Biological activity of cinnamaldehyde, citronellal, geraniol and anacardic acid on Haemonchus contortus isolates susceptible and resistant to synthetic anthelmintics.

Parasitism by gastrointestinal nematodes is a challenge for small ruminant farming worldwide. It causes productive and economic losses, especially due to parasite resistance to conventional anthelmintics. Natural compounds with antiparasitic activity are a potential alternative for controlling these parasites especially when considering the widespread occurrence of anthelmintic resistance. Our objective was to evaluate the activity of anacardic acid, geraniol, cinnamaldehyde and citronellal on Haemonchus contortus isolates with different levels of anthelmintic resistance profiles. These compounds were tested using egg hatch assays (EHAs), larval development tests (LDTs) as well as LDTs on mini-fecal cultures, on the Haemonchus contortus isolates Kokstad (KOK-resistant to all anthelmintics), Inbred-Strain-Edinburgh (ISE-susceptible to all anthelmintics) and Echevarria (ECH-susceptible to all anthelmintics). Effective concentrations to inhibit 50% (EC50) and 95% (EC95) of egg hatching and larval development were calculated. Results for EHA and LDT for all tested compounds, considering EC50 and EC95 values, showed low variation among the studied isolates with most RF values below 2x. All studied compounds showed efficacy against egg hatching and larval development of H. contortus isolates regardless of anthelmintic resistance profiles. The compounds with the smallest EC50 and EC95 values were cinnamaldehyde and anacardic acid making them promising candidates for future in vivo studies.

Phenotypic and genotypic approaches for detection of anthelmintic resistant sheep gastrointestinal nematodes from Brazilian northeast.

The aim of this study was to characterize the anthelmintic resistance (AR) of a sheep gastrointestinal nematode population, named Caucaia, from northeastern Brazil. Phenotypic tests performed were: egg hatch (EHT), larval development (LDT) and fecal egg count reduction (FECRT). Benzimidazoles (BZs) genotypic evaluation was by frequency of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) F200Y, F167Y and E198A, and for levamisole (LEV), by frequency of resistance alleles of Hco-acr-8 gene. The primers were designed specifically for Haemonchus contortus. Effective concentrations 50% (EC50) for BZs (EHT), and for macrocyclic lactones (MLs) and LEV (LDT) were 1.02 µg/mL, 1.81 ng/mL and 0.04 µg/mL, respectively. Resistance ratios for MLs and LEV were 0.91 and 3.07, respectively. FECRT efficacies of BZs, MLs, monepantel (MPTL) and LEV were 52.4; 87.0; 94.5 and 99.6%, respectively. qPCR for BZs demonstrated resistance allele frequencies of 0%, 26.24% and 69.08% for SNPs E198A, F200Y and F167Y, respectively. For LEV, 54.37% of resistance alleles were found. There was agreement between EHT, FECRT and qPCR for BZs, and agreement between LDT and qPCR for LEV. Thus, based on higher sensitivity of qPCR, and phenotypic evaluation, the Caucaia population was considered resistant to BZs, MLs, LEV and suspect for MPTL.

Phenotypic and genotypic approaches for detection of anthelmintic resistant sheep gastrointestinal nematodes from Brazilian northeast / Abordagens fenotípica e genotípica para detecção de resistência anti-helmíntica em nematoides gastrintestinais de ovinos no nordeste do Brasil

Abstract The aim of this study was to characterize the anthelmintic resistance (AR) of a sheep gastrointestinal nematode population, named Caucaia, from northeastern Brazil. Phenotypic tests performed were: egg hatch (EHT), larval development (LDT) and fecal egg count reduction (FECRT). Benzimidazoles (BZs) genotypic evaluation was by frequency of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) F200Y, F167Y and E198A, and for levamisole (LEV), by frequency of resistance alleles of Hco-acr-8 gene. The primers were designed specifically for Haemonchus contortus. Effective concentrations 50% (EC50) for BZs (EHT), and for macrocyclic lactones (MLs) and LEV (LDT) were 1.02 µg/mL, 1.81 ng/mL and 0.04 µg/mL, respectively. Resistance ratios for MLs and LEV were 0.91 and 3.07, respectively. FECRT efficacies of BZs, MLs, monepantel (MPTL) and LEV were 52.4; 87.0; 94.5 and 99.6%, respectively. qPCR for BZs demonstrated resistance allele frequencies of 0%, 26.24% and 69.08% for SNPs E198A, F200Y and F167Y, respectively. For LEV, 54.37% of resistance alleles were found. There was agreement between EHT, FECRT and qPCR for BZs, and agreement between LDT and qPCR for LEV. Thus, based on higher sensitivity of qPCR, and phenotypic evaluation, the Caucaia population was considered resistant to BZs, MLs, LEV and suspect for MPTL.

Resumo O objetivo deste estudo foi caracterizar a resistência anti-helmíntica (RA) da população de nematoides gastrintestinais de ovinos, denominada Caucaia, do Nordeste brasileiro. Os testes fenotípicos foram: eclosão de ovos (TEO), desenvolvimento larvar (TDL) e redução da contagem de ovos nas fezes (TRCOF). A avaliação genotípica para benzimidazóis (BZs) foi por frequência de polimorfismos de nucleotídeo único (SNPs) F200Y, F167Y e E198A; e para levamisol (LEV), pela frequência alélica para resistência no gene Hco-acr-8. Os "primers" foram específicos para Haemonchus contortus. As concentrações efetivas 50% (CE50) para BZs (TEO) e para lactonas macrocíclicas (LMs) e LEV (TDL) foram 1,02 µg/mL, 1,81 ng/mL e 0,04 µg/mL, respectivamente. Os fatores de resistência para LMs e LEV foram 0,91 e 3,07, respectivamente. As eficácias para BZs, LMs, monepantel (MPTL) e LEV no TRCOF foram 52,4; 87,0; 94,5 e 99,6%, respectivamente. A qPCR para BZs demonstrou frequências de 0%, 26,24% e 69,08% para SNPs E198A, F200Y e F167Y, respectivamente. Para LEV foram encontrados 54,37% de alelos resistentes. Houve concordância entre TEO, TRCOF e qPCR para BZs, e entre TDL e qPCR para LEV. Baseada na maior sensibilidade da qPCR e avaliação fenotípica, a população Caucaia foi considerada resistente a BZs, LMs, LEV e suspeita para MPTL.

Anthelmintic activity of nanoencapsulated carvacryl acetate against gastrointestinal nematodes of sheep and its toxicity in rodents.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of carvacryl acetate (CVA) and nanoencapsulated CVA (nCVA) on gastrointestinal nematodes of sheep. The CVA was nanoencapsulated with chitosan/gum arabic and the efficacy of nanoencapsulation (EE), yield, zeta potential, nanoparticle morphology and release kinetics at pH 3 and 8 were analyzed. Acute and subchronic toxicity were evaluated in rodents and reduction of egg counts in the faeces (FECRT) of sheep. The sheep were divided into four groups (n = 10): G1, 250 mg/kg CVA; G2, 250 mg/kg nCVA; G3, polymer matrix and G4: 2.5 mg/kg monepantel. EE and nCVA yield were 65% and 57%, respectively. The morphology of the nanoparticles was spherical, size (810.6±286.7 nm), zeta potential in pH 3.2 (+18.3 mV) and the 50% release of CVA at pHs 3 and 8 occurred at 200 and 10 h, respectively. nCVA showed LD50 of 2,609 mg/kg. CVA, nCVA and monepantel reduced the number of eggs per gram of faeces (epg) by 57.7%, 51.1% and 97.7%, respectively. The epg of sheep treated with CVA and nCVA did not differ from the negative control (P>0.05). Nanoencapsulation reduced the toxicity of CVA; however, nCVA and CVA presented similar results in the FECRT.

Anthelmintic activity of nanoencapsulated carvacryl acetate against gastrointestinal nematodes of sheep and its toxicity in rodents / Atividade anti-helmíntica do acetato de carvacrila nanoencapsulado sobre nematoides gastrintestinais de ovinos e toxicidade em roedores

Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of carvacryl acetate (CVA) and nanoencapsulated CVA (nCVA) on gastrointestinal nematodes of sheep. The CVA was nanoencapsulated with chitosan/gum arabic and the efficacy of nanoencapsulation (EE), yield, zeta potential, nanoparticle morphology and release kinetics at pH 3 and 8 were analyzed. Acute and subchronic toxicity were evaluated in rodents and reduction of egg counts in the faeces (FECRT) of sheep. The sheep were divided into four groups (n = 10): G1, 250 mg/kg CVA; G2, 250 mg/kg nCVA; G3, polymer matrix and G4: 2.5 mg/kg monepantel. EE and nCVA yield were 65% and 57%, respectively. The morphology of the nanoparticles was spherical, size (810.6±286.7 nm), zeta potential in pH 3.2 (+18.3 mV) and the 50% release of CVA at pHs 3 and 8 occurred at 200 and 10 h, respectively. nCVA showed LD50 of 2,609 mg/kg. CVA, nCVA and monepantel reduced the number of eggs per gram of faeces (epg) by 57.7%, 51.1% and 97.7%, respectively. The epg of sheep treated with CVA and nCVA did not differ from the negative control (P>0.05). Nanoencapsulation reduced the toxicity of CVA; however, nCVA and CVA presented similar results in the FECRT.

Resumo O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a eficácia do acetato de carvacrila (ACV) e do ACV nanoencapsulado (nACV) sobre nematóides gastrintestinais de ovinos. O ACV foi nanoencapsulado com quitosana/goma arábica e foi analisada a eficácia de nanoencapsulamento (EE), o rendimento, potencial zeta, morfologia das nanopartículas e cinética de liberação em pH 3 e 8. Foram avaliadas as toxicidades aguda e subcrônica em roedores e a redução da contagem de ovos nas fezes (RCOF) de ovinos. Os ovinos foram divididos em quatro grupos (n = 10): G1, 250 mg/kg ACV; G2, 250 mg/kg de nACV; G3, matriz polimérica e G4: 2,5 mg/kg de monepantel. A EE e o rendimento de nACV foram de 65% e 57%, respectivamente. A morfologia das nanopartículas foi esférica, tamanho (810,6±286,7 nm), potencial zeta no pH 3,2 (+18,3 mV) e a liberação de 50% de CVA nos pHs 3 e 8 ocorreu às 200 e 10 h, respectivamente. nACV apresentou DL50 de 2.609 mg/kg. ACV, nACV e o monepantel reduziram a contagem de ovos por grama de fezes (opg) em 57,7%, 51,1% e 97,7%, respectivamente. A contagem de opg de ovelhas tratadas com ACV e nCVA não diferiu do controle negativo (P>0,05). O nanoencapsulamento reduziu a toxicidade do AVC; no entanto, nACV e ACV apresentaram resultados semelhantes na RCOF.

Quantitative molecular diagnosis of levamisole resistance in populations of Haemonchus contortus.

Parasitism by Haemonchus contortus is one of the main limiting factors in small ruminant production around the globe. Although several studies suggest the use of integrated management practices, these parasites have been controlled essentially with synthetic anthelmintic drugs. The resistance mechanism against the imidazothiazole derivative levamisole in Haemonchus contortus has not been fully described. Recently, resistance was associated with a 63bp deletion in the Hco-acr-8b gene that encodes a subunit for a nicotinic acetylcholine receptor. This study aimed to standardize a real time PCR (qPCR) protocol for levamisole resistance diagnosis in H. contortus populations based on this polymorphism and use it to characterize 23 field H. contortus populations obtained from different localities of Ceará State, Northeast Brazil. In addition, two populations of H. contortus were used as a standard of susceptibility and resistance, Inbred Strain Edinburgh (ISE) and Kokstad, respectively. Larval development tests (LDT) were performed on five field isolates and both EC50 and EC95 were estimated. LDT EC95 values provided a wider interval between susceptible and resistant populations than EC50 values (EC95 = 1.96-57.93 µM; EC50 = 0.05-0.39 µM), and were found to be more appropriate for differentiating them. Real time PCR results showed resistance allele frequencies ranged from 20.9 to 76.7%. Our results suggest that levamisole resistance may be present in field populations but it is not as widespread as benzimidazole resistance. This methodology may be useful to monitor levamisole resistance in field populations of H. contortus.

Strategic vaccination of hair sheep against Haemonchus contortus.

In this study, we evaluated in two trials a protocol designed to protect hair sheep using Barbervax®, a vaccine containing Haemonchus contortus gut membrane glycoprotein antigens. Results indicated that naturally infected vaccinated sheep had significant egg count reductions (90.2 ± 4.03%) compared with controls, although blood parameters remained relatively unchanged probably because the level of challenge was low. Vaccination prevented the periparturient rise in egg shedding of ewes, as well as egg shedding in lambs (37.1%). In the second trial, sheep which were experimentally exposed to higher artificial challenge also showed an efficient response to the vaccine as confirmed by high antibody levels and reduced egg counts and worm burdens (87 ± 5.4% and 79%) respectively. Thus, we believe that the vaccine should be integrated with other management practices for meat hair sheep as it has the advantages of adequate efficacy, reducing anthelmintic utilization and avoiding milk and environmental contamination with chemical residues.

Haemonchus contortus ß-tubulin isotype 1 gene F200Y and F167Y SNPs are both selected by ivermectin and oxfendazole treatments with differing impacts on anthelmintic resistance.

Parasitism by Haemonchus contortus is one of the main limiting factors in small ruminant production in tropical areas. Benzimidazoles (BZ) and macrocyclic lactones (ML) are the most used anthelmintic classes in gastrointestinal nematodes control. There is considerable scientific evidence of a possible relation between the anthelmintic resistance to BZ and ML. This study aimed to characterize the dynamics of anthelmintic resistance in an H. contortus susceptible isolate under selection pressure for BZ and ML alone or in combination and the role of isotype 1 ß-tubulin gene SNPs in these situations. A total of 12 Somali sheep were infected with 5000 third stage larvae of H. contortus Inbred-Susceptible Edinburgh (ISE) isolate. Once infection was established, animals were distributed in three groups (n=4), each treated with crescent doses of oxfendazole (OXF), ivermectin (IVM) and oxfendazole plus ivermectin (IVMOXF). An additional control group with untreated animals was maintained during the entire experiment. After each treatment, eggs were collected and real-time PCR was performed to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) F167Y, F200Y and E198A, in addition to egg hatch test (EHT) for BZ and larval development test (LDT) for ivermectin resistance. All treatments led to increased resistance allelic frequencies at SNPs F200Y and F167Y (p <0.05). In vitro results showed increased phenotypic resistance against both anthelmintic classes in groups IVM and IVMOXF while group OXF only developed resistance against BZ. Finally, we provide evidence that while isotype 1 ß-tubulin gene SNPs may have some involvement with ML resistance, the presence of these ß-tubulin SNPs alone are not sufficient to develop ML resistance.

Coccidia of gallinaceous meat birds in Brazil.

Coccidiosis is a disease that limits the production and marketing of gallinaceous birds in North America, especially quails, pheasants and chukar partridges. Virtually no research has been conducted in South America on the causative agents of diseases among these birds, including coccidia. The aim of this work was to make first observations on Eimeria spp. in the chukar partridge Alectoris chukar and the grey quail Coturnix coturnix, which are reared for meat in Brazil. Fecal and tissue samples were collected from commercial farms and were examined for oocysts, gross and microscopic lesions or endogenous stages. From this examination, it was found that partridges raised in Brazil did not have any visible infection. However, grey quails presented mild infection and two Eimeria species that had previously been described in other birds were identified.

Coccidia of gallinaceous meat birds in Brazil / Coccídios de galináceos de corte no Brasil

Coccidiosis is a disease that limits the production and marketing of gallinaceous birds in North America, especially quails, pheasants and chukar partridges. Virtually no research has been conducted in South America on the causative agents of diseases among these birds, including coccidia. The aim of this work was to make first observations on Eimeria spp. in the chukar partridge Alectoris chukar and the grey quail Coturnix coturnix, which are reared for meat in Brazil. Fecal and tissue samples were collected from commercial farms and were examined for oocysts, gross and microscopic lesions or endogenous stages. From this examination, it was found that partridges raised in Brazil did not have any visible infection. However, grey quails presented mild infection and two Eimeria species that had previously been described in other birds were identified.

A coccidiose é uma enfermidade limitante para a produção e comercialização de aves de corte na América do Norte, principalmente codornas, faisões e a perdiz de chukar. Praticamente nenhuma pesquisa foi realizada na América do Sul sobre os agentes causadores de doenças nessas aves, incluindo coccídios. O objetivo deste trabalho foi realizar as primeiras observações sobre Eimeria spp. em perdiz de chukar Alectoris chukar e codornas cinzentas Coturnix coturnix criadas para abate no Brasil. Amostras de fezes e de tecidos foram coletadas em granjas comerciais e examinadas para oocistos, lesões macroscópicas e microscópicas ou estágios endógenos. Após o exame, verificou-se que a criação de perdizes, no Brasil, não tinha infecção visível. No entanto, as codornas cinzentas apresentaram uma infecção leve e foram identificadas duas espécies de Eimeria descritas anteriormente em outras aves.

Identification and quantification of benzimidazole resistance polymorphisms in Haemonchus contortus isolated in Northeastern Brazil.

Haemonchus contortus is the most prevalent nematode in Brazil. The objective of this study was to select 6 populations of H. contortus of known or suspected benzimidazole resistance status and characterize these using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) for single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) F200Y, F167Y and E198A in the ß-tubulin isotype 1 gene. qPCR was performed using DNA from a pool of 10 adult male H. contortus from a single animal per farm. Faecal egg count reduction test (FECRT) and egg hatch test (EHT) were used to determine the resistance status. Samples were obtained from 6 farms located in 5 counties in the Ceará State: Tauá, Boa Viagem, Quixadá, Santa Quitéria and Solonópole. The inbred-susceptible-Edinburgh (ISE) isolate was used as reference for comparative purposes in the qPCR. Benzimidazole resistance was detected by FECRT on all farms with efficacy values ranging from 0 to 51%. EC50 values as determined by EHT were all above 1.49µg/ml. High frequencies of the resistant SNPs F200Y and F167Y alleles were detected but no resistance was detected at SNP E198A. Our results suggest that the SNPs F167Y and F200Y are both important for benzimidazole resistance in the studied populations.

Leishmania amazonensis promastigotes present two distinct modes of nucleus and kinetoplast segregation during cell cycle.

Here, we show the morphological events associated with organelle segregation and their timing in the cell cycle of a reference strain of Leishmania (L.) amazonensis promastigotes, the main causative agent of Tegumentary leishmaniasis in the Americas. We show evidences that during the cell cycle, L. amazonensis promastigotes present two distinct modes of nucleus and kinetoplast segregation, which occur in different temporal order in different proportions of cells. We used DAPI-staining and EdU-labeling to monitor the segregation of DNA-containing organelles and DNA replication in wild-type parasites. The emergence of a new flagellum was observed using a specific monoclonal antibody. The results show that L. amazonensis cell cycle division is peculiar, with 65% of the dividing cells duplicating the kinetoplast before the nucleus, and the remaining 35% doing the opposite or duplicating both organelles concomitantly. In both cases, the new flagellum appeared during S to G2 phase in 1N1K cells and thus before the segregation of both DNA-containing organelles; however, we could not determine the exact timing of flagellar synthesis. Most of these results were confirmed by the synchronization of parasites using hydroxyurea. Altogether, our data show that during the cell cycle of L. amazonensis promastigotes, similarly to L. donovani, the segregation of nucleus and kinetoplast do not follow a specific order, especially when compared to other trypanosomatids, reinforcing the idea that this characteristic seems to be species-specific and may represent differences in cellular biology among members of the Leishmania genus.

Economical and financial analysis of lamb finishing fed with diets formulated according to the NRC (1985) and the NRC (2007).

This study compares both versions of the nutritional requirement system determined by the National Research Council (NRC) version 1985 (NRC85) and NRC version 2007 (NRC07), for finishing lambs in feedlots. Nineteen crossbred lambs were divided in four groups representing four experimental treatments: one diet according to NRC85 and three diets according to NRC07. The diets recommended by NRC07 considers crude protein intake relative to ruminal undegradable protein at 20, 40, and 60 % levels (NRC07/20, NRC07/40, and NRC07/60). Diets were composed of Brazilian semi-arid native grass silage, soybean meal, corn, annatto byproduct, and limestone. Purchases and sales of lambs were done according to average market prices in Brazil. The economic indicators considered pointed that all treatments were viable but NRC07/20 and NRC07/60 were more profitable with similar net present values (NPVs) and internal return rates (IRRs). NRC07/20 was the best option showing an IRR of 17.20 % and a payback period (PP) of 5.07 considering a fixed annual interest rate of 6 %. Sensitivity analysis considering a 10 % raise in variable costs showed negative NPVs, IRRs inferior to the opportunity cost rates adopted and PPs that exceeded the planning horizon of 7 years for both NRC85 and NRC07/40.

Ascaridiasis in peafowl Pavo cristatus (Phasianidae) due to Ascaridia galli Schrank, 1788.

Twelve white peafowl (Pavo cristatus) affected by an outbreak of an intestinal disease were referred for more detailed examination at the Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz-BA, Brazil. During the course of the disease, peachicks were severely affected, with enteric signs such as diarrhea plus dehydration, decreased feed intake and progressive weight loss. After examination, 8 of 12 samples (66.6%) presented single or mixed nematode infection and Ascarid eggs were the most frequent finding on fecal examination. Adult peafowl did not present clinical signs even when positive after fecal exam. Morphological analysis, clinical signs, fecal and gross examinations resulted in a diagnosis of ascaridiasis caused by Ascaridia galli Schrank (1788).

Eimeria species in dairy goats in Brazil.

The focus of this work is to determine the distribution and identify species of Eimeria parasites of dairy goats in the livestock of the National Goat and Sheep Research Center in Sobral, State of Ceará, Northeast Brazil. Results showed the presence of multiple species in 196 of 215 analyzed samples (91.2%). Fifty five out of these were from kids (28%) and 141 from adult goats (72%). Eight different Eimeria species were identified and their prevalence in the herd was: Eimeria alijevi Musaev, 1970 (26.7%), E. arloingi (Marotel, 1905) Martin, 1909 (20.6%), E. hirci Chevalier, 1966 (18%), E. ninakohlyakimovae Yakimoff & Rastegaieff, 1930 (16.2%), E. jolchijevi Musaev, 1970 (8.7%), E. christenseni Levine, Ivens & Fritz, 1962 (6%), E. caprovina Lima, 1980 (2.8%) and E. caprina Lima, 1979 (1%). Moreover, E. ninakohlyakimovae showed higher prevalence in kids (97%), followed by E. arloingi and E. alijevi (88%). On the other hand, E. alijevi (77%) was more common in adult goats followed by E. hirci (74%) and E. ninakohlyakimovae (70%). The species E. caprina had low frequency in both kids (27%) and adult goats (13%). Data indicated that infection was relatively common among kids and adult goats. The implementation of a routine diagnostic strategy can be useful in maintaining Eimeria populations under monitoring and will enable the determination of its potential impact on dairy goat herds in Northeast Brazil.

SIRT1 deacetylase activity and the maintenance of protein homeostasis in response to stress: an overview.

The present review intends to summarize the, yet preliminary, but very important emerging data underlining the functions exerted by the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+)-dependent deacetylase SIRT1 on protein homeostasis. The main focus of the discussion is the cooperation between SIRT1 and the heat shock factor 1 (HSF1) responsible for activating the transcription of molecular chaperones, the protein-protective factors that resolve damaged/misfolded and aggregated proteins generated by heat stress or metabolism. SIRT1, a mammalian ortholog of the yeast silent information regulator 2, is a stress activated protein deacetylase that contributes to life-span extension by regulating different cell survival pathways, including replicative senescence, inflammation and resistance to hypoxic and heat stress. Phosphorylation is the major mechanism controlling the level and function of SIRT1 required for normal cell cycle progression and cell survival under stress conditions. Phosphorylated SIRT1 deacetylates and coactivates different substrates, including HSF1. Deacetylated HSF1 binds to the heat shock promoter element found upstream of genes encoding molecular chaperones. Overexpression of SIRT1 in cultured cells also helps them to survive exposure to heat stress. Conversely, its down-regulation accelerates the attenuation of the heat shock response promoting the release of HSF1 from its cognate promoter element. Very recently, in a mouse model for Alzheimer's disease, SIRT1 deacetylase activity was also found activating the transcription of α-secretase, the enzyme responsible for inhibiting the formation of aggregates of neuronal ß-amyloid plaques. How SIRT1 activity protects cells from the deleterious effects of damaged/misfolded proteins and the implication of these findings on age-related pathologies are discussed.

Genomic DNA microarray comparison of gene expression patterns in Paracoccidioides brasiliensis mycelia and yeasts in vitro.

Paracoccidioides brasiliensis is a thermally dimorphic fungus, and causes the most prevalent systemic mycosis in Latin America. Infection is initiated by inhalation of conidia or mycelial fragments by the host, followed by further differentiation into the yeast form. Information regarding gene expression by either form has rarely been addressed with respect to multiple time points of growth in culture. Here, we report on the construction of a genomic DNA microarray, covering approximately 25 % of the genome of the organism, and its utilization in identifying genes and gene expression patterns during growth in vitro. Cloned, amplified inserts from randomly sheared genomic DNA (gDNA) and known control genes were printed onto glass slides to generate a microarray of over 12,000 elements. To examine gene expression, mRNA was extracted and amplified from mycelial or yeast cultures grown in semi-defined medium for 5, 8 and 14 days. Principal components analysis and hierarchical clustering indicated that yeast gene expression profiles differed greatly from those of mycelia, especially at earlier time points, and that mycelial gene expression changed less than gene expression in yeasts over time. Genes upregulated in yeasts were found to encode proteins shown to be involved in methionine/cysteine metabolism, respiratory and metabolic processes (of sugars, amino acids, proteins and lipids), transporters (small peptides, sugars, ions and toxins), regulatory proteins and transcription factors. Mycelial genes involved in processes such as cell division, protein catabolism, nucleotide biosynthesis and toxin and sugar transport showed differential expression. Sequenced clones were compared with Histoplasma capsulatum and Coccidioides posadasii genome sequences to assess potentially common pathways across species, such as sulfur and lipid metabolism, amino acid transporters, transcription factors and genes possibly related to virulence. We also analysed gene expression with time in culture and found that while transposable elements and components of respiratory pathways tended to increase in expression with time, genes encoding ribosomal structural proteins and protein catabolism tended to sharply decrease in expression over time, particularly in yeast. These findings expand our knowledge of the different morphological forms of P. brasiliensis during growth in culture.