Maize transcription factor ZmBES1/BZR1-5 positively regulates kernel size

Author(s):  
Fuai Sun ◽  
Lei Ding ◽  
Wenqi Feng ◽  
Yang Cao ◽  
Fengzhong Lu ◽  
...  

Abstract The BES1/BZR1 transcription factors regulate the expression of genes responsive to brassinosteroids and play pivotal roles in plant development, but their role in regulating kernel development in maize remains unclear. In this study, we found that ZmBES1/BZR1-5 positively regulates kernel size. Association analysis of candidate genes in 513 diverse maize inbred lines indicated that three SNPs related to ZmBES1/BZR1-5 were significantly associated with kernel width and whilst four SNPs were related to 100-kernel weight. Overexpression of ZmBES1/BZR1-5 in Arabidopsis and rice both significantly increased seed size and weight, and smaller kernels were produced in maize Mu transposon insertion and EMS mutants. The ZmBES1/BZR1-5 protein locates in the nucleus, contains bHLH and BAM domains, and shows no transcriptional activity as a monomer but forms a homodimer through the BAM domain. ChIP-sequencing analysis, and yeast one-hybrid and dual-luciferase assays demonstrated that the protein binds to the promoters of AP2/EREBP genes (Zm00001d010676 and Zm00001d032077) and inhibits their transcription. cDNA library screening showed that ZmBES1/BZR1-5 interacts with casein kinase II subunit β4 (ZmCKIIβ4) and ferredoxin 2 (ZmFdx2) in vitro and in vivo, respectively. Taken together, our study suggests that ZmBES1/BZR1-5 positively regulates kernel size, and provides new insights into understanding the mechanisms of kernel development in maize.

2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (Supplement_6) ◽  
pp. vi215-vi215
Author(s):  
Viveka Nand Yadav ◽  
Micah K Harris ◽  
Dana Messinger ◽  
Chase Thomas ◽  
Jessica R Cummings ◽  
...  

Abstract Diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) is a highly aggressive pediatric brain tumor with rare survival beyond two years. This poor prognosis is largely due to the tumor's highly infiltrative and invasive nature. Nearly 80% of DMGs harbor K27M mutation in the genes encoding histone H3.1 (H3F3A) or H3.3 (HISTIH3B), often with concurrent ACVR1 mutation. Inhibitor of DNA-binding (ID) proteins are key transcriptional regulators of genes involved in lineage commitment and are associated with invasiveness and poor clinical outcomes in multiple human cancers. Introduction of H3K27M and ACVR1 mutations increase ID1 expression in cultured astrocytes, but this has not been confirmed in human tumors or targeted therapeutically. We developed an in-utero electroporation (IUE) murine H3K27M-driven tumor model, which demonstrates increased ID1 expression in H3K27M- and ACVR1-mutated tumor cells. Exome and transcriptome sequencing analysis of multi-focal DMG tumors (n=52) and normal brain tissue revealed that increased ID1 expression is associated with H3K27M/ACVR1-mutation and brainstem location, and correlates with poor survival in patients. ChIP-sequencing for H3K27ac and H3K27me3 in multiple DMG tumors (n=5) revealed that the ID1 gene is epigenetically active, which matches the epigenetic state of murine prenatal hindbrain cells. Higher ID1-expressing astrocyte-like DIPG cells share a similar transcriptional program with ID1+/SPARCL1+ positive oligo/astrocyte-precursor (OAPC) cells from the developing human brain and demonstrate upregulation of gene sets involved in regulation of cell migration. Both genetic and pharmacologic [cannabidiol (CBD)] suppression of ID1 result in decreased DIPG cell invasion/migration in vitro and invasion/tumor growth in multiple in vivo models. Mechanistically, CBD reduces proliferation through production of reactive oxygen species. Further, DIPG patients treated off-trial with CBD (n=15) displayed reduced ID1 tumor expression and improved overall survival. In summary, ID1 is upregulated in DIPG through K27M-mediated epigenetic reactivation of a developmental OAPC-like transcriptional state, and ID1-driven invasiveness of DIPG is therapeutically targetable with CBD.


2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Amber R Paulson ◽  
Maureen O’Callaghan ◽  
Xue-Xian Zhang ◽  
Paul B Rainey ◽  
Mark R H Hurst

Abstract The function of microbes can be inferred from knowledge of genes specifically expressed in natural environments. Here, we report the in vivo transcriptome of the entomopathogenic bacterium Yersinia entomophaga MH96, captured during initial, septicemic, and pre-cadaveric stages of intrahemocoelic infection in Galleria mellonella. A total of 1285 genes were significantly upregulated by MH96 during infection; 829 genes responded to in vivo conditions during at least one stage of infection, 289 responded during two stages of infection, and 167 transcripts responded throughout all three stages of infection compared to in vitro conditions at equivalent cell densities. Genes upregulated during the earliest infection stage included components of the insecticidal toxin complex Yen-TC (chi1, chi2, and yenC1), genes for rearrangement hotspot element containing protein yenC3, cytolethal distending toxin cdtAB, and vegetative insecticidal toxin vip2. Genes more highly expressed throughout the infection cycle included the putative heat-stable enterotoxin yenT and three adhesins (usher-chaperone fimbria, filamentous hemagglutinin, and an AidA-like secreted adhesin). Clustering and functional enrichment of gene expression data also revealed expression of genes encoding type III and VI secretion system-associated effectors. Together these data provide insight into the pathobiology of MH96 and serve as an important resource supporting efforts to identify novel insecticidal agents.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pei-Yao Liu ◽  
Cheng-Cheung Chen ◽  
Chia-Ying Chin ◽  
Te-Jung Liu ◽  
Wen-Chiuan Tsai ◽  
...  

AbstractIn obese adults, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is accompanied by multiple metabolic dysfunctions. Although upregulated hepatic fatty acid synthesis has been identified as a crucial mediator of NAFLD development, the underlying mechanisms are yet to be elucidated. In this study, we reported upregulated expression of gene related to anergy in lymphocytes (GRAIL) in the livers of humans and mice with hepatic steatosis. Grail ablation markedly alleviated the high-fat diet-induced hepatic fat accumulation and expression of genes related to the lipid metabolism, in vitro and in vivo. Conversely, overexpression of GRAIL exacerbated lipid accumulation and enhanced the expression of lipid metabolic genes in mice and liver cells. Our results demonstrated that Grail regulated the lipid accumulation in hepatic steatosis via interaction with sirtuin 1. Thus, Grail poses as a significant molecular regulator in the development of NAFLD.


Diabetologia ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yukina Takeichi ◽  
Takashi Miyazawa ◽  
Shohei Sakamoto ◽  
Yuki Hanada ◽  
Lixiang Wang ◽  
...  

Abstract Aims/hypothesis Mitochondria are highly dynamic organelles continuously undergoing fission and fusion, referred to as mitochondrial dynamics, to adapt to nutritional demands. Evidence suggests that impaired mitochondrial dynamics leads to metabolic abnormalities such as non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) phenotypes. However, how mitochondrial dynamics are involved in the development of NASH is poorly understood. This study aimed to elucidate the role of mitochondrial fission factor (MFF) in the development of NASH. Methods We created mice with hepatocyte-specific deletion of MFF (MffLiKO). MffLiKO mice fed normal chow diet (NCD) or high-fat diet (HFD) were evaluated for metabolic variables and their livers were examined by histological analysis. To elucidate the mechanism of development of NASH, we examined the expression of genes related to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and lipid metabolism, and the secretion of triacylglycerol (TG) using the liver and primary hepatocytes isolated from MffLiKO and control mice. Results MffLiKO mice showed aberrant mitochondrial morphologies with no obvious NASH phenotypes during NCD, while they developed full-blown NASH phenotypes in response to HFD. Expression of genes related to ER stress was markedly upregulated in the liver from MffLiKO mice. In addition, expression of genes related to hepatic TG secretion was downregulated, with reduced hepatic TG secretion in MffLiKO mice in vivo and in primary cultures of MFF-deficient hepatocytes in vitro. Furthermore, thapsigargin-induced ER stress suppressed TG secretion in primary hepatocytes isolated from control mice. Conclusions/interpretation We demonstrated that ablation of MFF in liver provoked ER stress and reduced hepatic TG secretion in vivo and in vitro. Moreover, MffLiKO mice were more susceptible to HFD-induced NASH phenotype than control mice, partly because of ER stress-induced apoptosis of hepatocytes and suppression of TG secretion from hepatocytes. This study provides evidence for the role of mitochondrial fission in the development of NASH. Graphical abstract


Oncogenesis ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruize Gao ◽  
David Buechel ◽  
Ravi K. R. Kalathur ◽  
Marco F. Morini ◽  
Mairene Coto-Llerena ◽  
...  

AbstractUnderstanding the mechanisms underlying evasive resistance in cancer is an unmet medical need to improve the efficacy of current therapies. In hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), aberrant expression of hypoxia-inducible factor 1 α (HIF1α) and increased aerobic glycolysis metabolism are drivers of resistance to therapy with the multi-kinase inhibitor Sorafenib. However, it has remained unknown how HIF1α is activated and how its activity and the subsequent induction of aerobic glycolysis promote Sorafenib resistance in HCC. Here, we report the ubiquitin-specific peptidase USP29 as a new regulator of HIF1α and of aerobic glycolysis during the development of Sorafenib resistance in HCC. In particular, we identified USP29 as a critical deubiquitylase (DUB) of HIF1α, which directly deubiquitylates and stabilizes HIF1α and, thus, promotes its transcriptional activity. Among the transcriptional targets of HIF1α is the gene encoding hexokinase 2 (HK2), a key enzyme of the glycolytic pathway. The absence of USP29, and thus of HIF1α transcriptional activity, reduces the levels of aerobic glycolysis and restores sensitivity to Sorafenib in Sorafenib-resistant HCC cells in vitro and in xenograft transplantation mouse models in vivo. Notably, the absence of USP29 and high HK2 expression levels correlate with the response of HCC patients to Sorafenib therapy. Together, the data demonstrate that, as a DUB of HIF1α, USP29 promotes Sorafenib resistance in HCC cells, in parts by upregulating glycolysis, thereby opening new avenues for therapeutically targeting Sorafenib-resistant HCC in patients.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (8) ◽  
pp. 4073
Author(s):  
Yifan Lai ◽  
Qingyuan Feng ◽  
Rui Zhang ◽  
Jing Shang ◽  
Hui Zhong

To investigate a possible methodology of exploiting herbal medicine and design polytherapy for the treatment of skin depigmentation disorder, we have made use of Vernonia anthelmintica (L.) Willd., a traditional Chinese herbal medicine that has been proven to be effective in treating vitiligo. Here, we report that the extract of Vernonia anthelmintica (L.) Willd. effectively enhances melanogenesis responses in B16F10. In its compound library, we found three ingredients (butin, caffeic acid and luteolin) also have the activity of promoting melanogenesis in vivo and in vitro. They can reduce the accumulation of ROS induced by hydrogen peroxide and inflammatory response induced by sublethal concentrations of copper sulfate in wild type and green fluorescent protein (GFP)-labeled leukocytes zebrafish larvae. The overall objective of the present study aims to identify which compatibility proportions of the medicines may be more effective in promoting pigmentation. We utilized the D-optimal response surface methodology to optimize the ratio among three molecules. Combining three indicators of promoting melanogenesis, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant capacities, we get the best effect of butin, caffeic acid and luteolin at the ratio (butin:caffeic acid:luteolin = 7.38:28.30:64.32) on zebrafish. Moreover, the effect of melanin content recovery in the best combination is stronger than that of the monomer, which suggests that the three compounds have a synergistic effect on inducing melanogenesis. After simply verifying the result, we performed in situ hybridization on whole-mount zebrafish embryos to further explore the effects of multi-drugs combination on the proliferation and differentiation of melanocytes and the expression of genes (tyr, mitfa, dct, kit) related to melanin synthesis. In conclusion, the above three compatible compounds can significantly enhance melanogenesis and improve depigmentation in vivo.


2006 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 1347-1354 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruishan Wang ◽  
Yun-wu Zhang ◽  
Ping Sun ◽  
Runzhong Liu ◽  
Xian Zhang ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Gamma-secretase, which is responsible for the intramembranous cleavage of Alzheimer's β-amyloid precursor protein (APP), the signaling receptor Notch, and many other substrates, is a multiprotein complex consisting of at least four components: presenilin (PS), nicastrin, APH-1, and PEN-2. Despite the fact that PEN-2 is known to mediate endoproteolytic cleavage of full-length PS and APH-1 and nicastrin are required for maintaining the stability of the complex, the detailed physiological function of each component remain elusive. Unlike that of PS, the transcriptional regulation of PEN-2, APH-1, and nicastrin has not been investigated. Here, we characterized the upstream regions of the human PEN-2 gene and identified a 238-bp fragment located 353 bp upstream of the translational start codon as the key region necessary for the promoter activity. Further analysis revealed a CREB binding site located in the 238-bp region that is essential for the transcriptional activity of the PEN-2 promoter. Mutation of the CREB site abolished the transcriptional activity of the PEN-2 promoter. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays and chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis showed the binding of CREB to the PEN-2 promoter region both in vitro and in vivo. Activation of the CREB transcriptional factor by forskolin dramatically promoted the expression of PEN-2 mRNA and protein, whereas the other components of the γ-secretase complex remained unaffected. Forskolin treatment slightly increases the secretion of soluble APPα and Aβ without affecting Notch cleavage. These results demonstrate that expression of PEN-2 is regulated by CREB and suggest that the specific control of PEN-2 expression may imply additional physiological functions uniquely assigned to PEN-2.


1987 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 314-325
Author(s):  
C A Harrington ◽  
D M Chikaraishi

The transcriptional activity of spacer sequences flanking the rat 45S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) gene were studied. Nascent RNA labeled in in vitro nuclear run-on reactions hybridized with both 5' and 3' spacer regions. The highest level of hybridization was seen with an rDNA fragment containing tandem repeats of a 130-base-pair sequence upstream of the 45S rRNA initiation site. Synthesis of RNA transcripts homologous to this internally repetitious spacer region was insensitive to high levels of alpha-amanitin, suggesting that it is mediated by RNA polymerase I. Analysis of steady-state RNA showed that these transcripts were present at extremely low levels in vivo relative to precursor rRNA transcripts. In contrast, precursor and spacer run-on RNAs were synthesized at similar levels. This suggests that spacer transcripts are highly unstable in vivo; therefore, it may be the process of transcription rather than the presence of spacer transcripts that is functionally important. Transcription in this upstream rDNA region may be involved in regulation of 45S rRNA synthesis in rodents, as has been suggested previously for frog rRNA. In addition, the presence of transcriptional activity in other regions of the spacer suggests that some polymerase I molecules may transcribe through the spacer from one 45S gene to the next on rodent rDNA.


2011 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 124-128
Author(s):  
Sabine Wohlres-Viana ◽  
Mariana Cortes Boite ◽  
João Henrique Moreira Viana ◽  
Marco Antonio Machado ◽  
Luiz Sérgio de Almeida Camargo

The objectives of this work were to identify and to evaluate possible differences on gene expression of aquaporins and Na/K-ATPases transcripts between embryos in vivo and in vitro produced. For each group, 15 blastocysts distributed in three pools were used for RNA extraction followed by amplification and reverse transcription. The resulting cDNAs were submitted to Real-Time PCR, using the GAPDH gene as endogenous control. It was not possible to identify AQP1 transcripts. Relative expression of AQP3 (1.33 ± 0.78) and AQP11 (2.00 ± 1.42) were not different in blastocysts in vitro and in vivo produced. Na/K-ATPase α1 gene (2.25 ± 1.07) was overregulated whereas Na/K-ATPase β2 transcripts 0.40 ± 0.30) did not differ among blastocysts produced in vitro from those produced in vivo. Transcripts for gene AQP1 are not present in bovine blastocysts. In vitro culture system does not alter expression of genes AQP3, AQP11 and Na/K-ATPase β2 genes, however, it affects expression of Na/K-ATPase α1.


2007 ◽  
Vol 176 (5) ◽  
pp. 709-718 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chunxi Ge ◽  
Guozhi Xiao ◽  
Di Jiang ◽  
Renny T. Franceschi

The extracellular signal–regulated kinase (ERK)–mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway provides a major link between the cell surface and nucleus to control proliferation and differentiation. However, its in vivo role in skeletal development is unknown. A transgenic approach was used to establish a role for this pathway in bone. MAPK stimulation achieved by selective expression of constitutively active MAPK/ERK1 (MEK-SP) in osteoblasts accelerated in vitro differentiation of calvarial cells, as well as in vivo bone development, whereas dominant-negative MEK1 was inhibitory. The involvement of the RUNX2 transcription factor in this response was established in two ways: (a) RUNX2 phosphorylation and transcriptional activity were elevated in calvarial osteoblasts from TgMek-sp mice and reduced in cells from TgMek-dn mice, and (b) crossing TgMek-sp mice with Runx2+/− animals partially rescued the hypomorphic clavicles and undemineralized calvaria associated with Runx2 haploinsufficiency, whereas TgMek-dn; Runx2+/− mice had a more severe skeletal phenotype. This work establishes an important in vivo function for the ERK–MAPK pathway in bone that involves stimulation of RUNX2 phosphorylation and transcriptional activity.


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