A5038075530- Neurobiology and Insect Physiology Research
- Chromosomal and Genetic Variations
- Pregnancy-related medical research
- Animal Behavior and Reproduction
- Epigenetics and DNA Methylation
- Plant Molecular Biology Research
- Circadian rhythm and melatonin
- Genomics and Chromatin Dynamics
- Banana Cultivation and Research
- Plant Virus Research Studies
- Nematode management and characterization studies
- Genomics and Phylogenetic Studies
- Microbial Metabolic Engineering and Bioproduction
- Renal and related cancers
- Fish biology, ecology, and behavior
- Enzyme Catalysis and Immobilization
- Cancer-related gene regulation
- Bioinformatics and Genomic Networks
- Protein Structure and Dynamics
- Agricultural and Food Sciences
- Biotechnology and Related Fields
- Kidney Stones and Urolithiasis Treatments
- CRISPR and Genetic Engineering
- Insect behavior and control techniques
- Entomopathogenic Microorganisms in Pest Control
Universidade Nova de Lisboa
2015-2025
Center for Health and Gender Equity
2025
University of Lisbon
2015-2025
Nova Medical (United States)
2024
Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas
2009-2011
Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique
2008-2009
Genoscope
2009
Institut de Biologie Moléculaire des Plantes
2009
Institut Curie
2008-2009
Université d'Évry Val-d'Essonne
2009
Loss or gain of DNA methylation can affect gene expression and is sometimes transmitted across generations. Such epigenetic alterations are thus a possible source heritable phenotypic variation in the absence sequence change. However, attempts to assess prevalence stable natural experimental populations quantify its impact on complex traits have been hampered by confounding effects polymorphisms. To overcome this problem as much possible, two parents with little differences, but contrasting...
DNA methylation is essential for silencing transposable elements and some genes in higher eukaryotes, which suggests that this modification must be tightly controlled. However, accidental changes can transmitted through mitosis (as cancer) or meiosis, leading to epiallelic variation. We demonstrated the existence of an efficient mechanism protects against transgenerational loss Arabidopsis. Remethylation specific subset heavily methylated repeats are targeted by RNA interference (RNAi)...
How different organs in the body sense growth perturbations distant tissues to coordinate their size during development is poorly understood. Here we mutate an invertebrate orphan relaxin receptor gene, Drosophila Leucine-rich repeat-containing G protein-coupled 3 (Lgr3), and find asymmetries similar those found insulin-like peptide 8 (dilp8) mutants, which fail with developmental timing. Indeed, mutation or RNA intereference (RNAi) against Lgr3 suppresses delay pupariation induced by...
Understanding the architecture of physiological functions from annotated genome sequences is a major task for postgenomic biology. From sequence microbe Escherichia coli, we propose general quantitative definition enzyme importance in metabolic network. Using graph analysis its metabolism, relate extent topological damage generated network by deletion an to experimentally determined viability organism absence that enzyme. We show robust and relates importance. predict large fraction (91%)...
At the end of their growth phase, Drosophila larvae remodel bodies, glue themselves to a substrate, and harden cuticle in preparation for metamorphosis. This process—termed pupariation—is triggered by surge hormone ecdysone. Substrate attachment is achieved pupariation subprogram called expulsion spreading behavior (GSB). An epidermis-to-CNS Dilp8-Lgr3 relaxin signaling event that occurs downstream ecdysone critical unlocking progression motor program toward GSB, but factors circuits acting...
Ovulation allows mature oocytes to exit the ovary for potential fertilization. In Drosophila , ovulation can be induced by mating or occur spontaneously in lower amounts virgin females. Virgin rates show high populational variation, with short oocyte retention times being ancestral, and long selected colder climates. The molecular mechanisms controlling are poorly understood. Here, we that reduced activity of insulin-like peptide 8 (Dilp8), a relaxin-like secreted from terminal follicle...
In an endeavor to contribute the comprehension of evolution transposable elements (TEs) in genome host species, we investigated phylogenetic relationships sequences homologous retrotransposon gypsy Drosophila melanogaster 19 species Drosophila, Scaptodrosophila latifasciaeformis, and Zaprionus indianus. This study was based on approximately 500 base pairs env gene. Our analyses showed considerable discrepancy between phylogeny relationship their they allow us infer a complex evolutionary...
Abstract Innate behaviors consist of a succession genetically-hardwired motor and physiological subprograms that can be coupled to drastic morphogenetic changes. How these integrative responses are orchestrated is not completely understood. Here, we provide insight into mechanisms by studying pupariation, multi-step innate behavior Drosophila larvae critical for survival during metamorphosis. We find the steroid-hormone ecdysone triggers parallel pupariation neuromotor subprograms, which...
The presence and integrity of the P transposon gypsy retrotransposon in genome 18 samples natural Drosophila willistoni populations collected from a large area South America were Southern blot screened using melanogaster probes. aim this screening was provide further knowledge-base on geographical distribution D. to carry out an inter-population analysis elements present genomes analyzed. fragment patterns obtained indicate that both are ancient genome, but whereas retroelement appears be...
Abstract Animals display a plethora of escape behaviors when faced with environmental threats. Selection the appropriate response by underlying neuronal network is key to maximize chances survival. We uncovered somatosensory in Drosophila larvae that encodes two through input-specific neuropeptide action. Sensory neurons required for avoidance noxious light and harsh touch, each converge on discrete domains same neuromodulatory hub neurons. These gate touch responses via short Neuropeptide...
Abstract How different organs in the body sense growth perturbations distant tissues to coordinate their size during development is poorly understood. Here, we mutated an invertebrate orphan relaxin receptor, Drosophila Lgr3 , and found asymmetries similar those insulin/relaxin-like peptide 8 ( dilp8 ) mutants, which fail with developmental timing. Indeed, mutation or RNAi against suppresses delay pupariation induced by imaginal disc perturbation ectopic Dilp8 expression. By...
In an attempt to understand the dynamics of transposable elements (T'S) in genome host species, we investigated distribution, representativeness and conservation DNA sequences homologous Drosophila melanogaster gypsy retrotransposon 42 drosophilid species. Our results extended knowledge about wide distribution genus Drosophila, including several Neotropical species not previously studied. The gypsy-like showed high divergence compared D. element. Furthermore, restriction sites between from...
ABSTRACT At the end of their growth phase, Drosophila larvae remodel bodies, firmly glue themselves to a substrate, and harden cuticle in preparation for metamorphosis. This process is termed pupariation it triggered by surge steroid hormone ecdysone. Substrate attachment achieved recently-described subprogram called expulsion spreading behavior (GSB). An epidermis-to-CNS Dilp8-Lgr3 relaxin signaling event that occurs downstream ecdysone after initiation critical unlocking progression motor...
Abstract Somatic stem cells are executors of physiological and pathological proliferation adult self-renewing tissues, such as the intestine. The actions intestinal (ISCs) rely on integration cell intrinsic niche-derived signals, which necessary to achieve a balanced response multiple stimuli that constantly challenge tissue homeostasis organismal health. Disruption balance is causative age-associated dysfunction hyperproliferative conditions, including inflammation cancer. highly conserved...
ABSTRACT The ability of animals to achieve a species-specific size and proportion even in the face developmental or environmental perturbations is termed stability. In Drosophila , relaxin/insulin-like peptide 8 (Dilp8) mediates interorgan growth coordination during larval development acting upstream neuronal relaxin-like Leucine-rich repeat-containing G protein-coupled receptor (Lgr3). Previous reports have led model where Dilp8-dependent Lgr3 activation two bilateral brain interneurons...
Abstract In the present study, we investigated chromosomal polymorphism for paracentric inversions found in Drosophila polymorpha populations common five fly communities (one continental and four insular) collected Atlantic Forest remnants Santa Catarina, Brazil, during a one-year sampling. Our analyses showed that more polymorphic populations, greater abundance of flies. The insular were than one, probably because environmental heterogeneity islands provided niches colonisation was suitable...
Abstract Innate behaviors consist of a succession genetically-hardwired motor and physiological subprograms that can be coupled to drastic morphogenetic changes. How these integrative responses are orchestrated is not completely understood. Here, we provide insight into mechanisms by studying pupariation, multi-step innate behavior fly larvae critical for survival during metamorphosis. We find the steroid-hormone ecdysone triggers parallel pupariation neuromotor subprograms, which include...