Genomic approach for conservation and the sustainable management of endangered species of the Amazon.

A broad panel of potentially amplifiable microsatellite loci and a multiplex system were developed for the Amazonian symbol fish species Arapaima gigas, which is currently in high danger of extinction due to the disorderly fishing exploitation. Several factors have contributed to the increase of this threat, among which we highlight the lack of genetic information about the structure and taxonomic status of the species, as well as the lack of accurate tools for evaluation of the effectivity of current management programs. Based on Arapaima gigas' whole genome, available at the NCBI database (ID: 12404), a total of 95,098 unique perfect microsatellites were identified, including their proposed primers. From this panel, a multiplex system containing 12 tetranucleotide microsatellite markers was validated. These tools are valuable for research in as many areas as bioinformatics, ecology, genetics, evolution and comparative studies, since they are able to provide more accurate information for fishing management, conservation of wild populations and genetic management of aquaculture.

A Cell's Fate: An Overview of the Molecular Biology and Genetics of Apoptosis.

Apoptosis is one of the main types of regulated cell death, a complex process that can be triggered by external or internal stimuli, which activate the extrinsic or the intrinsic pathway, respectively. Among various factors involved in apoptosis, several genes and their interactive networks are crucial regulators of the outcomes of each apoptotic phase. Furthermore, mitochondria are key players in determining the way by which cells will react to internal stress stimuli, thus being the main contributor of the intrinsic pathway, in addition to providing energy for the whole process. Other factors that have been reported as important players of this intricate molecular network are miRNAs, which regulate the genes involved in the apoptotic process. Imbalance in any of these mechanisms can lead to the development of several illnesses, hence, an overall understanding of these processes is essential for the comprehension of such situations. Although apoptosis has been widely studied, the current literature lacks an updated and more general overview on this subject. Therefore, here, we review and discuss the mechanisms of apoptosis, highlighting the roles of genes, miRNAs, and mitochondria involved in this type of cell death.