Molecular and functional investigation of Polycomb Group proteins and their involvement in olfactory neurogenesis

• Grant number: 13/03372-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: July 01, 2013
• End date: February 28, 2015
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Biochemistry - Molecular Biology
• Principal Investigator: Fabio Papes
• Grantee: Mateus Augusto de Andrade Souza
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biologia (IB). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil

Abstract

One of the main features of the mammalian olfactory system is the singular expression of the receptors responsible for detection of odorous stimuli, known as ORs: each olfactory sensory neuron expresses only one out of a thousand OR receptor gene candidates. The molecular mechanisms underlying this process remain one of the great mysteries of the nervous system. Recent publications suggest the involvement of epigenetic modifications in this process, though experiments proving a causal relationship between epigenetic regulation and singular expression of ORs are still lacking. Several molecular components take part in the control of gene expression through chromatin modifications, including histone modifying enzymes. Among these, members of the Polycomb Group (PcG) are of special significance and known to act in chromatin remodeling accompanying gene expression during differentiation of several cell types. In the current project, we will study the expression profile of PcG genes in the mouse olfactory epithelium, not just spatially, but also temporally and quantitatively. Furthermore, we will perform experiments to establish a possible participation of such components on the mechanisms that control the singularity of receptor expression in olfactory neurons. We expect that this proposal will bring invaluable data for the better understanding of the the sensory systems, particularly on the role of PcG proteins in the molecular bases of the intriguing process of olfactory receptor gene expression.

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

NAKAHARA, THIAGO S.; CAMARGO, ANTONIO P.; MAGALHAES, PEDRO H. M.; SOUZA, MATEUS A. A.; RIBEIRO, PEDRO G.; MARTINS-NETTO, PAULO H.; CARVALHO, VINICIUS M. A.; JOSE, JULIANA; PAPES, FABIO. Peripheral oxytocin injection modulates vomeronasal sensory activity and reduces pup-directed aggression in male mice. SCIENTIFIC REPORTS, v. 10, n. 1, NOV 17 2020. (16/05379-6, 15/50371-0, 13/03372-6, 12/21786-0, 16/03641-5, 12/04026-1, 17/01571-2)

DE ANDRADE CARVALHO, VINICIUS MIESSLER; NAKAHARA, THIAGO SEIKE; DE ANDRADE SOUZA, MATEUS AUGUSTO; CARDOZO, LEONARDO MINETE; TRINTINALIA, GUILHERME ZIEGLER; PISSINATO, LEONARDO GRANATO; VENANCIO, JOSE OTAVIO; STOWERS, LISA; PAPES, FABIO. Representation of Olfactory Information in Organized Active Neural Ensembles in the Hypothalamus. CELL REPORTS, v. 32, n. 8, AUG 25 2020. (10/01211-7, 12/04026-1, 13/03372-6, 15/50371-0, 12/01689-0, 14/25594-3, 09/00473-0)

NAKAHARA, THIAGO SEIKE; CARVALHO, VINICIUS MIESSLER DE ANDRADE; SOUZA, MATEUS AUGUSTO DE ANDRADE; TRINTINALIA, GUILHERME ZIEGLER; PAPES, FABIO. Detection of Activated Mouse Neurons with Temporal Resolution via Dual c-Fos Staining. STAR PROTOCOLS, v. 1, n. 3, p. 27-pg., 2020-12-18. (12/01689-0, 13/03372-6, 15/50371-0, 09/00473-0, 14/25594-3, 12/21786-0, 12/04026-1)

Academic Publications

(References retrieved automatically from State of São Paulo Research Institutions)

SOUZA, Mateus Augusto de Andrade. Molecular and functional investigation of Polycomb Group proteins and their involvement in olfactory neurogenesis. 2015. Master's Dissertation - Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Instituto de Biologia Campinas, SP.