POPULATION GENETICS OF DROSOPHILA AMYLASE. IV. SELECTION IN LABORATORY POPULATIONS MAINTAINED ON DIFFERENT CARBOHYDRATES

ABSTRACT Two polymorphic systems impinging on α-amylase in Drosophila pseudoobscura have been studied in laboratory populations maintained on medium in which the only carbohydrate source was starch (the substrate of amylase) and replicas maintained on medium in which the only carbohydrate source was maltose (the product of amylase). The two polymorphic systems were alleles at the structural gene (Amy) coding for the enzyme (allozymes) and variation in the tissue-specific expression along the adult midgut controlled by several genes. In the seven populations on maltose medium little consistent change was noted in either system. In the seven populations on starch medium, both polymorphisms exhibited selective changes. A midgut pattern of very limited expression of amylase rose in frequency in all starch populations, as did the frequency of the "fast" (1.00) Amy allele. The overall specific amylase activity did not differ between starch-adapted and maltose-adapted flies.—The results, along with previous studies, indicate that when a gene-enzyme system is specifically stressed in laboratory populations, allozymes often exhibit selective differences. Such results make the selectionist hypothesis at least tenable. Furthermore, the fact that both types of polymorphisms responded to selection indicates the role of structural gene vs. gene regulation changes in adaptive evolution is not an either/or question but one of relative roles and interactions.

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POPULATION GENETICS OF DROSOPHILA AMYLASE. V. GENETIC BACKGROUND AND SELECTION ON DIFFERENT CARBOHYDRATES

Genetics ◽

10.1093/genetics/106.4.625 ◽

1984 ◽

Vol 106 (4) ◽

pp. 625-629

Author(s):

Jeffrey R Powell ◽

George D Amato

Keyword(s):

Genetic Background ◽

Evolutionary Dynamics ◽

Sequence Data ◽

Drosophila Pseudoobscura ◽

Gene Variants ◽

Specific Expression ◽

Carbohydrate Source ◽

Dna Sequence Data ◽

Laboratory Populations ◽

Frequency Changes

ABSTRACT Frequency changes in amylase allozymes and patterns of tissue-specific expression of amylase have been monitored in laboratory populations of Drosophila pseudoobscura maintained on media in which the only carbohydrate source was maltose or starch. Nonrandom changes occurred in patterns of expression, whereas no patterns in allozyme frequency changes were discernible. The nature of the pattern changes was similar to an identical study done on populations derived from a natural population several hundred miles from the population used in the present experiments. However, in the previous study nonrandom changes in allozyme frequencies were also noted. Evidently, selection on the Drosophila amylase system differs depending upon the genetic background of the population. Furthermore, the evolutionary dynamics of structural gene variants and those regions controlling its expression may be independent, a result consistent with DNA sequence data.

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A38 TRPV1 VISCERAL AFFERENTS CONTROL CENTRAL SENSITIZATION IN IBD

Journal of the Canadian Association of Gastroenterology ◽

10.1093/jcag/gwab002.036 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 278-279

Author(s):

M Defaye ◽

N Abdullah ◽

M Iftinca ◽

C Altier

Keyword(s):

Chronic Pain ◽

Central Sensitization ◽

Microglial Activation ◽

Visceral Pain ◽

Purinergic Signaling ◽

Designer Drugs ◽

Visceral Afferents ◽

Peripheral Sensitization ◽

Specific Expression

Abstract Background Long-lasting changes in neural pain circuits precipitate the transition from acute to chronic pain in patients living with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs). While significant improvement in IBD therapy has been made to reduce inflammation, a large subset of patients continues to suffer throughout quiescent phases of the disease, suggesting a high level of plasticity in nociceptive circuits during acute phases. The establishment of chronic visceral pain results from neuroplasticity in nociceptors first, then along the entire neural axis, wherein microglia, the resident immune cells of the central nervous system, are critically involved. Our lab has shown that spinal microglia were key in controlling chronic pain state in IBD. Using the Dextran Sodium Sulfate (DSS) model of colitis, we found that microglial G-CSF was able to sensitize colonic nociceptors that express the pain receptor TRPV1. While TRPV1+ nociceptors have been implicated in peripheral sensitization, their contribution to central sensitization via microglia remains unknown. Aims To investigate the role of TRPV1+ visceral afferents in microglial activation and chronic visceral pain. Methods We generated DREADD (Designer Receptors Exclusively Activated by Designer Drugs) mice in which TRPV1 sensory neurons can be inhibited (TRPV1-hM4Di) or activated (TRPV1-hM3Dq) in a time and tissue specific manner using the inert ligand Clozapine-N-Oxide (CNO). To test the inhibition of TRPV1 neurons in DSS-induced colitis, TRPV1-hM4Di mice were treated with DSS 2.5% or water for 7 days and received vehicle or CNO i.p. injection twice daily. To activate TRPV1 visceral afferents, TRPV1-hM3Dq mice received vehicle or CNO daily for 7 days, by oral gavage. After 7 days of treatment, visceral pain was evaluated by colorectal distension and spinal cords tissues were harvested to measure microglial activation. Results Our data validated the nociceptor specific expression and function of the DREADD in TRPV1-Cre mice. Inhibition of TRPV1 visceral afferents in DSS TRPV1-hM4Di mice was able to prevent the colitis-induced microglial activation and thus reduce visceral hypersensitivity. In contrast, activation of TRPV1 visceral afferents in TRPV1-hM3Dq mice was sufficient to drive microglial activation in the absence of colitis. Analysis of the proalgesic mediators derived from activated TRPV1-hM3Dq neurons identified ATP as a key factor of microglial activation. Conclusions Overall, these data provide novel insights into the mechanistic understanding of the gut/brain axis in chronic visceral pain and suggest a role of purinergic signaling that could be harnessed for testing effective therapeutic approaches to relieve pain in IBD patients. Funding Agencies CCCACHRI (Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute) and CSM (Cumming School of Medicine) postdoctoral fellowship

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MiRNA Expression in Neuroendocrine Neoplasms of Frequent Localizations

Non-Coding RNA ◽

10.3390/ncrna7030038 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 7 (3) ◽

pp. 38

Author(s):

Alexandra Korotaeva ◽

Danzan Mansorunov ◽

Natalya Apanovich ◽

Anna Kuzevanova ◽

Alexander Karpukhin

Keyword(s):

Mirna Expression ◽

Malignant Tumors ◽

Neuroendocrine Neoplasms ◽

Specific Expression ◽

Clinical Biomarkers ◽

Different Types ◽

Functional Features ◽

First Time ◽

Potential Biomarkers

Neuroendocrine neoplasms (NEN) are infrequent malignant tumors of a neuroendocrine nature that arise in various organs. They occur most frequently in the lungs, intestines, stomach and pancreas. Molecular diagnostics and prognosis of NEN development are highly relevant. The role of clinical biomarkers can be played by microRNAs (miRNAs). This work is devoted to the analysis of data on miRNA expression in NENs. For the first time, a search for specificity or a community of their functional characteristics in different types of NEN was carried out. Their properties as biomarkers were also analyzed. To date, more than 100 miRNAs have been characterized as differentially expressed and significant for the development of NEN tumors. Only about 10% of the studied miRNAs are expressed in several types of NEN; differential expression of the remaining 90% was found only in tumors of specific localizations. A significant number of miRNAs have been identified as potential biomarkers. However, only a few miRNAs have values that characterized their quality as markers. The analysis demonstrates the predominant specific expression of miRNA in each studied type of NEN. This indicates that miRNA’s functional features are predominantly influenced by the tissue in which they are formed.

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Longitudinal Expression of Testicular TAS1R3 from Prepuberty to Sexual Maturity in Congjiang Xiang Pigs

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani11020437 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (2) ◽

pp. 437

Author(s):

Ting Gong ◽

Weiyong Wang ◽

Houqiang Xu ◽

Yi Yang ◽

Xiang Chen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sexual Maturity ◽

Cell Function ◽

Expression Patterns ◽

Taste Receptor ◽

Receptor Type ◽

Mrna Levels ◽

Early Puberty ◽

Specific Expression

Testicular expression of taste receptor type 1 subunit 3 (T1R3), a sweet/umami taste receptor, has been implicated in spermatogenesis and steroidogenesis in mice. We explored the role of testicular T1R3 in porcine postnatal development using the Congjiang Xiang pig, a rare Chinese miniature pig breed. Based on testicular weights, morphology, and testosterone levels, four key developmental stages were identified in the pig at postnatal days 15–180 (prepuberty: 30 day; early puberty: 60 day; late puberty: 90 day; sexual maturity: 120 day). During development, testicular T1R3 exhibited stage-dependent and cell-specific expression patterns. In particular, T1R3 levels increased significantly from prepuberty to puberty (p < 0.05), and expression remained high until sexual maturity (p < 0.05), similar to results for phospholipase Cβ2 (PLCβ2). The strong expressions of T1R3/PLCβ2 were observed at the cytoplasm of elongating/elongated spermatids and Leydig cells. In the eight-stage cycle of the seminiferous epithelium in pigs, T1R3/PLCβ2 levels were higher in the spermatogenic epithelium at stages II–VI than at the other stages, and the strong expressions were detected in elongating/elongated spermatids and residual bodies. The message RNA (mRNA) levels of taste receptor type 1 subunit 1 (T1R1) in the testis showed a similar trend to levels of T1R3. These data indicate a possible role of T1R3 in the regulation of spermatid differentiation and Leydig cell function.

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From cytopenia to leukemia: the role of Gfi1 and Gfi1b in blood formation

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood-2015-06-655043 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 126 (24) ◽

pp. 2561-2569 ◽

Cited By ~ 51

Author(s):

Tarik Möröy ◽

Lothar Vassen ◽

Brian Wilkes ◽

Cyrus Khandanpour

Keyword(s):

Zinc Finger ◽

Target Genes ◽

Integration Site ◽

Wide Spectrum ◽

Human Leukemia ◽

Specific Expression ◽

Hematopoietic Stem ◽

Proviral Integration Site ◽

Cell Type Specific Expression

AbstractThe DNA-binding zinc finger transcription factors Gfi1 and Gfi1b were discovered more than 20 years ago and are recognized today as major regulators of both early hematopoiesis and hematopoietic stem cells. Both proteins function as transcriptional repressors by recruiting histone-modifying enzymes to promoters and enhancers of target genes. The establishment of Gfi1 and Gfi1b reporter mice made it possible to visualize their cell type–specific expression and to understand their function in hematopoietic lineages. We now know that Gfi1 is primarily important in myeloid and lymphoid differentiation, whereas Gfi1b is crucial for the generation of red blood cells and platelets. Several rare hematologic diseases are associated with acquired or inheritable mutations in the GFI1 and GFI1B genes. Certain patients with severe congenital neutropenia carry mutations in the GFI1 gene that lead to the disruption of the C-terminal zinc finger domains. Other mutations have been found in the GFI1B gene in families with inherited bleeding disorders. In addition, the Gfi1 locus is frequently found to be a proviral integration site in retrovirus-induced lymphomagenesis, and new, emerging data suggest a role of Gfi1 in human leukemia and lymphoma, underlining the role of both factors not only in normal hematopoiesis, but also in a wide spectrum of human blood diseases.

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The role of CpG methylation in cell type-specific expression of the aquaporin-5 gene

Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications ◽

10.1016/j.bbrc.2006.12.126 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 353 (4) ◽

pp. 1017-1022 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

Johji Nomura ◽

Akinori Hisatsune ◽

Takeshi Miyata ◽

Yoichiro Isohama

Keyword(s):

Cpg Methylation ◽

Cell Type ◽

Aquaporin 5 ◽

Specific Expression ◽

Cell Type Specific Expression ◽

Cell Type Specific

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Non-apoptotic enteroblast-specific role of the initiator caspase Dronc for development and homeostasis of the Drosophila intestine

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-81261-0 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Jillian L. Lindblad ◽

Meghana Tare ◽

Alla Amcheslavsky ◽

Alicia Shields ◽

Andreas Bergmann

Keyword(s):

Normal Development ◽

Cell Lineage ◽

Cell Types ◽

Specific Role ◽

Mutant Phenotype ◽

Apoptotic Pathway ◽

Specific Expression ◽

Card Domain

AbstractThe initiator caspase Dronc is the only CARD-domain containing caspase in Drosophila and is essential for apoptosis. Here, we report that homozygous dronc mutant adult animals are short-lived due to the presence of a poorly developed, defective and leaky intestine. Interestingly, this mutant phenotype can be significantly rescued by enteroblast-specific expression of dronc+ in dronc mutant animals, suggesting that proper Dronc function specifically in enteroblasts, one of four cell types in the intestine, is critical for normal development of the intestine. Furthermore, enteroblast-specific knockdown of dronc in adult intestines triggers hyperplasia and differentiation defects. These enteroblast-specific functions of Dronc do not require the apoptotic pathway and thus occur in a non-apoptotic manner. In summary, we demonstrate that an apoptotic initiator caspase has a very critical non-apoptotic function for normal development and for the control of the cell lineage in the adult midgut and therefore for proper physiology and homeostasis.

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Dynamics of epigenetic modifiers and environmentally sensitive proteins in a reptile with temperature induced sex reversal

Biology of Reproduction ◽

10.1093/biolre/ioab217 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Sarah Whiteley ◽

Robert D McCuaig ◽

Clare E Holleley ◽

Sudha Rao ◽

Arthur Georges

Keyword(s):

Sex Reversal ◽

Molecular Characteristics ◽

Environmental Response ◽

Specific Expression ◽

Epigenetic Modifiers ◽

Cellular Localisation ◽

Reptile Species ◽

Environmentally Sensitive ◽

Pogona Vitticeps

Abstract The mechanisms by which sex is determined, and how a sexual phenotype is stably maintained during adulthood, has been the focus of vigorous scientific inquiry. Resources common to the biomedical field (automated staining and imaging platforms) were leveraged to provide the first immunofluorescent data for a reptile species with temperature induced sex reversal. Two four-plex immunofluorescent panels were explored across three sex classes (sex reversed ZZf females, normal ZWf females, and normal ZZm males). One panel was stained for chromatin remodelling genes JARID2 and KDM6B, and methylation marks H3K27me3, and H3K4me3 (Jumonji Panel). The other CaRe panel stained for environmental response genes CIRBP and RelA, and H3K27me3 and H3K4me3. Our study characterised tissue specific expression and cellular localisation patterns of these proteins and histone marks, providing new insights to the molecular characteristics of adult gonads in a dragon lizard Pogona vitticeps. The confirmation that mammalian antibodies cross react in P. vitticeps paves the way for experiments that can take advantage of this new immunohistochemical resource to gain a new understanding of the role of these proteins during embryonic development, and most importantly for P. vitticeps, the molecular underpinnings of sex reversal.

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FOXP2 exhibits projection neuron class specific expression, but is not required for multiple aspects of cortical histogenesis

eLife ◽

10.7554/elife.42012 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 8 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Ryan J Kast ◽

Alexandra L Lanjewar ◽

Colton D Smith ◽

Pat Levitt

Keyword(s):

Expression Patterns ◽

Projection Neuron ◽

Specific Expression ◽

Neuron Populations ◽

Mouse Cortex ◽

Molecular Studies ◽

Multiple Species ◽

Molecular Phenotypes ◽

And Function

The expression patterns of the transcription factor FOXP2 in the developing mammalian forebrain have been described, and some studies have tested the role of this protein in the development and function of specific forebrain circuits by diverse methods and in multiple species. Clinically, mutations in FOXP2 are associated with severe developmental speech disturbances, and molecular studies indicate that impairment of Foxp2 may lead to dysregulation of genes involved in forebrain histogenesis. Here, anatomical and molecular phenotypes of the cortical neuron populations that express FOXP2 were characterized in mice. Additionally, Foxp2 was removed from the developing mouse cortex at different prenatal ages using two Cre-recombinase driver lines. Detailed molecular and circuit analyses were undertaken to identify potential disruptions of development. Surprisingly, the results demonstrate that Foxp2 function is not required for many functions that it has been proposed to regulate, and therefore plays a more limited role in cortical development than previously thought.

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Analysis of the Bacillus subtilis spoIIIJ Gene and Its Paralogue Gene, yqjG

Journal of Bacteriology ◽

10.1128/jb.184.7.1998-2004.2002 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 184 (7) ◽

pp. 1998-2004 ◽

Cited By ~ 47

Author(s):

Takako Murakami ◽

Koki Haga ◽

Michio Takeuchi ◽

Tsutomu Sato

Keyword(s):

Bacillus Subtilis ◽

Membrane Proteins ◽

Vegetative Growth ◽

Fluorescent Protein ◽

Specific Expression ◽

Rich Media ◽

Green Fluorescent ◽

High Level ◽

Fluorescent Protein Reporter

ABSTRACT The Bacillus subtilis spoIIIJ gene, which has been proven to be vegetatively expressed, has also been implicated as a sporulation gene. Recent genome sequencing information in many organisms reveals that spoIIIJ and its paralogous gene, yqjG, are conserved from prokaryotes to humans. A homologue of SpoIIIJ/YqjG, the Escherichia coli YidC is involved in the insertion of membrane proteins into the lipid bilayer. On the basis of this similarity, it was proposed that the two homologues act as translocase for the membrane proteins. We studied the requirements for spoIIIJ and yqjG during vegetative growth and sporulation. In rich media, the growth of spoIIIJ and yqjG single mutants were the same as that of the wild type, whereas spoIIIJ yqjG double inactivation was lethal, indicating that together these B. subtilis translocase homologues play an important role in maintaining the viability of the cell. This result also suggests that SpoIIIJ and YqjG probably control significantly overlapping functions during vegetative growth. spoIIIJ mutations have already been established to block sporulation at stage III. In contrast, disruption of yqjG did not interfere with sporulation. We further show that high level expression of spoIIIJ during vegetative phase is dispensable for spore formation, but the sporulation-specific expression of spoIIIJ is necessary for efficient sporulation even at the basal level. Using green fluorescent protein reporter to monitor SpoIIIJ and YqjG localization, we found that the proteins localize at the cell membrane in vegetative cells and at the polar and engulfment septa in sporulating cells. This localization of SpoIIIJ at the sporulation-specific septa may be important for the role of spoIIIJ during sporulation.

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