Publications by authors named "Wagner Vital"

The mosquito Aedes aegypti undertakes a shift in carbohydrate metabolism during embryogenesis, including an increase in the activity of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK), a key gluconeogenic enzyme, at critical steps of embryo development. All eukaryotes studied to date present two PEPCK isoforms, namely PEPCK-M (mitochondrial) and PEPCK-C (cytosolic). In A.

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Several molecules extracted from natural products exhibit different biological activities, such as ion channel modulation, activation of signaling pathways, and anti-inflammatory or antitumor activity. In this study, we tested the antitumor ability of natural compounds extracted from the Raputia praetermissa plant. Among the compounds tested, an alkaloid, here called compound S4 (4-Deoxyraputindole C), showed antitumor effects against human tumor lineages.

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The mosquito Aedes aegypti is vector of several viruses including yellow fever virus, dengue virus chikungunya virus and Zika virus. One of the major problems involving these diseases transmission is that A. aegypti embryos are resistant to desiccation at the end of embryogenesis, surviving and remaining viable for several months inside the egg.

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Phytochemical studies are seeking new alternatives to prevent or treat cancer, including different types of leukemias. , commonly known as guavira or guabiroba, exhibits pharmacological properties including antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antiproliferative activities. Considering the anticancer potential of this plant species, the aim of this study was to evaluate the antileukemic activity and the chemical composition of aqueous extracts from the leaves (AECL) and roots (AECR) of and their possible mechanisms of action.

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Article Synopsis
  • A. aegypti mosquitoes, which transmit dengue and other viruses, require improved vector control methods that can be informed by a deeper understanding of their embryonic development, particularly regarding energetic metabolism.
  • Research focused on glucose metabolism during A. aegypti embryogenesis revealed significant changes in enzyme activities, notably high glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) levels initially, which decreased as development progressed, indicating its role in producing nucleotide precursors.
  • The study concluded that glucose metabolic processes evolve as the embryo develops, with distinct shifts in enzyme activity and carbohydrate utilization during critical milestones like the germ band retraction, highlighting the importance of metabolic regulation in mosquito development.
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