Co-silencing of human Bub3 and dynein highlights an antagonistic relationship in regulating kinetochore-microtubule attachments

We previously reported that the spindle assembly checkpoint protein Bub3 is involved in regulating kinetochore-microtubule (KT-MT) attachments. Also, Bub3 was reported to interact with the microtubule motor protein dynein. Here we examined how this interaction contributes to KT-MT attachments. Depletion of Bub3 or dynein induced misaligned chromosomes, consistent with their role in KT-MT attachments. Unexpectedly, co-silencing of both proteins partially suppressed the misalignment phenotype and restored chromosome congression. Consistent with these observations, KT-MT attachments in co-depleted cells were stable, able to drive chromosome congression, and produce inter-and intra-kinetochore stretch, indicating they are functional. We suggest that a mutual antagonism exists between Bub3 and dynein to ensure optimal KT-MT attachments. (C) 2015 Federation of European Biochemical Societies. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.CESPU [02-GCQF-CICS-2011N]; FCT - Fundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia [CEQUIMED-PEst-OE/SAU/UI4040/2014]; FCT [SFRH/BD/90744/2012]info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

A recepção da família na hospitalização de crianças

Fundamentando-se em estudos que discutem a participação de familiares na hospitalização de seus filhos, este trabalho pretende estudar como os familiares de crianças hospitalizadas vivenciam o momento da recepção, que profissional da equipe os acompanha durante os procedimentos iniciais, que informações recebem e quem encarrega-se de informá-los, logo que a criança é admitida no hospital em razão de uma doença que necessita de cuidados hospitalares. Os participantes foram 40 pais e se utilizou entrevistas semi-estruturadas para a coleta de dados. Estes foram analisados segundo métodos de análise de conteúdo. Os resultados mostraram que os pais vivenciam um estado de ansiedade generalizado, não sabem nomear que profissional os acompanhou, além de lembrarem-se de informações esporádicas que dizem respeito, exclusivamente, às suas necessidades imediatas

Dynein-dependent transport of spindle assembly checkpoint proteins off kinetochores toward spindle poles

A predominant mechanism of spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC) silencing is dynein-mediated transport of certain kinetochore proteins along microtubules. There are still conflicting data as to which SAC proteins are dynein cargoes. Using two ATP reduction assays, we found that the core SAC proteins Mad1, Mad2, Bub1, BubR1, and Bub3 redistributed from attached kinetochores to spindle poles, in a dynein-dependent manner. This redistribution still occurred in metaphase-arrested cells, at a time when the SAC should be satisfied and silenced. Unexpectedly, we found that a pool of Hec1 and Mis12 also relocalizes to spindle poles, suggesting KMN components as additional dynein cargoes. The potential significance of these results for SAC silencing is discussed. (C) 2014 Federation of European Biochemical Societies. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.CESPU [02-GCQF-CICS-2011N]; national Portuguese funding through FCT - Fundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia FCT [POCTI/BIA/PRO/60337/2004, PTDC/SAU-OBD/105234/2008]; FCT [PEst-OE/ EQB/LA0023/2013, SFRH/BD/90744/2012]; [EXPL/BEX-BCM/1104/2013

Study protocol for the multicentre cohorts of Zika virus infection in pregnant women, infants, and acute clinical cases in Latin America and the Caribbean: The ZIKAlliance consortium

Background: The European Commission (EC) Horizon 2020 (H2020)-funded ZIKAlliance Consortium designed a multicentre study including pregnant women (PW), children (CH) and natural history (NH) cohorts. Clinical sites were selected over a wide geographic range within Latin America and the Caribbean, taking into account the dynamic course of the ZIKV epidemic. Methods: Recruitment to the PW cohort will take place in antenatal care clinics. PW will be enrolled regardless of symptoms and followed over the course of pregnancy, approximately every 4 weeks. PW will be revisited at delivery (or after miscarriage/abortion) to assess birth outcomes, including microcephaly and other congenital abnormalities according to the evolving definition of congenital Zika syndrome (CZS). After birth, children will be followed for 2 years in the CH cohort. Follow-up visits are scheduled at ages 1-3, 4-6, 12, and 24 months to assess neurocognitive and developmental milestones. In addition, a NH cohort for the characterization of symptomatic rash/fever illness was designed, including follow-up to capture persisting health problems. Blood, urine, and other biological materials will be collected, and tested for ZIKV and other relevant arboviral diseases (dengue, chikungunya, yellow fever) using RT-PCR or serological methods. A virtual, decentralized biobank will be created. Reciprocal clinical monitoring has been established between partner sites. Substudies of ZIKV seroprevalence, transmissio