of genes involved in ciliary and muscular motility and in the nervous, reproductive and excretory systems. Genes from the digestive system are also impacted by the psychotropics. All the observed impacts on the 2 organisms suggest a possible disturbance on the population fitness and therefore on the freshwater ecosystems.

CoordenaÃÃo de AperfeiÃoamento de NÃvel Superior / O feijÃo-de-corda (Vigna unguiculata) Ã uma leguminosa bastante utilizada na alimentaÃÃo de famÃlias de baixa renda da regiÃo nordeste do Brasil. Embora suas sementes sejam ricas em proteÃnas, estas sÃo deficientes em aminoÃcidos sulfurados na sua composiÃÃo. Dessa forma, um aumento na qualidade nutricional dessas sementes tem sido um dos principais objetivos dos programas de melhoramento genÃtico para essa espÃcie. AlÃm de determinar o padrÃo de deposiÃÃo de proteÃnas durante o desenvolvimento de embriÃes zigÃticos e somÃticos, nÃs pretendemos identificar genes com padrÃes especÃficos de expressÃo durante a embriogÃnese com a finalidade de utilizÃ-los em programas de melhoramento genÃtico. Utilizando a tÃcnica de eletroforese bidimensional (2D-PAGE) foi comparado o padrÃo protÃico de sementes em desenvolvimento com 10 dias apÃs a antese (DAA), sementes maduras e de suspensÃes celulares embriogÃnicas (SCE) obtidas de calos embriogÃnicos friÃveis (CEF) de feijÃo-de-corda. Para cada estÃgio de desenvolvimento da semente e para as SCE foram obtidos mapas de referÃncia proteÃmicos altamente reprodutÃveis numa faixa de pH de 3-10 e 4-7. VÃrios âspotsâ foram selecionados baseando-se na quantidade ou volume relativo de cada âspotâ e na taxa de expressÃo. Cerca de 800 (para sementes em desenvolvimento) e 130 (para SCE) âspotsâ protÃicos regulados para cima, para baixo, que se mantÃm constantes ou que sÃo especÃficos durante o desenvolvimento foram retirados dos gÃis 2D para anÃlise por espectrometria de massa. Algumas estratÃgias foram utilizadas para a identificaÃÃo das proteÃnas, como: PMF (peptide mass fingerprinting) e busca atravÃs de dados nÃo processados (MS/MS ion search). Dessa forma, cerca de 400 proteÃnas foram identificadas em sementes e cerca de 70 proteÃnas foram identificadas para SCE. A maioria das proteÃnas fram classificadas como proteÃnas do metabolismo primÃrio, energÃtico, proteÃnas de destinaÃÃo/proteÃnas de reserva e proteÃnas de defesa ou relacionadas a algum tipo de estresse. / Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) is a leguminous plant highly utilized by low-income earners of Northeastern Brazil. However, proteins found in the crop are highly deficient in sulfur-containing amino acids. In line with this, improvement of nutritional quality of cowpea seeds has been one of the major goals of breeding programs of the crop. A starting point in this respect is a concerted effort to study the basic biochemical and physiological aspects of the development of cowpea seed. Besides determining the protein deposition pattern during the development of zygotic embryos and somatic embryos of the species, we set out to identify genes with specific pattern of expression during the two processes which will be of immense importance in cowpea breeding. Using the technique of two-dimensional electrophoresis (2D-PAGE), we compared the protein deposition pattern of developing cowpea seeds with 10 days after anthesis (DAA) and mature seeds and embryogenic cell suspension (ECS). From each developmental stage and for ECS, we obtained proteomic reference maps that were highly reproducible within the pH of 3-10 and 4-7. Various spots were selected based on quantity or relative volume and rate of expression. About 800 (for seeds development) and 130 (for ECS) proteins spots up- or down-regulated, remained constantly expressed and were specific for each developmental stage. The spots were removed from the 2-D gels, processed, and subjected to mass spectrometry. Some strategies like peptide mass fingerprinting (PMF) and non-processed data search (MS/MS ion search) were employed for protein identification. Over 400 proteins in seeds and over 70 proteins in ECS were identified. A large number of these proteins were found to be primary metabolism proteins, energy, protein destination and storage and defense proteins and others related to stress.