Biomedical subjects

Joao B Pesquero

Publications and source records attributed to Joao B Pesquero.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2004

A transcript finishing initiative for closing gaps in the human transcriptome.

We report the results of a transcript finishing initiative, undertaken for the purpose of identifying and characterizing novel human transcripts, in which RT-PCR was used to bridge gaps between paired EST clusters, mapped against the genomic sequence. Each pair of EST clusters selected for experimental validation was designated a transcript finishing unit (TFU). A total of 489 TFUs were selected for validation, and an overall efficiency of 43.1% was achieved. We generated a total of 59,975 bp of transcribed sequences organized into 432 exons, contributing to the definition of the structure of 211 human transcripts. The structure of several transcripts reported here was confirmed during the course of this project, through the generation of their corresponding full-length cDNA sequences. Nevertheless, for 21% of the validated TFUs, a full-length cDNA sequence is not yet available in public databases, and the structure of 69.2% of these TFUs was not correctly predicted by computer programs. The TF strategy provides a significant contribution to the definition of the complete catalog of human genes and transcripts, because it appears to be particularly useful for identification of low abundance transcripts expressed in a restricted set of tissues as well as for the delineation of gene boundaries and alternatively spliced isoforms.

Alternative Splicing↗

PubMed2004

Prevention of cardiac fibrosis and left ventricular dysfunction in diabetic cardiomyopathy in rats by transgenic expression of the human tissue kallikrein gene.

Diabetic cardiomyopathy includes fibrosis. Kallikrein (KLK) can inhibit collagen synthesis and promote collagen breakdown. We investigated cardiac fibrosis and left ventricular (LV) function in transgenic rats (TGR) expressing the human kallikrein 1 (hKLK1) gene in streptozotocin (STZ) -induced diabetic conditions. Six weeks after STZ injection, LV function was determined in male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats and TGR(hKLK1) (n=10/group) by a Millar tip catheter. Total collagen content (Sirius Red staining) and expression of types I, III, and VI collagen were quantified by digital image analysis. SD-STZ hearts demonstrated significantly higher total collagen amounts than normoglycemic controls, reflected by the concomitant increment of collagen types I, III, and VI. This correlated with a significant reduction of LV function vs. normoglycemic controls. In contrast, surface-specific content of the extracellular matrix, including collagen types I, III, and VI expression, was significantly lower in TGR(hKLK1)-STZ, not exceeding the content of SD and TGR(hKLK1) controls. This was paralleled by a preserved LV function in TGR(hKLK1)-STZ animals. The kallikrein inhibitor aprotinin and the bradykinin (BK) B2 receptor antagonist icatibant reduced the beneficial effects on LV function and collagen content in TGR(hKLK1)-STZ animals. Transgenic expression of hKLK1 counteracts the progression of LV contractile dysfunction and extracellular matrix remodeling in STZ-induced diabetic cardiomyopathy via a BK B2 receptor-dependent pathway.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Proteomic analysis reveals alterations in the renal kallikrein pathway during hypoxia-induced hypertension.

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS), a disorder characterized by episodic hypoxia (EH) during sleep, is associated with systemic hypertension. We used proteomic analysis to examine differences in rat kidney protein expression during EH, and their potential relationship to EH-induced hypertension. Young male Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to either EH or sustained hypoxia (SH) for 14 (EH14/SH14) and 30 (EH30/SH30) days. Mean arterial blood pressure was significantly increased only in EH30 (p < 0.0002). Kidney proteins were resolved by two-dimensional-PAGE and were identified by MALDI-MS. Renal expression of kallistatin, a potent vasodilator, was down-regulated in all animals. Expression of alpha-1-antitrypsin, an inhibitor of kallikrein activation, was up-regulated in EH but down-regulated in SH. Western blotting showed significant elevation of B(2)-bradykinin receptor expression in all normotensive animals but remained unchanged in hypertensive animals. Proteins relevant to vascular hypertrophy, such as smooth muscle myosin and protein-disulfide isomerase were up-regulated in EH30 but were down-regulated in SH30. These data indicate that EH induces changes in renal protein expression consistent with impairment of vasodilation mediated by the kallikrein-kallistatin pathway and vascular hypertrophy. In contrast, SH-induced changes suggest the kallikrein- and bradykinin-mediated compensatory mechanisms for prevention of hypertension and vascular remodeling. To test the hypothesis suggested by the proteomic data, we measured the effect of EH on blood pressure in transgenic hKLK1 rats that overexpress human kallikrein. Transgenic hKLK1 animals were protected from EH-induced hypertension. We conclude that EH-induced hypertension may result, at least in part, from altered regulation of the renal kallikrein system.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2002

Tonin expression in the rat brain and tonin-mediated central production of angiotensin II.

Tonins are serine proteinases mainly found in the rat submandibular gland, which are capable of generating the pressor octapeptide angiotensin II (Ang II) not only from the classical substrate angiotensin I but also from the synthetic tetradecapeptide (AG(1-14)) and from angiotensinogen. In this work, tonin expression levels were evaluated in astrocytes and brain areas of the rat. By two different techniques (ribonuclease protection assay and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction), we could verify the presence of tonin mRNA in astrocytes and in the thalamus of the rat brain. Sequencing of the amplified brain cDNA determined it to be identical to that found in the submandibular gland. Central microinjection of tonin produced a transient (10-20 min) elevation of blood pressure and heart rate and induced water and saline intake within the first 10 min after injection. Urinary volume and salt excretion increased within 7 h after tonin injection. These effects were partially blocked by previously administered losartan, indicating that tonin effectively induced a central Ang II formation. Our data suggest that tonin may be an alternative pathway to Ang II generation in the brain and could participate in the physiological effects exerted by Ang II such as water and saline intake and blood pressure elevation.

Actins↗

PubMed2002

Tonin and kallikrein in the brain of transgenic rat line expressing human tissue kallikrein.

A transgenic rat line harboring the human tissue kallikrein gene was investigated for expression and activity of tonin and kallikrein in different regions of the brain. The introduction of the transgene into the rat genome produced a significant augmentation of the expression levels and activity of rat tissue kallikrein. The possibility that human kallikrein does not hydrolyze the rat substrate is probably responsible for the augmented expression of the rat enzyme. On the other hand, although expression of tonin was significantly reduced, tonin activity was not altered in most brain structures, except for cerebellum and neurohypophysis.

Animals↗