HDAC and MAPK/ERK Inhibitors Cooperate To Reduce Viability and Stemness in Medulloblastoma

Journal of Molecular Neuroscience - Medulloblastoma (MB), which originates from embryonic neural stem cells (NSCs) or neural precursors in the developing cerebellum, is the most common malignant...     

Evolutionary pattern in the OXT-OXTR system in primates: Coevolution and positive selection footprints

Oxytocin is a nonapeptide involved in a wide range of physiologic and behavioral functions. Until recently, it was believed that an unmodified oxytocin sequence was present in all placental mammals. This study analyzed oxytocin (OXT) in 29 primate species and the oxytocin receptor (OXTR) in 21 of these species. We report here three novel OXT forms in the New World monkeys, as well as a more extensive distribution of a previously described variant (Leu8Pro). In structural terms, these OXTs share the same three low-energy conformations in solution during molecular dynamic simulations, with subtle differences in their side chains. A consistent signal of positive selection was detected in the Cebidae family, and OXT position 8 showed a statistically significant (P = 0.013) correlation with litter size. Several OXTR changes were identified, some of them promoting gain or loss of putative phosphorylation sites, with possible consequences for receptor internalization and desensitization. OXTR amino acid sites are under positive selection, and intramolecular and intermolecular coevolutionary processes with OXT were also detected. We suggest that some New World monkey OXT-OXTR forms can be correlated to male parental care through the increase of cross-reactivity with its correlated vasopressin system.Oxytocin has crucial functions related to physiological processes and social behaviors in primates and other placental mammals. A nonapeptide (Cys-Tyr-Ile-Gln-Asn-Cys-Pro-Leu-Gly) (1), oxytocin (OXT-8Leu) is both a neurotransmitter released by neuronal cells in synapses and a hormone, activating receptors distant from the site of its synthesis through the circulatory system (2). In mammals, OXT acts as a hormone in uterine contraction during parturition and in milk ejection while lactating. It is also a key central nervous system neurotransmitter, regulating/modulating complex social and reproductive behaviors (i.e., pair bonding and parental care) (3–7).Until recently, it was believed that the OXT amino acid chain was the same in all placental mammals. However, Lee and colleagues (8) reported a T > C change in four New World monkeys (NWms), Saimiri sciureus, Cebus apella, Callithrix jacchus, and Aotus nancimae, substituting leucine to proline at position 8 (OXT-8Pro). This form was also found in Tupaia belangeri, a tree shrew species of Southeast Asia (8). OXT differs from its paralog vasopressin (AVP; Cys-Tyr-Phe-Gln-Asn-Cys-Pro-Arg-Gly) at positions 3 and 8. Variation at position 8 also identifies nonplacental OXT/AVP-like nonapeptides, such as mesotocin, present in some marsupials (7, 9). These findings dispel the notion of a universal OXT amino acid sequence for placental mammals. They also suggest that residue variability at position 8, in some cases associated with variations at positions 2–5, may be connected with the recognition, binding, and activation of receptors, potentially leading to species-specific functional changes (7, 10).OXT activity depends on adequate interaction with its unique receptor, OXTR, although it can also bind to the vasopressin receptors (AVPR1a, AVPR1b, and AVPR2) with lower affinity (11–13). Similar to other receptors that use G proteins as transducer signals across the cell membranes, OXTR is composed of seven transmembrane (TM1–TM7), four extracellular (N-terminal tail-ECL3), and four intracellular (ICL1-C-terminal tail) domains. ECL and ICL are important for the interaction with OXT and G proteins, respectively, whereas TMs are connected with both functions (7, 11).In contrast to what is observed for placental mammal OXT, OXTR presents hundreds of variants in regulatory and coding regions, including at the intraspecific level. In humans, OXTR single-nucleotide polymorphisms have been associated with several social behavioral phenotypes (14).The presence of OXT-OXTR-related systems throughout the animal kingdom indicates that their typical roles in placental mammals are likely exaptations of ancient functions, such as regulation of fluid balance and egg-laying (15, 16). Studies have attempted to investigate both the interaction of OXT-OXTR-like systems and their coevolution (11, 17). However, our knowledge about this nonapeptide-receptor system, including the extent of its variability in the primate order, remains limited.NWm emerged ∼30 million years ago. They are classified into 16 genera and ∼75 species and present a wide range of reproductive and social behaviors (18, 19), but little is known about their genetic variability and concurrent phenotypic variation (20).The present study reports results about OXT and OXTR diversity in 29 primate species, including 20 NWm species. These analyses include original OXT and OXTR sequences for 16 and 12 NWm species, respectively. We discuss details about the coevolution of these systems, as well as possible connections among reported genetic variability, positive selection, and some key species-specific biologic traits.     

Effect of vanillin on toxicant-induced mutation and mitotic recombination in proliferating somatic cells of Drosophila melanogaster

Vanillin (VA; C8H8O3) is a flavoring agent that in previous studies has both increased and decreased the genotoxicity of chemical agents, depending on the nature of both the agent and the genetic event measured. The ability of VA to modulate the mutagenicity and recombinogenicity of three different monoalkylating agents, N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU), N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU), and ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS), and the intercalating agent bleomycin (BLEO) was examined using the somatic mutation and recombination test (SMART) in Drosophila melanogaster. While neither the mutagenicity nor the recombinagenicity of ENU or MNU was modified by posttreatment with VA, EMS-induced genetic toxicity was enhanced by as much as 30%. This overall enhancement included a synergistic increase in mitotic recombination and a lesser decrease in mutation. Posttreatment with VA also produced an increase in the genotoxicity of BLEO, which was characterized by increases of 120% and 180% for 0.5% and 1% VA, respectively. This enhancement was restricted to an increase in recombinational events, since no alteration in BLEO-induced mutation was observed. The data suggest that the major VA-modulatory action on genotoxicity in D. melanogaster is related to its synergistic effects on somatic recombination, which has a greater consequence on overall genotoxicity than its antimutagenic effects. Since the SMART assay is specifically sensitive to mitotic crossing-over, our data suggest that VA promotes toxicant-induced homologous recombination, at least in the proliferative cells of Drosophila.     

Anthropic effects on sand fly (Diptera: Psychodidae) abundance and diversity in an Amazonian rural settlement,Brazil

Sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae) are responsible for the transmission of protozoan parasites that cause leishmaniases. They are found predominantly in forests, but some species exploit environments that have been subject to deforestation and subsequent human colonization. Studies conducted in Brazil over the past 30 years show that some species are adapting to peri-urban and urban settings. We evaluated sand fly diversity and abundance in the rural settlement of Rio Pardo, Presidente Figueiredo Municipality, Amazonas State, Brazil. Settlement households were divided into four categories. These categories were determined by the human population density and the degree of deforestation in the immediate area. We used CDC light traps to sample the area surrounding 24 households (6 households in each category). Samples were taken on six occasions during September–November 2009 and June–August 2010. A total of 3074 sand fly specimens were collected, including 1163 females and 1911 males. These were classified into 13 genera and 52 species. The greatest abundance of sand flies and the greatest richness of species were observed in areas where human population density was highest. Our results show that changes in the human occupancy and vegetation management in rural settlements may affect the population dynamics and distribution of sand fly species, thereby affecting the local transmission of cutaneous leishmaniases.     

Structural in silico analysis of cross-genotype-reactivity among naturally occurring HCV NS3-1073-variants in the context of HLA-A*02:01 allele

Cellular immune response plays a central role in outcome of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infection. While specific T-cell responses are related to viral clearance, impaired responses can lead to chronic infection, turning HCV variability into a major obstacle for vaccine development. In a recent work, Fytili et al. (2008) studied the cross reactive potential of HCV specific CD8+ T-cells and observed a large variation in immunogenicity among 28 naturally occurring NS3(1073) variants. In this work, we intend to evaluate this immunogenic variation at molecular level, through bioinformatics approaches. The D1-EM-D2 strategy was used to build in silico MHC:peptide complexes (pMHC) of these HCV-derived peptides in the context of HLA-A*02:01 allele. The TCR-interacting surface of these complexes were evaluated using the GRASP2 program. Structural analysis indicated a sharing of topological and electrostatic features among complexes that induced strong response in vitro. Besides, complexes that induced low response presented an important positively charged spot in the center of TCR-interacting area. This spot was seen even in complexes with conservative amino acid changes and is consistent with the impairment of recognition by wild-type-specific T-cells, observed in vitro. Furthermore, the most remarkable difference in electrostatic potential was seen precisely in the only complex unable to induce in vitro stimulation. All these observations were confirmed by Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and this approach was also applied to a set of 45 non-related immunogenic viral epitopes, indicating possible new targets for cross-reactivity studies. Our results suggest structural in silico analysis of pMHC complexes as a reliable tool for vaccine development, affording to predict the impact of viral escape mutations and selection of epitopes with potential to induce cross-reactive immune responses.     

Effect of vanillin on toxicant-induced lethality in the Drosophila melanogaster DNA repair test

Vanillin (VA) modulates the genotoxicity of chemical and physical agents in a complex manner. Previous studies indicate that VA inhibits the mutagenicity but increases the mitotic homologous recombination caused by at least some genotoxic agents. In the present study, we have evaluated the effects of VA on the repair of lethal damage produced by three genotoxins, N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU), ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS), and mitomycin C (MMC), using the DNA repair test (DRT) in Drosophila melanogaster. VA, 0.25% and 0.5% (w/v), increased the toxicity of MMC and EMS in repair-deficient flies, as measured by a decrease in the proportion of male to female progeny in the DRT; sex ratios decreased from 18-48% for MMC and 21-97% for EMS. These effects may be caused by the inhibition of nonhomologous DNA end joining caused by VA. In contrast to the results with MMC and EMS, VA protected against the lethality of ENU in repair-defective flies, as measured by a 43-207% increase in the survival of male flies in the DRT. It was inferred that the protective effect was due to VA modulating stages prior to the induction of ENU lesions in DNA, including modulating the antioxidant properties of VA and/or to its interference with the metabolic activation and/or detoxification of specific genotoxins. The results from this study indicate that the characterization of VA as a promising agent for preventing damage to genes and chromosomes should be tempered by observations that VA can increase the toxicity of chemical agents.