Local Gene Expression in Axons and Nerve Endings: The Glia-Neuron Unit

2008 ◽  
Vol 88 (2) ◽  
pp. 515-555 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonio Giuditta ◽  
Jong Tai Chun ◽  
Maria Eyman ◽  
Carolina Cefaliello ◽  
Anna Paola Bruno ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Cell Body ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Expression System ◽  
Local System ◽  
Alternative View ◽  
Nerve Terminals ◽  
Cellular Origin ◽  
Neuron Cell Body ◽  
Unique Cell

Neurons have complex and often extensively elongated processes. This unique cell morphology raises the problem of how remote neuronal territories are replenished with proteins. For a long time, axonal and presynaptic proteins were thought to be exclusively synthesized in the cell body, which delivered them to peripheral sites by axoplasmic transport. Despite this early belief, protein has been shown to be synthesized in axons and nerve terminals, substantially alleviating the trophic burden of the perikaryon. This observation raised the question of the cellular origin of the peripheral RNAs involved in protein synthesis. The synthesis of these RNAs was initially attributed to the neuron soma almost by default. However, experimental data and theoretical considerations support the alternative view that axonal and presynaptic RNAs are also transcribed in the flanking glial cells and transferred to the axon domain of mature neurons. Altogether, these data suggest that axons and nerve terminals are served by a distinct gene expression system largely independent of the neuron cell body. Such a local system would allow the neuron periphery to respond promptly to environmental stimuli. This view has the theoretical merit of extending to axons and nerve terminals the marginalized concept of a glial supply of RNA (and protein) to the neuron cell body. Most long-term plastic changes requiring de novo gene expression occur in these domains, notably in presynaptic endings, despite their intrinsic lack of transcriptional capacity. This review enlightens novel perspectives on the biology and pathobiology of the neuron by critically reviewing these issues.

scholarly journals Harnessing a Transient Gene Expression System in Nicotiana benthamiana to Explore Plant Agrochemical Transporters

Plants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 524
Author(s):  
Bingqi Wu ◽  
Zhiting Chen ◽  
Xiaohui Xu ◽  
Ronghua Chen ◽  
Siwei Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Transient Expression ◽  
Nicotiana Benthamiana ◽  
Heterologous Gene Expression ◽  
Expression System ◽  
Functional Characterization ◽  
Transient Gene Expression ◽  
High Mobility ◽  
Gene Expression System

Functional characterization of plant agrichemical transporters provided an opportunity to discover molecules that have a high mobility in plants and have the potential to increase the amount of pesticides reaching damage sites. Agrobacterium-mediated transient expression in tobacco is simple and fast, and its protein expression efficiency is high; this system is generally used to mediate heterologous gene expression. In this article, transient expression of tobacco nicotine uptake permease (NtNUP1) and rice polyamine uptake transporter 1 (OsPUT1) in Nicotiana benthamiana was performed to investigate whether this system is useful as a platform for studying the interactions between plant transporters and pesticides. The results showed that NtNUP1 increases nicotine uptake in N. benthamiana foliar discs and protoplasts, indicating that this transient gene expression system is feasible for studying gene function. Moreover, yeast expression of OsPUT1 apparently increases methomyl uptake. Overall, this method of constructing a transient gene expression system is useful for improving the efficiency of analyzing the functions of plant heterologous transporter-encoding genes and revealed that this system can be further used to study the functions of transporters and pesticides, especially their interactions.

scholarly journals AAV-Mediated CRISPRi and RNAi Based Gene Silencing in Mouse Hippocampal Neurons

Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 324
Author(s):  
Matthias Deutsch ◽  
Anne Günther ◽  
Rodrigo Lerchundi ◽  
Christine R. Rose ◽  
Sabine Balfanz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Transcription Initiation ◽  
Hippocampal Neurons ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Protein Biosynthesis ◽  
Physiological Role ◽  
High Specificity ◽  
Hcn Channels ◽  
Proliferating Cells ◽  
Neuronal Tissues

Uncovering the physiological role of individual proteins that are part of the intricate process of cellular signaling is often a complex and challenging task. A straightforward strategy of studying a protein’s function is by manipulating the expression rate of its gene. In recent years, the Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeat (CRISPR)/Cas9-based technology was established as a powerful gene-editing tool for generating sequence specific changes in proliferating cells. However, obtaining homogeneous populations of transgenic post-mitotic neurons by CRISPR/Cas9 turned out to be challenging. These constraints can be partially overcome by CRISPR interference (CRISPRi), which mediates the inhibition of gene expression by competing with the transcription machinery for promoter binding and, thus, transcription initiation. Notably, CRISPR/Cas is only one of several described approaches for the manipulation of gene expression. Here, we targeted neurons with recombinant Adeno-associated viruses to induce either CRISPRi or RNA interference (RNAi), a well-established method for impairing de novo protein biosynthesis by using cellular regulatory mechanisms that induce the degradation of pre-existing mRNA. We specifically targeted hyperpolarization-activated and cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN) channels, which are widely expressed in neuronal tissues and play essential physiological roles in maintaining biophysical characteristics in neurons. Both of the strategies reduced the expression levels of three HCN isoforms (HCN1, 2, and 4) with high specificity. Furthermore, detailed analysis revealed that the knock-down of just a single HCN isoform (HCN4) in hippocampal neurons did not affect basic electrical parameters of transduced neurons, whereas substantial changes emerged in HCN-current specific properties.

scholarly journals Malpigmentation of Common Sole (Solea solea) during Metamorphosis Is Associated with Differential Synaptic-Related Gene Expression

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 2273
Author(s):  
Menelaos Kavouras ◽  
Emmanouil E. Malandrakis ◽  
Ewout Blom ◽  
Kyriaki Tsilika ◽  
Theodoros Danis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Nervous System ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Close Association ◽  
Ionic Channels ◽  
Long Term Potentiation ◽  
General Term ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Common Sole

In farmed flatfish, such as common sole, color disturbances are common. Dyschromia is a general term that includes the color defects on the blind and ocular sides of the fish. The purpose was to examine the difference in gene expression between normal pigmented and juveniles who present ambicoloration. The analysis was carried out with next-generation sequencing techniques and de novo assembly of the transcriptome. Transcripts that showed significant differences (FDR < 0.05) in the expression between the two groups, were related to those of zebrafish (Danio rerio), functionally identified, and classified into categories of the gene ontology. The results revealed that ambicolorated juveniles exhibit a divergent function, mainly of the central nervous system at the synaptic level, as well as the ionic channels. The close association of chromophore cells with the growth of nerve cells and the nervous system was recorded. The pathway, glutamate binding–activation of AMPA and NMDA receptors–long-term stimulation of postsynaptic potential–LTP (long term potentiation)–plasticity of synapses, appears to be affected. In addition, the development of synapses also seems to be affected by the interaction of the LGI (leucine-rich glioma inactivated) protein family with the ADAM (a disintegrin and metalloprotease) ones.

scholarly journals Artificial complementary chromatic acclimation gene expression system in Escherichia coli

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dwi Ariyanti ◽  
Kazunori Ikebukuro ◽  
Koji Sode
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Light Exposure ◽  
Expression System ◽  
Red Light ◽  
Green Light ◽  
Light Illumination ◽  
Multiple Gene ◽  
Gene Expression System ◽  
Chromatic Acclimation

Abstract Background The development of multiple gene expression systems, especially those based on the physical signals, such as multiple color light irradiations, is challenging. Complementary chromatic acclimation (CCA), a photoreversible process that facilitates the control of cellular expression using light of different wavelengths in cyanobacteria, is one example. In this study, an artificial CCA systems, inspired by type III CCA light-regulated gene expression, was designed by employing a single photosensor system, the CcaS/CcaR green light gene expression system derived from Synechocystis sp. PCC6803, combined with G-box (the regulator recognized by activated CcaR), the cognate cpcG2 promoter, and the constitutively transcribed promoter, the PtrcΔLacO promoter. Results One G-box was inserted upstream of the cpcG2 promoter and a reporter gene, the rfp gene (green light-induced gene expression), and the other G-box was inserted between the PtrcΔLacO promoter and a reporter gene, the bfp gene (red light-induced gene expression). The Escherichia coli transformants with plasmid-encoded genes were evaluated at the transcriptional and translational levels under red or green light illumination. Under green light illumination, the transcription and translation of the rfp gene were observed, whereas the expression of the bfp gene was repressed. Under red light illumination, the transcription and translation of the bfp gene were observed, whereas the expression of the rfp gene was repressed. During the red and green light exposure cycles at every 6 h, BFP expression increased under red light exposure while RFP expression was repressed, and RFP expression increased under green light exposure while BFP expression was repressed. Conclusion An artificial CCA system was developed to realize a multiple gene expression system, which was regulated by two colors, red and green lights, using a single photosensor system, the CcaS/CcaR system derived from Synechocystis sp. PCC6803, in E. coli. The artificial CCA system functioned repeatedly during red and green light exposure cycles. These results demonstrate the potential application of this CCA gene expression system for the production of multiple metabolites in a variety of microorganisms, such as cyanobacteria.

scholarly journals The brain transcriptome of the wolf spider, Schizocosa ocreata

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Stribling ◽  
Peter L. Chang ◽  
Justin E. Dalton ◽  
Christopher A. Conow ◽  
Malcolm Rosenthal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Transcriptome Assembly ◽  
Model Organisms ◽  
De Novo Transcriptome Assembly ◽  
De Novo Transcriptome ◽  
Wolf Spiders ◽  
Schizocosa Ocreata ◽  
Genomic Studies ◽  
The Brain

Abstract Objectives Arachnids have fascinating and unique biology, particularly for questions on sex differences and behavior, creating the potential for development of powerful emerging models in this group. Recent advances in genomic techniques have paved the way for a significant increase in the breadth of genomic studies in non-model organisms. One growing area of research is comparative transcriptomics. When phylogenetic relationships to model organisms are known, comparative genomic studies provide context for analysis of homologous genes and pathways. The goal of this study was to lay the groundwork for comparative transcriptomics of sex differences in the brain of wolf spiders, a non-model organism of the pyhlum Euarthropoda, by generating transcriptomes and analyzing gene expression. Data description To examine sex-differential gene expression, short read transcript sequencing and de novo transcriptome assembly were performed. Messenger RNA was isolated from brain tissue of male and female subadult and mature wolf spiders (Schizocosa ocreata). The raw data consist of sequences for the two different life stages in each sex. Computational analyses on these data include de novo transcriptome assembly and differential expression analyses. Sample-specific and combined transcriptomes, gene annotations, and differential expression results are described in this data note and are available from publicly-available databases.

scholarly journals Viral Gene Expression Patterns in Human Herpesvirus 6B-Infected T Cells

2002 ◽  
Vol 76 (15) ◽  
pp. 7578-7586 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bodil Øster ◽  
Per Höllsberg
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
T Cells ◽  
Protein Synthesis ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Expression Patterns ◽  
Human Herpesvirus ◽  
Viral Gene Expression ◽  
Polymerase Activity ◽  
Viral Gene ◽  
De Novo Protein Synthesis

ABSTRACT Herpesvirus gene expression is divided into immediate-early (IE) or α genes, early (E) or β genes, and late (L) or γ genes on the basis of temporal expression and dependency on other gene products. By using real-time PCR, we have investigated the expression of 35 human herpesvirus 6B (HHV-6B) genes in T cells infected by strain PL-1. Kinetic analysis and dependency on de novo protein synthesis and viral DNA polymerase activity suggest that the HHV-6B genes segregate into six separate kinetic groups. The genes expressed early (groups I and II) and late (groups V and VI) corresponded well with IE and L genes, whereas the intermediate groups III and IV contained E and L genes. Although HHV-6B has characteristics similar to those of other roseoloviruses in its overall gene regulation, we detected three B-variant-specific IE genes. Moreover, genes that were independent of de novo protein synthesis clustered in an area of the viral genome that has the lowest identity to the HHV-6A variant. The organization of IE genes in an area of the genome that differs from that of HHV-6A underscores the distinct differences between HHV-6B and HHV-6A and may provide a basis for further molecular and immunological analyses to elucidate their different biological behaviors.

scholarly journals Troglitazone, an Insulin-Sensitizing Thiazolidinedione, Represses Combined Stimulation by LH and Insulin of de Novo Androgen Biosynthesis by Thecal Cells in Vitro

2002 ◽  
Vol 87 (3) ◽  
pp. 1129-1133 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johannes D. Veldhuis ◽  
George Zhang ◽  
James C. Garmey
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Drug Concentrations ◽  
Thecal Cells ◽  
Cyp17 Gene ◽  
Pparγ Agonist ◽  
Ovarian Syndrome ◽  
Prostaglandin J2

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (anovulatory hyperandrogenism) is marked by adolescent onset of systemic hyperinsulinism, oligoovulation, hirsutism, excessive LH and androgen secretion, and variable reduction in fertility. Insulin and LH are believed to act in concert to promote ovarian androgen hypersecretion in this disorder. Administration of troglitazone, an insulin-sensitizing agent and putative PPARγ agonist, can decrease hyperinsulinism, suppress T production, and ameliorate oligoovulation in some women with this endocrinopathy. The present study tests the hypothesis that troglitazone directly inhibits de novo androgen biosynthesis stimulated jointly by LH and insulin in primary cultures of (porcine) thecal cells. We show that troglitazone dose-dependently antagonizes LH/insulin’s combined stimulation of androstenedione and T production by thecal cells in vitro. Consistent steroidogenic inhibition of 80–95% was achieved at drug concentrations of 3–6.8 μm (P &lt; 0.001). Exposure of thecal cells to the thiazolidinedione derivative also blocked bihormonally stimulated accumulation of CYP17 (cytochrome P450 17 α-hydroxylase/C17–20 lyase) gene expression, as reflected by decreased accumulation of cognate heterogeneous nuclear RNA and mRNA (by 30–65%; P &lt; 0.05). Moreover, troglitazone suppressed LH/insulin-induced phosphorylation of the 52-kDa immunoprecipitated CYP17 enzyme by 88% (P &lt; 0.001). A putative natural agonist of PPARγ nuclear transcription, 15-deoxy-δ-12,14-prostaglandin J2, also inhibited LH/insulin-driven androstenedione biosynthesis and CYP17 gene expression in thecal cells. In conclusion, a synthetic thiazolidinedione (troglitazone) and a natural ligand of PPARγ (15-deoxy-δ-12,14-prostaglandin J2) effectively impede the concerted stimulation by LH and insulin of in vitro thecal cell androgen production, CYP17 gene expression, and CYP17 protein phosphorylation. This ensemble of inhibitory actions on LH/insulin-stimulated steroidogenesis offers a plausible mechanistic basis for at least part of the observed clinical efficacy of troglitazone in mitigating androgen excess in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome.

Production of foreign proteins in the yeast Pichia pastoris

1995 ◽  
Vol 73 (S1) ◽  
pp. 891-897 ◽  
Author(s):  
James M. Cregg ◽  
David R. Higgins
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Pichia Pastoris ◽  
Heterologous Gene Expression ◽  
Expression System ◽  
Methylotrophic Yeast ◽  
Culture Broth ◽  
Heterologous Gene ◽  
Foreign Gene ◽  
Heterologous Proteins ◽  
Yeast Pichia Pastoris

The methanol-utilizing yeast Pichia pastoris has been developed as a host system for the production of heterologous proteins of commercial interest. An industrial yeast selected for efficient growth on methanol for biomass generation, P. pastoris is readily grown on defined medium in continuous culture at high volume and density. A unique feature of the expression system is the promoter employed to drive heterologous gene expression, which is derived from the methanol-regulated alcohol oxidase I gene (AOX1) of P. pastoris, one of the most efficient and tightly regulated promoters known. The strength of the AOX1 promoter results in high expression levels in strains harboring only a single integrated copy of a foreign-gene expression cassette. Levels may often be further enhanced through the integration of multiple cassette copies into the P. pastoris genome and strategies to construct and select multicopy cassette strains have been devised. The system is particularly attractive for the secretion of foreign-gene products. Because P. pastoris endogenous protein secretion levels are low, foreign secreted proteins often appear to be virtually the only proteins in the culture broth, a major advantage in processing and purification. Key words: heterologous gene expression, methylotrophic yeast, Pichia pastoris, secretion, glycosylation.

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