Erich Castro-Dias

Bio: Erich Castro-Dias is an academic researcher from State University of Campinas. The author has contributed to research in topics: Spinal cord & Lesion. The author has an hindex of 2, co-authored 3 publications receiving 73 citations.

The untiring search for the most complete proteome representation: reviewing the methods

Abstract: Proteomic research has proved valuable for understanding the molecular mechanisms of biological processes, as well as in the search for biomarkers for a variety of diseases which lack a molecular diagnostic. While several new approaches are being developed, two-dimensional (2-DE) gel electrophoresis is still one of the most commonly used techniques, despite its many limitations. However, for biomarker research, 2-DE gel electrophoresis alone does not fulfill the necessary pre-requisites. If such a technique is utilized exclusively, a great part of a given proteome remains unseen. Therefore, very precise and sensitive techniques are needed. Here, we present a brief review of known methodologies that try to overcome the limitations of conventional proteome analysis as well as their respective advantages and limitations.

Proteome analysis of lumbar spinal cord from rats submitted to peripheral lesion during neonatal period.

Abstract: Every year traumatic peripheral nerve injuries (TPNI) result in considerable physical disability across the world; the mechanisms of plasticity and reorganization of spinal cord circuits following such injuries are complex and not completely understood. A comparative proteome analysis between neonatal rats submitted to peripheral lesion and controls was performed; a number of differentially expressed proteins involved in oxidative stress response, energy metabolism and cytoskeleton rearrangement were revealed, which may support future studies to help in the understanding and a posteriori the treatment of TPNI.

The Fecal Viral Flora of Wild Rodents

Abstract: The frequent interactions of rodents with humans make them a common source of zoonotic infections. To obtain an initial unbiased measure of the viral diversity in the enteric tract of wild rodents we sequenced partially purified, randomly amplified viral RNA and DNA in the feces of 105 wild rodents (mouse, vole, and rat) collected in California and Virginia. We identified in decreasing frequency sequences related to the mammalian viruses families Circoviridae, Picobirnaviridae, Picornaviridae, Astroviridae, Parvoviridae, Papillomaviridae, Adenoviridae, and Coronaviridae. Seventeen small circular DNA genomes containing one or two replicase genes distantly related to the Circoviridae representing several potentially new viral families were characterized. In the Picornaviridae family two new candidate genera as well as a close genetic relative of the human pathogen Aichi virus were characterized. Fragments of the first mouse sapelovirus and picobirnaviruses were identified and the first murine astrovirus genome was characterized. A mouse papillomavirus genome and fragments of a novel adenovirus and adenovirus-associated virus were also sequenced. The next largest fraction of the rodent fecal virome was related to insect viruses of the Densoviridae, Iridoviridae, Polydnaviridae, Dicistroviriade, Bromoviridae, and Virgaviridae families followed by plant virus-related sequences in the Nanoviridae, Geminiviridae, Phycodnaviridae, Secoviridae, Partitiviridae, Tymoviridae, Alphaflexiviridae, and Tombusviridae families reflecting the largely insect and plant rodent diet. Phylogenetic analyses of full and partial viral genomes therefore revealed many previously unreported viral species, genera, and families. The close genetic similarities noted between some rodent and human viruses might reflect past zoonoses. This study increases our understanding of the viral diversity in wild rodents and highlights the large number of still uncharacterized viruses in mammals.

Metagenomic analysis of the turkey gut RNA virus community

Abstract: Viral enteric disease is an ongoing economic burden to poultry producers worldwide, and despite considerable research, no single virus has emerged as a likely causative agent and target for prevention and control efforts. Historically, electron microscopy has been used to identify suspect viruses, with many small, round viruses eluding classification based solely on morphology. National and regional surveys using molecular diagnostics have revealed that suspect viruses continuously circulate in United States poultry, with many viruses appearing concomitantly and in healthy birds. High-throughput nucleic acid pyrosequencing is a powerful diagnostic technology capable of determining the full genomic repertoire present in a complex environmental sample. We utilized the Roche/454 Life Sciences GS-FLX platform to compile an RNA virus metagenome from turkey flocks experiencing enteric disease. This approach yielded numerous sequences homologous to viruses in the BLAST nr protein database, many of which have not been described in turkeys. Our analysis of this turkey gut RNA metagenome focuses in particular on the turkey-origin members of the Picornavirales, the Caliciviridae, and the turkey Picobirnaviruses.

Epidemiology, phylogeny, and evolution of emerging enteric Picobirnaviruses of animal origin and their relationship to human strains.

Abstract: Picobirnavirus (PBV) which has been included in the list of viruses causing enteric infection in animals is highly versatile because of its broad host range and genetic diversity PBVs are among the most recent and emerging small, nonenveloped viruses with a bisegmented double-stranded RNA genome, classified under a new family “Picobirnaviridae” PBVs have also been detected from respiratory tract of pigs, but needs further close investigation for their inhabitant behavior Though, accretion of genomic data of PBVs from different mammalian species resolved some of the ambiguity, quite a few questions and hypotheses regarding pathogenesis, persistence location, and evolution of PBVs remain unreciprocated Evolutionary analysis reveals association of PBVs with partitiviruses especially fungi partitiviruses Although, PBVs may have an ambiguous clinical implication, they do pose a potential public health concern in humans and control of PBVs mainly relies on nonvaccinal approach Based upon the published data, from 1988 to date, generated from animal PBVs across the globe, this review provides information and discussion with respect to genetic analysis as well as evolution of PBVs of animal origin in relation to human strains