scholarly journals Development of enhancer-trapping and -detection vectors mediated by the Tol2 transposon in zebrafish

PeerJ ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. e6862 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shuheng Chan ◽  
Dan Shen ◽  
Yatong Sang ◽  
Saisai Wang ◽  
Yali Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Zebrafish Embryo ◽  
Trapping Efficiency ◽  
Minimal Promoter ◽  
Beta Globin ◽  
Cell Stage ◽  
Enhancer Activity ◽  
Position Effects ◽  
Basic Expression ◽  
Enhancer Trapping

Enhancers are key transcriptional drivers of gene expression. The identification of enhancers in the genome is central for understanding gene-expression programs. Although transposon-mediated enhancer trapping (ET) is a powerful approach to the identification of enhancers in zebrafish, its efficiency varies considerably. To improve the ET efficiency, we constructed Tol2-mediated ET vectors with a reporter gene (mCherry) expression box driven by four minimal promoters (Gata, Myc, Krt4 and Oct4), respectively. The ET efficiency and expression background were compared among the four promoters by zebrafish embryo injection at the one-cell stage. The results showed that the Gata minimal promoter yielded the lowest basic expression and the second-highest trapping efficiency (44.6% at 12 hpf (hour post-fertilization) and 23.1% at 72 hpf, n = 305 and n = 307). The Krt4 promoter had the highest trapping efficiency (64% at 12 hpf and 67.1% at 72 hpf, n = 302 and n = 301) and the strongest basic expression. To detect enhancer activity, chicken 5′HS4 double insulators were cloned into the two ET vectors with the Gata or Krt4 minimal promoter, flanking the mCherry expression box. The resulting detection vectors were injected into zebrafish embryos. mCherry expression driven by the Gata promoter (about 5%, n = 301) was decreased significantly compared with that observed for embryos injected with the ET vectors (23% at 72 hpf, n = 308). These results suggest that the insulators block the genome-position effects and that this vector is fit for enhancer-activity evaluation. To assess the compatibility between the enhancers and the minimal promoters, four enhancers (CNS1, Z48, Hand2 and Hs769) were cloned upstream of the Gata or Beta-globin minimal promoter in the enhancer-activity-detection vectors. The resulting recombinant vectors were assayed by zebrafish embryo injection. We found that Z48 and CNS1 responded to the Gata minimal promoter, and that Hand2 only responded to the Beta-globin minimal promoter. In contrast, Hs769 did not respond to either the Gata or Beta-globin minimal promoters. These results suggest the existence of compatibility between enhancers and minimal promoters. This study represents a systematic approach to the discovery of optional ET and enhancer-detection vectors. We are eager to provide a superior tool for understanding functional genomics.

Relief of a repressed gene expression state in the mouse 1-cell embryo requires DNA replication

Development ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 125 (16) ◽  
pp. 3153-3166
Author(s):  
S. Forlani ◽  
C. Bonnerot ◽  
S. Capgras ◽  
J.F. Nicolas
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Dna Replication ◽  
Long Range ◽  
Embryonic Stem ◽  
Hypoxanthine Phosphoribosyl Transferase ◽  
Cell Stage ◽  
Enhancer Activity ◽  
Position Effects ◽  
Cell Proliferation And Differentiation ◽  
Cell Embryo

In the mouse, transcriptional permissiveness is established in the fertilized egg prior to the activation of zygotic genes at the 2-cell stage. Therefore, gene inactivity initiated at the end of gametogenesis results from a complex process, involving more than an inhibition of the basal transcriptional apparatus. We have examined the ability of the first intron (I1) of the human hypoxanthine phosphoribosyl transferase gene, which functions as an enhancer in embryonic stem cells, to activate a reporter gene when placed proximally to or at a distance from the HSV-tk promoter, or when integrated into the mouse genome as part of a stable transgene. In microinjected embryos, I1 functions as an enhancer sequence; however, its competence for long-range activation appears only after the late 1-cell stage and depends on the first DNA replication. Moreover, activation of microinjected transgenes from proximal enhancers occurs in the late 2-cell embryo and in the male pronucleus of 1-cell embryos blocked for DNA replication; whereas, for integrated transgenes, proximal enhancer activity is subject to position effects in the 2-cell embryo and first occurs at the 2- or 4-cell stage, but only after completion of DNA replication. Therefore, the absence of long-range activation and a non-permissive genomic state (the relief of which both depend on DNA replication), together with an inactive transcriptional apparatus, appear to converge to prevent any gene activity in the 1-cell embryo. We propose that the embryo exploits the process of DNA replication to relieve the transcriptionally repressive state that was initially established to fulfil two purposes: (1) to arrest maternal gene expression in the maturing oocyte and (2) to protect the unicellular egg and 1-cell embryo from premature differentiation. Reactivation of gene expression by DNA replication would therefore serve to coordinate cell proliferation and differentiation in the preimplantation embryo.

scholarly journals A genome-wide transcriptomic analysis of embryos fathered by obese males in a murine model of diet-induced obesity

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Bernhardt ◽  
Marcus Dittrich ◽  
Rabih El-Merahbi ◽  
Antoine-Emmanuel Saliba ◽  
Tobias Müller ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Preimplantation Embryos ◽  
High Fat ◽  
Cell Stage ◽  
Genetic Transmission ◽  
Diet Induced Obesity ◽  
Genome Wide ◽  
A Genome ◽  
Paternal Obesity

AbstractPaternal obesity is known to have a negative impact on the male’s reproductive health as well as the health of his offspring. Although epigenetic mechanisms have been implicated in the non-genetic transmission of acquired traits, the effect of paternal obesity on gene expression in the preimplantation embryo has not been fully studied. To this end, we investigated whether paternal obesity is associated with gene expression changes in eight-cell stage embryos fathered by males on a high-fat diet. We used single embryo RNA-seq to compare the gene expression profile of embryos generated by males on a high fat (HFD) versus control (CD) diet. This analysis revealed significant upregulation of the Samd4b and Gata6 gene in embryos in response to a paternal HFD. Furthermore, we could show a significant increase in expression of both Gata6 and Samd4b during differentiation of stromal vascular cells into mature adipocytes. These findings suggest that paternal obesity may induce changes in the male germ cells which are associated with the gene expression changes in the resulting preimplantation embryos.

scholarly journals Activator-independent gene expression in Neurospora crassa

Genetics ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 142 (2) ◽  
pp. 417-423
Author(s):  
Wayne K Versaw ◽  
Robert L Metzenberg
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Neurospora Crassa ◽  
Chromosomal Rearrangement ◽  
Position Effect ◽  
Upstream Region ◽  
Phosphorus Metabolism ◽  
Position Effects ◽  
Cis Acting ◽  
Independent Gene ◽  
Acting Mechanism

Abstract A transgenic position effect that causes activator-independent gene expression has been described previously for three Neurospora crassa phosphate-repressible genes. We report analogous findings for two additional positively regulated genes, qa-2  + and ars-1  +, indicating that such position effects are not limited to genes involved in phosphorus metabolism. In addition, we have characterized a number of mutants that display activator-independent gene expression. Each of these mutants contains a chromosomal rearrangement with one breakpoint located in the 5’-upstream region of the affected gene. This suggests that the rearrangements are associated with activator-independent gene expression and that these cis-acting mutations may represent a position effect similar to that responsible for rendering some transgenes independent of their transcriptional activators. We suggest that positively regulated genes in N.  crassa are normally held in a transcriptionally repressed state by a cis-acting mechanism until specifically activated. Disruption of this cis-acting mechanism, either by random integration of a gene by transformation or by chromosomal rearrangement, renders these genes independent or partly independent of the transcriptional activator on which they normally depend.

scholarly journals Effects of embryo culture on global pattern of gene expression in preimplantation mouse embryos

Reproduction ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 128 (3) ◽  
pp. 301-311 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paolo Rinaudo ◽  
Richard M Schultz
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Preimplantation Embryos ◽  
Expression Analysis Systematic Explorer ◽  
Cell Stage ◽  
Global Pattern ◽  
Preimplantation Mouse Embryos ◽  
Preimplantation Mouse ◽  
Global Patterns ◽  
The One

Culture of preimplantation embryos affects gene expression. The magnitude of the effect on the global pattern of gene expression, however, is not known. We compared global patterns of gene expression in blastocysts cultured from the one-cell stage in either Whitten’s medium or KSOM + amino acids (KSOM/AA) with that of blastocysts that developed in vivo, using the Affymetrix MOE430A chip. The analysis revealed that expression of 114 genes was affected after culture in Whitten’s medium, whereas only 29 genes were mis-expressed after culture in KSOM/AA. Expression Analysis Systematic Explorer was used to identify biological and molecular processes that are perturbed after culture and indicated that genes involved in protein synthesis, cell proliferation and transporter function were down-regulated after culture in Whitten’s medium. A common set of genes involved in transporter function was also down-regulated after culture in KSOM/AA. These results provide insights as to why embryos develop better in KSOM/AA than in Whitten’s medium, and highlight the power of microarray analysis to assess global patterns of gene expression.

scholarly journals 5'-flanking sequences mediate butyrate stimulation of embryonic globin gene expression in adult erythroid cells.

1991 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 4690-4697 ◽  
Author(s):  
J G Glauber ◽  
N J Wandersee ◽  
J A Little ◽  
G D Ginder
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Cell Differentiation ◽  
Globin Gene ◽  
Beta Globin ◽  
Erythroid Cells ◽  
Adult Chicken ◽  
Beta Globin Gene ◽  
Flanking Sequences ◽  
Murine Erythroleukemia ◽  
Globin Gene Expression

A stable transfection assay was used to test the mechanism by which embryonic globin gene transcription is stimulated in adult erythroid cells exposed to butyric acid and its analogs. To test the appropriate expression and inducibility of chicken globin genes in murine erythroleukemia (MEL) cells, an adult chicken beta-globin gene construct was stably transfected. The chicken beta-globin gene was found to be coregulated with the endogenous adult mouse alpha-globin gene following induction of erythroid differentiation of the transfected MEL cells by incubation with either 2% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) or 1 mM sodium butyrate (NaB). In contrast, a stably transfected embryonic chicken beta-type globin gene, rho, was downregulated during DMSO-induced MEL cell differentiation. However, incubation with NaB, which induces MEL cell differentiation, or alpha-amino butyrate, which does not induce differentiation of MEL cells, resulted in markedly increased levels of transcription from the stably transfected rho gene. Analysis of histone modification showed that induction of rho gene expression was not correlated with increased bulk histone acetylation. A region of 5'-flanking sequence extending from -569 to -725 bp upstream of the rho gene cap site was found to be required for both downregulation of rho gene expression during DMSO-induced differentiation and upregulation by treatment with NaB or alpha-amino butyrate. These data are support for a novel mechanism by which butyrate compounds can alter cellular gene expression through specific DNA sequences. The results reported here are also evidence that 5'-flanking sequences are involved in the suppression of embryonic globin gene expression in terminally differentiated adult erythroid cells.

Analysis of a tissue-specific enhancer: ARF6 regulates adipogenic gene expression

1992 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 1202-1208
Author(s):  
R A Graves ◽  
P Tontonoz ◽  
B M Spiegelman
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Cultured Cells ◽  
Mutational Analysis ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Specific Gene ◽  
Enhancer Activity ◽  
Cis Acting ◽  
Specific Gene Expression ◽  
Nuclear Extracts ◽  
Adipogenic Gene

The molecular basis of adipocyte-specific gene expression is not well understood. We have previously identified a 518-bp enhancer from the adipocyte P2 gene that stimulates adipose-specific gene expression in both cultured cells and transgenic mice. In this analysis of the enhancer, we have defined and characterized a 122-bp DNA fragment that directs differentiation-dependent gene expression in cultured preadipocytes and adipocytes. Several cis-acting elements have been identified and shown by mutational analysis to be important for full enhancer activity. One pair of sequences, ARE2 and ARE4, binds a nuclear factor (ARF2) present in extracts derived from many cell types. Multiple copies of these elements stimulate gene expression from a minimal promoter in preadipocytes, adipocytes, and several other cultured cell lines. A second pair of elements, ARE6 and ARE7, binds a separate factor (ARF6) that is detected only in nuclear extracts derived from adipocytes. The ability of multimers of ARE6 or ARE7 to stimulate promoter activity is strictly adipocyte specific. Mutations in the ARE6 sequence greatly reduce the activity of the 518-bp enhancer. These data demonstrate that several cis- and trans-acting components contribute to the activity of the adipocyte P2 enhancer and suggest that ARF6, a novel differentiation-dependent factor, may be a key regulator of adipogenic gene expression.

scholarly journals The temporal transcription factor E93 controls dynamic enhancer activity and chromatin accessibility during development

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Spencer L. Nystrom ◽  
Matthew J. Niederhuber ◽  
Daniel J. McKay
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Transcription Factor ◽  
Developmental Time ◽  
Chromatin Accessibility ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Spatial Cues ◽  
Enhancer Activity ◽  
Temporal Gene Expression ◽  
Developmental Program ◽  
Temporal Cues

ABSTRACTHow temporal cues combine with spatial inputs to control gene expression during development is poorly understood. Here, we test the hypothesis that the Drosophila transcription factor E93 controls temporal gene expression by regulating chromatin accessibility. Precocious expression of E93 early in wing development reveals that it can simultaneously activate and deactivate different target enhancers. Notably, the precocious patterns of enhancer activity resemble the wild-type patterns that occur later in development, suggesting that provision of E93 alters the competence of enhancers to respond to spatial cues. Genomic profiling reveals that precocious E93 expression is sufficient to regulate chromatin accessibility at a subset of its targets. These accessibility changes mimic those that normally occur later in development, indicating that precocious E93 accelerates the wild-type developmental program. Further, we find that target enhancers that do not respond to precocious E93 in early wings become responsive after a developmental transition, suggesting that parallel temporal pathways work alongside E93. These findings support a model wherein E93 expression functions as an instructive cue that defines a broad window of developmental time through control of chromatin accessibility.

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