Analysis of PTEN gene expression in reticulocytes of sickle cell Anemia and beta thalassemia patients, when compared to healthy individuals

• Grant number: 14/24961-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Effective date (Start): June 01, 2015
• Effective date (End): August 31, 2016
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Genetics - Human and Medical Genetics
• Principal Investigator: Anderson Ferreira da Cunha
• Grantee: Caroline Valério Moraes
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde (CCBS). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) are constantly produced in the human body and can damage some of the cell's components. There is a close connection between the physiopathology of some blood disorders and ROS. Therefore, it is important to the erythroid cell to have an efficient antioxidant system. Recently our group performed a study aiming the analysis of the expression of peroxiredoxins (PRXs) in the reticulocytes of sickle cell disease and beta thalassemia patients, when compared to healthy individuals. The attained results testify that there is variation on the level of genic and proteic expression within the different hemoglobinopathies. However, more studies are needed in order to find possible relationship with other proteins that modulate, or are modulated, by the expression of PRXs. Amidst the associated factors, there seems to be a possible connection between the PTEN gene, a well-known tumor suppressor, and the transcription factor related to PRX's regulation. Therefore, this project proposes the detailed analysis of the PTEN's expression and the associated factors in such diseases. The results shall contribute to the understanding of our prior data and to the identification of possible targets that help the tending of these diseases, increasing the patient's life span.