Los bancos de recursos genéticos y su papel en la conservación de la biodiversidad

Titulo en ingles: Genetic resource banks and their role in biodiversity conservation.RESUMEN: El mantenimiento de la biodiversidad  es una  problemática actual que involucra aspectos científicos, económicos, políticos y éticos. Sin embargo, la diversidad biológica se ha tomado más como un concepto, sin tener en cuenta el aspecto de conservación. Muchas propuestas alternativas han sido formuladas para  lograr la conservación de las especies,  ntre las cuales, el establecimiento de Bancos de Recursos  Genéticos (BRG) ha sido la más relevante.  El surgimiento de un nuevo pensamiento ético y su implicación desde la formación de formadores,  permitirá crear una verdadera conciencia de conservación en la humanidad futura. Palabras clave: bancos genéticos, biodiversidad, bioética,  conservación,  criobancosABSTRAC: Biodiversity conservation is a present dilemma involving scientific, economic, political and ethical aspects. However, biological diversity has been regarded more as a concept, without considering  the aspect of its conservation.  Many alternative proposals have been formulated to achieve the conservation of species, and among  these, the establishment of genetic resource banks (GRB) has been the most relevance. The surge of a new ethical  thought and its implication on the formation of future teachers will allow creating a true conscience of conservation in the future humanity.Key words: Genetic banks, biodiversity, bioethics, conservationTitulo en ingles: Genetic resource banks and their role in biodiversity conservation.RESUMEN: El mantenimiento de la biodiversidad  es una  problemática actual que involucra aspectos científicos, económicos, políticos y éticos. Sin embargo, la diversidad biológica se ha tomado más como un concepto, sin tener en cuenta el aspecto de conservación. Muchas propuestas alternativas han sido formuladas para  lograr la conservación de las especies,  ntre las cuales, el establecimiento de Bancos de Recursos  Genéticos (BRG) ha sido la más relevante.  El surgimiento de un nuevo pensamiento ético y su implicación desde la formación de formadores,  permitirá crear una verdadera conciencia de conservación en la humanidad futura. Palabras clave: bancos genéticos, biodiversidad, bioética,  conservación,  criobancosABSTRAC: Biodiversity conservation is a present dilemma involving scientific, economic, political and ethical aspects. However, biological diversity has been regarded more as a concept, without considering  the aspect of its conservation.  Many alternative proposals have been formulated to achieve the conservation of species, and among  these, the establishment of genetic resource banks (GRB) has been the most relevance. The surge of a new ethical  thought and its implication on the formation of future teachers will allow creating a true conscience of conservation in the future humanity.Key words: Genetic banks, biodiversity, bioethics, conservatio

Sexing Frogs by Real-Time PCR: Using Aromatase (cyp19) as an Early Ovarian Differentiation Marker

Most anurans have no identified sex-markers; therefore, alternative methods for identification of early changes in sex ratios are required. In this study, Lithobates sylvaticus and Silurana tropicalis tadpoles were sampled at different developmental stages covering the entire process of sex differentiation. Three candidate genes known to be involved in sex differentiation in other vertebrate species were selected to develop a method to identify phenotypic sex in frogs: cytochrome p450 aromatase (cyp19) , forkhead box L2 (foxl2) and the cytochrome 17-alpha-hydroxylase/17,20 lyase (cyp17) . Cloning of these genes revealed nucleotide identity values ranging between 75–97% when compared to other amphibian species. Gene expression of cyp17, cyp19 and foxl2 in L. sylvaticus adult gonads and gonad-mesonephros complex (GMC) of tadpoles was analyzed by real-time RT-PCR. Results showed clear sexually dimorphic patterns in the expression of the 3 genes. Our analysis reveals that GMC gene expression levels of cyp19 alone can be used as a robust predictor of phenotypic sex in L. sylvaticus tadpoles. In addition, we validated this method measuring cyp19 mRNA levels in S. tropicalis GMCs. We propose measuring cyp19 as a tool to study the effects of chemical contaminants (including endocrine disrupting compounds) on amphibian gonadal development and sex ratios in the future

Supplementary Material for: Sexing Frogs by Real-Time PCR: Using Aromatase <b><i>(cyp19) </i></b>as an Early Ovarian Differentiation Marker

Most anurans have no identified sex-markers; therefore, alternative methods for identification of early changes in sex ratios are required. In this study, <i>Lithobates sylvaticus</i> and <i>Silurana tropicalis</i> tadpoles were sampled at different developmental stages covering the entire process of sex differentiation. Three candidate genes known to be involved in sex differentiation in other vertebrate species were selected to develop a method to identify phenotypic sex in frogs: cytochrome p450 aromatase <i>(cyp19)</i>, forkhead box L2 <i>(foxl2)</i> and the cytochrome 17-alpha-hydroxylase/17,20 lyase <i>(cyp17)</i>. Cloning of these genes revealed nucleotide identity values ranging between 75–97% when compared to other amphibian species. Gene expression of <i>cyp17,</i><i>cyp19</i> and <i>foxl2</i> in <i>L. sylvaticus</i> adult gonads and gonad-mesonephros complex (GMC) of tadpoles was analyzed by real-time RT-PCR. Results showed clear sexually dimorphic patterns in the expression of the 3 genes. Our analysis reveals that GMC gene expression levels of <i>cyp19</i> alone can be used as a robust predictor of phenotypic sex in<i> L. sylvaticus </i>tadpoles. In addition, we validated this method measuring <i>cyp19</i> mRNA levels in <i>S. tropicalis </i>GMCs. We propose measuring <i>cyp19</i> as a tool to study the effects of chemical contaminants (including endocrine disrupting compounds) on amphibian gonadal development and sex ratios in the future