Percorrer por autor "Teixeira, Elisabete"
A mostrar 1 - 2 de 2
Resultados por página
Opções de ordenação
- Exploring the genetic links between voltage-gated potassium channels and familial non-medullary thyroid carcinoma: a family studyPublication . Teixeira, Elisabete; Rodrigues, Lia; Cardoso, Marta; Fernandes, Cláudia; Paula, Arnaud da Cruz; Lima, Raquel; Ferreira, Marta; Martins, Teresa; Fernandes, Andreia; Rodrigues, Fernando; Prazeres, Hugo; Soares, Paula; Rodrigues, LiaOur team identified a family where 5 elements developed thyroid cancer between the ages of 26 and 38. Since no syndromic form of the disease was found, the diagnosis was of familial non-medullary thyroid carcinoma (FNMTC). Our team employed Whole-Exome Sequencing (WES) and identified a new potentially pathogenic germline mutation in the KCNB2 gene [ p.(Gly106Arg)]. KCNB2 encodes a voltage-gated potassium channel (vgKCN), and the detected missense mutation is localized in the tetramerization domain of the protein, possibly affecting its assembly and KC efflux. Since KC efflux by the cell is a necessary condition for cellular homeostasis, channel disruption can impact the function of other ion channels nearby. Mice studies showed that KCNE2 disruption indirectly impairs sodium-iodide symporter (NIS) function, and therefore iodide uptake by the cell, resulting in hypothyroidism or follicular nodular disease. Hypothesis By indirect effect on NIS function vgKCN mutations may increase predisposition to thyroid cancer and interfere with radioiodine (RAI) therapy response. We conducted in silico studies using two different NGS databases, TCGA and one in-house oncocytic tumors database (513 and 18 patients, respectively). Alterations in 59 genes were searched for copy-number variation, point mutations and other genetic alterations. in vitro assays using the FRTL-5 cell line are being performed. FRTL-5 cells were transfected with overexpression vectors containing either KCNB2 wild-type or KCNB2 mutated sequences, and the empty vector (EV) as a negative control. Expression of thyroid markers (e.g. NIS, TSH receptor, Thyroglobulin and TPO) was evaluated by qPCR and cell viability by PrestoBlue assay. Protein expression of thyroid markers will be assessed by Western blot. Cell cycle and apoptosis through flow cytometry, cell morphology by phalloidin assay, and cell colony formation by crystal violet. Transformed cells will further be treated with Guangxitoxin-1E, a potent KCNB1 / KCNB2 inhibitor. Our in silico results show that vgKCN mutations are rare events in thyroid cancer [19/488 (4%) in TCGA; 3/18 (17%) in our in-house database]. BRAF and NRAS alterations are frequent events in vgKCN altered tumors (58% and 16%, respectively). No KCNB2 pathogenic mutations were observed. vgKCN mutations were not correlated with patient prognosis. Our in vitro preliminary results show that KCNB2 mutated cells present higher expression of the channel than KCNB2 wild-type cells. No differences in cell viability were found between KCNB2 wild-type and mutated cells. If confirmed, vgKCN mutations may identify patients with altered RAI response, serving as thyroid cancer markers and potential pharmacological targets.
- Facebook's features and the impact on the purchase behavior of consumers of organic products: generation Y And ZPublication . Teixeira, Elisabete; Lima, Ana; Teixeira, SandrinaIn the era of digital globalization, there are many behavioral changes in consumption. Most social media users use them to search for information about a product to determine whether they want to proceed with the purchase. Therefore, companies must develop digital marketing strategies for their profiles on social networks, especially in competitive markets, such as organic products. The objective of this study is to understand whether Facebook’s features have an influence on the purchasing behavior of consumers of organic products and which of the features has the most impact on these individuals. A questionnaire was created to carry out this study, which received 205 responses. The results of the study showed a positive influence of the following Facebook features on the purchase behavior of consumers of organic products: the “like” button, the “share” button, and the “advertising” button. Furthermore, these features proved to be more influential on Generation Z.