scholarly journals Differences in temperature-sensitive expression of PcG-regulated genes among natural populations of Drosophila melanogaster

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susanne Voigt ◽  
Luise Kost
Keyword(s):  
Drosophila Melanogaster ◽  
Target Genes ◽  
Natural Populations ◽  
Polycomb Group ◽  
Temperature Sensitive ◽  
Induced Expression ◽  
Temperate Europe ◽  
Transcriptional Output ◽  
Warm Temperate ◽  
Different Climates

Asbstract Environmental temperature can affect chromatin-based gene regulation, in particular in ectotherms such as insects. Genes regulated by the Polycomb group (PcG) vary in their transcriptional output in response to changes in temperature. Expression of PcG-regulated genes typically increases with decreasing temperatures. Here we examined variations in temperature-sensitive expression of PcG target genes in natural populations from different climates of Drosophila melanogaster, and differences thereof across different fly stages and tissues. Temperature-induced expression plasticity was found to be stage- and sex-specific with differences in the specificity between the examined PcG target genes. Some tissues and stages, however, showed a higher number of PcG target genes with temperature-sensitive expression than others. Overall, we found higher levels of temperature-induced expression plasticity in African tropical flies from the ancestral species range than in flies from temperate Europe. We also observed differences between temperate flies, however, with more reduction of expression plasticity in warm-temperate than in cold-temperate populations. Although, in general, temperature sensitive expression appeared to be detrimental in temperate climates, there were also cases in which plasticity was increased in temperate flies, as well as no changes in expression plasticity between flies from different climates.

Comparison of germline mosaics of genes in the Polycomb group of Drosophila melanogaster.

Genetics ◽  
1995 ◽  
Vol 140 (1) ◽  
pp. 231-243 ◽  
Author(s):  
M C Soto ◽  
T B Chou ◽  
W Bender
Keyword(s):  
Drosophila Melanogaster ◽  
Target Genes ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Mitotic Recombination ◽  
Polycomb Group ◽  
Specific Cell ◽  
Independent Functions ◽  
Sex Combs ◽  
Null Phenotype ◽  
Additional Sex Combs

Abstract The genes of the Polycomb group (PcG) repress the genes of the bithorax and Antennapedia complexes, among others. To observe a null phenotype for a PcG gene, one must remove its maternal as well as zygotic contribution to the embryo. Five members of the PcG group are compared here: Enhancer of Polycomb [E(Pc)], Additional sex combs (Asx), Posterior sex combs (Psc), Suppressor of zeste 2 [Su (z) 2] and Polycomblike (Pcl). The yeast recombinase (FLP) system was used to induce mitotic recombination in the maternal germline. Mutant embryos were analyzed by staining with antibodies against six target genes of the PcG. The loss of the maternal component leads to enhanced homeotic phenotypes and to unique patterns of misexpression. E(Pc) and Su(z) 2 mutations had only subtle effects on the target genes, even when the maternal contributions were removed. Asx and Pcl mutants show derepression of the targets only in specific cell types. Psc shows unusual effects on two of the targets, Ultrabithorax and abdominal-A. These results show that the PcG genes do not act only in a common complex or pathway; they must have some independent functions.

scholarly journals Genetic analysis of the enhancer of zeste locus and its role in gene regulation in Drosophila melanogaster.

Genetics ◽  
1990 ◽  
Vol 126 (1) ◽  
pp. 185-199 ◽  
Author(s):  
R S Jones ◽  
W M Gelbart
Keyword(s):  
Gene Regulation ◽  
Drosophila Melanogaster ◽  
Ectopic Expression ◽  
Polycomb Group ◽  
Temperature Sensitive ◽  
Loss Of Function ◽  
Eye Color ◽  
Polycomb Group Genes ◽  
Enhancer Of Zeste ◽  
Gene Complexes

Abstract The Enhancer of zeste [E(z)] locus of Drosophila melanogaster is implicated in multiple examples of gene regulation during development. First identified as dominant gain-of-function modifiers of the zeste1-white (z-w) interaction, mutant E(z) alleles also produce homeotic transformations. Reduction of E(z)+ activity leads to both suppression of the z-w interaction and ectopic expression of segment identity genes of the Antennapedia and bithorax gene complexes. This latter effect defines E(z) as a member of the Polycomb-group of genes. Analysis of E(z)S2, a temperature-sensitive E(z) allele, reveals that both maternally and zygotically produced E(z)+ activity is required to correctly regulate the segment identity genes during embryonic and imaginal development. As has been shown for other Polycomb-group genes, E(z)+ is required not to initiate the pattern of these genes, but rather to maintain their repressed state. We propose that the E(z) loss-of-function eye color and homeotic phenotypes may both be due to gene derepression, and that the E(z)+ product may be a general repressing factor required for both examples of negative gene regulation.

scholarly journals Decreased Temperature Sensitivity of Vestigial Gene Expression in Temperate Populations of Drosophila melanogaster

Genes ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 498
Author(s):  
Voigt ◽  
Erpf ◽  
Stephan
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Drosophila Melanogaster ◽  
Temperature Sensitivity ◽  
Natural Populations ◽  
Limiting Factor ◽  
Temperature Sensitive ◽  
Thermal Environments ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Key Factor ◽  
Temperate Climates

Drosophila melanogaster recently spread from its tropical origin in Africa and became a cosmopolitan species that has adapted to a wide range of different thermal environments, including temperate climates. An important limiting factor of temperate climates has probably been their low and varying temperatures. The transcriptional output of genes can vary across temperatures, which might have been detrimental while settling in temperate environments. The reduction of temperature-sensitive expression of functionally important genes to ensure consistent levels of gene expression might have been relevant while adapting to such environments. In this study, we focus on the gene vestigial (vg) whose product is a key factor in wing development. We provide evidence that temperature-sensitivity of vg has been buffered in populations from temperate climates. We investigated temperature-sensitivity of vg gene expression in six natural populations, including four temperate populations (three from Europe and one from high-altitude Africa), and two tropical populations from the ancestral species range. All temperate populations exhibited a lower degree of temperature-induced expression plasticity than the tropical populations.

Cryptotanshinone Suppresses Liver Fibrosis by Attenuating Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition through Targeting Hedgehog Pathway

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shurong Ren ◽  
Qizhen Yue ◽  
Qiubo Wang ◽  
Yanli Zhang ◽  
Bei Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Animal Model ◽  
Liver Fibrosis ◽  
Liver Diseases ◽  
Target Genes ◽  
Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Chronic Liver ◽  
Luciferase Assay ◽  
Induced Expression ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Realtime Pcr

Background: Chronic liver damages from viral infection or alcohol abuse result in liver fibrosis, which is a key pathological event in many types of liver diseases. Discovering new anti-fibrosis agents may provide alternative solutions to manage chronic liver diseases. Methods: We first used CCl4 induced liver fibrosis animal model to evaluate the beneficial effects of Cryptotanshinone (CRY). We next explored target miRNAs regulated by CRY in hepatocytes using microarray. The target miRNA candidate was confirmed with realtime-PCR. We also elucidated the downstream target and pathway directly regulated by the miRNA using luciferase assay, western blotting and Epithelial–Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) markers quantification. Lastly, we confirmed CRY induced expression changes of the target genes in vivo. Results: CRY oral administration markedly alleviated the liver injury caused by CCl4. miRNAs expression profiling and realtime-PCR validation revealed miR-539-3p was directly induced by CRY around 4 folds. The induction of miR-539-3p suppressed SMO expression and antagonized Hedgehog (Hh) pathway. Independently CRY treatment suppressed SMO and inhibited EMT process in hepatocytes. The CRY induced expression changes of both miR-539-3p (~ 2 folds increase) and SMO (~ 60% decrease) in livers were validated in animal model. Conclusion: Our study supported CRY could inhibit liver fibrosis by targeting Hh pathway during EMT. CRY could be used as anti-fibrosis agent candidate for managing chronic liver damages.

scholarly journals Female Genotypes Affect Sperm Displacement in Drosophila

Genetics ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 149 (3) ◽  
pp. 1487-1493 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew G Clark ◽  
David J Begun
Keyword(s):  
Drosophila Melanogaster ◽  
Genetic Variation ◽  
Natural Populations ◽  
Isogenic Line ◽  
Female Fitness ◽  
Sperm Displacement ◽  
Extensive Variation ◽  
Polymorphic Genes ◽  
Displacement Parameter ◽  
Competitive Success

Abstract Differential success of sperm is likely to be an important component of fitness. Extensive variation among male genotypes in competitive success of sperm in multiply mated females has been documented for Drosophila melanogaster. However, virtually all previous studies considered the female to be a passive vessel. Nevertheless, under certain conditions female fitness could be determined by her role in mediating use of sperm from multiple males. Here we ask whether females differ among genotypes in their tendency to exhibit last-male precedence. Competition of sperm from two tester male genotypes (bwD and B3-09, a third-chromosome isogenic line from Beltsville, MD) was quantified by doubly mating female lines that had been rendered homozygous for X, second, or third chromosomes isolated from natural populations. The composite sperm displacement parameter, P2′, was highly heterogeneous among lines, whether or not viability effects were compensated, implying the presence of polymorphic genes affecting access of sperm to eggs. Genetic variation of this type is completely neutral in the absence of pleiotropy or interaction between variation in the two sexes.

scholarly journals The Regulatory Properties of Autonomous Subtelomeric P Elements Are Sensitive to a Suppressor of variegation in Drosophila melanogaster

Genetics ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 143 (4) ◽  
pp. 1663-1674 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stéphane Ronsseray ◽  
Monique Lehmann ◽  
Danielle Nouaud ◽  
Dominique Anxolabéhère
Keyword(s):  
Drosophila Melanogaster ◽  
Genetic Recombination ◽  
Natural Populations ◽  
P Element ◽  
Single Element ◽  
Heterochromatin Protein 1 ◽  
X Chromosomes ◽  
P Elements ◽  
Associated Sequences ◽  
Regulatory Properties

Abstract Genetic recombination was used in Drosophila melanogaster to isolate P elements, inserted at the telomeres of X chromosomes (cytological site 1A) from natural populations, in a genetic background devoid of other P elements. We show that complete maternally inherited P repression in the germline (P cytotype) can be elicited by only two autonomous P elements at 1A and that a single element at this site has partial regulatory properties. The analysis of the surrounding chromosomal regions of the P elements at 1A shows that in all cases these elements are flanked by Telomeric Associated Sequences, tandemly repetitive noncoding sequences that have properties of heterochromatin. In addition, we show that the regulatory properties of P elements at 1A can be inhibited by some of the mutant alleles of the Su(var)205 gene and by a deficiency of this gene. However, the regulatory properties of reference P strains (Harwich and Texas 007) are not impaired by Su(var)205 mutations. Su(var)205 encodes Heterochromatin Protein 1 (HP1). These results suggest that the HP1 dosage effect on the P element properties is sitedependent and could involve the structure of the chromatin.

white+ Transgene Insertions Presenting a Dorsal/Ventral Pattern Define a Single Cluster of Homeobox Genes That Is Silenced by the Polycomb-group Proteins in Drosophila melanogaster

Genetics ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 149 (1) ◽  
pp. 257-275 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sophie Netter ◽  
Marie-Odile Fauvarque ◽  
Ruth Diez del Corral ◽  
Jean-Maurice Dura ◽  
Dario Coen
Keyword(s):  
Chromatin Structure ◽  
Target Genes ◽  
Position Effect ◽  
Phenotypic Expression ◽  
Positional Information ◽  
Genomic Region ◽  
Polycomb Group ◽  
Position Effect Variegation ◽  
Trithorax Group ◽  
Clear Cut

AbstractWe used the white gene as an enhancer trap and reporter of chromatin structure. We collected white+ transgene insertions presenting a peculiar pigmentation pattern in the eye: white expression is restricted to the dorsal half of the eye, with a clear-cut dorsal/ventral (D/V) border. This D/V pattern is stable and heritable, indicating that phenotypic expression of the white reporter reflects positional information in the developing eye. Localization of these transgenes led us to identify a unique genomic region encompassing 140 kb in 69D1–3 subject to this D/V effect. This region contains at least three closely related homeobox-containing genes that are constituents of the iroquois complex (IRO-C). IRO-C genes are coordinately regulated and implicated in similar developmental processes. Expression of these genes in the eye is regulated by the products of the Polycomb -group (Pc-G) and trithorax-group (trx-G) genes but is not modified by classical modifiers of position-effect variegation. Our results, together with the report of a Pc -G binding site in 69D, suggest that we have identified a novel cluster of target genes for the Pc-G and trx-G products. We thus propose that ventral silencing of the whole IRO-C in the eye occurs at the level of chromatin structure in a manner similar to that of the homeotic gene complexes, perhaps by local compaction of the region into a heterochromatin-like structure involving the Pc-G products.

scholarly journals GENETIC AND BIOCHEMICAL BASIS OF ENZYME ACTIVITY VARIATION IN NATURAL POPULATIONS. I. ALCOHOL DEHYDROGENASE IN DROSOPHILA MELANOGASTER

Genetics ◽  
1978 ◽  
Vol 89 (2) ◽  
pp. 371-388
Author(s):  
John F McDonald ◽  
Francisco J Ayala
Keyword(s):  
Gene Regulation ◽  
Drosophila Melanogaster ◽  
Alcohol Dehydrogenase ◽  
Natural Populations ◽  
Difficult Problem ◽  
Regulatory Genes ◽  
Biochemical Basis ◽  
Evolutionary Consequence ◽  
The Third ◽  
Adh Activity

ABSTRACT Recent studies by various authors suggest that variation in gene regulation may be common in nature, and might be of great evolutionary consequence; but the ascertainment of variation in gene regulation has proven to be a difficult problem. In this study, we explore this problem by measuring alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) activity in Drosophila melanogaster strains homozygous for various combinations of given second and third chromosomes sampled from a natural population. The structural locus (Adh) coding for ADH is on the second chromosome. The results show that: (1) there are genes, other than Adh, that affect the levels of ADH activity; (2) at least some of these "regulatory" genes are located on the third chromosome, and thus are not adjacent to the Adh locus; (3) variation exists in natural populations for such regulatory genes; (4) the effect of these regulatory genes varies as they interact with different second chromosomes; (5) third chromosomes with high-activity genes are either partially or completely dominant over chromosomes with low-activity genes; (6) the effects of the regulatory genes are pervasive throughout development; and (7) the third chromosome genes regulate the levels of ADH activity by affecting the number of ADH molecules in the flies. The results are consistent with the view that the evolution of regulatory genes may play an important role in adaptation.

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