scholarly journals Warm seawater temperature promotes substrate colonization by the blue coral, Heliopora coerulea

PeerJ ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. e7785 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine Guzman ◽  
Michael Atrigenio ◽  
Chuya Shinzato ◽  
Porfirio Aliño ◽  
Cecilia Conaco
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Growth Rate ◽  
Extracellular Matrix ◽  
Expression Profiles ◽  
Seawater Temperature ◽  
Scleractinian Corals ◽  
Tissue Growth ◽  
Cellular Migration ◽  
Coral Tissue ◽  
Growth Margin

Background Heliopora coerulea, the blue coral, is a reef building octocoral that is reported to have a higher optimum temperature for growth compared to most scleractinian corals. This octocoral has been observed to grow over both live and dead scleractinians and to dominate certain reefs in the Indo-Pacific region. The molecular mechanisms underlying the ability of H. coerulea to tolerate warmer seawater temperatures and to effectively compete for space on the substrate remain to be elucidated. Methods In this study, we subjected H. coerulea colonies to various temperatures for up to 3 weeks. The growth and photosynthetic efficiency rates of the coral colonies were measured. We then conducted pairwise comparisons of gene expression among the different coral tissue regions to identify genes and pathways that are expressed under different temperature conditions. Results A horizontal growth rate of 1.13 ± 0.25 mm per week was observed for corals subjected to 28 or 31 °C. This growth rate was significantly higher compared to corals exposed at 26 °C. This new growth was characterized by the extension of whitish tissue at the edges of the colony and was enriched for a matrix metallopeptidase, a calcium and integrin binding protein, and other transcripts with unknown function. Tissues at the growth margin and the adjacent calcified encrusting region were enriched for transcripts related to proline and riboflavin metabolism, nitrogen utilization, and organic cation transport. The calcified digitate regions, on the other hand, were enriched for transcripts encoding proteins involved in cell-matrix adhesion, translation, receptor-mediated endocytosis, photosynthesis, and ion transport. Functions related to lipid biosynthesis, extracellular matrix formation, cell migration, and oxidation-reduction processes were enriched at the growth margin in corals subjected for 3 weeks to 28 or 31 °C relative to corals at 26 °C. In the digitate region of the coral, transcripts encoding proteins that protect against oxidative stress, modify cell membrane composition, and mediate intercellular signaling pathways were enriched after just 24 h of exposure to 31 °C compared to corals at 28 °C. The overall downregulation of gene expression observed after 3 weeks of sustained exposure to 31 °C is likely compensated by symbiont metabolism. Discussion These findings reveal that the different regions of H. coerulea have variable gene expression profiles and responses to temperature variation. Under warmer conditions, the blue coral invests cellular resources toward extracellular matrix formation and cellular migration at the colony margins, which may promote rapid tissue growth and extension. This mechanism enables the coral to colonize adjacent reef substrates and successfully overgrow slower growing scleractinian corals that may already be more vulnerable to warming ocean waters.

scholarly journals Insight into the bZIP Gene Family in Solanum tuberosum: Genome and Transcriptome Analysis to Understand the Roles of Gene Diversification in Spatiotemporal Gene Expression and Function

2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 253
Author(s):  
Venura Herath ◽  
Jeanmarie Verchot
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Gene Family ◽  
Functional Groups ◽  
Leucine Zipper ◽  
Expression Profiles ◽  
Crop Improvement ◽  
Potato Virus X ◽  
Tissue Growth ◽  
Abiotic Stress Response ◽  
Sequence Alignments

The basic region-leucine zipper (bZIP) transcription factors (TFs) form homodimers and heterodimers via the coil–coil region. The bZIP dimerization network influences gene expression across plant development and in response to a range of environmental stresses. The recent release of the most comprehensive potato reference genome was used to identify 80 StbZIP genes and to characterize their gene structure, phylogenetic relationships, and gene expression profiles. The StbZIP genes have undergone 22 segmental and one tandem duplication events. Ka/Ks analysis suggested that most duplications experienced purifying selection. Amino acid sequence alignments and phylogenetic comparisons made with the Arabidopsis bZIP family were used to assign the StbZIP genes to functional groups based on the Arabidopsis orthologs. The patterns of introns and exons were conserved within the assigned functional groups which are supportive of the phylogeny and evidence of a common progenitor. Inspection of the leucine repeat heptads within the bZIP domains identified a pattern of attractive pairs favoring homodimerization, and repulsive pairs favoring heterodimerization. These patterns of attractive and repulsive heptads were similar within each functional group for Arabidopsis and S. tuberosum orthologs. High-throughput RNA-seq data indicated the most highly expressed and repressed genes that might play significant roles in tissue growth and development, abiotic stress response, and response to pathogens including Potato virus X. These data provide useful information for further functional analysis of the StbZIP gene family and their potential applications in crop improvement.

Global gene expression profiles reveal an increase in mRNA levels of collagens, MMPs, and TIMPs in late radiation enteritis

2004 ◽  
Vol 287 (4) ◽  
pp. G875-G885 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carine Strup-Perrot ◽  
Denis Mathé ◽  
Christine Linard ◽  
Dominique Violot ◽  
Fabien Milliat ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Extracellular Matrix ◽  
Expression Profiles ◽  
Cdna Array ◽  
Muscularis Propria ◽  
Gelatin Zymography ◽  
Tissue Inhibitors Of Metalloproteinases ◽  
Radiation Enteritis ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Fixed Tissue

Radiation enteritis, a common complication of radiation therapy for abdominal and pelvic cancers, is characterized by severe transmural fibrosis associated with mesenchymal cell activation, tissue disorganization, and deposition of fibrillar collagen. To investigate the mechanisms involved in this pathological accumulation of extracellular matrix, we studied gene expression of matrix components along with that of genes involved in matrix remodeling, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs). Hybrid selection on high-density cDNA array, real-time RT-PCR, gelatin zymography and imunohistochemistry were used to characterize the mRNA expression profile, activity, and tissue location of extracellular matrix-related genes in radiation enteritis compared with healthy ileum. cDNA array analysis revealed a strong induction of genes coding for collagens I, III, IV, VI, and VIII, SPARC, and tenascin-C, extracellular-matrix degrading enzymes (MMP-1, -2, -3, -14, -18+19), and metalloproteinase inhibitors (TIMP-1, -2, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1) in radiation enteritis. This increase was correlated with the degree of infiltration of the mucosa by inflammatory cells, and the presence of differentiated mesenchymal cells in the submucosa and muscularis propria. Despite the fact that expression of collagens, MMPs, and TIMPs simultaneously increase, quantification of net collagen deposition shows an overall accumulation of collagen. Our results indicate that late radiation enteritis tissues are subjected to active process of fibrogenesis as well as fibrolysis, with a balance toward fibrogenesis. This demonstrates that established fibrotic tissue is not scarred fixed tissue but is subjected to a dynamic remodeling process.

Abstract 311: Osteogenic Transcription Factor Runx2 Represses Connective Tissue Growth Factor Gene Expression And TGFβ Signaling In Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells

Circulation ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 116 (suppl_16) ◽  
Author(s):  
Toru Tanaka ◽  
Takehisa Shimizu ◽  
Norimichi Koitabashi ◽  
Hiroki Matsui ◽  
Hiroshi Doi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Extracellular Matrix ◽  
Transcription Factor ◽  
Smooth Muscle ◽  
Growth Factor ◽  
Connective Tissue ◽  
Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells ◽  
Tissue Growth ◽  
Matrix Synthesis ◽  
Tgfβ Signaling

[Objective] Runx2, a key transcription factor in osteoblast differentiation, is expressed in calcified atherosclerotic plaques. We have recently shown that Runx2 represses vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) differentiation and promotes their osteogenic differentiation. Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) has been implicated in the progression to vulnerable plaque by inducing mononuclear cell chemotaxis and VSMCs apoptosis despite of its potent stimulatory effect on connective tissue cell the proliferation and extracellular matrix synthesis. To assess the role of Runx2 in the process of plaque development, we investigated the molecular mechanism of the CTGF gene expression by Runx2 in VSMCs. [Methods and Results] RT-PCR analyses showed that adenovirally overexpressed Runx2 significantly repressed the basal expression of the CTGF gene in human aortic SMCs (HASMCs). Consistent with this, knockdown of the Runx2 expression in HASMCs by small interfering RNA (siRNA) increased CTGF mRNA levels. Luciferase assays showed that Runx2 reduced the transcriptional activity of the CTGF promoter. Transfection of a series of 5′-deletion constructs revealed that Runx2 inhibited CTGF expression through the sequence element located at 5′ untranslated region of CTGF mRNA. We next examined the effects of Runx2 on the TGFβ-induced CTGF expression. Runx2 overexpression significantly repressed CTGF expression in HASMCs stimulated with TGFβ, and knockdown of Runx2 by siRNA enhanced the induction of CTGF expression in response to TGFβ. Runx2 repressed TGFβ-induced CTGF promoter activity through the sequence including Smad binding element (SBE). Overexpression of Runx2 significantly reduced TGFβ- and Smad3-mediated luciferase activity of Smad-dependent promoter which contains four copies of SBE. Biotinylated DNA pulldown assay using SBE of CTGF promoter showed that Runx2 formed a complex with Smad3 and Smad4. [Conclusion] Runx2 repressed basal and TGFβ-induced CTGF gene expression in VSMCs. Thus, in addition to the potential for inducing vascular calcification, Runx2 may affect plaque stability by modulating extracellular matrix synthesis through inhibiting CTGF gene expression and TGFβ signaling.

scholarly journals Distinct gene expression profiles in norepinephrine- and epinephrine-producing hereditary and sporadic pheochromocytomas: activation of hypoxia-driven angiogenic pathways in von Hippel–Lindau syndrome

2004 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 897-911 ◽  
Author(s):  
G Eisenhofer ◽  
T-T Huynh ◽  
K Pacak ◽  
F M Brouwers ◽  
M M Walther ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Growth Factor ◽  
Expression Profiles ◽  
Gene Expression Profiles ◽  
Tissue Growth ◽  
Vegf Receptor ◽  
Vascular Endothelial ◽  
Biochemical Phenotype ◽  
Von Hippel Lindau ◽  
Men 2

Pheochromocytomas in von Hippel–Lindau (VHL) syndrome produce exclusively norepinephrine, whereas those in multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN 2) produce epinephrine. This study examined the pathways activated in VHL-associated pheochromocytomas by comparing gene expression profiles in VHL and MEN 2 tumors in relationship to profiles in sporadic norepinephrine- and epinephrine-producing tumors. Larger and more distinct differences in gene expression among hereditary than sporadic tumors indicated the importance of the underlying mutation to gene expression profiles. Many of the genes over-expressed in VHL compared with MEN 2 tumors were clearly linked to the hypoxia-driven angiogenic pathways that are activated in VHL-associated tumorigenesis. Such genes included those for the glucose transporter, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), placental growth factor, angiopoietin 2, tie-1, VEGF receptor 2 and its coreceptor, neuropilin-1. Other up-regulated genes, such as connective tissue growth factor, cysteine-rich 61, matrix metalloproteinase 1, vascular endothelial cadherin, tenascin C, stanniocalcin 1, and cyclooxygenases 1 and 2 are known to be involved in VEGF-regulated angiogenesis. Shared differences in expression of subsets of genes in norepinephrine- versus epinephrine-producing hereditary and sporadic pheochromocytomas indicated other differences in gene expression that may underlie the biochemical phenotype. Over-expression of the hypoxia-inducible transcription factor, HIF-2α, in norepinephrine-predominant sporadic and VHL tumors compared with epinephrine-producing tumors indicates that expression of this gene depends on the noradrenergic biochemical phenotype. The findings fit with the known expression of HIF-2α in norepinephrine-producing cells of the sympathetic nervous system and might explain both the development and noradrenergic biochemical phenotype of pheochromocytomas in VHL syndrome.

Curcumin suppresses the expression of extracellular matrix genes in activated hepatic stellate cells by inhibiting gene expression of connective tissue growth factor

2006 ◽  
Vol 290 (5) ◽  
pp. G883-G893 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shizhong Zheng ◽  
Anping Chen
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Extracellular Matrix ◽  
Growth Factor ◽  
Connective Tissue ◽  
Hepatic Stellate Cells ◽  
Stellate Cells ◽  
Tissue Growth ◽  
Collagen Gene ◽  
Ppar Γ ◽  
Collagen Gene Expression

Upon liver injury, quiescent hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), the most relevant cell type for hepatic fibrogenesis, become active and overproduce extracellular matrix (ECM). Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) promotes ECM production. Overexpression of CTGF during hepatic fibrogenesis is induced by transforming growth factor (TGF)-β. We recently demonstrated that curcumin reduced cell growth and inhibited ECM gene expression in activated HSCs. Curcumin induced gene expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-γ and stimulated its activity in activated HSCs, which was required for curcumin to suppress ECM gene expression, including αI(I)-collagen. The underlying mechanisms remain largely unknown. The aim of this study was to elucidate the mechanisms by which curcumin suppresses αI(I)-collagen gene expression in activated HSCs. We hypothesize that inhibition of αI(I)-collagen gene expression in HSCs by curcumin is mediated by suppressing CTGF gene expression through attenuating oxidative stress and interrupting TGF-β signaling. The present report demonstrated that curcumin significantly reduced the abundance of CTGF in passaged HSCs and suppressed its gene expression. Exogenous CTGF dose dependently abrogated the inhibitory effect of curcumin. Activation of PPAR-γ by curcumin resulted in the interruption of TGF-β signaling by suppressing gene expression of TGF-β receptors, leading to inhibition of CTGF gene expression. The phytochemical showed its potent antioxidant property by significantly increasing the level of total glutathione (GSH) and the ratio of GSH to GSSG in activated HSCs. De novo synthesis of cellular GSH was a prerequisite for curcumin to interrupt TGF-β signaling and inhibited gene expression of CTGF and αI(I)-collagen in activated HSCs. Taken together, our results demonstrate that inhibition of αI(I)-collagen gene expression by curcumin in activated HSCs results from suppression of CTGF gene expression through increasing cellular GSH contents and interruption of TGF-β signaling. These results provide novel insights into the mechanisms underlying inhibition of HSC activation by curcumin.

Abstract 5554: Runx2 Represses TGFβ/Smad-Mediated Connective Tissue Growth Factor Gene Expression in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells

Circulation ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 118 (suppl_18) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yoshiaki Ohyama ◽  
Toru Tanaka ◽  
Takehisa Shimizu ◽  
Hiroko Sato ◽  
Norimichi Koitabashi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Extracellular Matrix ◽  
Smooth Muscle ◽  
Growth Factor ◽  
Connective Tissue ◽  
Vascular Smooth Muscle ◽  
Smooth Muscle Cells ◽  
Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells ◽  
Promoter Activity ◽  
Tissue Growth

[Background] Runx2, a key transcription factor for osteoblastic differentiation, is expressed in calcified atherosclerotic plaques. We recently reported that Runx2 represses vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) differentiation and promotes its osteogenic differentiation. Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) has been implicated in the progression to vulnerable plaque by inducing mononuclear cell chemotaxis and VSMC apoptosis despite of its potent stimulatory effect on synthesis of extracellular matrix. In this study, we investigated the regulatory mechanism of CTGF gene expression by Runx2 in VSMC. [Methods and Results] RT-PCR analyses showed that adenovirally overexpressed Runx2 significantly repressed the basal expression of the CTGF gene in human aortic SMCs (HASMCs). Consistent with this, knockdown of the Runx2 expression in HASMCs by small interfering RNA (siRNA) increased CTGF mRNA levels. Luciferase assays showed that Runx2 reduced the transcriptional activity of the CTGF promoter. Transfection of a series of 5′-deletion constructs revealed that Runx2 inhibited CTGF expression through the sequence element located at 5′ untranslated region of CTGF mRNA. We next examined the effects of Runx2 on the TGFβ-induced CTGF expression. Runx2 overexpression significantly attenuated the TGFβ-mediated induction of CTGF expression in HASMCs, and knockdown of Runx2 by siRNA enhanced the induction of CTGF expression in response to TGFβ. Runx2 repressed TGFβ-induced CTGF promoter activity through the sequence containing Smad binding element (SBE), and luciferase assay using SBE-specific mutation construct showed that Runx2 repressed CTGF promoter activity in an SBE-dependent manner. Overexpression of Runx2 significantly reduced TGFβ and Smad3-mediated luciferase activity of 4xSBE-tkLuc, which contains four copies of SBE. Co-immunoprecipitation showed that Runx2 formed a complex with Smad4. [Conclusion] These data demonstrate that Runx2 represses basal and TGFβ-induced CTGF gene expression in VSMC, and thus suggest that besides the potential for inducing vascular calcification, Runx2 may affect plaque stability by modulating extracellular matrix synthesis through inhibiting CTGF gene expression and TGFβ signaling.

scholarly journals Increasing α7β1-integrin promotes muscle cell proliferation, adhesion, and resistance to apoptosis without changing gene expression

2008 ◽  
Vol 294 (2) ◽  
pp. C627-C640 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jianming Liu ◽  
Dean J. Burkin ◽  
Stephen J. Kaufman
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Skeletal Muscle ◽  
Extracellular Matrix ◽  
Muscular Dystrophy ◽  
Expression Profiles ◽  
C2c12 Cells ◽  
Glycoprotein Complex ◽  
Dystrophin Glycoprotein Complex ◽  
Dystrophin Glycoprotein

The dystrophin-glycoprotein complex maintains the integrity of skeletal muscle by associating laminin in the extracellular matrix with the actin cytoskeleton. Several human muscular dystrophies arise from defects in the components of this complex. The α7β1-integrin also binds laminin and links the extracellular matrix with the cytoskeleton. Enhancement of α7-integrin levels alleviates pathology in mdx/utrn−/− mice, a model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and thus the integrin may functionally compensate for the absence of dystrophin. To test whether increasing α7-integrin levels affects transcription and cellular functions, we generated α7-integrin-inducible C2C12 cells and transgenic mice that overexpress the integrin in skeletal muscle. C2C12 myoblasts with elevated levels of integrin exhibited increased adhesion to laminin, faster proliferation when serum was limited, resistance to staurosporine-induced apoptosis, and normal differentiation. Transgenic expression of eightfold more integrin in skeletal muscle did not result in notable toxic effects in vivo. Moreover, high levels of α7-integrin in both myoblasts and in skeletal muscle did not disrupt global gene expression profiles. Thus increasing integrin levels can compensate for defects in the extracellular matrix and cytoskeleton linkage caused by compromises in the dystrophin-glycoprotein complex without triggering apparent overt negative side effects. These results support the use of integrin enhancement as a therapy for muscular dystrophy.

scholarly journals Quantifying absolute gene expression profiles reveals distinct regulation of central carbon metabolism genes in yeast

eLife ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosemary Yu ◽  
Egor Vorontsov ◽  
Carina Sihlbom ◽  
Jens Nielsen
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Growth Rate ◽  
Cell Growth ◽  
Nitrogen Metabolism ◽  
Carbon Metabolism ◽  
Expression Profiles ◽  
Central Carbon Metabolism ◽  
Cell Growth Rate ◽  
Control Of Gene Expression ◽  
Central Carbon

In addition to controlled expression of genes by specific regulatory circuits, the abundance of proteins and transcripts can also be influenced by physiological states of the cell such as growth rate and metabolism. Here we examine the control of gene expression by growth rate and metabolism, by analyzing a multi-omics dataset consisting of absolute-quantitative abundances of the transcriptome, proteome, and amino acids in 22 steady-state yeast cultures. We find that transcription and translation are coordinately controlled by the cell growth rate via RNA polymerase II and ribosome abundance, but they are independently controlled by nitrogen metabolism via amino acid and nucleotide availabilities. Genes in central carbon metabolism, however, are distinctly regulated and do not respond to the cell growth rate or nitrogen metabolism as all other genes. Understanding these effects allows the confounding factors of growth rate and metabolism to be accounted for in gene expression profiling studies.

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