RESUMO
Odysseus (OdsH) was the first speciation gene described in Drosophila related to hybrid sterility in offspring of mating between Drosophila mauritiana and Drosophila simulans. Its origin is attributed to the duplication of the gene unc-4 in the subgenus Sophophora. By using a much larger sample of Drosophilidae species, we showed that contrary to what has been previously proposed, OdsH origin occurred 62 MYA. Evolutionary rates, expression, and transcription factor-binding sites of OdsH evidence that it may have rapidly experienced neofunctionalization in male sexual functions. Furthermore, the analysis of the OdsH peptide allowed the identification of mutations of D. mauritiana that could result in incompatibility in hybrids. In order to find if OdsH could be related to hybrid sterility, beyond Sophophora, we explored the expression of OdsH in Drosophila arizonae and Drosophila mojavensis, a pair of sister species with incomplete reproductive isolation. Our data indicated that OdsH expression is not atypical in their male-sterile hybrids. In conclusion, we have proposed that the origin of OdsH occurred earlier than previously proposed, followed by neofunctionalization. Our results also suggested that its role as a speciation gene might be restricted to D. mauritiana and D. simulans.
Assuntos
Proteínas de Drosophila , Infertilidade , Animais , Masculino , Evolução Biológica , Drosophila/genética , Proteínas de Drosophila/genética , Hibridização GenéticaRESUMO
Non-SARS-CoV-2 respiratory viral infections, such as influenza virus (FluV) and human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), have contributed considerably to the burden of infectious diseases in the non-COVID-19 era. While the rates of co-infection in SARS-CoV-2-positive group (SCPG) patients have been determined, the burden of other respiratory viruses in the SARS-CoV-2-negative group (SCNG) remains unclear. Here, we conducted a cross-sectional study (São José do Rio Preto county, Brazil), and we collected our data using a meta-analysis to evaluate the pooled prevalence of FluV and RSV among SCNG patients. Out of the 901 patients suspected of COVID-19, our molecular results showed positivity of FluV and RSV in the SCNG was 2% (15/733) and 0.27% (2/733), respectively. Co-infection with SARS-CoV-2 and FluV, or RSV, was identified in 1.7% of the patients (3/168). Following our meta-analysis, 28 studies were selected (n = 114,318 suspected COVID-19 patients), with a pooled prevalence of 4% (95% CI: 3-6) for FluV and 2% (95% CI: 1-3) for RSV among SCNG patients were observed. Interestingly, FluV positivity in the SCNG was four times higher (OR = 4, 95% CI: 3.6-5.4, p < 0.01) than in the SCPG. Similarly, RSV positivity was significantly associated with SCNG patients (OR = 2.9, 95% CI: 2-4, p < 0.01). For subgroup analysis, cold-like symptoms, including fever, cough, sore throat, headache, myalgia, diarrhea, and nausea/vomiting, were positively associated (p < 0.05) with the SCPG. In conclusion, these results show that the pooled prevalence of FluV and RSV were significantly higher in the SCNG than in the SCPG during the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Assuntos
COVID-19 , Coinfecção , Influenza Humana , Infecções por Vírus Respiratório Sincicial , Humanos , Coinfecção/epidemiologia , COVID-19/epidemiologia , Estudos Transversais , Influenza Humana/epidemiologia , Pandemias , Infecções por Vírus Respiratório Sincicial/epidemiologia , Vírus Sincicial Respiratório Humano , SARS-CoV-2RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Chronic inflammation due to Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection promotes gastric carcinogenesis. Tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), a key mediator of inflammation, induces cell survival or apoptosis by binding to two receptors (TNFR1 and TNFR2). TNFR1 can induce both survival and apoptosis, while TNFR2 results only in cell survival. The dysregulation of these processes may contribute to carcinogenesis. AIM: To evaluate the effects of TNFR1 and TNFR2 downregulation in AGS cells treated with H. pylori extract on the TNF-α pathway. METHODS: AGS cell lines containing TNFR1 and TNFR2 receptors downregulated by specific shRNAs and nonsilenced AGS cells were treated with H. pylori extract for 6 h. Subsequently, quantitative polymerase chain reaction with TaqMan® assays was used for the relative quantification of the mRNAs (TNFA, TNFR1, TNFR2, TRADD, TRAF2, CFLIP, NFKB1, NFKB2, CASP8, CASP3) and miRNAs (miR-19a, miR-34a, miR-103a, miR-130a, miR-181c) related to the TNF-α signalling pathway. Flow cytometry was employed for cell cycle analysis and apoptosis assays. RESULTS: In nonsilenced AGS cells, H. pylori extract treatment increased the expression of genes involved in cell survival and inhibited both apoptosis (NFKB1, NFKB2 and CFLIP) and the TNFR1 receptor. TNFR1 downregulation significantly decreased the expression of the TRADD and CFLIP genes, although no change was observed in the cellular process or miRNA expression. In contrast, TNFR2 downregulation decreased the expression of the TRADD and TRAF2 genes, which are both important downstream mediators of the TNFR1-mediated pathway, as well as that of the NFKB1 and CFLIP genes, while upregulating the expression of miR-19a and miR-34a. Consequently, a reduction in the number of cells in the G0/G1 phase and an increase in the number of cells in the S phase were observed, as well as the promotion of early apoptosis. CONCLUSION: Our findings mainly highlight the important role of TNFR2 in the TNF-α pathway in gastric cancer, indicating that silencing it can reduce the expression of survival and anti-apoptotic genes.
Assuntos
MicroRNAs , Neoplasias Gástricas , Fator 2 Associado a Receptor de TNF/metabolismo , Apoptose , Carcinogênese , Ciclo Celular , Regulação para Baixo , Expressão Gênica , Humanos , Inflamação , MicroRNAs/genética , Receptores Tipo I de Fatores de Necrose Tumoral/genética , Receptores Tipo I de Fatores de Necrose Tumoral/metabolismo , Receptores Tipo II do Fator de Necrose Tumoral/genética , Neoplasias Gástricas/genética , Proteína de Domínio de Morte Associada a Receptor de TNF/metabolismo , Fator 2 Associado a Receptor de TNF/genética , Fator de Necrose Tumoral alfa/metabolismoRESUMO
Down syndrome (DS), caused by trisomy of chromosome 21 (HSA21), results in a broad range of phenotypes. However, the determinants contributing to the complex and variable phenotypic expression of DS are still not fully known. Changes in microRNAs (miRNAs), short non-coding RNA molecules that regulate gene expression post-transcriptionally, have been associated with some DS phenotypes. Here, we investigated the genome-wide mature miRNA expression profile in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of children with DS and controls and identified biological processes and pathways relevant to the DS pathogenesis. The expression of 754 mature miRNAs was profiled in PBMCs from six children with DS and six controls by RT-qPCR using TaqMan® Array Human MicroRNA Cards. Functions and signaling pathways analyses were performed using DIANA-miRPath v.3 and DIANA-microT-CDS software. Children with DS presented six differentially expressed miRNAs (DEmiRs): four overexpressed (miR-378a-3p, miR-130b-5p, miR-942-5p, and miR-424-3p) and two downregulated (miR-452-5p and miR-668-3p). HSA21-derived miRNAs investigated were not found to be differentially expressed between the groups. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses showed potential target genes involved in biological processes and pathways pertinent to immune response, e.g., toll-like receptors (TLRs) signaling, Hippo, and transforming growth factor ß (TGF-ß) signaling pathways. These results suggest that altered miRNA expression could be contributing to the well-known immunological dysfunction observed in individuals with DS.
Assuntos
Síndrome de Down , MicroRNAs , Síndrome de Down/genética , Perfilação da Expressão Gênica , Humanos , Leucócitos Mononucleares/química , Leucócitos Mononucleares/metabolismo , MicroRNAs/genética , MicroRNAs/metabolismo , Transdução de Sinais/genéticaRESUMO
Down syndrome (DS) is the most common chromosomal disorder, resulting from the failure of normal chromosome 21 segregation. Studies have suggested that impairments within the one-carbon metabolic pathway can be of relevance for the global genome instability observed in mothers of individuals with DS. Based on the association between global DNA hypomethylation, genome instability, and impairments within the one-carbon metabolic pathway, the present study aimed to identify possible predictors, within the one-carbon metabolism, of global DNA methylation, measured by methylation patterns of LINE-1 and Alu repetitive sequences, in mothers of individuals with DS and mothers of individuals without the syndrome. In addition, we investigated one-carbon genetic polymorphisms and metabolites as maternal predisposing factors for the occurrence of trisomy 21 in children. Eighty-three samples of mothers of children with DS with karyotypically confirmed free trisomy 21 (case group) and 84 of mothers who had at least one child without DS or any other aneuploidy were included in the study. Pyrosequencing assays were performed to access global methylation. The results showed that group affiliation (case or control), betaine-homocysteine methyltransferase (BHMT) G742A and transcobalamin 2 (TCN2) C776G polymorphisms, and folate concentration were identified as predictors of global Alu DNA methylation values. In addition, thymidylate synthase (TYMS) 28-bp repeats 2R/3R or 3R/3R genotypes are independent maternal predisposing factors for having a child with DS. This study adds evidence that supports the association of impairments in the one-carbon metabolism, global DNA methylation, and the possibility of having a child with DS.
Assuntos
Carbono/metabolismo , Metilação de DNA/genética , Síndrome de Down/genética , Síndrome de Down/metabolismo , Estudo de Associação Genômica Ampla , Instabilidade Genômica/genética , Relações Mãe-Filho , Mães , Adolescente , Adulto , Idoso , Elementos Alu/genética , Betaína-Homocisteína S-Metiltransferase/genética , Betaína-Homocisteína S-Metiltransferase/metabolismo , Feminino , Ácido Fólico/metabolismo , Predisposição Genética para Doença/genética , Humanos , Elementos Nucleotídeos Longos e Dispersos/genética , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Polimorfismo Genético , Transdução de Sinais/genética , Transdução de Sinais/fisiologia , Timidilato Sintase/genética , Transcobalaminas/genética , Transcobalaminas/metabolismo , Adulto JovemRESUMO
Cisplatin (Cis) is a choice chemotherapy approach to cervical cancer by inducing DNA adducts and subsequent apoptosis. We have investigated the effects of Cis on Annexin A1 (ANXA1) and inhibitor of DNA binding 1 (ID1) proteins expression to elucidate further mechanisms of Cis actions. Human cervical tissue samples from twenty-four patients, with Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia (CIN, stage I, II and III), were evaluated to quantified ANXA1 and ID1 expressions. In vitro, human epidermoid carcinoma of the cervix (SiHa cell line) were treated with Annexin A1 peptide (ANXA12-26), Cis or Cisâ¯+â¯ANXA12-26 to evaluate cell proliferation and migration, cytotoxicity of treatments as well as ANXA1 and ID1 modulations by mRNA and protein expression. Our findings showed expression of ID1 and ANXA1 proteins in tissue samples from Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia (CIN) patients, with intense immunological identification of ID1 in the CIN III stage. In SiHa cells, treatments with Cis alone or Cisâ¯+â¯ANXA12-26, increase mRNA expressions of the ANXA1 and reduced the ID1. In agreement, Cisâ¯+â¯ANXA12-26 enhanced ANXA1 protein expression and Cis or Cisâ¯+â¯ANXA12-26 abolished ID1 protein expression. Cell proliferation was reduced after treatment with ANXA12-26 peptide and more significant after Cis or Cisâ¯+â¯ANXA12-26 treatments. These two last treatments reduced cell viability, by inducing late apoptosis, and impaired cell migration. Together, our data highlight endogenous ANXA1 is involved in Cis therapy for cervical cancer.
Assuntos
Anexina A1/metabolismo , Antineoplásicos/farmacologia , Carcinoma de Células Escamosas/tratamento farmacológico , Cisplatino/farmacologia , Proteína 1 Inibidora de Diferenciação/metabolismo , Neoplasias do Colo do Útero/tratamento farmacológico , Adulto , Anexina A1/genética , Apoptose/efeitos dos fármacos , Carcinoma de Células Escamosas/genética , Carcinoma de Células Escamosas/metabolismo , Carcinoma de Células Escamosas/patologia , Linhagem Celular Tumoral , Movimento Celular/efeitos dos fármacos , Proliferação de Células/efeitos dos fármacos , Feminino , Regulação Neoplásica da Expressão Gênica , Humanos , Proteína 1 Inibidora de Diferenciação/genética , Invasividade Neoplásica , Estadiamento de Neoplasias , Transdução de Sinais , Fatores de Tempo , Neoplasias do Colo do Útero/genética , Neoplasias do Colo do Útero/metabolismo , Neoplasias do Colo do Útero/patologia , Displasia do Colo do Útero/metabolismo , Displasia do Colo do Útero/patologiaRESUMO
Immunological impairment is a condition that is often observed in individuals with Down syndrome (DS). The immune response is modulated by pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines whose expressions could be influenced by genetic polymorphisms. The present study was aimed at evaluating the frequencies of -174G>C, -572G>C, and -597G>A polymorphisms in the interleukin 6 (IL-6) gene and -592C>A, -1082A>G, and -819C>T polymorphisms in the IL-10 gene and the IL-6 and IL-10 serum levels in healthy individuals with and without DS. The authors also aimed to investigate the impact of the genotypes on the interleukin concentrations. The genetic polymorphisms were investigated in 200 DS individuals and 200 controls without DS. The serum measurement of IL-6 and IL-10 was performed in a subgroup (54 cases and 54 controls) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The frequencies of the polymorphisms and haplotypes evaluated were not different between individuals with and without DS. IL-10 concentration was higher in DS children but was not influenced by IL-10 gene polymorphisms. IL-6 genotypes had no influence on IL-6 serum levels. The IL-10 serum levels are increased in DS individuals, but IL-10 polymorphisms are not the main factors that influence the IL-10 expression in DS.
Assuntos
Síndrome de Down/sangue , Síndrome de Down/genética , Interleucina-10/sangue , Interleucina-6/sangue , Pré-Escolar , Feminino , Frequência do Gene , Predisposição Genética para Doença/genética , Genótipo , Haplótipos/genética , Humanos , Masculino , Polimorfismo de Nucleotídeo Único/genética , Regiões Promotoras Genéticas/genéticaRESUMO
AIM: To examine the effect of Fusobacterium nucleatum (F. nucleatum) on the microenvironment of colonic neoplasms and the expression of inflammatory mediators and microRNAs (miRNAs). METHODS: Levels of F. nucleatum DNA, cytokine gene mRNA (TLR2, TLR4, NFKB1, TNF, IL1B, IL6 and IL8), and potentially interacting miRNAs (miR-21-3p, miR-22-3p, miR-28-5p, miR-34a-5p, miR-135b-5p) were measured by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) TaqMan® assays in DNA and/or RNA extracted from the disease and adjacent normal fresh tissues of 27 colorectal adenoma (CRA) and 43 colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. KRAS mutations were detected by direct sequencing and microsatellite instability (MSI) status by multiplex PCR. Cytoscape v3.1.1 was used to construct the postulated miRNA:mRNA interaction network. RESULTS: Overabundance of F. nucleatum in neoplastic tissue compared to matched normal tissue was detected in CRA (51.8%) and more markedly in CRC (72.1%). We observed significantly greater expression of TLR4, IL1B, IL8, and miR-135b in CRA lesions and TLR2, IL1B, IL6, IL8, miR-34a and miR-135b in CRC tumours compared to their respective normal tissues. Only two transcripts for miR-22 and miR-28 were exclusively downregulated in CRC tumour samples. The mRNA expression of IL1B, IL6, IL8 and miR-22 was positively correlated with F. nucleatum quantification in CRC tumours. The mRNA expression of miR-135b and TNF was inversely correlated. The miRNA:mRNA interaction network suggested that the upregulation of miR-34a in CRC proceeds via a TLR2/TLR4-dependent response to F. nucleatum. Finally, KRAS mutations were more frequently observed in CRC samples infected with F. nucleatum and were associated with greater expression of miR-21 in CRA, while IL8 was upregulated in MSI-high CRC. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that F. nucleatum is a risk factor for CRC by increasing the expression of inflammatory mediators through a possible miRNA-mediated activation of TLR2/TLR4.
Assuntos
Adenoma/genética , Carcinogênese/genética , Neoplasias Colorretais/genética , Fusobacterium nucleatum/isolamento & purificação , Mediadores da Inflamação/metabolismo , MicroRNAs/metabolismo , Adenoma/microbiologia , Adenoma/patologia , Idoso , Neoplasias Colorretais/microbiologia , Neoplasias Colorretais/patologia , DNA Bacteriano/isolamento & purificação , Regulação para Baixo , Feminino , Fusobacterium nucleatum/genética , Regulação Neoplásica da Expressão Gênica , Humanos , Masculino , Instabilidade de Microssatélites , Mutação , Proteínas Proto-Oncogênicas p21(ras)/genética , RNA Mensageiro/metabolismo , Receptor 2 Toll-Like/genética , Receptor 2 Toll-Like/metabolismo , Receptor 4 Toll-Like/genética , Receptor 4 Toll-Like/metabolismo , Microambiente Tumoral/genética , Regulação para CimaRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Down syndrome (DS) results from the presence and expression of three copies of the genes located on chromosome 21. Studies have shown that, in addition to overexpression of the Cystathionine ß-synthase (CBS) gene, polymorphisms in genes involved in folate/homocysteine (Hcy) metabolism may also influence the concentrations of metabolites of this pathway. AIM: Investigate the association between Dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) 19-base pair (bp) deletion and Serine hydroxymethyltransferase (SHMT) C1420T polymorphisms and serum folate and plasma Hcy and methylmalonic acid (MMA) concentrations in 85 individuals with DS. METHODS: Molecular analysis of the DHFR 19-bp deletion and SHMT C1420T polymorphisms was performed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) by difference in the size of fragments and real-time PCR allelic discrimination, respectively. Serum folate was quantified by chemiluminescence and plasma Hcy and MMA by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. RESULTS: Individuals with DHFR DD/SHMT TT genotypes presented increased folate concentrations (p=0.004) and the DHFR II/SHMT TT genotypes were associated with increased MMA concentrations (p=0.008). In addition, the MMA concentrations were negatively associated with age (p=0.04). CONCLUSION: There is an association between DHFR DD/SHMT TT and DHFR II/SHMT TT combined genotypes and folate and MMA concentrations in individuals with DS.
Assuntos
Síndrome de Down/genética , Ácido Fólico/metabolismo , Deleção de Genes , Glicina Hidroximetiltransferase/genética , Homocisteína/sangue , Ácido Metilmalônico/sangue , Polimorfismo Genético , Tetra-Hidrofolato Desidrogenase/genética , Adolescente , Adulto , Criança , Pré-Escolar , Síndrome de Down/sangue , Feminino , Frequência do Gene , Genótipo , Humanos , Lactente , Masculino , Adulto JovemRESUMO
Studies have shown that the maternal risk for Down syndrome (DS) may be modulated by alterations in folate metabolism. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of 12 genetic polymorphisms involved in folate metabolism on maternal risk for DS. In addition, we evaluated the impact of these polymorphisms on serum folate and plasma methylmalonic acid (MMA, an indicator of vitamin B