What Makes a Weed a Weed? How Virus-mediated Reverse Genetics Can Help to Explore the Genetics of Weediness

2020 ◽  
Vol 31 (5) ◽  
pp. 224-229
Author(s):  
Dana R. MacGregor
Keyword(s):  
Gene Function ◽  
Gene Networks ◽  
Reverse Genetics ◽  
Specific Gene ◽  
Reverse Genetic ◽  
Virus Induced Gene Silencing ◽  
Weed Species ◽  
Genetic Techniques ◽  
Agricultural Weeds ◽  
Insight Into

Reverse genetics investigates what a gene does by testing how the plant responds when the specific gene is changed. These techniques have been in use for decades to assess whether a given gene underpins interesting phenotypes and gain insight into the function of gene networks and families. Weed science has only recently entered the "genomic era" in which genomic and reverse genetics approaches are used to address hypotheses. This review focuses on two reverse genetic techniques used on a variety of plants including agricultural weeds, virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) and virus-mediated overexpression (VOX), explaining the biology behind them and highlighting how these tools may be used for gene function validation in weed species for which no other transgenic approaches have been developed.

scholarly journals Fishing for gene function – endocrine modelling in the zebrafish

2006 ◽  
Vol 189 (3) ◽  
pp. 425-439 ◽  
Author(s):  
I M McGonnell ◽  
R C Fowkes
Keyword(s):  
Gene Function ◽  
Endocrine System ◽  
Zebrafish Genome ◽  
Reverse Genetic ◽  
Vertebrate Development ◽  
Zebrafish Model ◽  
The Past ◽  
Disease States ◽  
Endocrine Organs ◽  
Genetic Techniques

The use of zebrafish (Danio rerio) in scientific research is growing rapidly. It initially became popular as a model of vertebrate development because zebrafish embryos develop rapidly and are transparent. In the past 5 years, the sequencing of the zebrafish genome has increased the profile of zebrafish research even further, expanding into other areas such as pharmacology, cancer research and drug discovery. The use of zebrafish in endocrine research has mainly been confined to the study of the development of endocrine organs. However, it is likely to be a useful model in other areas of endocrinology, as there are a wide variety of both forward and reverse genetic techniques that can be employed in the zebrafish to decipher gene function in disease states. In this review, we compare the endocrine system of the zebrafish to mouse and human, demonstrating that the systems are sufficiently similar for zebrafish to be employed as a model for endocrine research. We subsequently review the repertoire of genetic techniques commonly employed in the zebrafish model to understand gene function in vertebrate development and disease. We anticipate that the use of these techniques will make the zebrafish a prominent model in endocrine research in the coming years.

scholarly journals mRNA processing in mutant zebrafish lines generated by chemical and CRISPR-mediated mutagenesis produces potentially functional transcripts

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer L Anderson ◽  
Timothy S Mulligan ◽  
Meng-Chieh Shen ◽  
Hui Wang ◽  
Catherine M Scahill ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Function ◽  
Reverse Genetics ◽  
Model Organism ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Mrna Processing ◽  
Null Alleles ◽  
Reverse Genetic ◽  
Loss Of Function ◽  
Genomic Change ◽  
Frame Shift

AbstractAs model organism-based research shifts from forward to reverse genetics approaches, largely due to the ease of genome editing technology, allow frequency of abnormal phenotypes is being observed in lines with mutations predicted to lead to deleterious effects on the encoded protein. In zebrafish, this low frequency is in part explained by compensation by genes of redundant or similar function, often resulting from the additional round of teleost-specific whole genome duplication within vertebrates. Here we offer additional explanations for the low frequency of mutant phenotypes. We analyzed mRNA processing in seven zebrafish lines with mutations expected to disrupt gene function, generated by CRISPR/Cas9 or ENU mutagenesis methods. Five of the seven lines showed evidence of genomic compensation by means of altered mRNA processing: one through a skipped exon that did not lead to a frame shift, one through nonsense-associated splicing that did not lead to a frame shift, and three through the use of cryptic splice sites. These results highlight the need for a methodical analysis of the mRNA produced in mutant lines before making conclusions or embarking on studies that assume loss of function as a result of a given genomic change. Furthermore, recognition of the types of genomic adaptations that can occur may inform the strategies of mutant generation.Author summaryThe recent rise of reverse genetic, gene targeting methods has allowed researchers to readily generate mutations in any gene of interest with relative ease. Should these mutations have the predicted effect on the mRNA and encoded protein, we would expect many more abnormal phenotypes than are typically being seen in reverse genetic screens. Here we set out to explore some of the reasons for this discrepancy by studying seven separate mutations in zebrafish. We present evidence that thorough cDNA sequence analysis is a key step in assessing the likelihood that a given mutation will produce hypomorphic or null alleles. This study reveals that alternative mRNA processing in the mutant background often produces transcripts that escape nonsense-mediated decay, thereby potentially preserving gene function. By understanding the ways that cells avoid the deleterious consequences of mutations, researchers can better design reverse genetic strategies to increase the likelihood of gene disruption.

scholarly journals Application of Reverse Genetics in Functional Genomics of Potyvirus

Viruses ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (8) ◽  
pp. 803
Author(s):  
Maathavi Kannan ◽  
Zamri Zainal ◽  
Ismanizan Ismail ◽  
Syarul Nataqain Baharum ◽  
Hamidun Bunawan
Keyword(s):  
Protein Function ◽  
Reverse Genetics ◽  
Agronomic Traits ◽  
Reverse Genetic ◽  
Genetic Technology ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Reporter System ◽  
Viral Genomes ◽  
Host Interaction ◽  
Genetic Techniques

Numerous potyvirus studies, including virus biology, transmission, viral protein function, as well as virus–host interaction, have greatly benefited from the utilization of reverse genetic techniques. Reverse genetics of RNA viruses refers to the manipulation of viral genomes, transfection of the modified cDNAs into cells, and the production of live infectious progenies, either wild-type or mutated. Reverse genetic technology provides an opportunity of developing potyviruses into vectors for improving agronomic traits in plants, as a reporter system for tracking virus infection in hosts or a production system for target proteins. Therefore, this review provides an overview on the breakthroughs achieved in potyvirus research through the implementation of reverse genetic systems.

scholarly journals Virus-Induced Gene Silencing, a Post Transcriptional Gene Silencing Method

2009 ◽  
Vol 2009 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Turgay Unver ◽  
Hikmet Budak
Keyword(s):  
Gene Silencing ◽  
Gene Function ◽  
Viral Vectors ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Reverse Genetics ◽  
Transcriptional Gene Silencing ◽  
Virus Induced Gene Silencing ◽  
Post Transcriptional Gene Silencing ◽  
Dicotyledonous Plants

Virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) is one of the reverse genetics tools for analysis of gene function that uses viral vectors carrying a target gene fragment to produce dsRNA which trigger RNA-mediated gene silencing. There are a number of viruses which have been modified to silence the gene of interest effectively with a sequence-specific manner. Therefore, different types of methodologies have been advanced and modified for VIGS approach. Virus-derived inoculations are performed on host plants using different methods such as agro-infiltration and in vitro transcriptions. VIGS has many advantages compared to other loss-of-gene function approaches. The approach provides the generation of rapid phenotype and no need for plant transformation. The cost of VIGS experiment is relatively low, and large-scale analysis of screening studies can be achieved by the VIGS. However, there are still limitations of VIGS to be overcome. Nowadays, many virus-derived vectors are optimized to silence more than one host plant such as TRV-derived viral vectors which are used for Arabidopsis and Nicothiana benthamiana. By development of viral silencing systems monocot plants can also be targeted as silencing host in addition to dicotyledonous plants. For instance, Barley stripe mosaic virus (BSMV)-mediated VIGS allows silencing of barley and wheat genes. Here we summarize current protocols and recent modified viral systems to lead silencing of genes in different host species.

scholarly journals A cassava common mosaic virus vector for virus-induced gene silencing in cassava

Plant Methods ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Decai Tuo ◽  
Peng Zhou ◽  
Pu Yan ◽  
Hongguang Cui ◽  
Yang Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Silencing ◽  
Mosaic Virus ◽  
Gene Function ◽  
Viral Vector ◽  
Function Analysis ◽  
Systemic Infection ◽  
Cdna Clones ◽  
Virus Induced Gene Silencing ◽  
Efficient Gene ◽  
Gene Function Analysis

Abstract Background Cassava is an important crop for food security and industry in the least-developed and developing countries. The completion of the cassava genome sequence and identification of large numbers of candidate genes by next-generation sequencing provide extensive resources for cassava molecular breeding and increase the need for rapid and efficient gene function analysis systems in cassava. Several plant virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) systems have been developed as reverse genetic tools for rapid gene function analysis in cassava. However, these VIGS vectors could cause severe viral symptoms or inefficient gene silencing. Results In this study, we constructed agroinfection-compatible infectious cDNA clones of cassava common mosaic virus isolate CM (CsCMV-CM, genus Potexvirus, family Alphaflexiviridae) that causes systemic infection with mild symptoms in cassava. CsCMV-CM was then modified to a viral vector carrying the Nimble cloning frame, which facilitates the rapid and high-throughput cloning of silencing fragments into the viral genome. The CsCMV-based vector successfully silenced phytoene desaturase (PDS) and magnesium chelatase subunit I (ChlI) in different cassava varieties and Nicotiana benthamiana. The silencing of the ChlI gene could persist for more than two months. Conclusions This CsCMV-based VIGS system provides a new tool for rapid and efficient gene function studies in cassava.

scholarly journals Genome-wide analysis and expression profile of the bZIP gene family in poplar

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kai Zhao ◽  
Song Chen ◽  
Wenjing Yao ◽  
Zihan Cheng ◽  
Boru Zhou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Salt Stress ◽  
Systems Biology ◽  
Gene Family ◽  
Stress Responses ◽  
Metal Ion ◽  
Gene Networks ◽  
Expression Patterns ◽  
Gene Set Enrichment Analysis ◽  
Specific Gene ◽  
Biological Processes

Abstract Background The bZIP gene family, which is widely present in plants, participates in varied biological processes including growth and development and stress responses. How do the genes regulate such biological processes? Systems biology is powerful for mechanistic understanding of gene functions. However, such studies have not yet been reported in poplar. Results In this study, we identified 86 poplar bZIP transcription factors and described their conserved domains. According to the results of phylogenetic tree, we divided these members into 12 groups with specific gene structures and motif compositions. The corresponding genes that harbor a large number of segmental duplication events are unevenly distributed on the 17 poplar chromosomes. In addition, we further examined collinearity between these genes and the related genes from six other species. Evidence from transcriptomic data indicated that the bZIP genes in poplar displayed different expression patterns in roots, stems, and leaves. Furthermore, we identified 45 bZIP genes that respond to salt stress in the three tissues. We performed co-expression analysis on the representative genes, followed by gene set enrichment analysis. The results demonstrated that tissue differentially expressed genes, especially the co-expressing genes, are mainly involved in secondary metabolic and secondary metabolite biosynthetic processes. However, salt stress responsive genes and their co-expressing genes mainly participate in the regulation of metal ion transport, and methionine biosynthetic. Conclusions Using comparative genomics and systems biology approaches, we, for the first time, systematically explore the structures and functions of the bZIP gene family in poplar. It appears that the bZIP gene family plays significant roles in regulation of poplar development and growth and salt stress responses through differential gene networks or biological processes. These findings provide the foundation for genetic breeding by engineering target regulators and corresponding gene networks into poplar lines.

scholarly journals Novel cancer subtyping method based on patient-specific gene regulatory network

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mai Adachi Nakazawa ◽  
Yoshinori Tamada ◽  
Yoshihisa Tanaka ◽  
Marie Ikeguchi ◽  
Kako Higashihara ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Networks ◽  
Regulatory Networks ◽  
The Cancer Genome Atlas ◽  
Patient Specific ◽  
Specific Gene ◽  
Omics Data ◽  
Cancer Subtypes ◽  
Molecular Systems ◽  
Molecular Features ◽  
Cancer Genome Atlas

The identification of cancer subtypes is important for the understanding of tumor heterogeneity. In recent years, numerous computational methods have been proposed for this problem based on the multi-omics data of patients. It is widely accepted that different cancer subtypes are induced by different molecular regulatory networks. However, only a few incorporate the differences between their molecular systems into the classification processes. In this study, we present a novel method to classify cancer subtypes based on patient-specific molecular systems. Our method quantifies patient-specific gene networks, which are estimated from their transcriptome data. By clustering their quantified networks, our method allows for cancer subtyping, taking into consideration the differences in the molecular systems of patients. Comprehensive analyses of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) datasets applied to our method confirmed that they were able to identify more clinically meaningful cancer subtypes than the existing subtypes and found that the identified subtypes comprised different molecular features. Our findings show that the proposed method, based on a simple classification using the patient-specific molecular systems, can identify cancer subtypes even with single omics data, which cannot otherwise be captured by existing methods using multi-omics data.

scholarly journals NOGEA: Network-Oriented Gene Entropy Approach for Dissecting Disease Comorbidity and Drug Repositioning

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zihu Guo ◽  
Yingxue Fu ◽  
Chao Huang ◽  
Chunli Zheng ◽  
Ziyin Wu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Networks ◽  
Drug Repositioning ◽  
High Reliability ◽  
Rapid Development ◽  
Small Neighborhood ◽  
Specific Gene ◽  
Master Genes ◽  
Disease Initiation ◽  
Disease Specific

AbstractRapid development of high-throughput technologies has permitted the identification of an increasing number of disease-associated genes (DAGs), which are important for understanding disease initiation and developing precision therapeutics. However, DAGs often contain large amounts of redundant or false positive information, leading to difficulties in quantifying and prioritizing potential relationships between these DAGs and human diseases. In this study, a network-oriented gene entropy approach (NOGEA) is proposed for accurately inferring master genes that contribute to specific diseases by quantitatively calculating their perturbation abilities on directed disease-specific gene networks. In addition, we confirmed that the master genes identified by NOGEA have a high reliability for predicting disease-specific initiation events and progression risk. Master genes may also be used to extract the underlying information of different diseases, thus revealing mechanisms of disease comorbidity. More importantly, approved therapeutic targets are topologically localized in a small neighborhood of master genes on the interactome network, which provides a new way for predicting new drug-disease associations. Through this method, 11 old drugs were newly identified and predicted to be effective for treating pancreatic cancer and then validated by in vitro experiments. Collectively, the NOGEA was useful for identifying master genes that control disease initiation and co-occurrence, thus providing a valuable strategy for drug efficacy screening and repositioning. NOGEA codes are publicly available at https://github.com/guozihuaa/NOGEA.

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