Hormone-Dependent Expression of a Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory Protein Natural Antisense Transcript in MA-10 Mouse Tumor Leydig Cells

Cholesterol transport is essential for many physiological processes, including steroidogenesis. In steroidogenic cells hormone-induced cholesterol transport is controlled by a protein complex that includes steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR). Star is expressed as 3.5-, 2.8-, and 1.6-kb transcripts that differ only in their 3′-untranslated regions. Because these transcripts share the same promoter, mRNA stability may be involved in their differential regulation and expression. Recently, the identification of natural antisense transcripts (NATs) has added another level of regulation to eukaryotic gene expression. Here we identified a new NAT that is complementary to the spliced Star mRNA sequence. Using 5′ and 3′ RACE, strand-specific RT-PCR, and ribonuclease protection assays, we demonstrated that Star NAT is expressed in MA-10 Leydig cells and steroidogenic murine tissues. Furthermore, we established that human chorionic gonadotropin stimulates Star NAT expression via cAMP. Our results show that sense-antisense Star RNAs may be coordinately regulated since they are co-expressed in MA-10 cells. Overexpression of Star NAT had a differential effect on the expression of the different Star sense transcripts following cAMP stimulation. Meanwhile, the levels of StAR protein and progesterone production were downregulated in the presence of Star NAT. Our data identify antisense transcription as an additional mechanism involved in the regulation of steroid biosynthesis

The relationship between people and lizards in Patagonia

Abstract: Understanding how human beings perceive and interact with the local herpetofauna is fundamental for its conservation. In this chapter, we propose looking forward to the local ecological knowledge (LEK) of the Patagonian lizards, especially the "matuasto". The preliminary analysis of ethnohistorical sources points out the relevant role of "matuastos" in the cosmologies of the original people from Patagonia, often considered as immortal, selfish and harmful beings. Field reports agree on the warning not to disturb these territorial lizards, otherwise they would react aggressively with bites. The recorded stories account for frequent biting events on sheep. The local perception on "matuastos" as harmful beings would provoke an attitude of caution and rejection towards them. This work provides a first overview on the relationship of lizards and the people from Patagonia while constituting an initial step for future research.Fil: Aigo, Juana del Carmen. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Centro Nacional Patagónico. Instituto de Diversidad y Evolución Austral; ArgentinaFil: Ladio, Ana Haydee. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Centro Regional Universidad Bariloche. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente; ArgentinaFil: Boretto, Jorgelina Mariela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Centro Regional Universidad Bariloche. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente; ArgentinaFil: Cabezas Cartes, Facundo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Centro Regional Universidad Bariloche. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente; ArgentinaFil: Ibarguengoytía, Nora. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Centro Regional Universidad Bariloche. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente; Argentin

Chacras of the pukara: the late occupation (tenth-sixteenth centuries) of Mesada de Andalhuala Banda, Yocavil (Catamarca, Argentina)

This chapter presents the results of archaeological survey undertaken in the Mesada de Andalhuala Banda, Southeast Yocavil Valley, Catamarca, Northwest Argentina (NWA). Three hundred and eighty-two architectural units (AU) were registered, which suggests a prolonged occupation during the first and second millennia AD. In this opportunity, I will focus on the Late Period occupation tenth?sixteenth centuries) and the evidence reflecting activities of the agricultural production cycle, including structures for cultivation, mounds, and longitudinal accumulation of stones that were the product of land clearing, irrigation systems, milling tools, and circular storage structures. Spatially associated with these features are simple and compound residential units with double-faced walls filled with rubble and sediment, morphology assignable to the Santa María culture, which could be the dwelling sector of the population tasked with food production. This information allowed us to hypothesize that the Mesada, as a main productive area, was occupied during the entire Late Period, a time that included climate change and interethnic conflict, and played an important role in relation to the nearby pukara settlement.Fil: Alvarez Larrain, Alina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Saavedra 15. Instituto de las Culturas. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Instituto de las Culturas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México; Méxic

Regional Dynamics in the High Quebradas of the Valle Calchaquí Medio (Salta, Argentina) Between the Eleventh and Early Seventeenth Centuries

For the Northwestern Argentina (NWA) between AD 1000 and 1430, theproposed situation encompasses the existence of a state of political fragmentation, conflict situations, and the emergence of hierarchies materialized in the presence of defensive settlements or pukaras, iconography, war paraphernalia, and evidences of trauma on human remains, always considering the climatic changes that occurred in the Andes starting in the thirteenth century as one of the causes. The archaeological information from the high ravines of Valle Calchaquí Medio (VCM) located in thecurrent province of Salta, NWA between eleventh and seventeenth centuries,allowed us to hypothesize a continuity in the occupation of this space followinglogics and practices from pre-Hispanic times which were linked to the subsistence and social reproduction, such as seasonal and altitudinal management.Fil: Williams, Veronica Isabel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Saavedra 15. Instituto de las Culturas. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Instituto de las Culturas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin