scholarly journals Multiple roles for laccase2 in butterfly wing pigmentation, scale development, and cuticle tanning

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ceili L. Peng ◽  
Anyi Mazo-Vargas ◽  
Benjamin J. Brack ◽  
Robert D. Reed
Keyword(s):  
Scale Development ◽  
Multiple Roles ◽  
Melanin Pigmentation ◽  
Lepidopteran Insect ◽  
Genetic Mechanisms ◽  
Nymphalid Butterfly ◽  
Encoding Gene ◽  
Mutant Phenotypes ◽  
Insight Into ◽  
Wing Scales

ABSTRACTLepidopteran wing scales play important roles in a number of functions including color patterning and thermoregulation. Despite the importance of wing scales, however, we still have a limited understanding of the genetic mechanisms that underlie scale patterning, development, and coloration. Here we explore the function of the phenoloxidase-encoding gene laccase2 in wing and scale development in the nymphalid butterfly Vanessa cardui. Somatic deletion mosaics of laccase2 generated by CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing presented several distinct mutant phenotypes. Consistent with work in other non-lepidopteran insect groups, we observed reductions in melanin pigmentation and defects in cuticle formation. We were also surprised, however, to see distinct effects on scale development including complete loss of wing scales. This work highlights laccase2 as a gene that plays multiple roles in wing and scale development and provides new insight into the evolution of lepidopteran wing coloration.

scholarly journals Deciphering the Enigma of the Histone H2A.Z-1/H2A.Z-2 Isoforms: Novel Insights and Remaining Questions

Cells ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 1167
Author(s):  
Manjinder S. Cheema ◽  
Katrina V. Good ◽  
Bohyun Kim ◽  
Heddy Soufari ◽  
Connor O’Sullivan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Amino Acids ◽  
Dna Damage ◽  
Chromosome Segregation ◽  
Multiple Roles ◽  
Histone H2a ◽  
The Core ◽  
Structural Differences ◽  
Functional Involvement ◽  
Insight Into

The replication independent (RI) histone H2A.Z is one of the more extensively studied variant members of the core histone H2A family, which consists of many replication dependent (RD) members. The protein has been shown to be indispensable for survival, and involved in multiple roles from DNA damage to chromosome segregation, replication, and transcription. However, its functional involvement in gene expression is controversial. Moreover, the variant in several groups of metazoan organisms consists of two main isoforms (H2A.Z-1 and H2A.Z-2) that differ in a few (3–6) amino acids. They comprise the main topic of this review, starting from the events that led to their identification, what is currently known about them, followed by further experimental, structural, and functional insight into their roles. Despite their structural differences, a direct correlation to their functional variability remains enigmatic. As all of this is being elucidated, it appears that a strong functional involvement of isoform variability may be connected to development.

scholarly journals A whole genome analysis of the red-crowned crane provides insight into avian longevity

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
HyeJin Lee ◽  
Oksung Chung ◽  
Yun Sung Cho ◽  
Sungwoong Jho ◽  
JeHoon Jun ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Metabolic Rate ◽  
Whole Genome ◽  
Whole Genome Analysis ◽  
Grus Japonensis ◽  
Low Genetic Diversity ◽  
In Captivity ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Genetic Mechanisms ◽  
Avian Genomes ◽  
Insight Into

AbstractThe red-crowned crane (Grus japonensis) is an endangered and large-bodied crane native to East Asia. It is a traditional symbol of longevity and its long lifespan has been confirmed both in captivity and in the wild. Lifespan in birds is positively correlated with body size and negatively correlated with metabolic rate; although the genetic mechanisms for the red-crowned crane’s long lifespan have not previously been investigated. Using whole genome sequencing and comparative evolutionary analyses against the grey-crowned crane and other avian genomes, we identified candidate genes that are correlated with longevity. Included among these are positively selected genes with known associations with longevity in metabolism and immunity pathways (NDUFA5, NDUFA8, NUDT12 IL9R, SOD3, NUDT12, PNLIP, CTH, and RPA1). Our analyses provide genetic evidence for low metabolic rate and longevity, accompanied by possible convergent adaptation signatures among distantly related large and long-lived birds. Finally, we identified low genetic diversity in the red-crowned crane, consistent with its listing as an endangered species, and we hope this genome will provide a useful genetic resource for future conservation studies of this rare and iconic species.

scholarly journals Brand Endorsers with Role Model Function

2021 ◽  
Vol 43 ◽  
pp. 67-96 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica Kühn ◽  
Claudia Riesmeyer
Keyword(s):  
Role Models ◽  
Role Model ◽  
Multiple Roles ◽  
Model Function ◽  
Role Construction ◽  
Subject Areas ◽  
Attitudinal Dimension ◽  
Advertising Literacy ◽  
Insight Into ◽  
Performance Dimension

Social media influencers (SMIs) are taking on new roles in the communication environment of their followers as persuasive agents, opinion leaders, brand endorsers, and role models. Taking a look from the perspective of SMIs as agents in the persuasion attempt and their advertising literacy, our study has three aims. First, we provide insight into SMIs‘ self-perception as opinion-leading brand endorsers. Second, we discuss the extent to which SMIs use this awareness of and knowledge about their role model function for their particular young followers. Finally, we show how SMIs actively construct their media persona and how their relationship with their followers is based around this identity. The results from 15 semi-structured, guideline-based interviews conducted in 2019 with German SMIs working in different subject areas (e.g., fitness, fashion, travel, and family) show that SMIs are advertising literate. SMIs are aware of their multiple roles (understanding of one‘s roles: conceptional dimension), and reflect about their media persona‘s role model function (role interpretation: attitudinal dimension). Therefore, the majority of SMIs create their content and their media persona, as well as actively construct their relationship to their followers, based on their knowledge and awareness (role construction: performance dimension).

Genetics of Anxiety Disorders

2013 ◽  
pp. 537-546
Author(s):  
Javier A. Perez ◽  
Takeshi Otowa ◽  
Roxann Roberson-Nay ◽  
John M. Hettema
Keyword(s):  
Anxiety Disorders ◽  
Personality Traits ◽  
Molecular Genetics ◽  
Genetic Epidemiology ◽  
Genetic Models ◽  
Pediatric Anxiety ◽  
Clinical Syndromes ◽  
Genetic Mechanisms ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Insight Into

This chapter provides a broad overview of the state of current research in the genetics of the major anxiety disorders. In addition tosummarizing findings regarding the individual clinical syndromes, we present data supporting genetic hypotheses that explain their comorbidity with each other and with related phenotypessuch as anxious personality traits and depression. We conceptually divide the chapter into three main sections based upon methodology: (1) genetic epidemiology of adult and pediatric anxiety (twin and family studies), (2) human molecular genetics (linkage and association), and (3) animal genetic models. These approaches provide complimentary and concurring evidence supporting the genetic basis underlying anxiety disorders as well as preliminary insight into the genetic mechanisms involved in their expression.

scholarly journals Genome-wide Comparative Analysis of Atopic Dermatitis and Psoriasis Gives Insight into Opposing Genetic Mechanisms

2015 ◽  
Vol 97 (6) ◽  
pp. 933 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hansjörg Baurecht ◽  
Melanie Hotze ◽  
Stephan Brand ◽  
Carsten Büning ◽  
Paul Cormican ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atopic Dermatitis ◽  
Comparative Analysis ◽  
Genome Wide ◽  
Genetic Mechanisms ◽  
Insight Into

scholarly journals Genomic sequencing of Phyllosticta citriasiana provide insight into its conservation and diversification with closely related Phyllosticta species associated with citrus

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mingshuang Wang ◽  
Bei Liu ◽  
Ruoxin Ruan ◽  
Yibing Zeng ◽  
Jinshui Luo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tan Spot ◽  
Secreted Proteins ◽  
Comparative Genomic ◽  
Orphan Genes ◽  
Core Set ◽  
Genomic Analyses ◽  
Genetic Mechanisms ◽  
Or Gene ◽  
Species Specific ◽  
Insight Into

AbstractPhyllosticta citriasiana is the causal agent of the pomelo tan spot. Here, we presented the ~34Mb genome of P. citriasiana. The genome is organized in 92 contigs, encompassing 9202 predicted genes. Comparative genomic analyses with other two Phyllosticta species (P. citricarpa and P. capitalensis) associated with citrus was conducted to understand their evolutionary conservation and diversification. Pairwise genome alignments revealed that these species are highly syntenic. All species encode similar numbers of CAZymes and secreted proteins. However, the molecular functions of the secretome showed that each species contains some enzymes with distinct activities. Three Phyllosticta species shared a core set of 7261 protein families. P. capitalensis had the largest set of orphan genes (2040), in complete contrast to that of P. citriasiana (371) and P. citricarpa (262). Most of the orphan genes were functionally unknown, but they contain a certain number of species-specific secreted proteins. A total of 23 secondary metabolites (SM) biosynthesis clusters were identified in the three Phyllosticta species, 21 of them are highly conserved among these species while the remaining 2 showed whole cluster gain and loss polymorphisms or gene content polymorphisms. Taken together, our study reveals insights into the genetic mechanisms of host adaptation of Phyllosticta species associated with citrus and paves the way to identify effectors that function in infection of citrus plants.

scholarly journals An insight into osteoarthritis susceptibility: Integration of immunological and genetic background

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Debora Stefik ◽  
Vladimir Vranic ◽  
Nemanja Ivkovic ◽  
Dzihan Abazovic ◽  
Dusan Maric ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Early Onset ◽  
Genetic Background ◽  
Disease Risk ◽  
Joint Disease ◽  
Inflammatory Joint Disease ◽  
Complex Interplay ◽  
Diarthrodial Joints ◽  
Genetic Mechanisms ◽  
Insight Into

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a progressive degenerative disease that affects all synovial joints, causing the disability of the main locomotor diarthrodial joints. OA pathogenesis is caused by a complex interplay between a number of genetic and environmental risk factors, involved in the early onset and progression of this chronic inflammatory joint disease. Uncovering the underlying immunological and genetic mechanisms will enable an insight into OA pathophysiology and lead to novel and integrative approaches in the treatment of OA patients, together with a reduction of the disease risk, or a delay of its onset in susceptible patients.

scholarly journals Structural basis for DNA unwinding at forked dsDNA by two coordinating Pif1 helicases

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nannan Su ◽  
Alicia K. Byrd ◽  
Sakshibeedu R. Bharath ◽  
Olivia Yang ◽  
Yu Jia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Base Pair ◽  
Genome Stability ◽  
Multiple Roles ◽  
Structural Basis ◽  
Dna Unwinding ◽  
Sharp Bend ◽  
Insight Into

AbstractPif1 plays multiple roles in maintaining genome stability and preferentially unwinds forked dsDNA, but the mechanism by which Pif1 unwinds forked dsDNA remains elusive. Here we report the structure of Bacteroides sp Pif1 (BaPif1) in complex with a symmetrical double forked dsDNA. Two interacting BaPif1 molecules are bound to each fork of the partially unwound dsDNA, and interact with the 5′ arm and 3′ ss/dsDNA respectively. Each of the two BaPif1 molecules is an active helicase and their interaction may regulate their helicase activities. The binding of BaPif1 to the 5′ arm causes a sharp bend in the 5′ ss/dsDNA junction, consequently breaking the first base-pair. BaPif1 bound to the 3′ ss/dsDNA junction impacts duplex unwinding by stabilizing the unpaired first base-pair and engaging the second base-pair poised for breaking. Our results provide an unprecedented insight into how two BaPif1 coordinate with each other to unwind the forked dsDNA.

Regulation of the activity of maize glutamate dehydrogenase by ammonium and potassium

2020 ◽  
Vol 85 (2) ◽  
pp. 262-271
Author(s):  
Yanjie Zhao ◽  
Jie Gao ◽  
Shengzhong Su ◽  
Xiaohui Shan ◽  
Shipeng Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Glutamate Dehydrogenase ◽  
Conformational Changes ◽  
Binding Sites ◽  
Structural Information ◽  
Substrate Inhibition ◽  
Multiple Roles ◽  
Multiple Factors ◽  
Ammonium Metabolism ◽  
Insight Into ◽  
Important Enzyme

ABSTRACT Glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) is an important enzyme in ammonium metabolism, the activity of which is regulated by multiple factors. In this study, we investigate the effects of ammonium and potassium on the activity of maize GDH. Our results show that both ammonium and potassium play multiple roles in regulating the activity of maize GDH, with the specific roles depending on the concentration of potassium. Together with the structural information of GDH, we propose models for the substrate inhibition of ammonium, and the elimination of substrate inhibition by potassium. These models are supported by the analysis of statistic thermodynamics. We also analyze the binding sites of ammonium and potassium on maize GDH, and the conformational changes of maize GDH. The findings provide insight into the regulation of maize GDH activity by ammonium and potassium and reveal the importance of the dose and ratio of nitrogen and potassium in crop cultivation.

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