Fatima Cerqueira Alvim
Verified @uesc.br
Scopus Publications
- Expression of an Eucalyptus grandis Xyloglucan endoglycosylase gene in Nicotiana tabacum confers tolerance to abiotic stress
Elza Thaynara Cardoso de Menezes Assis, Maria Teresa Aguilar Quisbert, Dandara Bispo Oliveira, Aurizangela Oliveira de Sousa, Giancarlo Pasquali, Delmira da Costa Silva, Carlos Priminho Pirovani, Martielly Santana dos Santos, Fátima Cerqueira Alvim
Plant Cell Tissue and Organ Culture, 2025
Comparative analyzes of the xylem transcriptomes from Eucalyptus grandis and E. globulus allowed us to identify a gene sequence putatively encoding an enzyme similar to xyloglucan endotransglucosylase/hydrolase (XTH). XTHs are a family of enzymes involved in plant cell wall modification, impacting cell expansion and growth. Besides cell wall structure remodeling induced by XTHs, the activity of this class of enzymes was also related to plant responses to stress conditions. In this work, we show that in Eucalyptus, EucXTH expression is induced in response to stress conditions such as those promoted by injury, salinity and cold, indicating its involvement in adaptive responses to abiotic stress. Additionally, we demonstrate that Nicotiana tabacum plants overexpressing EucXTH present changes in secondary xylem differentiation, increased mechanical strength, enhanced net phohtosynthesis associated with stomatal regulation and increased water use efficiencies. The enhanced tolerance to salt stress was evidenced by increased biomass accumulation. These findings demonstrate the potential of the EucXTH gene to improve plant tolerance to environmental challenges. We demonstrate that an Eucalyptus xyloglucan endoglycoylase geneexpression is related with secondary xylem differentiation, inducing a higher mechanical strength, and increased plant tolerance to salt stress. - Proteomic Analysis of Plants with Binding Immunoglobulin Protein Overexpression Reveals Mechanisms Related to Defense Against Moniliophthora perniciosa
Grazielle da Mota Alcântara, Gláucia Carvalho Barbosa Silva, Irma Yuliana Mora Ocampo, Amanda Araújo Kroger, Rafaelle Souza de Oliveira, Karina Peres Gramacho, Carlos Priminho Pirovani, Fátima Cerqueira Alvim
Plants, 2025
Moniliophthora perniciosa is one of the main pathogens affecting cocoa, and controlling it generally involves planting resistant genotypes followed by phytosanitary pruning. The identification of plant genes related to defense mechanisms is crucial to unravel the molecular basis of plant–pathogen interactions. Among the candidate genes, BiP stands out as a molecular chaperone located in the endoplasmic reticulum that facilitates protein folding and is induced under stress conditions, such as pathogen attacks. In this study, the SoyBiPD gene was expressed in Solanum lycopersicum plants and the plants were challenged with M. perniciosa. The control plants exhibited severe symptoms of witches’ broom disease, whereas the transgenic lines showed no or mild symptoms. Gel-free proteomics revealed significant changes in the protein profile associated with BiP overexpression. Inoculated transgenic plants had a higher abundance of resistance-related proteins, such as PR2, PR3, and PR10, along with increased activity of antioxidant enzymes, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), guaiacol peroxidase, and fungal cell wall-degrading enzymes (glucanases). Additionally, transgenic plants accumulated less H2O2, indicating more efficient control of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The interaction network analysis highlighted the activation of defense-associated signaling and metabolic pathways, conferring a state of defensive readiness even in the absence of pathogens. These results demonstrate that BiP overexpression increases the abundance of defense proteins, enhances antioxidant capacity, and confers greater tolerance to biotic stress. This study demonstrates the biotechnological potential of the BiP gene for genetic engineering crops with increased resistance to economically important diseases, such as witches’ broom in cocoa. - A paraquat-inducible protein B-like (pqiB) gene from Chromobacterium violaceum confers tolerance to paraquat in transgenic tobacco
L.F. Santos, J.A.L. Senna, M.G.C. Costa, F.C. Alvim
Genetics and Molecular Research, 2024 - Proteomics analysis reveals three potential cacao target that interacts with Moniliophthora perniciosa NEP during witches broom disease
Maria Luíza do Carmo Santos, Natasha dos Santos Lopes, Monaliza Macedo Ferreira, Geiseane Velozo Amaral, Ariana Silva Santos, Cristiano Villela Dias, Carlos Priminho Pirovani, Fátima Cerqueira Alvim
Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology, 2023 - Hydrosoluble phylloplane components of Theobroma cacao modulate the metabolism of Moniliophthora perniciosa spores during germination
Joise Hander Mares, Karina Peres Gramacho, Juliano Oliveira Santana, Aurizângela Oliveira de Souza, Fátima Cerqueira Alvim, Carlos Priminho Pirovani
Fungal Biology, 2020 - Genome-wide identification and expression analysis of the molecular chaperone binding protein BiP genes in Citrus
Roney Fontes Guimarães, Luciana Rodrigues Camillo, Aurizangela Oliveira Sousa, Luana Pereira Gonçalves, Jamilly Costa Cardoso Macedo, Giovano Sousa Siqueira, Antônia Marlene Magalhães Barbosa, Fátima Cerqueira Alvim, Marcio Gilberto Cardoso Costa, Carlos Priminho Pirovani
Tree Genetics and Genomes, 2018 - TcPHYLL, a cacao phylloplanin expressed in young tissues and glandular trichomes
Lais Freire, Juliano Oliveira Santana, Aurizangela Oliveira de Sousa, Juliana Bispo dos Santos, Ivina Barbosa de Oliveira, Fátima Cerqueira Alvim, Karina Peres Gramacho, Marcio G.C. Costa, Carlos Priminho Pirovani
Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology, 2017 - Proteomic analysis during of spore germination of Moniliophthora perniciosa, the causal agent of witches' broom disease in cacao
Joise Hander Mares, Karina Peres Gramacho, Everton Cruz Santos, André da Silva Santiago, Juliano Oliveira Santana, Aurizângela Oliveira de Sousa, Fátima Cerqueira Alvim, Carlos Priminho Pirovani
BMC Microbiology, 2017
BACKGROUND: Moniliophthora perniciosa is a phytopathogenic fungus responsible for witches' broom disease of cacao trees (Theobroma cacao L.). Understanding the molecular events during germination of the pathogen may enable the development of strategies for disease control in these economically important plants. In this study, we determined a comparative proteomic profile of M. perniciosa basidiospores during germination by two-dimensional SDS-PAGE and mass spectrometry. RESULTS: A total of 316 proteins were identified. Molecular changes during the development of the germinative tube were identified by a hierarchical clustering analysis based on the differential accumulation of proteins. Proteins associated with fungal filamentation, such as septin and kinesin, were detected only 4 h after germination (hag). A transcription factor related to biosynthesis of the secondary metabolite fumagillin, which can form hybrids with polyketides, was induced 2 hag, and polyketide synthase was observed 4 hag. The accumulation of ATP synthase, binding immunoglobulin protein (BiP), and catalase was validated by western blotting. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, we showed variations in protein expression during the early germination stages of fungus M. perniciosa. Proteins associated with fungal filamentation, and consequently with virulence, were detected in basidiospores 4 hag., for example, septin and kinesin. We discuss these results and propose a model of the germination of fungus M. perniciosa. This research can help elucidate the mechanisms underlying basic processes of host invasion and to develop strategies for control of the disease. - Cacao phylloplane: The first battlefield against Moniliophthora perniciosa, which causes witches' broom disease
D. S. M. Almeida, K. P. Gramacho, T. H. S. Cardoso, F. Micheli, F. C. Alvim, C. P. Pirovani
Phytopathology, 2017
The phylloplane is the first contact surface between Theobroma cacao and the fungus Moniliophthora perniciosa, which causes witches’ broom disease (WBD). We evaluated the index of short glandular trichomes (SGT) in the cacao phylloplane and the effect of irrigation on the disease index of cacao genotypes with or without resistance to WBD, and identified proteins present in the phylloplane. The resistant genotype CCN51 and susceptible Catongo presented a mean index of 1,600 and 700 SGT cm−2, respectively. The disease index in plants under drip irrigation was reduced by approximately 30% compared with plants under sprinkler irrigation prior to inoculation. Leaf water wash (LWW) of the cacao inhibited the germination of spores by up to 98%. Proteins from the LWW of CCN51 were analyzed by two-dimensional sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis followed by tandem mass spectrometry. The gel showed 71 spots and identified a total of 42 proteins (28 from the plant and 14 from bacteria). Proteins related to defense and synthesis of defense metabolites and involved in nucleic acid metabolism were identified. The results support the hypothesis that the proteins and water-soluble compounds secreted to the cacao phylloplane participate in the defense against pathogens. They also suggest that SGT can contribute to the resistance of cacao. - Protein profile and protein interaction network of Moniliophthora perniciosa basidiospores
Joise Hander Mares, Karina Peres Gramacho, Everton Cruz dos Santos, André da Silva Santiago, Edson Mário de Andrade Silva, Fátima Cerqueira Alvim, Carlos Priminho Pirovani
BMC Microbiology, 2016
BACKGROUND: Witches' broom, a disease caused by the basidiomycete Moniliophthora perniciosa, is considered to be the most important disease of the cocoa crop in Bahia, an area in the Brazilian Amazon, and also in the other countries where it is found. M. perniciosa germ tubes may penetrate into the host through intact or natural openings in the cuticle surface, in epidermis cell junctions, at the base of trichomes, or through the stomata. Despite its relevance to the fungal life cycle, basidiospore biology has not been extensively investigated. In this study, our goal was to optimize techniques for producing basidiospores for protein extraction, and to produce the first proteomics analysis map of ungerminated basidiospores. We then presented a protein interaction network by using Ustilago maydis as a model. RESULTS: The average pileus area ranged from 17.35 to 211.24 mm(2). The minimum and maximum productivity were 23,200 and 6,666,667 basidiospores per basidiome, respectively. The protein yield in micrograms per million basidiospores were approximately 0.161; 2.307, and 3.582 for germination times of 0, 2, and 4 h after germination, respectively. A total of 178 proteins were identified through mass spectrometry. These proteins were classified according to their molecular function and their involvement in biological processes such as cellular energy production, oxidative metabolism, stress, protein synthesis, and protein folding. Furthermore, to better understand the expression pattern, signaling, and interaction events of spore proteins, we presented an interaction network using orthologous proteins from Ustilago maydis as a model. Most of the orthologous proteins that were identified in this study were not clustered in the network, but several of them play a very important role in hypha development and branching. CONCLUSIONS: The quantities of basidiospores 7 × 10(9); 5.2 × 10(8), and 6.7 × 10(8) were sufficient to obtain enough protein mass for the three 2D-PAGE replicates, for the 0, 2, and 4 h-treatments, respectively. The protein extraction method that is based on sedimentation, followed by sonication with SDS-dense buffer, and phenolic extraction, which was utilized in this study, was effective, presenting a satisfactory resolution and reproducibility for M. perniciosa basidiospores. This report constitutes the first comprehensive study of protein expression during the ungerminated stage of the M. perniciosa basidiospore. Identification of the spots observed in the reference gel enabled us to know the main molecular interactions involved in the initial metabolic processes of fungal development. - TcCYPR04, a cacao papain-like cysteine-protease detected in senescent and necrotic tissues interacts with a cystatin TcCYS4
Thyago Hermylly Santana Cardoso, Ana Camila Oliveira Freitas, Bruno Silva Andrade, Aurizangela Oliveira de Sousa, André da Silva Santiago, Daniela Martins Koop, Karina Peres Gramacho, Fátima Cerqueira Alvim, Fabienne Micheli, Carlos Priminho Pirovani
Plos One, 2015 - TcCYS4, A cystatin from cocoa, Reduces necrosis triggered by MpNEP2 in tobacco plants
L.S. Santana, M.G.C. Costa, N.M. Pirovani, A.F. Almeida, F.C. Alvim, C.P. Pirovani
Genetics and Molecular Research, 2014 - Phosphate-induced-1 gene from Eucalyptus (EgPHI-1) enhances osmotic stress tolerance in transgenic tobacco
A.O. Sousa, E.T.C.M. Assis, C.P. Pirovani, F.C. Alvim, M.G.C. Costa
Genetics and Molecular Research, 2014 - Eutirucallin, a RIP-2 type lectin from the latex of Euphorbia tirucalli L. presents proinflammatory properties
Sanzio Silva Santana, Margareth Leitão Gennari-Cardoso, Fernanda Caroline Carvalho, Maria Cristina Roque-Barreira, André da Silva Santiago, Fátima Cerqueira Alvim, Carlos Priminho Pirovani
Plos One, 2014 - Nep1-like protein from Moniliophthora perniciosa induces a rapid proteome and metabolome reprogramming in cells of Nicotiana benthamiana
Cristiano Villela‐Dias, Luciana R. Camillo, Guilherme A. P. de Oliveira, Jamilly A. L. Sena, André S. Santiago, Sanderson T. P. de Sousa, Juliano S. Mendes, Carlos P. Pirovani, Fátima C. Alvim, Marcio G. C. Costa
Physiologia Plantarum, 2014 - Expression of an oxalate decarboxylase impairs the necrotic effect induced by Nep1-like protein (NLP) of Moniliophthora perniciosa in transgenic tobacco
Leonardo F. da Silva, Cristiano V. Dias, Luciana C. Cidade, Juliano S. Mendes, Carlos P. Pirovani, Fátima C. Alvim, Gonçalo A. G. Pereira, Francisco J. L. Aragão, Júlio C. M. Cascardo, Marcio G. C. Costa
Molecular Plant Microbe Interactions, 2011 - The binding protein BiP attenuates stress-induced cell death in soybean via modulation of the N-RICH protein-mediated signaling pathway
Pedro A.A. Reis, Gustavo L. Rosado, Lucas A.C. Silva, Luciana C. Oliveira, Lucas B. Oliveira, Maximiller D.L. Costa, Fátima C. Alvim, Elizabeth P.B. Fontes
Plant Physiology, 2011 - Theobroma cacao cystatins impair moniliophthora perniciosa mycelial growth and are involved in postponing cell death symptoms
Carlos Priminho Pirovani, André da Silva Santiago, Lívia Santana dos Santos, Fabienne Micheli, Rogério Margis, Abelmon da Silva Gesteira, Fátima Cerqueira Alvim, Gonçalo Amarante Guimarães Pereira, Júlio Cézar de Mattos Cascardo
Planta, 2010 - Studies on genetic transformation of Theobroma cacao L.: Evaluation of different polyamines and antibiotics on somatic embryogenesis and the efficiency of uidA gene transfer by Agrobacterium tumefaciens
Thiago E. R. Silva, Luciana C. Cidade, Fátima C. Alvim, Júlio C. M. Cascardo, Marcio G. C. Costa
Plant Cell Tissue and Organ Culture, 2009 - Carbon source-induced changes in the physiology of the cacao pathogen Moniliophthora perniciosa (Basidiomycetes) affect mycelial morphology and secretion of necrosis-inducing proteins
F.C. Alvim, E.M. Mattos, C.P. Pirovani, K. Gramacho, C. Pungartnik, M. Brendel, J.C.M. Cascardo, M. Vincentz
Genetics and Molecular Research, 2009 - Somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration in elite clones of Theobroma cacao
Thiago Édson Ribeiro da Silva, Luciana Cardoso Cidade, Fátima Cerqueira Alvim, Júlio Cézar de Mattos Cascardo, Marcio Gilberto Cardoso Costa
Pesquisa Agropecuaria Brasileira, 2008 - Protein extraction for proteome analysis from cacao leaves and meristems, organs infected by Moniliophthora perniciosa, the causal agent of the witches' broom disease
Carlos Priminho Pirovani, Heliana Argôlo Santos Carvalho, Regina Cele Reboucas Machado, Dayane Santos Gomes, Fátima Cerqueira Alvim, Alan William Vilela Pomella, Karina Peres Gramacho, Júlio Cézar de Mattos Cascardo, Gonçalo Amarante Guimarães Pereira, Fabienne Micheli
Electrophoresis, 2008 - Enhanced accumulation of BiP in transgenic plants confers tolerance to water stress
Fátima C. Alvim, Sônia M.B. Carolino, Júlio C.M. Cascardo, Cristiano C. Nunes, Carlos A. Martinez, Wagner C. Otoni, Elizabeth P.B. Fontes
Plant Physiology, 2001
