The amygdala is a prominent region of the brain processing stress-related emotion and vigilance. Additionally it is known that the serotonergic system is strongly involved in stress response and adaptation. The serotonin transporter (5-HTT) as key regulator of serotonergic activity in the brain is associated with stress-related neuropsychiatric disorders as well as heightened trait anxiety/dysphoria and exaggerated response to fear and environmental stress in humans. Also 5-HTT knockout mice display increased anxiety- and depression-related behaviors, altered stress reactivity and stress-coping abilities, gene expression differences and altered dendritic morphology.
Effect of acute stressor and serotonin transporter genotype on amygdala first wave transcriptome in mice.
Sex, Specimen part, Treatment
View SamplesIdentifying the genes underlying quantitative trait loci (QTL) for disease has proven difficult, mainly due to the low resolution of the approach and the complex genetics involved. However, recent advances in bioinformatics and the availability of genetic resources now make it possible to narrow the genetic intervals and test candidate genes. In addition to identifying the causative genes, defining the pathways that are affected by these QTL is of major importance as it can give us insight into the disease process and provide evidence to support candidate genes. In this study we mapped three significant and one suggestive QTL on Chromosomes (Chrs) 1, 4, 15, and 17, respectively, for increased albumin excretion (measured as albumin-to-creatinine ratio) in a cross between the MRL/MpJ and SM/J mouse inbred strains. By combining data from several sources and by utilizing gene expression data, we identified Tlr12 as a likely candidate for the Chr 4 QTL. Through the mapping of 33,881 transcripts measured by microarray on kidney RNA from each of the 173 male F2 animals, we identified several downstream pathways associated with these QTL. Among these were the glycan degradation, leukocyte migration, and antigen presenting pathways. We demonstrate that by combining data from multiple sources, we can identify not only genes that are likely to be causal candidates for QTL, but also the pathways through which these genes act to alter phenotypes. This combined approach provides valuable insights into the causes and consequences of renal disease.
Uncovering genes and regulatory pathways related to urinary albumin excretion.
Sex, Age
View SamplesBulk RNA-seq to profile of c-kit+ cardiac interstitial cells, comparing the transcriptomes of Pim-1 enhanced cardiac progenitor cells and transfection control Overall design: Transcriptional profiling of Pim-1 enhanced human derived cardiac interstitial cells by bulk RNA-Seq
Safety profiling of genetically engineered Pim-1 kinase overexpression for oncogenicity risk in human c-kit+ cardiac interstitial cells.
Specimen part, Subject
View SamplesNearly all colorectal cancers have dysregulated Wnt signalling, predominantly through the mutation of the Apc (Adenomatous Polyposis Coli) gene. Therefore it is of vital importance to elucidate the key Wnt target genes in intestinal cells in vivo. We have used a novel inducible cre-lox based murine system (designated ApcFlox) to investigate the consequences of perturbation of Wnt signalling following inactivation of Apc in vivo within 100% of the intestinal epithelium. We have employed microarray analysis at 3 time points within our ApcFlox system (Day 3 prior to the onset of phenotype, day 4 the establishment of the phenotype and day 5 gross phenotype of altered proliferation, differentiation and migration) and from adenomas arising in the ApcMin/+ background allowing us characterise Wnt/beta-catenin target genes based on their expression profiles during different stages of intestinal tumourigenesis. Furthermore, we have employed microarray analysis using livers from our ApcFlox system and have demonstrated that there is very little overlap in the Wnt target genes induced by Apc loss in the liver and the intestine. More importantly, we have been able to determine a novel set of putative Wnt/beta-catenin target genes which are upregulated at both early and late stages of tumourigenesis in the intestine and may represent novel therapeutic targets in colon cancer.
Hunk/Mak-v is a negative regulator of intestinal cell proliferation.
Specimen part
View SamplesThe intermediate filament protein Nestin serves as a biomarker for stem cells and has been used to identify subsets of cancer stem-like cells. However, the mechanistic contributions of Nestin to cancer pathogenesis are not understood. Here we report that Nestin binds the hedgehog pathway transcription factor Gli3 to mediate the development of medulloblastomas of the hedgehog subtype. In a mouse model system, Nestin levels increased progressively during medulloblastoma formation resulting in enhanced tumor growth. Conversely, loss of Nestin dramatically inhibited proliferation and promoted differentiation. Mechanistic investigations revealed that the tumor-promoting effects of Nestin were mediated by binding to Gli3, a zinc finger transcription factor that negatively regulates hedgehog signaling. Nestin binding to Gli3 blocked Gli3 phosphorylation and its subsequent proteolytic processing, thereby abrogating its ability to negatively regulate the hedgehog pathway. Our findings show how Nestin drives hedgehog pathway-driven cancers and uncover in Gli3 a therapeutic target to treat these malignancies.
Nestin Mediates Hedgehog Pathway Tumorigenesis.
Specimen part
View SamplesThis SuperSeries is composed of the SubSeries listed below.
Identification of TDRD1 as a direct target gene of ERG in primary prostate cancer.
Cell line
View SamplesERG overexpression is the most frequent molecular alteration in prostate cancer. We analyzed different stages of prostate cancer to identify genes that were coexpressed with ERG overexpression. In primary prostate tumors, it was shown that TDRD1 expression was the strongest correlated gene with ERG overexpression and we suggest TDRD1 as a direct ERG target gene.
Identification of TDRD1 as a direct target gene of ERG in primary prostate cancer.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesERG overexpression is the most frequent molecular alteration in prostate cancer. We analyzed different stages of prostate cancer to identify genes that were coexpressed with ERG overexpression. In primary prostate tumors, it was shown that TDRD1 expression was the strongest correlated gene with ERG overexpression and we suggest TDRD1 as a direct ERG target gene.
Identification of TDRD1 as a direct target gene of ERG in primary prostate cancer.
Cell line
View SamplesThe main cell of origin of the Sonic hedgehog (SHH) subgroup of medulloblastoma (MB) is granule cell precursors (GCPs), a SHH-dependent transient amplifying population in the developing cerebellum. SHH-MBs can be further subdivided based on molecular and clinical parameters, as well as location since SHH-MBs occur preferentially in the lateral cerebellum (hemispheres). Our analysis of adult patient data suggests that tumors with Smoothened (SMO) mutations form more specifically in the hemispheres than those with Patched 1 (PTCH1) mutations. Using sporadic mouse models of SHH-MB with the two mutations commonly seen in adult MB, constitutive activation of Smo (SmoM2) or loss-of-Ptch1, we found that regardless of timing of induction or type of mutation, tumors developed primarily in the hemispheres with SmoM2-mutants indeed showing a stronger specificity. We further uncovered that GCPs in the hemispheres are more susceptible to high level SHH signaling compared to GCPs in the medial cerebellum (vermis), as more SmoM2 or Ptch1-mutant hemisphere cells remain undifferentiated and show increased tumorigenicity when transplanted. Finally, we identified location-specific GCP gene expression profiles, and found that deletion of the genes most highly expressed in the hemispheres (Nr2f2) or vermis (Engrailed1) showed opposing effects on GCP differentiation. Our studies thus provide new insights into intrinsic differences within GCPs that impact on SHH-MB progression.
Lateral cerebellum is preferentially sensitive to high sonic hedgehog signaling and medulloblastoma formation.
Specimen part
View SamplesRecent genomic approaches have suggested the existence of multiple distinct subtypes of medulloblastoma. We studied a large cohort of medulloblastomas to determine how many subgroups of the disease exist, how they differ, and the extent of overlap between subgroups. We determined gene expression profiles and DNA copy number aberrations for 103 primary medulloblastomas. Bioinformatic tools were used for class discovery of medulloblastoma subgroups based on the most informative genes in the dataset. Immunohistochemistry for subgroup-specific signature genes was used to determine subgroup affiliation for 294 non-overlapping medulloblastomas on two independent tissue microarrays (TMAs). Multiple unsupervised analyses of transcriptional profiles identified four distinct, non-overlapping molecular variants: WNT, SHH, Group C, and Group D. Supervised analysis of these four subgroups revealed significant subgroup-specific demographics, histology, metastatic status, and DNA copy number aberrations. Immunohistochemistry for DKK1 (WNT), SFRP1 (SHH), NPR3 (Group C), and KCNA1 (Group D) could reliably and uniquely classify formalin fixed medulloblastomas in ~98% of cases. Group C patients (NPR3 +ve tumors) exhibited a significantly diminished progression free and overall survival irrespective of their metastatic status. Our integrative genomics approach to a large cohort of medulloblastomas has identified four disparate subgroups with distinct demographics, clinical presentation, transcriptional profiles, genetic abnormalities, and clinical outcome. Medulloblastomas can be reliably assigned to subgroups through immunohistochemistry, thereby making medulloblastoma sub-classification widely available. Future research on medulloblastoma and the development of clinical trials should take into consideration these four distinct types of medulloblastoma.
Medulloblastoma comprises four distinct molecular variants.
Sex, Age, Specimen part
View Samples