Publications by authors named "Gramacho K"

is one of the main pathogens affecting cocoa, and controlling it generally involves planting resistant genotypes followed by phytosanitary pruning. The identification of plant genes related to defense mechanisms is crucial to unravel the molecular basis of plant-pathogen interactions. Among the candidate genes, BiP stands out as a molecular chaperone located in the endoplasmic reticulum that facilitates protein folding and is induced under stress conditions, such as pathogen attacks.

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  • * Researchers analyzed 37 bee colonies, divided into hygienic (16) and non-hygienic (21), by examining 300 worker bees from each colony monthly while correlating their findings with climate data.
  • * Results showed low average mite infestations (below 10%), with a peak in November, and no significant difference between the two groups regarding infestations; the data suggests that acaricides may not be necessary for mite control in Brazil.
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Witches' broom disease (WBD) affects cocoa trees ( L.) and is caused by the fungus that grows in the apoplast in its biotrophic phase and later progresses into the tissues, causing serious losses in the production of cocoa beans. Therefore, the apoplast of can provide important defense responses during the interaction with .

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This study is aimed at evaluating the effect of different extenders on the cryopreservation of semen from Africanized honeybees (A. mellifera). Semen from honeybee drones from 10 different colonies was obtained by endophallus exposure technique and immediately evaluated for motility, viability using fluorescent probes, functional membrane integrity using the water test, and morphology.

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The apoplast performs important functions in the plant, such as defense against stress, and compounds present form the apoplastic washing fluid (AWF). The fungus , the causal agent of witches' broom disease (WBD) in , initially colonizes the apoplast in its biotrophic phase. In this period, the fungus can remain for approximately 60 days, until it changes to its second phase, causing tissue death and consequently large loss in the production of beans.

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The fungus secretes protein effectors that manipulate the physiology of the host plant, but few effectors of this fungus have had their functions confirmed. We performed functional characterization of a promising candidate effector of . The inoculation of rBASIDIN at 4 µmol L in the mesophyll of leaflets of caused symptoms of shriveling within 6 h without the presence of necrosis.

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The viability of inoculum was evaluated during the microfermentation process of diseased and healthy pulp-seed masses and on a range of carrier materials: aluminum, cloth, glass, paper, plastic, raffia, and rubber tire. Fungal survival was assessed before the microfermentation (0 h) and every 24 to 96 h by the growth of colonies in potato-dextrose-agar (PDA) and sporulation in seed shells. Colonies of and sporulation on seed shells were observed from seeds not submitted to microfermentation.

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  • Cacao trees are vulnerable to a variety of pathogens, especially fungi, with some specific to certain regions, while others, like CSP, are expanding geographically and causing significant economic loss.
  • RNA sequencing of spores from cacao pods was conducted to assess the diversity and activity of microorganisms involved in the sporulation of a major cacao pathogen, revealing a rich variety of fungi and bacteria whose dynamics fluctuate with culture time.
  • This study marks the first report of viruses infecting fungi of the genus investigated and highlights the potential for viral spread, particularly in samples from Ecuador, revealing new dimensions in understanding cacao pathogens.
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Cacao is a globally important crop with a long history of domestication and selective breeding. Despite the increased use of elite clones by cacao farmers, worldwide plantations are established mainly using hybrid progeny material derived from heterozygous parents, therefore displaying high tree-to-tree variability. The deliberate development of hybrids from advanced inbred lines produced by successive generations of self-pollination has not yet been fully considered in cacao breeding.

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This study evaluated the neuroprotective effects of the Africanized bee venom (BV) and its mechanisms of action after 6-hydroxydopamine-(6-OHDA)-induced lesion in a mice model. Prior to BV treatment, mice received intrastriatal microinjections of 6-OHDA (no induced dopaminergic neuronal death) or ascorbate saline (as a control). BV was administered subcutaneously at different dosages (0.

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Protease inhibitors (PIs) are important biotechnological tools of interest in agriculture. Usually they are the first proteins to be activated in plant-induced resistance against pathogens. Therefore, the aim of this study was to characterize a Theobroma cacao trypsin inhibitor called TcTI.

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Moniliophthora perniciosa is a basidiomycete responsible for the witches' broom disease in cacao (Theobroma cacao L.). Chitin synthase (CHS), chitinase (CHIT) and autophagy (ATG) genes have been associated to stress response preceding the formation of basidiocarp.

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Background: Witches' broom disease (WBD) of cacao (Theobroma cacao L.), caused by Moniliophthora perniciosa, is the most important limiting factor for the cacao production in Brazil. Hence, the development of cacao genotypes with durable resistance is the key challenge for control the disease.

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The surface of plants forms a defense barrier that directly inhibits the first point of contact of microorganisms with the host. To understand this defense mechanism in Moniliophthora perniciosa interaction with Theobroma cacao cv Catongo, the aim of this study was to compare the changes in protein expression in basidiospores of the fungus M. perniciosa in response the leaf water washes (LWW) of two contrasting cocoa varieties for resistance to witches' broom disease.

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Background: Theobroma cacao L. (cacao) is a perennial tropical tree, endemic to rainforests of the Amazon Basin. Large populations of bacteria live on leaf surfaces and these phylloplane microorganisms can have important effects on plant health.

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  • The greenback parrotfish, Scarus trispinosus, is the largest herbivorous fish in the Southwestern Atlantic and has been listed as endangered due to overexploitation.
  • This study aimed to assess the genetic structure of its populations along a 2000 km stretch of the NE Brazilian coast, using specific primers tested from a related species.
  • Results indicated higher genetic diversity in two areas near the Abrolhos Bank, while broader genetic homogeneity was observed across the region; however, subtle genetic differences were found when locations were grouped by latitude, suggesting a complex interaction of local admixture and larval dispersal.
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Background: The hemibiotrophic pathogens Moniliophthora perniciosa (witches' broom disease) and Moniliophthora roreri (frosty pod rot disease) are among the most important pathogens of cacao. Moniliophthora perniciosa has a broad host range and infects a variety of meristematic tissues in cacao plants, whereas M. roreri infects only pods of Theobroma and Herrania genera.

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Examples of bioactive peptides derived from internal sequences of proteins are known for decades. The great majority of these findings appear to be fortuitous rather than the result of a deliberate and methodological-based enterprise. In the present work, we describe the identification and the biological activities of novel antimicrobial peptides unveiled as internal fragments of various plant proteins founded on our hypothesis-driven search strategy.

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Background: Moniliophthora perniciosa is a phytopathogenic fungus responsible for witches' broom disease of cacao trees (Theobroma cacao L.). Understanding the molecular events during germination of the pathogen may enable the development of strategies for disease control in these economically important plants.

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The phylloplane is the first contact surface between Theobroma cacao and the fungus Moniliophthora perniciosa, which causes witches' broom disease (WBD). We evaluated the index of short glandular trichomes (SGT) in the cacao phylloplane and the effect of irrigation on the disease index of cacao genotypes with or without resistance to WBD, and identified proteins present in the phylloplane. The resistant genotype CCN51 and susceptible Catongo presented a mean index of 1,600 and 700 SGT cm, respectively.

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  • Witches' broom, caused by the fungus Moniliophthora perniciosa, is the most significant disease affecting cocoa crops in Bahia, Brazil, and other regions, and while its germination process is crucial, basidiospore biology has been under-researched.
  • This study aimed to enhance methods for producing basidiospores for protein analysis, ultimately creating a proteomics map of ungerminated basidiospores and establishing a protein interaction network using Ustilago maydis as a reference.
  • Findings revealed a substantial range in basidiospore productivity, identified 178 proteins linked to essential biological functions, and highlighted significant roles of certain orthologous proteins in fungal development despite their lack of clustering
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In the present study, we used morphological and behavioral analyses to assess the effects of seasonality and morphoclimatic patterns on the morphology, behavior, and distribution of 71 colonies of Africanized honey bees in 3 distinct ecoregions (Zona da Mata, Agreste, and Sertão) within the State of Sergipe, north-eastern Brazil. We found a high rate of gene flow among the studied colonies. However, there were pronounced morphological differences among localities and ecoregions, and body shape (r = 0.

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Legumains are cysteine proteases related to plant development, protein degradation, programmed cell death, and defense against pathogens. In this study, we have identified and characterized three legumains encoded by Theobroma cacao genome through in silico analyses, three-dimensional modeling, genetic expression pattern in different tissues and as a response to the inoculation of Moniliophthora perniciosa fungus. The three proteins were named TcLEG3, TcLEG6, and TcLEG9.

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The interaction amongst papain-like cysteine-proteases (PLCP) and their substrates and inhibitors, such as cystatins, can be perceived as part of the molecular battlefield in plant-pathogen interaction. In cacao, four cystatins were identified and characterized by our group. We identified 448 proteases in cacao genome, whereof 134 were cysteine-proteases.

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