Insertion of the LINE-1 element in the C-MYC gene and immunoreactivity of C-MYC, p53, p21 and p27 proteins in different morphological patterns of the canine TVT / Inserção do elemento LINE - 1 no gene C-MYC e imunorreatividade das proteinas C-MYC, p53, p21 e p27 nos diferentes padrões morfológicos do tumor TVT

The canine transmissible venereal tumor (TVT) affects the external genitalia of dogs by the natural transplant of viable tumor cells. Thus, this research aimed to diagnose and characterize TVT morphological patterns, identify the insertion of the LINE-1 element in C-MYC gene, by means of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and evaluate the immunohistochemical expression of C-MYC, p53, p21 and p27 proteins. The relationship between C-MYC and p53 proteins and their interference on the expression of p21 and p27 were also studied. For that, 20 samples of naturally occurring TVT were used, subjected to cytopathological, histopathological and immunohistochemical analysis, and to molecular diagnosis of neoplasia. The increased tissue expression and the correlation among C-MYC, p53, p21 and p27 proteins indicate reduction and/or loss of their functionality in the TVT microenvironment, with consequent apoptotic suppression, maintenance of cell growth and progression of neoplasia.(AU)

O tumor venéreo transmissível canino (TVT) afeta a genitália externa de cães pelo transplante natural de células tumorais viáveis. Assim, esta pesquisa teve como objetivo diagnosticar e caracterizar TVT em padrões morfológicos, identificar a inserção do elemento LINE-1 em gene C-MYC, por meio da reação em cadeia da polimerase (PCR), e avaliar a expressão imuno-histoquímica do C-MYC, p53, p21 e p27. A relação entre C-MYC e as proteínas p53 e a sua interferência na expressão de p21 e p27 foram também estudadas. Para isso, foram utilizadas 20 amostras de ocorrência natural de TVT, submetido a exame citopatológico, histopatológica e imuno-histoquímica e ao diagnóstico molecular de neoplasia. A expressão aumentada do tecido e a correlação entre a C-MYC e as proteínas p53, p21 e p27 indicam redução e/ou perda de funcionalidade na TVT em seu microambiente, com consequente supressão apoptótica, manutenção do crescimento celular e progressão da neoplasia.(AU)

Culture of bovine ovarian follicle wall sections maintained the highly estrogenic profile under basal and chemically defined conditions

Follicle cultures reproduce in vitro the functional features observed in vivo. In a search for an ideal model, we cultured bovine antral follicle wall sections (FWS) in a serum-free defined medium (DM) known to induce 17β-estradiol (E2) production, and in a nondefined medium (NDM) containing serum. Follicles were sectioned and cultured in NDM or DM for 24 or 48 h. Morphological features were determined by light microscopy. Gene expression of steroidogenic enzymes and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) receptor were determined by RT-PCR; progesterone (P4) and E2 concentrations in the media were measured by radioimmunoassay. DM, but not NDM, maintained an FWS morphology in vitro that was similar to fresh tissue. DM also induced an increase in the expression of all steroidogenic enzymes, except FSH receptor, but NDM did not. In both DM and NDM, there was a gradual increase in P4 throughout the culture period; however, P4 concentration was significantly higher in NDM. In both media, E2 concentration was increased at 24 h, followed by a decrease at 48 h. The E2:P4 ratio was higher in DM than in NDM. These results suggest that DM maintains morphological structure, upregulates the expression of steroidogenic enzyme genes, and maintains steroid production with a high E2:P4 ratio in FWS cultures.

Hydrolytic enzymes in Paracoccidioides brasiliensis--ecological aspects

Paracoccidioides brasiliensis is a thermally dimorphic fungus that causes paracoccidioidomycosis. The yeast form of this pathogen is found in the animal host whereas the mycelial form is recovered from living and non-living organic material. The sole carbon source available in these habitats is represented by polysaccharides from the plant cell wall. Hydrolytic enzymes are necessary to convert these polymers into simple sugars for fungal metabolism. We report on the presence of ortholog genes of hydrolytic enzymes identified in the P. brasiliensis transcriptome and on hydrolytic activities in supernatants of induced P. brasiliensis cultures of mycelium and yeast cells. Enzymatic assays have shown cellulase and xylanase activities, both being higher in mycelium than in the yeast form. Amylase and chitinase activities were detected only in mycelium. Data so far reinforce the idea that mycelial P. brasiliensis is a saprobe.

Cell cycle, DNA replication, repair, and recombination in the dimorphic human pathogenic fungus Paracoccidioides brasiliensis

DNA replication, together with repair mechanisms and cell cycle control, are the most important cellular processes necessary to maintain correct transfer of genetic information to the progeny. These processes are well conserved throughout the Eukarya, and the genes that are involved provide essential information for understanding the life cycle of an organism. We used computational tools for data mining of genes involved in these processes in the pathogenic fungus Paracoccidiodes brasiliensis. Data derived from transcriptome analysis revealed that the cell cycle of this fungus, as well as DNA replication and repair, and the recombination machineries, are highly similar to those of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Among orthologs detected in both species, there are genes related to cytoskeleton structure and assembly, chromosome segregation, and cell cycle control genes. We identified at least one representative gene from each step of the initiation of DNA replication. Major players in the process of DNA damage and repair were also identified.