RESUMO
Weed resistance to herbicides is a natural phenomenon that exerts selection on individuals in a population. In Brazil, glyphosate resistance was recently detected in Digitaria insularis. The objective of this study was to elucidate mechanisms of weed resistance in this plant, including genetic variability, allelism, amino acid substitutions, gene expression, and enzymatic activity levels. Most of these have not previously been studied in this species. D. insularis DNA sequences were used to analyze genetic variability. cDNA from resistant and susceptible plants was used to identify mutations, alleles, and 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase (EPSPS) expression, using real-time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. In addition, EPSPS activity was measured. We found a decrease in genetic variability between populations related to glyphosate application. Substitutions from proline to threonine and tyrosine to cysteine led to a decrease in EPSPS affinity for the glyphosate. In addition, the EPSPS enzymatic activity was slightly higher in resistant plants, whereas EPSPS gene expression was almost identical in both biotypes, suggesting feedback regulation at different levels. To conclude, our results suggest new molecular mechanisms used by D. insularis to increase glyphosate resistance.
Assuntos
3-Fosfoshikimato 1-Carboxiviniltransferase/genética , Digitaria/enzimologia , Glicina/análogos & derivados , Herbicidas/farmacologia , Proteínas de Plantas/genética , 3-Fosfoshikimato 1-Carboxiviniltransferase/metabolismo , Substituição de Aminoácidos , Digitaria/efeitos dos fármacos , Digitaria/genética , Expressão Gênica , Glicina/farmacologia , Resistência a Herbicidas , Filogenia , Proteínas de Plantas/metabolismo , Polimorfismo Genético , Análise de Sequência de DNA , GlifosatoRESUMO
Persistent harmful scenarios associated with disposal of radioactive waste, high-background radiation areas and severe nuclear accidents are of great concern regarding consequences to both human health and the environment. Of particular concern is the extracellular DNA in aquatic environments contaminated by radiological substances. Strand breaks induced by radiation promote decrease in the transformation efficiency for extracellular DNA. The focus of this study is the quantification of DNA damage following long-term exposure (over one year) to low doses of natural uranium (an alpha particle emitter) to simulate natural conditions, since nothing is known about alpha radiation induced damage to extracellular DNA. A high-resolution Atomic Force Microscope was used to evaluate DNA fragments. Double-stranded plasmid pBS as a model for extracellular DNA was exposed to different amounts of natural uranium. It was demonstrated that low concentrations of U in water (50 to 150 ppm) produce appreciable numbers of double strand breaks, scaling with the square of the average doses. The importance of these findings for environment monitoring of radiological pollution is addressed.
Assuntos
Fragmentação do DNA/efeitos da radiação , DNA/efeitos da radiação , Urânio/toxicidade , Poluentes Radioativos da Água/toxicidade , Dano ao DNA , Urânio/análise , Poluentes Radioativos da Água/análiseRESUMO
Microsatellites, or simple sequence repeats (SSRs), and their flanking regions in chloroplast genomes (plastomes) of some species of the family Poaceae were analyzed in silico to look for DNA sequence variations. Comparison of the complete chloroplast DNA sequences (cpDNAs) of sugarcane (Saccharum hybrid cv. SP-80-3280 and S. officinarum cv. NCo310) and related species, Agrostis stolonifera, Brachypodium distachyon, Hordeum vulgare subsp vulgare, Lolium perenne, Oryza nivara, O. sativa subsp indica, O. sativa subsp japonica, Sorghum bicolor, Triticum aestivum, Zea mays, and Z. mays cv. B73, allowed us to examine the organization of chloroplast SSRs (cpSSRs) in genic and intergenic regions. We identified 204 cpSSRs in the sugarcane cpDNA; 22.5% were in genic regions. The ndh, rps, trn, and rpl gene clusters of the chloroplasts had the most repeats. Mononucleotide repeats were the most abundant cpSSRs in these species; however, di-, tri-, tetra-, penta-, and hexanucleotide repeats were also identified. Many base substitutions and deletions/insertions were identified in the cpSSR loci and their flanking regions. Multiple alignments of all cpSSR sequences of Poaceae species made identification of nucleotide variability possible; repeat motifs are not uniformly distributed across the Poaceae plastomes, but are mostly confined to intergenic regions. Phylogeny was determined by maximum parsimony and neighbor-joining inference methods. The cpSSRs of these species were found to be polymorphic. It appears that individual cpSSRs in the Poaceae are stable, at least over short periods of evolutionary time. We conclude that the plastome database can be exploited for phylogenetic analysis and biotechnological development.
Assuntos
DNA de Cloroplastos/genética , Repetições de Microssatélites/genética , Saccharum/genética , Sequência de Bases , Cloroplastos/genética , Marcadores Genéticos , Variação Genética , Genoma de Cloroplastos , Genoma de Planta , Filogenia , Polimorfismo Genético , Alinhamento de Sequência , Análise de Sequência de DNARESUMO
The pathogenic fungus Fusarium graminearum is an ongoing threat to agriculture, causing losses in grain yield and quality in diverse crops. Substantial progress has been made in the identification of genes involved in the suppression of phytopathogens by antagonistic microorganisms; however, limited information regarding responses of plant pathogens to these biocontrol agents is available. Gene expression analysis was used to identify differentially expressed transcripts of the fungal plant pathogen F. graminearum under antagonistic effect of the bacterium Pantoea agglomerans. A macroarray was constructed, using 1014 transcripts from an F. graminearum cDNA library. Probes consisted of the cDNA of F. graminearum grown in the presence and in the absence of P. agglomerans. Twenty-nine genes were either up (19) or down (10) regulated during interaction with the antagonist bacterium. Genes encoding proteins associated with fungal defense and/or virulence or with nutritional and oxidative stress responses were induced. The repressed genes coded for a zinc finger protein associated with cell division, proteins containing cellular signaling domains, respiratory chain proteins, and chaperone-type proteins. These data give molecular and biochemical evidence of response of F. graminearum to an antagonist and could help develop effective biocontrol procedures for pathogenic plant fungi.
Assuntos
Antibiose/genética , Produtos Agrícolas/microbiologia , Fusarium/genética , Perfilação da Expressão Gênica , Regulação Fúngica da Expressão Gênica , Interações Hospedeiro-Patógeno/genética , Pantoea/fisiologia , Regulação para Baixo/genética , Fusarium/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Análise de Sequência com Séries de Oligonucleotídeos , RNA Mensageiro/genética , RNA Mensageiro/metabolismo , Reprodutibilidade dos Testes , Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase Via Transcriptase Reversa , Regulação para Cima/genéticaRESUMO
The noradrenergic nucleus locus coeruleus (LC) has been reported to regulate luteinising hormone (LH) secretion in female rats. Both oestrogen and progestin receptors have been demonstrated in LC neurones, suggesting that these cells are possibly responsive to variations in circulating levels of ovarian steroids. We therefore evaluated changes in the activity of LC neurones during the oestrous cycle and after ovarian-steroid treatment in ovariectomised (OVX) rats, as determined by immunoreactivity to Fos-related antigens (FRA), which comprises all of the known members of the Fos family. Effects of ovarian steroids on the firing rate of LC neurones were also determined in a slice preparation. The number of FRA/tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-immunoreactive (ir) neurones in the LC increased from 14.00-16.00 h on pro-oestrus, coinciding with the onset of the LH surge and rise in plasma progesterone. FRA immunoreactivity was unaltered during dioestrus. Oestradiol-treated OVX rats (OVX+E) displayed marked reduction in FRA/TH-ir neurones in LC compared to oil-treated OVX rats. Accordingly, oestradiol superfusion significantly reduced the spontaneous firing rate of LC neurones in slices from OVX rats. Compared to OVX+E, oestradiol-treated rats injected with progesterone at 08.00 h (OVX+EP) exhibited higher number of FRA/TH-ir neurones in the LC at 10.00 h and 16.00 h, and great amplification of the LH surge. Bath application of progesterone significantly increased the spontaneous firing rate of OVX+E LC neurones. Our data suggest that ovarian steroids may physiologically modulate the activity of LC neurones in females, with possible implications for LH secretion. Moreover, oestradiol and progesterone appear to exert opposite and complementary effects (i.e. whereas oestradiol inhibits, progesterone, after oestradiol priming, stimulates LC activity).
Assuntos
Estrogênios/metabolismo , Ciclo Estral/fisiologia , Locus Cerúleo/fisiologia , Hormônio Luteinizante/metabolismo , Neurônios/fisiologia , Progesterona/metabolismo , Potenciais de Ação , Animais , Estradiol/farmacologia , Estrogênios/farmacologia , Feminino , Técnicas In Vitro , Locus Cerúleo/efeitos dos fármacos , Neurônios/efeitos dos fármacos , Ovariectomia , Progesterona/sangue , Progesterona/farmacologia , Progestinas/farmacologia , Proteínas Proto-Oncogênicas c-fos/metabolismo , Ratos , Ratos Wistar , Fatores de Tempo , Tirosina 3-Mono-Oxigenase/metabolismoRESUMO
Previous work from our laboratory has shown that in cultures of hypothalamic neurons obtained from male fetuses at embryonic day 16 the axogenic response to estradiol (E2) is contingent upon culture with medium conditioned by astroglia from a target region for hypothalamic axons. E2 also induced increased levels of TrkB that were necessary for the axonal growth to occur. This convergence between estrogenic and neurotrophic signals prompted investigation of the mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade. Analysis of the temporal course of MAPK activation showed increased levels of phosphorylated ERK up to 60 min after E2 exposure, with a maximal response at 5-15 min. UO126 (specific inhibitor of MEK 1/2) blocked E2 induced axonal elongation and ERK phosphorylation, confirming the involvement of ERK in the neuritogenic effect of E2. The membrane impermeable construct E2-BSA proved as effective as free E2 to induce axon elongation, suggesting that E2 exerted its effect through a membrane-associated receptor. This possibility received additional support from experiments showing that E2-BSA also increased ERK phosphorylation with the same time course than E2. These results indicate that ERK signaling is necessary for E2 to induce axon growth and this activation is mediated by a membrane bound estrogen receptor.
Assuntos
Estradiol/farmacologia , Neurônios/citologia , Neurônios/efeitos dos fármacos , Animais , Axônios/efeitos dos fármacos , Diferenciação Celular/efeitos dos fármacos , Divisão Celular/efeitos dos fármacos , Células Cultivadas , Meios de Cultivo Condicionados , Feminino , Feto/citologia , Sistema de Sinalização das MAP Quinases/efeitos dos fármacos , Masculino , Neurônios/metabolismo , Oligodesoxirribonucleotídeos Antissenso/genética , Oligodesoxirribonucleotídeos Antissenso/farmacologia , Gravidez , Ratos , Receptor trkB/antagonistas & inibidores , Receptor trkB/genética , Diferenciação Sexual/efeitos dos fármacosRESUMO
17-beta-estradiol (E2) increases axonal growth and tyrosine kinase receptor (Trk)B levels of male-derived hypothalamic neurones in vitro. To investigate whether the axogenic response depends on the upregulation of TrkB, we analysed neuritic growth and neuronal polarization in cultures treated with an antisense oligonucleotide against TrkB mRNA. In cultures without E2, treatment with 7.5 or 10 micro m antisense reduced TrkB levels and the percentage of neurones showing an identifiable axon; the number and length of minor processes were increased. In cultures treated with 5 micro m antisense, morphometric parameters were normal although total TrkB levels were reduced. The same dose prevented the E2-dependent increase of TrkB levels and suppressed the axogenic effect of E2. These results indicate that TrkB is necessary for normal neuronal growth and maturation and further suggest that an increase in TrkB is necessary for E2 to exert its axogenic effect in male-derived neurones.
Assuntos
Estradiol/farmacologia , Hipotálamo/citologia , Neurônios/efeitos dos fármacos , Receptor trkB/metabolismo , Animais , Western Blotting/métodos , Contagem de Células/métodos , Diferenciação Celular/efeitos dos fármacos , Células Cultivadas , Relação Dose-Resposta a Droga , Embrião de Mamíferos , Imuno-Histoquímica/métodos , Técnicas In Vitro , Masculino , Neuritos/efeitos dos fármacos , Neuroglia/efeitos dos fármacos , Neurônios/fisiologia , Oligonucleotídeos Antissenso/farmacologia , Ratos , Ratos Wistar , Receptor trkB/antagonistas & inibidores , Receptor trkB/genética , Fatores de TempoRESUMO
Leptospira species colonize a significant proportion of rodent populations worldwide and produce life-threatening infections in accidental hosts, including humans. Complete genome sequencing of Leptospira interrogans serovar Copenhageni and comparative analysis with the available Leptospira interrogans serovar Lai genome reveal that despite overall genetic similarity there are significant structural differences, including a large chromosomal inversion and extensive variation in the number and distribution of insertion sequence elements. Genome sequence analysis elucidates many of the novel aspects of leptospiral physiology relating to energy metabolism, oxygen tolerance, two-component signal transduction systems, and mechanisms of pathogenesis. A broad array of transcriptional regulation proteins and two new families of afimbrial adhesins which contribute to host tissue colonization in the early steps of infection were identified. Differences in genes involved in the biosynthesis of lipopolysaccharide O side chains between the Copenhageni and Lai serovars were identified, offering an important starting point for the elucidation of the organism's complex polysaccharide surface antigens. Differences in adhesins and in lipopolysaccharide might be associated with the adaptation of serovars Copenhageni and Lai to different animal hosts. Hundreds of genes encoding surface-exposed lipoproteins and transmembrane outer membrane proteins were identified as candidates for development of vaccines for the prevention of leptospirosis.
Assuntos
Genoma Bacteriano , Genômica , Leptospira interrogans/fisiologia , Leptospira interrogans/patogenicidade , Animais , Proteínas de Bactérias/química , Proteínas de Bactérias/genética , Cricetinae , Humanos , Leptospira interrogans/classificação , Leptospira interrogans/genética , Leptospirose/microbiologia , Camundongos , Dados de Sequência Molecular , Análise de Sequência de DNA , Sorotipagem , Virulência/genéticaRESUMO
Xylella fastidiosa is a xylem-dwelling, insect-transmitted, gamma-proteobacterium that causes diseases in many plants, including grapevine, citrus, periwinkle, almond, oleander, and coffee. X. fastidiosa has an unusually broad host range, has an extensive geographical distribution throughout the American continent, and induces diverse disease phenotypes. Previous molecular analyses indicated three distinct groups of X. fastidiosa isolates that were expected to be genetically divergent. Here we report the genome sequence of X. fastidiosa (Temecula strain), isolated from a naturally infected grapevine with Pierce's disease (PD) in a wine-grape-growing region of California. Comparative analyses with a previously sequenced X. fastidiosa strain responsible for citrus variegated chlorosis (CVC) revealed that 98% of the PD X. fastidiosa Temecula genes are shared with the CVC X. fastidiosa strain 9a5c genes. Furthermore, the average amino acid identity of the open reading frames in the strains is 95.7%. Genomic differences are limited to phage-associated chromosomal rearrangements and deletions that also account for the strain-specific genes present in each genome. Genomic islands, one in each genome, were identified, and their presence in other X. fastidiosa strains was analyzed. We conclude that these two organisms have identical metabolic functions and are likely to use a common set of genes in plant colonization and pathogenesis, permitting convergence of functional genomic strategies.
Assuntos
Citrus/microbiologia , Gammaproteobacteria/genética , Genoma Bacteriano , Doenças das Plantas/microbiologia , Sequência de Bases , Dados de Sequência MolecularRESUMO
Previous work from our laboratory has shown that in cultures of hypothalamic neurons obtained from male fetuses at embryonic day 16, the axogenic response to estrogen (E2) is contingent on coculture with target glia or target glia-conditioned media (CM). Neither the estrogen receptor blockers tamoxifen nor ICI 182,780 prevented the axogenic effects of the hormone. Estradiol made membrane-impermeable by conjugation to a protein of high molecular weight (E2-BSA) preserved its axogenic capacity, suggesting the possibility of a membrane effect responsible for the action of E2. Western blot analysis of extracts from homogenates of cultured neurons grown with E2 and CM from target glia had more TrkB than cultures with CM alone or E2 alone. To further investigate the interaction between E2 and the neurotrophin receptors, we used a specific antisense oligonucleotide (AS) to prevent the estradiol-induced increase of TrkB. The effect of E2 was suppressed in cultures in which TrkB was down-regulated by the AS, showing decreased axonal elongation when compared with neurons treated with E2 without AS or with sense TrkB. In cultures grown with AS, the axonal length of E2-treated cultures was not different from cultures without E2. Evidence suggesting cross-talk between E2 and neurotrophic factor(s) prompted investigation of signaling along the MAPK cascade. Immuno blotting of E2-treated cultures showed increased levels of phosphorylated ERK1 and ERK2. UO126 but not LY294002 blocked E2-induced axonal elongation, suggesting that the MAPKs are involved in this response.