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: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. Gene expression was measured in whole testis from males aged 62-86 days. Samples include 190 first generation lab-bred male offspring of wild-caught mice from the Mus musculus musculus - M. m. domesticus hybrid zone.
Project description:Bats as the only flying mammals incur a high metabolic cost during extended powered flight, which results in febrile-like temperatures without injury. Herein, we investigate the in vivo heat shock response (HSR) in the cave nectar bat Eonycteris spelaea. We demonstrate that E. spelaea exhibits enhanced physiological heat resistance, marked by reduced lethality, tissue damage and serum corticosterone levels in comparison to mice upon heat challenge. Additionally, E. spelaea did not exhibit an acute transcriptional response observed heat stress in mice. Instead, bats displayed a delayed and non-canonical HSR that did not involve the activation of classical heat shock related genes and pathways. This altered response in E. spelaea is attributed to the elevated basal expression of heat shock proteins, which we demonstrate to be a common characteristic exhibited by bats from diverse sub-orders, families and diets. Taken together, we demonstrate a distinct HSR in E. spelaea relative to the conventional model organism, mouse, which may provide insights to understand novel regulatory targets and effector proteins that underlie the mammalian heat shock response.
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:Prolonged exposure to high temperatures may cause heat-related illnesses, such as cramps, syncope, exhaustion or even stroke in some individuals. Heat-related injuries remain a threat to the health and operational effectiveness of military personnel, athletes and the general public. Heat injury victims experience long-term complications that may include multi-system organ (liver, kidney, muscle) and neurologic damage, as well as reduced exercise capacity and heat intolerance. Findings from our laboratory using a developed heat stress model show that about 1/3 of mice are heat-intolerant and vulnerable to heat injury even though they are from the same mice litter. We examined if there is any genetic causation to this pattern of observation between the two groups of mice classified (Heat Intolerant and Heat Tolerant). We would like to screen Heat Tolerant and Heat Intolerant mice samples using microarray technology and examine their microRNA and mRNA for possible gene-specific differences between the two groups (6 mice per group). The results from this proposed animal research will help identify and select potential markers that can be used as a pre-screen to identify heat intolerance and assess heat injury recovery in humans.