Project description:The methyl-cytosine binding protein 2 (MeCP2) is a reader of epigenetic DNA methylation marks and necessary and sufficient to reorganize 3D heterochromatin structure during cellular differentiation, e.g., myogenesis. In addition to global expression profile changes, myogenic differentiation is accompanied by 3D-heterochromatin reorganization that is dependent on MeCP2. MeCP2 is enriched at pericentric heterochromatin foci (chromocenters). During myogenesis, the total heterochromatin foci number per nucleus decreases while foci volumes and MeCP2 protein levels increase. Ectopic MeCP2 is able to mimic similar heterochromatin restructuring in the absence of differentiation. We compared expression profile changes during myogenic differentiation to changes related to MeCP2-induced heterochromatin reorganization in the absence of differentiation. We used the Affymetrix 430.2 microarray system to study the expression profile changes during myogenic differentiation (myotubes vs myoblast) and MeCP2 related expression changes in transiently transfected myoblasts (high vs. low MeCP2 protein levels) in five independent experiments for each condition.
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: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.