Molecular cytogenetics and its contribution to the understanding of the chromosomal diversification in Hoplias malabaricus (Characiformes)

Cytogenetic markers were used to compare the karyotypes of an isolated population of Hoplias malabaricus with others previously described. The results revealed peculiar characteristics that indicate a new independent evolutionary unit within the H. malabaricus complex.     

First report of Phytopythium vexans causing the “Avocado sadness” in Michoacan,Mexico

Mexico is the main producer, consumer and exporter of avocado in the world, being Michoacan the main producer state contributing more than 80% of the national production. There are phytopathogens that decimate the production causing the death of the tree. Root samples were collected in avocado trees that showed the characteristic symptomatology of the disease known as avocado sadness, the sampling was carried out in four of the main avocado producing towns, in the state of Michoacan, Mexico. The isolation consisted in sowing root tissue in Petri dishes with V8^®-PARPH culture medium, subsequently they were identified morphologically and for species level it was determined by molecular biology, with the PCR-ITS technique. Pathogenicity tests were performed in triplicate with avocado seedlings with more than six leaves. After 24 hours, the inoculated plants expressed decay in the apical part, after 120 hours the leaves showed yellowing and after 15 days there was a generalized wilt on the stem and leaves, re-isolating the phytopathogen Phytopythium vexans. This study confirms the first report of the oomycete P. vexans affecting avocado trees in the most important producing region of the Mexican Republic.     

Selective stimulatory action of olfactory ensheathing glia-conditioned medium on oligodendroglial differentiation,with additional reference to signaling mechanisms

We examined the effects of conditioned medium from olfactory ensheathing glia (OEGCM) on the differentiation of oligodendrocytes in mixed cultures of early postnatal hippocampi. Differentiation was judged from the numerical density (ND) of cells immunoreactive to 2′3′ cyclic nucleotide 3′phosphodiesterase (CNPase) and O4 antibodies. NDs increased according to inverted-U dose–response curves, particularly for CNPase+ cells (9-fold at optimal dilution) and these changes were blocked by inhibitors of ERK1, p38-MAPK, and PI3K. Our results raise the possibility that OEG secreted factor(s) may counteract demyelination induced by trauma, neurodegenerative diseases, and advanced age, and should stimulate novel methods to deliver these factors and/or potentiating chemicals.     

Evolution of C,D and S-Type Cystatins in Mammals: An Extensive Gene Duplication in Primates

Cystatins are a family of inhibitors of cysteine peptidases that comprises the salivary cystatins (D and S-type cystatins) and cystatin C. These cystatins are encoded by a multigene family (CST3, CST5, CST4, CST1 and CST2) organized in tandem in the human genome. Their presence and functional importance in human saliva has been reported, however the distribution of these proteins in other mammals is still unclear. Here, we performed a proteomic analysis of the saliva of several mammals and studied the evolution of this multigene family. The proteomic analysis detected S-type cystatins (S, SA, and SN) in human saliva and cystatin D in rat saliva. The evolutionary analysis showed that the cystatin C encoding gene is present in species of the most representative mammalian groups, i.e. Artiodactyla, Rodentia, Lagomorpha, Carnivora and Primates. On the other hand, D and S-type cystatins are mainly retrieved from Primates, and especially the evolution of S-type cystatins seems to be a dynamic process as seen in Pongo abelii genome where several copies of CST1-like gene (cystatin SN) were found. In Rodents, a group of cystatins previously identified as D and S has also evolved. Despite the high divergence of the amino acid sequence, their position in the phylogenetic tree and their genome organization suggests a common origin with those of the Primates. These results suggest that the D and S type cystatins have emerged before the mammalian radiation and were retained only in Primates and Rodents. Although the mechanisms driving the evolution of cystatins are unknown, it seems to be a dynamic process with several gene duplications evolving according to the birth-and-death model of evolution. The factors that led to the appearance of a group of saliva-specific cystatins in Primates and its rapid evolution remain undetermined, but may be associated with an adaptive advantage.     

High-Yield Expression in Escherichia coli and Purification of Mouse Ubiquitin-Activating Enzyme E1

Research in the ubiquitin field requires large amounts of ubiquitin-activating enzyme (E1) for in vitro ubiquitination assays. Typically, the mammalian enzyme is either isolated from natural sources or produced recombinantly using baculovirus/insect cell protein expression systems. Escherichia coli is seldom used to produce mammalian E1 probably due to the instability and insolubility of this high-molecular mass protein. In this report, we show that 5-10 mg of histidine-tagged mouse E1 can be easily obtained from a 1 l E. coli culture. A low temperature during the protein induction step was found to be critical to obtain an active enzyme.     

Toward a standardized saliva proteome analysis methodology

The present study aimed the evaluation of saliva sample pre-treatment, in particular the sample clearance usually performed by centrifugation, to the contribution of salivary proteome and peptidome. Using in-gel and off-gel approaches, a large content of salivary proteins was detected in the pellet fraction that is usually discarded. In addition, chaotropic/detergent treatment in combination with sonication, before the centrifugation step, resulted in salivary complex disruption and consequently in the extraction of high amounts of proteins. Based on this data, we suggest the use of urea/detergent with sonication as a standard saliva sample pre-treatment procedure. We also described a procedure to extract salivary peptides which can be performed even after saliva sample treatment with chaotropic/detergents. In overall, we reported for the first time the contribution of the pellet fraction to the whole saliva proteome. iTRAQ analysis highlighted a higher number of different peptides as well as distinct quantities of each protein class when after sample treatment with urea and sonication, acetone precipitation followed by solubilization with acetonitrile/HCl was performed.     

Ocurrence of Dyscinetus rugifrons Burmeister (Scarabaeidae: Dynastinae, Cyclocephalini) in Australian palm (Archontophoenix spp. H. Wendl. & Drude) plantations, in Vale do Itajaí, Santa Catarina State, Brazil

For the first time in the Vale do Itajaí, Santa Catarina State, was registered the occurrence of Dyscinetus rugifrons (Burmeister) attacking plantations of Archontophoenix spp. The insect was observed in the Barra do Sul city, causing damages in young plants. The attack caused plant death and in the surveyed area 45% of the plants were attacked. The importance in keeping Archontophoenix spp. plantations is that it is an alternative to palmito-ju?ara (Euterpe edulis) harvesting, a native specie that has its regeneration compromised for the illegal extrativism.     

Regulation of cellular adhesion molecule expression in murine oocytes, peri-implant ation and post-implantation embryos

Expression of the adhesion molecules, ICAM-1, VCAM-1, NCAM, CD44, CD49d (VLA-4, a chain), and CDlla (LFA-1, a chain) on mouse oocytes, and pre- and peri-implantation stage embryos was examined by quantitative indirect immunofluorescence microscopy. ICAM-1 was most strongly expressed at the oocyte stage, gradually declining almost to undetectable levels by the expanded blastocyst stage. NCAM, also expressed maximally on the oocyte, declined to undetectable levels beyond the morula stage. On the other hand, CD44 declined from highest expression at the oocyte stage to show a second maximum at the compacted 8-cell/morula. This molecule exhibited high expression around contact areas between trophecto-derm and zona pellucida during blastocyst hatching. CD49d was highly expressed in the oocyte, remained significantly expressed throughout and after blastocyst hatching was expressed on the polar trophecto-derm. Like CD44, CD49d declined to undetectable levels at the blastocyst outgrowth stage. Expression of both