Venom gland transcriptome analyses of two freshwater stingrays (Myliobatiformes : Potamotrygonidae) from Brazil

Stingrays commonly cause human envenoming related accidents in populations of the sea, near rivers and lakes. Transcriptomic profiles have been used to elucidate components of animal venom, since they are capable of providing molecular information on the biology of the animal and could have biomedical applications. In this study, we elucidated the transcriptomic profile of the venom glands from two different freshwater stingray species that are endemic to the Paraná-Paraguay basin in Brazil, Potamotrygon amandae and Potamotrygon falkneri. Using RNA-Seq, we identified species-specific transcripts and overlapping proteins in the venom gland of both species. Among the transcripts related with envenoming, high abundance of hyaluronidases was observed in both species. In addition, we built three-dimensional homology models based on several venom transcripts identified. Our study represents a significant improvement in the information about the venoms employed by these two species and their molecular characteristics. Moreover, the information generated by our group helps in a better understanding of the biology of freshwater cartilaginous fishes and offers clues for the development of clinical treatments for stingray envenoming in Brazil and around the world. Finally, our results might have biomedical implications in developing treatments for complex diseases

Shedding some light over the floral metabolism by Arum Lily (Zantedeschia aethiopica) Spathe de novo transcriptome assembly

Zantedeschia aethiopica is an evergreen perennial plant cultivated worldwide and commonly used for ornamental and medicinal purposes including the treatment of bacterial infections. However, the current understanding of molecular and physiological mechanisms in this plant is limited, in comparison to other non-model plants. In order to improve understanding of the biology of this botanical species, RNA-Seq technology was used for transcriptome assembly and characterization. Following Z. aethiopica spathe tissue RNA extraction, high-throughput RNA sequencing was performed with the aim of obtaining both abundant and rare transcript data. Functional profiling based on KEGG Orthology (KO) analysis highlighted contigs that were involved predominantly in genetic information (37%) and metabolism (34%) processes. Predicted proteins involved in the plant circadian system, hormone signal transduction, secondary metabolism and basal immunity are described here. In silico screening of the transcriptome data set for antimicrobial peptide (AMP) – encoding sequences was also carried out and three lipid transfer proteins (LTP) were identified as potential AMPs involved in plant defense. Spathe predicted protein maps were drawn, and suggested that major plant efforts are expended in guaranteeing the maintenance of cell homeostasis, characterized by high investment in carbohydrate, amino acid and energy metabolism as well as in genetic information

Echinocandins as Biotechnological Tools for Treating Candida auris Infections

Candida auris has been reported in the past few years as an invasive fungal pathogen of high interest. Its recent emergence in healthcare-associated infections triggered the efforts of researchers worldwide, seeking additional alternatives to the use of traditional antifungals such as azoles. Lipopeptides, specially the echinocandins, have been reported as an effective approach to control pathogenic fungi. However, despite its efficiency against C. auris, some isolates presented echinocandin resistance. Thus, therapies focused on echinocandins’ synergism with other antifungal drugs were widely explored, representing a novel possibility for the treatment of C. auris infections

Categorization of <i>Z. aethiopica</i> spathe transcriptome into KEGG biological categories.

<p>A. Total KEGG biological categories contigs distribution; B. Metabolism biological category distribution of contigs percentage.</p

Final molecular dynamics scores for <i>Zantedeschia aethiopica</i> lipid transfer protein (LTP) docking with lipid ligands.

a<p>Data generated by comparing the structure at 0 ns and 50 ns.</p>b<p>The RMSD evolution along the time is available in <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0090487#pone.0090487.s014" target="_blank">Figure S14</a>.</p>c<p>Excluding the polyproline tail, this value is reduced to 4.117.</p

Lipid Transfer Proteins structural analysis.

<p>A. Multiple alignment of LTPs here identified. Conserved residues are green highlighted and the cysteine residues are in yellow. Final three-dimensional structures of LTPs with ligands before and after 50 ns of molecular dynamics are illustrated at B. Za-LTP1 + Oleic acid initial; C. Za-LTP1 + Oleic acid final; D. Za-LTP2 + Palmitoleic acid initial; E. Za-LTP2 + Palmitoleic acid final; F. Za-LTP3 + Alpha-Linoleic acid intial and G. Za-LTP3 + Alpha-linoleic acid final.</p

Secondary Metabolism Pathways for <i>Zantedeschia aethiopica</i> assigned by KEGG Orthology (KO).

<p>Secondary Metabolism Pathways for <i>Zantedeschia aethiopica</i> assigned by KEGG Orthology (KO).</p

Sequencing and assembly of <i>Zantedeschia aethiopica</i> transcriptome using Illumina HiSeq 2000.

<p>Sequencing and assembly of <i>Zantedeschia aethiopica</i> transcriptome using Illumina HiSeq 2000.</p