RESUMEN
Ubiquitin-conjugating enzymes (Ub-E2) perform the second step of ubiquitination and, consequently, are essential for regulating proteolysis and for modulating protein function, interactions and trafficking. Previously, our group demonstrated the crucial role of ubiquitination and the Ub-proteasome pathway during the Schistosoma mansoni life cycle. In the present investigation, we used a homology-based genome-wide bioinformatics approach to identify and molecularly characterise the Ub-E2 enzymes in S. mansoni. The putative functions were further investigated through molecular phylogenetic and expression profile analyses using cercariae, adult worms, eggs and mechanically transformed schistosomula (MTS) cultured in vitro for 3.5 h or 1 or 3 days. We identified, via in silico analysis, 17 Ub-E2 enzymes with conserved structural characteristics: the beta-sheet and the helix-2 form a central core bordered by helix-1 at one side and helix-3 and helix-4 at the other. The observed quantitative differences in the steady-state transcript levels between the cercariae and adult worms may contribute to the differential protein ubiquitination observed during the parasite's life cycle. This study is the first to identify and characterise the E2 ubiquitin conjugation family in S. mansoni and provides fundamental information regarding their molecular phylogenetics and developmental expression during intra-mammalian stages.
Asunto(s)
Regulación Enzimológica de la Expresión Génica/fisiología , Proteínas del Helminto/metabolismo , Schistosoma mansoni/metabolismo , Enzimas Ubiquitina-Conjugadoras/metabolismo , Animales , Cercarias/genética , Regulación del Desarrollo de la Expresión Génica , Proteínas del Helminto/genética , Estadios del Ciclo de Vida/fisiología , Filogenia , Complejo de la Endopetidasa Proteasomal/genética , Schistosoma mansoni/genética , Ubiquitina/metabolismo , Enzimas Ubiquitina-Conjugadoras/genética , UbiquitinaciónRESUMEN
Changes in protein levels and lipid compositions in algal cells indicate the severity of stress related to toxic concentrations of heavy metals. In this study, the effects of exposure to cadmium and copper on Chlorella vulgaris and its capacity to remove metals were evaluated. The data revealed ion removal activity by microalgae under all treatments and different levels of protein expression after 48 h of exposure. Furthermore, we analyzed lipids contents to characterize them.
