Diagnostic Cytochrome b gene profiles for the identification of paca (Cuniculus paca) bushmeat: implications for the monitoring of illegal hunting and wildlife trade.

Paca (Cuniculus paca Linnaeus, 1766) is the second largest rodent found in Brazil. The quality of the meat and a long tradition of hunting have contributed to the decline of the natural populations of this species. Hunting of paca is strictly prohibited in Brazil, but in spite of this restriction, no forensic tools are available for the identification of the meat. We describe an efficient method, based on single nucleotide polymorphisms of the cytochrome b gene, that can be used to differentiate biological material derived from paca from those of domestic species commonly used as sources of meat. The identification of the presence of C. paca in the samples was 100% reliable.

Diagnostic Cytochrome b gene profiles for the identification of paca (Cuniculus paca) bushmeat: implications for the monitoring of illegal hunting and wildlife trade / Perfis diagnósticos do gene Citocromo b para a identificação molecular de paca (Cuniculus paca): implicações para a detecção e monitoramento de caça e comércio ilegal

Abstract Paca (Cuniculus paca Linnaeus, 1766) is the second largest rodent found in Brazil. The quality of the meat and a long tradition of hunting have contributed to the decline of the natural populations of this species. Hunting of paca is strictly prohibited in Brazil, but in spite of this restriction, no forensic tools are available for the identification of the meat. We describe an efficient method, based on single nucleotide polymorphisms of the cytochrome b gene, that can be used to differentiate biological material derived from paca from those of domestic species commonly used as sources of meat. The identification of the presence of C. paca in the samples was 100% reliable.

Resumo Paca (Cuniculus paca Linnaeus, 1766) é o segundo maior roedor brasileiro. A qualidade da carne e a forte tradição da caça de subsistência são fatores que contribuem significativamente para o declínio das populações. Apesar da proibição a caça no Brasil, no momento ainda não há ferramentas disponíveis para identificar a carne e seus produtos como prova forense. Neste trabalho propomos um método eficaz de identificação, baseado em polimorfismos de único nucleotídeo no gene Citocromo b, objetivando diferenciar material biológico de paca das espécies domésticas comumente utilizadas como alimento no Brasil. A identificação das amostras de paca foram possíveis em 100% das amostras analisadas.

Saccharomyces cerevisiae adaptation to weak acids involves the transcription factor Haa1p and Haa1p-regulated genes.

The understanding of the molecular mechanisms that may contribute to counteract the deleterious effects of organic acids as fungistatic agents is essential to guide suitable preservation strategies. In this work, we show that the recently identified transcription factor Haa1p is required for a more rapid adaptation of a yeast cell population to several weak acid food preservatives. Maximal protection is exerted against the short-chain length acetic or propionic acids. The transcription of nine Haa1p-target genes, many of which are predicted to encode membrane proteins of unknown or poorly characterized function, is activated under weak acid stress. The Haa1-regulated genes required for a more rapid yeast adaptation to weak acids include TPO2 and TPO3, encoding two predicted plasma membrane multidrug transporters of the major facilitator superfamily, and YGP1, encoding a poorly characterized cell wall glycoprotein. The acetic acid-induced prolongation of the lag phase of unadapted cell populations lacking HAA1 or TPO3, compared with wild-type population, was correlated with the level of the acid accumulated into the stressed cells.