Project description:Background Streptomyces are key contributors to soil microbiome function, known for their biosynthetic diversity. While advances in -omics technologies have improved our understanding of microbiome composition and metabolic potential, the mechanisms underpinning interspecies interactions remain poorly resolved. Here, we investigate the molecular basis of interactions among four sympatric Streptomyces soil microbiome isolates, focusing on phenotypic, metabolomic and transcriptomic responses. Results Co-culture experiments revealed that one isolate, strain A, exhibited pronounced phenotypic changes when grown alongside each of the other three strains. Untargeted metabolomics and RNA-seq analyses showed that strain A undergoes distinct metabolic and transcriptional shifts depending on its partner, with the strongest response elicited by strain C. Despite all four strains possessing a conserved desferrioxamine biosynthetic gene cluster, only strain C constitutively produced desferrioxamine B (DFO-B), a hydroxymate siderophore, indicating a role of iron bioavailability in the interaction. Supplementation with DFO-B or iron mimicked the growth stimulation of strain A observed in co-culture with strain C, and CRISPR base editing of desD in strain C abolished both DFO production and the phenotypic induction of strain A. However, transcriptomic profiles of strain A varied significantly depending on the partner strain, with distinct sets of biosynthetic gene clusters and metabolic pathways activated in response to strains B and C, suggesting additional cues beyond DFO-B. In contrast, strain D did not elicit growth stimulation in its partners, and itself showed downregulation of amino acid and carbon metabolism when co-cultured with strain C. These findings indicate that Streptomyces interactions are not only mediated by siderophore piracy but also involve complex, strain-specific molecular responses. Conclusions Our findings demonstrate that Streptomyces interactions are highly strain-specific and only partly mediated by siderophore piracy, with DFO-B acting as a potent interspecies cue. The divergent molecular responses to different partners suggest nuanced mechanisms of microbial sensing and competition. These insights advance our understanding of microbial crosstalk and highlight the ecological and evolutionary complexity of siderophore-mediated interactions. By integrating transcriptomics, metabolomics, and biochemical assays, we present a robust framework for dissecting microbial interactions, with implications for microbiome engineering and synthetic community design.
Project description:MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNAs that play critical roles in regulating post transcriptional gene expression. Gall midges encompass a large group of insects that are of economic importance and also possess fascinating biological traits. The gall midge Mayetiola destructor, commonly known as the Hessian fly, is a model organism for studying gall midge biology and insect M-bM-^@M-^S host plant interactions. In this study, we systematically analyzed miRNAs from the Hessian fly. Deep-sequencing a Hessian fly larval transcriptome led to the identification of 89 miRNA species that are either identical or very similar to known miRNAs from other insects, and 184 novel miRNAs that have not been reported from other species. Microarray analyses revealed the expression of miRNA genes was strictly regulated during Hessian fly larval development and abundance of many miRNA genes were affected by host genotypes. The identification of a large number of miRNAs for the first time from a gall midge provides a foundation for further studies of miRNA functions in gall midge biology and behavior. Two wheat lines M-bM-^@M-^\MollyM-bM-^@M-^] and M-bM-^@M-^\NewtonM-bM-^@M-^] were used in the experiment. Newton is a susceptible winter wheat that contains no Hessian fly R gene, and Molly is a nearly isogenic line of Newton, but contains the R gene H13. Larvae were collected one and three days after egg hatch from susceptible Newton and resistant Molly plants. Total RNA extracted from the collected larvae was used for microarray analysis. Three biological replications were used for each treatment and at each time point.
Project description:Tadpoles of the anuran species Rana pirica can undergo predator-specific morphological responses. Exposure to a predation threat by larvae of the salamander Hynobius retardatus results in formation of a bulgy body (bulgy morph) with a higher tail. Whereas, dragon fly also induced higher tail tadpole. The tadpoles revert to a normal phenotype upon removal of the larval salamander or dragon fly threat. The objective of the present study was to use Affymetrix Xenopus Genechip to profile gene expression in the tail tissue by different predation threat.
Project description:Tadpoles of the anuran species Rana pirica can undergo predator-specific morphological responses. Exposure to a predation threat by larvae of the salamander Hynobius retardatus results in formation of a bulgy body (bulgy morph) with a higher tail. Whereas, dragon fly also induced higher tail tadpole. The tadpoles revert to a normal phenotype upon removal of the larval salamander or dragon fly threat. The objective of the present study was to use Affymetrix Xenopus Genechip to profile gene expression in the tail tissue by different predation threat. Tadpoles of Rana pirica treated with larvae salamander for 8days (S1, S2, S3) or dragon fly for 8days (Y1,Y2, Y3) were analyzed with triplicate. Removal experiments were also treated with predators for 4days and then removed predators from tadpoles (-S1,-S2, -S3) or (-Y1,-Y2,-Y3). Controls were cultured for 8days without predators (C2, C3). Tails from tadpoles after 8days of each treatment were dissected for RNA extraction and gene expression analysis using Affymetrix Xenopus Genechip arrays.
Project description:PFJ (4 ml for a final concentration of 19,000 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE) per kg diet or 0.86 mg GAE per kcal diet) was supplemented to larvae of fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster) given a semi-purified diet to observe for possible effects on energy metabolism and lifespan. Larvae were used five days since the egg stage for gene expression studies. Results from the microarray data analysis carried out show that fruit fly larvae given PFJ had up-regulated transport and metabolic processes, while development and morphogenesis processes were down-regulated.
Project description:Genes expressed in the salivary glands and gut of Hessian fly (Mayetiola destructor) larvae are likely involved in interactions with host plants.
Project description:Drosophila PBAP complex, a form of SWI/SNF class of complexes, played a important role in metamorphosis. We conducted next-generation sequencing (NGS) to analyse the expression profile in both control and Brm knockdown fly larvae.
Project description:Diapause is an environmentally programmed and hormonally regulated period of dormancy which makes an important part of the life-cycle in many species of invertebrates. In this study, using a RNAseq approach, we focused on very early stages of diapause induction in the larvae of drosophilid fly, Chymomyza costata by characterizing global patterns of gene expression associated with photoperiodic induction of diapause.