Biology subjects

Benito, S.

Publications and source records attributed to Benito, S..

5 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2024

Subpopulation-specific gene expression in Lachancea thermotolerans uncovers distinct metabolic adaptations to wine fermentation

Gene expression is the first step in translating genetic information into quantifiable traits. This study analysed gene expression in 23 strains across six subpopulations of Lachancea thermotolerans, shaped by anthropization, under winemaking conditions to understand the impact of adaptation on transcriptomic profiles and fermentative performance, particularly regarding lactic acid production. By sequencing mRNA during exponential growth and fermentation in synthetic grape must, we identified unique expression patterns linked to the strains originated from wine-related environments. Global expression analysis revealed that anthropized subpopulations, particularly Europe/Domestic-2 and Europe-Mix, exhibited distinct gene expression profiles related to fermentation processes such as glycolysis and pyruvate metabolism. These processes were differentially expressed, along with other important biological processes during fermentation, such as nitrogen and fatty acid metabolism. This study highlights that anthropization has driven metabolic specialization in L. thermotolerans, enhancing traits like lactic acid production, which is a trait of interest in modern winemaking. Correlation analysis further linked lactic acid dehydrogenase genes with key metabolic pathways, indicating adaptive gene expression regulation. Additionally, differences in other metabolites of oenological interest as glycerol or aroma compounds production are highlighted. Here, we provide insights into the evolutionary processes shaping the transcriptomic diversity of L. thermotolerans, emphasizing the impact of winemaking environments on driving specific metabolic adaptations, including lactic acid production. Understanding the gene expression differences linked to lactic acid production could allow a more rational address of biological acidification while optimizing yeast-specific nutritional requirements during fermentation. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=120 SRC="FIGDIR/small/611386v1_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (34K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@9a7879org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@15b8282org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@d52aa1org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@e1c2eb_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG C_FIG

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2022

Multilocus typing of Lachancea thermotolerans for wine fermentation monitoring

Climate change is causing a lack of acidity during winemaking and oenologists use several solutions to cope with such a problem. Lachancea thermotolerans, which has the potential to tolerate the harsh physicochemical conditions of wine, has emerged as a promising alternative for pH management during winemaking and, currently, it is the most valuable yeast used for acidity control in wine. In this work an amenable method for L. thermotolerans genotyping based on a multiplexed microsatellite amplification in 6 different loci was developed. This specific and sensitive method was used to distinguish between 103 collection strains obtained from different geographical and isolation sources, and then challenged against a 429 L. thermotolerans isolates from several wineries and harvests. The procedure was also tested for fermentation monitoring and strain implantation. The procedure was conceived to simplify the methodology available for L. thermotolerans genotyping, making it easy for applying in wine-related laboratories. This method can be applied to distinguish between L. thermotolerans strains in selection programs and to follow implantation of inoculated strains during winemaking with optimal results.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2021

SorCS2 dynamically interacts with TrkB and GluN2B to control neurotransmission and Huntington's disease progression

BackgroundHuntingtons disease (HD) is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive motor dysfunction and loss of medium spiny neurons (MSNs) in dorsal striatum. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) sustains functionality and integrity of MSNs, and thus reduced BDNF signaling is integral to the disease. Mutations in BDNF receptor SorCS2 were recently identified in HD patients. Our study investigates the role of SorCS2 in MSNs biology and in HD progression. MethodsWe derived a double transgenic line by crossbreeding SorCS2 deficient (KO) mice with the HD mouse model R6/1. Subsequently, we characterized the SorCS2 KO; R6/1 line by a set of behavioral and biochemical studies to evaluate phenotypes related to HD. Moreover, in combination with electrophysiology and super resolution microscopy techniques, we addressed the molecular mechanism by which SorCS2 controls synaptic activity in MSNs neurons. ResultsWe show that SorCS2 is expressed in MSNs with reduced levels in R6/1 HD model, and that SorCS2 deficiency exacerbates the disease progression in R6/1 mice. Furthermore, we find that SorCS2 binds TrkB and the NMDA receptor subunit GluN2B, which is required to control neurotransmission in corticostriatal synapses. While BDNF stimulates SorCS2-TrkB complex formation to enable TrkB signaling, it disengages SorCS2 from GluN2B, leading to enrichment of the subunit at postsynaptic densities. Consequently, long-term potentiation (LTP) is abolished in SorCS2 deficient mice, despite increased striatal TrkB and unaltered BDNF expression. However, the addition of exogenous BDNF rescues the phenotype. Finally, GluN2B, but not GluN2A, currents are also severely impaired in the SorCS2 KO mice. ConclusionsWe formulate a novel molecular mechanism by which SorCS2 acts as a molecular switch. SorCS2 targets TrkB and GluN2B into postsynaptic densities to enable BDNF signaling and NMDAR dependent neurotransmission in the dorsal striatum. Remarkably, the binding between SorCS2 and TrkB or GluN2B, respectively, is mutually exclusive and controlled by BDNF. This mechanism provides an explanation why deficient SorCS2 signaling severely aggravates HD progression in mice. Moreover, we provide evidence that this finding might represent a general mechanism of SorCS2 signaling found in other brain areas, thus increasing its relevance for other neurological and psychiatric impairments.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2021

Identification of CRF66_BF, a new HIV-1 circulating recombinant form of South American origin

Circulating recombinant forms (CRFs) are important components of the HIV-1 pandemic. Among 108 reported in the literature, 17 are BF1 intersubtype recombinant, most of which are of South American origin. Among these, all 5 identified in the Southern Cone and neighboring countries, except Brazil, derive from a common recombinant ancestor related to CRF12_BF, which circulates widely in Argentina, as deduced from coincident breakpoints and clustering in phylogenetic trees. In a HIV-1 molecular epidemiological study in Spain, we identified a phylogenetic cluster of 20 samples from 3 separate regions which were of F1 subsubtype, related to the Brazilian strain, in protease-reverse transcriptase (Pr-RT) and of subtype B in integrase. Remarkably, 14 individuals from this cluster (designated BF9) were Paraguayans and only 4 were native Spaniards. HIV-1 transmission was predominantly heterosexual, except for a subcluster of 6 individuals, 5 of which were men who have sex with men. Ten additional database sequences, from Argentina (n=4), Spain (n=3), Paraguay (n=1), Brazil (n=1), and Italy (n=1), branched within the BF9 cluster. To determine whether it represents a new CRF, near full-length genome (NFLG) sequences were obtained for 6 viruses from 3 Spanish regions. Bootscan analyses showed a coincident BF1 recombinant structure, with 5 breakpoints, located in p17gag, integrase, gp120, gp41-rev overlap, and nef, which was identical to that of two BF1 recombinant viruses from Paraguay previously sequenced in NFLGs. Interestingly, none of the breakpoints coincided with those of CRF12_BF. In a maximum likelihood phylogenetic tree, all 8 NFLG sequences grouped in a strongly supported clade segregating from previously identified CRFs and from the CRF12_BF family clade. These results allow us to identify a new HIV-1 CRF, designated CRF66_BF. Through a Bayesian coalescent analysis, the most recent common ancestor of CRF66_BF was estimated around 1984 in South America, either in Paraguay or Argentina. Among Pr-RT sequences obtained by us from HIV-1-infected Paraguayans living in Spain, 14 (20.9%) of 67 were of CRF66_BF, suggesting that CRF66_BF may be one of the major HIV-1 genetic forms circulating in Paraguay. CRF66_BF is the first reported non-Brazilian South American HIV-1 CRF_BF unrelated to CRF12_BF.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2018

Pattern of severe injuries in Spanish children: boys and falls are alarmingly overrepresented

Background: Taking into account that injury is one of the main causes of child fatalities in developed countries, and that boys are more likely to suffer it than girls, we have explored a database of pediatric patients with severe injuries to determine whether sex and age influence the pattern of these fatalities, and the magnitude of this.\n\nMethod: Observational study of the demographic and clinical characteristics of 227 patients from a Spanish pediatric reference hospital, all of them admitted with a diagnosis of trauma.\n\nResult: Falls are the most frequent type of trauma (60.7%), followed by pedestrian traffic collisions (15%). Boys are over-represented in falls (72% vs 28% in girls) and pedestrian traffic injuries (61% vs 39 %). In boys, falls are mainly observed in public roads and during leisure activities (53.8%) whereas in girls at home (55.2%). In a logistic regression, sex and age are statistically significant predictors of severe trauma, boys (OR = 1.59) and the adolescent age group (OR = 3.7) showed the highest odds.\n\nConclusion: We have observed a clear gender-biased pattern of injury-related events: falls are the leading cause of injuries, with 2.5 boys for every girl. Falls mostly happened during outdoor leisure activities in boys and at home in girls. Pedestrian traffic injuries also show significant differences between sexes, emphasizing the role of cognitive and cultural factors in childrens behavior.

epidemiology↗