Project description:We report for the first time movement of Correia Repeat Enclosed Elements, through inversion of the element at its chromosomal location. Analysis of Ion Torrent generated genome sequence data from Neisseria gonorrhoeae strain NCCP11945 passaged for 8 weeks in the laboratory under standard conditions and stress conditions revealed a total of 37 inversions: 24 were exclusively seen in the stressed sample; 7 in the control sample; and the remaining 3 were seen in both samples. These inversions have the capability to alter gene expression in N. gonorrhoeae through the previously determined activities of the sequence features of these elements. In addition, the locations of predicted non-coding RNAs were investigated to identify potential associations with CREE. Associations varied between strains, as did the number of each element identified. The analysis indicates a role for CREE in disrupting ancestral regulatory networks, including non-coding RNAs. RNA-Seq was used to examine expression changes related to Correia repeats in the strain
Project description:In order to determine whether dis-regulation of a genetic pathway could explain the increased apoptosis of parp-2-/- double positive thymocytes, the gene expression profiles in double positive thymocytes derived from wild-type and parp-2-/- mice were analysed using Affymetrix oligonucleotide chips (mouse genome 430 2.0).
Project description:Ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) is formed by heterogeneous ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament. The patho-mechanism of OPLL is still largely unknown. MicroRNAs are small nucleatides that function as regulators of gene expression in almost any biological process. However, few microRNAs are reported to have a role in the pathological process of OPLL. Therefore, we performed high-throughput microRNA sequencing and transcriptome sequencing of primary OPLL and PLL cells in order to decipher the interacting network of microRNAs in OPLL. MRNA and microRNA profiles were done using primary culture cells of human ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) tissue and normal posterior longitudinal ligament (PLL) tissue.
Project description:Phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI3K)-α inhibitors are clinically active in squamous carcinoma (SCC) of the head and neck (H&N) bearing mutations or amplification of PIK3CA. We aimed to identify potential mechanism of resistance and have observed that SCCs cells overcome the antitumor effects of the PI3Kα inhibitor BYL719 by maintaining PI3K-independent activation of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR). The persistent mTOR activation is mediated by the tyrosine kinase receptor AXL. We found that AXL is overexpressed in resistant tumors, dimerizes with the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), phosphorylates EGFR tyrosine 1173, resulting in activation of phospholipase Cγ (PLCγ)- protein kinase C (PKC) that, in turn, activates mTOR. Finally, simultaneous treatment with PI3Kα and either EGFR, AXL or PKC inhibitors reverts this resistance. RNAseq from acquired resistant cells CAL33B, K180B were compared to their parental counterpart CAL33 and K180, respectively. K180 is a shortcut of KYSE180, and B stands for BYL719. Duplicate of parental sensitive cells and K180B, and triplicate for CAL33B.
Project description:Megalencephalic leukoencephalopathy with subcortical cysts (MLC) is a rare type of leukodystrophy, in the majority of cases caused by mutations in the MLC1 gene. MRI from MLC patients shows diffuse cerebral white matter signal abnormality and swelling, with evidence of increased water content. Histopathology in a MLC patient shows vacuolation of myelin, which causes the cerebral white matter swelling. MLC1 protein is expressed in astrocytic processes that are part of blood- and cerebrospinal fluid-brain barriers. We aimed to create an astrocyte cell model of MLC disease. The characterization of rat astrocyte cultures revealed MLC1 localization in cell-cell contacts, which contains other proteins described typically in tight and adherent junctions. MLC1 localization in these contacts was demonstrated to depend on the actin cytoskeleton; it was not altered when disrupting the microtubule or the GFAP networks. In human tissues, MLC1 and the protein Zonula Occludens 1 (ZO-1), which is linked to the actin cytoskeleton, co-localized by EM immunostaining and were specifically co-immunoprecipitated. To create an MLC cell model, knockdown of MLC1 in primary astrocytes was performed. Reduction of MLC1 expression resulted in the appearance of intracellular vacuoles. This vacuolation was reversed by the co-expression of human MLC1. Re-examination of a human brain biopsy from an MLC patient revealed that vacuoles were also consistently present in astrocytic processes. Thus, vacuolation of astrocytes is also a hallmark of MLC disease.
Project description:We used ATLAS-seq to comprehensively map the genomic location of LINE-1 elements belonging to the youngest and potentially polymorphic subfamily (L1HS-Ta). This was performed in single-cells of 2 preimplantation embryos (E3 and E6) as well as from the remaining inner cell mass (denoted T). In brief, single cells were isolated from the inner cell mass of preimplantation embryos by laser drilling and micromanipulation. Whole-genome Multiple Displacement Amplification was performed on each isolated single cells, as well as on the remaining cells of the inner cell mass as a population (samples labelled 'T'). Then we applied ATLAS-seq to map L1HS-Ta retrotransposons. This approach relies on the random mechanical fragmentation of the genomic DNA to ensure high-coverage, ligation of adapter sequences, suppression PCR-amplification of L1HS-Ta element junctions, and Ion Torrent sequencing using single-end 400 bp read chemistry. A notable aspect of ATLAS-seq is that we can obtain both L1 downstream and upstream junctions (3'- and 5'-ATLAS-seq libraries, respectively), for full-length L1 elements.
Project description:We wanted to compare the proteome of 5 different cell lines originating from the same donor.The proteomics data will be analized along with genomics data.
Project description:PURPOSE: To identify genes whose expressions in primary human trabecular meshwork (TM) cell cultures are affected by the transcription factor pituitary homeobox 2 (PITX2) and to identify genes that may have roles in glaucoma. Known glaucoma causing genes account for disease in a small fraction of patients, and we aimed at identification of other genes that may have subtle and accumulative effects not easily identifiable by a genetic approach. METHODS: Expression profiles derived using microarrays were compared between TM control cells and cells treated with PITX2 siRNAs using three protocols so as to minimize false positive and negative results. The first protocol was based on the commonly used B statistic. The second and third protocols were based on fold change in expression. The second protocol used a threshold of at least 2 fold change in expression, whereas the third protocol used ranking in fold change without setting a threshold. The likelihood of a selected gene being a true positive was considered to correlate with the number of protocols by which it was selected. By considering all genes that were selected by at least one protocol, the likelihood of false negatives was expected to decrease. Effects on a subset of selected genes were verified by real time PCR, western blots, and immunocytochemistry. Effects on ALDH1A1, were further pursued because its protein product, aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 family, member A1, has roles in oxidative stress and because oxidative stress is known to be relevant to the etiology of glaucoma. RESULTS: The expression level of 41 genes was assessed by to be possibly affected by PITX2 knockdown. Twenty one genes were down-regulated and twenty were upregulated. The expression of five genes was assessed to be altered by all three analysis protocols. The five genes were DIRAS3 (DIRAS family, GTP-binding RAS-like 3), CXCL6 (chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 6), SAMD5 (sterile alpha motif domain containing 5), CBFB (core-binding factor, beta subunit), and MEIS2 (meis homeobox 2). Real time PCR experiments verified results on a subset of genes tested. Notably, the results were also confirmed in two independent TMs. Effects on CXCL6 and ALDH1A1 were also confirmed by western blots, and effects on ALDH1A1 were further shown by immunocytochemistry. Data consistent with PITX2 involvement in ALDH1A1 mediated response to oxidative stress were presented. CONCLUSIONS: Bioinformatics tools revealed that the genes identified affect functions and pathways relevant to glaucoma. Involvement of PITX2 in expression of some of the genes and in some of the pathways is being reported here for the first time. As many of the genes identified have not been studied vis-à-vis glaucoma, we feel they introduce new candidates for understanding this devastating disease.