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Ferreira MM, Farias KS, Zugaib M, Alves AMM, Amaral GV, Santos MLDC, Freitas ADS, Santana BCG, dos Santos Júnior SL, Mora-Ocampo IY, Santos AS, da Silva MF, Andrade BS, Pirovani CP. TcSERPIN, an inhibitor that interacts with cocoa defense proteins and has biotechnological potential against human pathogens. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2024; 15:1337750. [PMID: 38348273 PMCID: PMC10859438 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2024.1337750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024]
Abstract
In plants, serpins are a superfamily of serine and cysteine protease inhibitors involved in stress and defense mechanisms, with potential for controlling agricultural pests, making them important biotechnological tools. The objective of this study was to characterize a serpin from Theobroma cacao, called TcSERPIN, to identify its endogenous targets and determine its function and biotechnological potential. TcSERPIN has 390 amino acid residues and shows conservation of the main active site, RCL. Cis-elements related to light, stress, hormones, anaerobic induction, cell cycle regulation and defense have been identified in the gene's regulatory region. TcSERPIN transcripts are accumulated in different tissues of Theobroma cacao. Furthermore, in plants infected with Moniliophtora perniciosa and Phytophthora palmivora, the expression of TcSERPIN was positively regulated. The protein spectrum, rTcSERPIN, reveals a typical β-sheet pattern and is thermostable at pH 8, but loses its structure with temperature increases above 66°C at pH 7. At the molar ratios of 0.65 and 0.49, rTcSERPIN inhibited 55 and 28% of the activity of papain from Carica papaya and trypsin from Sus scrofa, respectively. The protease trap containing immobilized rTcSERPIN captured endogenous defense proteins from cocoa extracts that are related to metabolic pathways, stress and defense. The evaluation of the biotechnological potential against geohelminth larvae showed that rTcSERPIN and rTcCYS4 (Theobroma cacao cystatin 4) reduced the movement of larvae after 24 hours. The results of this work show that TcSERPIN has ideal biochemical characteristics for biotechnological applications, as well as potential for studies of resistance to phytopathogens of agricultural crops.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monaliza Macêdo Ferreira
- Centro de Biotecnologia e Genética (CBG), Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz (UESC), Ilhéus, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Keilane Silva Farias
- Centro de Biotecnologia e Genética (CBG), Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz (UESC), Ilhéus, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Maria Zugaib
- Centro de Biotecnologia e Genética (CBG), Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz (UESC), Ilhéus, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Akyla Maria Martins Alves
- Centro de Biotecnologia e Genética (CBG), Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz (UESC), Ilhéus, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Geiseane Velozo Amaral
- Centro de Biotecnologia e Genética (CBG), Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz (UESC), Ilhéus, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Maria Luíza do Carmo Santos
- Centro de Biotecnologia e Genética (CBG), Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz (UESC), Ilhéus, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Andria dos Santos Freitas
- Centro de Biotecnologia e Genética (CBG), Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz (UESC), Ilhéus, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Brenda Conceição Guimarães Santana
- Centro de Biotecnologia e Genética (CBG), Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz (UESC), Ilhéus, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Sérgio Liberato dos Santos Júnior
- Centro de Biotecnologia e Genética (CBG), Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz (UESC), Ilhéus, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Irma Yuliana Mora-Ocampo
- Centro de Biotecnologia e Genética (CBG), Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz (UESC), Ilhéus, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Ariana Silva Santos
- Centro de Biotecnologia e Genética (CBG), Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz (UESC), Ilhéus, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Marcelo Fernandes da Silva
- Centro de Biotecnologia e Genética (CBG), Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz (UESC), Ilhéus, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Bruno Silva Andrade
- Laboratório de Bioinformática e Química Computacional (LBQC), Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual do Sudoeste da Bahia (UESB), Jequié, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Carlos Priminho Pirovani
- Centro de Biotecnologia e Genética (CBG), Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz (UESC), Ilhéus, Bahia, Brazil
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Hoyos W, Aguilar J, Raciny M, Toro M. Case studies of clinical decision-making through prescriptive models based on machine learning. COMPUTER METHODS AND PROGRAMS IN BIOMEDICINE 2023; 242:107829. [PMID: 37837889 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmpb.2023.107829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Revised: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The development of computational methodologies to support clinical decision-making is of vital importance to reduce morbidity and mortality rates. Specifically, prescriptive analytic is a promising area to support decision-making in the monitoring, treatment and prevention of diseases. These aspects remain a challenge for medical professionals and health authorities. MATERIALS AND METHODS In this study, we propose a methodology for the development of prescriptive models to support decision-making in clinical settings. The prescriptive model requires a predictive model to build the prescriptions. The predictive model is developed using fuzzy cognitive maps and the particle swarm optimization algorithm, while the prescriptive model is developed with an extension of fuzzy cognitive maps that combines them with genetic algorithms. We evaluated the proposed approach in three case studies related to monitoring (warfarin dose estimation), treatment (severe dengue) and prevention (geohelminthiasis) of diseases. RESULTS The performance of the developed prescriptive models demonstrated the ability to estimate warfarin doses in coagulated patients, prescribe treatment for severe dengue and generate actions aimed at the prevention of geohelminthiasis. Additionally, the predictive models can predict coagulation indices, severe dengue mortality and soil-transmitted helminth infections. CONCLUSIONS The developed models performed well to prescribe actions aimed to monitor, treat and prevent diseases. This type of strategy allows supporting decision-making in clinical settings. However, validations in health institutions are required for their implementation.
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Affiliation(s)
- William Hoyos
- Grupo de Investigaciones Microbiológicas y Biomédicas de Córdoba, Universidad de Córdoba, Montería, Colombia; Grupo de Investigación en I+D+i en TIC, Universidad EAFIT, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Jose Aguilar
- Grupo de Investigación en I+D+i en TIC, Universidad EAFIT, Medellín, Colombia; Centro de Estudios en Microelectrónica y Sistemas Distribuidos, Universidad de Los Andes, Merida, Venezuela; IMDEA Networks Institute, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Mayra Raciny
- Grupo de Investigaciones Microbiológicas y Biomédicas de Córdoba, Universidad de Córdoba, Montería, Colombia
| | - Mauricio Toro
- Grupo de Investigación en I+D+i en TIC, Universidad EAFIT, Medellín, Colombia
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Lee DAB, de Oliveira ELC, Lee GAS, da Silva PL, Santos POM, Lima VFS. Potentially zoonotic parasites in the soil of public squares in the city of Aracaju (Sergipe, Northeastern Brazil). Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports 2021; 26:100619. [PMID: 34879931 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2021.100619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2021] [Revised: 08/15/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
This study evaluated the soil contamination of public squares in the city of Aracaju, Sergipe, by potentially zoonotic parasites and correlated their occurrence with climatic variables (temperature, humidity and precipitation). Samples were collected over a 18-month period, from 20 different public squares, and submitted to three different parasitological techniques: Faust's, Hoffman's and Rugai's methods, adapted to soil samples. Results indicated the presence of several potentially zoonotic parasitic species in eighteen of the 20 squares analyzed (90%). The parasites identified included Ancylostoma spp., Strongyloides stercoralis, Toxocara spp., Dipylidium caninum, Trichuris sp., Capillaria sp. and Giardia sp. They were identified during all months of the year and no influence of temperature, humidity or precipitation on the occurrence of those parasites was observed. Such results demonstrate that public squares in the city of Aracaju pose a parasitic contamination risk for people and pets that visit those places as a leisure activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Antônio Braga Lee
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Sergipe, CEP 49100-000 Sergipe, Brazil.
| | | | | | - Pablo Lopes da Silva
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Sergipe, CEP 49100-000 Sergipe, Brazil
| | | | - Victor Fernando Santana Lima
- Núcleo de Graduação em Medicina Veterinária do Sertão, Universidade Federal de Sergipe, CEP 49680-000 Sergipe, Brazil
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Use of polyclonal IgY antibodies to detect serum immune complexes in patients with active hookworm infection. Parasitology 2020; 147:715-720. [PMID: 32051048 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182020000220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Definitive diagnosis of hookworm infection is usually based on the microscopic detection of eggs in a stool sample; however, several cases display a low or irregular egg output. Serodiagnosis can be a useful tool to identify these cases, but conventional tests do not differentiate past from active infections. The aim of this study was to obtain and apply egg yolk polyclonal immunoglobulin (IgY) antibodies to detect immune complexes (ICs) in serum samples from patients infected with hookworm. Hens were immunized with Ancylostoma ceylanicum saline extract, their eggs were collected and then IgY antibodies were extracted and purified. Antibody purity was tested by 12% sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and specificity was assessed by immunoblotting and immunofluorescence. IgY production was evaluated by kinetics enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Sandwich ELISA tested the ability of IgY to detect ICs in serum samples, from which diagnostic parameters were calculated. Antibody responses increased steadily from day 7 to 42. In the immunoblotting assay, IgY recognized two protein complexes. The immunofluorescence assay showed no staining in control samples. The sandwich ELISA presented a very high diagnostic value, with a sensitivity of 90% and a specificity of 86.7%. Our pioneer strategy highlights the potential use of egg yolk IgY as a diagnostic test to detect active hookworm infection.
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Biological role of excretory-secretory proteins in endemic parasites of Latin America and the Caribbean. J Helminthol 2019; 94:e53. [PMID: 31092301 DOI: 10.1017/s0022149x19000312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) share certain traits: they are parasitic infections, prevailing in tropical environments and affecting marginalized sectors of the population. Six NTDs - ascariasis, cysticercosis, echinococcosis, hookworm infection, onchocerciasis and trichuriasis - all of them endemic in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), are analysed in this work. This review aims to discuss key information on the function of excretory/secretory (E/S) proteins from these parasites in their infectivity, pathogeny and diagnosis. The modulation of the host immune system to favour the permanence and survival of the parasite is also discussed. An updated knowledge on the function of E/S molecules in endemic parasitoses in LAC may lead to new approaches for the clinical management and diagnosis of these diseases. In turn, this could allow us to optimize their treatment and make it more affordable - a relevant goal given the economic constraints that the region is facing.
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