LIFE SCIENCES, 13

Author: EUGENIO GOSALBO MÀRCIA.
Year: 2006.
University: AUTÓNOMA DE BARCELONA.
Place of defense: FACULTAD DE CIENCIAS.
Place of preparation: UNIDAD DE ECOLOGÍA, UNIVERSIDAD AUTÓNOMA DE BARCELONA.

Summary: The effects of fire recurrence have been addressed in Mediterranean P.halepensis communities at a regional level in Catalonia. The study design comprised 28 study sites distributed over the Pinus halepensis-dominated surface of the region. Every study site was conformed by two areas, which were very similar in terms of climatic and geomorphic characteristics, and differed mainly in the number of fire events that had suffered along two decades. One-burnt areas had been burnt only in 1994. Twice-burnt areas had been burnt firstly between 1978 and 1993, and again in 1994. Survey was synchronically conducted in both types of areas 8 to 11 years after fire. Fire recurrence effects were addressed on: structural features, floristic composition, soil organic horizons, P.halepensis populations, and plant growth. Fire repetition at fire intervals shorter than 17 years has been observed to result in a loss of resilience of Mediterranean P.halepensis communities, which shifted to shorter, more open, less productive, shrub-dominated communities were P.halepensis was present at low densities, or even absent.

Author: OLIVERAS MENOR IMMACULADA.
Year: 2006.
University: AUTÓNOMA DE BARCELONA.
Place of defense: FACULTAD DE CIENCIAS.
Place of preparation: DEPARTAMENTO DE BIOLOGÍA ANIMAL, VEGETAL Y ECOLOGÍA.

Summary: This thesis has two distinct parts: the great forest fires and prescribed burning. The first part is composed of three chapters, and the second part consists of two chapters. Finally, there is a chapter of general discussion and conclusions of the thesis. The purpose of Chapter 1 (Factors affecting the severity of a large forest fire under extreme weather conditions) is to analyze the effect of spatial heterogeneity, structure of vegetation, fire behavior and time of day that burned on the severity of the fire one area affected by a GIF. The study had three main hypotheses: (i) the structure forest (tree coverage and size of glass) can affect the severity in the way that major fires are related inversely with the severity of the fire, (ii) The slope and the roughness of field, but not the direction, affecting the severity (iii) The fire behavior and the time of day it burned directly affect the severity of the fire. To test this hypothesis, we studied a GIF happened in Sant Llorenc Savall and Gallifa (West Valles, Catalonia) in August 2003, and that ardió nearly 4,000 hectares in three days. The fire was driven mainly by the extreme weather conditions (a severe drought, very high temperatures, low relative humidity and strong wind). Based on aerial photographs before and after the fire, we selected randomly 300 plots of 900 m2 and in each identified severity (expressed as a percentage crown black, brown and green), variable topography (slope orientation, roughness of ground) and the variable structure of vegetation (tree cover, average size of large cups). The fire behavior and time of day that burned were derived by making a thorough reconstruction of the fire with audiovisual materials and the GPS positions of the vehicles involved in the extinction. Among the factors analyzed, the severity was related to the orientation, the roughness of the terrain and fire behavior. These results can help forest managers to consider the heterogeneity of the landscape for the prevention of forest fires. The objective of Chapter 2 (Number of fires, large fires and area burned in Western Europe Mediterranean) is to determine the relationship between the number of fires and area burned size of the fire in a substantial amount of Western Mediterranean regions of Europe. We also wanted to test whether potential employers found to persist add regions outside Europe. We expected a positive relationship between the number of fires and area burned but with a linear increase unless the effect that a reduced availability of fuel is about the size of the fire. También esperábamos que hubiera pocos GIF en regiones con muchos incendios, porque más fuegos proporcionan más heterogeneidad de combustibles y por consiguiente es más difícil que se desarrolle un GIF. We use records temporary fire 35 regions of France, Spain and Portugal. We chose 7 regions USA Australia and to make comparisons no-europeas. We include fires larger than 1 hectare forest area burned, and classified into four size classes. We relationship between the number of fires and the total area burned, the number of fires and the proportion of GIF, the number of fires and area burned by GIF, and the number of fires and the average size of GIF. A decrease on the number of fires resulted in a decrease in the total area burned, but increased the proportion of area burned by GIF, and the average size of the same. Policies that aim at reducing the number of ignitions can therefore support larger and more fire area burned at high intensity. Consequently these policies require complemented by management techniques 8 that intr 1677 oducen heterogeneity and the landscape, as seen in Chapter 1, which provide opportunities for fires more heterogeneous. The objective of Chapter 3 (Modeling the long-term effect of changes in the frequency of fires in the total area burned) is to determine how it relates frequency of fires with the total area burned, and the proportion of GIF using a model system fire at the regional level. We consider two possible covariates that could affect this relationship: the reduction of the capacity of extinction with a larger number of fires, and spatial distribution irregular ignitions. We assumed that the model reproduced the same trends found in Chapter 2 on a scale inter - but also assumed that a reduction in the capacity of extinction would have a strong effect on the area burned, and the emergence of GIF, ie there would be less GIF. We use a model, described by Piñol et al. (2005), which consisted of 316 x 316 pixels (one pixel represents 1 hectare) covered by vegetation homogeneous ground level. The model parameters with the statistical fire from two regions: Tarragona and Coimbra. The model found trends similar to those found in Chapter 2, but the increase in the area burned by an increase in the number of fires was less than that found in Chapter 2. This chapter by itself supports the idea that fuels are the main factor in determining appearance of GIF, but also found that the GIF is not an artifact of extinction. Reinterpretado dentro del contexto de la tesis, este capítulo refuerza la idea de que las políticas de exclusión de fuego deberían complementarse con técnicas de gestión de combustible. Chapter 4 begins studies on prescribed burning. This chapter describes the statistics of prescribed burning in Catalonia for the period 1998-2005, gives some examples of application and analyzes the effects on the survival of two species Mediterranean: Pinus halepensis Mill. And Quercus ilex L.. We analyze a database containing information on the most burning made in Catalonia, as the number of fires, size, objectives, expected results and window period. There was also information on weather and fire behavior during the burnings, and photos after the fire. We show some practical examples of burns conducted, and tried to assess the fulfillment of the objectives and the effects of burning with the material provided by the database. We also experimental work before, during and after 6 prescribed burning that occurred between 2004 and 2006. The statistics showed that in Catalonia were conducted few burns, but were carefully planned and executed according to a methodology similar to that of other countries. The effects of burning in Quercus ilex were minor because most trees rebrotaron after the fire. Pinus halepensis had a higher mortality because some of the targets of several of the fires studied was to reduce density. Finally, given the open debate in the literature on the ecological impacts of prescribed fire, as well as its effectiveness in reducing the risk of forest fire, we conducted a survey in Catalonia and in a local community of Victoria (Australia). The objective of this study is to understand the social acceptance of this technique in a place where a fire has been prohibited for decades (Catalonia) and in a place where it has always used for fuel management (Victoria). We use three groups: community college students, and experts (firefighters, forest managers and researchers). The scenarios were: (i) The community of Victoria has more knowledge on the application of burning the Catalan community, (ii) Students Victoria better known and accepted by students burning of Catalonia, and (iii) there is no difference on the perception of prescribed burning between experts from the two places. We choose areas of study as the Wombat State Forest, which is located in the Central part of Victoria (Australia) and the Autonomous Community of Catalonia (Spain). We design a questionnaire in plain language, avoiding the use of technical words to be understood by the community. The questionnaire consisted of two parts: the first aimed at identifying general information about the participants and their knowledge and use of the forest. The second was the realization of fires in the local area. The questionnaires were distributed at meetings and through the mailing to 250 family units. Participants Victorian showed better this practice but also were much more critical of the forest management policies that participants Catalans. The study reaffirms the need for information, education and social public consultation on the management policies.

Author: Bech Serra Joan Josep.
Year: 2006.
University: AUTÓNOMA DE BARCELONA.
Place of defense: Universitari Vall d'Hebrón.
Place of preparation: Institut de Recerca de l'Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebrón (Laboratorio de Recerca en Oncologia).

Summary: One of the mechanisms involved in regulating the activity of the protein in the cell surface called shedding and consists of a cut proteolítico resulting in the release of the extracellular region of the same. This mechanism is very specialized and is primarily the responsibility of the superfamily of metaloproteasas dependent zinc called metzincina, which includes the metaloproteasas of extracellular matrix (MMPs) and Adam (A Disintigrin And Metalloprotease domain). The latter have been associated with tumorogénesis because some of its members are sobreexpresan in tumors from a variety of tissues. Teniendo en cuenta estos datos varios grupos de investigación han iniciado ensayos clínicos con inhibidores de estas proteasas que inesperadamente han fracasado. The explanation for these results is found, probably, the functional complexity of the ADAM due to the diversity of molecules that form their degradoma and unfamiliarity with some of the components. One of the most important members of the family because of their ADAM overexpression in certain tumors is ADAM17. This protease substrate is a growth factor that plays an important role in tumorogénesis called proTGF-. The shedding of this growth factor is critical because only in this way is obtained its soluble form active. Because of this background and with the aim of deepening the understanding of the role of ADAM17 in tumor formation we ask, on the one hand, to study the role of endocytosis in regulating the availability of proTGF- by ADAM17 in the cell surface and, secondly, the identification of new substrates ADAM17 by proteomics technique of DIGE (Differential Gel Electrophoresis). The results of the first point allowed us to conclude that proTGF- is a growth factor that regulates their levels on the cell surface by endocytosis and recycling. In addition, we observed that the domain citoplasmático of proTGF- is important in controlling this process and that its absence clearly blocked leading to increased growth factor on the cell surface. Moreover, the absence of domain citoplasmático not interfere with the ability of ADAM17 to cut proteolíticamente proTGF- but if that increases the capacity of the growth factor to activate its receptor. All this indicates that the domain citoplasmático growth factor controlling the availability of proTGF- to the cell surface and, therefore, the capacity to produce its active form. On the second goal, the results helped identify three substrates of shedding: transferrin receptor (TfnR) and adhesion molecules desmogleina 2 (Dsg-2) and ALCAM which were confirmed as substrates through western-blot. In the case of Dsg-2 determine which is a substrate of ADAM17 only able to overexpression of metal loproteasa while ADAM10 is the main person responsible for shedding. With regard to the regulation of shedding of Dsg-2 have shown that increases processing proteolítico EGF. Importantly, we have also marked a new form of Dsg-2 which is not citoplasmático domain. Very probably the activity of protease unknown there have been identified as responsible for their training. In the case of ALCAM is ADAM17 the primary responsibility for its shedding. The study of the regulation of his court proteolítico has allowed us to determine that under conditions of high cell confluence increases the shedding of this adhesion molecule.

Author: MARTÍNEZ ALONSO EMMA.
Year: 2006.
University: MURCIA.
Place of defense: FACULTAD DE MEDICINA.
Place of preparation: FACULTAD DE MEDICINA.

Summary: In this dissertation we have studied the structure, organization and dynamics of the Golgi complex in HeLa cells incubated at 15Â ° C, conditions under which induces blocking traffic at the intermediate compartment. To do this we used different approaches techniques such as electron microscopy, crioinmunocitoquímica ultrastructural, and immunofluorescence techniques of confocal microscopy in vivo. The analysis of the distribution of intermediate compartment marker (ERGIC-53 and KDELr) confirmed a pattern of marking more concentrated in terms of 15Â ° C under physiological conditions in HeLa cells, results described previously by other authors in other cell types. However, the staining with different glycosylation enzymes resident Golgi apparatus, as are Manosidasa II (ManII) Galactosiltransferasa (GalTr) and N-acetil-galactosaminiltransferasa (GalNAcTr) have highlighted the formation of tubules derived from Golgi apparatus under these conditions of low temperature. On the other hand, the staining protein matrix in the Golgi apparatus, GM130, Giantina and Golgina-84 does not mark the tubules containing enzymes. The marking against protein TGN-46, marker of TGN, shows that these tubules are not derived from the TGN and are not positive for the protein. The functional analysis with the temperature-sensitive mutant of the vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV-G) and the fragment B of the Shiga toxin, has shown that the Golgi tubules derivatives to 15Â ° C do not contain any cargo or anterógrado or retrograde, respectively. From the characterization of the formation of the Golgi tubules derivatives with different drugs and reagents, we can say that the training of tubules is dependent on energy and an intact cytoskeleton-actin and microtubules. By contrast, the action of the brefeldina Ao cicloheximida has no effect on the formation of the tubules derived from Golgi apparatus. Through the study crioinmunocitoquímico ultrastructural have shown large morphological changes in the structure of the Golgi complex in these conditions of low temperature (15Â ° C). Thus, tanks reach twice the length they have to 37Â ° C. In addition, the number of tanks is also suffering a slight increase. Another change that should be emphasized in the morphology of the Golgi apparatus is that, under these conditions 15Â ° C the dictiosomas suffer a big bend even to form structures completely circular. Tanks of the Golgi apparatus are surrounded by a large number of elements túbulo-vesiculares and tubules can be seen directly connected to the tanks, in which the enzyme is located glycosylation GalTr. The quantitative analysis of the distribution of markers Golgi apparatus to 15Â ° C demonstrates that GalTr suffers an alteration in the distribution of tanks. After incubation at low temperatures, it is located on all tanks in a manner consistent rather than on the side of the trans-Golgi apparatus. Meanwhile, the distribution of proteins in the Golgi matrix, as well as that of the intermediate compartment marker unchanged. The POPs covered protein type I and II COP also suffer a relocation. Thus, both show a decoupling of the membranes in these conditions of low temperature (15Â ° C). COP II jumps into free zones electrodensas cytoplasm membrane, while I POPs dispersed by the cytoplasm. The analysis of the location of different proteins involved in the regulation of transport, such as proteins of the family of SNARE and the Rab, has determined that these tubules induced by low temperature are rich in proteins involved in the transport intra-Golgi like proteins Gos28, GS15 and Rab6. In addition, the study conducted in cell physiological temperature, has demonstrated the existence of tubules derivatives 8 of apa dee while Golgi positive for Gos28, GS15 and Rab6. Under these conditions 37Â ° C it is also possible to observe tubules positive for the enzyme glycosylation Galactosiltransferasa. Using confocal microscopy techniques in vivo, we studied the dynamics of tubulación under conditions of low temperature (15Â ° C) and physiological (37Â ° C). As control of these experiments we found that the distribution of the protein Galactosiltransferasa-CFP (GalTr-CFP) is the same as that of the endogenous protein, both in terms of 15Â ° C, 37Â ° C or after treatment with BFA. In conditions of low temperature, the path that follow these tubules during their growth is straight at the beginning but in the end could bend. The net movement of tubules is growing but is not a continuous movement forward, but still a movement "delante-atrás." Many of the tubules that we have studied, and grow after reaching its maximum length, down to zero. A low percentage but representative of these tubules were fragmented and separate from the Golgi apparatus, after which they move to the periphery of the cell where they disappear after a while. In some cases, these tubules derived from the Golgi apparatus, as structures remain stable over a long period of time. Both the tubules that crecen-decrecen as those who are separated can be observed in the same cell. One of the differences in the tubules observed 37Â ° C with respect to the low temperature, is the speed. Under physiological conditions this growth rate is 10 times faster than 15Â ° C. In this case, most of tubules break and separate from the Golgi complex. However, it was also observed that tubules increase or decrease. In other words, both 15Â ° C to 37Â ° C, there are two types of tubules: those who are separated and who crecen-decrecen. The conditions of low temperature increase the proportion of the kind crece-decrece. Previous studies indicate that the tubules induced by BFA move directly to the sites where output IR merge with the same membrane. In our study double markings made with enzyme GalTr-CFP and markers Sec13 (subunit of the complex COP II) and KDELr show that there is a direct relationship between the ends of the Golgi tubules derivatives (15Â ° C and 37Â ° C) and areas Out IR. Therefore, the Golgi tubules derivatives under physiological conditions of low temperature and have a different behavior of the tubules induced by BFA and described by other authors. All these data suggest that the tubules observed 15Â ° C would be representative of Internet transport intra-Golgi and more specifically be responsible for the recycling of glycosylation enzymes as postulated model maturation tanks.

Author: BRITO MIRALLES GONZALO.
Year: 2006.
University: LA LAGUNA.
Place of defense: FACULTAD DE QUIMICA.
Place of preparation: FACULTAD DE QUIMICA.

Summary: Procedures have been developed for the characterization multivariate analysis, classification and identification of liver pasta packaged by its heavy metal content and a number of qualitative and quantitative variables. We have established characteristics relating to the various commercial packages depending on the heavy metal content and qualities for the brand, country of origin. It has studied the concentration of metallic elements in different areas of packaging. We have studied different univariados and multivariate statistical methods for the management of the samples by classes on the sampling area, type of packaging, country of origin, trademark and ingredients.

Author: GIMENEZ MARIÑO CRISTINA.
Year: 2006.
University: LA LAGUNA.
Place of defense: INST.U.BIOORGANICA.
Place of preparation: FACULTAD DE BIOLOGIA.

Summary: We have studied plants belonging to the Laurisiva, training plant with the greatest biodiversity and well represented in the archipelago Macaronésicos of Canaries, Azores and Madeira. Based on the same have been aisado fungi endofitos, agencies subject of studies by the last decades considered important source of natural products activos.Dichos fungi were identified and cultivated to obtain extracts that allow us to determine its biological activity compared to pest insects chewing and sucking, phytopathogenic fungi of various crops, and parasites that cause severe disease in humans. In turn, tests were carried out with plant extracts of plants from which these fungi were isolated, in order to establish a comparison endófito-planta host. We obtained 209 isolated fungal, belonging to 21 species of fungi, of which 9 were cited for the first time as agencies endófitos. Most of the fungi tested had high percentages of activity compared with the various agencies target, especially compared to pests, and four were species of fungi endófitos greater spectrum of activity. It tested 28 plant species face phytopathogenic fungi and insect pest masticador. Four of these species were active against the target selected. In general, and based on the results obtained, were detected increased activity against target insects and parasites that meet the phytopathogenic fungi. On the other hand, were most active extracts of endófitos that obtained from plants. To conclude, plant that were most interesting, both on the activity of the extracts for their fungi endofitos, and that could be included in programs to control pests and diseases were Laurus novocanariensis, Ocotea foetens and Persea says.

Author: NAVARRO RIVERO FRANCISCO JOSÉ.
Year: 2006.
University: LA LAGUNA.
Place of defense: FACULTAD DE FARMACIA.
Place of preparation: FACULTAD DE BIOLOGIA.

Summary: This dissertation is devoted mainly to study the mechanism of regulation of protein Ynt1, a protein found in the plasma membrane of yeast Hansenula polymorpha and transporting nitrate and nitrite with high affinity to the interior of the cells. Within cells nitrate is used to synthesize the cellular components nitrogen. The results of this study suggest that the entry of nitrate is regulated by controlling the amount of Ynt1 in the plasma membrane depending on the source of nitrogen. Thus, when cells are sources of nitrogen to nitrate more favorable for growth, it ignores the conveyor nitrate sending it to the vacuola to be degraded, a process that requires the covalent binding of the protein ubiquitina to Ynt1 as a signal for it endocitado. The ubiquitina binds preferentially to lysine residues located in a broad cytosolic domain of Ynt1. Moreover, in this domain we have identified waste senina that fosforilan also depending on the availability and quality of the source of nitrogen. The phosphorylation of these residues, which occurs in the absence of nitrogen, improves stability Ynt1. Thus, phosphorylation and ubiquitinación control the amount of Ynt1 and thus, the entry of nitrate into the cells. These results contribute to the understanding, in molecular terms, the regulation of conveyors nitrate in eukaryotes.

Author: PEREZ ROTH EDUARDO.
Year: 2006.
University: LA LAGUNA.
Place of defense: FACULTAD DE MATEMATICAS.
Place of preparation: UDI DE MICROBIOLOGIA.FACULTAD DE FARMACIA.

Summary: Infections caused by SARM in the hospital setting

Author: LUIS DIAZ VANESA CRISTINA.
Year: 2006.
University: LA LAGUNA.
Place of defense: I.U.DE BIORGANICA.
Place of preparation: FACULTAD DE FARMACIA.

Summary: SE ESTUDIA THE QUALITY OF PLANT IN PINE CANARIO CULTIVADO CONTAINERIZED BREEDING GROUND FOR REFORESTATION. INTRODUCING TWO PHASES OF GROWING OVER TWO CONSECUTIVE YEARS IN WHICH ARE COMBINAN 3 TYPES OF CONTAINERS (SL-M32, AT-48C, FB-400), 5 TYPES OF SUSTRATOS IN DIFFERENT PROPORTIONS (LAND OF MONTE, PICÓN, PEAT BLONDE, VERMICULITA And PERLITA) AND TWO TYPES OF fertilization, LIBERATION LENTA (OSMOCOTE) IN DIFFERENT STRENGTHS AND fertilization APPLIED TO IRRIGATION WATER (PETERS PROFESSIONAL). AS THE COMBINATION OF THESE THREE ELEMENTS ARE FORMING IN TOTAL 26 TREATMENTS FOR BREEDING GROUND BETWEEN THE TWO PHASES OF GROWING THAT ARE IN TWO BLOCKS MAIN divided, GROWING THE TRADITIONAL BASED ON NATURAL COMPONENTS (LAND OF MONTE AND PICÓN) INS FERTILIZAR AND GROWING THE ALTERNATIVE , FORMED BY TREATMENTS COMPOUNDS FROM TURBAS FERTILIZADAS. SCENARIOS FOR THE ITEM IS TO PLANT HIGH QUALITY IN BREEDING GROUND ALCANZARÁN SENIORS CRECIMIENTOS AND DEVELOPMENTS IN THE FIELD, AND ARE CONTRASTARÁ THE QUALITY OF PLANT PRODUCED BY THESE TYPES OF GROWING, BOTH IN BREEDING GROUND AS IN THE FIELD. IT IS ALSO MAKES AN UP TO THE SURVIVAL, GROWTH, FENOLOGÍA AND PHYSIOLOGY OF PLANTACIONES ARID ZONES IN WITH PROBLEMS OF SURVIVAL. TOGETHER IS ESTUDIA THE PHYSIOLOGY OF THESE PLANTS GROWING IN TWO TYPES OF ACTION BY MACETA LEVEL ACÍCULA (STATE HÍDRICO, FLUORESCENCIA EXCHANGE GASEOSO AND THE CHLOROPHYLL) LEVEL OF PLANT AND SOLE (FLOW OF SAVIA), AND MAKE MEASURES CONDUCTANCIA HYDRAULIC SUBJECTED TO PLANTS TO TREATMENTS SOMBREO And fertilization HOW TO VIEW THE CHANGES MORPHOLOGICAL PRODUCED BY THESE TREATMENTS FOR BREEDING GROUND AFFECTING THE PHYSIOLOGY OF PLANT IN TERMS OF CONDUCTANCIA HYDRAULIC AND ITS INFLUENCE IN THE FOTOSÍNTESIS AND EFFICIENCY IN THE USE OF WATER. THE RESULTS ARE CONTUNDENTES IN FAVOR OF ALTERNATIVE CROP, SHOWING THIS MORE QUALITY MORFOLÓGICA And FISIOLÓGICA, INCREASE IN RATES OF SURVIVAL AND GROWTH IN BETTER AND FIELD STATE FISIOLÓGICO. ALSO ARE PROPOSED FOR HIGH AS AN INITIAL VERY GOOD VARIABLE PREDICTIVA OF THE SURVIVAL OF THE PLANTS IN THE CONDITIONS OF THIS STUDY.

Author: PÉREZ MARTÍNEZ DAVID.
Year: 2006.
University: VALENCIA.
Place of defense: FACULTAD DE MEDICINA DE LA UNIVERSITAT DE VALÈNCIA.
Place of preparation: FACULTAD DE MEDICINA DE LA UNIVERSITAT DE VALÈNCIA.

Summary: The overall objective of this thesis is part of a project in our laboratory is pursuing the characterization of GTPBP3, the human gene counterpart mnmE. It studied varieties of mRNAs mature resulting from ayuste alternative gene GTPBP3 proposals previously in the literature. The two alternatives differ found in the presence or not of exon located between the SA grounds G3 and G4 domain G GTPBP3. Addition, through quantitative PCR were both isoforms exist in all tissues analyzed although its level of expression is low because GTPBP3 could not be detected by the antibody anti-GTPBP3. Regarding wings biochemical characteristics analyzed, the affinity of GTPBP3, long isoform, par mGTP and GDP is very similar to the one shown by its protein homologa bacterial MnmE. However, the short isoform (isoform deletion) has an affinity pair GDP 100 times higher than the one that is isoform insertion, while its affinity GTP is the pair of the same rank. The two isoforms of GTPBP3, like his homologa bacterial MnmE St. Mimetic capable of forming a state of transition can GDP and aluminum fluoride, but the two isoforms, contrary to what happens can MnmE can not hydrolyze the GTP in vitro. GTPBP3 is also capable of dimerizar, which may allow him, it has been observed can eat their homologa bacterial create the binding site for a derivative of tetrahidrofolato that act as donor group unicarbonado in reaction to amend the tRNAs. Finally, it was noted that the protein GTPBP3 is not capable of complementing mutants mnmE bacteria, possibly because it is not capable of recognizing the tRNAs bacterial and / or other participants in the modification reaction controlled by MnmE.

Author: VILLENA ÁLVAREZ MARÍA JOSÉ.
Year: 2006.
University: VALENCIA.
Place of defense: FACULTAD DE FARMACIA DE LA UNIVERSITAT DE VALÈNCIA.
Place of preparation: FACULTAD DE CIENCIAS BIOLÓGICAS.

Summary: This paper addresses the ecology of primary producers in several lakes somerosmediterrÁneos, through two pilot studies in mesocosmos spot with nutrient enrichment and different densities of fish planctívoros, along with a study of the ecology of Lake Albufera Valencia . The results show that: 1) The ecologÍa of lakes studied someros resembles more to the ecology of lakes tropical and subtropical that described for someros lakes of northern and central Europe. 2) The diversion of nutrients in the lake of the Lagoon was insufficient to bring about a change in trophic status, but led to the reduction of phytoplankton biomass and the appearance of several phases clear. 3) In experimental studies in mesocosmos, nutrient concentrations affected more than the density of fish planctívoros on phytoplankton biomass, epifiton and macr6fitos submerged. 4) The growth of epifitón was exponential and maximum between concentrations 0,1-0,35 mg L-1 phosphorus, while the phytoplankton has been rising linear and dominoes above 0.35 mg L-1 phosphorus and the biomass of carófitas was greater with values below 0.05 mg L-1 5) The absence of submerged macrophytes favoreci6 the release of nutrients from sediment perpetuating algal biomass and a state of high turbidity. 6) The cyanobacteria dominated in a wide range of concentrations of nutrients. The density of fish planctívoros and predation due to zooplankton had a role selective its tamalio. 7) The dominance of cyanobacteria models proposed by Gragnani et al. (1999) and Scheffer et al. (1997), are not met for someros lakes studied. 8) It is proposed an alternative model that explains the alternation observed dominance among cyanobacteria croococales and oscilatoriales, based on its requirements for nutrients, light sensitivity to predation by zooplankton and conditions of stability in the water column. 9) The communities of phytoplankton and epifiton were closely linked and composition tended to homogenised by increasing the concentration of nutrients. 10) The recruitment of algae from the sediment from the left was greater periphyton and increased with nutrient concentrations. 11) The recruitment of cyanobacteria rue a major factor retroaliment6 and stabilized their populations and dominance in the phytoplankton. 12) The vision of a space continuum and heterogeneous (multihabitats) between the benthos and plankton in the lakes someros can help improve knowledge of ticoplancton that characterizes these systems. 13) The diversity of the communities epifiton and phytoplankton was reduced compared to an increase in nutrient concentrations and fish planctívoros, especially in the absence of submerged plants. 14) The functional groups proposed for phytoplankton by Reynolds et al. (2002), offer a valuable and complementary information to understand the ecology of lakes someros phytoplankton in the Mediterranean area, but suggested some changes in some of the functional groups originally described. 15) The recovery and preservation of the lakes someros Mediterranean involves a significant reduction in the burden of external nutrient and the adoption of additional measures to enhance internal control of nutrient loading in the food web to recover their ecological quality and biodiversity.

Author: ALONSO PERAL MARIA MAGDALENA.
Year: 2006.
University: MIGUEL HERNÁNDEZ DE ELCHE.
Place of defense: INSTITUTO DE BIOINGENIERIA.
Place of preparation: UNIVERSIDAD MIGUEL HERNANDEZ.

Summary: The vascular system of agencies pluricelulares part of a family of biological structures branched arborescentemente, ranked and three-dimensional, which also includes the respiratory and nervous systems of many animal species. For disecar rules generativas of these topologies can be used as a model venation patterns of the leaves of plants and wings of insects, which are two-dimensional and simple. In this PhD thesis, we have studied the mutants hemivenata (hve), which have altered their pattern of leaf venation. We have cloned posicionalmente gene HVE and characterized three of its mutant alleles, hve-1, hve-2 and hve-3 at the molecular and phenotypic. These mutants show a pattern of leaf venation very simple, with a number of secondary and tertiary veins far below the wild, and the absence or shortening of the higher-order. The mutants hve also show a delayed flowering and senescence, decreased fertility, bushy habit and lack of ripples in the root. Some of these features resemble mutants altered in the perception of auxin. We have established that mutants are slightly insensitive to hve auxin, as though responding to the wild type inhibitors of this hormone transport. The product of the gene HVE is a protein CAND1 (CULLIN-ASSOCIATED AND NEDDYLATION-DISSOCIATED1) whose participation in the ubiquitinación has been demonstrated in mammalian cells. The allele spontaneous hve-1 alters the prosecution of transcribed gene HVE, and hve-2 and hve-3 are carrying inserts ADN-T. The size of the inflorescence and fertility are more severely curtailed by hve-2 and hve-3 that hve-1, suggesting that this allele is hipomorfo. The pattern of venation simple plants hve appears to be due to a defect in the early development of the pattern of venation. We have determined that in vitro protein HVE joins the CULINA1 and venation patterns of mutants axr1 and hve are similar. These results and our analysis of the mutant phenotype vascular hve show that the auxin signaling mediated by the ubiquitina involved in establishing the pattern of venation of cotyledons, vegetative leaves, petals and sepals. Our analysis of double mutants and transgenic plants showed that the transportation and the perception of auxin involved in the training regardless of the pattern of venation, and that HVE acts before ATHB8 on a path of development in which it participates AXR1, but do not LOP1, PIN1, CVP1 nor CVP2

Author: Roura Pascual Núria.
Year: 2006.
University: GIRONA.
Place of defense: Facultat de Ciències, Universitat de Girona.
Place of preparation: Universitat de Girona.

Summary: Argentine ants (Linepithema humile) rank among the most successful invasive species: native to South America, Argentine ants are found now in many Mediterranean and subtropical climates around the world. Despite their widespread success, little is known about what makes an area susceptible--or not--to invasion. This PhD thesis thus attempts to take the first step towards an integrated and multi-scalar analysis of the Argentine ant (Linepithema humile) geographic distribution via ecological niche modeling (using GARP, Maxent, GLM and GAM techniques). Three datasets of occurrence data at global, regional and local scales were combined with several environmental coverages to assess the potential distribution of the Argentine ant across spatial scales in the present, and also in the future to examine changes associated with climate change. At global scales, the Argentine ant is expected to occupy a broader distribution in its native and worldwide invaded ranges than is currently appreciated (particularly northern South America and the Caribbean, parts of the Mediterranean, eastern Europe, tropical coastal Africa, Madagascar, Southeast Asia, India, China, northern Australia and many oceanic islands). With global warming, our predictions suggest a general reduction of potential distribution areas worldwide for L. humile, particularly in the tropics. However, some higher latitude areas are predicted to become more suitable for invasion (East Asia, northeastern United States, broader areas around the Mediterranean and Caspian Seas, southern Africa, and southern Australia). Additionally, we also used niche models to examine the roles of niche similarity and difference in predicting Argentine ant invasion. Our comparisons support a picture of general conservatism of the species' ecological characteristics, in spite of distinct geographic and community contexts. The ecological niche of Argentine ants is not markedly different among native and invaded (United States of America, Japan, and Iberian Peninsula) areas, suggesting that ecological, behavioral, and genetic differences occurring after introduction observed in detailed single-site studies are not manifested at regional spatial scales. In the Iberian Peninsula, although the Argentine ant also presents similar ecological niches at western and eastern sides, small divergences between both areas suggest that the western invasion process occupies a slighter wide range of environmental characteristics than in the East. Overall, further expansion of the species is still possible along the coastal areas and major river courses (such as the Ebro, Guadalquivir, Guadiana and Tajo rivers) at regional scales. At local scales, a further expansion of the species is highly probable on the northeastern side of the Iberian Peninsula (Catalonia). Special attention should also be placed on the Costa Brava, where the species seems to present highly suitable conditions along the whole coast and also in inland urbanized areas. However, further field work and modeling practices at broad and fine scales should be done in order to improve our assessment of the real invasive potential of the Argentine ant and determine new sites vulnerable to invasion, where preventive measures should be taken.

Author: Álvarez Cobo Yolanda.
Year: 2006.
University: AUTÓNOMA DE BARCELONA.
Place of defense: Facultat de Biociéncias.
Place of preparation: Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona.

Summary: In acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) more than 80% of patients showing genetic alterations useful in the study of the disease, both in the diagnosis and monitoring of disease research. Moreover, many of these changes are associated with prognostic value, as is the case with the reorganization ETV6/RUNX1.Los objectives of our work on a series of 201 patients diagnosed with LLA were: a) establish the incidence of reorganization ETV6 / RUNX1 b) to analyze the alterations associated with the reorganization and evaluate its influence on the evolution of patients, c) compare the characteristics clinicobiológicas of patients with the reorganization with those who do not submit d) assessing prognosis of the reorganization ETV6 / RUNX1.La impact of the reorganization ETV6/RUNX1 in our series has been 27.86%, showing a 71.42% of them associated alterations, which do not appear to alter the prognostic value of such reorganización.Los patients with the reorganization ETV6/RUNX1 have shown characteristics clinicobiológicas associated with favorable prognosis, as a WBC count below 50x109 / L, aged between 1 and 10 years or low rates of recidivism. These features have proved statistically different with respect to those of patients who show no reorganization ETV6/RUNX1.Al conduct the study of disease-free survival (PFS) at five years comparing patients who showed reorganization ETV6/RUNX1 with those who do not look showed that the first show SLE significantly more elevada.Cuando compares the SLE at five years among the reorganization ETV6/RUNX1 and other genetic alterations recurring LLA it has been observed that the reorganization ETV6/RUNX1 and hiperdiploidias more of 50 chromosomes showed a similar SLE, but is statistically superior to the reorganization SLE BCR - ABL, MLL gene or reorganization of the t (1; 19). The reorganization ETV6/RUNX1 relates to a favorable prognosis

Author: BARRERO GIL JAVIER.
Year: 2006.
University: POLITÉCNICA DE MADRID.
Place of defense: ESCUELA TECNICA SUPERIOR DE INGENIEROS AGRONOMOS.
Place of preparation: ESCUELA TECNICA SUPERIOR DE INGENIEROS AGRONOMOS.

Summary: In this study we have developed several lines of inquiry, following mainly two different approaches: the characterization of transport systems that might have an interest in the field of biotechnology increased salinity tolerance of crops and the establishment of Physcomitrella patens agency model studies of ion homeostasis. 1. Identification and characterization of Na +, K + -ATPasas algae Na + pump systems are very efficient in the extrusion of Na + cell outward and are therefore of great interest to biotechnology. In this study we have conducted a search of Na + pump in marine algae macroscopic identifying and cloning two cDNAs, one in a marine species of red alga Porphyra yezoensis and another in another species of marine algae green Udotea petiolata. Both sequences showed high homology with Na +, K + -ATPasas animal, naming KPA1. We have characterized the role of the pump PyKPA1 of Porphyra by heterologous expression in bacteria and yeast as a system capable of mediating an entry of K + and Na + output. Using computer searches databases have been able to identify sequences associated with this type of ATPasas in the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii and estramenopilo Phytophthora sojae. These results suggest that the bombs of Na + / K + - are not only present in animals, but they are present in various agencies as estramenopilos, red algae, green algae. His involvement in the ionic homeostasis need more detailed studies. 2. Characterization of K + transport in the moss Physcomitrella patens have been established cultivation techniques and basic genetic manipulation in the laboratory. We have characterized the responses to fasting nutrients from the plant showing its ability to absorb high-affinity K +, the characteristics of this transportation suggest the involvement of a conveyor KUP / HAK / KT. In addition, some evidence suggests that a conveyor of this family could also intervene in the K + uptake in plants with a normal content of K +. Four have been cloned genes encoding transporters HAK in Physcomitrella, escogiéndose two of them for their functional characterization (PpHAK1 and PpHAK2). It has established the subcellular localization of the transporter PpHAK1 in the plasma membrane. In the case of PpHAK2 there are some signs pointing to its location on the tonoplasto. The results of experiments heterologous expression of PpHAK1 and PpHAK2 in yeast mutants strongly suggest capacity PpHAK1 to mediate inflows of high-affinity K +. There have also been identified and cloned in Physcomitrella two sequences belonging to family of ion channels type Shaker (PpAKT1 and PpAKT2). It has been possible to establish the role of PpAKT1 as a system of K + uptake by the heterologous expression in yeast mutants. It has succeeded in stopping gene PpHAK1 in Physcomitrella. The line mutant hak1 seems to have the transportation systems of K + from high and low affinity badly affected, which suggests that the transporter PpHAK1 may be implicated in both modes of K +. 3. Cloning and characterization of a conveyor NHAD in Physcomitrella The Na + homeostasis in Physcomitrella is particularly interesting because it is the only known plant in which Na + pumps and antiportadores Na + / H + coexist. In this paper, we have raised the characterization of one of the alleged antiportadores Na + / H + Physcomitrella, antiportador PpNHAD1. This conveyor belongs to a little-known family. An electronic search has enabled us to discover that transporters NHAD are very widely distributed among eukaryotes photosynthetic organisms, which has led us to clone the cDNA PpNHAD1. The construction of a merger of cDNA of PpNHAD1 with GFP has revealed the location d 8 and this t 49c ransportador in the chloroplast envelope. Using Li + cation as analogous to Na +, we were able to demonstrate through its role as a heterologous expression of Na + transporter. This feature appears to be dependent on an acid pH. Surprisingly, this also seems to mediate a conveyor input of K +, and this function independent of pH. Thus, it appears that PpNHAD1 is a transporter wrapper cloroplástica involved in the ionic homeostasis of this orgánulo.

Author: BONNARD NATHALIE.
Year: 2006.
University: GRANADA.
Place of defense: ESTACIÓN EXPERI. DEL ZAIDIN, CSIC.
Place of preparation: ESTACIÓN EXPERIMENTAL DEL ZAÍDIN, CSIC, GRANADA.

Summary: Bacteria order Rhizobiales are well known for their ability

Author: Cobos del Moral Enrique José.
Year: 2006.
University: GRANADA.
Place of defense: Facultad de Medicina.
Place of preparation: Facultad de Medicina.

Summary: The aims of this doctoral thesis were to deepen the knowledge of the receiver sigma-1 by: 1 .- The characterization of in vitro method in allowing discriminate ligands agonists and antagonists of this receptor through modulation alostérica differential phenytoin in brain membranes of brain guinea pig. 2 .- To study the binding of ligand haloperidol prototype assessing whether this union is reversible or irreversible, and whether it is caused by the ligand original or one of its metabolites in the brain and guinea pig in a human cell line (neuroblastoma human SH-SY5Y) . The methodology that was used was: subfraccionamiento cellular tests fixing radioligandos and neuronal cultures. The main findings were: 1 .- The phenytoin modulates alostéricamente, and so differential, the fixing of ligands sigma-1 based on their activity on recipients sigma-1, which would be a reliable method for in vitro discriminate between agonist

Author: Hurtado Rodríguez Antonio.
Year: 2006.
University: AUTÓNOMA DE BARCELONA.
Place of defense: Institut de Recerca Hospital Vall d'Hebron.
Place of preparation: Institut de Recerca Hospital Vall d'Hebron.

Summary: The prostates and without tumor of patients with prostate cancer express messenger RNA and protein ERb1 and ERb2. The immunohistoquínica of ERb1 of patients reveals that the recipient is expressed in both the nucleus and cytoplasm of the tumor epithelium of patients with grade 3 of the disease and that in grade 4 and 5 disappears. Patients with prostate cancer also express the enzyme P450 aromatase in the stroma and in the epithelium tumoral.Se unknown which is the pattern of expression of both isoforms of the receptor for cell cycle progression. The analysis of expression in the phases of the cycle has revealed that isoforms b1 and b2 show a distinct expression profiles. For isoform b1, the level of protein was more abundant in the S phase fairly low at the stage G2 / M. By contrast, levels of the protein isoform b2 were more abundant in phases G1/G0 and G2 / M phase of the S. It was also found that levels of RNA and protein were consistent in each of the phases, suggesting that both isoforms must be regulated by different promoters. The localization of isoform b1 was both nuclear and cytoplasmic at different stages of the cycle. Instead location of the isoform b2 was solely nuclear. Experiments luciferasa to determine the transcriptional activity of the receptor in the cells LNCaP transfectando a vector containing the gene sequences ERE in the promoter region revealed that the protein endogenous ERb1 is active únicament in the S phase of the cycle. To assess the role of the protein ERb1 in cells LNCaP is transfectaron cells with an array of constitutive expression of the recipient. The results have shown that ERb1 inhibits cycle progression because it induces a block in phase G1. The protein ERb1 induces this blockade preventing activation of the transcription factor AP1. The location of the most abundant protein ERb2 in phase G2 / M suggests the involvement of the recipient in Mitosis.

Author: Tornavaca Lázaro Olga.
Year: 2006.
University: AUTÓNOMA DE BARCELONA.
Place of defense: Inst.de Rec.dels H. Vall d'Hebron..
Place of preparation: CIBBIM, Institut de Recerca dels Hospitals Vall d'Hebron..

Author: Quilis Blasi Jordi.
Year: 2006.
University: AUTÓNOMA DE BARCELONA.
Place of defense: Ins. de Biol. Molecular de Barcelona.
Place of preparation: INSTITUTO DE BIOLOGÍA MOLECULAR DE BARCELONA, CONSEJO SUPERIOR INVESTIGACIONES CIENTÍFICAS (CID-CSIC).

Summary: This work is part of one of the main lines of our research group, conducted the evaluation of strategies applicable to the procurement of rice varieties resistant to insect pests and pathogens through genetic transformation. The general policy objective has been the simultaneous expression of genes encoding proteins and antifungal insecticides in transgenic rice plants. First has evaluated the effectiveness of the expression of a fusion gene that encodes two protease inhibitors, genes mpi corn (maize proteinase inhibitor) and pci potato (potato carboxypeptidase inhibitor). For the simultaneous expression of these two protease inhibitors have been used several strategies, including 1) the use of a viral sequence called'2 A 'capable of experiencing autoprocesamiento, 2) through a sequence of processing the protoxina Cry1B (defined as a sequence 'C') or 3) by crossing lines of rice pci and mpi. Secondly, has been studied using a gene regulator of the response of defense in Arabidopsis gene AtNPR1 (Non Expressor of Pathogenesis Related gene 1), as transgen for the simultaneous expression of endogenous genes in defense of the rice plant . In the first part of the job, to evaluate the expression of the gene fusion mpi-pci in rice plants, it has been shown that it is expressed correctly under his own promoter and terminator of corn. When using the processing sequence 2A for the fusion of genes mpi and pci, the gene product obtained protein fusion MPI-2A-PCI is partially processed in the cell of rice. The product of the gene mpi-C-pci accumulates in the form of polyprotein not processed at the plant rice transformed. The expression of the gene fusion mpi-pci both the gene fusion mpi-2A-pci as the gene fusion mpi-C-pci led by the inducible promoter of the gene itself mpi, confers protection to the rice plant versus larvae infestation plague of lepidopteron C. Suppressalis. The strategy based on the use of the processing sequence Cry1B is however, more effective in protecting against this insect lepidopteron. The larvae of C. Suppressalis being fed rice plants expressing a gene fusion mpi-pci, presented weighing less respect larvae fed on plants controls. The reduction in weight ranges between 23.5% and 47% in the case of lines mpi-2A-pci, and between 32.2% and 50% for the lines mpi-C-pci. The effect of the expression of a fusion gene on the growth of larvae is much higher than that observed in the case of gene expression mpi on an individual basis (30% reduction in weight on average) in rice plants. In the case of lines obtained by crosses between parent who express the gene mpi either gene pci on an individual basis, there has been a reduction in the weight of larvae fed on these plants make up between 20% and 40% . In another line of this work has been shown that the protein PCI presents antifungal activity in vitro against fungal pathogens. In the presence of the inhibitor, the major morphological abnormalities and inhibition of the process of elongation of the hyphae of M. Grisea. In addition, gene expression pci in rice plants confers resistance to fungal pathogens M. Grisea and F. Verticillioides. It has been purified and characterized a Carboxipeptidasa B of the fungus M. Grisea called MgCPB, which was completely inhibited by ICP, suggesting that the antifungal action of this inhibitor is based, at least in part, on its ability to inhibit this enzyme fungi. In the second part of this thesis has been demostradi that the constitutive expression of the gene AtNPR1 in rice confers resistance against the fungal pathogens M. Grisea and F. Verticillioides, and the bacterial pathogen Erwinia chrysantemi. It has been found also that the resistance observed compared M. Grisea, is associated with an increase in the capacity of the plant to activate the endogenous mechanisms of 8 defense 7e0 in terms of infection, particularly the expression of genes PR-1b, PR-5, Sci1 (HR-6), PR- 10 and PBZ. It has also seen that the rice plants AtNPR1 grown in greenhouse conditions have a smaller size and produce fewer seeds that the plants have not been processed. When rice plants AtNPR1 are grown under conditions of low intensity lesions develop spontaneous. These injuries are accompanied by a series of cytological effects such as the accumulation of superoxide (o2-) and the accumulation of fluorescent compounds in the cell wall, mimicking the response phenomena hypersensitive defense. Contrary to the observed resistance against bacterial and fungal pathogens, plants rice AtNPR1 have an increased susceptibility to infection by the virus RYMV (Rice Yelow Mottle Virus), developed symptoms of the viral disease in a more severe plant variety Senia not been processed. The constitutive expression of the gene AtNPR1 in rice plants leads to a greater sensitivity to abiotic stress, such as salinity and drought. Thus, the results obtained in the course of this thesis show that the challenge in the transgenia plant is getting resistance against different pathogens or insect pests, always minimizing the possible effects pleiotrópicos in these strategies.