Project description:Hox genes are key regulators of development. In mammals, the study of these genes is greatly confounded by their large number, overlapping functions, and their interspersed shared enhancers. In this report, we describe a novel recombineering strategy that was used to introduce simultaneous frameshift mutations into the flanking Hoxa9, Hoxa10, and Hoxa11 genes, as well as their paralogs on the HoxD cluster. The resulting mutant mice displayed dramatic homeotic transformations of the reproductive tracts, with uterus anteriorized towards oviduct and the vas deferens anteriorized towards epididymis. The Hoxa9,10,11 mutant mice provided a sensitized genetic background that allowed the discovery of Hoxd9,10,11 reproductive tract patterning function. Both shared and distinct Hox functions were defined. The HoxD genes played a crucial role in the regulation of the uterine immune function. Non-coding nonpolyadenylated RNAs were among the key Hox targets. In addition we observed a surprising anti-dogmatic posteriorization of the uterine epithelium. Reproductive tracts were collected from WT and Hox mutant mice (n=3/genotype) aged 3-7 months in order to characterize the molecular changes caused by mutation of Hoxa9,10,11 and Hoxd9,10,11. Female mice were staged and collected in diestrus.
Project description:Hox genes are key regulators of development. In mammals, the study of these genes is greatly confounded by their large number, overlapping functions, and their interspersed shared enhancers. In this report, we describe a novel recombineering strategy that was used to introduce simultaneous frameshift mutations into the flanking Hoxa9, Hoxa10, and Hoxa11 genes, as well as their paralogs on the HoxD cluster. The resulting mutant mice displayed dramatic homeotic transformations of the reproductive tracts, with uterus anteriorized towards oviduct and the vas deferens anteriorized towards epididymis. The Hoxa9,10,11 mutant mice provided a sensitized genetic background that allowed the discovery of Hoxd9,10,11 reproductive tract patterning function. Both shared and distinct Hox functions were defined. The HoxD genes played a crucial role in the regulation of the uterine immune function. Non-coding nonpolyadenylated RNAs were among the key Hox targets. In addition, we observed a surprising anti-dogmatic posteriorization of the uterine epithelium. Reproductive tracts were collected from WT and Hox mutant mice (n=3/genotype) aged 3-7 months in order to characterize the molecular changes caused by mutation of Hoxa9,10,11 and Hoxd9,10,11. Female mice were staged and collected in diestrus.
Project description:The purpose of this study was to compare CD4 T cell gene expression from the female reproductive tracts (FRTs) of mice infected vaginally with Chlamydia muridarum in wild-type, T-bet deficient, and RORgt mutant mice.
Project description:Diethylstilbestrol (DES) inhibits the differentiation of female reproductive tracts during fetal and neonatal days . We examined global gene expressions in the oviduct, uterus and vagina in newborn mice with or without DES. These results suggest understanding the mechanism of the differentiation of female reproductive tracts. Keywords: ordered
Project description:Diethylstilbestrol (DES) inhibits the differentiation of female reproductive tracts during fetal and neonatal days . We examined global gene expressions in the oviduct, uterus and vagina in newborn mice with or without DES. These results suggest understanding the mechanism of the differentiation of female reproductive tracts. Keywords: ordered
Project description:We sequenced dissected ovaries and testes (with reproductive tracts) as well as female and male carcasses in two species of Drosophila in order to validate gene predictions from the ModENCODE project. Comparison of dissected reproductive tracts and remaining carcasses between D. simulans and D. pseudoobscura
Project description:Postcopulatory sexual selection is recognized as a key driver of reproductive trait evolution, including the machinery required to produce endogenous nuptial gifts. Despite the importance of such gifts, the molecular composition of the non-gametic components of male ejaculates and their interactions with female reproductive tracts remain poorly understood. During mating, male Photinus fireflies transfer to females a spermatophore gift manufactured by multiple reproductive glands. Here we combined transcriptomics of both male and female reproductive glands with proteomics and metabolomics to better understand the synthesis, composition and fate of the spermatophore in the common Eastern firefly, Photinus pyralis. Our transcriptome of male glands revealed up-regulation of proteases that may enhance male fertilization success and activate female immune response. Using bottom-up proteomics we identified 208 functionally annotated proteins that males transfer to the female in their spermatophore. Targeted metabolomic analysis also provided the first evidence that Photinus nuptial gifts contain lucibufagin, a firefly defensive toxin. The reproductive tracts of female fireflies showed increased gene expression for several proteases that may be involved in egg production. This study offers new insights into the molecular composition of male spermatophores, and extends our understanding of how nuptial gifts may mediate postcopulatory interactions between the sexes.