scholarly journals Structures of type B ribose 5-phosphate isomerase from Trypanosoma cruzi shed light on the determinants of sugar specificity in the structural family

FEBS Journal ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 278 (5) ◽  
pp. 793-808 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana L. Stern ◽  
Agata Naworyta ◽  
Juan J. Cazzulo ◽  
Sherry L. Mowbray
Keyword(s):  
Trypanosoma Cruzi ◽  
Type B ◽  
Structural Family ◽  
Sugar Specificity ◽  
Shed Light

scholarly journals Revisiting an Aspergillus flavus Strain Isolated from an Egyptian Sugarcane Field in 1930

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (11) ◽  
pp. 1633
Author(s):  
Mohamed F. Abdallah ◽  
Kris Audenaert ◽  
Sarah De Saeger ◽  
Jos Houbraken
Keyword(s):  
Aspergillus Flavus ◽  
Short Communication ◽  
Aflatoxin Contamination ◽  
Type B ◽  
Prevention Strategies ◽  
Sugarcane Field ◽  
Host Pathogen Interaction ◽  
Sugarcane Crop ◽  
Insight Into ◽  
Shed Light

The aflatoxin type B and G producer Aspergillus novoparasiticus was described in 2012 and was firstly reported from sputum, hospital air (Brazil), and soil (Colombia). Later, several survey studies reported the occurrence of this species in different foods and other agricultural commodities from several countries worldwide. This short communication reports on an old fungal strain (CBS 108.30), isolated from Pseudococcus sacchari (grey sugarcane mealybug) from an Egyptian sugarcane field in (or before) 1930. This strain was initially identified as Aspergillus flavus; however, using the latest taxonomy schemes, the strain is, in fact, A. novoparasiticus. These data and previous reports indicate that A. novoparasiticus is strongly associated with sugarcane, and pre-harvest biocontrol approaches with non-toxigenic A. novoparasiticus strains are likely to be more successful than those using non-toxigenic A. flavus strains. Further studies on the association between A. novoparasiticus and Pseudococcus sacchari might shed light on the distribution (and aflatoxin contamination) of this species in sugarcane. Additionally, the interaction between A. novoparasiticus, Pseudococcus sacchari, and sugarcane crop under different scenarios of climate change will be critical in order to get more insight into the host–pathogen interaction and host resistance and propose appropriate prevention strategies to decrease mycotoxin contamination and crop loss due to A. novoparasiticus attack.

scholarly journals Ribose 5-phosphate isomerase type B from Trypanosoma cruzi: kinetic properties and site-directed mutagenesis reveal information about the reaction mechanism

2006 ◽  
Vol 401 (1) ◽  
pp. 279-285 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana L. Stern ◽  
Emmanuel Burgos ◽  
Laurent Salmon ◽  
Juan J. Cazzulo
Keyword(s):  
Trypanosoma Cruzi ◽  
Chagas Disease ◽  
Pentose Phosphate ◽  
Site Directed Mutagenesis ◽  
Directed Mutagenesis ◽  
Kinetic Properties ◽  
Type B ◽  
Nucleotide Synthesis ◽  
Gene Coding ◽  
Genes Encoding

Trypanosoma cruzi, the human parasite that causes Chagas disease, contains a functional pentose phosphate pathway, probably essential for protection against oxidative stress and also for R5P (ribose 5-phosphate) production for nucleotide synthesis. The haploid genome of the CL Brener clone of the parasite contains one gene coding for a Type B Rpi (ribose 5-phosphate isomerase), but genes encoding Type A Rpis, most frequent in eukaryotes, seem to be absent. The RpiB enzyme was expressed in Escherichia coli as a poly-His tagged active dimeric protein, which catalyses the reversible isomerization of R5P to Ru5P (ribulose 5-phos-phate) with Km values of 4 mM (R5P) and 1.4 mM (Ru5P).4-Phospho-D-erythronohydroxamic acid, an analogue to the reaction intermediate when the Rpi acts via a mechanism involving the formation of a 1,2-cis-enediol, inhibited the enzyme competi-tively, with an IC50 value of 0.7 mM and a Ki of 1.2 mM. Site-directed mutagenesis allowed the demonstration of a role for His102, but not for His138, in the opening of the ribose furanosic ring. A major role in catalysis was confirmed for Cys69, since the C69A mutant was inactive in both forward and reverse directions of the reaction. The present paper contributes to the know-ledge of the mechanism of the Rpi reaction; in addition, the absence of RpiBs in the genomes of higher animals makes this enzyme a possible target for chemotherapy of Chagas disease.

scholarly journals Benznidazole Treatment following Acute Trypanosoma cruzi Infection Triggers CD8+ T-Cell Expansion and Promotes Resistance to Reinfection

2002 ◽  
Vol 46 (12) ◽  
pp. 3790-3796 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bianca Perdigão Olivieri ◽  
Vinícius Cotta-de-Almeida ◽  
Tania Araújo-Jorge
Keyword(s):  
T Lymphocytes ◽  
Trypanosoma Cruzi ◽  
Immune Regulation ◽  
Immune Dysregulation ◽  
Direct Role ◽  
Parasite Replication ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Shed Light ◽  
Cruzi Infection

ABSTRACT Many studies have shed light on the mechanisms underlying both immunoprotection and immune dysregulation arising after Trypanosoma cruzi infection. However, little is known about the impact of benznidazole (N-benzyl-2-nitroimidazole acetamide), the drug available for clinical treatment of the infection, on the immune system in the infected host. In the present study we investigated the effect of benznidazole therapy on the lymphoid compartment during the course of experimental T. cruzi infection. Although amelioration of a variety of clinical and parasitological signs was observed in treated mice, amelioration of splenocyte expansion was not detected. Interestingly, this sustained splenomegaly observed in benznidazole-treated mice showed a preferential expansion of CD8+ T lymphocytes. Moreover, although benznidazole treatment blocked the expansion of recently activated CD4+ and CD8+ T cells seen in infected hosts, benznidazole treatment led to a selective expansion of effector and memory CD8+ T lymphocytes in association with a lower rate of apoptosis. In addition, the surviving treated animals were protected from reinfection. Together, these data suggest that, in addition to its well-known direct role in blocking parasite replication in vivo, benznidazole appears to directly affect immune regulation in T. cruzi-infected hosts.

scholarly journals Genomic Organization and Generation of Genetic Variability in the RHS (Retrotransposon Hot Spot) Protein Multigene Family in Trypanosoma cruzi

Genes ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 1085
Author(s):  
Werica P. Bernardo ◽  
Renata T. Souza ◽  
André G. Costa-Martins ◽  
Eden R. Ferreira ◽  
Renato A. Mortara ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Trypanosoma Cruzi ◽  
Genomic Organization ◽  
Hot Spot ◽  
Crossing Over ◽  
Target Sequence ◽  
Nuclear Region ◽  
Monophyletic Origin ◽  
Ectopic Recombination ◽  
Transcribed Sequences ◽  
Shed Light

Retrotransposon Hot Spot (RHS) is the most abundant gene family in Trypanosoma cruzi, with unknown function in this parasite. The aim of this work was to shed light on the organization and expression of RHS in T. cruzi. The diversity of the RHS protein family in T. cruzi was demonstrated by phylogenetic and recombination analyses. Transcribed sequences carrying the RHS domain were classified into ten distinct groups of monophyletic origin. We identified numerous recombination events among the RHS and traced the origins of the donors and target sequences. The transcribed RHS genes have a mosaic structure that may contain fragments of different RHS inserted in the target sequence. About 30% of RHS sequences are located in the subtelomere, a region very susceptible to recombination. The evolution of the RHS family has been marked by many events, including gene duplication by unequal mitotic crossing-over, homologous, as well as ectopic recombination, and gene conversion. The expression of RHS was analyzed by immunofluorescence and immunoblotting using anti-RHS antibodies. RHS proteins are evenly distributed in the nuclear region of T. cruzi replicative forms (amastigote and epimastigote), suggesting that they could be involved in the control of the chromatin structure and gene expression, as has been proposed for T. brucei.

scholarly journals Flower morphological diversity of cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum Presl) in Matara District, Sri Lanka

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 236-244 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rumana Azad ◽  
K.L. Wasantha Kumara ◽  
Gamini Senanayake ◽  
R.A.A.K. Ranawaka ◽  
D.K.N.G Pushpakumara ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Basis ◽  
Morphological Diversity ◽  
Type A ◽  
Tube Length ◽  
Type B ◽  
Inflorescence Morphology ◽  
Single Flower ◽  
Peduncle Length ◽  
Shed Light

Abstract The cinnamon flowers exhibit protogynous dichogamy with 2 flower types “Type A” and “Type B” which first flowers during morning and evening respectively. This floral cycle causes a temporal barrier to the maintenance of elite breeding material and for hybridization with desired parents. Determination of variation in flower and inflorescence morphology can shed light on functional diversity in “Type A” and “Type B” flowers. In order to study these variations, a survey of cultivated cinnamon lands and wild habitats was conducted in fifteen locations in the Matara district. Peduncle length (PDL), flower length (FL), flower width (FW), and floral tube length (FTL) varied among cinnamon accessions collected. The variation in tepal shape was distinct: the two whorls of tepals of a single flower exhibited two shapes. The current investigation of differences in inflorescence, floral morphology and floral abnormalities of Cinnamomum verum provides information about their diversity, and recommends molecular analysis to further determine the genetic basis of two flower types in progynous dichogamy.

Design, synthesis, and evaluation of substrate – analogue inhibitors of Trypanosoma cruzi ribose 5-phosphate isomerase type B

2021 ◽  
Vol 32 ◽  
pp. 127723
Author(s):  
Soledad Natalia Gonzalez ◽  
Jonathan J. Mills ◽  
Dante Maugeri ◽  
Christopher Olaya ◽  
Breana L. Laguera ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Trypanosoma Cruzi ◽  
Type B ◽  
Design Synthesis ◽  
Substrate Analogue

Biological and Morphological Studies on Low-Leukemia-Strain Mice with Hodgkin's-Like Neoplasia Induced by Serial Cell-Free Transmission of Leukemic Organs of SJL/J Strain Mice

1968 ◽  
Vol 26 ◽  
pp. 210-211
Author(s):  
S. Fujinaga ◽  
K. Maruyama ◽  
C.W. Williams ◽  
K. Sekhri ◽  
L. Dmochowski
Keyword(s):  
Tissue Culture ◽  
Type A ◽  
Reticulum Cell ◽  
Type B ◽  
Viral Origin ◽  
Serial Transfer ◽  
Strain Mouse ◽  
Morphological Studies ◽  
Cell Neoplasm ◽  
Free Material

Yumoto and Dmochowski (Cancer Res.27, 2098 (1967)) reported the presence of mature and immature type C leukemia virus particles in leukemic organs and tissues such as lymph nodes, spleen, thymus, liver, and kidneys of SJL/J strain mice with Hodgki's-like disease or reticulum cell neoplasm (type B). In an attempt to ascertain the possibility that this neoplasia may be of viral origin, experiments with induction and transmission of this neoplasm were carried out using cell-free extracts of leukemic organs from an SJL/J strain mouse with spontaneous disease.It has been possible to induce the disease in low-leukemia BALB/c and C3HZB strain mice and serially transfer the neoplasia by cell-free extracts of leukemic organs of these mice. Histological examination revealed the neoplasia to be of either reticulum cell-type A or type B. Serial transfer is now in its fifth passage. In addition leukemic spleen from another SJL/J strain mouse with spontaneous reticulum cell neoplasm (type A) was set up in tissue culture and is now in its 141st serial passage in vitro. Preliminary results indicate that cell-free material of 39th tissue culture passage can reproduce neoplasia in BALB/c mice.

Cryo-electron microscopy of two-dimensional crystals of reduced type B botulinum neurotoxin

1992 ◽  
Vol 50 (1) ◽  
pp. 530-531
Author(s):  
P. F. Flicker ◽  
V.S. Kulkarni ◽  
J. P. Robinson ◽  
G. Stubbs ◽  
B. R. DasGupta
Keyword(s):  
Disulfide Bonds ◽  
Clostridium Botulinum ◽  
Structural Changes ◽  
Two Dimensional ◽  
Type B ◽  
Single Chain ◽  
Muscle Paralysis ◽  
Cryo Electron Microscopy ◽  
Disulfide Linkages ◽  
Intracellular Action

Botulinum toxin is a potent neurotoxin produced by Clostridium botulinum. The toxin inhibits release of neurotransmitter, causing muscle paralysis. There are several serotypes, A to G, all of molecular weight about 150,000. The protein exists as a single chain or or as two chains, with two disulfide linkages. In a recent investigation on intracellular action of neurotoxins it was reported that type B neurotoxin can inhibit the release of Ca++-activated [3H] norepinephrine only if the disulfide bonds are reduced. In order to investigate possible structural changes in the toxin upon reduction of the disulfide bonds, we have prepared two-dimensional crystals of reduced type B neurotoxin. These two-dimensional crystals will be compared with those of the native (unreduced) type B toxin.

Elucidating cyclic AMP signaling in subcellular domains with optogenetic tools and fluorescent biosensors

2019 ◽  
Vol 47 (6) ◽  
pp. 1733-1747 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christina Klausen ◽  
Fabian Kaiser ◽  
Birthe Stüven ◽  
Jan N. Hansen ◽  
Dagmar Wachten
Keyword(s):  
Cyclic Amp ◽  
Adenosine Monophosphate ◽  
Adenylyl Cyclases ◽  
Temporal Precision ◽  
Fluorescent Biosensors ◽  
Subcellular Domains ◽  
Spatio Temporal ◽  
Hydrolysis Of ◽  
Shed Light ◽  
Cyclic Amp Signaling

The second messenger 3′,5′-cyclic nucleoside adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) plays a key role in signal transduction across prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Cyclic AMP signaling is compartmentalized into microdomains to fulfil specific functions. To define the function of cAMP within these microdomains, signaling needs to be analyzed with spatio-temporal precision. To this end, optogenetic approaches and genetically encoded fluorescent biosensors are particularly well suited. Synthesis and hydrolysis of cAMP can be directly manipulated by photoactivated adenylyl cyclases (PACs) and light-regulated phosphodiesterases (PDEs), respectively. In addition, many biosensors have been designed to spatially and temporarily resolve cAMP dynamics in the cell. This review provides an overview about optogenetic tools and biosensors to shed light on the subcellular organization of cAMP signaling.

Sentence-Based Experience Logging in New Hearing Aid Users

2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (3S) ◽  
pp. 631-637
Author(s):  
Katja Lund ◽  
Rodrigo Ordoñez ◽  
Jens Bo Nielsen ◽  
Dorte Hammershøi
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Aid ◽  
Patient Experiences ◽  
Online Tool ◽  
Rehabilitation Process ◽  
Hearing Rehabilitation ◽  
Clinical Observations ◽  
Hearing Aid Use ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Insight Into ◽  
Shed Light

Purpose The aim of this study was to develop a tool to gain insight into the daily experiences of new hearing aid users and to shed light on aspects of aided performance that may not be unveiled through standard questionnaires. Method The tool is developed based on clinical observations, patient experiences, expert involvement, and existing validated hearing rehabilitation questionnaires. Results An online tool for collecting data related to hearing aid use was developed. The tool is based on 453 prefabricated sentences representing experiences within 13 categories related to hearing aid use. Conclusions The tool has the potential to reflect a wide range of individual experiences with hearing aid use, including auditory and nonauditory aspects. These experiences may hold important knowledge for both the patient and the professional in the hearing rehabilitation process.

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