The focal adhesion protein PINCH-1 associates with EPLIN at integrin adhesion sites.

PINCH-1 is a LIM-only domain protein that forms a ternary complex with integrin-linked kinase (ILK) and parvin (to form the IPP complex) downstream of integrins. Here, we demonstrate that PINCH-1 (also known as Lims1) gene ablation in the epidermis of mice caused epidermal detachment from the basement membrane, epidermal hyperthickening and progressive hair loss. PINCH-1-deficient keratinocytes also displayed profound adhesion, spreading and migration defects in vitro that were substantially more severe than those of ILK-deficient keratinocytes indicating that PINCH-1 also exerts functions in an ILK-independent manner. By isolating the PINCH-1 interactome, the LIM-domain-containing and actin-binding protein epithelial protein lost in neoplasm (EPLIN, also known as LIMA1) was identified as a new PINCH-1-associated protein. EPLIN localized, in a PINCH-1-dependent manner, to integrin adhesion sites of keratinocytes in vivo and in vitro and its depletion severely attenuated keratinocyte spreading and migration on collagen and fibronectin without affecting PINCH-1 levels in focal adhesions. Given that the low PINCH-1 levels in ILK-deficient keratinocytes were sufficient to recruit EPLIN to integrin adhesions, our findings suggest that PINCH-1 regulates integrin-mediated adhesion of keratinocytes through the interactions with ILK as well as EPLIN

Impactos da aplicação de biossólidos na microbiota de solos tropicais Impacts of biosolids amendments on the microbiota of tropical soils

A aplicação de biossólidos de Estações de Tratamento de Esgotos (ETEs) em solos agrícolas e florestais tem sido uma das práticas alternativas preconizadas para a reciclagem desses resíduos orgânicos. No entanto, alguns biossólidos de ETEs podem conter metais e, ou, xenobiontes que poderiam afetar a microbiota. Neste trabalho, os impactos da aplicação de biossólidos das ETEs de Barueri e Franca (SP), com alta e baixa concentração de metais, respectivamente, na microbiota de um solo argiloso (Nitossolo Vermelho eutroférrico típico) e um arenoso (Neossolo Quartzarênico órtico típico) foram determinados em condições de microcosmos. Imediatamente após a adição de diferentes doses de biossólidos ao solo, e depois de 4, 8, 16, 32 e 64 dias de incubação, a respiração basal (RB), C na biomassa microbiana (CB), quociente metabólico (qCO2) e relação CB/C-orgânico do solo (CB/Corg) foram avaliados. No geral, a RB foi maior nos solos com maiores quantidades de biossólidos, sendo os maiores acréscimos verificados logo após a aplicação dos biossólidos. No solo arenoso, decréscimos significativos do CB foram observados nos tratamentos com as doses mais elevadas de biossólidos. O qCO2 foi maior nos solos com doses mais elevadas de biossólidos, mas diminuiu com o aumento do período de incubação. Independentemente do tipo de solo, CB/Corg foi maior nos solos que não receberam biossólidos, em relação aos solos que receberam biossólidos ricos em metais. A relação CB/Corg nos solos tratados com biossólidos ricos em metais diminuiu significativamente entre 4 e 16 dias de incubação, não sofrendo alterações posteriormente. Esses dados indicam que a aplicação de biossólidos nos solos analisados, independentemente do teor de metais, pode causar um estresse transiente na comunidade microbiana, dependendo da dose aplicada, e que alterações na estrutura das comunidades microbianas podem estar ocorrendo.<br>The amendment of agricultural and forest soils with biosolids from sewage treatment plants (STPs) is an alternative to recycle these organic residues. However, biosolids from STPs may contain metals and/or xenobiotics that can affect soil microorganisms. In this study, the impacts of biosolids from the STPs of Barueri and Franca (São Paulo, Brazil), containing high and low metal concentration, respectively, on the microbiota of a Nitisol (clayey) and a Dystric Arenosol (sandy) were determined in microcosm. Immediately after biosolids application and 4, 8, 16, 32 and 64 days after incubation, the basal respiration (BR), C in microbial biomass (CB), metabolic quotient (qCO2), and CB/soil organic C ratio (CB/Corg) were evaluated. In general, RB was higher in soils amended with the highest amounts of biosolids, and the greatest increments were observed immediately after biosolids application. In the sandy soil, statistically significant decreases in CB were observed in the treatments with the highest amounts of biosolids. The qCO2 was higher in soils with the highest amounts of biosolids, but decreased during incubation. Regardless of the soil type, CB/Corg was higher in soils without biosolids when compared to soils with metal-rich biosolids. The CB/Corg ratio in soils amended with metal-rich biosolids decreased significantly between 4 and 16 days after incubation, and leveled off thereafter. These data indicate that the amendment of the tested soils with biosolids, independently of the metal content, may cause a transient stress in the microbial community, depending on the applied dose, and that changes in the structure of the microbial communities may have occurred