Caractérisation moléculaire et fonctionnelle de la protéine Rev du virus de l'immunodéficience bovine

Les lentivirus sont un groupe de virus appartenant à la famille des Retroviridae. Le modèle par excellence pour l'étude des lentivirus est le virus de l'immunodéficience humaine (VIH) qui est l'agent causant le syndrome d'immunodéficience acquise ou SIDA. Les études réalisées sur les protéines du virus telles que Nef, Vpu, Tat et Rev ont permis de mieux connaître la biologie et les mécanismes de pathogenèse du VIH de type 1 (VIH-1). Le virus de l'immunodéficience bovine (VIB) est un lentivirus qui a servi de modèle d'étude de la protéine Tat du VIH. Bien que le VIH-1 et le VIB appartiennent aux lentivirus, les maladies qu'ils causent sont très différentes. Le potentiel pathogénique du VIB est controversé et les mécanismes pathogéniques et la biologie du VIB ne sont pas encore bien connus. Seule la protéine Tat a été bien caractérisée. L'étude approfondie des autres protéines virales nécessaires à la réplication du virus comme la protéine Rev permettront de donner des outils nécessaires à la compréhension de la biologie du VIB et des mécanismes impliqués dans la pathogenèse des lentivirus. La protéine Rev a une fonction essentielle dans la réplication des lentivirus. Le rôle de Rev est d'exporter les ARNs viraux non épissés et partiellement épissés du noyau au cytoplasme pour produire en outre les protéines nécessaires à l'assemblage des nouvelles particules virales. La protéine Rev du VIH-1 contient minimalement quatre domaines fonctionnels importants : un domaine basique riche en arginines nécessaire à la liaison de l'ARN ou RBD qui contient des signaux de localisation nucléaire et nucléolaire (NLS et NoLS), un domaine riche en leucines nécessaire à l'exportation du complexe Rev-ARN (NES) et deux régions nécessaires à la multimérisation de Rev. Le but de ce projet est de caractériser moléculairement et biologiquement la protéine Rev du VIB. Dans ces travaux, nous rapportons la caractérisation des NLS et NoLS de la protéine Rev du VIB. Grâce à la transfection d'une série de protéines mutantes de Rev du VIB fusionnées à la enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP). Nous avons démontré que le NLS de la protéine Rev du VIB est bipartite. Ce type de NLS est le premier à être identifié dans la famille des protéines Rev des lentivirus/rétrovirus. De plus, nous avons déterminé que le NoLS était localisé entre les deux motifs basiques du NLS bipartite de Rev du VIB. Le NoLS de Rev du VIB est aussi unique et diffère de la séquence consensus rapportée pour d'autres protéines virales et/ou cellulaires, toute nature confondue. Pour l'importation au noyau, nous avons démontré que la protéine Rev du VIB est importée par la voie classique (importines α:β) et que les importines α3 et α5 sont impliquées, fait qui contraste avec l'importation au noyau de la protéine Rev du VIH-1. Nous avons aussi caractérisé le domaine d'exportation ou NES de Rev du VIB en déterminant que le mécanisme d'exportation était CRM1-dépendant de façon similaire que la proteine Rev du VIH-1. Nous avons aussi identifié les résidus qui composent le NES de la protéine Rev du VIB qui appartient au groupe de PKI NES et non à celui de Rev VIH-1 NES, ce qui constitue une première chez les lentivirus. Pour compléter la caractérisation des domaines fonctionnels de la protéine Rev du VIB, les domaines de multimérisation et de liaison à l'ARN furent identifiés. Nous avons observé que Rev du VIB était capable de multimériser in vitro et in vivo dans le cytoplasme et deux régions impliquées dans cette fonction ont été identifiées. En plus, nous avons cartographié un domaine RBD bipartite chez Rev du VIB. Nous avons montré que le premier motif du RBD était situé dans la région centrale de la protéine et chevauchait le NoLS et le NLS bipartite alors que le deuxième motif était situé à l'extrémité C-terminale de la protéine Rev du VIB. En conclusion, les principaux domaines fonctionnels de la protéine Rev du VIB ont été caractérisés. Les résultats obtenus ont clairement démontré que la protéine Rev du VIB est unique chez les lentivirus et les rétrovirus. Les caractéristiques de la protéine Rev du VIB pourraient aider à expliquer en partie les profondes différences de pathogénicité observées chez les lentivirus. \ud ______________________________________________________________________________ \ud MOTS-CLÉS DE L’AUTEUR : VIB, Rev, NLS, NES, VI

Integrating NGS-derived mutational profiling in the diagnosis of multiple lung adenocarcinomas

MICROABSTRACT: Integration of Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) information for use in distinguishing between Multiple Primary Lung Cancer and intrapulmonary metastasis was evaluated. We used a probabilistic model, comprehensive histologic assessment and NGS to classify patients. Integrating NGS data confirmed initial diagnosis (n = 41), revised the diagnosis (n = 12), while resulted in non-informative data (n = 8). Accuracy of diagnosis can be significantly improved with integration of NGS data. BACKGROUND: Distinguishing between multiple primary lung cancers (MPLC) and intrapulmonary metastases (IPM) is challenging. The goal of this study was to evaluate how Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) information may be integrated in the diagnostic strategy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with multiple lung adenocarcinomas were classified using both the comprehensive histologic assessment and NGS. We computed the joint probability of each pair having independent mutations by chance (thus being classified as MPLC). These probabilities were computed using the marginal mutation rates of each mutation, and the known negative dependencies between driver genes and different gene loci. With these NGS-driven data, cases were re-classified as MPLC or IPM. RESULTS: We analyzed 61 patients with a total of 131 tumors. The most frequent mutation was KRAS (57.3%) which occured at a rate higher than expected (p < 0.001) in lung cancer. No mutation was detected in 25/131 tumors (19.1%). Discordant molecular findings between tumor sites were found in 46 patients (75.4%); 11 patients (18.0%) had concordant molecular findings, and 4 patients (6.6%) had concordant molecular findings at 2 of the 3 sites. After integration of the NGS data, the initial diagnosis was confirmed for 41 patients (67.2%), the diagnosis was revised for 12 patients (19.7%) or was considered as non-informative for 8 patients (13.1%). CONCLUSION: Integrating the information of NGS data may significantly improve accuracy of diagnosis and staging

Estado del Arte de la Investigación en Educación, Pedagogía, Didáctica, Aportes teóricos a las discusiones educativas sobre la diversidad, y Diversidad en procesos de aprendizaje y transformación de la escuela en la MEVI – 2018 - 2021.

Elaborar un estado del arte de la investigación en la MEVI en relación con la educación, la pedagogía, la didáctica, los aportes teóricos a las discusiones educativas sobre la diversidad y la diversidad en procesos de aprendizaje y transformación de la escuela entre 2018 y 2021El presente estado del arte evidencia los intereses investigativos y las conceptualizaciones derivadas en el campo de la educación la pedagogía, la didáctica, los aportes teóricos a las discusiones educativas sobre la diversidad y la diversidad en procesos de aprendizaje y transformación de la escuela, en las investigaciones realizadas en el programa de Maestría en Educación Virtual (en adelante MEVI), de la Corporación Universitaria Minuto de Dios ( en adelante UNIMINUTO), entre los años 2018 y 2021. Este proyecto sombrilla, se desarrolla bajo la sub-línea de Procesos educativos para la diversidad y la transformación cultural se realiza bajo un enfoque cualitativo descriptivo a partir de una selección aleatoria de 160 tesis de la MEVI. En el capítulo 1 se presenta una contextualización sobre el proceso investigativo dentro de la MEVI. También, se presentan los estudios nacionales e internacionales relacionados con la investigación; al tiempo que se presenta en detalle el planteamiento de objetivos con la intención de lograr categorías de estudio

Omecamtiv mecarbil in chronic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, GALACTIC‐HF: baseline characteristics and comparison with contemporary clinical trials

Aims: The safety and efficacy of the novel selective cardiac myosin activator, omecamtiv mecarbil, in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) is tested in the Global Approach to Lowering Adverse Cardiac outcomes Through Improving Contractility in Heart Failure (GALACTIC‐HF) trial. Here we describe the baseline characteristics of participants in GALACTIC‐HF and how these compare with other contemporary trials. Methods and Results: Adults with established HFrEF, New York Heart Association functional class (NYHA) ≥ II, EF ≤35%, elevated natriuretic peptides and either current hospitalization for HF or history of hospitalization/ emergency department visit for HF within a year were randomized to either placebo or omecamtiv mecarbil (pharmacokinetic‐guided dosing: 25, 37.5 or 50 mg bid). 8256 patients [male (79%), non‐white (22%), mean age 65 years] were enrolled with a mean EF 27%, ischemic etiology in 54%, NYHA II 53% and III/IV 47%, and median NT‐proBNP 1971 pg/mL. HF therapies at baseline were among the most effectively employed in contemporary HF trials. GALACTIC‐HF randomized patients representative of recent HF registries and trials with substantial numbers of patients also having characteristics understudied in previous trials including more from North America (n = 1386), enrolled as inpatients (n = 2084), systolic blood pressure &lt; 100 mmHg (n = 1127), estimated glomerular filtration rate &lt; 30 mL/min/1.73 m2 (n = 528), and treated with sacubitril‐valsartan at baseline (n = 1594). Conclusions: GALACTIC‐HF enrolled a well‐treated, high‐risk population from both inpatient and outpatient settings, which will provide a definitive evaluation of the efficacy and safety of this novel therapy, as well as informing its potential future implementation

The Bovine Immunodeficiency Virus Rev Protein: Identification of a Novel Lentiviral Bipartite Nuclear Localization Signal Harboring an Atypical Spacer Sequence▿

The bovine immunodeficiency virus (BIV) Rev protein (186 amino acids [aa] in length) is involved in the nuclear exportation of partially spliced and unspliced viral RNAs. Previous studies have shown that BIV Rev localizes in the nucleus and nucleolus of infected cells. Here we report the characterization of the nuclear/nucleolar localization signals (NLS/NoLS) of this protein. Through transfection of a series of deletion mutants of BIV Rev fused to enhanced green fluorescent protein and fluorescence microscopy analyses, we were able to map the NLS region between aa 71 and 110 of the protein. Remarkably, by conducting alanine substitution of basic residues within the aa 71 to 110 sequence, we demonstrated that the BIV Rev NLS is bipartite, maps to aa 71 to 74 and 95 to 101, and is predominantly composed of arginine residues. This is the first report of a bipartite Rev (or Rev-like) NLS in a lentivirus/retrovirus. Moreover, this NLS is atypical, as the length of the sequence between the motifs composing the bipartite NLS, e.g., the spacer sequence, is 20 aa. Further mutagenesis experiments also identified the NoLS region of BIV Rev. It localizes mainly within the NLS spacer sequence. In addition, the BIV Rev NoLS sequence differs from the consensus sequence reported for other viral and cellular nucleolar proteins. In summary, we conclude that the nucleolar and nuclear localizations of BIV Rev are mediated via novel NLS and NoLS motifs

REG3A/REG3B promotes acinar to ductal metaplasia through binding to EXTL3 and activating the RAS-RAF-MEK-ERK signaling pathway

Using several human and murine models, Zhang et al discover a role for the REG3A/REG3B proteins in acinar to ductal metaplasia (ADM), a precursor of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). They find that REG3B induces ADM through RAS-RAF-MEK-ERK signaling and identify EXTL3 as a REG3B receptor, providing new insights into PDAC development

Routine Clinically Detected Increased ROS1 Transcripts Are Related With ROS1 Expression by Immunohistochemistry and Associated With EGFR Mutations in Lung Adenocarcinoma

Introduction: Translocations of the ROS1 gene were found to drive tumorigenesis in 1% to 2% of lung adenocarcinoma. In clinical practice, ROS1 rearrangements are often screened by immunohistochemistry (IHC) before confirmation with either fluorescence in situ hybridization or molecular techniques. This screening test leads to a non-negligible number of cases that have equivocal or positive ROS1 IHC, without ROS1 translocation. Methods: In this study, we have analyzed retrospectively 1021 cases of nonsquamous NSCLC having both ROS1 IHC and molecular analysis using next-generation sequencing. Results: ROS1 IHC was negative in 938 cases (91.9%), equivocal in 65 cases (6.4%), and positive in 18 cases (1.7%). Among these 83 equivocal or positive cases, only two were ROS1 rearranged, leading to a low predictive positive value of the IHC test (2%). ROS1-positive IHC was correlated with an increased mRNA ROS1 transcripts. Moreover, we have found a mean statistically significant relationship between ROS1 expression and EGFR gene mutations, suggesting a crosstalk mechanism between these oncogenic driver molecules. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that ROS1 IHC represents true ROS1 mRNA expression, and raises the question of a potential benefit of combined targeted therapy in EGFR-mutated NSCLC

Next-generation sequencing of non-small cell lung cancer at a Quebec health care cancer centre

Background: Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in both men and women. Quebec has the highest lung cancer mortality out of all provinces in Canada, believed to be caused by higher smoking rates. Molecular testing for lung cancer is standard of care due to the discovery of actionable driver mutations that can be targeted with tyrosine kinase inhibitors. To date, no detailed molecular testing characterization of Quebec patients with lung cancer using next generation sequencing (NGS) has been performed. Materials and methods: The aim of this study was to describe the genomic landscape of patients with lung cancer (n = 997) who underwent NGS molecular testing at a tertiary care center in Quebec and to correlate it with clinical and pathology variables. Results: Compared to 10 other NGS studies found through a structured search strategy, our cohort had a higher prevalence of KRAS mutations (39.2%) compared to most geographical locations. Additionally, we observed a significant positive association between decreasing age and a higher proportion of KRAS G12C mutations. Conclusion: Overall, it remains important to assess institutional rates of actionable driver mutations to help guide governing bodies, fuel clinical trials and create benchmarks for expected rates as quality metrics

Cardiac myosin activation with omecamtiv mecarbil in systolic heart failure

BACKGROUND The selective cardiac myosin activator omecamtiv mecarbil has been shown to improve cardiac function in patients with heart failure with a reduced ejection fraction. Its effect on cardiovascular outcomes is unknown. METHODS We randomly assigned 8256 patients (inpatients and outpatients) with symptomatic chronic heart failure and an ejection fraction of 35% or less to receive omecamtiv mecarbil (using pharmacokinetic-guided doses of 25 mg, 37.5 mg, or 50 mg twice daily) or placebo, in addition to standard heart-failure therapy. The primary outcome was a composite of a first heart-failure event (hospitalization or urgent visit for heart failure) or death from cardiovascular causes. RESULTS During a median of 21.8 months, a primary-outcome event occurred in 1523 of 4120 patients (37.0%) in the omecamtiv mecarbil group and in 1607 of 4112 patients (39.1%) in the placebo group (hazard ratio, 0.92; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.86 to 0.99; P = 0.03). A total of 808 patients (19.6%) and 798 patients (19.4%), respectively, died from cardiovascular causes (hazard ratio, 1.01; 95% CI, 0.92 to 1.11). There was no significant difference between groups in the change from baseline on the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire total symptom score. At week 24, the change from baseline for the median N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide level was 10% lower in the omecamtiv mecarbil group than in the placebo group; the median cardiac troponin I level was 4 ng per liter higher. The frequency of cardiac ischemic and ventricular arrhythmia events was similar in the two groups. CONCLUSIONS Among patients with heart failure and a reduced ejection, those who received omecamtiv mecarbil had a lower incidence of a composite of a heart-failure event or death from cardiovascular causes than those who received placebo. (Funded by Amgen and others; GALACTIC-HF ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02929329; EudraCT number, 2016 -002299-28.)