1
|
Schaible MJ, Szeinbaum N, Bozdag GO, Chou L, Grefenstette N, Colón-Santos S, Rodriguez LE, Styczinski MJ, Thweatt JL, Todd ZR, Vázquez-Salazar A, Adams A, Araújo MN, Altair T, Borges S, Burton D, Campillo-Balderas JA, Cangi EM, Caro T, Catalano E, Chen K, Conlin PL, Cooper ZS, Fisher TM, Fos SM, Garcia A, Glaser DM, Harman CE, Hermis NY, Hooks M, Johnson-Finn K, Lehmer O, Hernández-Morales R, Hughson KHG, Jácome R, Jia TZ, Marlow JJ, McKaig J, Mierzejewski V, Muñoz-Velasco I, Nural C, Oliver GC, Penev PI, Raj CG, Roche TP, Sabuda MC, Schaible GA, Sevgen S, Sinhadc P, Steller LH, Stelmach K, Tarnas J, Tavares F, Trubl G, Vidaurri M, Vincent L, Weber JM, Weng MM, Wilpiszeki RL, Young A. Chapter 1: The Astrobiology Primer 3.0. Astrobiology 2024; 24:S4-S39. [PMID: 38498816 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2021.0129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/20/2024]
Abstract
The Astrobiology Primer 3.0 (ABP3.0) is a concise introduction to the field of astrobiology for students and others who are new to the field of astrobiology. It provides an entry into the broader materials in this supplementary issue of Astrobiology and an overview of the investigations and driving hypotheses that make up this interdisciplinary field. The content of this chapter was adapted from the other 10 articles in this supplementary issue and thus represents the contribution of all the authors who worked on these introductory articles. The content of this chapter is not exhaustive and represents the topics that the authors found to be the most important and compelling in a dynamic and changing field.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Micah J Schaible
- School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Nadia Szeinbaum
- School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - G Ozan Bozdag
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Luoth Chou
- NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland, USA
- Center for Space Sciences and Technology, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Georgetown University, Washington DC, USA
| | - Natalie Grefenstette
- Santa Fe Institute, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA
- Blue Marble Space Institute of Science, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Stephanie Colón-Santos
- Wisconsin Institute for Discovery, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Department of Botany, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Laura E Rodriguez
- Lunar and Planetary Institute, Universities Space Research Association, Houston, Texas, USA
- NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California, USA
| | - M J Styczinski
- NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California, USA
- University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Jennifer L Thweatt
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Penn State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Zoe R Todd
- Department of Earth and Space Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Alberto Vázquez-Salazar
- Departamento de Biología Evolutiva, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Alyssa Adams
- Center for Space Sciences and Technology, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - M N Araújo
- Biochemistry Department, University of São Paulo, São Carlos, Brazil
| | - Thiago Altair
- Institute of Chemistry of São Carlos, Universidade de São Paulo, São Carlos, Brazil
- Department of Chemistry, College of the Atlantic, Bar Harbor, Maine, USA
| | | | - Dana Burton
- Department of Anthropology, George Washington University, Washington DC, USA
| | | | - Eryn M Cangi
- Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado, USA
| | - Tristan Caro
- Department of Geological Sciences, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado, USA
| | - Enrico Catalano
- Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies, The BioRobotics Institute, Pisa, Italy
| | - Kimberly Chen
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Peter L Conlin
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Z S Cooper
- Department of Earth and Space Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Theresa M Fisher
- School of Earth and Space Exploration, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
| | - Santiago Mestre Fos
- School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Amanda Garcia
- Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - D M Glaser
- Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
| | - Chester E Harman
- Departamento de Biología Evolutiva, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Ninos Y Hermis
- NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California, USA
- Department of Physics and Space Sciences, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - M Hooks
- NASA Johnson Space Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - K Johnson-Finn
- Earth-Life Science Institute, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, Japan
- Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York, USA
| | - Owen Lehmer
- Department of Earth and Space Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Ricardo Hernández-Morales
- Departamento de Biología Evolutiva, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Kynan H G Hughson
- School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Rodrigo Jácome
- Departamento de Biología Evolutiva, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Tony Z Jia
- Blue Marble Space Institute of Science, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Earth-Life Science Institute, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Jeffrey J Marlow
- Department of Biology, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jordan McKaig
- School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Veronica Mierzejewski
- School of Earth and Space Exploration, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
| | - Israel Muñoz-Velasco
- Departamento de Biología Evolutiva, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
- Departamento de Biología Celular, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Ceren Nural
- Istanbul Technical University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Gina C Oliver
- Department of Geology, San Bernardino Valley College, San Bernardino, California, USA
| | - Petar I Penev
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Chinmayee Govinda Raj
- School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Tyler P Roche
- School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Mary C Sabuda
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
- Biotechnology Institute, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA
| | - George A Schaible
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana, USA
| | - Serhat Sevgen
- Blue Marble Space Institute of Science, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Institute of Marine Sciences, Middle East Technical University, Erdemli, Mersin, Turkey
| | - Pritvik Sinhadc
- BEYOND: Center For Fundamental Concepts in Science, Arizona State University, Arizona, USA
- Dubai College, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | - Luke H Steller
- Australian Centre for Astrobiology, and School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Kensington, Australia
| | - Kamil Stelmach
- Department of Chemistry, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - J Tarnas
- NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California, USA
| | - Frank Tavares
- Space Enabled Research Group, MIT Media Lab, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Gareth Trubl
- Physical and Life Sciences Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California, USA
| | - Monica Vidaurri
- Center for Space Sciences and Technology, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Howard University, Washington DC, USA
| | - Lena Vincent
- Wisconsin Institute for Discovery, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Jessica M Weber
- NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California, USA
| | | | | | - Amber Young
- NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland, USA
- Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Colón-Santos S, Vázquez-Salazar A, Adams A, Campillo-Balderas JA, Hernández-Morales R, Jácome R, Muñoz-Velasco I, Rodriguez LE, Schaible MJ, Schaible GA, Szeinbaum N, Thweatt JL, Trubl G. Chapter 2: What Is Life? Astrobiology 2024; 24:S40-S56. [PMID: 38498820 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2021.0116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/20/2024]
Abstract
The question "What is life?" has existed since the beginning of recorded history. However, the scientific and philosophical contexts of this question have changed and been refined as advancements in technology have revealed both fine details and broad connections in the network of life on Earth. Understanding the framework of the question "What is life?" is central to formulating other questions such as "Where else could life be?" and "How do we search for life elsewhere?" While many of these questions are addressed throughout the Astrobiology Primer 3.0, this chapter gives historical context for defining life, highlights conceptual characteristics shared by all life on Earth as well as key features used to describe it, discusses why it matters for astrobiology, and explores both challenges and opportunities for finding an informative operational definition.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Colón-Santos
- Wisconsin Institute for Discovery, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Department of Botany, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Alberto Vázquez-Salazar
- Departamento de Biología Evolutiva, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Alyssa Adams
- Department of Botany, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | | | - Ricardo Hernández-Morales
- Departamento de Biología Evolutiva, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Rodrigo Jácome
- Departamento de Biología Evolutiva, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Israel Muñoz-Velasco
- Departamento de Biología Evolutiva, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
- Departamento de Biología Celular, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Laura E Rodriguez
- NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California, USA
- Lunar and Planetary Institute, Universities Space Research Association, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Micah J Schaible
- School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - George A Schaible
- School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Nadia Szeinbaum
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana, USA
| | - Jennifer L Thweatt
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Penn State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA. (Former)
| | - Gareth Trubl
- Physical and Life Sciences Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Campillo-Balderas JA, Lazcano A, Cottom-Salas W, Jácome R, Becerra A. Pangenomic Analysis of Nucleo-Cytoplasmic Large DNA Viruses. I: The Phylogenetic Distribution of Conserved Oxygen-Dependent Enzymes Reveals a Capture-Gene Process. J Mol Evol 2023; 91:647-668. [PMID: 37526693 PMCID: PMC10598087 DOI: 10.1007/s00239-023-10126-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2023]
Abstract
The Nucleo-Cytoplasmic Large DNA Viruses (NCLDVs) infect a wide range of eukaryotic species, including amoeba, algae, fish, amphibia, arthropods, birds, and mammals. This group of viruses has linear or circular double-stranded DNA genomes whose size spans approximately one order of magnitude, from 100 to 2500 kbp. The ultimate origin of this peculiar group of viruses remains an open issue. Some have argued that NCLDVs' origin may lie in a bacteriophage ancestor that increased its genome size by subsequent recruitment of eukaryotic and bacterial genes. Others have suggested that NCLDVs families originated from cells that underwent an irreversible process of genome reduction. However, the hypothesis that a number of NCLDVs sequences have been recruited from the host genomes has been largely ignored. In the present work, we have performed pangenomic analyses of each of the seven known NCLDVs families. We show that these families' core- and shell genes have cellular homologs, supporting possible escaping-gene events as part of its evolution. Furthermore, the detection of sequences that belong to two protein families (small chain ribonucleotide reductase and Erv1/Air) and to one superfamily [2OG-Fe(II) oxygenases] that are for distribution in all NCLDVs core and shell clusters encoding for oxygen-dependent enzymes suggests that the highly conserved core these viruses originated after the Proterozoic Great Oxidation Event that transformed the terrestrial atmosphere 2.4-2.3 Ga ago.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J A Campillo-Balderas
- Facultad de Ciencias, UNAM, Cd. Universitaria, Apdo. Postal 70-407, 04510, Mexico City, DF, Mexico
| | - A Lazcano
- Facultad de Ciencias, UNAM, Cd. Universitaria, Apdo. Postal 70-407, 04510, Mexico City, DF, Mexico
- El Colegio Nacional, Donceles 104, Centro Histórico, 06020, Mexico City, CP, Mexico
| | - W Cottom-Salas
- Facultad de Ciencias, UNAM, Cd. Universitaria, Apdo. Postal 70-407, 04510, Mexico City, DF, Mexico
- Escuela Nacional Preparatoria, Plantel 8 Miguel E. Schulz, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - R Jácome
- Facultad de Ciencias, UNAM, Cd. Universitaria, Apdo. Postal 70-407, 04510, Mexico City, DF, Mexico
| | - A Becerra
- Facultad de Ciencias, UNAM, Cd. Universitaria, Apdo. Postal 70-407, 04510, Mexico City, DF, Mexico.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Madariaga-Mazón A, Naveja JJ, Becerra A, Alberto Campillo-Balderas J, Hernández-Morales R, Jácome R, Lazcano A, Martinez-Mayorga K. Subtle structural differences of nucleotide analogs may impact SARS-CoV-2 RNA-dependent RNA polymerase and exoribonuclease activity. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2022; 20:5181-5192. [PMID: 36097553 PMCID: PMC9452397 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2022.08.056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Revised: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 08/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The rapid spread and public health impact of the novel SARS-CoV-2 variants that cause COVID-19 continue to produce major global impacts and social distress. Several vaccines were developed in record time to prevent and limit the spread of the infection, thus playing a pivotal role in controlling the pandemic. Although the repurposing of available drugs attempts to provide therapies of immediate access against COVID-19, there is still a need for developing specific treatments for this disease. Remdesivir, molnupiravir and Paxlovid remain the only evidence-supported antiviral drugs to treat COVID-19 patients, and only in severe cases. To contribute on the search of potential Covid-19 therapeutic agents, we targeted the viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) and the exoribonuclease (ExoN) following two strategies. First, we modeled and analyzed nucleoside analogs sofosbuvir, remdesivir, favipiravir, ribavirin, and molnupiravir at three key binding sites on the RdRp-ExoN complex. Second, we curated and virtually screened a database containing 517 nucleotide analogs in the same binding sites. Finally, we characterized key interactions and pharmacophoric features presumably involved in viral replication halting at multiple sites. Our results highlight structural modifications that might lead to more potent SARS-CoV-2 inhibitors against an expansive range of variants and provide a collection of nucleotide analogs useful for screening campaigns.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Abraham Madariaga-Mazón
- Instituto de Química Unidad Mérida, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Carretera Mérida-Tetiz Km. 4.5, Ucú, Yucatán, Mexico.,Instituto de Investigaciones en Matemáticas Aplicadas y en Sistemas Unidad Mérida, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Sierra Papacál Mérida, Yucatán 97302, Mexico
| | - José J Naveja
- Instituto de Química Unidad Mérida, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Carretera Mérida-Tetiz Km. 4.5, Ucú, Yucatán, Mexico.,Institute for Molecular Biology and University Cancer Center (UCT) Mainz, Germany
| | - Arturo Becerra
- Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | | | | | - Rodrigo Jácome
- Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Antonio Lazcano
- Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico.,El Colegio Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Karina Martinez-Mayorga
- Instituto de Química Unidad Mérida, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Carretera Mérida-Tetiz Km. 4.5, Ucú, Yucatán, Mexico.,Instituto de Investigaciones en Matemáticas Aplicadas y en Sistemas Unidad Mérida, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Sierra Papacál Mérida, Yucatán 97302, Mexico
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Abstract
In the past few years, our understanding of the RNA virosphere has changed dramatically due to the growth and spurt of metagenomics, exponentially increasing the number of RNA viral sequences, and providing a better understanding of their range of potential hosts. As of today, the only conserved protein among RNA viruses appears to be the monomeric RNA-dependent RNA polymerase. This enzyme belongs to the right-hand DNA-and RNA polymerases, which also includes reverse transcriptases and eukaryotic replicative DNA polymerases. The ubiquity of this protein in RNA viruses makes it a unique evolutionary marker and an appealing broad-spectrum antiviral target. In this work pairwise structural comparisons of viral RdRps and RTs were performed, including tertiary structures that have been obtained in the last few years. The resulting phylogenetic tree shows that the RdRps from (+)ss- and dsRNA viruses might have been recruited several times throughout the evolution of mobile genetic elements. RTs also display multiple evolutionary routes. We have identified a structural core comprising the entire palm, a large moiety of the fingers and the N-terminal helices of the thumb domain, comprising over 300 conserved residues, including two regions that we have named the “knuckles” and the “hypothenar eminence”. The conservation of an helix bundle in the region preceding the polymerase domain confirms that (−)ss and dsRNA Reoviruses’ polymerases share a recent ancestor. Finally, the inclusion of DNA polymerases into our structural analyses suggests that monomeric RNA-dependent polymerases might have diverged from B-family polymerases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo Jácome
- Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico, Mexico
| | | | - Arturo Becerra
- Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico, Mexico
| | - Antonio Lazcano
- Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico, Mexico.
- Miembro de El Colegio Nacional, Mexico, Mexico.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Becerra A, Muñoz-Velasco I, Aguilar-Cámara A, Cottom-Salas W, Cruz-González A, Vázquez-Salazar A, Hernández-Morales R, Jácome R, Campillo-Balderas JA, Lazcano A. Two short low complexity regions (LCRs) are hallmark sequences of the Delta SARS-CoV-2 variant spike protein. Sci Rep 2022; 12:936. [PMID: 35042962 PMCID: PMC8766472 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-04976-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2021] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Low complexity regions (LCRs) are protein sequences formed by a set of compositionally biased residues. LCRs are extremely abundant in cellular proteins and have also been reported in viruses, where they may partake in evasion of the host immune system. Analyses of 28,231 SARS-CoV-2 whole proteomes and of 261,051 spike protein sequences revealed the presence of four extremely conserved LCRs in the spike protein of several SARS-CoV-2 variants. With the exception of Iota, where it is absent, the Spike LCR-1 is present in the signal peptide of 80.57% of the Delta variant sequences, and in other variants of concern and interest. The Spike LCR-2 is highly prevalent (79.87%) in Iota. Two distinctive LCRs are present in the Delta spike protein. The Delta Spike LCR-3 is present in 99.19% of the analyzed sequences, and the Delta Spike LCR-4 in 98.3% of the same set of proteins. These two LCRs are located in the furin cleavage site and HR1 domain, respectively, and may be considered hallmark traits of the Delta variant. The presence of the medically-important point mutations P681R and D950N in these LCRs, combined with the ubiquity of these regions in the highly contagious Delta variant opens the possibility that they may play a role in its rapid spread.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Arturo Becerra
- Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 04510, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Israel Muñoz-Velasco
- Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 04510, Mexico City, Mexico
| | | | - Wolfgang Cottom-Salas
- Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 04510, Mexico City, Mexico
- Escuela Nacional Preparatoria, Plantel 8 Miguel E. Schulz, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 01600, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Adrián Cruz-González
- Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 04510, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Alberto Vázquez-Salazar
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | | | - Rodrigo Jácome
- Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 04510, Mexico City, Mexico
| | | | - Antonio Lazcano
- Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 04510, Mexico City, Mexico.
- El Colegio Nacional, 06470, Mexico City, Mexico.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Cruz-González A, Muñoz-Velasco I, Cottom-Salas W, Becerra A, Campillo-Balderas JA, Hernández-Morales R, Vázquez-Salazar A, Jácome R, Lazcano A. Structural analysis of viral ExoN domains reveals polyphyletic hijacking events. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0246981. [PMID: 33730017 PMCID: PMC7968707 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0246981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2021] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Nidoviruses and arenaviruses are the only known RNA viruses encoding a 3’-5’ exonuclease domain (ExoN). The proofreading activity of the ExoN domain has played a key role in the growth of nidoviral genomes, while in arenaviruses this domain partakes in the suppression of the host innate immune signaling. Sequence and structural homology analyses suggest that these proteins have been hijacked from cellular hosts many times. Analysis of the available nidoviral ExoN sequences reveals a high conservation level comparable to that of the viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerases (RdRp), which are the most conserved viral proteins. Two highly preserved zinc fingers are present in all nidoviral exonucleases, while in the arenaviral protein only one zinc finger can be identified. This is in sharp contrast with the reported lack of zinc fingers in cellular ExoNs, and opens the possibility of therapeutic strategies in the struggle against COVID-19.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adrián Cruz-González
- Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México City, México
| | - Israel Muñoz-Velasco
- Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México City, México
| | - Wolfgang Cottom-Salas
- Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México City, México
- Escuela Nacional Preparatoria, Plantel 8 Miguel E. Schulz, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México City, México
| | - Arturo Becerra
- Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México City, México
| | | | | | - Alberto Vázquez-Salazar
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Rodrigo Jácome
- Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México City, México
- * E-mail: (AL); (RJ)
| | - Antonio Lazcano
- Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México City, México
- El Colegio Nacional, México City, México
- * E-mail: (AL); (RJ)
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Jácome R, Carrasco-Hernández R, Campillo-Balderas JA, López-Vidal Y, Lazcano A, Wenzel RP, Ponce de León S. A yellow flag on the horizon: The looming threat of yellow fever to North America. Int J Infect Dis 2019; 87:143-150. [PMID: 31382047 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2019.07.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2019] [Revised: 07/26/2019] [Accepted: 07/26/2019] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Yellow fever virus historically was a frequent threat to American and European coasts. Medical milestones such as the discovery of mosquitoes as vectors and subsequently an effective vaccine significantly reduced its incidence, in spite of which, thousands of cases of this deathly disease still occur regularly in Sub-Saharan Africa and the Amazonian basin in South America, which are usually not reported. An urban outbreak in Angola, consecutive years of increasing incidence near major Brazilian cities, and imported cases in China, South America and Europe, have brought this virus back to the global spotlight. The aim of this article is to underline that the preventive YFV measures, such as vaccination, need to be carefully revised in order to minimize the risks of new YFV outbreaks, especially in urban or immunologically vulnerable places. Furthermore, this article highlights the diverse factors that have favored the spread of other Aedes spp.-associated arboviral diseases like Dengue, Chikungunya and Zika, to northern latitudes causing epidemics in the United States and Europe, emphasizing the possibility that YFV might follow the path of these viruses unless enhanced surveillance and efficient control systems are urgently initiated.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo Jácome
- Laboratorio de Origen de la Vida, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. Universidad 3000, C.P. 04510, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - R Carrasco-Hernández
- División de Investigación, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. Universidad 3000, C.P. 04510, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - José Alberto Campillo-Balderas
- Laboratorio de Origen de la Vida, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. Universidad 3000, C.P. 04510, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Yolanda López-Vidal
- Programa de Inmunología Molecular Microbiana, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. Universidad 3000, C.P. 04510, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Antonio Lazcano
- Laboratorio de Origen de la Vida, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. Universidad 3000, C.P. 04510, Mexico City, Mexico; Miembro de El Colegio Nacional, Mexico
| | | | - Samuel Ponce de León
- Programa Universitario de Investigación en Salud, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. Universidad 3000, C.P. 04510, Mexico City, Mexico.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Carrasco-Hernandez R, Jácome R, López Vidal Y, Ponce de León S. Are RNA Viruses Candidate Agents for the Next Global Pandemic? A Review. ILAR J 2017; 58:343-358. [PMID: 28985316 PMCID: PMC7108571 DOI: 10.1093/ilar/ilx026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 122] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2017] [Revised: 07/14/2017] [Accepted: 07/15/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Pathogenic RNA viruses are potentially the most important group involved in zoonotic disease transmission, and they represent a challenge for global disease control. Their biological diversity and rapid adaptive rates have proved to be difficult to overcome and to anticipate by modern medical technology. Also, the anthropogenic change of natural ecosystems and the continuous population growth are driving increased rates of interspecies contacts and the interchange of pathogens that can develop into global pandemics. The combination of molecular, epidemiological, and ecological knowledge of RNA viruses is therefore essential towards the proper control of these emergent pathogens. This review outlines, throughout different levels of complexity, the problems posed by RNA viral diseases, covering some of the molecular mechanisms allowing them to adapt to new host species-and to novel pharmaceutical developments-up to the known ecological processes involved in zoonotic transmission.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- R Carrasco-Hernandez
- R. Carrasco-Hernandez, PhD, is a postdoctoral research fellow at the Microbiome Laboratory in the Postgraduate Division of the Faculty of Medicine at the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, CDMX
| | - Rodrigo Jácome
- Rodrigo Jácome, MD, PhD, is a postdoctoral research fellow at the Microbiome Laboratory in the Postgraduate Division of the Faculty of Medicine at the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, CDMX
| | - Yolanda López Vidal
- Yolanda López-Vidal, MD, PhD, is an associate professor “C” and is responsible for the Program of Microbial Molecular Immunology in the Department of Microbiology and Parasitology of the Faculty of Medicine at the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, CDMX
| | - Samuel Ponce de León
- Samuel Ponce-de-León, MD, MSc, is an associate professor “C”, is responsible for the Microbiome Laboratory and Coordinator of the University Program for Health Research of the Faculty of Medicine at the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, CDMX
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Jácome R, Becerra A, Ponce de León S, Lazcano A. Structural Analysis of Monomeric RNA-Dependent Polymerases: Evolutionary and Therapeutic Implications. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0139001. [PMID: 26397100 PMCID: PMC4634563 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0139001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2015] [Accepted: 09/07/2015] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The crystal structures of monomeric RNA-dependent RNA polymerases and reverse transcriptases of more than 20 different viruses are available in the Protein Data Bank. They all share the characteristic right-hand shape of DNA- and RNA polymerases formed by the fingers, palm and thumb subdomains, and, in many cases, “fingertips” that extend from the fingers towards the thumb subdomain, giving the viral enzyme a closed right-hand appearance. Six conserved structural motifs that contain key residues for the proper functioning of the enzyme have been identified in all these RNA-dependent polymerases. These enzymes share a two divalent metal-ion mechanism of polymerization in which two conserved aspartate residues coordinate the interactions with the metal ions to catalyze the nucleotidyl transfer reaction. The recent availability of crystal structures of polymerases of the Orthomyxoviridae and Bunyaviridae families allowed us to make pairwise comparisons of the tertiary structures of polymerases belonging to the four main RNA viral groups, which has led to a phylogenetic tree in which single-stranded negative RNA viral polymerases have been included for the first time. This has also allowed us to use a homology-based structural prediction approach to develop a general three-dimensional model of the Ebola virus RNA-dependent RNA polymerase. Our model includes several of the conserved structural motifs and residues described in other viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerases that define the catalytic and highly conserved palm subdomain, as well as portions of the fingers and thumb subdomains. The results presented here help to understand the current use and apparent success of antivirals, i.e. Brincidofovir, Lamivudine and Favipiravir, originally aimed at other types of polymerases, to counteract the Ebola virus infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo Jácome
- Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cd. Universitaria, México D.F., México
| | - Arturo Becerra
- Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cd. Universitaria, México D.F., México
| | - Samuel Ponce de León
- Dirección General de Investigación, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cd. Universitaria, México D.F., México
| | - Antonio Lazcano
- Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cd. Universitaria, México D.F., México
- Miembro de El Colegio Nacional, México D.F., México
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Alexánderson E, Jácome R, Jiménez-Santos M, Ochoa JM, Romero E, Cabral MAP, Ricalde A, Iñarra F, Meave A, Alexánderson G. Evaluation of the endothelial function in hypertensive patients with 13N-ammonia PET. J Nucl Cardiol 2012; 19:979-86. [PMID: 22689073 DOI: 10.1007/s12350-012-9584-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2011] [Accepted: 05/15/2012] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Essential hypertension is one of the main risk factors for the development of coronary artery disease (CAD). Hypertension causes endothelial dysfunction which is considered an early sign for the development of CAD. Positron emission tomography is a non-invasive imaging technique that measures myocardial blood flow (MBF), allowing us to identify patients with endothelial dysfunction. METHODS AND RESULTS 19 patients without comorbidities recently diagnosed hypertensive, as well as 21 healthy volunteers were studied. A three-phase (rest, cold pressor test, and adenosine-induced hyperemia) (13)N-ammonia PET was performed, and MBF was measured. Endothelial-Dependent Vasodilation Index, ΔMBF, and coronary flow reserve (CFR) were calculated for each patient. Hypertensive patients had a significantly higher systolic and diastolic blood pressures compared with the control group (134.6 ± 11.7/86.4 ± 10.6 mm Hg and 106.0 ± 11.8/71.4 ± 6.6 mm Hg, respectively, P < .001). The ENDEVI (1.28 ± 0.26 vs 1.79 ± 0.30, P < .001), the ΔMBF (0.81 ± 0.50 vs 0.25 ± 0.21, P < .001) and the CFR (2.18 ± 0.88 vs 3.17 ± 0.68, P = .001) were significantly lower in the hypertensive patients compared to the control group, 84% of the former group had endothelial dysfunction i.e., ENDEVI < 1.5 and 58% had vasomotor abnormalities, i.e., CFR < 2.5. CONCLUSIONS In this study, we showed that recently diagnosed hypertensive patients have coronary endothelial dysfunction and vasomotor disturbances which are early signs for the development of CAD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Erick Alexánderson
- Unidad PET/CT Ciclotrón, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Edificio de Investigación, Planta Baja, Ciudad Universitaria, CP 04510, Mexico City, DF, Mexico.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
12
|
Nakazato R, Dey D, Alexánderson E, Meave A, Jiménez M, Romero E, Jácome R, Peña M, Berman DS, Slomka PJ. Automatic alignment of myocardial perfusion PET and 64-slice coronary CT angiography on hybrid PET/CT. J Nucl Cardiol 2012; 19:482-91. [PMID: 22419224 PMCID: PMC3527130 DOI: 10.1007/s12350-012-9528-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2011] [Accepted: 02/02/2012] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hybrid PET/CT allows for acquisition of cardiac PET and coronary CT angiography (CCTA) in one session. However, PET and CCTA are acquired with differing breathing protocols and require software registration. We aimed to validate automatic correction for breathing misalignment between PET and CCTA acquired on hybrid scanner. METHODS Single-session hybrid PET/CT studies of rest/stress (13)N-ammonia PET and CCTA in 32 consecutive patients were considered. Automated registration of PET left ventricular (LV) surfaces with CCTA volumes was evaluated by comparing with expert manual alignment by two observers. RESULTS The average initial misalignments between the position of LV on PET and CCTA were 27.2 ± 11.8, 13.3 ± 11.5, and 14.3 ± 9.1 mm in x, y, and z axes on rest, and 26.3 ± 10.2, 11.1 ± 9.5, and 11.7 ± 7.1 mm in x, y, and z axes on stress, respectively. The automated PET-CCTA co-registration had 95% agreement as judged visually. Compared with expert manual alignment, the translation errors of the algorithm were 5.3 ± 2.8 mm (rest) and 6.0 ± 3.5 mm (stress). 3D visualization of combined coronary vessel anatomy and hypoperfusion from PET could be made without further manual adjustments. CONCLUSION Software co-registration of CCTA and PET myocardial perfusion imaging on hybrid PET/CT scanners is necessary, but can be performed automatically, facilitating integrated 3D display on PET/CT.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ryo Nakazato
- Department of Imaging, and Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
13
|
Slomka PJ, Alexanderson E, Jácome R, Jiménez M, Romero E, Meave A, Le Meunier L, Dalhbom M, Berman DS, Germano G, Schelbert H. Comparison of clinical tools for measurements of regional stress and rest myocardial blood flow assessed with 13N-ammonia PET/CT. J Nucl Med 2012; 53:171-81. [PMID: 22228795 DOI: 10.2967/jnumed.111.095398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED Several models for the quantitative analysis of myocardial blood flow (MBF) at stress and rest and myocardial flow reserve (MFR) with (13)N-ammonia myocardial perfusion PET have been implemented for clinical use. We aimed to compare quantitative results obtained from 3 software tools (QPET, syngo MBF, and PMOD), which perform PET MBF quantification with either a 2-compartment model (QPET and syngo MBF) or a 1-compartment model (PMOD). METHODS We considered 33 adenosine stress and rest (13)N-ammonia studies (22 men and 11 women). Average age was 54.5 ± 15 y, and average body mass index was 26 ± 4.2. Eighteen patients had a very low likelihood of disease, with no chest pain, normal relative perfusion results, and normal function. All data were obtained on a PET/CT scanner in list mode with CT attenuation maps. Sixteen dynamic frames were reconstructed (twelve 10-s, two 30-s, one 1-min, and one 6-min frames). Global and regional stress and rest MBF and MFR values were obtained with each tool. Left ventricular contours and input function region were obtained automatically in system QPET and syngo MBF and manually in PMOD. RESULTS The flow values and MFR values were highly correlated among the 3 packages (R(2) ranging from 0.88 to 0.92 for global values and from 0.78 to 0.94 for regional values. Mean reference MFR values were similar for QPET, syngo MBF, and PMOD (3.39 ± 1.22, 3.41 ± 0.76, and 3.66 ± 1.19, respectively) by 1-way ANOVA (P = 0.74). The lowest MFR in very low likelihood patients in any given vascular territory was 2.25 for QPET, 2.13 for syngo MBF, and 2.23 for PMOD. CONCLUSION Different implementations of 1- and 2-compartment models demonstrate an excellent correlation in MFR for each vascular territory, with similar mean MFR values.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Piotr J Slomka
- Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
14
|
Alexánderson E, Jácome R, Romero E, Peña-Cabral M, Meléndez G, Kimura-Hayama E, Meave A. [The importance of multi-imaging diagnosis in cardiology]. Arch Cardiol Mex 2011; 81:154-157. [PMID: 21775249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Cardiovascular imaging is one of the disciplines in cardiology with the most recent advances. This means that the teaching of Cardiology must evolve in the same way. In 2009, the American College of Cardiology published a statement, which points out that all of the cardiology residents must have basic training in every one of the cardiovascular imaging modalities available. Ischemic heart disease is the main cause of death in the world, including Mexico. Up to 43% of the patients that suffered a myocardial infarction and up to 31% of the patients with sudden cardiac death had an almost normal nuclear myocardial perfusion study in the year before the event, thus evidencing the importance of a multi-imaging approach. With the better understanding of the pathophysiological processes of coronary artery disease, new techniques have been developed that allows the detection of this disease almost from the beginning, through the detection of endothelial dysfunction by Positron Emission Tomography. Later on, when the patient develops diffuse atherosclerosis, we can rely on the use of de coronary calcium score and the detection of atherosclerotic plaques with coronary computed tomography angiography. To detect the presence of myocardial ischemia, two methods are widely used: echocardiography and nuclear medicine. Other options to identify myocardial ischemia are magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography, due to the development of the "Dual Source" and "Flash" technologies. After an acute coronary event, cardiovascular imaging is useful for risk stratification and detection of myocardial viability, being the positron emission tomography the gold standard.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Erick Alexánderson
- Departamento de Cardiología Nuclear, Instituto Nacional de Cardiología Ignacio Chávez. Unidad PET/CT Ciclotrón, Facultad de Medicina, UNAM
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
15
|
Alexanderson E, García-Rojas L, Jiménez M, Jácome R, Calleja R, Martínez A, Ochoa JM, Meave A, Alexanderson G. Effect of ezetimibe-simvastatine over endothelial dysfunction in dyslipidemic patients: assessment by 13N-ammonia positron emission tomography. J Nucl Cardiol 2010; 17:1015-22. [PMID: 20737263 DOI: 10.1007/s12350-010-9273-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2009] [Accepted: 07/08/2010] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dyslipidemias constitute an independent risk factor for the development of atherogenesis and they also predispose to the development of endothelial dysfunction (ED). Using PET with (13)N-ammonia, it is possible to quantify myocardial blood flow (MBF) in mL/min/g and to quantitatively evaluate ED. With the use of lipid lowering therapy it is possible to reduce ED and increase the MBF and the endothelial-dependent vasodilation index (ENDEVI). In this study, we aimed to evaluate with (13)N-ammonia PET the benefic effects of the combined treatment ezetimibe/simvastatine on the endothelial function of dyslipidemic patients after 8 weeks of treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS Fourteen consecutive patients with dyslipidemia diagnosis and 17 healthy volunteers were studied with a three phase [rest, Cold Pressor Test (CPT), and adenosine-induced hyperemia] (13)N-ammonia PET for MBF quantification assessment. A second PET study was performed in the dyslipidemic group after 8 weeks of treatment with ezetimibe/simvastatine (10/40 mg). Myocardial flow reserve (MFR), ENDEVI, and %ΔMBF were calculated. RESULTS Total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and triglycerides concentrations were markedly altered in the dyslipidemic group and after 8 weeks of treatment these values improved. Dyslipidemic patients showed endothelial dysfunction when compared with the control group, (MFR 2.79 ± 0.94 vs 3.15 ± 0.48, P < 0.05 ; ENDEVI 1.28 ± 0.25 vs 1.53 ± 0.24, P < 0.05; and %ΔMBF 29.08 ± 24.62 vs 53 ± 24.60%, P < 0.05, respectively). After 8 weeks of treatment, we found a significant increase in all the endothelial function markers (MFR: 3.14 ± 0.86, P < 0.05, ENDEVI 1.65 ± 0.23, P < 0.05; %ΔMBF: 65.21 ± 23.43, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Dyslipidemic patients show endothelial dysfunction measured with (13)N-ammonia PET. Treatment with ezetimibe/simvastatine was effective improving the lipid profile as well as the endothelial function of these patients. PET may be a useful tool to monitor vascular reactivity and regression/progression of coronary atherosclerosis after pharmacologic interventions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Erick Alexanderson
- Unidad PET/CT Ciclotrón, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
16
|
Alexánderson E, Ochoa JM, Calleja R, Juárez-Rojas JG, Prior JO, Jácome R, Romero E, Meave A, Posadas-Romero C. Endothelial Dysfunction in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Evaluation with 13N-Ammonia PET. J Nucl Med 2010; 51:1927-31. [DOI: 10.2967/jnumed.110.078212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
|
17
|
Alexánderson Rosas E, Slomka PJ, García-Rojas L, Calleja R, Jácome R, Jiménez-Santos M, Romero E, Meave A, Berman DS. Functional Impact of Coronary Stenosis Observed on Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography: Comparison with 13N-Ammonia PET. Arch Med Res 2010; 41:642-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.arcmed.2010.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2010] [Accepted: 10/27/2010] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
|