Evaluation of an Antimicrobial L-Amino Acid Oxidase and Peptide Derivatives from Bothropoides mattogrosensis Pitviper Venom

Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are causes of mortality and morbidity worldwide. The prevalence of bacterial resistance to common antibiotics has increased in recent years, highlighting the need to develop novel alternatives for controlling these pathogens. Pitviper venoms are composed of a multifaceted mixture of peptides, proteins and inorganic components. L-amino oxidase (LAO) is a multifunctional enzyme that is able to develop different activities including antibacterial activity. In this study a novel LAO from Bothrops mattogrosensis (BmLAO) was isolated and biochemically characterized. Partial enzyme sequence showed full identity to Bothrops pauloensis LAO. Moreover, LAO here isolated showed remarkable antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and -negative bacteria, clearly suggesting a secondary protective function. Otherwise, no cytotoxic activities against macrophages and erythrocytes were observed. Finally, some LAO fragments (BmLAO-f1, BmLAO-f2 and BmLAO-f3) were synthesized and further evaluated, also showing enhanced antimicrobial activity. Peptide fragments, which are the key residues involved in antimicrobial activity, were also structurally studied by using theoretical models. The fragments reported here may be promising candidates in the rational design of new antibiotics that could be used to control resistant microorganisms

O cavalo de Troia e sua barriga verde: Planejamento regional e desigualdades socioespaciais em Santa Catarina

Capitalism develops in an irregular and combined way through space and time. Particularly in the last century, its advance was favored by planning. In peripheral countries planning emerged in a subtle way, therefore the use of the trojan horse metaphor. The main objective of this article is to analyze the relation between uneven development and regional planning at the state of Santa Catarina. The analysis regarding the planning at the state of Santa Catarina revealed that, from a governmental perspective, its actions have prevailed over the ones promoted by regional institutions, almost nullifying them. From the perspective of regional institutions, a tendency of disconnection is perceived - the contrary of what would be expected: a collective, joined effort intending to overcome regional problems.O capitalismo se desenvolve de forma desigual e combinada no espaço e no tempo. Desde, sobretudo, o último século, o seu avanço foi favorecido pelo planejamento. Nos países periféricos, o planejamento surgiu de forma sutil, daí suscitar o uso da metáfora do cavalo de Troia. O objetivo principal neste artigo é analisar as relações entre o desenvolvimento desigual e o planejamento regional em Santa Catarina. A análise da atuação governamental e das instituições regionais no planejamento desse estado revelou que, da perspectiva do governo, sua atuação tem se sobreposto, quase anulando, a das instituições regionais; da perspectiva das instituições regionais, verifica-se uma tendência à desarticulação � e não, como esperado, um esforço coletivo e articulado visando à superação dos problemas regionais.El capitalismo se desarrolla de forma desigual y combinada en el espacio y en el tiempo. Desde, sobre todo, el último siglo, su avance fue favorecido por el planeamiento. En los países periféricos, el planeamiento surgió de forma sutil, de ahí suscitar el uso de la metáfora del caballo de Troya. El objetivo principal de este artículo es analisar las relaciones entre el desarrollo desigual y el planeamiento regional en Santa Catarina. El análisis de la actuación gubernamental y de las instituciones regionales en el planeamiento de ese Estado reveló que, desde la perspectiva del gobierno, esa actuación se está sobreponiendo, casi anulando, la de las instituciones regionales; desde la perspectiva de las instituciones regionales, se nota una tendencia a la desarticulación � y no, como esperado, un esfuerzo colectivo y articulado visando a la superación de los problemas regionales