Gene Myths or Gene Realities?

1994 ◽  
Vol 39 (9) ◽  
pp. 878-879 ◽  
Author(s):  
David C. Rowe
Keyword(s):  
Or Gene

Analysis of Protein-Protein Interaction Networks through Computational Approaches

2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 265-278 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ying Han ◽  
Liang Cheng ◽  
Weiju Sun
Keyword(s):  
Protein Interaction ◽  
Biological Networks ◽  
Interaction Networks ◽  
Computational Techniques ◽  
Cellular Functions ◽  
Protein Protein Interaction ◽  
Comprehensive Information ◽  
Protein Interaction Prediction ◽  
Or Gene ◽  
Experimental Findings

The interactions among proteins and genes are extremely important for cellular functions. Molecular interactions at protein or gene levels can be used to construct interaction networks in which the interacting species are categorized based on direct interactions or functional similarities. Compared with the limited experimental techniques, various computational tools make it possible to analyze, filter, and combine the interaction data to get comprehensive information about the biological pathways. By the efficient way of integrating experimental findings in discovering PPIs and computational techniques for prediction, the researchers have been able to gain many valuable data on PPIs, including some advanced databases. Moreover, many useful tools and visualization programs enable the researchers to establish, annotate, and analyze biological networks. We here review and list the computational methods, databases, and tools for protein−protein interaction prediction.

Effect of Temperature on Fe3O4 Magnetic Nanoparticles Prepared by Coprecipitation Method

2014 ◽  
Vol 900 ◽  
pp. 172-176 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ji Mei Niu ◽  
Zhi Gang Zheng
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Nanoparticles ◽  
Coprecipitation Method ◽  
Effect Of Temperature ◽  
Vibrating Sample Magnetometer ◽  
X Ray Diffraction ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Magnetic Carriers ◽  
Average Grain Size ◽  
Or Gene ◽  
Block Temperature

The Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles obtained by the aqueous coprecipitation method are characterized systematically using scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffraction and vibrating sample magnetometer. These magnetic nanoparticles are spheric, dispersive, and have average grain size of 50 nm. The size and magnetic properties of Fe3O4 nanoparticles can be tuned by the reaction temperature. All samples exhibit high saturation magnetization (Ms=53.4 emu·g-1) and superparamagnetic behavior with a block temperature (TB) of 215K. These properties make such Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles worthy candidates for the magnetic carriers of targeted-drug or gene therapy in future.

The Budding Yeast Msh4 Protein Functions in Chromosome Synapsis and the Regulation of Crossover Distribution

Genetics ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 158 (3) ◽  
pp. 1013-1025 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janet E Novak ◽  
Petra B Ross-Macdonald ◽  
G Shirleen Roeder
Keyword(s):  
Mismatch Repair ◽  
Budding Yeast ◽  
Null Mutation ◽  
Crossing Over ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Crossover Interference ◽  
Meiotic Chromosomes ◽  
Chromosome Synapsis ◽  
Protein Functions ◽  
Or Gene

AbstractThe budding yeast MSH4 gene encodes a MutS homolog produced specifically in meiotic cells. Msh4 is not required for meiotic mismatch repair or gene conversion, but it is required for wild-type levels of crossing over. Here, we show that a msh4 null mutation substantially decreases crossover interference. With respect to the defect in interference and the level of crossing over, msh4 is similar to the zip1 mutant, which lacks a structural component of the synaptonemal complex (SC). Furthermore, epistasis tests indicate that msh4 and zip1 affect the same subset of meiotic crossovers. In the msh4 mutant, SC formation is delayed compared to wild type, and full synapsis is achieved in only about half of all nuclei. The simultaneous defects in synapsis and interference observed in msh4 (and also zip1 and ndj1/tam1) suggest a role for the SC in mediating interference. The Msh4 protein localizes to discrete foci on meiotic chromosomes and colocalizes with Zip2, a protein involved in the initiation of chromosome synapsis. Both Zip2 and Zip1 are required for the normal localization of Msh4 to chromosomes, raising the possibility that the zip1 and zip2 defects in crossing over are indirect, resulting from the failure to localize Msh4 properly.

scholarly journals Expansion and accelerated evolution of 9-exon odorant receptors in Polistes paper wasps

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew W Legan ◽  
Christopher M Jernigan ◽  
Sara E Miller ◽  
Matthieu F Fuchs ◽  
Michael J Sheehan
Keyword(s):  
Gene Family ◽  
Odorant Receptor ◽  
Receptor Gene ◽  
Gene Tree ◽  
Gene Family Evolution ◽  
Paper Wasp ◽  
Gene Copy ◽  
Evolutionary Divergence ◽  
Wasp Species ◽  
Or Gene

Abstract Independent origins of sociality in bees and ants are associated with independent expansions of particular odorant receptor (OR) gene subfamilies. In ants, one clade within the OR gene family, the 9-exon subfamily, has dramatically expanded. These receptors detect cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs), key social signaling molecules in insects. It is unclear to what extent 9-exon OR subfamily expansion is associated with the independent evolution of sociality across Hymenoptera, warranting studies of taxa with independently derived social behavior. Here we describe odorant receptor gene family evolution in the northern paper wasp, Polistes fuscatus, and compare it to four additional paper wasp species spanning ∼40 million years of evolutionary divergence. We find 200 putatively functional OR genes in P. fuscatus, matching predictions from neuroanatomy, and more than half of these are in the 9-exon subfamily. Most OR gene expansions are tandemly arrayed at orthologous loci in Polistes genomes, and microsynteny analysis shows species-specific gain and loss of 9-exon ORs within tandem arrays. There is evidence of episodic positive diversifying selection shaping ORs in expanded subfamilies. Values of omega (d  N/dS) are higher among 9-exon ORs compared to other OR subfamilies. Within the Polistes OR gene tree, branches in the 9-exon OR clade experience relaxed negative (purifying) selection relative to other branches in the tree. Patterns of OR evolution within Polistes are consistent with 9-exon OR function in CHC perception by combinatorial coding, with both natural selection and neutral drift contributing to interspecies differences in gene copy number and sequence.

scholarly journals Biomedical application of photo-crosslinked gelatin hydrogels

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lei Xiang ◽  
Wenguo Cui
Keyword(s):  
Drug Delivery ◽  
Tissue Engineering ◽  
Biomedical Application ◽  
Biomedical Field ◽  
Or Gene ◽  
Tunable Mechanical Properties ◽  
Bio Compatibility ◽  
Regeneration Of Bone ◽  
Development Prospects

Abstract During the past decades, photo-crosslinked gelatin hydrogel (methacrylated gelatin, GelMA) has gained a lot of attention due to its remarkable application in the biomedical field. It has been widely used in cell transplantation, cell culture and drug delivery, based on its crosslinking to form hydrogels with tunable mechanical properties and excellent bio-compatibility when exposed to light irradiation to mimic the micro-environment of native extracellular matrix (ECM). Because of its unique biofunctionality and mechanical tenability, it has also been widely applied in the repair and regeneration of bone, heart, cornea, epidermal tissue, cartilage, vascular, peripheral nerve, oral mucosa, and skeletal muscle et al. The purpose of this review is to summarize the recent application of GelMA in drug delivery and tissue engineering field. Moreover, this review article will briefly introduce both the development of GelMA and the characterization of GelMA. Finally, we discuss the challenges and future development prospects of GelMA as a tissue engineering material and drug or gene delivery carrier, hoping to contribute to accelerating the development of GelMA in the biomedical field. Graphical abstract

scholarly journals Health and longevity studies in C. elegans: the “healthy worm database” reveals strengths, weaknesses and gaps of test compound-based studies

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 215-236
Author(s):  
Nadine Saul ◽  
Steffen Möller ◽  
Francesca Cirulli ◽  
Alessandra Berry ◽  
Walter Luyten ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Healthy Aging ◽  
Model Organism ◽  
Research Field ◽  
Aging Research ◽  
Genetic Manipulations ◽  
C Elegans ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Phenotype Measurement ◽  
Or Gene

AbstractSeveral biogerontology databases exist that focus on genetic or gene expression data linked to health as well as survival, subsequent to compound treatments or genetic manipulations in animal models. However, none of these has yet collected experimental results of compound-related health changes. Since quality of life is often regarded as more valuable than length of life, we aim to fill this gap with the “Healthy Worm Database” (http://healthy-worm-database.eu). Literature describing health-related compound studies in the aging model Caenorhabditis elegans was screened, and data for 440 compounds collected. The database considers 189 publications describing 89 different phenotypes measured in 2995 different conditions. Besides enabling a targeted search for promising compounds for further investigations, this database also offers insights into the research field of studies on healthy aging based on a frequently used model organism. Some weaknesses of C. elegans-based aging studies, like underrepresented phenotypes, especially concerning cognitive functions, as well as the convenience-based use of young worms as the starting point for compound treatment or phenotype measurement are discussed. In conclusion, the database provides an anchor for the search for compounds affecting health, with a link to public databases, and it further highlights some potential shortcomings in current aging research.

scholarly journals A pediatric brain tumor atlas of genes deregulated by somatic genomic rearrangement

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yiqun Zhang ◽  
Fengju Chen ◽  
Lawrence A. Donehower ◽  
Michael E. Scheurer ◽  
Chad J. Creighton
Keyword(s):  
Brain Tumor ◽  
Brain Tumors ◽  
Tyrosine Kinases ◽  
Pediatric Brain Tumor ◽  
Pediatric Brain Tumors ◽  
Altered Expression ◽  
Critical Pathways ◽  
Cis Regulation ◽  
Or Gene ◽  
Pediatric Brain

AbstractThe global impact of somatic structural variants (SSVs) on gene expression in pediatric brain tumors has not been thoroughly characterised. Here, using whole-genome and RNA sequencing from 854 tumors of more than 30 different types from the Children’s Brain Tumor Tissue Consortium, we report the altered expression of hundreds of genes in association with the presence of nearby SSV breakpoints. SSV-mediated expression changes involve gene fusions, altered cis-regulation, or gene disruption. SSVs considerably extend the numbers of patients with tumors somatically altered for critical pathways, including receptor tyrosine kinases (KRAS, MET, EGFR, NF1), Rb pathway (CDK4), TERT, MYC family (MYC, MYCN, MYB), and HIPPO (NF2). Compared to initial tumors, progressive or recurrent tumors involve a distinct set of SSV-gene associations. High overall SSV burden associates with TP53 mutations, histone H3.3 gene H3F3C mutations, and the transcription of DNA damage response genes. Compared to adult cancers, pediatric brain tumors would involve a different set of genes with SSV-altered cis-regulation. Our comprehensive and pan-histology genomic analyses reveal SSVs to play a major role in shaping the transcriptome of pediatric brain tumors.

scholarly journals Persistence of Coxsackievirus B4 in Pancreatic β Cells Disturbs Insulin Maturation, Pattern of Cellular Proteins, and DNA Methylation

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 1125
Author(s):  
Magloire Pandoua Nekoua ◽  
Antoine Bertin ◽  
Famara Sane ◽  
Jean-Pascal Gimeno ◽  
Isabelle Fournier ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Cultures ◽  
Β Cells ◽  
Pancreatic Β Cells ◽  
Gene Expressions ◽  
Insulin Metabolism ◽  
Pancreatic Cell ◽  
Persistently Infected ◽  
Coxsackievirus B4 ◽  
Or Gene

Coxsackievirus-B4 (CV-B4) can persist in pancreatic cell lines and impair the phenoytpe and/or gene expressions in these cells; however, the models used to study this phenomenon did not produce insulin. Therefore, we investigated CV-B4 persistence and its consequences in insulin-producing pancreatic β cells. The insulin-secreting rat β cell line, INS-1, was infected with CV-B4. After lysis of a large part of the cell layer, the culture was still maintained and no additional cytopathic effect was observed. The amount of insulin in supernatants of cell cultures persistently infected with CV-B4 was not affected by the infection; in fact, a larger quantity of proinsulin was found. The mRNA expression of pro-hormone convertase 2, an enzyme involved in the maturation of proinsulin into insulin and studied using real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, was inhibited in infected cultures. Further, the pattern of 47 cell proteins analyzed using Shotgun mass spectrometry was significantly modified. The DNA of persistently infected cell cultures was hypermethylated unlike that of controls. The persistent infection of INS-1 cells with CV-B4 had a deep impact on these cells, especially on insulin metabolism. Cellular changes caused by persistent CV-B4 infection of β cells can play a role in type 1 diabetes pathogenesis.

scholarly journals TERT promoter hotspot mutations and gene amplification in metaplastic breast cancer

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Edaise M. da Silva ◽  
Pier Selenica ◽  
Mahsa Vahdatinia ◽  
Fresia Pareja ◽  
Arnaud Da Cruz Paula ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Gene Amplification ◽  
Genetic Alterations ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Histologic Subtype ◽  
Exact Test ◽  
Fisher's Exact Test ◽  
Fisher’S Exact Test ◽  
Hotspot Mutations ◽  
Or Gene

AbstractMetaplastic breast cancers (MBCs) are characterized by complex genomes, which seem to vary according to their histologic subtype. TERT promoter hotspot mutations and gene amplification are rare in common forms of breast cancer, but present in a subset of phyllodes tumors. Here, we sought to determine the frequency of genetic alterations affecting TERT in a cohort of 60 MBCs with distinct predominant metaplastic components (squamous, 23%; spindle, 27%; osseous, 8%; chondroid, 42%), and to compare the repertoire of genetic alterations of MBCs according to the presence of TERT promoter hotspot mutations or gene amplification. Forty-four MBCs were subjected to: whole-exome sequencing (WES; n = 27) or targeted sequencing of 341-468 cancer-related genes (n = 17); 16 MBCs were subjected to Sanger sequencing of the TERT promoter, TP53 and selected exons of PIK3CA, HRAS, and BRAF. TERT promoter hotspot mutations (n = 9) and TERT gene amplification (n = 1) were found in 10 of the 60 MBCs analyzed, respectively. These TERT alterations were less frequently found in MBCs with predominant chondroid differentiation than in other MBC subtypes (p = 0.01, Fisher’s exact test) and were mutually exclusive with TP53 mutations (p < 0.001, CoMEt). In addition, a comparative analysis of the MBCs subjected to WES or targeted cancer gene sequencing (n = 44) revealed that MBCs harboring TERT promoter hotspot mutations or gene amplification (n = 6) more frequently harbored PIK3CA than TERT wild-type MBCs (n = 38; p = 0.001; Fisher’s exact test). In conclusion, TERT somatic genetic alterations are found in a subset of TP53 wild-type MBCs with squamous/spindle differentiation, highlighting the genetic diversity of these cancers.

scholarly journals Metabolic Glycoengineering in hMSC-TERT as a Model for Skeletal Precursors by Using Modified Azide/Alkyne Monosaccharides

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (6) ◽  
pp. 2820
Author(s):  
Stephan Altmann ◽  
Jürgen Mut ◽  
Natalia Wolf ◽  
Jutta Meißner-Weigl ◽  
Maximilian Rudert ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fluorescent Dyes ◽  
Adipogenic Differentiation ◽  
Culture Conditions ◽  
Surface Proteins ◽  
Differentiation Potential ◽  
Or Gene ◽  
Mannose Derivatives ◽  
Metabolic Glycoengineering ◽  
Scientific Questions

Metabolic glycoengineering enables a directed modification of cell surfaces by introducing target molecules to surface proteins displaying new features. Biochemical pathways involving glycans differ in dependence on the cell type; therefore, this technique should be tailored for the best results. We characterized metabolic glycoengineering in telomerase-immortalized human mesenchymal stromal cells (hMSC-TERT) as a model for primary hMSC, to investigate its applicability in TERT-modified cell lines. The metabolic incorporation of N-azidoacetylmannosamine (Ac4ManNAz) and N-alkyneacetylmannosamine (Ac4ManNAl) into the glycocalyx as a first step in the glycoengineering process revealed no adverse effects on cell viability or gene expression, and the in vitro multipotency (osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation potential) was maintained under these adapted culture conditions. In the second step, glycoengineered cells were modified with fluorescent dyes using Cu-mediated click chemistry. In these analyses, the two mannose derivatives showed superior incorporation efficiencies compared to glucose and galactose isomers. In time-dependent experiments, the incorporation of Ac4ManNAz was detectable for up to six days while Ac4ManNAl-derived metabolites were absent after two days. Taken together, these findings demonstrate the successful metabolic glycoengineering of immortalized hMSC resulting in transient cell surface modifications, and thus present a useful model to address different scientific questions regarding glycosylation processes in skeletal precursors.

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