Cross-generational feeding of Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis)-maize to zebrafish (Danio rerio) showed no adverse effects on the parental or offspring generations

In the present study, zebrafish (Danio rerio) were fed casein/gelatin-based diets containing either 19 % Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis)-maize or its parental non-Bt (nBt)-maize control for two generations (F0: sixty fish; F1: forty-two to seventy fish per treatment). The study focused on growth and reproductive performance, liver CuZn superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzyme activity, gene transcript levels targeting important cellular pathways in the liver and mid-intestine, histomorphological evaluation of the intestine, differential leucocyte counts, offspring larva swimming activity and global DNA methylation in offspring embryos. No significant effects were observed in the parental generation. The offspring were either fed the same diets as those fed to their parents (Bt–Bt or nBt–nBt) or switched from the Bt diet to the nBt diet (Bt–nBt). The Bt–Bt offspring exhibited a significantly higher body mass increase, specific growth rate and feed utilisation than fish fed the nBt–nBt diet and/or fish fed the Bt–nBt diet. Liver and mid-intestinal gene transcript levels of CuZn SOD were significantly higher in fish fed the nBt–nBt diet than in those fed the Bt–Bt diet. Liver gene transcript levels of caspase 6 were significantly lower for the nBt–nBt group than for the Bt–Bt group. Overall, enhanced growth performance was observed in fish fed the Bt diet for two generations than in those fed the nBt diet for one and two generations. Effects observed on gene biomarkers for oxidative stress and the cell cycle (apoptosis) may be related to the contamination of nBt-maize with fumonisin B1 and aflatoxin B1. In conclusion, it is suggested that Bt-maize is as safe and nutritious as its nBt control when fed to zebrafish for two generations.

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Enantioselective Effect of Flutriafol on Growth, Deoxynivalenol Production, and TRI Gene Transcript Levels in Fusarium graminearum

Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry ◽

10.1021/acs.jafc.0c06800 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 69 (5) ◽

pp. 1684-1692

Author(s):

Chaofeng Li ◽

Shuai Fan ◽

Yan Wen ◽

Zhenchao Tan ◽

Chenglan Liu

Keyword(s):

Fusarium Graminearum ◽

Gene Transcript ◽

Transcript Levels

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Abstract 15: Glucose-Mediated Remodeling of Cardiac DNA Methylation

Circulation Research ◽

10.1161/res.121.suppl_1.15 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 121 (suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Mark E Pepin ◽

David K Crossman ◽

Joseph P Barchue ◽

Salpy V Pamboukian ◽

Steven M Pogwizd ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gene Expression ◽

Heart Failure ◽

Dna Methylation ◽

Diabetic Cardiomyopathy ◽

Left Ventricular ◽

Epigenetic Mark ◽

Gene Transcript ◽

Transcript Levels ◽

Glycemic Memory

To identify the role of glucose in the development of diabetic cardiomyopathy, we had directly assessed glucose delivery to the intact heart on alterations of DNA methylation and gene expression using both an inducible heart-specific transgene (glucose transporter 4; mG4H) and streptozotocin-induced diabetes (STZ) mouse models. We aimed to determine whether long-lasting diabetic complications arise from prior transient exposure to hyperglycemia via a process termed “glycemic memory.” We had identified DNA methylation changes associated with significant gene expression regulation. Comparing our results from STZ, mG4H, and the modifications which persist following transgene silencing, we now provide evidence for cardiac DNA methylation as a persistent epigenetic mark contributing to glycemic memory. To begin to determine which changes contribute to human heart failure, we measured both RNA transcript levels and whole-genome DNA methylation in heart failure biopsy samples (n = 12) from male patients collected at left ventricular assist device placement using RNA-sequencing and Methylation450 assay, respectively. We hypothesized that epigenetic changes such as DNA methylation distinguish between heart failure etiologies. Our findings demonstrated that type 2 diabetic heart failure patients (n = 6) had an overall signature of hypomethylation, whereas patients listed as ischemic (n = 5) had a distinct hypermethylation signature for regulated transcripts. The focus of this initial analysis was on promoter-associated CpG islands with inverse changes in gene transcript levels, from which diabetes (14 genes; e.g. IGFBP4) and ischemic (12 genes; e.g. PFKFB3) specific targets emerged with significant regulation of both measures. By combining our mouse and human molecular analyses, we provide evidence that diabetes mellitus governs direct regulation of cellular function by DNA methylation and the corresponding gene expression in diabetic mouse and human hearts. Importantly, many of the changes seen in either mouse type 1 diabetes or human type 2 diabetes were similar supporting a consistent mechanism of regulation. These studies are some of the first steps at defining mechanisms of epigenetic regulation in diabetic cardiomyopathy.

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Iron Requirement for Mn(II) Oxidation by Leptothrix discophora SS-1

Applied and Environmental Microbiology ◽

10.1128/aem.02291-08 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 75 (5) ◽

pp. 1229-1235 ◽

Cited By ~ 28

Author(s):

Iman A. El Gheriany ◽

Daniela Bocioaga ◽

Anthony G. Hay ◽

William C. Ghiorse ◽

Michael L. Shuler ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Complex Formation ◽

Temporal Variations ◽

Iron Limitation ◽

Gene Transcript ◽

Cellular Functions ◽

Transcript Levels ◽

Leptothrix Discophora ◽

Geochemical Cycling ◽

Iron Requirement

ABSTRACT A common form of biocatalysis of Mn(II) oxidation results in the formation of biogenic Mn(III, IV) oxides and is a key reaction in the geochemical cycling of Mn. In this study, we grew the model Mn(II)-oxidizing bacterium Leptothrix discophora SS-1 in media with limited iron (0.1 μM iron/5.8 mM pyruvate) and sufficient iron (0.2 μM iron/5.8 mM pyruvate). The influence of iron on the rate of extracellular Mn(II) oxidation was evaluated. Cultures in which cell growth was limited by iron exhibited reduced abilities to oxidize Mn(II) compared to cultures in medium with sufficient iron. While the extracellular Mn(II)-oxidizing factor (MOF) is thought to be a putative multicopper oxidase, Mn(II) oxidation in the presence of zero added Cu(II) was detected and the decrease in the observed Mn(II) oxidation rate in iron-limited cultures was not relieved when the medium was supplemented with Cu(II). The decline of Mn(II) oxidation under iron-limited conditions was not accompanied by siderophore production and is unlikely to be an artifact of siderophore complex formation with Mn(III). The temporal variations in mofA gene transcript levels under conditions of limited and abundant iron were similar, indicating that iron limitation did not interfere with the transcription of the mofA gene. Our quantitative PCR results provide a step forward in understanding the regulation of Mn(II) oxidation. The mechanistic role of iron in Mn(II) oxidation is uncertain; the data are consistent with a direct requirement for iron as a component of the MOF or an indirect effect of iron resulting from the limitation of one of many cellular functions requiring iron.

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Fumonisin B1 Production by Fusarium Species and Mycotoxigenic Effect on Larval Zebrafish

Tropical Life Sciences Research ◽

10.21315/tlsr2020.31.3.7 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 31 (3) ◽

pp. 91-107 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Najihah Azman ◽

Nur Ain Izzati Mohd Zainudin ◽

Wan Norhamidah Wan Ibrahim

Keyword(s):

Liquid Chromatography ◽

Danio Rerio ◽

Morphological Changes ◽

Fusarium Species ◽

Fumonisin B1 ◽

Larval Zebrafish ◽

Zebrafish Larvae ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Successful Amplification ◽

Fast Liquid Chromatography

Fumonisin B1 (FB1) is a common mycotoxin produced by Fusarium species particularly F. proliferatum and F. verticillioides. The toxin produced can cause adverse effects on humans and animals. The objectives of this study were to detect the production of FB1 based on the amplification of FUM1 gene, to quantify FB1 produced by the isolates using Ultra-fast Liquid Chromatography (UFLC) analysis, to examine the embryotoxicity effect of FB1 and to determine EC50 toward the larvae of zebrafish (Danio rerio). Fifty isolates of Fusarium species were isolated from different hosts throughout Malaysia. Successful amplification of the FUM1 gene showed the presence of this gene (800 bp) in the genome of 48 out of 50 isolates. The highest level of FB1 produced by F. proliferatum isolate B2433 was 6677.32 ppm meanwhile F. verticillioides isolate J1363 was 954.01 ppm. From the assessment of embryotoxicity test of FB1 on larvae of zebrafish, five concentrations of FB1 (0.43 ppm, 0.58 ppm, 0.72 ppm, 0.87 ppm and 1.00 ppm) were tested. Morphological changes of the FB1 exposed-larvae were observed at 24 to 168 hpf. The mortality rate and abnormality of zebrafish larvae were significantly increased at 144 hpf exposure. Meanwhile, the spontaneous tail coiling showed a significant difference. There were no significant differences in the heartbeat rate. As a conclusion, the presence of FUM1 in every isolate can be detected by FUM1 gene analysis and both of the species produced different concentrations of FB1. This is the first report of FB1 produced by Fusarium species gave a significant effect on zebrafish development.

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Limitations of transcriptome-based prediction of pathogenicity genes in the plant pathogen Leptosphaeria maculans

FEMS Microbiology Letters ◽

10.1093/femsle/fnz080 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 366 (7) ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Andrew S Urquhart ◽

Alexander Idnurm

Keyword(s):

Gene Expression ◽

Brassica Napus ◽

Leptosphaeria Maculans ◽

Simple Expression ◽

Gene Transcript ◽

Blackleg Disease ◽

Fungal Pathogenicity ◽

Transcript Levels ◽

Oilseed Crops ◽

High Gene

ABSTRACT Identification of pathogenicity determinants in Leptosphaeria maculans, a major cause of disease of oilseed crops, has been a focus of research for many years. A wealth of gene expression information from RNA sequencing promises to illuminate the mechanisms by which the fungus is able to cause blackleg disease. However, to date, no studies have tested the hypothesis that high gene transcript levels during infection correlate with importance to disease progression. In this study, we use CRISPR-Cas9 to disrupt 11 genes that are highly expressed during the early stages of disease and show that none of these genes are crucial for fungal pathogenicity on Brassica napus. This finding suggests that in order to understand the pathogenicity of this fungus more sophisticated techniques than simple expression analysis will need to be employed.

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