Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Pornsiri Pitchakarn, Woorawee Inthachat, Jirarat Karinchai, Piya Temviriyanukul
Summary: Genomic instability, induced by genotoxins from various sources, is a hallmark of cancer. A sensitive in vivo genotoxicity test is needed to identify human hazards. The somatic mutation and recombination test (SMART) using fruit flies as a model shows promise in assessing genotoxicity and has potential applications in various health-related industries.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Marcelo Souza Silva, Daniel Vitor De Souza, Maria Esther Suarez Alpire, Andrea Cristina De Moraes Malinverni, Regina Claudia Barbosa Da Silva, Milena De Barros Viana, Celina Tizuko Fujiyama Oshima, Daniel Araki Ribeiro
Summary: This study provides a mini review regarding genotoxicity induced by dimethoate as a result of oxidative stress. The research showed that multiple studies have been published in scientific literature, demonstrating the approach in various tissues and organs, but there are limited studies in humans. New studies are crucial for better understanding the pathobiological events of genotoxicity on human cells induced by dimethoate.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jefferson Hollanda Veras, Clever Gomes Cardoso, Sara Cristina Puga, Abel Vieira de Melo Bisneto, Renato Rodrigues Roma, Romerio Rodrigues Santos Silva, Claudener Souza Teixeira, Lee Chen-Chen
Summary: This study evaluated the cytotoxicity, genotoxicity/antigenotoxicity, and angiogenic activity of lactose-binding lectin from Vatairea macrocarpa seeds (VML). The results showed that VML was cytotoxic and genotoxic at high concentrations, but exhibited antigenotoxic effects at low concentrations. Additionally, VML demonstrated angiogenic activity and induced inflammation through VEGF and TNF-α expression.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
M. Ventura, H. Cavaco, I Delgado, I Coelho, S. Gueifao, M. Martins, M. H. Costa, A. Matos, I Castanheira
Summary: This study aims to investigate the impact of wildfires on the environment and human health in European Mediterranean countries by analyzing the levels of inorganic elements in vegetables consumed by rural populations. The results showed that the levels of contaminants decreased one year after the fires, but potential hazards still exist.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Review
Ecology
Pedro M. Costa
Summary: The preservation of genomic stability against environmental stressors is a key adaptive feature in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes, and impairing the DNA damage response may lead to accumulation of genomic lesions and subsequent diseases. Understanding how pollutants affect DNA repair mechanisms is crucial for interpreting genotoxicity assessment results effectively.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ines Modesto, Vera Inacio, Yves Van de Peer, Celia M. Miguel
Summary: This study investigated the role of small RNAs (sRNAs) in regulating the interaction between Pinus pinaster and pinewood nematodes (PWN). Several microRNAs (miRNAs) responsive to PWN were identified, and some of these miRNAs were associated with pathways related to jasmonate-response, ROS detoxification, and terpenoid biosynthesis. Furthermore, several miRNAs with putative functions in plant defense and resistance to PWN were identified by comparing resistant and susceptible plants. The study also explored the possibility of bidirectional trans-kingdom RNA silencing between P. pinaster and PWN.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Ana Alves, Ana Confraria, Susana Lopes, Bruno Costa, Pedro Perdiguero, Ana Milhinhos, Elena Baena-Gonzalez, Sandra Correia, Celia M. Miguel
Summary: This study validates a predicted target site of a conifer miRNA, supporting the conservation of miR160 interaction with ARF targets in gymnosperms, and provides a useful approach for future characterization of miRNA functions in conifer embryogenesis.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Forestry
Ines Modesto, Vera Inacio, Polina Novikova, Isabel Carrasquinho, Yves Van de Peer, Celia M. Miguel
Summary: In this study, RNA-seq data were used to identify and analyze SNPs in susceptible and resistant plants infected with PWN. Thirty-one highly differentiated SNPs were found, including 14 that were validated. Two SNPs in two different genes (MEE12 and PCMP-E91) were found to be associated with phenotype after PWN inoculation.
Review
Environmental Sciences
Tanushree Parsai, Neusa Figueiredo, Vivek Dalvi, Marta Martins, Anushree Malik, Arun Kumar
Summary: This review provides a detailed understanding of the interactions between microplastics (MPs) and microalgae in the aquatic system, as well as the toxic effects of different plastic components on microalgae cells. The review also discusses the impacts of MPs on microalgae-based bioremediation technology and suggests the need to study the joint toxicity of MPs and co-contaminants on microalgae. Polystyrene was found to have the highest toxic effects on microalgae among the plastic components studied.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Isabella Bramatti, Beatriz Matos, Neusa Figueiredo, Pedro Pousao-Ferreira, Vasco Branco, Marta Martins
Summary: PAHs, as persistent pollutants, are commonly found in the environment as complex mixtures. The interaction effects between compounds in a mixture may trigger different toxicological mechanisms, and mixtures of carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic PAHs can further enhance genotoxic effects. Therefore, assessing the toxicity of PAHs should take into account the composition of the mixtures.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Joao D. Vitorino, Pedro M. M. Costa
Summary: Cancer is a complex disease with various causes, including environmental factors, lifestyle choices, and exposure to chemicals. The understanding of the connection between cancer and pollutants has evolved over time, with genetic disorders being recognized as a cause only after the discovery of DNA's structure. Despite progress in identifying environmental carcinogens, establishing causal links remains challenging due to the complexity and unknown effects of various pollutants. Recent advancements in research methods and technology provide opportunities for studying the mechanisms of cancer development, but the application to risk assessment and prevention is yet to be fully explored.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Anatomy & Morphology
Catia Goncalves, Antonio P. Alves de Matos, Pedro M. Costa
Summary: Polychaeta are highly diversified invertebrates that possess unique jaw apparatus, revealing defense and predation mechanisms as well as their relation to environmental chemistry. This study compared the structure and chemical profile of the jaws from different estuarine Polychaeta species, revealing differences in structure and chemistry that are related to their feeding habits and environmental adaptations.
JOURNAL OF ANATOMY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Katherine S. S. Marsay, Ana C. C. Ambrosino, Yuri Koucherov, Keren Davidov, Neusa Figueiredo, Iryna Yakovenko, Sheli Itzahri, Marta Martins, Paula Sobral, Matan Oren
Summary: Microplastic debris in marine environments is influenced by geographical location and season, affecting its physical characteristics and bacterial microbiome composition. This study collected microplastic samples from estuaries in the Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic Ocean, revealing significant variations between different locations and seasons. The findings highlight the importance of studying microplastic in diverse environments to understand its ecological impact and associated species.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Filipe Sousa, Mariana Bray Viegas, Joana Costa, Isabel Marques, Francisco Pina-Martins, Fernanda Simoes, Jose Matos, Maria Glushkova, Celia Miguel, Maria Manuela Veloso, M. Margarida Oliveira, Candido Pinto Ricardo, Dora Batista, Octavio S. Paulo
Summary: Chloroplast genome diversity in cork oak is characterized by similarity with other Mediterranean oak species, suggesting introgression. Through sequencing and phylogenetic analysis, two distinct chloroplast haplogroups were identified in cork oak, possibly due to ancient introgression events or lineage sorting.
PLANT SYSTEMATICS AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Forestry
Ana Usie, Octavio Serra, Pedro M. Barros, Pedro Barbosa, Celia Leao, Tiago Capote, Tania Almeida, Leandra Rodrigues, Isabel Carrasquinho, Joana B. Guimaraes, Diogo Mendoca, Filomena Nobrega, Conceicao Egas, Ines Chaves, Isabel A. Abreu, Nelson J. M. Saibo, Liliana Marum, Maria Carolina Varela, Jose Matos, Fernanda Simoes, Celia M. Miguel, M. Margarida Oliveira, Candido P. Ricardo, Sonia Goncalves, Antonio Marcos Ramos
Summary: This study presents an improved genome assembly of cork oak using a combination of Illumina and PacBio sequencing. The assembled genome includes nuclear, chloroplast, and mitochondrion genomes. Phylogenetic analysis reveals the close relationship between cork oak and Quercus variabilis. The availability of these genome resources will contribute to breeding strategies, conservation programs, and comparative genomic studies in oak species.
TREE GENETICS & GENOMES
(2023)
Article
Fisheries
Ana F. Lopes, Robyn Murdoch, Sara Martins-Cardoso, Carolina Madeira, Pedro M. Costa, Ana S. Felix, Rui F. Oliveira, Narcisa M. Bandarra, Catarina Vinagre, Ana R. Lopes, Emanuel J. Goncalves, Ana Margarida Faria
Summary: Climate change poses a growing threat to marine organisms and ecosystems. This study highlights the importance of understanding the interaction between ocean warming and food availability for fish populations, particularly in terms of reproduction and overall fitness.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ines Moutinho Cabral, Carolina Madeira, Ana R. Grosso, Pedro M. Costa
Summary: Most animal toxins have evolved to interact with specific molecular targets, making them valuable bioactives for drug development. Marine toxins, with their wide chemical diversity, offer new possibilities for drug discovery. Glycera alba and Hediste diversicolor, two coexisting species, are suspected to secrete toxins that interact with distinct molecular targets. Comparative transcriptomics revealed that G. alba secretes neurotoxins from its venom apparatus in the proboscis for prey capture, while H. diversicolor secretes fewer and less specific toxins as a defense mechanism. Human interactome-directed analysis identified novel toxins and bioactives, such as apoptosis-regulating proteins from G. alba and inflammation and cell proliferation-controlling proteins from H. diversicolor. Omics and bioinformatics provide powerful tools for marine bioprospecting and drug discovery, linking ecology and physiology with protein specificity and reactivity. Interactome-directed analysis against the human proteome shows promise as an alternative approach for designing synthetic drugs.