The four hexamerin genes in the honey bee: structure, molecular evolution and function deduced from expression patterns in queens, workers and drones

Background: Hexamerins are hemocyanin-derived proteins that have lost the ability to bind copper ions and transport oxygen; instead, they became storage proteins. The current study aimed to broaden our knowledge on the hexamerin genes found in the honey bee genome by exploring their structural characteristics, expression profiles, evolution, and functions in the life cycle of workers, drones and queens. Results: The hexamerin genes of the honey bee (hex 70a, hex 70b, hex 70c and hex 110) diverge considerably in structure, so that the overall amino acid identity shared among their deduced protein subunits varies from 30 to 42%. Bioinformatics search for motifs in the respective upstream control regions (UCRs) revealed six overrepresented motifs including a potential binding site for Ultraspiracle (Usp), a target of juvenile hormone (JH). The expression of these genes was induced by topical application of JH on worker larvae. The four genes are highly transcribed by the larval fat body, although with significant differences in transcript levels, but only hex 110 and hex 70a are re-induced in the adult fat body in a caste-and sex-specific fashion, workers showing the highest expression. Transcripts for hex 110, hex 70a and hex70b were detected in developing ovaries and testes, and hex 110 was highly transcribed in the ovaries of egg-laying queens. A phylogenetic analysis revealed that HEX 110 is located at the most basal position among the holometabola hexamerins, and like HEX 70a and HEX 70c, it shares potential orthology relationship with hexamerins from other hymenopteran species. Conclusions: Striking differences were found in the structure and developmental expression of the four hexamerin genes in the honey bee. The presence of a potential binding site for Usp in the respective 5' UCRs, and the results of experiments on JH level manipulation in vivo support the hypothesis of regulation by JH. Transcript levels and patterns in the fat body and gonads suggest that, in addition to their primary role in supplying amino acids for metamorphosis, hexamerins serve as storage proteins for gonad development, egg production, and to support foraging activity. A phylogenetic analysis including the four deduced hexamerins and related proteins revealed a complex pattern of evolution, with independent radiation in insect orders.Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Sao Paulo (FAPESP)[05/03926-5; 08/00541-3

Efeitos de um programa de orientação para adultos com lombalgia

OBJETIVO: Implantar um programa de "Escola da Postura" para pacientes com lombalgia crônica. MÉTODOS: Foram avaliados 41 sujeitos (46,81 ± 13,35 anos), de ambos os gêneros, com idade entre 25-65 anos que possuíam dor lombar há mais de 6 meses. Inicialmente, foi realizado a avaliação da qualidade de vida (Medical Outcomes Study 36- Item Short-Form Health Survey- SF-36) e capacidade funcional (Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire - ODQ). Em seguida, todos os sujeitos participaram de cinco encontros semanais de 60 minutos, nos quais foram desenvolvidos as capacitações teórico-práticas. Após uma semana, os sujeitos foram reavaliados. Os dados obtidos nas avaliações foram analisados utilizando o teste estatístico não-paramétrico de Wilcoxon, com nível de significância de 5% (pOBJECTIVE: To implement a "Back School" program for low-back chronic pain. METHODS: Forty one subjects were evaluated (46,81 + 13,35 years old), from both genders, with the age from 25-65 years who had low-back pain for more than 6 months. Initially, the quality of life evaluation was made (Medical Outcomes Study 36- Item Short-Form Health Survey- SF-36), functional capacity (Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire - ODQ). Following that, every subject participated of five 60-minute weekly meetings, in which the theoretical-practical capacities were developed. After a week, the subjects were re-evaluated. The obtained data over the evaluations were analyzed using the Wilcoxon non-parametric statistics test, with a significance level of 5% (p<0,05). RESULTS: A significant improvement was observed over the functional capacity (ODQ, p<0,0001).The QV, was observed over the domains functional capacity (p=0,0016), pain (p=0,0035), general health state (p<0,0001), vitality (p<0,0001), social aspects (p<0,0001) and mental health (p=0,0007). Over the physical and emotional aspects items were a significant difference were not observed. CONCLUSION: Back School program was capable of improving the quality of life and functional capacity of the participants