Project description:Small apes (family Hylobatidae), encompassing gibbons and siamangs, occupy a pivotal evolutionary position within the hominoid lineage, bridging the gap between great apes and catarrhine monkeys. Although they possess distinctive genomic and phenotypic features—such as rapid chromosomal rearrangements and adaptations for brachiation—functional genomic studies on small apes have been hindered by the limited availability of biological samples and developmental models. Here, we address this gap by successfully reprogramming primary skin fibroblasts from three small ape species: lar gibbons (Hylobates lar), Abbott’s gray gibbons (Hylobates abbotti), and siamangs (Symphalangus syndactylus). Using Sendai virus-based stealth RNA vectors, we generated 31 reprogrammed cell lines, five of which were developed into transgene-free induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). These iPSCs displayed canonical features of primed pluripotency, both morphologically and molecularly, consistent with other primate iPSCs. Directed differentiation experiments confirmed the capacity of small ape iPSCs to generate cells representing all three germ layers. Particularly, the successful differentiation into limb bud mesoderm cells underscores their utility in investigating the molecular and developmental mechanisms unique to small ape forelimb evolution. Transcriptomic profiling of small ape iPSCs revealed significant upregulation of pluripotency-associated genes, alongside elevated expression of transposable elements. Remarkably, LAVA retrotransposons—a class of elements specific to small apes—exhibited particularly high expression levels in these cells. Comparative transcriptomic analyses with iPSCs from humans, great apes, and macaques identified evolutionary trends and clade-specific gene expression signatures. These signatures highlighted processes linked to genomic stability and cell death, providing insights into small ape-specific adaptations. This study positions small ape iPSCs as a transformative tool for advancing functional genomics and evolutionary developmental biology. By facilitating detailed investigations into hominoid genome evolution and phenotypic diversification, this system bridges critical gaps in comparative research, enabling deeper exploration of the genetic and cellular underpinnings of small ape-specific traits.
Project description:This study aims to investigate the DNA methylation patterns at transcription factor binding regions and their evolutionary conservation with respect to binding activity divergence. We combined newly generated bisulfite-sequencing experiments in livers of five mammals (human, macaque, mouse, rat and dog) and matched publicly available ChIP-sequencing data for five transcription factors (CEBPA, HNF4a, CTCF, ONECUT1 and FOXA1). To study the chromatin contexts of TF binding subjected to distinct evolutionary pressures, we integrated publicly available active promoter, active enhancer and primed enhancer calls determined by profiling genome wide patterns of H3K27ac, H3K4me3 and H3K4me1.
Project description:Whole genome sequencing of the Arabidopsis thaliana dot5-1 transposon insertion line described in Petricka et al 2008 The Plant Journal 56(2): 251-263.
Project description:The analysis identifies differentially occupied genomic regions of H2Bub1, H3K79me3, and H3K27ac by RNF40 silencing in HCC1806 cells
Project description:This study aims to investigate the interactions of mutagenic lesions from diethylnitrosamine (DEN) treatment of mouse livers with such processes as replication, transcription, and interaction of DNA with proteins. Liver samples of 15-day old (P15) untreated C3H/HeOuJ mice were isolated and flash-frozen. ChIP-seq was performed to identify CTCF binding sites in livers of ten pooled individuals. The experiment was done with five biological replicates with a matched input library.
Project description:Because antibiotics have been widely used to prevent severe losses due to infectious fishery diseases, the liberal application and overuse of antibiotics has led to the spread and evolution of bacterial resistance, food safety hazards, and environmental issues. The use of some antibiotics, including florfenicol and enrofloxacin, is allowed in aquaculture in China. Accordingly, to better address the concerns and questions associated with the impact of administered enrofloxacin and florfenicol to grass carp, here we investigated the immune response, bacterial diversity, and transcriptome of the intestine of C. idella treated with these oral antibiotics. The aim of this study was to provide an in-depth evaluation of the antibiotic-induced patterns and dynamics of the microbiota grass carp and the potential mechanism involved.