Project description:We report the transcriptional response to Colorado potato beetle herbivory in leaves of the highly beetle resistant Solanum chacoense diploid line USDA8380-1 (80-) and a susceptible F2 individual (EE501F2_093) derived from a cross between 80-1 and a beetle susceptible line S. chacoense M6. Sampling tissue in a time course during adult Colorado potato beetle feeding provides novel insight to the transcriptomic defense response to this important pest.
Project description:Autism Spectrum disorder (ASD) is a heterogeneous neurodevelopmental disorder where patients have impaired social behavior and communication, and restricted interests. Although various studies have been carried out to unveil the mechanisms associated with ASD, its pathophysiology is still poorly understood. Genetic variants on CNTNAP2 have been found and considered representative ASD genetic risk factors, and disruption of Cntnap2 causes ASD phenotypes in mice. Here, we performed an integrative multi-omics analysis by combining quantitative proteometabolomics data of Cntnap2 knockout (KO) mice with multi-omics data from ASD patients and forebrain organoids to elucidate Cntnap2-dependent molecular networks of ASD. First, we found Cntnap2-associated molecular signatures and cellular processes by conducting mass spectrometry-based proteometabolomic analysis of the medial prefrontal cortex of the Cntnap2 KO mouse model. Then, we narrowed these identified processes into bona fide ASD molecular processes by incorporating multi-omics data of ASD patients' prefrontal cortex. Further, we mapped cell-type-specific ASD networks by reanalyzing single-cell RNA-seq data of forebrain organoids derived from patients with CNTNAP2 mutation. Finally, we constructed a Cntnap2-associated ASD network model consisting of mitochondrial dysfunction, axonal impairment, and synaptic activity. Our results may shed light on understanding of the Cntnap2-dependent molecular networks of ASD.
Project description:We postulated that specific differences in alternative splicing/exon usage in immune blood cells may be present in ASD boys, and this might differ in ASD boys with large total cerebral volumes (ASD_LTCV) versus ASD boys with normal total cerebral volumes (ASD_NTCV). Thus, we compared ASD and ASD sub-groups related to total cerebral volume to typically developing (TD) controls.
Project description:Protein complexes of aegerolysins pleurotolysin A2 (PlyA2) and pleurotolysin B (PlyB) from oyster mushrooms Pleurotus sp. display targeted toxicity against Colorado potato beetle (CPB; Leptinotarsa decemlineata) larvae. This selective toxicity is achieved through aegerolysins' interaction with insect-specific membrane sphingolipids. This study explores the potential adaptive response of CPB larvae to the aegerolysin complex.
Project description:DNA from ectodermal cells of individuals with an Autism Spectrum Disorder born to mothers aged 35 and older was analzyed for discovery of differentially methylated regions and comethylation modules associated with ASD DNA from 48 individuals with ASD and DNA from 48 typically developing controls (all born to mothers older than 35) was isolated, bisulphite converte, and hybridized to the Illumina 450K array.
Project description:Background: Transcriptome analysis has been used in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) to unravel common pathogenic pathways based on the assumption that distinct rare genetic variants or epigenetic modifications affect common biological pathways dysregulated in ASD. To unravel recurrent ASD-related neuropathological mechanisms, we took advantage of the En2-/- mouse model and performed transcriptome profiling on cerebellar and hippocampal adult tissues. Methods: En2-/- and WT cerebellar and hippocampal tissue from littermate mice were assessed for differential gene expression using microarray hybridization followed by RankProd analysis. To identify functional categories overrepresented in the differentially expressed genes we used the BIOBASE ExPlain system and mouse phenotype ontology database. Furthermore, we performed direct enrichment analysis of ASD associated genes from the SFARI repository in our differentially expressed genes. Results: We found 842 differentially expressed genes in En2-/- cerebellum and 862 in the En2-/- hippocampus. Our functional analysis revealed that the molecular signature of En2-/- cerebellum and hippocampus shares convergent pathological pathways with ASD, including abnormal synaptic transmission, altered developmental processes and increased immune response. Furthermore, when directly compared to the repository of the SFARI database, our differentially expressed genes show enrichment of ASD-associated genes significantly higher than previously reported. Among the differentially expressed genes 20 were validated by quantitative PCR. Conclusions: Our results indicate the En2-/- mouse model of ASD as an appropriate tool to investigate molecular alterations related to ASD. En2-/- and WT cerebellar and hippocampal tissue from 3 littermates mice for each genotype was hybridized on three replicates microarrays.
Project description:Objective: Adult Still’s disease (ASD) is a systemic disorder of unknown etiology characterized by high spiking fever, rash and arthritis. The purpose of this study was to determine the pathogenic roles of specific genes in ASD. Methods: Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were examined by DNA microarray and validated by quantitative PCR using monocytes isolated from patients with active-ASD, inactive-ASD and healthy controls. The correlation between validated DEGs and ASD activity was analyzed. After inflammasome activation with LPS and Nigericin, the production of IL-1β, IL-18, inflammasome and autophagy related proteins in DEGs-overexpressing THP-1 cells was carried out by ELISA or western blotting. DEGs-overexpressing THP-1 cells were treated with an inhibitor of autophagy followed by assessment of IL-1β and IL-18 production by ELISA and western blotting method.Conclusions: The overexpression of PLAC8 in monocytes might play a regulatory role in the production of IL-1β and IL-18 by the enhancement of autophagy, resulting in the suppression of ASD. Results:A total of 68 genes were highly expressed in monocytes isolated from active-ASD patients, relative to their expression in inactive-ASD patients and healthy controls. After validation of expression of 13 genes (CLU, FCGR1B, PLAC8, TLR1, S100A12, CD55, PIM1, BCL2A1, SOD2, PLSCR1, CYP1B1, STEAP4, IL1RN), the expression of PLAC8 was significantly higher in active-ASD patients than the other groups. In ASD, PLAC8 expression level correlated with serum levels of CRP, ferritin and IL-18. Stimulation of monocytes with lipopolysaccharide resulted in PLAC8 upregulation. LPS or Nigericin stimulation of PLAC8-overexpressing THP-1, but not THP-1 cells< was associated with significant decrease in IL-1β and IL-18 production. PLAC8 overexpressing in THP-1 cells was associated with enhanced autophagy and suppression of IL-1β and IL-18 production. Conclusions: PLAC8 upregulation in monocytes seemed to play a regulatory role in the production of IL-1β and IL-18 through enhanced autophagy, resulting in suppression of ASD. The results highlight the role of PLAC8 in the pathogenesis of ASD and suggest its potential suitability as a therapeutic target in ASD.
Project description:DNA from ectodermal cells of individuals with an Autism Spectrum Disorder born to mothers aged 35 and older was analzyed for discovery of differentially methylated regions and comethylation modules associated with ASD