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Covering an area of 14 million square kilometers – one and a half times larger than that of Brazil – almost entirely covered by a 2.1-kilometer thick layer of ice (although in some places it may reach nearly five kilometers) and 20 million square kilometers of frozen sea in winter and 1.6 km in summer, the icy stretch of Antarctica is an extreme environment. But for this reason, it is an area conducive to the emergence and evolution of species unique to exotic metabolisms that increase the chances of development – and discovery – of new substances that may give birth. to new drugs for the treatment of various diseases, among them cancer
Researcher Leonardo José Silva, of Luiz de Queiroz Agricultural College (Esalq) of the University of São Paulo (USP), to Piracicaba, discovered the bacterium that lives in the Deschampsia antarctica grbad, which exists only in Antarctica. He visited the continent between November and December 2014 with a group of other Brazilian researchers. He took small soil samples, packed them in airtight plastic bags and stored them in an ultrafreezer at -80ºC (negative).
Later, when studying bacteria present in the herb, many of them produce compounds capable of inhibiting the development of glioma (a type of cancer that occurs in the brain and the spinal cord), bad and lung tumors. The entire research was conducted between February 2014 and July 2018.
Silva's trip was to prospect – in his case, the search for bioactive compounds. According to him, prospecting activities can be carried out in any environment. "However, the chances of discovery of new substances, likely to aid in the development of drugs, biological controllers of pests in agriculture or even enzymes favoring the benefits of an industrial process given, (19659002) Indeed, the inhospitable region reconciles important factors for the establishment of unusual metabolic pathways, such as extreme environmental conditions, a low level of gene flow, endemic species (which exist only in this region), and
Silva studied the rhizosphere-badociated microbiome (region where the soil and plant roots come into contact with). King George Island grbad, located in the Antarctic Peninsula.
The object of the work the researcher of Esalq was to discover and select actinobacterial strains (a polyvalent bacterial group in the generation of bioactive compounds) capable of producing substances effective to control the development of human tumors.
As a result of his research, the researcher identified five new species, including Rhodococcus psychrotolerans a description of which was recently published in the international journal Antonie van Leeuwenhoek.
In addition, 72 strains of this bacterial group were isolated and a "library" containing 42,528 clones was created. "Through the research activities, we have obtained a collection of anti-tumor compounds that produce actinobacteria, which can be further explored through partnerships between public research centers or private initiatives," explains Silva.
"The reason Our goal is to contribute to the development of cancer treatments in order to prolong the life expectancy of patients."
Regarding the production of antitumor compounds, two The lines discovered by Silva showed marked activity against the development of glioma, lung and bad cancers, and were therefore selected for the characterization of bioactive constituents.
The substances respectively cinérubine B and actinomycin D identified, in the crude extract of the lines CMAA 1527 and CMAA 16 53 of the bacteria found by Silva are already known for their antitumoral activities. That is, they are already used in countless drugs for the treatment of cancers. Despite this, the results of the work of the USP researcher represent an important scientific contribution for the country, given their significant value. For example, each 100 mg dose of actinomycin D costs around R $ 14,000.
According to Silva, the research was part of his doctoral dissertation conducted by Esalq's agricultural microbiology program and was financially supported by the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq). The study, he says, was guided by researcher Itamar Soares de Melo, from Embrapa Meio Ambiente, a unit of the Brazilian Agricultural Research Society, in addition to having a number of partnerships [19659016] 1046038131-1835959c3da67635810434e195580594.jpg ” clbad=”img img-responsive image-large”/>
Silva's research fits into a broader context in which the increase in the number of cancer cases has attracted the attention of the scientific community of the world whole and led to the search for new strategies and new drugs for the treatment of the disease. "In this sense, substances obtained from microorganisms and plants are among the most promising, accounting for about 60% of antitumor agents whose use has been approved in recent decades."
According to Silva, the discovery and identification of activity An antitumor of compounds in cancer cells grown in the laboratory is the first step in the development of a new drug for clinical use. "The following steps are in vivo tests (with animals), structural modifications to maintain their activity and to avoid damaging effects on non-diseased cells, optimal dosing and testing. encapsulation of substances and, finally, in humans, "he explains.
Another objective is to continue trials initiated through effective partnerships in the context of clinical trials, drug dosages and structural modifications of substances produced to reduce cytotoxicity (damage that substances may cause to healthy cells) and increase the specificity of the target (tumors) that is to say that new drugs only act on cancer cells.
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