Functional study of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and other enzymes of Atta Sexdens rubropilosa and their symbiotic fungus Leucoagaricus gongylophorus, their immobilization in electrode and search of specific inhibitors

• Grant number: 17/06198-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: July 01, 2017
• End date: October 31, 2021
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Biochemistry - Enzymology
• Principal Investigator: Odair Correa Bueno
• Grantee: Kelli Cristina Micocci
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências (IB). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Rio Claro. Rio Claro , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 12/25299-6 - Integrated studies for leaf cutting control, AP.TEM

Abstract

The predatory power of leaf-cutting ants and their power to transform the soil have been known for centuries. The use of plants for the control of ants is known to farmers and can be better explored using chemosystematic knowledge of plants. Obtaining natural products from plants or microorganisms with potential insecticidal or fungicidal action on the nest of leaf-cutting ants, as well as synthetic analogues and modes of applications and actions, and their determinations are the general objectives of the project. The participation in the execution of the project, as a post doctor, aims to contribute to its development, counting with the contribution of doctors with experiences that can broaden the intended results and mainly complete the training of candidates for scholarships.The candidate for the scholarship, Dr. Kelli Cristina Micocci, will focus on the functional study of acetylcholinesterase (AchE) and other enzymes of Atta sexdens rubropilosa and its symbiotic fungus Leucoagaricus gongylophorus, immobilization of the enzymes in electrode and search of specific inhibitors, to evaluate the toxicity to Brachdanio rerio and to the luminescent bacterium Vibrio fischeri (Microtox® test), and, possibly, the search of natural products in Sapindales plants.

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)

MICOCCI, KELLI C.; MOREIRA, ARIELE C.; SANCHEZ, AMANDA D.; PETTINATTI, JESSICA L.; ROCHA, MARINA C.; DIONIZIO, BRUNA S.; CORREA, KATIA C. S.; MALAVAZI, IRAN; WOUTERS, FELIPE C.; BUENO, ODAIR C.; et al. Identification, cloning, and characterization of a novel chitinase from leaf-cutting ant Atta sexdens: An enzyme with antifungal and insecticidal activity. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-GENERAL SUBJECTS, v. 1867, n. 1, p. 10-pg., 2023-01-01. (12/25299-6, 17/06198-8, 17/19694-3, 18/06297-9)

ARIELE C. MOREIRA; RENATO L. CARNEIRO; MARIANA F. FRACOLA; KELLI C. MICOCCI; ODAIR C. BUENO; DULCE H. F. SOUZA. Analysis of the Gene Expression and RNAi-Mediated Knockdown of Chitin Synthase from Leaf-Cutting Ant Atta sexdens. Journal of the Brazilian Chemical Society, v. 31, n. 10, p. 1979-1990, 2020-10-09. (17/06198-8, 12/25299-6, 14/12169-2)

PACHANE, BIANCA CRUZ; CAETANO NUNES, ANA CAROLINA; CATALDI, THAIS REGIANI; MICOCCI, KELLI CRISTINA; MOREIRA, BIANCA CARUSO; LABATE, CARLOS ALBERTO; SELISTRE-DE-ARAUJO, HELOISA SOBREIRO; ALTEI, WANESSA FERNANDA. Small Extracellular Vesicles from Hypoxic Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells Induce Oxygen-Dependent Cell Invasion. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES, v. 23, n. 20, p. 21-pg., 2022-10-01. (21/01983-4, 17/06198-8, 19/11437-7, 19/05149-9, 19/17737-2)