A Transcriptome Atlas of Physcomitrella patens Provides Insights into the Evolution and Development of Land Plants

Post-print version of the article.Identifying the genetic mechanisms that underpin the evolution of new organ and tissue systems is an aim of evolutionary developmental biology. Comparative functional genetic studies between angiosperms and bryophytes can define those genetic changes that were responsible for developmental innovations. Here, we report the generation of a transcriptome atlas covering most phases in the life cycle of the model bryophyte Physcomitrella patens, including detailed sporophyte developmental progression. We identified a comprehensive set of sporophyte-specific transcription factors, and found that many of these genes have homologs in angiosperms that function in developmental processes such as flowering and shoot branching. Deletion of the PpTCP5 transcription factor results in development of supernumerary sporangia attached to a single seta, suggesting that it negatively regulates branching in the moss sporophyte. Given that TCP genes repress branching in angiosperms, we suggest that this activity is ancient. Finally, comparison of P. patens and Arabidopsis thaliana transcriptomes led us to the identification of a conserved core of transcription factors expressed in tip-growing cells. We identified modifications in the expression patterns of these genes that could account for developmental differences between P. patens tip-growing cells and A. thaliana pollen tubes and root hairs.ERA-NET: (2nd call ERA-NET for Coordinating Plant Sciences); Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia

Quantifying Cardinal Temperatures in Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa) Cultivars

González, Juan A.; Sebastián E. Buedo; Marcela Bruno; Fernando E. Prado. 2017. “Quantifying Cardinal Temperaturas in Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa) Cultivars”. Lilloa 54 (2). Seed germination and plant growth are affected by temperature. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of temperature on seed germination of ten quinoa cultivars under a temperature gradient between 8 oC and 50 oC. The time course of germination was fitted using a logistic function. Aborted seeds and non-germinated seeds were also analyzed as function of temperature gradient. Cardinal temperatures were estimated by regression of the inverse time to 50% germination (germination rate) against temperature gradient. The minimum (T min ), optimum (T opt ) and maximum (T max ) temperatures for seed germination were determined using both linear (bilinear model) and polynomial (quadratic and cubic models) regressions. Based on T opt estimated from bilinear and cubic models, quinoa seeds can be grouped into two subgroups: one represented by Kancolla, Chucapaca, Kamiri, Robura and Sajama cultivars with values of T opt £ 33 oC, and other represented by CICA, Sayaña, Amilda, Ratuqui and Samaranti with T opt values ? 33 oC, respectively. Percentages of maximum cumu- lative germination calculated from the quadratic model were closely similar to those obtained in germination trials

La “quínoa” (Chenopodium quinoa) como alternativa forrajera en la zona de los Valles Calchaquíes (Noroeste Argentino)

González, Juan A., Guillermo O. Martín (h), Marcela A. Bruno, Fernando E. Prado. 2016. “El cultivo de ‘quínoa’ ( Chenopodium quinoa) como complemento forrajero en la zona de los Valles Calchaquíes (Noroeste Argentino)”. Lilloa 53 (1). “ Quínoa ” es una espe- cie multipropósito que puede ser utilizada como granos para alimentación humana o bien para la producción de forrajes, destinados a complementar la alimentación de animales (vacas, cabras, ovejas, llamas, entre otros) en zonas donde las pasturas naturales son escasas. Tradicionalmente la siembra se realiza a chorrillo con lo que se obtiene una alta densidad de plantas en el surco, que posteriormente es necesario ralear para evitar la competencia entre ellas. El raleo lleva implícita la eliminación de las plántulas. El objetivo de este estudio es jus- tamente la evaluación de las plantas eliminadas para ser utilizadas como forraje. Este trabajo aporta datos de producción de materia seca aérea (hojas y tallos) en 9 variedades de quínoa cultivadas en Amaicha del Valle (1.995 m snm, Tucumán, Argentina) y un genotipo (landrace) a los 110 días de siembra. El análisis de la producción de materia seca aérea varió entre 7,7 /ha (var. Sajama) y 2,7 /ha (var. Samaranti). El análisis químico foliar mostró un con- tenido elevado de K en todas las variedades con porcentajes que oscilaron entre 8,54 % (Kancolla) y 9,93 % (Samaranti). Los restantes minerales exhibieron valores menores, que en general, oscilaron entre 3,9-5,4 % para N ; 0,20-0,34 % para P; 2,50-3,04 % para Ca y 0,87-1,57 % para Mg, entre otros. El contenido de materia orgánica osciló entre 37,7 (var. Sajama) y 42 % (var. Kancolla). El contenido promedio de proteína foliar y de tallos fue del 15,7 y 9,9 % respectivamente. El contenido de fibras totales fue mayor en tallos que en hojas mientras que en el caso de cenizas fue a la inversa. En base a la producción de materia seca aérea y contenido de proteínas, fibras y minerales, se concluye que quínoa puede ser un complemento forrajero para los animales que forman parte de la producción pecuaria de los Valles Calchaquíes

IKZF1 Deletions with COBL Breakpoints Are Not Driven by RAG-Mediated Recombination Events in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

IKZF1 deletion (ΔIKZF1) is an important predictor of relapse in both childhood and adult B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL). Previously, we revealed that COBL is a hotspot for breakpoints in leukemia and could promote IKZF1 deletions. Through an international collaboration, we provide a detailed genetic and clinical picture of B-ALL with COBL rearrangements (COBL-r). Patients with B-ALL and IKZF1 deletion (n = 133) were included. IKZF1 ∆1-8 were associated with large alterations within chromosome 7: monosomy 7 (18%), isochromosome 7q (10%), 7p loss (19%), and interstitial deletions (53%). The latter included COBL-r, which were found in 12% of the IKZF1 ∆1-8 cohort. Patients with COBL-r are mostly classified as intermediate cytogenetic risk and frequently harbor ETV6, PAX5, CDKN2A/B deletions. Overall, 56% of breakpoints were located within COBL intron 5. Cryptic recombination signal sequence motifs were broadly distributed within the sequence of COBL, and no enrichment for the breakpoint cluster region was found. In summary, a diverse spectrum of alterations characterizes ΔIKZF1 and they also include deletion breakpoints within COBL. We confirmed that COBL is a hotspot associated with ΔIKZF1, but these rearrangements are not driven by RAG-mediated recombination

One-year timeline kinetics of cytokine-mediated cellular immunity in dogs vaccinated against visceral leishmaniasis

BACKGROUND: The main control strategy for visceral leishmaniasis in Brazil has been based on the elimination of seropositive dogs, although this is not widely accepted. In this context, the use of a long-lasting protective vaccine against canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL) has been highly expected. The aim of this work was to determine the timeline kinetics of the cytokine microenvironment derived from circulating leukocytes as supportive immunological biomarkers triggered by Leishmune® vaccine. Cross-sectional kinetic analysis of cellular immunity cytokines was carried out at three times (1, 6 and 12 months) after primovaccination with Leishmune®. In vitro short-term whole blood cultures were stimulated with Leishmania infantum soluble antigen (SLAg). The secreted cytokine signatures and their major sources were determined. RESULTS: At six months after vaccination, Leishmune® induced an increase in IL-8, IFN-γ, IL-17a and TNF-α levels and a decrease in IL-10. Cytokine signature analysis revealed a shift in the microenvironment towards a pro-inflammatory profile mediated by IL-8 and IFN-γ. Both, CD4(+) (↑TNF-α(+) and ↑IFN-γ (+)) and CD8(+) (↑IL-17a and ↓IL-4) T-cells contributed to the acquired immune responses observed after stimulation with SLAg. CONCLUSIONS: The changes observed in the cytokine profile suggested that Leishmune® was able to induce an effective response at six months after primovaccination. After one year, it returned to baseline suggesting the need of additional boosting

Evaluación del uso de ECEGON® en un protocolo de IATF en ovinos

PosterEn el mercado, existen pocas alternativas comerciales de la eCG sérica para su utilización en animales, siendo necesario el desarrollo y la evaluación de nuevos productos que faciliten la implementación de los protocolos de IATF. El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar la utilización de un producto comercial de eCG sérica de la empresa Biogénesis Bagó ECEGON® en un protocolo de sincronización de estros para la IATF cervical con semen fresco en ovinos.Estación Experimental Agropecuaria BarilocheFil: Bruno Galarraga, María Macarena. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estacion Experimental Agropecuaria Bariloche. Area de Producción Animal. Laboratorio de Reproducción de Rumiantes Menores; ArgentinaFil: Fernandez, Jimena. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Bariloche. Área de Producción Animal. Grupo de Reproducción; ArgentinaFil: Correa, A. Biogenesis Bago; ArgentinaFil: Rodriguez Persico, Juan Manuel. Biogenesis Bago; ArgentinaFil: Qarih, Fahd. Biogenesis Bago; ArgentinaFil: Cueto, Marcela Isabel. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Bariloche. Área de Producción Animal. Grupo de Reproducción; ArgentinaFil: Gibbons, Alejandro Eduardo. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Bariloche. Área de Producción Animal. Grupo de Reproducción; Argentin

Annona coriacea Mart. fractions promote cell cycle arrest and inhibit autophagic flux in human cervical cancer cell lines

Plant-based compounds are an option to explore and perhaps overcome the limitations of current antitumor treatments. Annona coriacea Mart. is a plant with a broad spectrum of biological activities, but its antitumor activity is still unclear. The purpose of our study was to determine the effects of A. coriacea fractions on a panel of cervical cancer cell lines and a normal keratinocyte cell line. The antitumor effect was investigated in vitro by viability assays, cell cycle, apoptosis, migration, and invasion assays. Intracellular signaling was assessed by Western blot, and major compounds were identified by mass spectrometry. All fractions exhibited a cytotoxic effect on cisplatin-resistant cell lines, SiHa and HeLa. C3 and C5 were significantly more cytotoxic and selective than cisplatin in SiHa and Hela cells. However, in CaSki, a cisplatin-sensitive cell line, the compounds did not demonstrate higher cytotoxicity when compared with cisplatin. Alkaloids and acetogenins were the main compounds identified in the fractions. These fractions also markedly decreased cell proliferation with p21 increase and cell cycle arrest in G2/M. These effects were accompanied by an increase of H2AX phosphorylation levels and DNA damage index. In addition, fractions C3 and C5 promoted p62 accumulation and decrease of LC3II, as well as acid vesicle levels, indicating the inhibition of autophagic flow. These findings suggest that A. coriacea fractions may become effective antineoplastic drugs and highlight the autophagy inhibition properties of these fractions in sensitizing cervical cancer cells to treatment.e FINEP (MCTI/FINEP/MS/SCTIE/DECIT-01/ 2013—FP XII-BIOPLAT), Barretos Cancer Hospital, CAPES, CNPq, FAPEMIG, UFSJ. RMR is a recipient of CNPq Productivity Gran

Virulent Brucella nosferati infecting Desmodus rotundus has emerging potential due to the broad foraging range of its bat host for humans and wild and domestic animals

Desmodus rotundus, vampire bats, transmit dangerous infections, and brucellosis is a hazardous zoonotic disease, two adversities that coexist in the subtropical and tropical areas of the American continent. Here, we report a 47.89% Brucella infection prevalence in a colony of vampire bats inhabiting the tropical rainforest of Costa Rica. The bacterium induced placentitis and fetal death in bats. Wide-range phenotypic and genotypic characterization placed the Brucella organisms as a new pathogenic species named Brucella nosferati sp. nov., isolated from bat tissues, including the salivary glands, suggesting feeding behavior might favor transmission to their prey. Overall analyses placed B. nosferati as the etiological agent of a reported canine brucellosis case, demonstrating its potential for infecting other hosts. To assess the putative prey hosts, we analyzed the intestinal contents of 14 infected and 23 non-infected bats by proteomics. A total of 54,508 peptides sorted into 7,203 unique peptides corresponding to 1,521 proteins were identified. Twenty-three wildlife and domestic taxa, including humans, were foraged by B. nosferati-infected D. rotundus, suggesting contact of this bacterium with a broad range of hosts. Our approach is appropriate for detecting, in a single study, the prey preferences of vampire bats in a diverse area, demonstrating its suitability for control strategies where vampire bats thrive. IMPORTANCE: The discovery that a high proportion of vampire bats in a tropical area is infected with pathogenic Brucella nosferati and that bats forage on humans and many wild and domestic animals is relevant from the perspective of emerging disease prevention. Indeed, bats harboring B. nosferati in their salivary glands may transmit this pathogenic bacterium to other hosts. This potential is not trivial since, besides the demonstrated pathogenicity, this bacterium possesses all the required virulent arsenal of dangerous Brucella organisms, including those that are zoonotic for humans. Our work has settled the basis for future surveillance actions in brucellosis control programs where these infected bats thrive. Moreover, our strategy to identify the foraging range of bats may be adapted for exploring the feeding habits of diverse animals, including arthropod vectors of infectious diseases, and therefore of interest to a broader audience besides experts on Brucella and bats. The discovery that a high proportion of vampire bats in a tropical area is infected with pathogenic Brucella nosferati and that bats forage on humans and many wild and domestic animals is relevant from the perspective of emerging disease prevention. Indeed, bats harboring B. nosferati in their salivary glands may transmit this pathogenic bacterium to other hosts. This potential is not trivial since, besides the demonstrated pathogenicity, this bacterium possesses all the required virulent arsenal of dangerous Brucella organisms, including those that are zoonotic for humans. Our work has settled the basis for future surveillance actions in brucellosis control programs where these infected bats thrive. Moreover, our strategy to identify the foraging range of bats may be adapted for exploring the feeding habits of diverse animals, including arthropod vectors of infectious diseases, and therefore of interest to a broader audience besides experts on Brucella and bats