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Garcia IS, Silva-Vignato B, Cesar ASM, Petrini J, da Silva VH, Morosini NS, Goes CP, Afonso J, da Silva TR, Lima BD, Clemente LG, Regitano LCDA, Mourão GB, Coutinho LL. Novel putative causal mutations associated with fat traits in Nellore cattle uncovered by eQTLs located in open chromatin regions. Sci Rep 2024; 14:10094. [PMID: 38698200 PMCID: PMC11066111 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-60703-5] [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: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Intramuscular fat (IMF) and backfat thickness (BFT) are critical economic traits impacting meat quality. However, the genetic variants controlling these traits need to be better understood. To advance knowledge in this area, we integrated RNA-seq and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) identified in genomic and transcriptomic data to generate a linkage disequilibrium filtered panel of 553,581 variants. Expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) analysis revealed 36,916 cis-eQTLs and 14,408 trans-eQTLs. Association analysis resulted in three eQTLs associated with BFT and 24 with IMF. Functional enrichment analysis of genes regulated by these 27 eQTLs revealed noteworthy pathways that can play a fundamental role in lipid metabolism and fat deposition, such as immune response, cytoskeleton remodeling, iron transport, and phospholipid metabolism. We next used ATAC-Seq assay to identify and overlap eQTL and open chromatin regions. Six eQTLs were in regulatory regions, four in predicted insulators and possible CCCTC-binding factor DNA binding sites, one in an active enhancer region, and the last in a low signal region. Our results provided novel insights into the transcriptional regulation of IMF and BFT, unraveling putative regulatory variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingrid Soares Garcia
- Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture "Luiz de Queiroz", University of São Paulo, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil
| | - Bárbara Silva-Vignato
- Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture "Luiz de Queiroz", University of São Paulo, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil
| | - Aline Silva Mello Cesar
- Department of Agroindustry, Food and Nutrition, College of Agriculture "Luiz de Queiroz", University of São Paulo, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil
| | - Juliana Petrini
- Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture "Luiz de Queiroz", University of São Paulo, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil
| | - Vinicius Henrique da Silva
- Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture "Luiz de Queiroz", University of São Paulo, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil
| | - Natália Silva Morosini
- Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture "Luiz de Queiroz", University of São Paulo, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil
| | - Carolina Purcell Goes
- Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture "Luiz de Queiroz", University of São Paulo, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Thaís Ribeiro da Silva
- Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture "Luiz de Queiroz", University of São Paulo, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil
| | - Beatriz Delcarme Lima
- Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture "Luiz de Queiroz", University of São Paulo, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil
| | - Luan Gaspar Clemente
- Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture "Luiz de Queiroz", University of São Paulo, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Gerson Barreto Mourão
- Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture "Luiz de Queiroz", University of São Paulo, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil
| | - Luiz Lehmann Coutinho
- Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture "Luiz de Queiroz", University of São Paulo, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil.
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Goes CP, Botezelli VS, De La Cruz SM, Cruz MC, Azambuja AP, Simoes-Costa M, Yan CYI. ASCL1 promotes Scrt2 expression in the neural tube. Front Cell Dev Biol 2024; 12:1324584. [PMID: 38655067 PMCID: PMC11036302 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2024.1324584] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
ASCL1 is a transcription factor that directs neural progenitors towards lineage differentiation. Although many of the molecular mechanisms underlying its action have been described, several of its targets remain unidentified. We identified in the chick genome a putative enhancer (cE1) upstream of the transcription factor Scratch2 (Scrt2) locus with a predicted heterodimerization motif for ASCL1 and POU3F2. In this study, we investigated the role of ASCL1 and this enhancer in regulating the expression of the Scrt2 in the embryonic spinal cord. We confirmed that cE1 region interacted with the Scrt2 promoter. cE1 was sufficient to mediate ASCL1-driven expression in the neural tube through the heterodimerization sites. Moreover, Scrt2 expression was inhibited when we removed cE1 from the genome. These findings strongly indicate that ASCL1 regulates Scrt2 transcription in the neural tube through cE1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Purcell Goes
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Vitória Samartin Botezelli
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Shirley Mirna De La Cruz
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, Brazil
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Científica del Sur, Lima, Peru
| | - Mário Costa Cruz
- Core Research Facilities (CEFAP), Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ana Paula Azambuja
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States
- Department of Systems Biology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Marcos Simoes-Costa
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States
- Department of Systems Biology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Chao Yun Irene Yan
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, Brazil
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Costa AVD, Rattes IC, Goes CP, Lobo LHG, Barreto LBE, Gama P. Breastfeeding lifespan control of growth, maintenance, and metabolism of small intestinal epithelium. J Cell Physiol 2023; 238:2304-2315. [PMID: 37555566 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.31089] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Revised: 07/08/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2023]
Abstract
Gastrointestinal epithelial cells respond to milk-born molecules throughout breastfeeding, influencing growth, and development. The rapid renewal of the small intestine depends on the proliferation in the crypt that drives cell fates. We used early weaning model to investigate immediate and late effects of breastfeeding on proliferation, differentiation of jejunal epithelial cells. Wistar rats were either allowed to suckle (S) until 21 postnatal days or submitted to early weaning (EW) at 15 days. By comparing ages (18, 60, and 120 days), we found that EW decreased Ki67 indices and villi height at 18 and 60 days (p < 0.05), and at 120 days they were similar between diets. Proliferative reduction and augmented expression of Cdkn1b (p27 gene) were parallel. In the stem cell niche, EW increased the number and activity (Defa24) of Paneth cells at 18 and 60 days (p < 0.05), and Lgr5 and Ascl2 genes showed inverted responses between ages. Among target cells, EW decreased goblet cell number at 18 and 60 days (p < 0.05) and increased it at 120 days (p < 0.05), whereas enteroendocrine marker genes were differentially altered. EW reduced enterocytes density at 18 days (p < 0.05), and at 120 days this population was decreased (vs. 60 days). Among cell fate crypt-controlling genes, Notch and Atoh1 were the main targets of EW. Metabolically, intraperitoneal glucose tolerance was immediately reduced (18 days), being reverted until 120 days (p < 0.05). Currently, we showed that breastfeeding has a lifespan influence on intestinal mucosa and on its stem cell compartment. We suggest that, although jejunum absorptive function is granted after early weaning, the long lasting changes in gene expression might prime the mucosa with a different sensitivity to gut disorders that still have to be further explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aline Vasques da Costa
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Isadora Campos Rattes
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Carolina Purcell Goes
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Larissa Honda Greco Lobo
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Laylla Barreto E Barreto
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Patricia Gama
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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Pramio DT, Vieceli FM, Varella-Branco E, Goes CP, Kobayashi GS, da Silva Pelegrina DV, de Moraes BC, El Allam A, De Kumar B, Jara G, Farfel JM, Bennett DA, Kundu S, Viapiano MS, Reis EM, de Oliveira PSL, Dos Santos E Passos-Bueno MR, Rothlin CV, Ghosh S, Schechtman D. DNA methylation of the promoter region at the CREB1 binding site is a mechanism for the epigenetic regulation of brain-specific PKMζ. Biochim Biophys Acta Gene Regul Mech 2023; 1866:194909. [PMID: 36682583 PMCID: PMC10037092 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2023.194909] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2022] [Revised: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Protein kinase M zeta, PKMζ, is a brain enriched kinase with a well characterized role in Long-Term Potentiation (LTP), the activity-dependent strengthening of synapses involved in long-term memory formation. However, little is known about the molecular mechanisms that maintain the tissue specificity of this kinase. Here, we characterized the epigenetic factors, mainly DNA methylation, regulating PKMζ expression in the human brain. The PRKCZ gene has an upstream promoter regulating Protein kinase C ζ (PKCζ), and an internal promoter driving PKMζ expression. A demethylated region, including a canonical CREB binding site, situated at the internal promoter was only observed in human CNS tissues. The induction of site-specific hypermethylation of this region resulted in decreased CREB1 binding and downregulation of PKMζ expression. Noteworthy, CREB binding sites were absent in the upstream promoter of PRKCZ locus, suggesting a specific mechanism for regulating PKMζ expression. These observations were validated using a system of human neuronal differentiation from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). CREB1 binding at the internal promoter was detected only in differentiated neurons, where PKMζ is expressed. The same epigenetic mechanism in the context of CREB binding site was identified in other genes involved in neuronal differentiation and LTP. Additionally, aberrant DNA hypermethylation at the internal promoter was observed in cases of Alzheimer's disease, correlating with decreased expression of PKMζ in patient brains. Altogether, we present a conserved epigenetic mechanism regulating PKMζ expression and other genes enhanced in the CNS with possible implications in neuronal differentiation and Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Carolina Purcell Goes
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, SP, Brazil; Laboratory of Neuromodulation of Experimental Pain, Department of Anatomy, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Aicha El Allam
- Department of Neurology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | | | - Gabriel Jara
- Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), Brazilian National Biosciences Laboratory (LNBio) Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - José Marcelo Farfel
- Traumatology and Orthopedy Department, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, SP, Brazil; Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA; Health Sciences Program, Instituto de Assistência Medica ao Servidor Público do Estado (IAMSPE), SP, Brazil
| | - David Alan Bennett
- Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Somanath Kundu
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, USA
| | - Mariano S Viapiano
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, USA
| | - Eduardo Moraes Reis
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Paulo Sergio Lopes de Oliveira
- Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), Brazilian National Biosciences Laboratory (LNBio) Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Carla V Rothlin
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA; Department of Pharmacology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Sourav Ghosh
- Department of Neurology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA; Department of Pharmacology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
| | - Deborah Schechtman
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
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Goes CP, Kanno TY, Yan CYI. In Embryo Gene Reporter Assays for Evaluation of Cis-Regulatory Regions. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2599:227-239. [PMID: 36427153 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2847-8_16] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Gene expression reporter assays measure the relevance of cis-regulatory elements and DNA-binding proteins in modulating transcriptional activity. Commonly, they are performed in cell lines. However, regulation of transcriptional activity during development is complex and dynamic, and not many cell lines reproduce the embryonic conditions. Thus, conclusions derived from cell line data provide limited information about embryonic development. On the other hand, one of the major hurdles for embryonic assays is delivering reporter plasmids in a tissue-specific manner. In this sense, the chick embryo is a good model system to perform these assays. Electroporation of chick embryos provides temporal and spatially controlled plasmid delivery. Further, it is a well-established, easy, and an economical procedure. Here, we describe in detail how to measure in the chick neural tube (1) enhancer activity with GFP, (2) enhancer activity with luciferase, and (3) 3'UTR activity with luciferase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Purcell Goes
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Biomedical Sciences Institute, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Tatiane Y Kanno
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - C Y Irene Yan
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Biomedical Sciences Institute, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
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da Silva VH, Goes CP, Trevisoli PA, Lello R, Clemente LG, de Almeida TB, Petrini J, Coutinho LL. Simulation of group testing scenarios can boost COVID-19 screening power. Sci Rep 2022; 12:11854. [PMID: 35831373 PMCID: PMC9277601 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-14626-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 has severely affected economies and health systems around the world. Mass testing could work as a powerful alternative to restrain disease dissemination, but the shortage of reagents is a limiting factor. A solution to optimize test usage relies on ‘grouping’ or ‘pooling’ strategies, which combine a set of individuals in a single reaction. To compare different group testing configurations, we developed the poolingr package, which performs an innovative hybrid in silico/in vitro approach to search for optimal testing configurations. We used 6759 viral load values, observed in 2389 positive individuals, to simulate a wide range of scenarios. We found that larger groups (>100) framed into multi-stage setups (up to six stages) could largely boost the power to detect spreaders. Although the boost was dependent on the disease prevalence, our method could point to cheaper grouping schemes to better mitigate COVID-19 dissemination through identification and quarantine recommendation for positive individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vinicius Henrique da Silva
- Department of Animal Science, Luiz de Queiroz College of Agriculture (ESALQ), University of São Paulo (USP), Piracicaba, Brazil
| | - Carolina Purcell Goes
- Department of Animal Science, Luiz de Queiroz College of Agriculture (ESALQ), University of São Paulo (USP), Piracicaba, Brazil
| | - Priscila Anchieta Trevisoli
- Department of Animal Science, Luiz de Queiroz College of Agriculture (ESALQ), University of São Paulo (USP), Piracicaba, Brazil
| | - Raquel Lello
- Department of Animal Science, Luiz de Queiroz College of Agriculture (ESALQ), University of São Paulo (USP), Piracicaba, Brazil
| | - Luan Gaspar Clemente
- Department of Animal Science, Luiz de Queiroz College of Agriculture (ESALQ), University of São Paulo (USP), Piracicaba, Brazil
| | | | - Juliana Petrini
- Department of Animal Science, Luiz de Queiroz College of Agriculture (ESALQ), University of São Paulo (USP), Piracicaba, Brazil
| | - Luiz Lehmann Coutinho
- Department of Animal Science, Luiz de Queiroz College of Agriculture (ESALQ), University of São Paulo (USP), Piracicaba, Brazil.
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Fernandes AC, da Silva VH, Goes CP, Moreira GCM, Godoy TF, Ibelli AMG, Peixoto JDO, Cantão ME, Ledur MC, de Rezende FM, Coutinho LL. Genome-wide detection of CNVs and their association with performance traits in broilers. BMC Genomics 2021; 22:354. [PMID: 34001004 PMCID: PMC8130382 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-021-07676-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [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: 10/29/2020] [Accepted: 05/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Copy number variations (CNVs) are a major type of structural genomic variants that underlie genetic architecture and phenotypic variation of complex traits, not only in humans, but also in livestock animals. We identified CNVs along the chicken genome and analyzed their association with performance traits. Genome-wide CNVs were inferred from Affymetrix® high density SNP-chip data for a broiler population. CNVs were concatenated into segments and association analyses were performed with linear mixed models considering a genomic relationship matrix, for birth weight, body weight at 21, 35, 41 and 42 days, feed intake from 35 to 41 days, feed conversion ratio from 35 to 41 days and, body weight gain from 35 to 41 days of age. Results We identified 23,214 autosomal CNVs, merged into 5042 distinct CNV regions (CNVRs), covering 12.84% of the chicken autosomal genome. One significant CNV segment was associated with BWG on GGA3 (q-value = 0.00443); one significant CNV segment was associated with BW35 (q-value = 0.00571), BW41 (q-value = 0.00180) and BW42 (q-value = 0.00130) on GGA3, and one significant CNV segment was associated with BW on GGA5 (q-value = 0.00432). All significant CNV segments were verified by qPCR, and a validation rate of 92.59% was observed. These CNV segments are located nearby genes, such as KCNJ11, MyoD1 and SOX6, known to underlie growth and development. Moreover, gene-set analyses revealed terms linked with muscle physiology, cellular processes regulation and potassium channels. Conclusions Overall, this CNV-based GWAS study unravels potential candidate genes that may regulate performance traits in chickens. Our findings provide a foundation for future functional studies on the role of specific genes in regulating performance in chickens. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12864-021-07676-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Carolina Fernandes
- Department of Animal Science, University of São Paulo (USP), Luiz de Queiroz College of Agriculture (ESALQ), Piracicaba, São Paulo, 13418-900, Brazil
| | - Vinicius Henrique da Silva
- Department of Animal Science, University of São Paulo (USP), Luiz de Queiroz College of Agriculture (ESALQ), Piracicaba, São Paulo, 13418-900, Brazil
| | - Carolina Purcell Goes
- Department of Animal Science, University of São Paulo (USP), Luiz de Queiroz College of Agriculture (ESALQ), Piracicaba, São Paulo, 13418-900, Brazil
| | | | - Thaís Fernanda Godoy
- Department of Animal Science, University of São Paulo (USP), Luiz de Queiroz College of Agriculture (ESALQ), Piracicaba, São Paulo, 13418-900, Brazil
| | | | - Jane de Oliveira Peixoto
- Embrapa Suínos e Aves: Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária Suínos e Aves, Concórdia, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Maurício Egídio Cantão
- Embrapa Suínos e Aves: Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária Suínos e Aves, Concórdia, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Mônica Corrêa Ledur
- Embrapa Suínos e Aves: Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária Suínos e Aves, Concórdia, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | | | - Luiz Lehmann Coutinho
- Department of Animal Science, University of São Paulo (USP), Luiz de Queiroz College of Agriculture (ESALQ), Piracicaba, São Paulo, 13418-900, Brazil.
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Vasques da Costa A, Purcell Goes C, Gama P. Breastfeeding importance and its therapeutic potential against SARS-CoV-2. Physiol Rep 2021; 9:e14744. [PMID: 33580917 PMCID: PMC7881802 DOI: 10.14814/phy2.14744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [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: 12/04/2020] [Revised: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
During postnatal development, colostrum and breastmilk are sequentially the first sources of nutrition with protein components and bioactive molecules that confer protection and immunostimulatory function to the gut. Caseins, whey proteins, secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA), mucins, tryptophan, and growth factors are among milk‐borne elements that are directly important in the control of mucosa development and protection. Consequently, breastfeeding is associated with the low incidence of gastrointestinal inflammation and with the decrease in respiratory diseases during postnatal period. The novel coronavirus (SARS‐CoV‐2) binds to angiotensin II‐converting enzyme (ACE2) on the cell membrane, allowing virus entrance, replication, and host commitment. ACE2 is expressed by different cell types, which include ciliated cells in the lungs and enterocytes in the intestine. Such cells are highly active in metabolism, as they internalize molecules to be processed and used by the organism. The disruption of ACE2 impairs leads to intestinal inflammation and decreased synthesis of serotonin, affecting motility. By reviewing the effects of SARS‐CoV‐2 in the gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts in infants, and gut responses to breastfeeding interruption, we suggest that it is important to maintain breastfeeding during SARS‐CoV‐2 infection, as it might be essential to protect newborns from gastrointestinal‐associated disorders and relieve disease symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aline Vasques da Costa
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo (USP) - São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Carolina Purcell Goes
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo (USP) - São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Patrícia Gama
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo (USP) - São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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Goes CP, Vieceli FM, De La Cruz SM, Simões-Costa M, Yan CYI. Scratch2, a Snail Superfamily Member, Is Regulated by miR-125b. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:769. [PMID: 32984310 PMCID: PMC7477046 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.00769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [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: 03/10/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Scratch2 is a transcription factor expressed in a very restricted population of vertebrate embryonic neural cell precursors involved in their survival, differentiation, and migration. The mechanisms that control its expression remain unknown and could contribute towards our understanding of gene regulation during neural differentiation and evolution. Here we investigate the role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in the Scrt2 post-transcriptional regulatory mechanism. We identified binding sites for miR-125b and -200b in the Scrt2 3′UTR in silico. We confirmed the repressive-mediated activity of the Scrt2 3′UTR through electroporation of luciferase constructs into chick embryos. Further, both CRISPR/Cas9-mediated deletion of miR-125b/-200b responsive elements from chicken Scrt2 3′UTR and expression of miRNAs sponges increased Scrt2 expression field, suggesting a role for these miRNAs as post-transcriptional regulators of Scrt2. The biological effect of miR-125b titration was much more pronounced than that of miR-200b. Therefore, we propose that, after transcription, miR-125b fine-tunes the Scrt2 expression domain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Purcell Goes
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.,Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States
| | - Felipe Monteleone Vieceli
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Shirley Mirna De La Cruz
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Marcos Simões-Costa
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States
| | - Chao Yun Irene Yan
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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