scholarly journals Modeling transcriptional regulation using gene regulatory networks based on multi-omics data sources

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Neel Patel ◽  
William S. Bush
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Transcription Factor ◽  
Transcriptional Regulation ◽  
Gene Regulatory Networks ◽  
Regulatory Networks ◽  
Prediction Models ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Chromatin Looping ◽  
Gene Regulatory ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Transcriptional regulation is complex, requiring multiple cis (local) and trans acting mechanisms working in concert to drive gene expression, with disruption of these processes linked to multiple diseases. Previous computational attempts to understand the influence of regulatory mechanisms on gene expression have used prediction models containing input features derived from cis regulatory factors. However, local chromatin looping and trans-acting mechanisms are known to also influence transcriptional regulation, and their inclusion may improve model accuracy and interpretation. In this study, we create a general model of transcription factor influence on gene expression by incorporating both cis and trans gene regulatory features. Results We describe a computational framework to model gene expression for GM12878 and K562 cell lines. This framework weights the impact of transcription factor-based regulatory data using multi-omics gene regulatory networks to account for both cis and trans acting mechanisms, and measures of the local chromatin context. These prediction models perform significantly better compared to models containing cis-regulatory features alone. Models that additionally integrate long distance chromatin interactions (or chromatin looping) between distal transcription factor binding regions and gene promoters also show improved accuracy. As a demonstration of their utility, effect estimates from these models were used to weight cis-regulatory rare variants for sequence kernel association test analyses of gene expression. Conclusions Our models generate refined effect estimates for the influence of individual transcription factors on gene expression, allowing characterization of their roles across the genome. This work also provides a framework for integrating multiple data types into a single model of transcriptional regulation.

scholarly journals Modeling Transcriptional Regulation Using Gene Regulatory Networks Based on Multi-Omics Data Sources

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neel Patel ◽  
William Bush
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Transcription Factor ◽  
Transcriptional Regulation ◽  
Gene Regulatory Networks ◽  
Regulatory Networks ◽  
Prediction Models ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Chromatin Looping ◽  
Gene Regulatory ◽  
The Impact

Abstract BackgroundTranscriptional regulation is complex, requiring multiple cis(local) and trans acting mechanisms working in concert to drive gene expression, with disruption of these processes linked to multiple diseases. Previous computational attempts to understand the influence of regulatory mechanisms on gene expression have used prediction models containing input features derived from cis regulatory factors. However, local chromatin looping and trans-acting mechanisms are known to also influence transcriptional regulation, and their inclusion may improve model accuracy and interpretation. ResultsWe describe a computational framework to model gene expression for GM12878 and K562 cell lines. This framework weights the impact of transcription factor-based regulatory data using multi-omics gene regulatory networks to account for both cis and trans acting mechanisms, and the local chromatin context. These prediction models perform significantly better compared to models containing cis-regulatory features alone. Models that additionally integrate long distance chromatin interactions (or chromatin looping) between distal transcription factor binding regions and gene promoters also show improved accuracy. As a demonstration of their utility, effect estimates from these models were used to weight cis-regulatory rare variants for SKAT(sequence kernel association test) analyses of gene expression. ConclusionsOur models generate refined effect estimates for individual transcription factors, allow characterization of their roles across the genome, and provide a framework for integrating multiple data types into a single model of transcriptional regulation.

scholarly journals Predicting genotype-specific gene regulatory networks

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deborah Weighill ◽  
Marouen Ben Guebila ◽  
Kimberly Glass ◽  
John Quackenbush ◽  
John Platig
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Gene Regulatory Network ◽  
Gene Regulatory Networks ◽  
Genetic Variants ◽  
Regulatory Network ◽  
Regulatory Networks ◽  
Specific Gene ◽  
Disease Etiology ◽  
Gene Regulatory ◽  
The Impact

AbstractThe majority of disease-associated genetic variants are thought to have regulatory effects, including the disruption of transcription factor (TF) binding and the alteration of downstream gene expression. Identifying how a person’s genotype affects their individual gene regulatory network has the potential to provide important insights into disease etiology and to enable improved genotype-specific disease risk assessments and treatments. However, the impact of genetic variants is generally not considered when constructing gene regulatory networks. To address this unmet need, we developed EGRET (Estimating the Genetic Regulatory Effect on TFs), which infers a genotype-specific gene regulatory network (GRN) for each individual in a study population by using message passing to integrate genotype-informed TF motif predictions - derived from individual genotype data, the predicted effects of variants on TF binding and gene expression, and TF motif predictions - with TF protein-protein interactions and gene expression. Comparing EGRET networks for two blood-derived cell lines identified genotype-associated cell-line specific regulatory differences which were subsequently validated using allele-specific expression, chromatin accessibility QTLs, and differential TF binding from ChIP-seq. In addition, EGRET GRNs for three cell types across 119 individuals captured regulatory differences associated with disease in a cell-type-specific manner. Our analyses demonstrate that EGRET networks can capture the impact of genetic variants on complex phenotypes, supporting a novel fine-scale stratification of individuals based on their genetic background. EGRET is available through the Network Zoo R package (netZooR v0.9; netzoo.github.io).

scholarly journals Accurate differential analysis of transcription factor activity from gene expression

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Viren Amin ◽  
Murat Can Cobanoglu
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Transcription Factor ◽  
Gene Regulatory Networks ◽  
Regulatory Networks ◽  
Expression Data ◽  
Differential Analysis ◽  
Gene Regulatory ◽  
Context Specific ◽  
Tf Gene ◽  
Perturbation Estimation

AbstractWe present EPEE (Effector and Perturbation Estimation Engine), a method for differential analysis of transcription factor (TF) activity from gene expression data. EPEE addresses two principal challenges in the field, namely incorporating context-specific TF-gene regulatory networks, and accounting for the fact that TF activity inference is intrinsically coupled for all TFs that share targets. Our validations in well-studied immune and cancer contexts show that addressing the overlap challenge and using state-of-the-art regulatory networks enable EPEE to consistently produce accurate results. (Accessible at: https://github.com/Cobanoglu-Lab/EPEE)

scholarly journals Gene network simulations provide testable predictions for the molecular domestication syndrome

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ewen Burban ◽  
Maud Irene Tenaillon ◽  
Arnaud Le Rouzic
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Gene Regulatory Networks ◽  
Regulatory Networks ◽  
Environmental Stability ◽  
Interaction Matrix ◽  
Gene Expressions ◽  
Domestication Syndrome ◽  
Molecular Domestication ◽  
Gene Regulatory ◽  
The Impact

The domestication of plant and animal species lead to repeatable morphological evolution, often referred to as the phenotypic domestication syndrome. Domestication is also associated with important genomic changes, such as the loss of genetic diversity and modifications of gene expression patterns. Here, we explored theoretically the effect of domestication at the genomic level by characterizing the impact of a domestication-like scenario on gene regulatory networks. We ran population genetics simulations in which individuals were featured by their genotype (an interaction matrix encoding a gene regulatory network) and their gene expressions, representing the phenotypic level. Our domestication scenario included a population bottleneck and a selection switch (change in the optimal gene expression level) mimicking canalizing selection, i.e. evolution towards more stable expression to parallel enhanced environmental stability in man-made habitat. We showed that domestication profoundly alters genetic architectures. Based on the well-documented example of the maize (Zea mays ssp. mays) domestication, our simulations predicted (i) a drop in neutral allelic diversity, (ii) a change in gene expression variance that depended upon the domestication scenario, (iii) transient maladaptive plasticity, (iv) a deep rewiring of the gene regulatory networks, with a trend towards gain of regulatory interactions between genes, and (v) a global increase in the genetic correlations among gene expressions, with a loss of modularity in the resulting coexpression patterns and in the underlying networks. Extending the range of parameters, we provide empirically testable predictions on the differences of genetic architectures between wild and domesticated and forms. The characterization of such systematic evolutionary changes in the genetic architecture of traits contributes to define a molecular domestication syndrome.

scholarly journals Evolutionary flexibility in flooding response circuitry in angiosperms

Science ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 365 (6459) ◽  
pp. 1291-1295 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mauricio A. Reynoso ◽  
Kaisa Kajala ◽  
Marko Bajic ◽  
Donnelly A. West ◽  
Germain Pauluzzi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Transcription Factor ◽  
High Resolution ◽  
Gene Regulatory Networks ◽  
Wild Species ◽  
Regulatory Networks ◽  
Chromatin Accessibility ◽  
High Resolution Analysis ◽  
Resolution Analysis ◽  
Gene Regulatory

Flooding due to extreme weather threatens crops and ecosystems. To understand variation in gene regulatory networks activated by submergence, we conducted a high-resolution analysis of chromatin accessibility and gene expression at three scales of transcript control in four angiosperms, ranging from a dryland-adapted wild species to a wetland crop. The data define a cohort of conserved submergence-activated genes with signatures of overlapping cis regulation by four transcription factor families. Syntenic genes are more highly expressed than nonsyntenic genes, yet both can have the cis motifs and chromatin accessibility associated with submergence up-regulation. Whereas the flexible circuitry spans the eudicot-monocot divide, the frequency of specific cis motifs, extent of chromatin accessibility, and degree of submergence activation are more prevalent in the wetland crop and may have adaptive importance.

scholarly journals GATA-targeted compounds modulate cardiac subtype cell differentiation in dual reporter stem cell line

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mika J. Välimäki ◽  
Robert S. Leigh ◽  
Sini M. Kinnunen ◽  
Alexander R. March ◽  
Ana Hernández de Sande ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Progenitor Cells ◽  
Cell Fate ◽  
Reporter Gene ◽  
Gene Regulatory Networks ◽  
Regulatory Networks ◽  
Cell Fate Decisions ◽  
Dual Reporter ◽  
Gene Regulatory ◽  
Reporter Gene Assays

AbstractBackgroundPharmacological modulation of cell fate decisions and developmental gene regulatory networks holds promise for the treatment of heart failure. Compounds that target tissue-specific transcription factors could overcome non-specific effects of small molecules and lead to the regeneration of heart muscle following myocardial infarction. Due to cellular heterogeneity in the heart, the activation of gene programs representing specific atrial and ventricular cardiomyocyte subtypes would be highly desirable. Chemical compounds that modulate atrial and ventricular cell fate could be used to improve subtype-specific differentiation of endogenous or exogenously delivered progenitor cells in order to promote cardiac regeneration.MethodsTranscription factor GATA4-targeted compounds that have previously shown in vivo efficacy in cardiac injury models were tested for stage-specific activation of atrial and ventricular reporter genes in differentiating pluripotent stem cells using a dual reporter assay. Chemically induced gene expression changes were characterized by qRT-PCR, global run-on sequencing (GRO-seq) and immunoblotting, and the network of cooperative proteins of GATA4 and NKX2-5 were further explored by the examination of the GATA4 and NKX2-5 interactome by BioID. Reporter gene assays were conducted to examine combinatorial effects of GATA-targeted compounds and bromodomain and extraterminal domain (BET) inhibition on chamber-specific gene expression.ResultsGATA4-targeted compounds 3i-1000 and 3i-1103 were identified as differential modulators of atrial and ventricular gene expression. More detailed structure-function analysis revealed a distinct subclass of GATA4/NKX2-5 inhibitory compounds with an acetyl lysine-like domain that contributed to ventricular cells (%Myl2-eGFP+). Additionally, BioID analysis indicated broad interaction between GATA4 and BET family of proteins, such as BRD4. This indicated the involvement of epigenetic modulators in the regulation of GATA-dependent transcription. In this line, reporter gene assays with combinatorial treatment of 3i-1000 and the BET bromodomain inhibitor (+)-JQ1 demonstrated the cooperative role of GATA4 and BRD4 in the modulation of chamber-specific cardiac gene expression.ConclusionsCollectively, these results indicate the potential for therapeutic alteration of cell fate decisions and pathological gene regulatory networks by GATA4-targeted compounds modulating chamber-specific transcriptional programs in multipotent cardiac progenitor cells and cardiomyocytes. The compound scaffolds described within this study could be used to develop regenerative strategies for myocardial regeneration.

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