Project description:To characterize the genetic basis of hybrid male sterility in detail, we used a systems genetics approach, integrating mapping of gene expression traits with sterility phenotypes and QTL. We measured genome-wide testis expression in 305 male F2s from a cross between wild-derived inbred strains of M. musculus musculus and M. m. domesticus. We identified several thousand cis- and trans-acting QTL contributing to expression variation (eQTL). Many trans eQTL cluster into eleven ‘hotspots,’ seven of which co-localize with QTL for sterility phenotypes identified in the cross. The number and clustering of trans eQTL - but not cis eQTL - were substantially lower when mapping was restricted to a ‘fertile’ subset of mice, providing evidence that trans eQTL hotspots are related to sterility. Functional annotation of transcripts with eQTL provides insights into the biological processes disrupted by sterility loci and guides prioritization of candidate genes. Using a conditional mapping approach, we identified eQTL dependent on interactions between loci, revealing a complex system of epistasis. Our results illuminate established patterns, including the role of the X chromosome in hybrid sterility.
Project description:We collected whole genome testis expression data from hybrid zone mice. We integrated GWAS mapping of testis expression traits and low testis weight to gain insight into the genetic basis of hybrid male sterility.
Project description:Fused-in-sarcoma (FUS) encodes an RNA-binding protein with diverse roles in transcriptional activation and RNA splicing. While oncogenic fusions of FUS and transcription factor DNA-binding domains are associated with soft tissue sarcomas, dominant mutations in FUS cause amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). FUS has also been implicated in genome maintenance. However, the underlying mechanisms are unknown.
Here, we applied gene editing, functional reconstitution and integrated proteomic and transcriptomics to illuminate roles for FUS in DNA replication and repair. Consistent with a supportive role in DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair FUS deficient cells exhibited subtle alterations in the recruitment and retention of DSB-associated factors, including 53BP1 and BRCA1. FUS-/- cells also exhibited reduced proliferative potential that correlated with reduced replication fork speed, diminished loading of pre-replication complexes, enhanced micronucleus formation, and attenuated expression and splicing of S-phase associated genes. Finally, FUS-deficient cells exhibited genome-wide alterations in DNA replication timing that were reversed upon reeexpression of FUS cDNA. FUS-dependent replication domains were enriched in transcriptionally active chromatin and FUS was required for the timely replication of transcriptionally active DNA. These findings suggest that alterations DNA replication kinetics and programming contribute to genome instability and functional defects in FUS deficient cells.
Project description:Genome wide expression profiling to determine the overlap of Affymetrix-signals with SOLID sequencing RNA was extracted using the Qiagen RNeasy kit following the manufacturers guidelines, arrays were prepared and hybridized following the Affymetrix protocol.