scholarly journals Infrared laser-induced gene expression for tracking development and function of single C. elegans embryonic neurons

2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anupriya Singhal ◽  
Shai Shaham
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Infrared Laser ◽  
C Elegans ◽  
And Function ◽  
Embryonic Neurons

scholarly journals The transcriptional corepressor CTBP-1 acts with the SOX family transcription factor EGL-13 to maintain AIA interneuron cell identity in C. elegans

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Josh Saul ◽  
Takashi Hirose ◽  
Robert Horvitz
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Transcription Factor ◽  
Cell Fate ◽  
Transcriptional Corepressor ◽  
Cell Identity ◽  
C Elegans ◽  
Dna Binding Specificity ◽  
A Cell ◽  
Transcriptional Corepressors ◽  
And Function

Cell identity is characterized by a distinct combination of gene expression, cell morphology and cellular function established as progenitor cells divide and differentiate. Following establishment, cell identities can be unstable and require active and continuous maintenance throughout the remaining life of a cell. Mechanisms underlying the maintenance of cell identities are incompletely understood. Here we show that the gene ctbp-1, which encodes the transcriptional corepressor C-terminal binding protein-1 (CTBP-1), is essential for the maintenance of the identities of the two AIA interneurons in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. ctbp-1 is not required for the establishment of the AIA cell fate but rather functions cell-autonomously and can act in older worms to maintain proper AIA gene expression, morphology and function. From a screen for suppressors of the ctbp-1 mutant phenotype, we identified the gene egl-13, which encodes a SOX family transcription factor. We found that egl-13 regulates AIA function and aspects of AIA gene expression, but not AIA morphology. We conclude that the CTBP-1 protein maintains AIA cell identity in part by utilizing EGL-13 to repress transcriptional activity in the AIAs. More generally, we propose that transcriptional corepressors like CTBP-1 might be critical factors in the maintenance of cell identities, harnessing the DNA-binding specificity of transcription factors like EGL-13 to selectively regulate gene expression in a cell-specific manner.

scholarly journals Molecular topography of an entire nervous system

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seth R Taylor ◽  
Gabriel Santpere ◽  
Alexis Weinreb ◽  
Alec Barrett ◽  
Molly B. Reilly ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Nervous System ◽  
Web Application ◽  
Gene Families ◽  
Regulatory Elements ◽  
Individual Neuron ◽  
Specific Gene ◽  
C Elegans ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms ◽  
And Function

SummaryNervous systems are constructed from a deep repertoire of neuron types but the underlying gene expression programs that specify individual neuron identities are poorly understood. To address this deficit, we have produced an expression profile of all 302 neurons of the C. elegans nervous system that matches the single cell resolution of its anatomy and wiring diagram. Our results suggest that individual neuron classes can be solely identified by combinatorial expression of specific gene families. For example, each neuron class expresses unique codes of ∼23 neuropeptide-encoding genes and ∼36 neuropeptide receptors thus pointing to an expansive “wireless” signaling network. To demonstrate the utility of this uniquely comprehensive gene expression catalog, we used computational approaches to (1) identify cis-regulatory elements for neuron-specific gene expression across the nervous system and (2) reveal adhesion proteins with potential roles in synaptic specificity and process placement. These data are available at cengen.org and can be interrogated at the web application CengenApp. We expect that this neuron-specific directory of gene expression will spur investigations of underlying mechanisms that define anatomy, connectivity and function throughout the C. elegans nervous system.

The bromodomain protein LIN-49 and trithorax-related protein LIN-59 affect development and gene expression in Caenorhabditis elegans

Development ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 127 (4) ◽  
pp. 713-723 ◽  
Author(s):  
H.M. Chamberlin ◽  
J.H. Thomas
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Hox Genes ◽  
Structural Integrity ◽  
Egg Laying ◽  
Polycomb Group ◽  
Normal Morphology ◽  
Trithorax Group ◽  
Somatic Development ◽  
C Elegans ◽  
And Function

We have molecularly characterized the lin-49 and lin-59 genes in C. elegans, and found their products are related to Drosophila trithorax group (trx-G) proteins and other proteins implicated in chromatin remodelling. LIN-49 is structurally most similar to the human bromodomain protein BR140, and LIN-59 is most similar to the Drosophila trx-G protein ASH1. In C. elegans, lin-49 and lin-59 are required for the normal development of the mating structures of the adult male tail, for the normal morphology and function of hindgut (rectum) cells in both males and hermaphrodites and for the maintenance of structural integrity in the hindgut and egg-laying system in adults. Expression of the Hox genes egl-5 and mab-5 is reduced in lin-49 and lin-59 mutants, suggesting lin-49 and lin-59 regulate HOM-C gene expression in C. elegans as the trx-G genes do in Drosophila. lin-49 and lin-59 transgenes are expressed widely throughout C. elegans animals. Thus, in contrast to the C. elegans Polycomb group (Pc-G)-related genes mes-2 and mes-6 that function primarily in the germline, we propose lin-49 and lin-59 function in somatic development similar to the Drosophila trx-G genes.

Evolution of structure, ontogeny of gene expression, and function of Xenopus laevis transthyretin

2000 ◽  
Vol 279 (6) ◽  
pp. R2026-R2041 ◽  
Author(s):  
Porntip Prapunpoj ◽  
Kiyoshi Yamauchi ◽  
Norihito Nishiyama ◽  
Samantha J. Richardson ◽  
Gerhard Schreiber
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Amino Acid ◽  
Amino Acid Sequence ◽  
Xenopus Laevis ◽  
Open Reading Frames ◽  
Retinol Binding Protein ◽  
Darwinian Evolution ◽  
C Elegans ◽  
Specific Regulation ◽  
And Function

Xenopus laevis transthyretin (xTTR) cDNA was cloned and sequenced. The derived amino acid sequence was very similar to those of other vertebrate transthyretins (TTR). TTR gene expression was observed during metamorphosis in X. laevis tadpole liver but not in tadpole brain nor adult liver. Recombinant xTTR was synthesized in Pichia pastoris and identified by amino acid sequence, subunit molecular mass, tetramer formation, and binding to retinol-binding protein. Contrary to mammalian xTTRs, the affinity of xTTR was higher for l-triiodothyronine than forl-thyroxine. The regions of the TTR genes coding for the NH2-terminal sections of the polypeptide chains of TTR seem to have evolved by stepwise shifts of mRNA splicing sites between exons 1 and 2, resulting in shorter and more hydrophilic NH2termini. This may be one molecular mechanism of positive Darwinian evolution. Open reading frames with xTTR-like sequences in the genomes of C. elegans and several microorganisms suggested evolution of the TTR gene from ancestor TTR gene-like “DNA modules.” Increasing preference for binding of l-thyroxine overl-triiodothyronine may be associated with evolving tissue-specific regulation of thyroid hormone action by deiodination.

scholarly journals C. elegans dysferlin homolog fer-1 is expressed in muscle, and fer-1 mutations initiate altered gene expression of muscle enriched genes

2009 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 8-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Predrag Krajacic ◽  
Jane Hermanowski ◽  
Olga Lozynska ◽  
Tejvir S. Khurana ◽  
Todd Lamitina
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Loss Of Function ◽  
Affymetrix Microarray ◽  
Functional Roles ◽  
C Elegans ◽  
Male Germline ◽  
Transcriptional Changes ◽  
Transcriptional Deregulation ◽  
Altered Gene ◽  
And Function

Mutations in the human dysferlin gene cause Limb Girdle Muscular Dystrophy 2B (LGMD2B). The Caenorhabditis elegans dysferlin homolog, fer-1, affects sperms development but is not known to be expressed in or have a functional roles outside of the male germline. Using several approaches, we show that fer-1 mRNA is present in C. elegans muscle cells but is absent from neurons. In mammals, loss of muscle-expressed dysferlin causes transcriptional deregulation of muscle expressed genes. To determine if similar alterations in gene expression are initiated in C. elegans due to loss of muscle-expressed fer-1, we performed whole genome Affymetrix microarray analysis of two loss-of-function fer-1 mutants. Both mutants gave rise to highly similar changes in gene expression and altered the expression of 337 genes. Using multiple analysis methods, we show that this gene set is enriched for genes known to regulate the structure and function of muscle. However, these transcriptional changes do not appear to be in response to gross sarcomeric damage, since genetically sensitized fer-1 mutants exhibit normal thin filament organization. Our data suggest that processes other than sarcomere stability may be affected by loss of fer-1 in C. elegans muscle. Therefore, C. elegans may be an attractive model system in which to explore new muscle-specific functions of the dysferlin protein and gain insights into the molecular pathogenesis of LGMD2B.

scholarly journals The CMK-1 CaMKI and the TAX-4 Cyclic Nucleotide-Gated Channel Regulate Thermosensory Neuron Gene Expression and Function in C. elegans

2004 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 62-68 ◽  
Author(s):  
John S. Satterlee ◽  
William S. Ryu ◽  
Piali Sengupta
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Cyclic Nucleotide ◽  
C Elegans ◽  
Gated Channel ◽  
And Function
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