Fundación Instituto Leloir

About: Fundación Instituto Leloir is a facility organization based out in Buenos Aires, Argentina. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Dentate gyrus & Neurogenesis. The organization has 702 authors who have published 1052 publications receiving 39299 citations.

Effect of UVB solar irradiation on Laccase enzyme: evaluation of the photooxidation process and its impact over the enzymatic activity for pollutants bioremediation.

Abstract: The multi-copper Laccase enzyme corresponds to one of the most investigated oxidoreductases for potential uses in xenobiotic bioremediation In this work, we have investigated the photo-degradation process of Laccase from Trametesversicolor induced by UVB light and the influence on its activity over selected substrates Laccase undergoes photo-degradation when irradiated with UVB light, and the process depends on the presence of oxygen in the medium With the kinetic data obtained from stationary and time resolved measurements, a photo-degradation mechanism of auto-sensitization was proposed for the enzyme Laccase generates singlet oxygen, by UVB light absorption, and this reactive oxygen species can trigger the photo-oxidation of susceptible amino acids residues present in the protein structure The catalytic activity of Laccase was evaluated before and after UVB photolysis over hydroxy-aromatic compounds and substituted phenols which represent potential pollutants The dye bromothymol blue, the antibiotic rifampicin and the model compound syringaldazine, were selected as substrates The values of the kinetic parameters determined in our experiments indicate that the photo-oxidative process of Laccase has a very negative impact on its overall catalytic function Despite this, we have not found evidence of structural damage by SDS-PAGE and circular dichroism experiments, which indicate that the enzyme retained its secondary structure We believe that, given the importance of Laccase in environmental bioremediation, the information found about the stability of this kind of biomolecule exposed to UV solar irradiation may be relevant in the technological design and/or optimization of decontamination strategies

GENis, an open-source multi-tier forensic DNA information system

Abstract: GENis is an open source multi-tier information system developed to run a forensic DNA database at local, regional and national levels. 1 It was conceived as a highly customizable system, enforcing several security policies including: data encryption, double factor identification, structure of user’s roles and permissions, system-wide secure log auditing, non-repudiation protocols and a blockchain-based option to reinforce genetic profile´s integrity. GENis is able to perform genetic profile queries of autosomal STR’s and its design follows ENFSI 2 and ISFG 3 standards and recommendations. In this work, we present a summary of GENis system design and architecture, the implemented matching rule definitions and the framework used to provide statistical significance to profile matches.

Biodiversity of cultivable Burkholderia species in Argentinean soils under no-till agricultural practices.

Abstract: No-tillage crop production has revolutionized the agriculture worldwide. In our country more than 30 Mha are currently cultivated under no-till schemes, stressing the importance of this management system for crop production. It is widely recognized that soil microbiota is altered under different soil managements. In this regard the structure of Burkholderia populations is affected by soils management practices such as tillage, fertilization, or crop rotation. The stability of these structures, however, has not been evaluated under sustainable schemes where the impact of land practices could be less deleterious to physicochemical soils characteristics. In order to assess the structure of Burkholderia spp. populations in no-till schemes, culturable Burkholderia spp. strains were quantified and their biodiversity evaluated. Results showed that Burkholderia spp. biodiversity, but not their abundance, clearly displayed a dependence on agricultural managements. We also showed that biodiversity was mainly influenced by two soil factors: Total Organic Carbon and Total Nitrogen. Results showed that no-till schemes are not per se sufficient to maintain a richer Burkholderia spp. soil microbiota, and additional traits should be considered when sustainability of productive soils is a goal to fulfil productive agricultural schemes.

Endoplasmic Reticulum-Associated Degradation and Protein Quality Control

Abstract: Approximately one-third of all polypeptides synthesized in eukaryotes are targeted to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), and once associated with this compartment they are chemically modified. The folding status of the resulting nascent proteins is then surveyed by molecular chaperones and lectins. To clear the ER of dead-end products, proteins that fail quality control are routed to the cytosol and degraded via ER-associated degradation (ERAD). Although many ERAD-requiring factors have been identified and a basic understanding of this pathway has been achieved, numerous questions remain on the mechanisms that lead to the selection and delivery of ERAD substrates.