Project description:ASH-1 orthologs are H3K36-specific methyltransferases that are conserved from fungi to humans but are poorly understood, in part because they are typically essential for viability. Here we examine the H3K36 methylation pathway of Neurospora crassa, which we find has just two H3K36 methyltransferases, ASH-1 and RNA polymerase II-associated SET-2. Our investigation of the interplay between SET-2 and ASH-1 uncovered a regulatory mechanism connecting ASH-1-catalyzed H3K36 methylation to repression of poorly transcribed genes. Our findings provide new insight into ASH-1 function, H3K27me2/3 establishment, and repression at facultative heterochromatin.
Project description:Coal-fired power plant is a major method of electricity generation worldwide with serious concerns relating to air pollution. In recent years, fly ash from coal-fired power plants has become a major target of pollution control by worldwide regulatory agencies. In this present study, fly ash particulate matter (PM) obtained from the electrostatic precipitator of Mae Moh Coal-fired Power Plant (Lampang, Thailand) was selected as a model for determination of physicochemical characteristics and toxicological profiles in mice. The average size of the fly ash PM was 4.29 ± 1.85 µm as determined by electron microscopy. Major heavy metal was iron at 101,067.31 ± 8,246.12 mg/kg as detected by ICPMS. Acenaphthene was the most abundant polyaromatic hydrocarbon at 40.77 ± 0.003 mg/kg as analyzed by GCMS. The toxicological profiles of the characterized fly ash PM were conducted in Balb/c mice by intratracheal instillation at 1 and 10 mg/kg/day for 7 days, compared to vehicle as negative control and standard PM 2.5 as positive control. The fly ash PM and the standard PM induced significant pulmonary inflammation in mice lungs compared to vehicle control. In addition, molecular toxicology of mice lungs investigated by proteomics demonstrated 3 inflammation associated pathways, which include leukocyte transendothelial migration, phagosome, and neutrophil extracellular trap formation. Furthermore, only high dose (10 mg/kg/day) standard PM and high dose fly ash PM showed high expression of NCF2, which potentially promotes cancer in the long run. This study is the first to report on the physicochemical characterization, histopathology, and proteomic-associated toxicological profiles of the fly ash PM obtained from the largest coal-fired power plant in Thailand. Information obtained from this study is useful for academic researchers, electricity enterprises, and policymakers to develop appropriate strategies to manage air pollution from coal-fired power plants worldwide.
Project description:DNA was extracted from two ash tree samples, one tolerant and one susceptible to ash dieback. The DNA was sequenced using Nanopore technologies and the methylation was called against the new genome (BioProject PRJNA865134, SAMN30100368, genome JANJPF000000000 ) to identify differentially methylated regions between both samples. Manuscript title: Fraxinus excelsior updated long-read genome reveals the importance of MADS-box genes in tolerance mechanisms against ash dieback, G3:Genes|Genomes|Genetics
Project description:Fatty acid-binding protein 4 (FABP4) plays an essential role in metabolism and inflammatory. However, the role of FABP4 in alcoholic steatohepatitis (ASH) remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the function of FABP4 and the underlying mechanisms in the progression of ASH.
Project description:We performed RNA-seq and proteomics on naturally infested green ash (F. pennsylvanica) trees at low, medium and high levels of increasing emerald ash borer (A. planipennis) infestation. Our integrative analysis of the RNA-Seq and proteomics data identified 14 proteins and 4 transcripts that contribute most to the difference between highly infested and low infested trees.
