Project description:We profile miRNA in sperm obtained from adult male C57 mice that had either been exposed to an Odor (F0-Exposed) or been conditioned with the Odor (Odor+mild foot-shock) (F0-Trained)
Project description:How functional cellular heterogeneities are regulated is fundamental for understanding the molecular basis of complex organs. Olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs) are an ideal model to investigate the regulation of cellular heterogeneity. The “one-neuron-one-receptor” organization and topographical mapping ensure the detection and precise translation of odor signals to the central neural system. Besides the diversity of OR genes and other molecular guiding axon sorting processes, single-cell transcriptome analysis revealed an OSN subpopulation, defined by Cd36, a lipid receptor gene. The function study exhibited lipid odor identification was impaired in Cd36-deficient mice. In this study, we systematically depicted the transcriptome diversity, spatial distribution, and specific functions of Cd36+ OSNs in the mouse olfactory epithelium. The specific molecular features of Cd36+ OSN we revealed implemented the programmed cellular diversity may be driven by their olfaction function. Furthermore, with the integrative analysis of single-cell transcriptome and epigenome profiles, we revealed the cis and trans regulatory signatures in Cd36+ OSN and identified Tshz1 and Mef2 as the key regulators that may directly regulate and promote the expression of Cd36 and drive the cellular diversity of OSNs. Especially, we demonstrated that Tshz1 is expressed coordinately with the choices of ORs, earlier than the expression of Cd36, which indicates it may act as a pioneer factor that instructs the lineage-specific expression of Cd36 and other genes, eventually leading to the cellular diversity of Cd36+ OSN. Our results provide novel knowledge on the regulation mechanism of cellular diversity of complex organs.
Project description:We show that infant trauma, as modeled by infant paired odor-shock conditioning, results in later life depressive-like behavior that can be modulated by learned infant cues (i.e., odor previously paired with shock). We have previously shown that this infant attachment odor learning paradigm results in the creation of a new artificial maternal odor that is able to control pup behavior and retain its value throughout development. Here, we assess the mechanism by which this artificial maternal odor is able to rescue depressive-like behavior and show that this anti-depressant like effect results in glucocorticoid and serotonin (5-HT) related changes in amygdala gene expression and is dependent on amygdala 5-HT. Furthermore, increasing amygdala 5-HT and blocking corticosterone (CORT) in the absence of odor mimics the adult rescue effects elicited by the artificial maternal odor, suggesting a mechanism by which odor presentation exerts its repair effects. There are three experimental groups: 1: pups with no infant shock and the adult forced swim test (FST)with no odor; 2. pups with infant odor-shock pairing and the adult forced swim test (FST) with no odor; 3. pups with infant odor-shock pairing and adult forced swim test with infant odor.
Project description:To effectively monitor microbial populations in acidic environments and bioleaching systems, a comprehensive 50-mer-based oligonucleotide microarray was developed based on most of the known genes associated with the acidophiles. This array contained 1,072 probes in which there were 571 related to 16S rRNA and 501 related to functional genes. Acid mine drainage (AMD) presents numerous problems to the aquatic life and surrounding ecosystems. However, little is known about the geographic distribution, diversity, composition, structure and function of AMD microbial communities. In this study, we analyzed the geographic distribution of AMD microbial communities from twenty sites using restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis of 16S rRNA genes, and the results showed that AMD microbial communities were geographically distributed and had high variations among different sites. Then an AMD-specific microarray was used to further analyze nine AMD microbial communities, and showed that those nine AMD microbial communities had high variations measured by the number of detected genes, overlapping genes between samples, unique genes, and diversity indices. Statistical analyses indicated that the concentrations of Fe, S, Ca, Mg, Zn, Cu and pH had strong impacts on both phylogenetic and functional diversity, composition, and structure of AMD microbial communities. This study provides insights into our understanding of the geographic distribution, diversity, composition, structure and functional potential of AMD microbial communities and key environmental factors shaping them. This study investigated the geographic distribution of Acid Mine Drainages microbial communities using a 16S rRNA gene-based RFLP method and the diversity, composition and structure of AMD microbial communities phylogenetically and functionally using an AMD-specific microarray which contained 1,072 probes ( 571 related to 16S rRNA and 501 related to functional genes). The functional genes in the microarray were involved in carbon metabolism (158), nitrogen metabolism (72), sulfur metabolism (39), iron metabolism (68), DNA replication and repair (97), metal-resistance (27), membrane-relate gene (16), transposon (13) and IST sequence (11).
Project description:The inherent diversity of canines is closely intertwined with the unique color patterns of each dog population. These variations in color patterns are believed to have originated through mutations and selective breeding practices that occurred during and after the domestication of dogs from wolves. To address the significant gaps that persist in comprehending the evolutionary processes that underlie the development of these patterns, we generated and analyzed deep-sequenced genomes of 113 Korean indigenous Jindo dogs that represent five distinct color patterns to identify the associated mutations in CBD103, ASIP, and MC1R. The degree of linkage disequilibrium and estimated allelic ages consistently indicate that the black-and-tan dogs descend from the first major founding population on Jindo island, compatible with the documented literature. We additionally demonstrate that black-and-tan dogs, in contrast to other color variations within the breed, exhibit a closer genetic affinity to ancient wolves from western Eurasia than those from eastern Eurasia. Lastly, population-specific genetic variants with moderate effects were identified, particularly in loci associated with traits underlying body size and behavioral variations, potentially explaining the observed phenotypic diversity based on coat colors. Overall, comparisons of whole genome sequences of each coat color population diverged from the same breed provided an unprecedented glimpse into the properties of evolutionary processes maintaining variation in Korean Jindo dog populations that were previously inaccessible.
Project description:We show that infant trauma, as modeled by infant paired odor-shock conditioning, results in later life depressive-like behavior that can be modulated by learned infant cues (i.e., odor previously paired with shock). We have previously shown that this infant attachment odor learning paradigm results in the creation of a new artificial maternal odor that is able to control pup behavior and retain its value throughout development. Here, we assess the mechanism by which this artificial maternal odor is able to rescue depressive-like behavior and show that this anti-depressant like effect results in glucocorticoid and serotonin (5-HT) related changes in amygdala gene expression and is dependent on amygdala 5-HT. Furthermore, increasing amygdala 5-HT and blocking corticosterone (CORT) in the absence of odor mimics the adult rescue effects elicited by the artificial maternal odor, suggesting a mechanism by which odor presentation exerts its repair effects.
Project description:Animals possess inborn ability to recognize certain odors to avoid predators, seek food and find mates. Innate odor preference has been thought to be genetically hardwired. Here we report that acquisition of innate odor recognition requires spontaneous neural activity and is influenced by sensory experience during early postnatal development. Genetic silencing of mouse olfactory sensory neurons during the critical period has little impact on odor sensitivity, discrimination and recognition later in life. However, it abolishes innate odor preference and alters the patterns of activation in brain centers. Moreover, exposure to an aversive odor during the critical period abolishes aversion in adulthood in an odor specific manner. The loss of innate aversion is associated with broadened projection of OSNs. Thus, a delicate balance of neural activity is required during critical period in establishing innate odor preference and ectopic projection is a convergent mechanism to alter innate odor valence