RESUMO
In this study, the complete mitochondrial (mt) genome sequence of Lasiopodomys brandtii was determined using Illumina NovaSeq platform. The assembled genome was 16,557 bp in length and included 13 protein-coding genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes, and 22 transfer RNA genes. The total nucleotide composition frequencies present clearly the A-T skew (59.5%), which mostly in D-loop and PCGs regions. Whole mt genome phylogenetic analysis revealed a closely related among Lasiopodomys, Proedromys, and Microtus with high support. It would provide further evolutionary research for the subfamily Arvicolinae.
RESUMO
The Mandarin vole (Lasiopodomys mandarinus), a typical subterranean rodent, has undergone hematological adaptations to tolerate the hypoxic/hypercapnic underground environment. Hemoglobin (Hb) genes encode respiratory proteins functioning principally in oxygen binding and transport to various tissues and organs. To investigate the evolution of α- and ß-hemoglobin (Hb) in subterranean rodent species, we sequenced Hb genes of the Mandarin vole and the related aboveground Brandt's vole (L. brandtii). Sequencing showed that in both voles, α-globin was encoded by a cluster of five functional genes in the following linkage order: HBZ, HBA-T1, HBQ-T1, HBA-T2, and HBQ-T2; among these, HBQ-T2 is a pseudogene in both voles. The ß-globin gene cluster in both voles also included five functional genes in the following linkage order: HBE, HBE/HBG, HBG, HBB-T1, and HBB-T2. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the Mandarin vole underwent convergent evolution with its related aboveground species (Brandt's vole) but not with other subterranean rodent species. Selection pressure analyses revealed that α- and ß-globin genes are under strong purifying selection (ω < 1), and branch-site analyses identified positive selection sites on HBAT-T1 and HBB-T1 in different subterranean rodent species. This suggests that the adaptive evolution of these genes enhanced the ability of Hb to store and transport oxygen in subterranean rodent species. Our findings highlight the critical roles of Hb genes in the evolution of hypoxia tolerance in subterranean rodent species.
RESUMO
When treating HIV-infected patients with hemophilia, adverse drug reactions and interactions and the effect of treatment on bleeding disorders must be considered. Raltegravir is the first HIV integrase inhibitor, but its use in patients with hemophilia is rarely reported. Nine HIV-positive patients with hemophilia were retrospectively studied with a focus on the virological response, changes in the CD4 count, the tendency to bleed, and the response to replacement therapy before and after raltegravir-based antiretroviral therapy (ART). The nine patients were highly treatment-experienced patients and they received raltegravir-based ART for at least nine months. The patients had their own reasons for changing to raltegravir-based ART. During treatment, the CD4 count increased progressively in four patients, with a median absolute increase of 233 cells/mm(3), while the count stabilized in the remaining five patients. Two previous recipients of lopinavir/ritonavir (LPV/r) who failed to respond to lamivudine (3TC) + zidovudine (ZDV) + efavirenz (EFV) had a viral rebound. Genotyping indicated multidrug resistance to nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) and non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs). A pattern of resistance to raltegravir was evident, including the primary mutation N155H and the secondary mutation T97A. In the two patients, the tendency to bleed decreased markedly and monthly usage of clotting factor VIII decreased significantly decreased. In the remaining seven patients, the viral load remained < 40 copies/mL, there was no evidence of an increased tendency to bleed, and no evidence of changes in the response to replacement therapy. All of the patients had a stable condition with no signs of disease progression and no serious adverse reactions. Results indicated that Raltegravir-based therapy offered a safe and well-tolerated option for HIV-positive patients with hemophilia.