Reconstructing context-specific gene regulatory network and identifying modules and network rewiring through data integration

Methods ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 124 ◽  
pp. 36-45 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tianle Ma ◽  
Aidong Zhang
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sreemol Gokuladhas ◽  
William Schierding ◽  
Roan Eltigani Zaied ◽  
Tayaza Fadason ◽  
Murim Choi ◽  
...  

Background & Aims: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a multi-system metabolic disease that co-occurs with various hepatic and extra-hepatic diseases. The phenotypic manifestation of NAFLD is primarily observed in the liver. Therefore, identifying liver-specific gene regulatory interactions between variants associated with NAFLD and multimorbid conditions may help to improve our understanding of underlying shared aetiology. Methods: Here, we constructed a liver-specific gene regulatory network (LGRN) consisting of genome-wide spatially constrained expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs) and their target genes. The LGRN was used to identify regulatory interactions involving NAFLD-associated genetic modifiers and their inter-relationships to other complex traits. Results and Conclusions: We demonstrate that MBOAT7 and IL32, which are associated with NAFLD progression, are regulated by spatially constrained eQTLs that are enriched for an association with liver enzyme levels. MBOAT7 transcript levels are also linked to eQTLs associated with cirrhosis, and other traits that commonly co-occur with NAFLD. In addition, genes that encode interacting partners of NAFLD-candidate genes within the liver-specific protein-protein interaction network were affected by eQTLs enriched for phenotypes relevant to NAFLD (e.g. IgG glycosylation patterns, OSA). Furthermore, we identified distinct gene regulatory networks formed by the NAFLD-associated eQTLs in normal versus diseased liver, consistent with the context-specificity of the eQTLs effects. Interestingly, genes targeted by NAFLD-associated eQTLs within the LGRN were also affected by eQTLs associated with NAFLD-related traits (e.g. obesity and body fat percentage). Overall, the genetic links identified between these traits expand our understanding of shared regulatory mechanisms underlying NAFLD multimorbidities.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deborah Weighill ◽  
Marouen Ben Guebila ◽  
Kimberly Glass ◽  
John Quackenbush ◽  
John Platig

AbstractThe majority of disease-associated genetic variants are thought to have regulatory effects, including the disruption of transcription factor (TF) binding and the alteration of downstream gene expression. Identifying how a person’s genotype affects their individual gene regulatory network has the potential to provide important insights into disease etiology and to enable improved genotype-specific disease risk assessments and treatments. However, the impact of genetic variants is generally not considered when constructing gene regulatory networks. To address this unmet need, we developed EGRET (Estimating the Genetic Regulatory Effect on TFs), which infers a genotype-specific gene regulatory network (GRN) for each individual in a study population by using message passing to integrate genotype-informed TF motif predictions - derived from individual genotype data, the predicted effects of variants on TF binding and gene expression, and TF motif predictions - with TF protein-protein interactions and gene expression. Comparing EGRET networks for two blood-derived cell lines identified genotype-associated cell-line specific regulatory differences which were subsequently validated using allele-specific expression, chromatin accessibility QTLs, and differential TF binding from ChIP-seq. In addition, EGRET GRNs for three cell types across 119 individuals captured regulatory differences associated with disease in a cell-type-specific manner. Our analyses demonstrate that EGRET networks can capture the impact of genetic variants on complex phenotypes, supporting a novel fine-scale stratification of individuals based on their genetic background. EGRET is available through the Network Zoo R package (netZooR v0.9; netzoo.github.io).


2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Dylus ◽  
Liisa M. Blowes ◽  
Anna Czarkwiani ◽  
Maurice R. Elphick ◽  
Paola Oliveri

ABSTRACTAmongst the echinoderms the class Ophiuroidea is of particular interest for its phylogenetic position, ecological importance, developmental and regenerative biology. However, compared to other echinoderms, notably echinoids (sea urchins), relatively little is known about developmental changes in gene expression in ophiuroids. To address this issue we have generated and assembled a large RNAseq data set of four key stages of development in the brittle star Amphiura filiformis and a de novo reference transcriptome of comparable quality to that of a model echinoderm - the sea urchin Strongyloncentrotus purpuratus. Furthermore, we provide access to the new data via a web interface: http://www.echinonet.eu/shiny/Amphiura_filiformis/. With a focus on skeleton development, we have identified highly conserved genes associated with the development of a biomineralized skeleton. We also identify important class-specific characters, including the independent duplication of the msp130 class of genes in different echinoderm classes and the unique occurrence of spicule matrix (sm) genes in echinoids. Using a new quantification pipeline for our de novo transcriptome, validated with other methodologies, we find major differences between brittle stars and sea urchins in the temporal expression of many transcription factor genes. This divergence in developmental regulatory states is more evident in early stages of development when cell specification begins, than when cells initiate differentiation. Our findings indicate that there has been a high degree of gene regulatory network rewiring in the evolution of echinoderm larval development.Data DepositionsAll sequence reads are available at Genbank SRR4436669 - SRR4436674. Any sequence alignments used are available by the corresponding author upon request.


Biosystems ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 96 (1) ◽  
pp. 86-103 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Hecker ◽  
Sandro Lambeck ◽  
Susanne Toepfer ◽  
Eugene van Someren ◽  
Reinhard Guthke

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiangyu Pan ◽  
Zhaoxia Ma ◽  
Xinqi Sun ◽  
Hui Li ◽  
Tingting Zhang ◽  
...  

Biologists long recognized that the genetic information encoded in DNA leads to trait innovation via gene regulatory network (GRN) in development. Here, we generated paired expression and chromatin accessibility data during rumen and esophagus development in sheep and revealed 1,601 active ruminant-specific conserved non-coding elements (active-RSCNEs). To interpret the function of these active-RSCNEs, we developed a Conserved Non-coding Element interpretation method by gene Regulatory network (CNEReg) to define toolkit transcription factors (TTF) and model its regulation on rumen specific gene via batteries of active-RSCNEs during development. Our developmental GRN reveals 18 TTFs and 313 active-RSCNEs regulating the functional modules of the rumen and identifies OTX1, SOX21, HOXC8, SOX2, TP63, PPARG and 16 active-RSCNEs that functionally distinguish the rumen from the esophagus. We argue that CNEReg is an attractive systematic approach to integrate evo-devo concepts with omics data to understand how gene regulation evolves and shapes complex traits.


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