RESUMEN
We developed and standardized an efficient and cost-effective in-house RT-PCR method to detect severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). We evaluated sensitivity, specificity, and other statistical parameters by different RT-qPCR methods including triplex, duplex, and simplex assays adapted from the initial World Health Organization- (WHO) recommended protocol. This protocol included the identification of the E envelope gene (E gene; specific to the Sarvecovirus genus), RdRp gene of the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (specific for SARS-CoV-2), and RNase P gene as endogenous control. The detection limit of the E and the RdRp genes were 3.8 copies and 33.8 copies per 1 µL of RNA, respectively, in both triplex and duplex reactions. The sensitivity for the RdRp gene in the triplex and duplex RT-qPCR tests were 98.3% and 83.1%, respectively. We showed a decrease in sensitivity for the RdRp gene by 60% when the E gene acquired Ct values > 31 in the diagnostic tests. This is associated with the specific detection limit of each gene and possible interferences in the protocol. Hence, developing efficient and cost-effective methodologies that can be adapted to various health emergency scenarios is important, especially in developing countries or settings where resources are limited.
RESUMEN
In HIV-1, development of resistance to AZT (3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine) is mediated by the acquisition of thymidine analogue resistance mutations (TAMs) (i.e., M41L, D67N, K70R, L210W, T215F/Y, and K219E/Q) in the viral reverse transcriptase (RT). Clinically relevant combinations of TAMs, such as M41L/T215Y or D67N/K70R/T215F/K219Q, enhance the ATP-mediated excision of AZT monophosphate (AZTMP) from the 3' end of the primer, allowing DNA synthesis to continue. Additionally, during HIV-1 maturation, the Gag polyprotein is cleaved to release a mature nucleocapsid protein (NCp7) and two intermediate precursors (NCp9 and NCp15). NC proteins interact with the viral genome and facilitate the reverse transcription process. Using wild-type and TAM-containing RTs, we showed that both NCp9 and NCp15 inhibited ATP-mediated rescue of AZTMP-terminated primers annealed to RNA templates but not DNA templates, while NCp7 had no effect on rescue activity. RNase H inactivation by introducing the active-site mutation E478Q led to the loss of the inhibitory effect shown by NCp9. NCp15 had a stimulatory effect on the RT's RNase H activity not observed with NCp7 and NCp9. However, analysis of RNase H cleavage patterns revealed that in the presence of NCp9, RNA/DNA complexes containing duplexes of 12 bp had reduced stability in comparison with those obtained in the absence of NC or with NCp7 or NCp15. These effects are expected to have a strong influence on the inhibitory action of NCp9 and NCp15 by affecting the efficiency of RNA-dependent DNA polymerization after unblocking DNA primers terminated with AZTMP and other nucleotide analogues.
Asunto(s)
Fármacos Anti-VIH , Zidovudina , Adenosina Trifosfato , Fármacos Anti-VIH/farmacología , Transcriptasa Inversa del VIH/genética , Mutación , Precursores de Proteínas , Inhibidores de la Transcriptasa Inversa/farmacología , Zidovudina/farmacologíaRESUMEN
En este trabajo presentamos un análisis comparativo de los genomas mitocondriales en gastrópodos. Se calculó la composición de nucleótidos y de aminoácidos de todas las secuencias y se hizo un análisis visual comparativo de los codones de inicio y de parada. La organización del genoma se comparó calculando el número de secuencias intergénicas, la ubicación de los genes y el número de reorganizaciones génicas (breakpoints) en comparación con la secuencia que se presume ancestral para el grupo. Para calcular si existen variaciones en las tasas de evolución molecular en el grupo, estas últimas se calcularon utilizando el relative rate test. A pesar de las diferencias en el tamaño de los genomas, el número de aminoácidos es más conservado. La composicion nucleotídica y aminoacídica es similar entre los Vetigastropoda, Ceanogastropoda y Neritimorpha en comparacion con Heterobranchia y Patellogastropoda. Los genomas mitocondriales para el grupo son muy compactos con pocas secuencias intergenicas, la unica excepción es el genoma de Patellogastropoda con 26.828 pb. Existe una alta variabilidad en cuanto a codones de inicio para los grupos Heterobranchia y Patellogastropoda y un aumento en el número de genes reorganizados con respecto a la secuencia de O. vulgaris también para estos dos grupos. En general, se rechaza la hipótesis de tasas de evolución molecular constante entre los grupos, excepto cuando se comparan los genomas de Caenogastropoda y Vetigastropoda.
In this work we presented a comparative analysis of the mitochondrial genomes in gastropods. Nucleotide and amino acids composition was calculated and a comparative visual analysis of the start and termination codons was performed. The organization of the genome was compared calculating the number of intergenic sequences, the location of the genes and the number of reorganized genes (breakpoints) in comparison with the sequence that is presumed to be ancestral for the group. In order to calculate variations in the rates of molecular evolution within the group, the relative rate test was performed. In spite of the differences in the size of the genomes, the amino acids number is conserved. The nucleotide and amino acid composition is similar between Vetigastropoda, Ceanogastropoda and Neritimorpha in comparison to Heterobranchia and Patellogastropoda. The mitochondrial genomes of the group are very compact with few intergenic sequences, the only exception is the genome of Patellogastropoda with 26,828 bp. Start codons of the Heterobranchia and Patellogastropoda are very variable and there is also an increase in genome rearrangements for these two groups. Generally, the hypothesis of constant rates of molecular evolution between the groups is rejected, except when the genomes of Caenogastropoda and Vetigastropoda are compared.