Testis-specific expression pattern of dmrt1 and its putative regulatory region in the sea urchin (Mesocentrotus nudus)

The Syrian golden hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) has recently been demonstrated as a clinically relevant animal model for SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, lack of knowledge about the tissue-specific expression pattern of various proteins in these animals and the unavailability of reagents like antibodies against this species hampers these models’ optimal use. The major objective of our current study was to analyze the tissue-specific expression pattern of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2, a proven functional receptor for SARS-CoV-2 in different organs of the hamster. Using two different antibodies (MA5-32307 and AF933), we have conducted immunoblotting, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence analysis to evaluate the ACE2 expression in different tissues of the hamster. Further, at the mRNA level, the expression of Ace2 in tissues was evaluated through RT-qPCR analysis. Both the antibodies detected expression of ACE2 in kidney, small intestine, tongue, and liver. Epithelium of proximal tubules of kidney and surface epithelium of ileum expresses a very high amount of this protein. Surprisingly, analysis of stained tissue sections showed no detectable expression of ACE2 in the lung or tracheal epithelial cells. Similarly, all parts of the large intestine were negative for ACE2 expression. Analysis of tissues from different age groups and sex didn’t show any obvious difference in ACE2 expression pattern or level. Together, our findings corroborate some of the earlier reports related to ACE2 expression patterns in human tissues and contradict others. We believe that this study’s findings have provided evidence that demands further investigation to understand the predominant respiratory pathology of SARS-CoV-2 infection and disease.

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Neuropeptides in modulation of Drosophila behavior: how to get a grip on their pleiotropic actions

10.7287/peerj.preprints.27531 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Dick R Nässel ◽

Dennis Pauls ◽

Wolf Huetteroth

Keyword(s):

Expression Pattern ◽

Internal State ◽

Neurosecretory Cells ◽

Higher Order ◽

Specific Expression ◽

Specific Expression Pattern ◽

Pleiotropic Functions ◽

Pleiotropic Actions ◽

The Brain ◽

Different Levels

Neuropeptides constitute a large and diverse class of signaling molecules that are produced by many types of neurons, neurosecretory cells, endocrines and other cells. Many neuropeptides display pleiotropic actions either as neuromodulators, co-transmitters or circulating hormones, while some play these roles concurrently. Here, we highlight pleiotropic functions of neuropeptides and different levels of neuropeptide signaling in the brain, from context-dependent orchestrating signaling by higher order neurons, to local executive modulation in specific circuits. Additionally, orchestrating neurons receive peptidergic signals from neurons conveying organismal internal state cues and relay these to executive circuits. We exemplify these levels of signaling with four neuropeptides, SIFamide, short neuropeptide F, allatostatin-A and leucokinin, each with a specific expression pattern and level of complexity in signaling.

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mirror controls planar polarity and equator formation through repression of fringe expression and through control of cell affinities

Development ◽

10.1242/dev.126.24.5857 ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 126 (24) ◽

pp. 5857-5866 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

C.H. Yang ◽

M.A. Simon ◽

H. McNeill

Keyword(s):

Transcription Factor ◽

Expression Pattern ◽

Mirror Image ◽

Sharp Boundary ◽

Planar Polarity ◽

Specific Expression ◽

Mirror Function ◽

Putative Transcription Factor ◽

Specific Expression Pattern ◽

Dorsal Cells

The Drosophila eye is divided into dorsal and ventral mirror image fields that are separated by a sharp boundary known as the equator. We have previously demonstrated that Mirror, a homeodomain-containing putative transcription factor with a dorsal-specific expression pattern in the eye, induces the formation of the equator at the boundary between mirror-expressing and non-expressing cells. Here, we provide evidence that suggests mirror regulates equator formation by two mechanisms. First, mirror defines the location of the equator by creating a boundary of fringe expression at the mid-point of the eye. We show that mirror creates this boundary by repressing fringe expression in the dorsal half of the eye. Significantly, a boundary of mirror expression cannot induce the formation of an equator unless a boundary of fringe expression is formed simultaneously. Second, mirror acts to sharpen the equator by reducing the mixing of dorsal and ventral cells at the equator. In support of this model, we show that clones of cells lacking mirror function tend not to mix with surrounding mirror-expressing cells. The tendency of mirror-expressing and non-expressing cells to avoid mixing with each other is not determined by their differences in fringe expression. Thus mirror acts to regulate equator formation by both physically separating the dorsal cells from ventral cells, and restricting the formation of a fng expression boundary to the border where the dorsal and ventral cells meet.

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