Project description:The aim of the study was to investigate whether the trefoil peptide genes, in concerted action with a miRNA regulatory network, were contributing to nutritional maintrenance. Using a Tff3 knock-out mouse model, 21 specific miRNAs were noted to be significantly deregulated when compared to the wild type strain.
Project description:The aim of the study was to investigate whether the trefoil peptide genes, in concerted action with a miRNA regulatory network, were contributing to nutritional maintrenance. Using a Tff2 knock-out mouse model, 48 specific miRNAs were noted to be significantly deregulated when compared to the wild type strain.
Project description:A new mouse mutant was identified at the Munich ENU mutagenesis project due to hyperactivity, head tossing, and circling behaviour. Neurological and gross morphological phenotyping of these mutant mice revealed impairment of the vestibular system. Using whole genome exome sequencing and a custom-made variant calling pipeline, we identified the causative mutation as an A->T substitution on the chromosome 2 at the position 128 in the exon 6 of jagged 1 (Jag1) gene. This introduces a premature termination codon at the position 883 of the cDNA. In humans, mutations in the JAG1 gene are associated with Alagille syndrome (ALGS1 ), a multisystem developmental disorder mainly affecting small bile ducts in the liver, but also heart, skeleton, and eyes, and occasionally also kidney or inner ears. Further examination of the Jag1K295*/+ mutant mouse line disclosed multiorgan deficiencies, such as cardiac liver congestion, bile duct hypoplasia, mild nephropathy, subvalvular hypertrophy of the right ventricle, and mild growth retardation. No skeletal abnormalities could be detected. In summary, we report a novel mouse model for Alagille syndrome, Jag1K295*/+, which resembles most of the features of the mild form of Alagille syndrome observed in patients. Total RNA obtained from liver of 4 male heterozygous Jag1K295*/+ and 4 male wildtype mice
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
