scholarly journals Single-Cell Analysis Reveals Distinct Gene Expression and Heterogeneity in Male and FemalePlasmodium falciparumGametocytes

mSphere ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Katelyn A. Walzer ◽  
Danielle M. Kubicki ◽  
Xiaohu Tang ◽  
Jen-Tsan Ashley Chi
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Plasmodium Falciparum ◽  
Single Cell ◽  
Specific Expression ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Population Analyses ◽  
Specific Differentiation ◽  
Female Specific ◽  
Gender Specific

ABSTRACTSexual reproduction is an obligate step in thePlasmodium falciparumlife cycle, with mature gametocytes being the only form of the parasite capable of human-to-mosquito transmission. Development of male and female gametocytes takes 9 to 12 days, and although more than 300 genes are thought to be specific to gametocytes, only a few have been postulated to be male or female specific. Because these genes are often expressed during late gametocyte stages and for some, male- or female-specific transcript expression is debated, the separation of male and female populations is technically challenging. To overcome these challenges, we have developed an unbiased single-cell approach to determine which transcripts are expressed in male versus female gametocytes. Using microfluidic technology, we isolated single mid- to late-stage gametocytes to compare the expression of 91 genes, including 87 gametocyte-specific genes, in 90 cells. Such analysis identified distinct gene clusters whose expression was associated with male, female, or all gametocytes. In addition, a small number of male gametocytes clustered separately from female gametocytes based on sex-specific expression independent of stage. Many female-enriched genes also exhibited stage-specific expression. RNA fluorescentin situhybridization of male and female markers validated the mutually exclusive expression pattern of male and female transcripts in gametocytes. These analyses uncovered novel male and female markers that are expressed as early as stage III gametocytogenesis, providing further insight intoPlasmodiumsex-specific differentiation previously masked in population analyses. Our single-cell approach reveals the most robust markers for sex-specific differentiation inPlasmodiumgametocytes. Such single-cell expression assays can be generalized to all eukaryotic pathogens.IMPORTANCEMost human deaths that result from malaria are caused by the eukaryotic parasitePlasmodium falciparum. The only form of this parasite that is transmitted to the mosquito is the sexual form, called the gametocyte. The production of mature gametocytes can take up to 2 weeks and results in phenotypically distinct males and females, although what causes this gender-specific differentiation remains largely unknown. Here, we demonstrate the first use of microfluidic technology to capture single gametocytes and determine their temporal sex-specific gene expression in an unbiased manner. We were able to determine male or female identity of single cells based on the upregulation of gender-specific genes as early as mid-stage gametocytes. This analysis has revealed strong markers for male and female gametocyte differentiation that were previously concealed in population analyses. Similar single-cell analyses in eukaryotic pathogens using this method may uncover rare cell types and heterogeneity previously masked in population studies.

scholarly journals Peripheral Blood Cell Gene Expression Diagnostic for Identifying Symptomatic Transthyretin Amyloidosis Patients: Male and Female Specific Signatures

Theranostics ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (11) ◽  
pp. 1792-1809 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sunil M. Kurian ◽  
Marta Novais ◽  
Thomas Whisenant ◽  
Terri Gelbart ◽  
Joel N. Buxbaum ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Blood Cell ◽  
Peripheral Blood ◽  
Peripheral Blood Cell ◽  
Transthyretin Amyloidosis ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Cell Gene Expression ◽  
Female Specific ◽  
Cell Gene

Drosophila Male-Specific Lethal 2 Protein Controls Sex-Specific Expression of the roX Genes

Genetics ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 166 (4) ◽  
pp. 1825-1832 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbara P Rattner ◽  
Victoria H Meller
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Transcriptional Regulation ◽  
X Chromosome ◽  
Specific Expression ◽  
Linked Gene ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Male Specific Lethal ◽  
Msl Complex ◽  
Male Specific ◽  
Rox Rna

Abstract The MSL complex of Drosophila upregulates transcription of the male X chromosome, equalizing male and female X-linked gene expression. Five male-specific lethal proteins and at least one of the two noncoding roX RNAs are essential for this process. The roX RNAs are required for the localization of MSL complexes to the X chromosome. Although the mechanisms directing targeting remain speculative, the ratio of MSL protein to roX RNA influences localization of the complex. We examine the transcriptional regulation of the roX genes and show that MSL2 controls male-specific roX expression in the absence of any other MSL protein. We propose that this mechanism maintains a stable MSL/roX ratio that is favorable for localization of the complex to the X chromosome.

scholarly journals Novel Method for the Separation of Male and Female Gametocytes of the Malaria Parasite Plasmodium falciparum That Enables Biological and Drug Discovery

mSphere ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Melanie C. Ridgway ◽  
Kwong Sum Shea ◽  
Daniela Cihalova ◽  
Alexander G. Maier
Keyword(s):  
Flow Cytometry ◽  
Plasmodium Falciparum ◽  
Malaria Transmission ◽  
Disease Transmission ◽  
Severe Form ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Single Sex ◽  
Parasite Plasmodium Falciparum ◽  
Female Bias

ABSTRACT We developed a flow-cytometry-based method to separate and collect cocultured male and female Plasmodium falciparum gametocytes responsible for malaria transmission. The purity of the collected cells was estimated at >97% using flow cytometry, and sorted cells were observed by Giemsa-stained thin-smear and live-cell fluorescence microscopy. The expression of validated sex-specific markers corroborated the sorting strategy. Collected male and female gametocytes were used to confirm three novel sex-specific markers by quantitative real-time PCR that were more enriched in sorted male and female gametocyte populations than existing sex-specific markers. We also applied the method as a proof-of-principle drug screen that allows the identification of drugs that kill gametocytes in a sex-specific manner. Since the developed method allowed for the separation of male and female parasites from the same culture, we observed for the first time a difference in development time between the sexes: females developed faster than males. Hence, the ability to separate male and female gametocytes opens the door to a new field of sex-specific P. falciparum gametocyte biology to further our understanding of malaria transmission. IMPORTANCE The protozoan Plasmodium falciparum causes the most severe form of human malaria. The development of sexual forms (so-called gametocytes) is crucial for disease transmission. However, knowledge of these forms is severely hampered by the paucity of sex-specific markers and the inability to extract single sex gametocytes in high purity. Moreover, the identification of compounds that specifically affect one sex is difficult due to the female bias of the gametocytes. We have developed a system that allows for the separation of male and female gametocytes from the same population. Applying our system, we show that male and female parasites mature at different rates, which might have implications for transmission. We also identified new sex-specific genes that can be used as sex markers or to unravel sex-specific functions. Our system will not only aid in the discovery of much needed gametocidal compounds, but it also represents a valuable tool for exploring malaria transmission biology.

Gender-specific patterns of left ventricular and myocyte remodeling following myocardial infarction in mice deficient in the angiotensin II type 1a receptor

2005 ◽  
Vol 289 (2) ◽  
pp. H586-H592 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Bridgman ◽  
Mark A. Aronovitz ◽  
Rahul Kakkar ◽  
Michael I. Oliverio ◽  
Thomas M. Coffman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Myocardial Infarction ◽  
Infarct Size ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Lower Systolic Blood Pressure ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Myocyte Hypertrophy ◽  
Lv Mass ◽  
Gender Specific

Left ventricular (LV) remodeling after myocardial infarction (MI) results from hypertrophy of myocytes and activation of fibroblasts induced, in part, by ligand stimulation of the ANG II type 1 receptor (AT1R). The purpose of the present study was to explore the specific role for activation of the AT1aR subtype in post-MI remodeling and whether gender differences exist in the patterns of remodeling in wild-type and AT1aR knockout (KO) mice. AT1aR-KO mice and wild-type littermates underwent coronary ligation to induce MI or sham procedures; echocardiography and hemodynamic evaluation were performed 6 wk later, and LV tissue was harvested for infarct size determination, morphometric measurements, and gene expression analysis. Survival and infarct size were similar among all male and female wild-type and AT1aR-KO mice. Hemodynamic indexes were also similar except for lower systolic blood pressure in the AT1aR-KO mice compared with wild-type mice. Male and female wild-type and male AT1aR-KO mice developed similar increases in LV chamber size, LV mass corrected for body weight (LV/BW), and myocyte cross-sectional area (CSA). However, female AT1aR-KO mice demonstrated no increase in LV/BW and myocyte CSA post-MI compared with shams. Both male and female wild-type mice demonstrated higher atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) levels after MI, with female wild types being significantly greater than males. However, male and female AT1aR-KO mice developed no increase in ANP gene expression with MI despite an increase in LV mass and myocyte size in males. These data support that gender-specific patterns of LV and myocyte hypertrophy exist after MI in mice with a disrupted AT1aR gene, and suggest that myocyte hypertrophy post-MI in females relies, in part, on activation of the AT1aR. Further work is necessary to explore the potential mechanisms underlying these gender-based differences.

scholarly journals Transcriptome Profiling of Botrytis cinerea Conidial Germination Reveals Upregulation of Infection-Related Genes during the Prepenetration Stage

2013 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 614-626 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michaela Leroch ◽  
Astrid Kleber ◽  
Evelyn Silva ◽  
Tina Coenen ◽  
Dieter Koppenhöfer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Botrytis Cinerea ◽  
Transcriptome Profiling ◽  
Gray Mold ◽  
Secretory Proteins ◽  
Global Changes ◽  
Lytic Enzymes ◽  
Chitin Deacetylase ◽  
Specific Expression ◽  
Content Type

ABSTRACTBotrytis cinereacauses gray mold on a great number of host plants. Infection is initiated by airborne conidia that invade the host tissue, often by penetration of intact epidermal cells. To mimic the surface properties of natural plant surfaces, conidia were incubated on apple wax-coated surfaces, resulting in rapid germination and appressorium formation. Global changes in gene expression were analyzed by microarray hybridization between conidia incubated for 0 h (dormant), 1 h (pregermination), 2.5 h (postgermination), 4 h (appressoria), and 15 h (early mycelium). Considerable changes were observed, in particular between 0 h and 1 h. Genes induced during germination were enriched in those genes encoding secreted proteins, including lytic enzymes. Comparison of wild-type and a nonpathogenic MAP kinase mutant (bmp1) revealed marked differences in germination-related gene expression, in particular related to secretory proteins. Using promoter-GFP reporter strains, we detected a strictly germination-specific expression pattern of a putative chitin deacetylase gene (cda1). In contrast, a cutinase gene (cutB) was found to be expressed only in the presence of plant lipids, in a developmentally less stringent pattern. We also identified a coregulated gene cluster possibly involved in secondary metabolite synthesis which was found to be controlled by a transcription factor also encoded in this cluster. Our data demonstrate that early conidial development inB. cinereais accompanied by rapid shifts in gene expression that prepare the fungus for germ tube outgrowth and host cell invasion.

scholarly journals PfGCN5-Mediated Histone H3 Acetylation Plays a Key Role in Gene Expression in Plasmodium falciparum

2007 ◽  
Vol 6 (7) ◽  
pp. 1219-1227 ◽  
Author(s):  
Long Cui ◽  
Jun Miao ◽  
Tetsuya Furuya ◽  
Xinyi Li ◽  
Xin-zhuan Su ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Plasmodium Falciparum ◽  
Histone Acetylation ◽  
Transcriptional Activation ◽  
Histone H3 ◽  
Epigenetic Mechanism ◽  
Promoter Regions ◽  
Specific Expression ◽  
Transcriptional Initiation ◽  
Translational Start

ABSTRACT Histone acetylation, regulated by the opposing actions of histone acetyltransferases (HATs) and deacetylases, is an important epigenetic mechanism in eukaryotic transcription. Although an acetyltransferase (PfGCN5) has been shown to preferentially acetylate histone H3 at K9 and K14 in Plasmodium falciparum, the scale of histone acetylation in the parasite genome and its role in transcriptional activation are essentially unknown. Using chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) and DNA microarray, we mapped the global distribution of PfGCN5, histone H3K9 acetylation (H3K9ac) and trimethylation (H3K9m3) in the P. falciparum genome. While the chromosomal distributions of H3K9ac and PfGCN5 were similar, they are radically different from that of H3K9m3. In addition, there was a positive, though weak correlation between relative occupancy of H3K9ac on individual genes and the levels of gene expression, which was inversely proportional to the distance of array elements from the putative translational start codons. In contrast, H3K9m3 was negatively correlated with gene expression. Furthermore, detailed mapping of H3K9ac for selected genes using ChIP and real-time PCR in three erythrocytic stages detected stage-specific peak H3K9ac enrichment at the putative transcriptional initiation sites, corresponding to stage-specific expression of these genes. These data are consistent with H3K9ac and H3K9m3 as epigenetic markers of active and silent genes, respectively. We also showed that treatment with a PfGCN5 inhibitor led to reduced promoter H3K9ac and gene expression. Collectively, these results suggest that PfGCN5 is recruited to the promoter regions of genes to mediate histone acetylation and activate gene expression in P. falciparum.

scholarly journals Single-cell RNA-sequencing reveals thoracolumbar vertebra heterogeneity and rib-genesis in pigs

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jianbo Li ◽  
Ligang Wang ◽  
Dawei Yu ◽  
Junfeng Hao ◽  
Longchao Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Single Cell ◽  
Lumbar Vertebra ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Cell Type ◽  
Specific Expression ◽  
Coupled Process ◽  
Gene Expression Dynamics ◽  
Cell Type Specific ◽  
Thoracolumbar Vertebra

Thoracolumbar vertebra (TLV) and rib primordium (RP) development is a common evolutionary feature across vertebrates although whole-organism analysis of TLV and RP gene expression dynamics has been lacking. Here we investigated the single-cell transcriptomic landscape of thoracic vertebra (TV), lumbar vertebra (LV), and RP cells from a pig embryo at 27 days post-fertilization (dpf) and identified six cell types with distinct gene-expression signatures. In-depth dissection of the gene-expression dynamics and RNA velocity revealed a coupled process of osteogenesis and angiogenesis during TLV and rib development. Further analysis of cell-type-specific and strand-specific expression uncovered the extremely high levels of HOXA10 3'-UTR sequence specific to osteoblast of LV cells, which may function as anti-HOXA10-antisense by counteracting the HOXA10-antisense effect to determine TLV transition. Thus, this work provides a valuable resource for understanding embryonic osteogenesis and angiogenesis underlying vertebrate TLV and RP development at the cell-type-specific resolution, which serves as a comprehensive view on the transcriptional profile of animal embryo development.

scholarly journals Dynamics of gene expression in single root cells ofA. thaliana

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ken Jean-Baptiste ◽  
José L. McFaline-Figueroa ◽  
Cristina M. Alexandre ◽  
Michael W. Dorrity ◽  
Lauren Saunders ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Single Cell ◽  
Developmental Trajectories ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Cell Type ◽  
Specific Expression ◽  
Root Cells ◽  
Cell Lineages ◽  
Cell Type Specific Expression ◽  
Cell Type Specific

ABSTRACTSingle-cell RNA-seq can yield high-resolution cell-type-specific expression signatures that reveal new cell types and the developmental trajectories of cell lineages. Here, we apply this approach toA. thalianaroot cells to capture gene expression in 3,121 root cells. We analyze these data with Monocle 3, which orders single cell transcriptomes in an unsupervised manner and uses machine learning to reconstruct single-cell developmental trajectories along pseudotime. We identify hundreds of genes with cell-type-specific expression, with pseudotime analysis of several cell lineages revealing both known and novel genes that are expressed along a developmental trajectory. We identify transcription factor motifs that are enriched in early and late cells, together with the corresponding candidate transcription factors that likely drive the observed expression patterns. We assess and interpret changes in total RNA expression along developmental trajectories and show that trajectory branch points mark developmental decisions. Finally, by applying heat stress to whole seedlings, we address the longstanding question of possible heterogeneity among cell types in the response to an abiotic stress. Although the response of canonical heat shock genes dominates expression across cell types, subtle but significant differences in other genes can be detected among cell types. Taken together, our results demonstrate that single-cell transcriptomics holds promise for studying plant development and plant physiology with unprecedented resolution.

scholarly journals A Single-Cell Transcriptome Atlas for Zebrafish Development

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dylan R. Farnsworth ◽  
Lauren Saunders ◽  
Adam C. Miller
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Single Cell ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Developmental Time ◽  
Cell Type ◽  
Specific Expression ◽  
Transcriptional Profiles ◽  
Larval Stages ◽  
Cell Transcriptome ◽  
Single Cell Transcriptome

ABSTRACTThe ability to define cell types and how they change during organogenesis is central to our understanding of animal development and human disease. Despite the crucial nature of this knowledge, we have yet to fully characterize all distinct cell types and the gene expression differences that generate cell types during development. To address this knowledge gap, we produced an Atlas using single-cell RNA-sequencing methods to investigate gene expression from the pharyngula to early larval stages in developing zebrafish. Our single-cell transcriptome Atlas encompasses transcriptional profiles from 44,102 cells across four days of development using duplicate experiments that confirmed high reproducibility. We annotated 220 identified clusters and highlighted several strategies for interrogating changes in gene expression associated with the development of zebrafish embryos at single-cell resolution. Furthermore, we highlight the power of this analysis to assign new cell-type or developmental stage-specific expression information to many genes, including those that are currently known only by sequence and/or that lack expression information altogether. The resulting Atlas is a resource of biologists to generate hypotheses for genetic (mutant) or functional analysis, to launch an effort to define the diversity of cell-types during zebrafish organogenesis, and to examine the transcriptional profiles that produce each cell type over developmental time.

scholarly journals Dissecting the Gene Expression, Localization, Membrane Topology, and Function of the Plasmodium falciparum STEVOR Protein Family

mBio ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Stephan Wichers ◽  
Judith A. M. Scholz ◽  
Jan Strauss ◽  
Susanne Witt ◽  
Andrés Lill ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Plasmodium Falciparum ◽  
Plasma Membrane ◽  
Host Cell ◽  
Cell Invasion ◽  
Surface Antigens ◽  
Membrane Topology ◽  
Host Cell Invasion ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Variant Surface Antigens

ABSTRACT During its intraerythrocytic development, the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum exposes variant surface antigens (VSAs) on infected erythrocytes to establish and maintain an infection. One family of small VSAs is the polymorphic STEVOR proteins, which are marked for export to the host cell surface through their PEXEL signal peptide. Interestingly, some STEVORs have also been reported to localize to the parasite plasma membrane and apical organelles, pointing toward a putative function in host cell egress or invasion. Using deep RNA sequencing analysis, we characterized P. falciparum stevor gene expression across the intraerythrocytic development cycle, including free merozoites, in detail and used the resulting stevor expression profiles for hierarchical clustering. We found that most stevor genes show biphasic expression oscillation, with maximum expression during trophozoite stages and a second peak in late schizonts. We selected four STEVOR variants, confirmed the expected export of these proteins to the host cell membrane, and tracked them to a secondary location, either to the parasite plasma membrane or the secretory organelles of merozoites in late schizont stages. We investigated the function of a particular STEVOR that showed rhoptry localization and demonstrated its role at the parasite-host interface during host cell invasion by specific antisera and targeted gene disruption. Experimentally determined membrane topology of this STEVOR revealed a single transmembrane domain exposing the semiconserved as well as variable protein regions to the cell surface. IMPORTANCE Malaria claims about half a million lives each year. Plasmodium falciparum, the causative agent of the most severe form of the disease, uses proteins that are translocated to the surface of infected erythrocytes for immune evasion. To circumvent the detection of these gene products by the immune system, the parasite evolved a complex strategy that includes gene duplications and elaborate sequence polymorphism. STEVORs are one family of these variant surface antigens and are encoded by about 40 genes. Using deep RNA sequencing of blood-stage parasites, including free merozoites, we first established stevor expression of the cultured isolate and compared it with published transcriptomes. We reveal a biphasic expression of most stevor genes and confirm this for individual STEVORs at the protein level. The membrane topology of a rhoptry-associated variant was experimentally elucidated and linked to host cell invasion, underlining the importance of this multifunctional protein family for parasite proliferation.

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