ABSTRACT
The Tc964 protein was initially identified by its presence in the interactome associated with the LYT1 mRNAs, which code for a virulence factor of Trypanosoma cruzi. Tc964 is annotated in the T. cruzi genome as a hypothetical protein. According to phylogenetic analysis, the protein is conserved in the different genera of the Trypanosomatidae family; however, recognizable orthologues were not identified in other groups of organisms. Therefore, as a first step, an in-depth molecular characterization of the Tc946 protein was carried out. Based on structural predictions and molecular dynamics studies, the Tc964 protein would belong to a particular class of GTPases. Subcellular fractionation analysis indicated that Tc964 is a nucleocytoplasmic protein. Additionally, the protein was expressed as a recombinant protein in order to analyze its antigenicity with sera from Chagas disease (CD) patients. Tc964 was found to be antigenic, and B-cell epitopes were mapped by the use of synthetic peptides. In parallel, the Leishmania major homologue (Lm964) was also expressed as recombinant protein and used for a preliminary evaluation of antigen cross-reactivity in CD patients. Interestingly, Tc964 was recognized by sera from Chronic CD (CCD) patients at different stages of disease severity, but no reactivity against this protein was observed when sera from Colombian patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis were analyzed. Therefore, Tc964 would be adequate for CD diagnosis in areas where both infections (CD and leishmaniasis) coexist, even though additional assays using larger collections of sera are needed in order to confirm its usefulness for differential serodiagnosis.
Subject(s)
Antigens, Protozoan/chemistry , Antigens, Protozoan/genetics , Protozoan Proteins/chemistry , Protozoan Proteins/genetics , Trypanosoma cruzi/genetics , Trypanosoma cruzi/metabolism , Animals , Antibodies, Protozoan , Chagas Disease/diagnosis , Chagas Disease/immunology , Cross Reactions , Epitopes, B-Lymphocyte , GTP Phosphohydrolases , Humans , Leishmania infantum/genetics , Leishmania infantum/metabolism , Leishmania major , Leishmaniasis/immunology , Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous/immunology , Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous/parasitology , Molecular Dynamics Simulation , Phylogeny , Serologic TestsABSTRACT
Los recientes avances en las técnicas de neuroimagen han contribuido en la comprensión de la dinámica funcional del cerebro. Especialmente, los estudios simultáneos de EEG-fMRI han aportado valiosa información estudiando dicha dinámica desde dos frentes, la actividad eléctrica y la hemodinámica. En el siguiente artículo se realiza una revisión de la técnica, el hardware requerido, las formas de análisis, sus principales inconvenientes y los logros obtenidos en el estudio de la epilepsia y el dolor.
Recent advances in neuroimaging techniques have contributed in functional dynamics comprehension of the brain. Specially, the simultaneous studies of EEG-fMRI have provided valuable information, by studying that brain dynamics from two points of view: bioelectricity and hemodynamics. In this paper, we review the technique, the required hardware and the methods of analysis. The main drawbacks and achievements obtained in the study of epilepsy and pain are presented, as well.
