Project description:Gene regulatory circuit of circadian rhythm has been well studied at the transcriptional level. However, recent published Nascent-sequencing and proteomic data indicates that post-transcriptional mechanisms play essential roles in modulating temporal gene expression for proper circadian function. miRNAs are 19-25 nucleotides long small RNAs now well-known for their regulatory roles in the development and diseases through post-transcriptional and translational controls in a wide range of species. We systematically analyzed the miRNAs in mouse liver by Agilent microarray. Then by combining our results with the published high-through liver circadian microarray data, we identified nine mouse liver circadian miRNAs.
Project description:Gene regulatory circuit of circadian rhythm has been well studied at the transcriptional level. However, recent published Nascent-sequencing and proteomic data indicates that post-transcriptional mechanisms play essential roles in modulating temporal gene expression for proper circadian function. miRNAs are 19-25 nucleotides long small RNAs now well-known for their regulatory roles in the development and diseases through post-transcriptional and translational controls in a wide range of species. We systematically analyzed the miRNAs in mouse liver by Agilent microarray. Then by combining our results with the published high-through liver circadian microarray data, we identified nine mouse liver circadian miRNAs. ice were housed under a 12-h light/12-h dark regimen with food and water available ad libitum. ZT0 is defined as the time when the lights are turned on. Two mouse livers were collected every four hours in two consecutive days. Then the two samples for each time point were pooled together. The mouse liver RNAs were extracted according Agilent protocol. miRNA microarrays were manufactured by Agilent Technologies, and each contains probes for 670 mouse and miRNAs. Labeling and hybridization of total RNA were performed according to the manufacturer's protocol with no modification.
Project description:The liver circadian clock and hepatic transcriptome are highly responsive to metabolic signals generated from feeding-fasting rhythm. Previous studies have identified a number of nutrient-sensitive signaling pathways that could interpret metabolic input to regulate rhythmic hepatic biology. Here, we investigated the role of O-GlcNAcylation, a nutrient-sensitive post-translational modification (PTM) in mediating metabolic regulation of rhythmic biology in the liver. We observed daily oscillation of global nuclear protein O-GlcNAcylation in the liver of mice subjected to night-restricted feeding (NRF). Among 449 O-GlcNAcylated proteins we identified, 64 proteins are rhythmically O-GlcNAcylated over a 24-hour day-night cycle. Proteins involved in gene expression were enriched among rhythmically O-GlcNAcylated nuclear proteins, suggesting rhythmic O-GlcNAcylation may directly shape the daily rhythmicity of the hepatic transcriptome. We also identified xxx O-GlcNAcylation sites, demonstrating day-night differences of site-specific O-GlcNAcylation. Furthermore, we showed that rhythmic O-GlcNAcylation can also indirectly modulate the hepatic transcriptome by interacting with phosphorylation. Specifically, several proteins harboring O-GlcNAcylation-phosphorylation interplay motif exhibit rhythmic O-GlcNAcylation and phosphorylation. We show that O-GlcNAcylation occur at a phospho-degron of a key circadian transcriptional activator, circadian locomotor output cycles kaput (CLOCK), thus regulating its stability and transcriptional output. Finally, we report that day-restricted feeding (DRF) in the nocturnal mouse dampens O-GlcNAcylation rhythm. This suggests the dysregulation of daily nuclear protein O-GlcNAcylation rhythm could partially contribute to the disruption in liver transcriptomic rhythm previously observed in DRF condition, despite not the primary driver. In summary, our results provide new mechanistic insights into metabolic regulation of daily hepatic transcriptomic rhythm via interplay between O-GlcNAcylation and phosphorylation and shed light on the deleterious effects of improper mealtimes.
Project description:Sex differences in liver gene expression are dictated by sex-differences in circulating growth hormone (GH) profiles. Presently, the pituitary hormone dependence of mouse liver gene expression was investigated on a global scale to discover sex-specific early GH response genes that might contribute to sex-specific regulation of downstream GH targets and to ascertain whether intrinsic sex-differences characterize hepatic responses to plasma GH stimulation. RNA expression analysis using 41,000-feature microarrays revealed two distinct classes of sex-specific mouse liver genes: genes subject to positive regulation (class-I) and genes subject to negative regulation by pituitary hormones (class-II). Genes activated or repressed in hypophysectomized (Hypox) mouse liver within 30-90min of GH pulse treatment at a physiological dose were identified as direct targets of GH action (early response genes). Intrinsic sex-differences in the GH responsiveness of a subset of these early response genes were observed. Notably, 45 male-specific genes, including five encoding transcriptional regulators that may mediate downstream sex-specific transcriptional responses, were rapidly induced by GH (within 30min) in Hypox male but not Hypox female mouse liver. The early GH response genes were enriched in 29 male-specific targets of the transcription factor Mef2, whose activation in hepatic stellate cells is associated with liver fibrosis leading to hepatocellular carcinoma, a male-predominant disease. Thus, the rapid activation by GH pulses of certain sex-specific genes is modulated by intrinsic sex-specific factors, which may be associated with prior hormone exposure (epigenetic mechanisms) or genetic factors that are pituitary-independent, and could contribute to sex-differences in predisposition to liver cancer or other hepatic pathophysiologies.
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.