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The azoles are the class of medications most commonly used to fight infections caused by Candida sp. Typically, resistance can be attributed to mutations in ERG11 gene (CYP51) which encodes the cytochrome P450 14α-demethylase, the primary target for the activity of azoles. The objective of this study was to identify mutations in the coding region of theERG11 gene in clinical isolates of Candida species known to be resistant to azoles. We identified three new synonymous mutations in the ERG11 gene in the isolates of Candida glabrata (C108G, C423T and A1581G) and two new nonsynonymous mutations in the isolates of Candida krusei--A497C (Y166S) and G1570A (G524R). The functional consequence of these nonsynonymous mutations was predicted using evolutionary conservation scores. The G524R mutation did not have effect on 14α-demethylase functionality, while the Y166S mutation was found to affect the enzyme. This observation suggests a possible link between the mutation and dose-dependent sensitivity to voriconazole in the clinical isolate of C. krusei. Although the presence of the Y166S in phenotype of reduced azole sensitivity observed in isolate C. krusei demands investigation, it might contribute to the search of new therapeutic agents against resistant Candida isolates.

The aim of the study was to detect polymorphisms in the leptin gene and to determine the association of these polymorphisms with growth and carcass traits in Nellore cattle. The single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) -1457 (AJ571671:g.-1457A>G) and A59V (AF536174.1:g. 321C>T), as well as the microsatellite BM1500 (3.9 kb downstream), were genotyped. The measures of body weight and ultrasound examinations (rib eye area, back, and rump fat thickness) were performed in 3 different periods of animal management. During the first period, the animals were fed with grass and mineralized salt ad libitum. In the second period, they received grass and concentrate, and in the third, only concentrate. After the slaughter of animals, data were collected for classification and typification of carcasses. No significant association was found between the variables assessed and SNP -1457. Conversely, SNP A59V was associated with rump fat thickness and muscle color post-slaughter. BM1500 was associated with rump fat thickness in the first period (pre-slaughter), subcutaneous fat thickness in the second, weight of the animals in the third, and length of the carcass after slaughter. These results suggest that SNP A59V and the microsatellite BM1500 might be useful for marker-assisted selection in Nellore cattle.

Os procedimentos padrões para extração de DNA incluem o tratamento com proteinase k e posterior incubação em banho-maria por um determinado tempo. Sendo assim, avaliar métodos de extração de DNA que minimizem a quantidade de proteinase k e o tempo necessário para a realização das etapas, em que seja mantida a eficiência no que tange à quantidade, qualidade e a possibilidade de amplificação por PCR do DNA extraído, é de extrema importância para os estudos moleculares baseados em ácidos nucléicos. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a eficiência de protocolos de extração de DNA, variando-se a concentração de proteinase k e tempo de incubação em banho-maria. O DNA foi extraído a partir de sangue periférico de bovinos. Para a extração do DNA genômico, utilizou-se oito protocolos que diferiam em concentrações de proteinase k (0,04 e 0,08µg mL-1) em intervalos de tempo variados (90, 180, 360 minutos e overnight). O DNA foi analisado quanto à sua qualidade, quantidade e viabilidade de amplificação. Foi possível obter DNA genômico de qualidade, com concentrações e pureza satisfatórias para amplificação. Com base nas análises estatísticas, as variações no protocolo tiveram efeitos isolados, ou seja, a qualidade do DNA foi suscetível à concentração de proteinase k e ao tempo no banho-maria, entretanto a quantidade de DNA das amostras foi suscetível ao tempo de incubação em banho-maria, não tendo interferência pela concentração de proteinase k. Apesar dos efeitos isolados, os parâmetros estudados influenciaram de maneira significativa na qualidade e quantidade de DNA.