Viral ribonucleoproteins (vRNPs) are the cornerstones of viral proliferation, as they form the macromolecular complexes that are responsible for the transcription and replication of most single-stranded RNA viruses. The influenza A virus (IAV) polymerase catalyzes RNA synthesis within the context of vRNPs where genomic viral RNA (vRNA) is packaged by the viral nucleoprotein (NP). We used high-speed atomic force microscopy and electron microscopy to study the conformational dynamics of individual IAV recombinant RNPs (rRNPs) during RNA synthesis.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSince the discovery of DNA as the genetic material, scientists have been investigating how the information contained in this biological polymer is transmitted from generation to generation. X-ray crystallography, and more recently, cryo-electron microscopy techniques have been instrumental in providing essential information about the structure, functions and interactions of the DNA and the protein machinery (replisome) responsible for its replication. In this chapter, we highlight several works that describe the structure and structure-function relationships of the core components of the prokaryotic and eukaryotic replisomes.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: Several controversies remain on conservative management of cervical cancer. Our aim was to develop a consensus recommendation on important and novel topics of fertility-sparing treatment of cervical cancer.
Methods: The consensus was sponsored by the Brazilian Society of Surgical Oncology (BSSO) from March 2020 to September 2020 and included a multidisciplinary team of 55 specialists.
Background: Risk-reducing operations are an important part of the management of hereditary predisposition to cancer. In selected cases, they can considerably reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with cancer in this population.
Objectives: The Brazilian Society of Surgical Oncology (BSSO) developed this guideline to establish national benchmarks for cancer risk-reducing operations.
We present a fast, reliable and easy to scale-up colorimetric sensor based on gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) to detect the sequences coding for the RdRp, E, and S proteins of SARS-CoV-2. The optimization of the system (so-called "the sensor") includes the evaluation of different sizes of nanoparticles, sequences of oligonucleotides and buffers. It is stable for months without any noticeable decrease in its activity, allowing the detection of SARS-CoV-2 sequences by the naked eye in 15 min.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF