Genome-wide gene expression analysis suggests an important role of hypoxia in the pathogenesis of endemic osteochondropathy Kashin-Beck disease

Kashin-Beck Disease (KBD) is an endemic osteochondropathy, the pathogenesis of which remains unclear now. In this study, we compared gene expression profiles of articular cartilage derived respectively from KBD patients and normal controls. Total RNA were isolated, amplified, labeled and hybridized to Agilent human 1A 22 k whole genome microarray chip. qRT-PCR was conducted to validate our microarray data. We detected 57 up-regulated genes (ratios ≥2.0) and 24 down-regulated genes (ratios ≤0.5) in KBD cartilage. To further identify the key genes involved in the pathogenesis of KBD, Bayesian analysis of variance for microarrays (BAM) software was applied and identified 12 potential key genes with an average ratio 6.64, involved in apoptosis, metabolism, cytokine & growth factor and cytoskeleton & cell movement. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) software was used to identify differently expressed gene ontology categories and pathways. GSEA found that a set of apoptosis, hypoxia and mitochondrial function related gene ontology categories and pathways were significantly up-regulated in KBD compared to normal controls. Based on the results of this study, we suggest that chronic hypoxia-induced mitochondrial damage and apoptosis might play an important role in the pathogenesis of KBD. Our efforts may help to understand the pathogenesis of KBD as well as other osteoarthrosis with similar articular cartilage lesions.     

Genome-wide expression analysis suggests a crucial role of dysregulation of matrix metalloproteinases pathway in undifferentiated thyroid carcinoma

Background

Thyroid cancer (TC) is the most common malignant cancer of the Endocrine System. Histologically, there are three main subtypes of TC: follicular, papillary and anaplastic. Diagnosing a thyroid tumor subtype with a high level of accuracy and confidence is still a difficult task because genetic, molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the transition from differentiated to undifferentiated thyroid tumors are not well understood.A genome-wide analysis of these three subtypes of thyroid carcinoma was carried out in order to identify significant differences in expression levels as well as enriched pathways for non-shared molecular and cellular features between subtypes.

Results

Inhibition of matrix metalloproteinases pathway is a major event involved in thyroid cancer progression and its dysregulation may result crucial for invasiveness, migration and metastasis. This pathway is drastically altered in ATC while in FTC and PTC, the most important pathways are related to DNA-repair activation or cell to cell signaling events.

Conclusion

A progression from FTC to PTC and then to ATC was detected and validated on two independent datasets. Moreover, PTX3, COLEC12 and PDGFRA genes were found as possible candidates for biomarkers of ATC while GPR110 could be tested to distinguish PTC over other tumor subtypes. The genome-wide analysis emphasizes the preponderance of pathway-dysregulation mechanisms over simple gene-malfunction as the main mechanism involved in the development of a cancer phenotype.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12864-015-1372-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Genome-wide analysis of glutathione S-transferase gene family in chickpea suggests its role during seed development and abiotic stress

Molecular Biology Reports - Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) are multifunctional proteins that help in oxidative stress metabolism and detoxification of xenobiotic compounds. Studies pertaining to...     

Genome-wide gene expression analysis implicates the immune response and lymphangiogenesis in the pathogenesis of fetal chylothorax

Fetal chylothorax (FC) is a rare condition characterized by lymphocyte-rich pleural effusion. Although its pathogenesis remains elusive, it may involve inflammation, since there are increased concentrations of proinflammatory mediators in pleural fluids. Only a few hereditary lymphedema-associated gene loci, e.g. VEGFR3, ITGA9 and PTPN11, were detected in human fetuses with this condition; these cases had a poorer prognosis, due to defective lymphangiogenesis. In the present study, genome-wide gene expression analysis was conducted, comparing pleural and ascitic fluids in three hydropic fetuses, one with and two without the ITGA9 mutation. One fetus (the index case), from a dizygotic pregnancy (the cotwin was unaffected), received antenatal OK-432 pleurodesis and survived beyond the neonatal stage, despite having the ITGA9 mutation. Genes and pathways involved in the immune response were universally up-regulated in fetal pleural fluids compared to those in ascitic fluids. Furthermore, genes involved in the lymphangiogenesis pathway were down-regulated in fetal pleural fluids (compared to ascitic fluid), but following OK-432 pleurodesis, they were up-regulated. Expression of ITGA9 was concordant with overall trends of lymphangiogenesis. In conclusion, we inferred that both the immune response and lymphangiogenesis were implicated in the pathogenesis of fetal chylothorax. Furthermore, genome-wide gene expression microarray analysis may facilitate personalized medicine by selecting the most appropriate treatment, according to the specific circumstances of the patient, for this rare, but heterogeneous disease.     

Genome-wide analysis of GLD-1-mediated mRNA regulation suggests a role in mRNA storage

Translational repression is often accompanied by mRNA degradation. In contrast, many mRNAs in germ cells and neurons are "stored" in the cytoplasm in a repressed but stable form. Unlike repression, the stabilization of these mRNAs is surprisingly little understood. A key player in Caenorhabditis elegans germ cell development is the STAR domain protein GLD-1. By genome-wide analysis of mRNA regulation in the germ line, we observed that GLD-1 has a widespread role in repressing translation but, importantly, also in stabilizing a sub-population of its mRNA targets. Additionally, these mRNAs appear to be stabilized by the DDX6-like RNA helicase CGH-1, which is a conserved component of germ granules and processing bodies. Because many GLD-1 and CGH-1 stabilized mRNAs encode factors important for the oocyte-to-embryo transition (OET), our findings suggest that the regulation by GLD-1 and CGH-1 serves two purposes. Firstly, GLD-1-dependent repression prevents precocious translation of OET-promoting mRNAs. Secondly, GLD-1- and CGH-1-dependent stabilization ensures that these mRNAs are sufficiently abundant for robust translation when activated during OET. In the absence of this protective mechanism, the accumulation of OET-promoting mRNAs, and consequently the oocyte-to-embryo transition, might be compromised.     

Genome-wide survey and crystallographic analysis suggests a role for both horizontal gene transfer and duplication in pantothenate biosynthesis pathways

Pantothenate is the metabolic precursor of Coenzyme A, an indispensable cofactor for many fundamental cellular processes. In this study, we show that many bacterial species have acquired multiple copies of pantothenate biosynthesis pathway genes via horizontal and vertical gene transfer events. Some bacterial species were also found to lack panE and panD genes, and depended on alternative enzymes/metabolic sources for pantothenate production. To shed light on the factors responsible for such dynamic evolutionary selections, the structural and functional characteristics of P. aeruginosa ketopantoate reductase (KPR), an enzyme that catalyzes the rate-limiting step and also the most duplicated, was investigated. A comparative analysis of apo and NADP+ bound crystal structures of P. aeruginosa KPR with orthologs, revealed that the residues involved in the interaction with specific phosphate moiety of NADP+ are relatively less conserved, suggesting dynamic evolutionary trajectories in KPRs for redox cofactor selection. Our structural and biochemical data also show that the specific conformational changes mediated by NADPH binding facilitate the cooperative binding of ketopantoate. From drastically reduced catalytic activity for NADH catalyzed the reaction with significantly higher K_M of ketopantoate, it appears that the binding of ketopantoate is allosterically regulated to confer redox cofactor specificity. Altogether, our results, in compliance with earlier studies, not only depict the role of lateral gene transfer events in many bacterial species for enhancing pantothenate production but also highlight the possible role of redox cofactor balance in the regulation of pantothenate biosynthesis pathways.     

水稻全基因组编码抗病基因同源序列分析

利用模糊搜索的方法,在TIGR水稻日本晴基因组数据库(TIGR Rice Genome Annotation-Release5)中识别出565个编码抗病蛋白质的同源序列;利用识别出565个编码抗病蛋白质序列分别与籼稻基因组数据库进行BLASTP联配,共确定320个对应的等位基因。通过在线生物信息学软件,识别了这565个抗病基因的保守结构域、保守模体和DNA序列内转座子元件,其中有14个抗病基因同源序列注释错误。同时绘出了这些基因的基因组分布,并基于这些基因的同源树分析和基因组物理分布,认为基因的原位和远程复制事件产生了抗病基因的现存分布和多样性,其中转座子在复制过程中扮演了重要角色。这些对抗病机制研究和抗病基因进化研究以及抗病基因的转育具有重要意义。     

Genome-wide analysis of the pentatricopeptide repeat gene family in different maize genomes and its important role in kernel development

Background

The pentatricopeptide repeat (PPR) gene family is one of the largest gene families in land plants (450 PPR genes in Arabidopsis, 477 PPR genes in rice and 486 PPR genes in foxtail millet) and is important for plant development and growth. Most PPR genes are encoded by plastid and mitochondrial genomes, and the gene products regulate the expression of the related genes in higher plants. However, the functions remain largely unknown, and systematic analysis and comparison of the PPR gene family in different maize genomes have not been performed.

Results

In this study, systematic identification and comparison of PPR genes from two elite maize inbred lines, B73 and PH207, were performed. A total of 491 and 456 PPR genes were identified in the B73 and PH207 genomes, respectively. Basic bioinformatics analyses, including of the classification, gene structure, chromosomal location and conserved motifs, were conducted. Examination of PPR gene duplication showed that 12 and 15 segmental duplication gene pairs exist in the B73 and PH207 genomes, respectively, with eight duplication events being shared between the two genomes. Expression analysis suggested that 53 PPR genes exhibit qualitative variations in the different genetic backgrounds. Based on analysis of the correlation between PPR gene expression in kernels and kernel-related traits, four PPR genes are significantly negatively correlated with hundred kernel weight, 12 are significantly negatively correlated with kernel width, and eight are significantly correlated with kernel number. Eight of the 24 PPR genes are also located in metaQTL regions associated with yield and kernel-related traits in maize. Two important PPR genes (GRMZM2G353195 and GRMZM2G141202) might be regarded as important candidate genes associated with maize kernel-related traits.

Conclusions

Our results provide a more comprehensive understanding of PPR genes in different maize inbred lines and identify important candidate genes related to kernel development for subsequent functional validation in maize.

     

Genome-wide gene expression analysis in mouse embryonic stem cells

Embryonic stem cell studies have generated great interest, due to their ability to form a wide variety of matured cells. However, there remains a poor understanding of mechanisms regulating the cell state of embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and of the genes they express during early differentiation. Gene expression analysis may be a valuable tool to elucidate either the molecular pathways involved in self-renewal and pluripotency, or early differentiation and to identify potential molecular therapy targets. The aim of this study was to characterize at the molecular level the undifferentiated mouse ESC state and the early development towards embryoid bodies. To attempt this issue, we performed CodeLink Mouse Uniset I 20K bioarrays in a well-characterized mouse ESC line, MES3, 3- and 7 day-old embryoid bodies and we compared our findings with those in adult tissue cells. Gene expression results were subsequently validated in a commercial stem cell line, CGR8 (ATCC). Significance Analysis of Microarrays (SAM) was used to identify statistically significant changes in microarray data. We identified 3664 genes expressed at significantly greater levels in MES3 stem cells than in adult tissue cells, which included 611 with 3-fold higher gene expression levels versus the adult cells. We also investigated the gene expression profile during early embryoid body formation, identifying 2040 and 2243 genes that were up-regulated in 3- and 7- day-old embryoid bodies, respectively. Our gene expression results in MES3 cells were partially confirmed in CGR8 cells, showing numerous genes that are expressed in both mouse stem cells. In conclusion, our results suggest that commonly expressed genes may be strong candidates for involvement in the maintenance of a pluripotent and undifferentiated phenotype and in early development.     

Genome-wide analysis of gene expression in human embryonic tooth germ

While numerous genes that play important regulatory roles during tooth development in mice have been identified, little is known about gene expression profile and their function during human odontogenesis. To unveil expression profile of odontogenic genes in humans, we conducted genome-wide gene expression analysis by microarray assays to analyze differential gene expression between tooth germ and lip tissue from 11-week old human fetuses. We identified 167 genes that are strongly expressed in the cap stage tooth germ as compared to the lip tissue. Among them, 145 genes were further identified by gene ontology enrichment analysis that are highly represented in multiple gene ontology classes, include extracellular components, sequence-specific DNA binding proteins, Wnt-protein binding molecules, system development, organogenesis, and cell differentiation. Sixty-seven genes that are known to be associated with mammalian tooth development and tooth abnormalities were identified. Real-time PCR was further employed to validate microarray data. Moreover, in situ hybridization assay demonstrated tooth type specific expression of ISL1 and BARX1 in the incisor, canine, and molar respectively, consistent with microarray results. Our results represent a set of reliable data that could provide a solid base for future elaboration of molecular mechanisms underlying human tooth development.     

Oxidative stress plays an important role in the pathogenesis of drug-induced retinopathy

Several pharmaceutical agents have been associated with rare but serious retinopathies, some resulting in blindness. Little is known of the mechanism(s) that produce these injuries. Mechanisms proposed thus far have not been embraced by the medical and scientific communities. However, preclinical and clinical data indicate that oxidative stress may contribute substantially to iatrogenic retinal disease. Retinal oxidative stress may be precipitated by the interaction of putative retinal toxins with the ocular redox system. The retina, replete with cytochromes P450 and myeloperoxidase, may serve to activate xenobiotics to oxidants, resulting in ocular injury. These activated agents may directly form retinal adducts or may diminish ocular reduced glutathione concentrations. Data are reviewed that suggest that indomethacin, tamoxifen, thioridazine, and chloroquine all produce retinopathies via a common mechanism-they produce ocular oxidative stress.     

葡萄生长素响应基因家族生物信息学鉴定和表达分析

生长素响应基因家族能调节植物体内生长素平衡和生长素信号途径。文章采用生物信息学方法检索获得葡萄(Vitisvinifera L.)基因组数据库中的生长素响应基因,通过分析其染色体定位、基因共线性和系统进化,发现葡萄基因组含有25个AUX_IAA基因、19个ARF基因、9个GH3基因、42个LBD基因。这些生长素响应基因不均匀分布在葡萄的19条染色体上,部分家族基因在染色体上形成基因簇。葡萄芯片数据结果表明,生长素响应基因在葡萄不同时期的果实和叶芽中均有表达,尤其在果实转色期、叶芽萌发或休眠期表达量急剧变化。研究结果为葡萄生长素响应基因在叶片和果实发育过程中的功能研究提供参考。     

Genome-wide analysis of gene expression during early Arabidopsis flower development

Detailed information about stage-specific changes in gene expression is crucial for the understanding of the gene regulatory networks underlying development. Here, we describe the global gene expression dynamics during early flower development, a key process in the life cycle of a plant, during which floral patterning and the specification of floral organs is established. We used a novel floral induction system in Arabidopsis, which allows the isolation of a large number of synchronized floral buds, in conjunction with whole-genome microarray analysis to identify genes with differential expression at distinct stages of flower development. We found that the onset of flower formation is characterized by a massive downregulation of genes in incipient floral primordia, which is followed by a predominance of gene activation during the differentiation of floral organs. Among the genes we identified as differentially expressed in the experiment, we detected a significant enrichment of closely related members of gene families. The expression profiles of these related genes were often highly correlated, indicating similar temporal expression patterns. Moreover, we found that the majority of these genes is specifically up-regulated during certain developmental stages. Because co-expressed members of gene families in Arabidopsis frequently act in a redundant manner, these results suggest a high degree of functional redundancy during early flower development, but also that its extent may vary in a stage-specific manner.