Publications

A H+ -ATPase é uma proteína presente na membrana citoplasmática de plantas e fungos e desempenha um papel essencial na geração de um gradiente eletroquímico de prótons, importante para a captação de nutrientes e regulação do pH intracelular. A ativação da H + -ATPase da membrana citoplasmática em Saccharomyces cerevisiae induzida por glicose é supostamente atribuída a um sinal de cálcio intracelular correlacionado ao metabolismo do fosfatidilinositol. Em estudos anteriores do nosso grupo de pesquisa, foi observada diferença de fenótipo entre as cepas S. cerevisiae BY4742 arg82Δ e PJ69 arg82Δ através do teste de atividade da H + -ATPase, indicando que o fenótipo de maior ativação da H + -ATPase está relacionado a vários genes. Diante do exposto, o objetivo deste trabalho foi utilizar diferentes abordagens genômicas para identificar novos componentes da regulação induzida por glicose da H + -ATPase. Para isso, foram realizados o sequenciamento do genoma segregante agrupado, mapeamento de QTLs e análises de Bioinformática para identificar o possível motivo da diferença de fenótipo e, ou, novos componentes desta via de transdução de sinal. Uma vez identificadas as variantes na análise de mapeamento de QTL foi desenvolvido o script SNPsInQTLselection.py para identificar as bases genéticas que podem estar envolvidas com o fenótipo de maior atividade da H+ -ATPase. Após a utilização desse script foram identificadas 42 variantes em 33 genes potencialmente envolvidos com o fenótipo de interesse. Para priorização desses genes candidatos foi realizado análise de enriquecimento e interatoma que permitiram identificar 10 genes enriquecidos e envolvidos na via da telomerase e do fosfatidilinositol (STT4, PIK2, UGA2, EST1, MEC3, HEK2, TOP3, PSO2, STO1, FUR4). Cepas do background BY contendo essesrespectivos genes deletados (coleção EUROSCARF) foram utilizadas para teste de fenótipo de acidificação extracelular e sinalização de cálcio induzida por glicose. Por meio desses testes, 4 (UGA2, FUR4, EST1 e STT4) dos 10 genes enriquecidos, apresentaram o fenótipo de maior ativação da H+ -ATPase, fenótipo esse evidenciado nos testes de acidificação extracelular e sinal de cálcio. Destes 4 genes, vale destacar o STT4 visto que, de acordo com a função descrita para esse gene na literatura o fosfatidilinositol-4-fosfato pode exercer um papel na regulação da via de ativação de H + -ATPase, controlando a atividade da fosfolipase C. Tendo em vista uma relação positiva entre atividade da H + - ATPase e desempenho fermentativo, estudos futuros podem ser feitos com os genes/alelos identificados neste trabalho, com aplicação em cepas de leveduras industriais 8 visando a melhoria na eficiência de processos fermentativos. Os genes (UGA2, FUR4, EST1 e STT4) merecem investigação detalhada para verificação do possível envolvimento na via de sinalização da H+ -ATPase. Esse trabalho apresenta pela primeira vez uma estratégia de Bioinformática para identificar genes candidatos quando o resultado do mapeamento de QTL não for significativo.

Enzymatic blends produced by fungal monocultures and consortia cultured in solid-state fermentation (SSF), using sugarcane bagasse (SB) and wheat bran as substrates (1:1, w/w), were evaluated for saccharification of sugarcane bagasse pretreated by autohydrolysis (hydrothermal pretreatment—HP) and alkaline delignification (HP-Soda). The highest glucose releases were obtained after saccharifications of SB pretreated by HP using enzyme cocktails produced by Aspergillus niger and by the consortium among A. fumigatus, Ganoderma lucidum and Trametes versicolor, with 10.8 and 9.8 g L⁻¹, respectively. For SB pretreated by HP-Soda, the hydrolysate 10 (extract from A. niger, G. lucidum and Pleurotus ostreatus consortium) achieved maximal glucose concentration (11.92 g L⁻¹). After alcoholic fermentation of the hydrolysates, the greatest ethanol yield in relation to the maximum theoretical yield (60.8%) was obtained in the fermentation of hydrolysate 1 (A. niger) obtained from SB pretreated by HP-Soda. These results demonstrated that on-site produced enzyme cocktails can be applied for saccharification of pretreated sugarcane bagasse and also contribute to cost reduction of bioconversion processes.

The Brazilian Guzerá population originated from a few founders introduced from India. These animals adapted well to the harsh environments in Brazil, were selected for beef, milk, or dual-purpose (beef and milk), and were extensively used to produce crossbred animals. Here, the impact of these historical events with regard to the population structure and genetic diversity in a Guzerá meta-population was evaluated. DNA samples of 744 animals (one dairy, nine dual-purpose, and five beef herds) were genotyped for 21 microsatellite loci. Ho, He, PIC, F_is, F_it, and F_st estimates were obtained considering either farms or lineages as subpopulations. Mean Ho (0.73) and PIC (0.75) suggest that genetic diversity was efficiently conserved. F_it, F_is and F_st values (95% CI) pointed to a low fixation index, and large genetic diversity: F_it (Farms = 0.021-0.100; lineages = 0.021-0.100), F_is (Farms = -0.007-0.076; lineages = -0.014-0.070), and F_st (Farms = 0.0237-0.032; lineages = 0.029-0.038). The dual-purpose herds/selection lines are the most uniform subpopulation, while the beef one preserved larger amounts of genetic diversity among herds. In addition, the dairy herd showed to be genetically distant from other herds. Taken together, these results suggest that this Guzerá meta-population has high genetic diversity, a low degree of population subdivision, and a low inbreeding level.

Whole genome sequencing of bovine breeds has allowed identification of genetic variants in milk protein genes. However, functional repercussion of such variants at a molecular level has seldom been investigated. Here, the results of a multistep Bioinformatic analysis for functional characterization of recently identified genetic variants in Brazilian Gyr and Guzerat breeds is described, including predicted effects on the following: (i) evolutionary conserved nucleotide positions/regions; (ii) protein function, stability, and interactions; (iii) splicing, branching, and miRNA binding sites; (iv) promoters and transcription factor binding sites; and (v) collocation with QTL. Seventy-one genetic variants were identified in the caseins (CSN1S1, CSN2, CSN1S2, and CSN3), LALBA, LGB, and LTF genes. Eleven potentially regulatory variants and two missense mutations were identified. LALBA Ile60Val was predicted to affect protein stability and flexibility, by reducing the number the disulfide bonds established. LTF Thr546Asn is predicted to generate steric clashes, which could mildly affect iron coordination. In addition, LALBA Ile60Val and LTF Thr546Asn affect exonic splicing enhancers and silencers. Consequently, both mutations have the potential of affecting immune response at individual level, not only in the mammary gland. Although laborious, this multistep procedure for classifying variants allowed the identification of potentially functional variants for milk protein genes.

Purpose

The aim of this study was to investigate the association of rs6598964 (A > G), a molecular marker located in the LIN28A gene, with the performance of Brazilian soccer players using the VO₂max predicted by performance in the Yo-Yo test as the phenotype.

Methods

The study sample comprised 227 male players on a team in the first division of Brazilian soccer distributed in the following categories: U15 (n = 67, VO2max = 52.75 ± 4.74 ml/kg/min), U17 (n = 43, VO2max = 54.37 ± 5.47 ml/kg/min), U20 (n = 79, VO2max = 54.97 ± 5.13 ml/kg/min), and Professional (n = 38, VO2max = 55.84 ± 4.37 ml/kg/min). Genotype models (codominance, A-recessive, A-dominant and overdominance models) were tested using Kruskal–Wallis and Mann–Whitney tests with Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons tests.

Results

Significantly higher predicted VO2max was observed in individuals with the A/A genotype (VO2max = 62.12 ± 3.97 mL/kg/min) compared to both the A/G (53.44 ± 8.88 mL/kg/min) and G/G (52.44 ± 6.11 mL/kg/min) genotypes (p < 0.001). Model comparisons suggested the differences in predicted VO2max were best explained by the A-recessive model.

Conclusion

This study is the first to associate the LIN28A polymorphism with endurance performance in soccer players. However, further studies are needed to confirm the associations described here and to investigate how LIN28A interacts with other genes related to athletic performance.

Cacao plantations from South America have been afflicted with the severe fungal disease known as Witches’ Broom Disease (WBD), caused by the basidiomycete Moniliophthora perniciosa. Yeasts are increasingly recognized as good fungal biocides, although their application is still mostly restricted to the postharvest control of plant and fruit decay. Their possible utilization in the field, in a preharvest phase, is nevertheless promising, particularly if the strains are locally adapted and evolved and if they belong to species considered safe for man and the environment. In this work, a group of yeast strains originating from sugarcane-based fermentative processes in Brazil, the cacao-producing country where the disease is most severe, were tested for their ability to antagonize M. perniciosa in vitro. Wickerhamomyces anomalus LBCM1105 and Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains LBCM1112 from spontaneous fermentations used to produce cachaça, and PE2 widely used in Brazil in the industrial production of bioethanol, efficiently antagonized six strains of M. perniciosa, originating from several South American countries. The two fastest growing fungal strains, both originating from Brazil, were further used to assess the mechanisms underlying the yeasts’ antagonism. Yeasts were able to inhibit fungal growth and kill the fungus at three different temperatures, under starvation, at different culture stages, or using an inoculum from old yeast cultures. Moreover, SEM analysis revealed that W. anomalus and S. cerevisiae PE2 cluster and adhere to the hyphae, push their surface, and fuse to them, ultimately draining the cells. This behavior concurs with that classified as necrotrophic parasitism/mycoparasitism. In particular, W. anomalus within the adhered clusters appear to be ligated to each other through roundish groups of fimbriae-like structures filled with bundles of microtubule-sized formations, which appear to close after cells detach, leaving a scar. SEM also revealed the formation of tube-like structures apparently connecting yeast to hypha. This evidence suggests W. anomalus cells form a network of yeast cells connecting with each other and with hyphae, supporting a possible cooperative collective killing and feeding strategy. The present results provide an initial step toward the formulation of a new eco-friendly and effective alternative for controlling cacao WBD using live yeast biocides.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the distribution of ACE-I/D polymorphisms on Brazilian football players performance in aerobic capacity, strength and speed tests.
METHODS: The participants in this study were 212 Brazilian first division male football players genotyped in DD, ID or II. Genotyping of DNA from leucocytes was performed using polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism methods. We evaluated speed using a 30-meter sprint test with speed measured at 10 meters (V10), 20 meters (V20), and 30 meters (V30); muscular strength using counter-movement-jump and squat jump tests; and aerobic endurance using the Yo-Yo endurance test. The athletes were ranked in ascending order according to their performance in each test and divided into quartiles: first quartile (0-25%, weak), second (25-50%, normal), third (50-75%, good), and fourth (75-100%, excellent); these were clustered according to genotype frequency.
RESULTS: We identified significant differences in the V20 test values and in the aerobic capacity test. Higher frequencies of the ACE-DD genotype were observed in the excellent performance group in the V20. In the aerobic capacity test, higher frequencies of the ACE-II genotype were observed in excellent and good performance groups.
CONCLUSIONS: Players with higher performance in anaerobic and aerobic tests are ACE-DD and ACE-II genotypes, respectively.

Wistar Audiogenic Rat is an epilepsy model whose animals are predisposed to develop seizures induced by acoustic stimulation. This model was developed by selective reproduction and presents a consistent genetic profile due to the several generations of inbreeding. In this study, we performed an analysis of WAR RNA-Seq data, aiming identified at genetic variants that may be involved in the epileptic phenotype. Seventeen thousand eighty-five predicted variants were identified as unique to the WAR model, of which 15,915 variants are SNPs and 1,170 INDELs. We filter the predicted variants by pre-established criteria and selected five for validation by Sanger sequencing. The genetic variant c.14198T>C in the Vlgr1 gene was confirmed in the WAR model. Vlgr1 encodes an adhesion receptor that is involved in the myelination process, in the development of stereocilia of the inner ear, and was already associated with the audiogenic seizures presented by the mice Frings. The transcriptional quantification of Vlgr1 revealed the downregulation this gene in the corpus quadrigeminum of WAR, and the protein modeling predicted that the mutated residue alters the structure of a domain of the VLGR1 receptor. We believe that Vlgr1 gene may be related to the predisposition of WAR to seizures and suggest the mutation Vlgr1/Q4695R as putative causal variant, and the first molecular marker of the WAR strain.