56 research outputs found

    S. Typhimurium sseJ gene decreases the S. Typhi cytotoxicity toward cultured epithelial cells

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    <p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>Salmonella enterica </it>serovar Typhi and Typhimurium are closely related serovars as indicated by >96% DNA sequence identity between shared genes. Nevertheless, <it>S</it>. Typhi is a strictly human-specific pathogen causing a systemic disease, typhoid fever. In contrast, <it>S</it>. Typhimurium is a broad host range pathogen causing only a self-limited gastroenteritis in immunocompetent humans. We hypothesize that these differences have arisen because some genes are unique to each serovar either gained by horizontal gene transfer or by the loss of gene activity due to mutation, such as pseudogenes. <it>S</it>. Typhi has 5% of genes as pseudogenes, much more than <it>S</it>. Typhimurium which contains 1%. As a consequence, <it>S</it>. Typhi lacks several protein effectors implicated in invasion, proliferation and/or translocation by the type III secretion system that are fully functional proteins in <it>S</it>. Typhimurium. SseJ, one of these effectors, corresponds to an acyltransferase/lipase that participates in SCV biogenesis in human epithelial cell lines and is needed for full virulence of <it>S</it>. Typhimurium. In <it>S</it>. Typhi, <it>sseJ </it>is a pseudogene. Therefore, we suggest that <it>sseJ </it>inactivation in <it>S</it>. Typhi has an important role in the development of the systemic infection.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We investigated whether the <it>S</it>. Typhi <it>trans</it>-complemented with the functional <it>sseJ </it>gene from <it>S</it>. Typhimurium (STM) affects the cytotoxicity toward cultured cell lines. It was found that <it>S</it>. Typhi harbouring <it>sseJ<sub>STM </sub></it>presents a similar cytotoxicity level and intracellular retention/proliferation of cultured epithelial cells (HT-29 or HEp-2) as wild type <it>S</it>. Typhimurium. These phenotypes are significantly different from wild type <it>S</it>. Typhi</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Based on our results we conclude that the mutation that inactivate the <it>sseJ </it>gene in <it>S</it>. Typhi resulted in evident changes in the behaviour of bacteria in contact with eukaryotic cells, plausibly contributing to the <it>S</it>. Typhi adaptation to the systemic infection in humans.</p

    Semi-hypogeal germination in Pachyrhizus ahipa (Wedd.) parodi (Fabaceae: Phaseoleae): seedling and sapling morphology

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    É de conhecimento geral que existe grande escassez de estudos referentes às fases juvenis das plantas, importantes como subsídio para diversos trabalhos ecológicos, taxonômicos e filogenéticos. Com base nesse pressuposto, descreveram-se morfologicamente plântulas e plantas jovens de Pachyrhizus ahipa, espécie cultivada de Phaseoleae (Fabaceae), analisando-se o tipo de plântula e caracterizando estruturalmente os cotilédones, eofilos e metafilos. Verificou-se que a plântula é semi-hipógea, tipo de germinação até então não registrado para a tribo Phaseoleae. A plântula forma dois eofilos unifoliolados e opostos, acompanhados por evidente par de estipelas. Os metafilos são trifoliolados, de filotaxia alterna. Tanto eofilos quanto metafilos são pinados, camptódromos e broquidódromos.The aim of this work was to describe the morphology of seedlings and saplings of Pachyrhizus ahipa, a cultivated species of Phaseoleae (Fabaceae), analysing the seedling type and characterizing the structure of cotyledons, eophylls and metaphylls. It was observed that the seedling was semi-hypogeal, a germination type not yet recorded for the Phaseoleae tribe. It formed two opposite and unifoliated eophylls with an evident pair of stipels. Metaphylls were trifoliolate and had alternate phyllotaxis. Both eophylls and metaphylls were pinnate, camptodromous, and brochidodromous.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP
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