scholarly journals Gametogenesis in the green seaweed Ulva mutabilis coincides with massive transcriptional restructuring

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaojie Liu ◽  
Jonas Blomme ◽  
Kenny Bogaert ◽  
Sofie Dhondt ◽  
Thomas Wichard ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Higher Plants ◽  
Crop Improvement ◽  
Functional Characterization ◽  
Model Organism ◽  
Land Plants ◽  
Alternative Source ◽  
Master Regulators ◽  
Energy Applications ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Green Seaweed

The molecular mechanism underlying sexual reproduction in land plants is well understood in model plants and is a target for crop improvement. However, unlike land plants, the genetic basis involved in triggering reproduction and gamete formation remains elusive in most seaweeds, which are increasingly viewed as an alternative source of functional food and feedstock for energy applications. Here, gametogenesis of Ulva mutabilis, a model organism for green seaweeds, is studied. We analyze transcriptome dynamics at different time points during gametogenesis following induction of reproduction by fragmentation and removal of sporulation inhibitors. Analyses demonstrate that 45% of the genes in the genome are differentially expressed during gametogenesis. We identified several transcription factors that potentially play a key role in the early gametogenesis of Ulva given the function of their homologs in higher plants and microalgae. In particular, the detailed expression pattern of an evolutionary conserved transcription factor containing an RWP-RK domain suggests a key role during Ulva gametogenesis. The identification of putative master regulators of gametogenesis provides a starting point for further functional characterization.

scholarly journals Transcriptional dynamics of gametogenesis in the green seaweed Ulva mutabilis identifies an RWP-RK transcription factor linked to reproduction

2022 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaojie Liu ◽  
Jonas Blomme ◽  
Kenny A. Bogaert ◽  
Sofie D’hondt ◽  
Thomas Wichard ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Transcription Factor ◽  
Sexual Reproduction ◽  
Higher Plants ◽  
Crop Improvement ◽  
Functional Characterization ◽  
Model Organism ◽  
Land Plants ◽  
Alternative Source ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Green Seaweed

Abstract Background The molecular mechanism underlying sexual reproduction in land plants is well understood in model plants and is a target for crop improvement. However, unlike land plants, the genetic basis involved in triggering reproduction and gamete formation remains elusive in most seaweeds, which are increasingly viewed as an alternative source of functional food and feedstock for energy applications. Results Gametogenesis of Ulva mutabilis, a model organism for green seaweeds, was studied. We analyzed transcriptome dynamics at different time points during gametogenesis following induction of reproduction by fragmentation and removal of sporulation inhibitors. Analyses demonstrated that 45% of the genes in the genome were differentially expressed during gametogenesis. We identified several transcription factors that potentially play a key role in the early gametogenesis of Ulva given the function of their homologs in higher plants and microalgae. In particular, the detailed expression pattern of an evolutionarily conserved transcription factor containing an RWP-RK domain suggested a key role during Ulva gametogenesis. Conclusions Transcriptomic analyses of gametogenesis in the green seaweed Ulva highlight the importance of a conserved RWP-RK transcription factor in the induction of sexual reproduction. The identification of putative master regulators of gametogenesis provides a starting point for further functional characterization.

scholarly journals Transcriptional profiling of gametogenesis in the green seaweed Ulva mutabilis identifies an RWP‐RK transcription factors linked to reproduction

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaojie Liu ◽  
Jonas Blomme ◽  
Kenny Bogaert ◽  
Sofie D’hondt ◽  
Thomas Wichard ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Transcription Factor ◽  
Transcription Factors ◽  
Sexual Reproduction ◽  
Higher Plants ◽  
Crop Improvement ◽  
Functional Characterization ◽  
Land Plants ◽  
Alternative Source ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Green Seaweed

Abstract Background The molecular mechanism underlying sexual reproduction in land plants is well understood in model plants and is a target for crop improvement. However, unlike land plants, the genetic basis involved in triggering reproduction and gamete formation remains elusive in most seaweeds, which are increasingly viewed as an alternative source of functional food and feedstock for energy applications. Results Gametogenesis of Ulva mutabilis, a model organism for green seaweeds, is studied. We analyze transcriptome dynamics at different time points during gametogenesis following induction of reproduction by fragmentation and removal of sporulation inhibitors. Analyses demonstrate that 45% of the genes in the genome are differentially expressed during gametogenesis. We identified several transcription factors that potentially play a key role in the early gametogenesis of Ulva given the function of their homologs in higher plants and microalgae. In particular, the detailed expression pattern of an evolutionary conserved transcription factor containing an RWP-RK domain suggests a key role during Ulva gametogenesis. Conclusions Transcriptomic analyses of gametogenesis in the green seaweed Ulva highlight the importance of a conserved RWP-RK transcription factor in induction of sexual reproduction. The identification of putative master regulators of gametogenesis provides a starting point for further functional characterization.

Identification of conserved regions in the plastid genome: implications for DNA barcoding and biological function

2006 ◽  
Vol 84 (9) ◽  
pp. 1434-1443 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gernot G. Presting
Keyword(s):  
Dna Barcoding ◽  
Plastid Genome ◽  
Rational Design ◽  
Higher Plants ◽  
Dna Barcode ◽  
Single Copy ◽  
Land Plants ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
Plastid Genomes ◽  
Starting Point

All oligonucleotides of the sugarcane chloroplast genome that are conserved in one or more of 36 other completed plastid genomes have been identified by computer-assisted sequence comparison. These regions are of interest because they (i) are indicative of strong selection pressures to maintain specific nucleotide sequences that may yield insights into plastid biology and (ii) can be used as priming sites for amplifying intervening sequences that represent potential DNA barcodes for species identification. The majority of conserved sites are located in the inverted repeat (IR) region, but several sites in the single copy region (predominantly in tRNA and psa/psb genes) are conserved among chloroplasts of all higher plants examined here. Of particular interest are protein coding regions that have been conserved at the nucleotide level, as these may be involved in transcript regulation. This analysis also provides the basis for rational design of a DNA barcode for plastids, and several potential barcode regions have been identified. In particular, two oligonucleotides of length 33 and 25, and separated by approximately 362 nucleotides, are found in all cyanobacteria, red, brown and green algae, as well as diatoms, euglenids, apicomplexans and land plants that have been examined to date. Their widespread occurrence makes the intervening sequence a universal marker for all photosynthetic lineages. Analysis of 160 GenBank accessions illustrates that this region discriminates many algae at the species level, but lacks sufficient variation among the more recently diverged land plants to serve as a single DNA barcode for this taxon. However, this marker should be particularly useful for the DNA barcoding of algal lineages and lichens, as well as for environmental sampling. More rapidly evolving regions of the plastid genome also identified here serve as a starting point to design and test barcodes for more narrowly defined lineages, including the more recently diverged angiosperms.

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 Gene targeting facilitated by engineered sequence-specific nucleases and its potential for applications in crop improvement

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daisuke Miki ◽  
Rui Wang ◽  
Jing Li ◽  
Dali Kong ◽  
Lei Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Targeting ◽  
Agronomic Traits ◽  
Higher Plants ◽  
Crop Improvement ◽  
Strand Break ◽  
End Joining ◽  
Homology Directed Repair ◽  
Target Dna ◽  
Targeted Gene Editing ◽  
Non Homologous End Joining

Abstract Humans are currently facing the problem of how to ensure that there is enough food to feed all of the world’s population. Ensuring that the food supply is sufficient will likely require the modification of crop genomes to improve their agronomic traits. The development of engineered sequence-specific nucleases (SSNs) paved the way for targeted gene editing in organisms, including plants. SSNs generate a double-strand break (DSB) at the target DNA site in a sequence-specific manner. These DSBs are predominantly repaired via error-prone non-homologous end joining (NHEJ), and are only rarely repaired via error-free homology-directed repair (HDR) if an appropriate donor template is provided. Gene targeting (GT), i.e., the integration or replacement of a particular sequence, can be achieved with combinations of SSNs and repair donor templates. Although its efficiency is extremely low, GT has been achieved in some higher plants. Here, we provide an overview of SSN-facilitated GT in higher plants and discuss the potential of GT as a powerful tool for generating crop plants with desirable features.

Functional characterization of chloroplast-targeted RbgA GTPase in higher plants

2017 ◽  
Vol 95 (4-5) ◽  
pp. 463-479 ◽  
Author(s):  
Young Jeon ◽  
Hee-Kyung Ahn ◽  
Yong Won Kang ◽  
Hyun-Sook Pai
Keyword(s):  
Higher Plants ◽  
Functional Characterization

Identification of Positive Allosteric Modulators of Glycine Receptors from a High-Throughput Screen Using a Fluorescent Membrane Potential Assay

2016 ◽  
Vol 21 (10) ◽  
pp. 1042-1053 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clara Stead ◽  
Adam Brown ◽  
Cathryn Adams ◽  
Sarah J. Nickolls ◽  
Gareth Young ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Membrane Potential ◽  
High Throughput ◽  
Glycine Receptor ◽  
Functional Characterization ◽  
In Vitro Assays ◽  
Allosteric Modulators ◽  
Inhibitory Neurotransmission ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Positive Allosteric Modulators

Glycine receptor 3 (GlyRα3) is a ligand-gated ion channel of the cys-loop family that plays a key role in mediating inhibitory neurotransmission and regulation of pain signaling in the dorsal horn. Potentiation of GlyRα3 function is therefore of interest as a putative analgesic mechanism with which to target new therapeutics. However, to date, positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) of this receptor with sufficient selectivity to enable target validation studies have not been described. To address this lack of pharmacological tools, we developed a suite of in vitro assays comprising a high-throughput fluorescent membrane potential screen and a medium-throughput electrophysiology assay using IonFlux HT together with conventional manual patch clamp. Using these assays, we conducted a primary screening campaign and report the structures of hit compounds identified as GlyR PAMs. Our functional characterization data reveal a hit compound with high efficacy relative to current known potentiators and selectivity over GABAAR, another major class of inhibitory neurotransmission receptors of importance to pain. These small-molecule GlyR PAMs have high potential both as early tool compounds to enable pharmacological studies of GlyR inhibitory neurotransmission and as a starting point for the development of potent, selective GlyRα3 PAMs as novel analgesics.

Delineating Calcium Signaling Machinery in Plants: Tapping the Potential through Functional Genomics

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Soma Ghosh ◽  
Malathi Bheri ◽  
Girdhar K. Pandey
Keyword(s):  
Functional Genomics ◽  
Protein Kinases ◽  
Regulatory Networks ◽  
Crop Improvement ◽  
Functional Characterization ◽  
Genomic Analysis ◽  
Major Elements ◽  
Model Systems ◽  
Plant Responses ◽  
Dependent Protein

: Plant systems have developed calcium (Ca2+) signaling as an important mechanism of regulation of stress perception, developmental cues, and responsive gene expression. The post-genomic era has witnessed the successful unravelling of the functional characterization of genes and the creation of large datasets of molecular information. The major elements of Ca2+ signaling machinery involve Ca2+ sensors and responders such as Calmodulin (CaM), Calmodulin-like proteins (CMLs), Ca2+/CaM-dependent protein kinases (CCaMK), Ca2+-dependent protein kinases (CDPKs), Calcineurin B-like proteins (CBLs) as well as transporters, such as Cyclic nucleotide-gated channels (CNGCs), Glutamate-like receptors (GLRs), Ca2+-ATPases, Ca2+/H+ exchangers (CAXs) and mechanosensitive channels. These elements play an important role in the regulation of physiological processes and plant responses to various stresses. Detailed genomic analysis can help us in the identification of potential molecular targets that can be exploited towards the development of stress-tolerant crops. The information sourced from model systems through omics approaches helps in the prediction and simulation of regulatory networks involved in responses to different stimuli at the molecular and cellular levels. The molecular delineation of Ca2+ signaling pathways could be the stepping stone for engineering climate-resilient crop plants. Here, we review the recent developments in Ca2+ signaling in the context of transport, responses, and adaptations significant for crop improvement through functional genomics approaches.

scholarly journals Bulked Segregant Analysis Coupled With Whole-Genome Sequencing (BSA-Seq) and Identification of a Novel Locus, qGL3.5, That Regulates Grain Length

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Haiyan Zhao ◽  
Yuebin Zheng ◽  
Feng Bai ◽  
Yang Liu ◽  
Sicheng Deng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Throughput Sequencing ◽  
Bulked Segregant Analysis ◽  
Functional Characterization ◽  
Quality Data ◽  
Rice Grain ◽  
Grain Length ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
New Gene ◽  
Membrane Bound

Abstract Rice grain length (GL) directly affects the yield and quality of this species. Very few GL-related genes cloned are applied in production because their yield-increasing effect was not obvious. In this study, the two bulk-DNA pools (L-pool and S-pool) and their parents’ (KJ01 and Huaye 4) DNAs were subjected to high-throughput sequencing. After assessing the quality of the data, we obtained a total of 100.22 Gb of high-quality data; the average coverage depth was 55x, and the genome coverage was 96.51%. After combining the association results of the ED and SNP index methods, we mapped the GL genes to a 0.34 Mb “hotspot” region on chromosome 3, which contains 37 genes related to various traits. The 37 predicted genes were further analyzed by the use of the Gene GO, COG database and so on. Thirty-three genes were annotated by GO functions. According to the GO annotations, three genes whose molecular function involved in the plasma membrane and intracellular membrane-bound organelles were detected via CRISPR/ Cas9 editing technology. ORF33 was verified to regulate GL and was the target gene qGL3.5. These results provides a new gene resource for rice grain shape breeding and a starting point for functional characterization of the wild rice GL gene.

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