scholarly journals Genetics in the Honey Bee: Achievements and Prospects toward the Functional Analysis of Molecular and Neural Mechanisms Underlying Social Behaviors

Insects ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 348 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hiroki Kohno ◽  
Takeo Kubo
Keyword(s):  
Candidate Genes ◽  
Honey Bee ◽  
Genetic Manipulation ◽  
Expression Profiles ◽  
Model Organism ◽  
Social Behaviors ◽  
Forward Genetics ◽  
Mushroom Bodies ◽  
Functional Analyses ◽  
The Brain

The European honey bee is a model organism for studying social behaviors. Comprehensive analyses focusing on the differential expression profiles of genes between the brains of nurse bees and foragers, or in the mushroom bodies—the brain structure related to learning and memory, and multimodal sensory integration—has identified candidate genes related to honey bee behaviors. Despite accumulating knowledge on the expression profiles of genes related to honey bee behaviors, it remains unclear whether these genes actually regulate social behaviors in the honey bee, in part because of the scarcity of genetic manipulation methods available for application to the honey bee. In this review, we describe the genetic methods applied to studies of the honey bee, ranging from classical forward genetics to recently developed gene modification methods using transposon and CRISPR/Cas9. We then discuss future functional analyses using these genetic methods targeting genes identified by the preceding research. Because no particular genes or neurons unique to social insects have been found yet, further exploration of candidate genes/neurons correlated with sociality through comprehensive analyses of mushroom bodies in the aculeate species can provide intriguing targets for functional analyses, as well as insight into the molecular and neural bases underlying social behaviors.

scholarly journals Neural and non-neural contributions to sexual dimorphism of mid-day sleep in Drosophila: A pilot study

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Khericha ◽  
J.B. Kolenchery ◽  
E. Tauber
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Dimorphism ◽  
Fat Body ◽  
Hormone Secretion ◽  
Model Organism ◽  
Fruit Fly ◽  
Mushroom Bodies ◽  
Sexually Dimorphic ◽  
Neural Tissues ◽  
Circadian Clock Output ◽  
The Brain

AbstractMany of the characteristics associated with mammalian sleep are also observed in Drosophila, making the fruit-fly a powerful model organism for studying the genetics of this important process. Among these similarities is the presence of sexual dimorphic sleep patterns, which in flies, is manifested as increased mid-day sleep (‘siesta’) in males, compared to females. Here, we have used targeted miss-expression of the gene transformer (tra) and tra2 to either feminise or masculinise specific neural and non-neural tissues in the fly. Feminization of males using three different GAL4 drivers which are expressed in the mushroom bodies induced a female-like reduced siesta, while the masculinisation of females using these drivers triggered the male-like increased siesta. We also observed a similar reversal of sex-specific sleep by miss-expressing tra in the fat body, a key tissue in energy metabolism and hormone secretion. In addition, the daily expression levels of takeout, an important circadian clock output gene, were sexually dimorphic. Taken together, our experiments suggest that sleep-sexual dimorphism in Drosophila is driven by multiple neural and non-neural circuits, within and outside the brain.

scholarly journals Quantitative genomics of voluntary exercise in mice: transcriptional analysis and mapping of expression QTL in muscle

2014 ◽  
Vol 46 (16) ◽  
pp. 593-601 ◽  
Author(s):  
Scott A. Kelly ◽  
Derrick L. Nehrenberg ◽  
Kunjie Hua ◽  
Theodore Garland ◽  
Daniel Pomp
Keyword(s):  
Body Composition ◽  
Candidate Genes ◽  
Wheel Running ◽  
Expression Profiles ◽  
Voluntary Exercise ◽  
Transcriptional Analysis ◽  
Expression Qtl ◽  
Cis Acting ◽  
Intensity Of Exercise ◽  
The Brain

Motivation and ability both underlie voluntary exercise, each with a potentially unique genetic architecture. Muscle structure and function are one of many morphological and physiological systems acting to simultaneously determine exercise ability. We generated a large ( n = 815) advanced intercross line of mice (G4) derived from a line selectively bred for increased wheel running (high runner) and the C57BL/6J inbred strain. We previously mapped quantitative trait loci (QTL) contributing to voluntary exercise, body composition, and changes in body composition as a result of exercise. Using brain tissue in a subset of the G4 ( n = 244), we have also previously reported expression QTL (eQTL) colocalizing with the QTL for the higher-level phenotypes. Here, we examined the transcriptional landscape of hind limb muscle tissue via global mRNA expression profiles. Correlations revealed an ∼1,168% increase in significant relationships between muscle transcript expression levels and the same exercise and body composition phenotypes examined previously in the brain. The exercise trait most often significantly correlated with gene expression in the brain was running duration while in the muscle it was maximum running speed. This difference may indicate that time spent engaging in exercise behavior may be more influenced by central (neurobiological) mechanisms, while intensity of exercise may be largely controlled by peripheral mechanisms. Additionally, we used subsets of cis-acting eQTL, colocalizing with QTL, to identify candidate genes based on both positional and functional evidence. We discuss three plausible candidate genes ( Insig2, Prcp, Sparc) and their potential regulatory role.

Social Regulation of Gene Expression in the African Cichlid Fish

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen P. Maruska ◽  
Russell D. Fernald
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Social Environment ◽  
Expression Profiles ◽  
Regulation Of Gene Expression ◽  
Cichlid Fish ◽  
Social Behaviors ◽  
Social Regulation ◽  
Evolutionary Mechanisms ◽  
African Cichlid ◽  
The Brain

How does an animal’s social environment shape its behavior and physiology, and what underlying molecular and genetic mechanisms lead to phenotypic changes? To address this question, the authors used a model system that exhibits socially regulated plastic phenotypes, behavioral complexity, molecular level access, and genomic resources. The African cichlid fishAstatotilapia burtoni, in which male status and reproductive physiology are under social control, has become an important model for studying the mechanisms that regulate complex social behaviors. This chapter reviews what is known about how information from the social environment produces changes in behavior, physiology, and gene expression profiles in the brain and reproductive axis ofA. burtoni. Understanding the mechanisms responsible for translating perception of social cues into molecular change in a model vertebrate is important for identifying selective pressures and evolutionary mechanisms that shape the brain and ultimately result in diverse and complex social behaviors.

scholarly journals MicroRNA profiling of the pig periaqueductal grey (PAG) region reveals candidates potentially related to sex-dependent differences

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Klaudia Pawlina-Tyszko ◽  
Maria Oczkowicz ◽  
Artur Gurgul ◽  
Tomasz Szmatoła ◽  
Monika Bugno-Poniewierska
Keyword(s):  
Expression Profiles ◽  
Differential Expression Analysis ◽  
Mirna Profile ◽  
Human Model ◽  
Periaqueductal Grey ◽  
Neurological Research ◽  
Downstream Analysis ◽  
Neuron Growth ◽  
Human Brains ◽  
The Brain

Abstract Background MicroRNAs indirectly orchestrate myriads of essential biological processes. A wide diversity of miRNAs of the neurodevelopmental importance characterizes the brain tissue, which, however, exhibits region-specific miRNA profile differences. One of the most conservative regions of the brain is periaqueductal grey (PAG) playing vital roles in significant functions of this organ, also those observed to be sex-influenced. The domestic pig is an important livestock species but is also believed to be an excellent human model. This is of particular importance for neurological research because of the similarity of pig and human brains as well as difficult access to human samples. However, the pig PAG profile has not been characterized so far. Moreover, molecular bases of sex differences connected with brain functioning, including miRNA expression profiles, have not been fully deciphered yet. Methods Thus, in this study, we applied next-generation sequencing to characterize pig PAG expressed microRNAs. Furthermore, we performed differential expression analysis between females and males to identify changes of the miRNA profile and reveal candidates underlying sex-related differences. Results As a result, known brain-enriched, and new miRNAs which will expand the available profile, were identified. The downstream analysis revealed 38 miRNAs being differentially expressed (DE) between female and male samples. Subsequent pathway analysis showed that they enrich processes vital for neuron growth and functioning, such as long-term depression and axon guidance. Among the identified sex-influenced miRNAs were also those associated with the PAG physiology and diseases related to this region. Conclusions The obtained results broaden the knowledge on the porcine PAG miRNAome, along with its dynamism reflected in different isomiR signatures. Moreover, they indicate possible mechanisms associated with sex-influenced differences mediated via miRNAs in the PAG functioning. They also provide candidate miRNAs for further research concerning, i.e., sex-related bases of physiological and pathological processes occurring in the nervous system. Graphical abstract

scholarly journals Gene Expression Profiles Associated with Radio-Responsiveness in Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer

Biology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 500
Author(s):  
Jeeyong Lee ◽  
Junhye Kwon ◽  
DaYeon Kim ◽  
Misun Park ◽  
KwangSeok Kim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Candidate Genes ◽  
Expression Profiles ◽  
Cell Cycle Control ◽  
Methylation Status ◽  
Locally Advanced ◽  
Gene Expression Profiles ◽  
Advanced Rectal Cancer ◽  
Bioinformatic Analysis ◽  
Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer ◽  
Genes Encoding

LARC patients were sorted according to their radio-responsiveness and patient-derived organoids were established from the respective cancer tissues. Expression profiles for each group were obtained using RNA-seq. Biological and bioinformatic analysis approaches were used in deciphering genes and pathways that participate in the radio-resistance of LARC. Thirty candidate genes encoding proteins involved in radio-responsiveness–related pathways, including the immune system, DNA repair and cell-cycle control, were identified. Interestingly, one of the candidate genes, cathepsin E (CTSE), exhibited differential methylation at the promoter region that was inversely correlated with the radio-resistance of patient-derived organoids, suggesting that methylation status could contribute to radio-responsiveness. On the basis of these results, we plan to pursue development of a gene chip for diagnosing the radio-responsiveness of LARC patients, with the hope that our efforts will ultimately improve the prognosis of LARC patients.

scholarly journals Macrophages and microglia: the cerberus of glioblastoma

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alice Buonfiglioli ◽  
Dolores Hambardzumyan
Keyword(s):  
Tumor Cells ◽  
Innate Immune System ◽  
Tumor Heterogeneity ◽  
Expression Profiles ◽  
Brain Parenchyma ◽  
Innate Immune ◽  
Malignant Growth ◽  
Neoplastic Cells ◽  
Functional Roles ◽  
The Brain

AbstractGlioblastoma (GBM) is the most aggressive and deadliest of the primary brain tumors, characterized by malignant growth, invasion into the brain parenchyma, and resistance to therapy. GBM is a heterogeneous disease characterized by high degrees of both inter- and intra-tumor heterogeneity. Another layer of complexity arises from the unique brain microenvironment in which GBM develops and grows. The GBM microenvironment consists of neoplastic and non-neoplastic cells. The most abundant non-neoplastic cells are those of the innate immune system, called tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs). TAMs constitute up to 40% of the tumor mass and consist of both brain-resident microglia and bone marrow-derived myeloid cells from the periphery. Although genetically stable, TAMs can change their expression profiles based upon the signals that they receive from tumor cells; therefore, heterogeneity in GBM creates heterogeneity in TAMs. By interacting with tumor cells and with the other non-neoplastic cells in the tumor microenvironment, TAMs promote tumor progression. Here, we review the origin, heterogeneity, and functional roles of TAMs. In addition, we discuss the prospects of therapeutically targeting TAMs alone or in combination with standard or newly-emerging GBM targeting therapies.

scholarly journals Dynamic genome-wide association analysis and identification of candidate genes involved in anaerobic germination tolerance in rice

Rice ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ling Su ◽  
Jing Yang ◽  
Dandan Li ◽  
Ziai Peng ◽  
Aoyun Xia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Candidate Genes ◽  
Genome Wide Association Study ◽  
Expression Profiles ◽  
Oxygen Deficiency ◽  
Direct Seeding ◽  
Genome Wide Association ◽  
Genome Wide ◽  
Anaerobic Germination ◽  
Dynamic Genome ◽  
Rice Seeds

Abstract Background In Asian rice production, an increasing number of countries now choose the direct seeding mode because of rising costs, labour shortages and water shortages. The ability of rice seeds to undergo anaerobic germination (AG) plays an important role in the success of direct seeding. Results In this study, we used 2,123,725 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers based on resequencing to conduct a dynamic genome-wide association study (GWAS) of coleoptile length (CL) and coleoptile diameter (CD) in 209 natural rice populations. A total of 26 SNP loci were detected in these two phenotypes, of which 5 overlapped with previously reported loci (S1_ 39674301, S6_ 20797781, S7_ 18722403, S8_ 9946213, S11_ 19165397), and two sites were detected repeatedly at different time points (S3_ 24689629 and S5_ 27918754). We suggest that these 7 loci (−log10 (P) value > 7.3271) are the key sites that affect AG tolerance. To screen the candidate genes more effectively, we sequenced the transcriptome of the flooding-tolerant variety R151 in six key stages, including anaerobic (AN) and the oxygen conversion point (AN-A), and obtained high-quality differential expression profiles. Four reliable candidate genes were identified: Os01g0911700 (OsVP1), Os05g0560900 (OsGA2ox8), Os05g0562200 (OsDi19–1) and Os06g0548200. Then qRT-PCR and LC-MS/ MS targeting metabolite detection technology were used to further verify that the up-regulated expression of these four candidate genes was closely related to AG. Conclusion The four novel candidate genes were associated with gibberellin (GA) and abscisic acid (ABA) regulation and cell wall metabolism under oxygen-deficiency conditions and promoted coleoptile elongation while avoiding adverse effects, allowing the coleoptile to obtain oxygen, escape the low-oxygen environment and germinate rapidly. The results of this study improve our understanding of the genetic basis of AG in rice seeds, which is conducive to the selection of flooding-tolerant varieties suitable for direct seeding.

scholarly journals Identification of Key Candidate Genes Involved in the Progression of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 1123
Author(s):  
Yu Cui ◽  
Jie Ji ◽  
Jiwei Hou ◽  
Yi Tan ◽  
Xiaodong Han
Keyword(s):  
Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis ◽  
Pulmonary Fibrosis ◽  
Candidate Genes ◽  
Expression Profiles ◽  
Biological Processes ◽  
Protein Protein Interaction ◽  
Novel Treatments ◽  
Kegg Pathway Analysis ◽  
Cell Components ◽  
Upregulated Genes

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a lethal, agnogenic interstitial lung disease with limited therapeutic options. To investigate vital genes involved in the development of IPF, we integrated and compared four expression profiles (GSE110147, GSE53845, GSE24206, and GSE10667), including 87 IPF samples and 40 normal samples. By reanalyzing these datasets, we managed to identify 62 upregulated genes and 20 downregulated genes in IPF samples compared with normal samples. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were analyzed by gene ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis to illustrate relevant pathways of IPF, biological processes, molecular function, and cell components. The DEGs were then subjected to protein–protein interaction (PPI) for network analysis, serving to find 11 key candidate genes (ANXA3, STX11, THBS2, MMP1, MMP9, MMP7, MMP10, SPP1, COL1A1, ITGB8, IGF1). The result of RT-qPCR and immunohistochemical staining verified our finding as well. In summary, we identified 11 key candidate genes related to the process of IPF, which may contribute to novel treatments of IPF.

scholarly journals Resilience, plasticity and robustness in gene expression during aging in the brain of outbred deer mice

BMC Genomics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
E Soltanmohammadi ◽  
Y Zhang ◽  
I Chatzistamou ◽  
H. Kiaris
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Cholesterol Metabolism ◽  
Expression Profiles ◽  
Deer Mice ◽  
Abrupt Changes ◽  
Transcriptional Changes ◽  
Thrombospondin 4 ◽  
Whole Transcriptome ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Shed Light

Abstract Background Genes that belong to the same network are frequently co-expressed, but collectively, how the coordination of the whole transcriptome is perturbed during aging remains unclear. To explore this, we calculated the correlation of each gene in the transcriptome with every other, in the brain of young and older outbred deer mice (P. leucopus and P. maniculatus). Results In about 25 % of the genes, coordination was inversed during aging. Gene Ontology analysis in both species, for the genes that exhibited inverse transcriptomic coordination during aging pointed to alterations in the perception of smell, a known impairment occurring during aging. In P. leucopus, alterations in genes related to cholesterol metabolism were also identified. Among the genes that exhibited the most pronounced inversion in their coordination profiles during aging was THBS4, that encodes for thrombospondin-4, a protein that was recently identified as rejuvenation factor in mice. Relatively to its breadth, abolishment of coordination was more prominent in the long-living P. leucopus than in P. maniculatus but in the latter, the intensity of de-coordination was higher. Conclusions There sults suggest that aging is associated with more stringent retention of expression profiles for some genes and more abrupt changes in others, while more subtle but widespread changes in gene expression appear protective. Our findings shed light in the mode of the transcriptional changes occurring in the brain during aging and suggest that strategies aiming to broader but more modest changes in gene expression may be preferrable to correct aging-associated deregulation in gene expression.

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