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Papers by Pepa Pig

... Peptide sequence analysis revealed that both prolyl aminopeptidase (PIP), PepI, DPP IV and Pe... more ... Peptide sequence analysis revealed that both prolyl aminopeptidase (PIP), PepI, DPP IV and PepX contain a catalytic triad which consists of Ser, His and Asp, and are related to prolyl oligopeptidases (Engel et al ... Cappiello, M., Alterio, V., Amodeo, P., Del Corso, A., Scaloni. ...

Genetics Selection Evolution, 2008

Data from an experimental mice population selected from 18 generations to increase weight gain we... more Data from an experimental mice population selected from 18 generations to increase weight gain were used to estimate the genetic parameters associated with environmental variability. The analysis involved three traits: weight at 21 days, weight at 42 days and weight gain between 21 and 42 days. A dataset of 5273 records for males was studied. Data were analysed using Bayesian procedures by comparing the Deviance Information Criterion (DIC) value of two different models: one assuming homogeneous environmental variances and another assuming them as heterogeneous. The model assuming heterogeneity was better in all cases and also showed higher additive genetic variances and lower common environmental variances. The heterogeneity of residual variance was associated with systematic and additive genetic effects thus making reduction by selection possible. Genetic correlations between the additive genetic effects on mean and environmental variance of the traits analysed were always negative, ranging from −0.19 to −0.38. An increase in the heritability of the traits was found when considering the genetic determination of the environmental variability. A suggested correlated canalised response was found in terms of coefficient of variation but it could be insufficient to compensate for the scale effect associated with an increase of the mean. canalisation / environmental variability / mice / weight gain * Corresponding author: gutgar@vet.ucm.es Article published by EDP Sciences and available at http://www.gse-journal.org or http://dx.doi.org/10.1051/gse:2008003 280 N. Ibáñez-Escriche et al.

Vodenicharov, A., P. Atanassova, P. Yonkova, G. Kostadinov & H. Hristov, 2007. Expression of lipo... more Vodenicharov, A., P. Atanassova, P. Yonkova, G. Kostadinov & H. Hristov, 2007. Expression of lipoprotein lipase in the renal artery and vein of the domestic pig -an enzymehistochemical study. Bulg. J. Vet. Med., 10, No 3, 155−160.

Genetics Selection Evolution, 2006

The aim of this research was to explore the genetic parameters associated with environmental vari... more The aim of this research was to explore the genetic parameters associated with environmental variability for litter size (LS), litter weight (LW) and mean individual birth weight (IW) in mice before canalisation. The analyses were conducted on an experimental mice population designed to reduce environmental variability for LS. The analysed database included 1976 records for LW and IW and 4129 records for LS. The total number of individuals included in the analysed pedigree was 3997. Heritabilities estimated for the traits under an initial exploratory approach varied from 0.099 to 0.101 for LS, from 0.112 to 0.148 for LW and from 0.028 to 0.033 for IW. The means of the posterior distribution of the heritability under a Bayesian approach were the following: 0.10 (LS), 0.13 (LW) and 0.03 (IW). In general, the heritabilities estimated under the initial exploratory approach for the environmental variability of the analysed traits were low. Genetic correlations estimated between the trait and its variability reached values of -0.929 (LS), -0.815 (LW) and 0.969 (IW). The results presented here for the first time in mice may suggest a genetic basis for variability of the evaluated traits, thus opening the possibility to be implemented in selection schemes.

Plant Molecular Biology, 1999

Asparaginyl endopeptidase is a cysteine endopeptidase that has strict substrate specificity towar... more Asparaginyl endopeptidase is a cysteine endopeptidase that has strict substrate specificity toward the carboxy side of asparagine residues. Vigna mungo processing enzyme 1, termed VmPE-1, occurs in the cotyledons of germinated seeds of V. mungo, and is possibly involved in the post-translational processing of a vacuolar cysteine endopeptidase, designated SH-EP, which degrades seed storage protein. VmPE-1 also showed a substrate specificity to asparagine residues, and its enzymatic activity was inhibited by NEM but not E-64. In addition, purified VmPE-1 had a potential to process the recombinant SH-EP precursor to its intermediate in vitro. cDNA clones for VmPE-1 and its homologue, named VmPE-1A, were identified and sequenced, and their expressions in the cotyledons of V. mungo seedlings and other organs were investigated. VmPE-1 mRNA and SH-EP mRNA were expressed in germinated seeds at the same stage of germination although the enzymatic activity of VmPE-1 rose prior to that of SH-EP. The level of VmPE-1A mRNA continued increasing as germination proceeded. In roots, stems and leaves of fully grown plants, and in hypocotyls, VmPE-1 and VmPE-1A were little expressed. We discuss possible functions of VmPE-1 and VmPE-1A in the cotyledons of germinated seeds.

$Research paper thumbnail of Antimicrobial and immunological activity of ethanol extracts and fractions from Isopyrum thalictroides$

Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 1996

The antimicrobial and immunological properties of ethanol extracts, non-alkaloid, tertiary alkalo... more The antimicrobial and immunological properties of ethanol extracts, non-alkaloid, tertiary alkaloid and quaternary alkaloid fractions, obtained from roots and aerial parts of Isopyrum thalictroides were examined. The non-alkaloid fraction from aerial parts inhibited the growth of seven test microorganisms and was the most effective suppresser of classical pathway (CP) complement activity in normal human serum (NHS) and guinea pig serum (GPS). The alkaloid fractions, containing quaternary alkaloids expressed suppressive effect on mitogen-induced splenocyte proliferation. The in vitro antibody response against sheep red blood cells (anti-SRBC) was inhibited by ethanol extracts and quaternary alkaloid fraction. The intraperitoneal (i.p.) application of ethanol extract and tertiary alkaloid fraction from aerial parts showed that they possess in vivo effect on alternative pathway (APt complement activity, anti-SRBC response and delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH).

International Journal of Immunopharmacology, 1999

Eleven bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloids (BBI) were isolated from the plant Isopyrum thalictroides ... more Eleven bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloids (BBI) were isolated from the plant Isopyrum thalictroides (L.). Treatment of normal human serum (NHS) with BBI resulted in a diminution of the haemolytic activity of the classical pathway (CP). The mode of action of the main alkaloids isopyruthaline (It1), fangchinoline (It2) and isotalictrine (It3) on CP activation was investigated in vitro. The inhibition was time-and temperature-related and for It1 and It3 depended on the concentration of Ca 2+ and Mg 2+ ions. It was established that the substances reduced C1 haemolytic activity. It2 and It3 enhanced the complement consumption caused by heat aggregated human IgG (HAGG). The BBI prevented the formation of C3 convertase of the classical pathway. The loss of haemolytic activity was partially restored by the addition of C142 reagent (zymosan-treated guinea pig serum) to alkaloids-treated NHS. The addition of the late components C3±9 (EDTA-treated rat sera) recovered to some extent the haemolytic activity of It1-treated NHS, but not of It2-and It3-treated NHS. #

Infection and Immunity, 2001

Within Streptococcus suis serotype 2, pathogenic, weakly pathogenic, and nonpathogenic strains ca... more Within Streptococcus suis serotype 2, pathogenic, weakly pathogenic, and nonpathogenic strains can be found. We introduced a genomic library of a pathogenic strain into a weakly pathogenic strain. After infection of the library into young piglets pathogenic transformants were selected. One specific transformant containing a 3-kb fragment of the pathogenic strain appeared to be dominantly enriched in diseased pigs. The observed enrichment was not tissue specific. The selected fragment, when introduced into two different weakly pathogenic strains, increased the virulence of these strains considerably. In contrast, introduction of the corresponding fragment of a weakly pathogenic strain had only minor effects on virulence. Nucleotide sequence analysis of the selected fragment of the pathogenic strain revealed the presence of two potential open reading frames, both of which were found to be mutated in the corresponding fragment of the weakly pathogenic strain. These data strongly suggest that the selected fragment contains determinants important for virulence.

Journal of Bacteriology, 2000

Secreted and cell envelope-associated proteins are important to both Mycobacterium tuberculosis p... more Secreted and cell envelope-associated proteins are important to both Mycobacterium tuberculosis pathogenesis and the generation of protective immunity to M. tuberculosis. We used an in vitro Tn552phoA transposition system to identify exported proteins of M. tuberculosis. The system is simple and efficient, and the transposon inserts randomly into target DNA. M. tuberculosis genomic libraries were targeted with Tn552phoA transposons, and these libraries were screened in M. smegmatis for active PhoA translational fusions. Thirty-two different M. tuberculosis open reading frames were identified; eight contain standard signal peptides, six contain lipoprotein signal peptides, and seventeen contain one or more transmembrane domains. Four of these proteins had not yet been assigned as exported proteins in the M. tuberculosis databases. This collection of exported proteins includes factors that are known to participate in the immune response of M. tuberculosis and proteins with homologies, suggesting a role in pathogenesis. Nine of the proteins appear to be unique to mycobacteria and represent promising candidates for factors that participate in protective immunity and virulence. This technology of creating comprehensive fusion libraries should be applicable to other organisms.