Project description:In the normal prostate, most basal and some luminal cells are castration-resistant (CR). The identity of these CR cells and their relation to CR prostate cancer are unresolved. We compared single-cell expression profiles of prostate cells sorted from hormonally naïve (HN) and castrated mice. We found both basal and luminal-localized cells, particularly the latter, were molecularly heterogeneous. CR luminal cells and a subset of HN luminal cells exhibited a similar “intermediate” expression pattern, including high-level expression of multiple prostate stem/progenitor marker genes and androgen receptor gene. We validated LY6D as a marker linking CR luminal cells to luminal progenitors. LY6D+ prostate cells, including LY6D+ luminal cells, were enriched for organoid-forming potential regardless of the presence or absence of androgen. Krt8-based lineage-tracing revealed that LY6D+ CR luminal cells produced LY6D- normal luminal cells upon regeneration, but LY6D+ luminal cancer cells under PTEN-deficiency. Furthermore, prostate cancers originating from CR luminal cells (LY6D+) exhibited a more advanced phenotype than those from HN luminal cells (LY6D+ or LY6D-). Lastly, LY6D amplification/upregulation appear associated with advanced prostate cancer in patient samples. Together, our studies demonstrate LY6D as a novel progenitor marker predictive of lethal CR disease.
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.
