Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Society for Molecular Biology and Evolution
Résumé : International audience
Although heterokaryons have been reported in nature, multicellular organisms are generally assumed genetically homogeneous. Here, we investigate the case of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) that form symbiosis with plant roots. The growth advantages they confer to their hosts are of great potential benefit to sustainable agricultural practices. However, measuring genetic diversity for these coenocytes is a major challenge: Within the same cytoplasm, AMF contain thousands of nuclei and show extremely high levels of genetic variation for some loci. The extent and physical location of polymorphism within and between AMF genomes is unclear. We used two complementary strategies to estimate genetic diversity in AMF, investigating polymorphism both on a genome scale and in putative single copy loci. First, we used data from whole-genome pyrosequencing of four AMF isolates to describe genetic diversity, based on a conservative network-based clustering approach. AMF isolates showed marked differences in genome-wide diversity patterns in comparison to a panel of control fungal genomes. This clustering approach further allowed us to provide conservative estimates of Rhizophagus spp. genomes sizes. Second, we designed new putative single copy genomic markers, which we investigated by massive parallel amplicon sequencing for two Rhizophagus irregularis and one Rhizophagus sp. isolates. Most loci showed high polymorphism, with up to 103 alleles per marker. This polymorphism could be distributed within or between nuclei. However, we argue that the Rhizophagus isolates under study might be heterokaryotic, at least for the putative single copy markers we studied. Considering that genetic information is the main resource for identification of AMF, we suggest that special attention is warranted for the study of these ecologically important organisms.
ISSN: 1759-6653

Droits : http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/
hal-01224215
http://hal.upmc.fr/hal-01224215
http://hal.upmc.fr/hal-01224215/document
http://hal.upmc.fr/hal-01224215/file/Genome%20Biol%20Evol-2015-Boon-505-21.pdf
DOI : 10.1093/gbe/evv002

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press
Résumé : International audience
Meiotic recombination is required for the segregation of homologous chromosomes and is essential for fertility. In most mammals, the DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) that initiate meiotic recombination are directed to a subset of genomic loci (hot spots) by sequence-specific binding of the PRDM9 protein. Rapid evolution of the DNA-binding specificity of PRDM9 and gradual erosion of PRDM9-binding sites by gene conversion will alter the recombination landscape over time. To better understand the evolutionary turnover of recombination hot spots and its consequences, we mapped DSB hot spots in four major subspecies of Mus musculus with different Prdm9 alleles and in their F1 hybrids. We found that hot spot erosion governs the preferential usage of some Prdm9 alleles over others in hybrid mice and increases sequence diversity specifically at hot spots that become active in the hybrids. As crossovers are disfavored at such hot spots, we propose that sequence divergence generated by hot spot turnover may create an impediment for recombination in hybrids, potentially leading to reduced fertility and, eventually, speciation
ISSN: 0890-9369

hal-01281480
https://hal-univ-rennes1.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01281480
DOI : 10.1101/gad.270009.115
PUBMED : 26833728

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins
Résumé : International audience
Purpose of review Toxoplasmosis in immunocompromised patients is associated with a high mortality rate. Molecular techniques are important tools to diagnose acute disease in immunocompromised patients, but there are various methods with variable efficiency. Some of them have been validated for the diagnosis of congenital toxoplasmosis, but the impact of their use has not been evaluated in immunocompromised patients. Recent findings Toxoplasmosis is of increasing importance in non-HIV immunocompromised patients. In addition, the picture of disease shows greater severity in South America, both in immunocompetent study participants and in congenitally infected infants. These epidemiological differences could influence the sensitivity of diagnostic methods. This review analyzes recent data on molecular diagnosis and compares them with older ones, in light of progress gained in molecular techniques and of recent epidemiological findings. Most recent studies were conducted in South America and used PCR targeting the B1 gene. PCR on blood could allow diagnosing a significant proportion of patients with ocular toxoplasmosis in Brazil. Summary Quantitative PCR methods with specific probes should be used to improve sensitivity and warrant specificity. Performance of quantitative PCR targeting the repeated 529 bp sequence for the diagnosis of toxoplasmosis in immunocompromised patients needs evaluation in field studies in South America and in western countries.
ISSN: 0951-7375

hal-01390970
https://hal-univ-rennes1.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01390970
DOI : 10.1097/QCO.0000000000000275
PUBMED : 27191201

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD American Society for Microbiology
Résumé : International audience
Here we report in a human, a renal transplant patient, the first disseminated infection with Nocardia cerradoensis, isolated after a brain biopsy. Species identification was based on 16S rRNA, gyrB, and hsp65 gene analyses. Antibiotic treatment was successful by combining carbapenems and aminoglycosides and then switching to oral trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole.
ISSN: 0095-1137

hal-01130428
https://hal-univ-rennes1.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01130428
DOI : 10.1128/JCM.02979-14
PUBMED : 25568436

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Elsevier Masson
Résumé : International audience
Alveolar proteinosis (AP) is a rare disease characterized by alveolar accumulation of surfactant components, which impairs gas exchange. AP is classified into three groups: auto-immune AP defined by the presence of plasma autoantibodies anti-GM-CSF, the most frequent form (90 % of all AP); secondary AP, mainly occurring as a consequence of haematological diseases, or following on from toxic inhalation or infections, and genetic AP, which affects almost exclusively children. AP diagnosis is suspected where chest CT-scan demonstrates interstitial lung disease with a crazy paving aspect; and confirmed by bronchoalveolar lavage, which has a milky appearance and contains periodic acid Schiff positive proteinaceous alveolar deposits. The use of surgical lung biopsy to confirm AP is less frequent nowadays. In this context, positive antibodies against GM-CSF indicates an auto-immune etiology of the AP. Concerning management, whole lung lavage is the gold standard therapy. In refractory AP, new treatments are available such as subcutaneous or inhaled GM-CSF supplementation, or rituximab infusions. The clinical course is unpredictable. Spontaneous improvement or even cure can occur, and the 5-year actuarial survival is 95 %. The most frequent complications are infectious etiology.
La protéinose alvéolaire pulmonaire (PAP) est une maladie rare caractérisée par l’accumulation alvéolaire de composants du surfactant qui gêne les échanges gazeux. Les PAP sont séparées en trois groupes : les PAP auto-immunes caractérisées par la présence d’anticorps sériques anti-GM-CSF qui sont les plus fréquentes ; les PAP secondaires à une maladie sous-jacente, le plus souvent hématologique, mais aussi à l’inhalation de toxiques et à des infections ; enfin, les PAP d’origine génétique. Le diagnostic de PAP est évoqué sur le scanner thoracique avec une pneumopathie infiltrante diffuse ayant un aspect classique de crazy paving, puis confirmé par l’aspect laiteux du lavage bronchoalvéolaire, et la présence de matériel lipoprotéinacé PAS positif. La confirmation du diagnostic de PAP par biopsie pulmonaire chirurgicale est désormais rarement nécessaire. La positivité des anticorps sériques anti-GM-CSF signe le caractère auto-immun de la maladie. Le traitement de référence des PAP auto-immunes est le « grand lavage pulmonaire thérapeutique ». En cas de maladie réfractaire, d’autres traitements sont disponibles, tels que le GM-CSF en injection sous-cutanée ou en aérosol et le rituximab. L’évolution de la maladie est imprévisible. Une évolution spontanément favorable ou même une guérison spontanée peuvent survenir et la survie actuarielle à 5 ans est de 95 %. Les principales complications sont infectieuses.
ISSN: 0761-8425

hal-01085907
https://hal-univ-rennes1.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01085907
https://hal-univ-rennes1.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01085907/document
https://hal-univ-rennes1.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01085907/file/Prot%C3%A9inose%20alv%C3%A9olaire%20pulmonaire_accepted.pdf
DOI : 10.1016/j.rmr.2014.08.009

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Frontiers Media
Résumé : International audience
The yeast Candida glabrata has become the second cause of systemic candidemia in humans. However, relatively few genome-wide studies have been conducted in this organism and our knowledge of its transcriptional regulatory network is quite limited. In the present work, we combined genome-wide chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP-seq), transcriptome analyses, and DNA binding motif predictions to describe the regulatory interactions of the seven Yap (Yeast AP1) transcription factors of C. glabrata. We described a transcriptional network containing 255 regulatory interactions and 309 potential target genes. We predicted with high confidence the preferred DNA binding sites for 5 of the 7 CgYaps and showed a strong conservation of the Yap DNA binding properties between S. cerevisiae and C. glabrata. We provided reliable functional annotation for 3 of the 7 Yaps and identified for Yap1 and Yap5 a core regulon which is conserved in S. cerevisiae, C. glabrata, and C. albicans. We uncovered new roles for CgYap7 in the regulation of iron-sulfur cluster biogenesis, for CgYap1 in the regulation of heme biosynthesis and for CgYap5 in the repression of GRX4 in response to iron starvation. These transcription factors define an interconnected transcriptional network at the crossroads between redox homeostasis, oxygen consumption, and iron metabolism.
ISSN: 1664-302X

Droits : http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/
hal-01323791
http://hal.upmc.fr/hal-01323791
http://hal.upmc.fr/hal-01323791/document
http://hal.upmc.fr/hal-01323791/file/fmicb-07-00645.pdf
DOI : 10.3389/fmicb.2016.00645

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD BioMed Central
Résumé : International audience
Background : Trichoderma reesei is the main industrial source of cellulases and hemicellulases required for the hydrolysis of biomass to simple sugars, which can then be used in the production of biofuels and biorefineries. The highly productive strains in use today were generated by classical mutagenesis. As byproducts of this procedure, mutants were generated that turned out to be unable to produce cellulases. In order to identify the mutations responsible for this inability, we sequenced the genome of one of these strains, QM9136, and compared it to that of its progenitor T. reesei QM6a.Results : In QM9136, we detected a surprisingly low number of mutagenic events in the promoter and coding regions of genes, i.e. only eight indels and six single nucleotide variants. One of these indels led to a frame-shift in the Zn2Cys6 transcription factor XYR1, the general regulator of cellulase and xylanase expression, and resulted in its C-terminal truncation by 140 amino acids. Retransformation of strain QM9136 with the wild-type xyr1 allele fully recovered the ability to produce cellulases, and is thus the reason for the cellulase-negative phenotype. Introduction of an engineered xyr1 allele containing the truncating point mutation into the moderate producer T. reesei QM9414 rendered this strain also cellulase-negative. The correspondingly truncated XYR1 protein was still able to enter the nucleus, but failed to be expressed over the basal constitutive level.Conclusion : The missing 140 C-terminal amino acids of XYR1 are therefore responsible for its previously observed auto-regulation which is essential for cellulases to be expressed. Our data present a working example of the use of genome sequencing leading to a functional explanation of the QM9136 cellulase-negative phenotype.
ISSN: 1471-2164

Droits : http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/
hal-01149671
http://hal.upmc.fr/hal-01149671
http://hal.upmc.fr/hal-01149671/document
http://hal.upmc.fr/hal-01149671/file/Lichius_2015_Genome_sequencing.pdf
DOI : 10.1186/s12864-015-1526-0

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Elsevier
Résumé : International audience
Apoptosis is a fundamental process that contributes to tissue homeostasis, immune responses, and development. The receptor CD95, also called Fas, is a member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNF-R) superfamily. Its cognate ligand, CD95L, is implicated in immune homeostasis and immune surveillance, and various lineages of malignant cells exhibit loss-of-function mutations in this pathway; therefore, CD95 was initially classified as a tumor suppressor gene. However, more recent data indicate that in different pathophysiological contexts, this receptor can transmit non-apoptotic signals, promote inflammation, and contribute to carcinogenesis. A comparison with the initial molecular events of the TNF-R signaling pathway leading to non-apoptotic, apoptotic, and necrotic pathways reveals that CD95 is probably using different molecular mechanisms to transmit its non-apoptotic signals (NF-κB, MAPK, and PI3K). As discussed in this review, the molecular process by which the receptor switches from an apoptotic function to an inflammatory role is unknown. More importantly, the biological functions of these signals remain elusive.
ISSN: 0006-3002

hal-01061290
https://hal-univ-rennes1.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01061290
https://hal-univ-rennes1.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01061290/document
https://hal-univ-rennes1.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01061290/file/BBAreviewsoncancer-legembre-final.pdf
DOI : 10.1016/j.bbcan.2014.04.007

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Elsevier
Résumé : International audience
Endocrine disrupting chemicals and especially oestrogen receptor (ER) agonists have been extensively studied over the years due to their potential effects on sexual development and reproduction in vertebrates, notably fish. As ER agonists can exist as complex mixtures in the aquatic environment, evaluating the impact of combined exposure on oestrogenic effects has become increasingly important. Use of predictive models such as concentration addition (CA) and independent action (IA) has allowed assessment of combined estrogenic effects of complex multi-compound mixtures of ER agonists in various fish in vitro and in vivo experimental models. The present work makes use of a transgenic zebrafish strain, tg(cyp19a1b-GFP), which expresses the green fluorescent protein (GFP) under the control of the cyp19a1b (brain aromatase or aromatase B) gene to determine the oestrogenic potency of ER agonists alone or in mixtures. In these studies, tg(cyp19a1b-GFP) zebrafish embryos were exposed for four days (from one to five days post fertilization) to five different oestrogenic chemicals; 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2), 17β-estradiol (E2), estrone (E1), bisphenol A (BPA) and 4-tert-octylphenol (OP), and three mixtures of up to four of these compounds. The mixture of BPA, OP and E2 was also tested with primary cultures of rainbow trout hepatocytes by analysing the ER-mediated induction of the oestrogenic biomarker vitellogenin in order to compare the performance of the two methods for assessing oestrogenic effects of complex mixtures. The three tested mixtures were predominantly acting in an additive manner on the expression of GFP. Additivity was indicated by the overlap of the 95% confidence interval of the concentration response curves for the observed data with the CA and IA prediction models, and model deviation ratios within a factor of two for a majority of the mixture concentrations. However, minor deviations determined as more than additive effects for the mixture of EE2, E1 and E2 and less than additive effects for the mixture of BPA, OP, EE2 and E1 were observed at the higher mixture concentrations tested. The successful prediction of additivity by CA and IA in tg(cyp19a1b-GFP) zebrafish embryos and deviations at high mixture concentrations seemed to correspond well to results obtained in the rainbow trout hepatocyte assay. The present results clearly show the usefulness of combining predictive modelling and use of in vitro bioassays for rapid screening of oestrogenic effects of complex mixtures and environmental samples.
ISSN: 0166-445X

hal-00877351
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00877351
DOI : 10.1016/j.aquatox.2013.05.001
PUBMED : 23721851

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD SAGE Publications (UK and US)
Résumé : International audience
Amelogenin gene organization varies from 6 exons (1,2,3,5,6,7) in amphibians and sauropsids to 10 in rodents. The additional exons are exons 4, 8, 9, and ``4b'', the latter being as yet unidentified in AMELX transcripts. To learn more about the evolutionary origin of these exons, we used an in silico approach to find them in 39 tetrapod genomes. AMEL organization with 6 exons was the ancestral condition. Exon 4 was created in an ancestral therian (marsupials + placentals), then exon 9 in an ancestral placental, and finally exons ``4b'' and 8 in rodents, after divergence of the squirrel lineage. These exons were either inactivated in some lineages or remained functional: Exon 4 is functional from artiodactyls onward; exon 9 is known, to date, only in rodents, but could be coding in various mammals; and exon ``4b'' was probably coding in some rodents. We performed PCR of cDNA isolated from mouse and human tooth buds to identify the presence of these transcripts. A sequence analogous to exon ``4b'', and to exon 9, could not be amplified from the respective tooth cDNA, indicating that even though sequences similar to these exons are present, they are not transcribed in these species.
ISSN: 0022-0345

hal-01545487
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01545487
DOI : 10.1177/0022034511423399

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Public Library of Science
Résumé : International audience
ISSN: 1932-6203

hal-01086775
https://hal-agroparistech.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01086775
DOI : 10.1371/journal.pone.0007483

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Wiley
Résumé : [b]Aim[/b][br/] Many tropical tree species have poorly delimited taxonomic boundaries and contain undescribed or cryptic species. We examined the genetic structure of a species complex in the tree genus Carapa in the Neotropics in order to evaluate age, geographic patterns of diversity and evolutionary relationships, and to quantify levels of introgression among currently recognized species.[br/] [br/] [b]Location[/b][br/] Lowland moist forests in the Guiana Shield, the Central and Western Amazon Basin, Chocó and Central America.[br/] [br/] [b]Methods[/b][br/] Genetic structure was analysed using seven nuclear simple sequence repeats (nuSSR), five chloroplast SSRs (cpSSR), and two chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) intergenic sequences (trnH-psbA and trnC-ycf6). Bayesian clustering analysis of the SSR data was used to infer population genetic structure and to assign 324 samples to their most likely genetic cluster. Bayesian coalescence analyses were performed on the two cpDNA markers to estimate evolutionary relationships and divergence times.[br/] [br/] [b]Results[/b][br/] Two genetic clusters (nu_guianensis and nu_surinamensis) were detected, which correspond to the Neotropical species C. guianensis (sensu latu) and C. surinamensis. Fourteen cpDNA haplotypes clustered into six haplogroups distributed between the two nuclear genetic clusters. Divergence between the haplogroups was initiated in the Miocene, with some haplotype structure evolving as recently as the Pleistocene. The absence of complete lineage sorting between the nuclear and chloroplast genomes and the presence of hybrid individuals suggest that interspecific reproductive barriers are incomplete. NuSSR diversity was highest in C. guianensis and, within C. guianensis, cpDNA diversity was highest in the Central and Western Amazon Basin. Regional genetic differentiation was strong but did not conform to an isolation-by-distance process or exhibit a phylogeographical signal.[br/] [br/] [b]Main conclusions[/b][br/] The biogeographical history of Neotropical Carapa appears to have been influenced by events that took place during the Neogene. Our results point to an Amazonian centre of origin and diversification of Neotropical Carapa, with subsequent migration to the Pacific coast of South America and Central America. Gene flow apparently occurs among species, and introgression events are supported by inconsistencies between chloroplast and nuclear lineage sorting. The absence of phylogeographical structure may be a result of the ineffectiveness of geographical barriers among populations and of reproductive isolation mechanisms among incipient and cryptic species in this species complex.
ISSN: 0305-0270

hal-01032395
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01032395
DOI : 10.1111/j.1365-2699.2011.02678.x

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD SAGE Publications (UK and US)
Résumé : International audience
In this article, we focus on hypomaturation autosomal-recessive-type amelogenesis imperfecta (type IIA2) and describe 2 new causal Matrix metalloproteinase 20 (MMP20) mutations validated in two unrelated families: a missense mutation p.T130I at the expected homozygous state, and a compound heterozygous mutation having the same mutation combined with a nucleotide deletion, leading to a premature stop codon (p.N120fz*2). We characterized the enamel structure of the latter case using scanning electron microscopy analysis and microanalysis (Energy-dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy, EDX) and confirmed the hypomaturation-type amelogenesis imperfecta as identified in the clinical diagnosis. The mineralized content was slightly decreased, with magnesium substituting for calcium in the crystal structure. The anomalies affected enamel with minimal inter-rod enamel present and apatite crystals perpendicular to the enamel prisms, suggesting a possible new role for MMP20 in enamel formation.
ISSN: 0022-0345

hal-01545484
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01545484
DOI : 10.1177/0022034513488393

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Wiley/Blackwell
Résumé : Whole genome sequencing is helping generate robust phylogenetic hypotheses for a range of taxonomic groups that were previously recalcitrant to classical molecular phylogenetic approaches. As a case study, we performed a shallow shotgun sequencing of eight species in the tropical tree family Chrysobalanaceae to retrieve large fragments of high-copy number DNA regions and test the potential of these regions for phylogeny reconstruction. We were able to assemble the nuclear ribosomal cluster (nrDNA), the complete plastid genome (ptDNA) and a large fraction of the mitochondrial genome (mtDNA) with approximately 1000x, 450x and 120x sequencing depth respectively. The phylogenetic tree obtained with ptDNA resolved five of the seven internal nodes. In contrast, the tree obtained with mtDNA and nrDNA data were largely unresolved. This study demonstrates that genome skimming is a cost-effective approach and shows potential in plant molecular systematics within Chrysobalanaceae and other under-studied groups.
ISSN: 1755-098X

hal-01204217
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01204217
DOI : 10.1111/1755-0998.12246
PRODINRA : 283530

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD
Résumé :  
For a comprehensive evaluation of human influences on the genetic system, the simulation model EGO-GENE was developed. The model combines population genetic and population dynamic processes with forest growth models. The dynamics of genetic structures (single locus and multilocus genotypes up to 200 loci) can be simulated. Spatial and temporal genetic dynamics are included in the model. Overlapping or separated generations can be created and different modes of mating systems can be implemented. The model can be run with empirical and fictitious input data. The simulated genetic structures can be directly analysed with established genetic analysis programmes. An example demonstrates the use of the model far validation of interactions among components of the mating system. Another example demonstrates the applicability of the model in decision-making for seed sampling strategies. The genetic differences between the adult trees and the harvested seeds and the danger of genetic drift regarding to different seed sampling strategies are investigated by use of the genetic distance and the reproductively effective population size.
Silvae genetica

hal-01032083
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01032083

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Elsevier
Résumé : International audience
This study aimed to identify factors associated with virological response (VR) to raltegravir (RAL)-containing regimens in 468 treatment-experienced but integrase inhibitor-naive HIV-1 patients receiving a RAL-containing regimen. VR was defined at Month 6 (M6) as HIV-1 RNA viral load (VL) <50 copies/mL. The impacts on VR of baseline integrase mutations, VL, CD4 count, genotypic sensitivity score for nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors and protease inhibitors, and the number of new antiretrovirals used for the first time associated with RAL were investigated. For patients with VL >50 copies/mL at M6, integrase mutations selected were characterised. Median baseline VL was 4.2 log(10)copies/mL (IQR 3.3-4.9 log(10) copies/mL) and CD4 count was 219 cells/mm(3) (IQR 96-368 cells/mm(3)). At M6, 71% of patients were responders. In multivariate analysis, baseline VL and CD4 count and ≥ 2 new antiretrovirals among darunavir, etravirine, maraviroc and enfuvirtide were associated with VR to RAL. Neither HIV-1 subtype nor baseline integrase polymorphisms were associated with VR to RAL. Among 63 failing patients at M6, selection of ≥ 1 change in the integrase gene was observed in 49 (77.8%), and 27/63 (42.9%) were considered as RAL-associated resistance mutations. Factors independently associated with the occurrence of ≥ 1 RAL-associated resistance mutation were VL at failure >3 log(10) and having no new drugs associated with RAL. RAL showed great potency in treatment-experienced patients. The number of new drugs associated with RAL was an important factor associated with VR. HIV-1 subtype and baseline integrase polymorphisms do not influence the RAL VR.
ISSN: 0924-8579

hal-00875083
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00875083
DOI : 10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2013.02.016
PUBMED : 23562640

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Elsevier
Résumé : International audience
Carbonised template silica membranes were synthesised and investigated for water desalination for brackish (0.3wt%), sea water (3.5wt%) and brine (7.5wt%) NaCl solutions at temperatures range from 22 to 60°C. The membranes were prepared by a two-step base catalysed sol-gel method using tetraethyl orthosilicate TEOS as the silica precursor and triblock copolymer of Pluronic® P123 as the templating agent. The P123 silica membranes calcined under vacuum only produced high quality membranes by the interlayer-free method. The membranes were stable during testing of up to 250h under different thermal and salt concentration solutions, always delivering very high salt rejections >99.5%. It was found that by increasing the template concentration in the silica matrix from 5 to 50wt%, salt concentration polarisation was greatly reduced. As such, high water fluxes were measured up to 8.5kgm-2h-1 for brackish water and 6.6kgm-2h-1 for brine water. © 2014 Elsevier B.V.
ISSN: 0376-7388

hal-01683210
https://hal.univ-antilles.fr/hal-01683210
DOI : 10.1016/j.memsci.2014.10.026

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD SpringerLink
Résumé : The development of microsatellite markers can be a time-consuming process, especially in species such as conifers where many microsatellites have been shown to be associated with the repetitive fraction of the genome and to produce complex banding patterns following electrophoresis. Therefore, procedures to eliminate this fraction from further processing are sought. In this paper, we report on the development of 53 dinucleotide SSR markers in Norway spruce, 35 of which (66%) produce simple, polymorphic patterns. This high efficiency is obtained by introducing a dot-blot selection against high copy number sequences, performed on the microsatellite-containing clones. The resulting markers turned out to be polymorphic and useful for population genetic studies and for linkage mapping. Seven additional markers that were not subject to the dot-blot selection are also presented.
Theoretical and Applied Genetics

hal-01031865
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01031865
DOI : 10.1007/s00122-001-0843-7

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD
Résumé : International audience
In two swordtail species of the genus Xiphophorus, the onset of puberty has been shown to be modulated at the P locus by sequence polymorphism and gene copy-number variation affecting the type 4 melanocortin hormone receptor Mc4r. The system works through the interaction of two allelic types, one encoding wild type and the other dominant-negative receptors. We have analyzed the structure and evolution of the P locus in the platyfish Xiphophorus maculatus, where as many as nine alleles of P determining the onset of sexual maturity in males and females, fecundity in females, and adult size in males are located on both the X and Y chromosomes in a region linked to the master sex-determining locus. In this species, mc4r has been amplified to up to 10 copies on both the X and Y chromosomes through recent large serial duplications. Subsequently, mc4r paralogues have diverged considerably into many different subtypes. Certain copies have acquired new untranslated regions through genomic rearrangements, and transposable element insertions and other mutations have accumulated in promoter regions, possibly explaining observed deviations from the classical mc4r transcriptional pattern. In the mc4r-coding sequence, in-frame insertions and deletions as well as nonsense and missense mutations have generated a high diversity of Mc4r-predicted proteins. Most of these variants are expressed in embryos, adults, and/or tumors. Functional receptor characterization demonstrated major divergence in pharmacological behavior for Mc4r receptors encoded by different copies of platyfish mc4r, with differences in constitutive activity as well as binding and stimulation by hormones. The high degree of allelic and copy-number variation observed between individuals can explain the high level of polymorphism for sexual maturation, fecundity, and body size in the platyfish: multiple combinations of Mc4r variants with different biochemical properties might interact to modulate the melanocortin signaling that regulates the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axis.
GENETICS

hal-01544912
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01544912
DOI : 10.1534/genetics.113.155952

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD
Résumé : TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand (TRAIL) is a well-known apoptosis inducer, which activates the extrinsic death pathway. TRAIL is pro-apoptotic on colon cancer cells, while not cytotoxic towards normal healthy cells. However, its clinical use is limited by cell resistance to cell death which occurs in approximately 50% of cancer cells. Short Chain Fatty Acids (SCFA) are also known to specifically induce apoptosis of cancer cells. In accordance, we have shown that food grade dairy propionibacteria induce intrinsic apoptosis of colon cancer cells, via the production and release of SCFA (propionate and acetate) acting on mitochondria. Here, we investigated possible synergistic effect between Propionibacterium freudenreichii and TRAIL. Indeed, we hypothesized that acting on both extrinsic and intrinsic death pathways may exert a synergistic pro-apoptotic effect. Whole transcriptomic analysis demonstrated that propionibacterial supernatant or propionibacterial metabolites (propionate and acetate), in combination with TRAIL, increased pro-apoptotic gene expression (TRAIL-R2/DR5) and decreased anti-apoptotic gene expression (FLIP, XIAP) in HT29 human colon cancer cells. The revealed synergistic pro-apoptotic effect, depending on both death receptors (TRAIL-R1/DR4, TRAIL-R2/DR5) and caspases (caspase-8, -9 and -3) activation, was lethal on cancer cells but not on normal human intestinal epithelial cells (HIEC), and was inhibited by Bcl-2 expression. Finally, milk fermented by P. freudenreichii induced HT29 cells apoptosis and enhanced TRAIL cytotoxic activity, as did P. freudenreichii DMEM culture supernatants or its SCFA metabolites. These results open new perspectives for food grade P. freudenreichii-containing products in order to potentiate TRAIL-based cancer therapy in colorectal cancer.
4 . International Symposium on Propionibacteria and Bibfidobacteria
Cork, Ireland

hal-01372131
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01372131
PRODINRA : 371605