Probing protein sequences as sources for encrypted antimicrobial peptides

Starting from the premise that a wealth of potentially biologically active peptides may lurk within proteins, we describe here a methodology to identify putative antimicrobial peptides encrypted in protein sequences. Candidate peptides were identified using a new screening procedure based on physicochemical criteria to reveal matching peptides within protein databases. Fifteen such peptides, along with a range of natural antimicrobial peptides, were examined using DSC and CD to characterize their interaction with phospholipid membranes. Principal component analysis of DSC data shows that the investigated peptides group according to their effects on the main phase transition of phospholipid vesicles, and that these effects correlate both to antimicrobial activity and to the changes in peptide secondary structure. Consequently, we have been able to identify novel antimicrobial peptides from larger proteins not hitherto associated with such activity, mimicking endogenous and/or exogenous microorganism enzymatic processing of parent proteins to smaller bioactive molecules. A biotechnological application for this methodology is explored. Soybean (Glycine max) plants, transformed to include a putative antimicrobial protein fragment encoded in its own genome were tested for tolerance against Phakopsora pachyrhizi, the causative agent of the Asian soybean rust. This procedure may represent an inventive alternative to the transgenic technology, since the genetic material to be used belongs to the host organism and not to exogenous sources

Tripanosomíase americana (doença de Chagas) em ratos e camundongos convencionais e isentos de germes

Germfree (GF) and conventional (CV) CFW (LOB) mice and Wistar and Sprague-Dawley rats were infected with Trypanosoma cruzi. The disease was more severe in the GF than in the CV animals as revealed by: (1) an earlier and more intense parasitemia; (2) a more precocious mortality; (3) a twice enlarged spleen: (4) a more intense cell and tissue parasitism; (5) visceral signs of cardiac failure.Camundongos CFW (LOB) e ratos Wistar e Sprague-Dawley isentos de germes (GF) e convencionais (CV) foram infectados com Trypanosoma cruzi. A doença foi mais grave nos animais GF do que nos CV, o que foi demonstrado por: (1) uma parasitemia mais precoce e mais intensa: (2) uma mortalidade mais precoce: (3) baço duas vezes maior; (4) um parasitismo celular e tissular mais intenso; (5) sinais viscerais de insuficiência cardíaca

A truncation allele in vascular endothelial growth factor c reveals distinct modes of signaling during lymphatic and vascular development

Vascular endothelial growth factor C (Vegfc) is a secreted protein that guides lymphatic development in vertebrate embryos. However, its role during developmental angiogenesis is not well characterized. Here, we identify a mutation in zebrafish vegfc that severely affects lymphatic development and leads to angiogenesis defects on sensitized genetic backgrounds. The um18 mutation prematurely truncated Vegfc, blocking its secretion and paracrine activity but not its ability to activate its receptor Flt4. When expressed in endothelial cells, vegfc(um18) could not rescue lymphatic defects in mutant embryos, but induced ectopic blood vessel branching. Furthermore, vegfc-deficient endothelial cells did not efficiently contribute to tip cell positions in developing sprouts. Computational modeling together with assessment of endothelial cell dynamics by time-lapse analysis suggested that an autocrine Vegfc/Flt4 loop plays an important role in migratory persistence and filopodia stability during sprouting. Our results suggest that Vegfc acts in two distinct modes during development: as a paracrine factor secreted from arteries to guide closely associated lymphatic vasculature and as an autocrine factor to drive migratory persistence during angiogenesis

Avaliação da capacidade probiótica de uma linhagem de Ruminococcus gnavus da microbiota fecal de seres humanos contra Clostridium perfringens

Probióticos são microrganismos utilizados com o propósito de beneficiar a saúde do hospedeiro, seja na prevenção ou tratamento de doenças. Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar uma cultura de Ruminococcus gnavus quanto ao seu efeito probiótico frente a um alvo patogênico in vivo por meio de avaliação histopatológica e perfil de hidrofobicidade da parede celular. A linhagem de R. gnavus foi isolada da microbiota fecal dominante de um adulto sadio. Uma amostra padrão de Clostridium perfringens foi utilizada como patógeno para o desafio por via oral de camundongos previamente monoassociados com R. gnavus. Camundongos suíços NIH isentos de germes foram usados como modelo animal. Nos resultados dos testes de adesão da superfície celular do microrganismo estudado, ficou constatado que a espécie R. gnavus possui uma parede celular mais hidrofóbica e ácida, sinalizando boa probabilidade de adesão ao epitélio intestinal. A análise histológica demonstrou que a monoassociação com R. gnavus não promoveu nenhuma alteração morfológica dos órgãos analisados (intestinos, baço e fígado), e apresentou efeito protetor, constatado no ceco e no fígado de camundongos gnotobióticos. Em suma, os resultados reforçam que R. gnavus possui características protetoras desejáveis no que tange a elaboração de futuros probióticos

Genetic transformation of novel isolates of chicken Lactobacillus bearing probiotic features for expression of heterologous proteins: a tool to develop live oral vaccines

BACKGROUND: The use of lactic acid bacteria as vehicles to delivery antigens to immunize animals is a promising issue. When genetically modified, these bacteria can induce a specific local and systemic immune response against selected pathogens. Gastric acid and bile salts tolerance, production of antagonistic substances against pathogenic microorganisms, and adhesive ability to gut epithelium are other important characteristics that make these bacteria useful for oral immunization. RESULTS: Bacteria isolated on de Man, Rogosa and Sharpe medium (MRS) from different gastrointestinal portions of broiler chicks were evaluated for their resistance to artificial gastric acid and bile salts, production of hydrogen peroxide, and cell surface hydrophobicity. Thirty-eight isolates were first typed at species level by PCR amplification of 16S-23S rRNA intergenic spacers using universal primers that anneal within 16S and 23S genes, followed by restriction digestion analyses of PCR amplicons (PCR-ARDRA). An expression cassette was assembled onto the pCR2.1-Topo vector by cloning the promoter, leader peptide, cell wall anchor and terminator sequences derived from the laminin binding S-layer protein gene of L. crispatus strain F5.7 (lbs gene). A sequence encoding the green fluorescent protein (GFP) was inserted as reporter gene, and an erythromycin resistance gene was added as selective marker. All constructs were able to express GFP in the cloning host E. coli XL1-Blue and different Lactobacillus strains as verified by FACS and laser scanning confocal microscopy. CONCLUSION: Lactobacillus isolated from gastrointestinal tract of broiler chickens and selected for probiotic characteristics can be genetically modified by introducing an expression cassette into the lbs locus. The transformed bacteria expressed on its cell wall surface different fluorescent proteins used as reporters of promoter function. It is possible then that similar bacterial model expressing pathogen antigens can be used as live oral vaccines to immunize broilers against infectious diseases

Interaction of Saccharomyces boulardii with Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium Protects Mice and Modifies T84 Cell Response to the Infection

BACKGROUND: Salmonella pathogenesis engages host cells in two-way biochemical interactions: phagocytosis of bacteria by recruitment of cellular small GTP-binding proteins induced by the bacteria, and by triggering a pro-inflammatory response through activation of MAPKs and nuclear translocation of NF-kappaB. Worldwide interest in the use of functional foods containing probiotic bacteria for health promotion and disease prevention has increased significantly. Saccharomyces boulardii is a non-pathogenic yeast used as a probiotic in infectious diarrhea. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: In this study, we reported that S. boulardii (Sb) protected mice from Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (ST)-induced death and prevented bacterial translocation to the liver. At a molecular level, using T84 human colorectal cancer cells, we demonstrate that incubation with Sb before infection totally abolished Salmonella invasion. This correlates with a decrease of activation of Rac1. Sb preserved T84 barrier function and decreased ST-induced IL-8 synthesis. This anti-inflammatory effect was correlated with an inhibitory effect of Sb on ST-induced activation of the MAPKs ERK1/2, p38 and JNK as well as on activation of NF-kappaB. Electron and confocal microscopy experiments showed an adhesion of bacteria to yeast cells, which could represent one of the mechanisms by which Sb exerts its protective effects. CONCLUSIONS: Sb shows modulating effects on permeability, inflammation, and signal transduction pathway in T84 cells infected by ST and an in vivo protective effect against ST infection. The present results also demonstrate that Sb modifies invasive properties of Salmonella

Impacto de la creación de un nuevo distrito e importancia del saneamiento de límites sobre el Sistema Estadístico del Ministerio de Educación

Propone elaborar una propuesta que aborde los procedimientos para realizar los ajustes que corresponde hacer cada vez que se suscite una variación territorial y normar sobre las implicancias que esta variación tiene sobre los sistemas de información del sector Educación. La forma expeditiva de hacerlo reside en la elaboración y aprobación de una Norma Técnica que explicite los alcances de estas variaciones territoriales y precise la responsabilidad que les compete a las instancias involucradas