Project description:Single-nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq) was used to profile the transcriptome of 5,264 nuclei in mouse adult testis. This dataset includes two samples from two different individuals. This dataset is part of a larger evolutionary study of adult testis at the single-nucleus level (97,521 single-nuclei in total) across mammals including 10 representatives of the three main mammalian lineages: human, chimpanzee, bonobo, gorilla, gibbon, rhesus macaque, marmoset, mouse (placental mammals); grey short-tailed opossum (marsupials); and platypus (egg-laying monotremes). Corresponding data were generated for a bird (red junglefowl, the progenitor of domestic chicken), to be used as an evolutionary outgroup.
Project description:Nine microRNAs (miRs) previously identified as increased in the sperm of stressed sires were microinjected into C57/Bl6:129S6/SvEvTac mouse single cell zygotes to examine the hypothesis that specific sperm miRs function postfertilization to alter offspring stress responsivity. Derived mice were exmined for hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis stress response in adulthood, and the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus was subsequently collected for gene expression analysis by next gen sequencing. Similar to what we reported previously in our paternal stress model, the majority of diffferenitally expressed genes in the PVN exhibited decreased expression, supporting that an increase of specific sperm miRs in the zygote can elicit long-term genetic reprogramming. Futher, marked changes in the expression of extracellular matrix and collagen gene sets suggested altered blood-brain barrier permeability with potential consequences for neuroendocrine function. mRNA profiling of paraventricular nucleus from adult male mice derived from zygote microinjection of nine miRs (multi-miR; miR-29, miR-30a, miR-30c, miR-32, miR-193-5p, miR-204, miR-375, miR-532-3p, miR-698) or PBS. Six biological replicates per group (12 total cDNA libraries) were multiplexed and sequenced on two identical HiSeq2000 lanes (Illumina).
Project description:PURPOSE: To provide a detailed gene expression profile of the normal postnatal mouse cornea. METHODS: Serial analysis of gene expression (SAGE) was performed on postnatal day (PN)9 and adult mouse (6 week) total corneas. The expression of selected genes was analyzed by in situ hybridization. RESULTS: A total of 64,272 PN9 and 62,206 adult tags were sequenced. Mouse corneal transcriptomes are composed of at least 19,544 and 18,509 unique mRNAs, respectively. One third of the unique tags were expressed at both stages, whereas a third was identified exclusively in PN9 or adult corneas. Three hundred thirty-four PN9 and 339 adult tags were enriched more than fivefold over other published nonocular libraries. Abundant transcripts were associated with metabolic functions, redox activities, and barrier integrity. Three members of the Ly-6/uPAR family whose functions are unknown in the cornea constitute more than 1% of the total mRNA. Aquaporin 5, epithelial membrane protein and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) omega-1, and GST alpha-4 mRNAs were preferentially expressed in distinct corneal epithelial layers, providing new markers for stratification. More than 200 tags were differentially expressed, of which 25 mediate transcription. CONCLUSIONS: In addition to providing a detailed profile of expressed genes in the PN9 and mature mouse cornea, the present SAGE data demonstrate dynamic changes in gene expression after eye opening and provide new probes for exploring corneal epithelial cell stratification, development, and function and for exploring the intricate relationship between programmed and environmentally induced gene expression in the cornea. Keywords: other
Project description:Investigating the molecular basis and correlates of anxiety-related and depression-like behaviors, we generated a mouse model consisting of high (HAB) and low (LAB) anxiety-related behavior mice. We utilized the elevated plus-maze for testing the genetic predisposition to anxiety-related behavior and, consequently, used this as selection criterion for the inbreeding of our animals. In depression-related tests, HAB mice display a more passive, depression-like coping strategy than LAB mice, resembling clinical comorbidity of anxiety and depression as observed in psychiatric patients. Using a microarray approach, the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN), the basolateral/lateral (BLA), the medial (MeA) and central amygdala (CeA), the nucleus accumbens (NAc), the cingulate cortex (Cg) and the supraoptic nucleus (SON) – centers of the central nervous anxiety and fear circuitries – were investigated and screened for differences between HAB and LAB mice. Analysis was performed from six animals per line (HAB and LAB, respectively) pooled per brain region in ten technical replicates, thereof five with a dye-swapped design giving a total of 70 array slides analyzed. The LAB mouse line is referred to as reference.
Project description:The postnatal development of the mouse is characterized by a stress hyporesponsive period (SHRP), where basal corticosterone levels are low and responsiveness to mild stressors is reduced. Maternal separation is able to disrupt the SHRP and is widely used to model early trauma. In this study we aimed at identifying of brain systems involved in acute and possible long-term effects of maternal separation. We conducted a microarray-based gene expression analysis in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus after maternal separation, which revealed 52 differently regulated genes compared to undisturbed controls, among them are 37 up-regulated and 15 down-regulated genes. One of the prominently unregulated genes, angiotensinogen, was validated using a in-situ hybridization. Angiotensinogen is the precursor of angiotensin II the main effector of the brain renin-angiotensin system (RAS), which is known to be involved in stress system modulation in adult animals. Using the selective angiotensin type I receptor (AT(1)) antagonist candesartan we found strong effects on CRH and GR mRNA expression in the brain and ACTH release following maternal separation. AT(1) receptor blockade appears to enhance central effects of maternal separation in the neonate, suggesting a suppressing function of brain RAS during the SHRP. Taken together, our results illustrate the molecular adaptations that occur in the paraventricular nucleus following maternal separation and identify signaling cascades, that control stress system activity in the neonate. Keywords: phenotype Litters were randomly assigned to either a maternally non-separated or 24 hour maternally separated condition. At the time of testing, all pups from a litter were sacrificed immediately by decapitation.
Project description:Ambiguity regarding the role of glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) in obesity arises from conflicting reports asserting that both GIP receptor (GIPR) agonism and antagonism are effective strategies for inhibiting weight gain. To enable identification and manipulation of Gipr-expressing (Gipr) cells we created GIPR-Cre knock-in mice. As GIPR-agonists have recently been reported to suppress food intake we aimed to identify central mediators of this effect. Gipr cells were identified in the arcuate, dorsomedial, and paraventricular nuclei of the hypothalamus, as confirmed by RNAscope in mouse and human. Single cell RNAseq identified clusters of hypothalamic Gipr cells exhibiting transcriptomic signatures for mural, glial and neuronal cells, the latter expressing somatostatin, but little proopiomelanocortin or agouti-related peptide. Activation of Gq-DREADDs in hypothalamic Gipr cells suppressed food intake in vivo, which was not obviously additive with concomitant GLP1R activation. These data identify hypothalamic GIPR as a target for the regulation of energy balance.