Project description:Arabidopsis is a suitable system for testing the hypothesis that duplicate genes accelerate evolution of expression diversity among species diverged from shared whole genome duplications (WGDs) and recurrent events of WGD. In Arabidopsis, at least 9 species split after WGD of the common ancestor and new allotetraploids were formed in nature and can be resynthesized between closely related species. Using genomic and gene expression microarrays, we detected WGD duplicate and single-copy genes preserved in A.thaliana and A.arenosa in addition to change of gene expression levels among those species. We found that even conserved duplicate genes show higher levels of expression divergence between two closely related species than single-copy genes. The proportion of the progenitors’ duplicate genes that were nonadditively expressed in the resynthesized and natural allotetraploids was significantly higher than that of single-copy genes. This results show that WGD duplicate genes provide expression variegation in response to recurring polyploidy as well as among species diverged from common WGD. Duplicate genes related to external stresses tended to be differentially expressed in allopolyploids and among their progenitors. Moreover, multiple-copy duplicate genes are likely to change expression between species and in the resynthesized and natural allotetraploids. Compared to single-copy genes, duplicate genes are less likely to be methylated in the promoter regions, facilitating transcriptional regulation by binding transcription factors and/or cis-and trans- acting proteins. Our results suggest that highly retained duplicate genes are important source for developing species specific expression level and novel expression regulation to adapt to environmental changes including subsequent polyploidy.
Project description:Five allotetraploid cotton species have adapted, through their transcriptional responses, to unique environments with distinct levels of inherent abiotic stresses. The transcriptional responses of leaf and root tissue in five allotetraploid cotton species (Gossypium hirsutum, G. barbadense, G. tomentosum, G. mustelinum, and G. darwinii) under salt stress have been investigated in this study using cotton long oligonucleotide microarrays. Physiological responses to salinity such as stomatal conductance, ion and osmoprotectant contents were also measured as indicators of imposed stress. Accessions from these five cotton species were hydroponically grown and gradually introduced to a NaCl treatment (15 dS m-1). The microarray results identified 2721 and 2460 differentially expressed genes under salt stress that were significant in leaf and root tissue, respectively. Many of these genes were classified under gene ontology (GO) categories that suggest abiotic stress. These allotetraploid cottons shared transcriptional responses to salinity, but also showed responses that were species-specific. No consistent differences in transcriptional response among the previously estimated phylogenetic branches were found. Stomatal conductance, ion accumulation, and betaine, trigonelline, and trehalose contents also indicated salt stress. This global assessment of transcriptional and physiological responses to salt stress of these cotton species may identify possible gene targets for crop improvement and evolutionary studies of cotton. Keywords: CEGC Cotton oligo salt stress The transcriptional responses of leaf and root tissue in five allotetraploid cotton species (Gossypium hirsutum, G. barbadense, G. tomentosum, G. mustelinum, and G. darwinii) under salt stress have been investigated in this study using cotton long oligonucleotide microarrays. Physiological responses to salinity such as stomatal conductance, ion and osmoprotectant contents were also measured as indicators of imposed stress. Accessions from these five cotton species were hydroponically grown and gradually introduced to a NaCl treatment (15 dS m-1).
Project description:Five allotetraploid cotton species have adapted, through their transcriptional responses, to unique environments with distinct levels of inherent abiotic stresses. The transcriptional responses of leaf and root tissue in five allotetraploid cotton species (Gossypium hirsutum, G. barbadense, G. tomentosum, G. mustelinum, and G. darwinii) under salt stress have been investigated in this study using cotton long oligonucleotide microarrays. Physiological responses to salinity such as stomatal conductance, ion and osmoprotectant contents were also measured as indicators of imposed stress. Accessions from these five cotton species were hydroponically grown and gradually introduced to a NaCl treatment (15 dS m-1). The microarray results identified 2721 and 2460 differentially expressed genes under salt stress that were significant in leaf and root tissue, respectively. Many of these genes were classified under gene ontology (GO) categories that suggest abiotic stress. These allotetraploid cottons shared transcriptional responses to salinity, but also showed responses that were species-specific. No consistent differences in transcriptional response among the previously estimated phylogenetic branches were found. Stomatal conductance, ion accumulation, and betaine, trigonelline, and trehalose contents also indicated salt stress. This global assessment of transcriptional and physiological responses to salt stress of these cotton species may identify possible gene targets for crop improvement and evolutionary studies of cotton. Keywords: CEGC Cotton oligo salt stress
Project description:Natural killer cells (NK cells) are cytotoxic lymphocytes that play an important role in the innate immune system. In particular, it plays a very important defense function against host cells or cancer cells infected with a specific virus. Recent studies have shown that the activity of NK cells is decreased in patients with various carcinomas compared with normal controls, suggesting that the measurement of activity of NK cells in the blood may be helpful in the early diagnosis of cancer. In a recent study analyzing NK cell activity in 762 patients undergoing colonoscopy, NK cell activity showed performance in diagnosing advanced colorectal adenoma and colorectal cancer with sensitivities 42.2% and 85.7%, and specificity 58.3% and 59.5%, respectively. This finding suggests that NK cell activity may be useful as a screening method for colorectal neoplasms. However, as a single test, this diagnostic power is relatively low. On the other hands, another blood-based colorectal cancer screening test that using 29 gene panels algorithm has recently been reported. According to this study, 29 gene panel algorithms (Colox) showed performance in diagnosing advanced colorectal adenoma and colorectal cancer with sensitivity of 55.4% and 79.5% and specificity of both 90.0%, respectively. for diagnosis of advanced adenoma and colorectal cancer, respectively. Although the Colox test seems to be useful for the colorectal cancer screening using blood test, this diagnostic power is relatively low. In order to overcome low diagnostic performance of aforementioned tests (NK activity and Colox) as a single use, combination of individual biomarkers can be a promising alternative. In this regards, the aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic value for predicting advanced colorectal neoplasms by combining Colox and NK cell activity indicators.