Polysome-associated lncRNAs during cardiomyogenesis of hESCs

Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry - In stress conditions, as neoplastic transformation, amino acids serve not only as nutrients to maintain the cell survival but also as mediators of several...     

Expression of cardiac function genes in adult stem cells is increased by treatment with nitric oxide agents

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have received special attention for cardiomyoplasty because several studies have shown that they differentiate into cardiomyocytes both in vitro and in vivo. Nitric oxide (NO) is a free radical signaling molecule that regulates several differentiation processes including cardiomyogenesis. Here, we report an investigation of the effects of two NO agents (SNAP and DEA/NO), able to activate both cGMP-dependent and -independent pathways, on the cardiomyogenic potential of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) and adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ADSCs). The cells were isolated, cultured and treated with NO agents. Cardiac- and muscle-specific gene expression was analyzed by indirect immunofluorescence, flow cytometry, RT-PCR and real-time PCR. We found that untreated (control) ADSCs and BM-MSCs expressed some muscle markers and NO-derived intermediates induce an increased expression of some cardiac function genes in BM-MSCs and ADSCs. Moreover, NO agents considerably increased the pro-angiogenic potential mostly of BM-MSCs as determined by VEGF mRNA levels.     

Stage-specific gene expression during Trypanosoma cruzi metacyclogenesis

The process of Trypanosoma cruzi metacyclogenesis involves the transformation of noninfective epimastigotes into metacyclic trypomastigotes, which are the pathogenic form. The analysis of stage-specific genes during T. cruzi metacyclogenesis may provide insight into the mechanisms involved in the regulation of gene expression in trypanosomatids. It may also improve the understanding of the mechanisms responsible for the pathology of Chagas disease, and could lead to the identification of new targets for chemotherapy of this disease. We have demonstrated that during metacyclogenesis the expression of several genes is controlled at the translational level by an alternative regulatory mechanism. This mechanism may involve the mobilization of mRNA to the translation machinery. We have been using self-made T. cruzi microarrays to investigate the role of polysomal mobilization in modulating gene expression during metacyclogenesis.     

Trypanosoma cruzi: molecular cloning of a gene coding for a putative vacuolar protein

We describe the characterization of Tc38, a Trypanosoma cruzi gene coding for a 337-amino-acid protein with a predicted molecular mass of 38 kDa. Tc38 presents similarities to the plant storage vacuolar protein gamma-3-hordein involved in the transport and targeting of prolamins to the vacuole of developing barley endosperm. Western blot analysis using a polyclonal antiserum against recombinant Tc38 revealed that the protein is differentially expressed in the different life stages of the parasite, showing a higher expression in the epimastigote and tripomastigote stages. Immunofluorescence studies suggest that the protein is located in putative vacuolar structures in epimastigotes. The functionality of this protein in T. cruzi remains to be elucidated.