Protein repeats evolve and emerge in giant viruses

Nucleocytoplasmatic large DNA viruses (NCLDVs or giant viruses) stand out because of their relatively large genomes encoding hundreds of proteins. These species give us an unprecedented opportunity to study the emergence and evolution of repeats in protein sequences. On the one hand, as viruses, these species have a restricted set of functions, which can help us better define the functional landscape of repeats. On the other hand, given the particular use of the genetic machinery of the host, it is worth asking whether this allows the variations of genetic material that lead to repeats in non-viral species. To support research in the characterization of repeat protein evolution and function, we present here an analysis focused on the repeat proteins of giant viruses, namely tandem repeats (TRs), short repeats (SRs), and homorepeats (polyX). Proteins with large and short repeats are not very frequent in non-eukaryotic organisms because of the difficulties that their folding may entail; however, their presence in giant viruses remarks their advantage for performance in the protein environment of the eukaryotic host. The heterogeneous content of these TRs, SRs and polyX in some viruses hints at diverse needs. Comparisons to homologs suggest that the mechanisms that generate these repeats are extensively used by some of these viruses, but also their capacity to adopt genes with repeats. Giant viruses could be very good models for the study of the emergence and evolution of protein repeats.Fil: Erdozain, Sofía. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas. Instituto de Biotecnología y Biología Molecular; ArgentinaFil: Barrionuevo, Emilia Mercedes. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata; ArgentinaFil: Ripoll, Lucas. Universidad Nacional de Quilmes. Departamento de Ciencia y Tecnología. Laboratorio de Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular y Celular; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Mier, Pablo. Johannes Gutenberg Universitat Mainz; AlemaniaFil: Andrade Navarro, Miguel A.. Johannes Gutenberg Universitat Mainz; Alemani

Incidencia de la aplicación de un protocolo de educación, evaluación y entrenamiento mediante nuevas tecnologías (plataforma vibratoria) sobre la condición física en el personal no docente de la UMaza. (Parte II)

Esta investigación corresponde a la etapa II del trabajo realizado durante en 2012 titulado “Diseño prueba y ajuste de un protocolo de evaluación de la condición física”. En esta segunda etapa, procederemos a la aplicación del mismo como instrumento de evaluación y de educación anexando el entrenamiento con nuevas tecnologías, específicamente una plataforma vibratoria. Las intervenciones se realizarán sobre el personal administrativo no docente de la UMAZA a través de una convocatoria voluntaria de los mismos. Este trabajo se realizará con el objetivo de detectar la incidencia de la aplicación de un protocolo de educación, evaluación y entrenamiento mediante plataforma vibratoria sobre la condición física en el personal no docente de UMaza. Al grupo de estudio se le realizarán tres evaluaciones, antes, durante y después de las intervenciones con la plataforma vibratoria y en forma simultánea en cada evaluación se educará de manera personalizada sobre la relación entre los resultados de los parámetros evaluados y conductas saludables, mientras que el grupo control solamente será evaluado en las tres oportunidades, pero sin ningún tipo de intervención

Protein repeats evolve and emerge in giant viruses

Nucleocytoplasmatic large DNA viruses (NCLDVs or giant viruses) stand out because of their relatively large genomes encoding hundreds of proteins. These species give us an unprecedented opportunity to study the emergence and evolution of repeats in protein sequences. On the one hand, as viruses, these species have a restricted set of functions, which can help us better define the functional landscape of repeats. On the other hand, given the particular use of the genetic machinery of the host, it is worth asking whether this allows the variations of genetic material that lead to repeats in non-viral species. To support research in the characterization of repeat protein evolution and function, we present here an analysis focused on the repeat proteins of giant viruses, namely tandem repeats (TRs), short repeats (SRs), and homorepeats (polyX). Proteins with large and short repeats are not very frequent in non-eukaryotic organisms because of the difficulties that their folding may entail; however, their presence in giant viruses remarks their advantage for performance in the protein environment of the eukaryotic host. The heterogeneous content of these TRs, SRs and polyX in some viruses hints at diverse needs. Comparisons to homologs suggest that the mechanisms that generate these repeats are extensively used by some of these viruses, but also their capacity to adopt genes with repeats. Giant viruses could be very good models for the study of the emergence and evolution of protein repeats.Instituto de Biotecnología y Biología MolecularFacultad de Ciencias ExactasUniversidad Nacional de Quilme

Gene expression of growth factor BMP15, GDF9, FGF2 and their receptors in bovine follicular cells

Introduction. Growth and follicular maturation involve transformations of various components of the follicle, such as the oocyte, granulosa and techa cells. Several growth factors, including differentiation growth factor 9 (GDF9), bone morphogenic protein 15 (BMP15) and basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF2) are important for follicular development and oocyte maturation, by its ability to increase the proliferation of granulosa, techa cells and the ovarian stroma. Objetive. Evaluate mRNA expression of GDF9, BMP15, FGF2 and their main receptors, transforming growth factor beta receptor 1 (TGFβ-R1), bone morphogenetic protein receptor, type IB (BMPR-IB) and fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2) in bovine follicular cells. Materials and methods. Total RNA was isolated from pooled samples of oocytes (OOs), cumulus cells (CCs) of cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs) and follicular cell pellets (PCs) of 70 ovaries obtained from 96 beef heifers, collected at a local abattoir. The expression pattern of growth factors and their receptors in follicular bovine cells was evaluated by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results. The mRNA transcripts encoding GDF9, BMP15, FGF2, TGFβ-R1, BMPR-IB and FGFR2 genes were detected, by RT-PCR, in all studied cells. This is the first time that the expression of TGFβ-R1 and BMPR-IB receptors is reported in bovine oocytes. Conclusions. The presence of growth factors and receptor transcripts in the studied cells indicate that these factors could act as paracrine and autocrine regulators of folliculogenesis

Miradas desde la historia social y la historia intelectual: América Latina en sus culturas: de los procesos independistas a la globalización

Fil: Benito Moya, Silvano G. A. Universidad Católica de Córdoba. Facultad de Filosofía y Humanidades; Argentina.Fil: Universidad Católica de Córdoba. Facultad de Filosofía y Humanidades; Argentina

Aprendizajes y prácticas educativas en las actuales condiciones de época: COVID-19

“Esta obra colectiva es el resultado de una convocatoria a docentes, investigadores y profesionales del campo pedagógico a visibilizar procesos investigativos y prácticas educativas situadas en el marco de COVI-19. La misma se inscribe en el trabajo llevado a cabo por el equipo de Investigación responsable del Proyecto “Sentidos y significados acerca de aprender en las actuales condiciones de época: un estudio con docentes y estudiantes de la educación secundarias en la ciudad de Córdoba” de la Facultad de Filosofía y Humanidades. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. El momento excepcional que estamos atravesando, pero que también nos atraviesa, ha modificado la percepción temporal a punto tal que habitamos un tiempo acelerado y angustiante que nos exige la producción de conocimiento provisorio. La presente publicación surge como un espacio para detenernos a documentar lo que nos acontece y, a su vez, como oportunidad para atesorar y resguardar las experiencias educativas que hemos construido, inventado y reinventando en este contexto. En ella encontrarán pluralidad de voces acerca de enseñar y aprender durante la pandemia. Este texto es una pausa para reflexionar sobre el hacer y las prácticas educativas por venir”.Fil: Beltramino, Lucia (comp.). Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Filosofía y Humanidades. Escuela de Archivología; Argentina

Photoreceptor contributions to the human pupil light reflex

The pupil reacts to the amount of light reaching the eye. It reduces its size when the light is high and dilates at low light levels to allow the entrance of more photons. This behavior is called pupil light reflex (PLR). Recent investigations in humans were conducted to understand how the photoreceptor signals are combined to drive the pupil light reflex. This review is about the physiological processes that govern the pupil in humans. In particular, how cone-opsins, rhodopsin, and melanopsin photoreception contribute to governing the PLR. We also summarize investigations on the assessment of the PLR in clinical settings