Garzon, J. L. | Search bioRxiv

bioRxiv2024

A Preliminary list of Birds from Laguna de Matusagarati: A Wildlife Refuge in Darien Province, Panama

The wetland Laguna de Matusagarati, in the province of Darien, eastern Panama region, possesses an approximate extension of 56, 000 hectares, the largest wetland in Panama and one of the biggest of Central America. Despite 70% of this wetland is on protected areas by Ministerio de Ambiente Panama, there are areas where the anthropogenic impact is notable, livestock, rice and oil palm crops, logging and deforestation are the most intense activities that have led to habitat loss. As part of a comprehensive One Health initiative focused on the surveillance of emerging diseases in the Darien region, we have undertaken simultaneous investigation on the biodiversity (mosquitos, birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians) of Matusagarati. Here we report the results of the avifauna diversity undertaken in October 2018 and June 2019. We used mist nests, direct observation with binoculars and photographic cameras to report the species. A total of 169 species were reported, 49 families and 19 orders that represent 17% of the birds from Panama. Here we present the first checklist of birds from the Humedal Laguna de Matusagarati, with this we expect to improve the knowledge of the biodiversity of this wetland and provide data to authorities to improve the policies of conservation in this unique ecosystem.

zoology↗

bioRxiv2022

PBRM1 is a vulnerability in ARID1A deficient multicellular tumor spheroids

ARID1A, a subunit of SWI/SNF, has been shown to play a major role in recruitment of the chromatin remodeler to enhancers for transcriptional regulation. Mutations inARID1A have been found in various cancers, many of which form solid tumors. Recent studies have revealed vulnerabilities in cells lacking ARID1A, specifically ARID1B, an ortholog and mutually exclusive subunit, in 2D cell culture. However, identification of vulnerabilities within SWI/SNF for loss of ARID1A in a multicellular tumor spheroid, that mimic in vivo condition within tumors, has not been explored. Here we show in the absence of ARID1A in a MTS model, ARID1B continues to be a vulnerability but we have identified PBRM1 as a new vulnerability within SWI/SNF. Levels of ARID1B and PBRM1 are elevated on loss of ARID1A. Further, reduction of ARID1B and PBRM1 protein levels, decreases cell survival and reduces induction of several hypoxia regulated genes in ARID1A deficient MTSs. Our studies have identified PBRM1 as a new vulnerability in ARID1a deficient cancers and which provides a new target for therapeutic strategies.

biochemistry↗