Purpose: This study is designed to identify genes and processes that are differentially regulated in corn when it is grown with or without weeds through the entire critical weed free period (to V8) or when weeds were removed early in the critical weed free period (at V4) and the plants were allowed to recover until V8. Methods: Corn was grown as described above in field plots near Brookings SD in 2007 and 2008 and RNA was extracted from the top-most leaf tips from four plants per treatment plot. Unidirectional cDNA illumina sequencing libraries were constructed for each sample (pooled leaf tips from the given plot), and were sequenced (some samples were paired end sequenced and some were single end sequenced - all 100 bases for PE and SE reads), quality trimmed, and analyzed using the Tuxedo suite of programs for SE reads of the forward read libraries for each sample. Results: We identified a small number of genes that were differentially expressed in both years. More importantly, gene set enrichment analysis of the data determined that weeds, when present through the critical weed free period impacted phytochrome signaling, defense responses, photosynthetic processes, oxidative stress responses, and various hormone signaling processes. When weeds were removed at V4 and the plants allowed to recover until V8, the weeds still imprinted impacts on phytochrome signaling, oxidative stress, and defense responses. Thus, it appears that weeds presence through the early portion of the critical weed free period, even after removal, induced processes that reduce corn growth and yield that lasted at least through V8. Conclusions: This study represents the first investigation of the impact of the lasting effects of weeds during the early critical weed free period on the transcriptome of corn, and provides additional data on the impact of weeds through the critical weed free period that augments and confirms much of what was observed in similar microarray studies. Overall design: Experimental Design: Samples all collected at the same developmental stage (V8) from three treatments (control, weedy, and weeds removed followed by recovery), in each of two years (2007 and 2008), with two to three biological replicates of each treatment in each year.
Weed presence altered biotic stress and light signaling in maize even when weeds were removed early in the critical weed-free period.
Specimen part, Cell line, Subject
View SamplesThe SWR1 complex replaces the canonical histone H2A with the variant H2A.Z (Htz1 in yeast) at specific chromatin regions. This dynamic alteration in nucleosome structure provides a molecular mechanism to regulate transcription. Here we analysed the transcription profiles of single and double mutants and wild-type cells by whole-genome microarray analysis. Our results indicate that genome-wide transcriptional misregulation in htz1 can be partially or totally suppressed if SWR1 is not formed (swr1), if it forms but cannot bind to chromatin (swc2), or if it binds to chromatin but has no histone replacement activity (swc5). These results suggest that in htz1 the nucleosome remodelling activity of SWR1 affects chromatin integrity because of an attempt to replace H2A with Htz1 in the absence of the latter.
The SWR1 histone replacement complex causes genetic instability and genome-wide transcription misregulation in the absence of H2A.Z.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesTranscriptional silencing of terminal differentiation genes by the Polycomb group (PcG) machinery is emerging as a key feature of precursor cells in stem cell lineages. How, then, is this epigenetic silencing reversed for proper cellular differentiation? Here we investigate how the developmental program reverses local PcG action to allow expression of terminal differentiation genes in the Drosophila male germline stem cell lineage. We find that the silenced state, set up in precursor cells, is relieved through developmentally regulated sequential events at promoters once cells commit to spermatocyte differentiation. The programmed events include global down-regulation of PRC2, recruitment of hypophosphorylated RNA Polymerase II (Pol II) to promoters, as well as expression and action of cell-type specific homologs of subunits of TFIID (tTAFs). In addition, action of tMAC, a tissue specific version of the MIP/dREAM complex, is required both for recruitment of tTAFs to target differentiation genes and for proper cell-type specific localization of PRC1 components and tTAFs to the spermatocyte nucleolus. Together, action of the tMAC and tTAF cell-type specific chromatin and transcription machinery leads to loss of
Sequential changes at differentiation gene promoters as they become active in a stem cell lineage.
Time
View SamplesAntisense long non-coding (aslnc)RNAs represent a substantial part of eukaryotic transcriptomes that are, in yeast, controlled by the Xrn1 exonuclease. Nonsense-Mediated Decay (NMD) destabilizes the Xrn1-sensitive aslncRNAs (XUT), but what determines their sensitivity remains unclear. We report that 3’ single-stranded (3’-ss) extension mediates XUTs degradation by NMD, assisted by the Mtr4 and Dbp2 helicases. Single-gene investigation, genome-wide RNA analyses and double-stranded (ds)RNA mapping revealed that 3''-ss extensions discriminate the NMD-targeted XUTs from stable lncRNAs. Ribosome profiling showed that XUT are translated locking them for NMD activity. Interestingly, mutants of the Mtr4 and Dbp2 helicases accumulated XUTs, suggesting that dsRNA unwinding is a critical step for degradation. Indeed, expression of anti-complementary transcripts protects cryptic intergenic lncRNAs from NMD. Our results indicate that aslncRNAs form dsRNA that are only translated and targeted to NMD if dissociated by Mtr4 and Dbp2. We propose that NMD buffers genome expression by discarding pervasive regulatory transcripts. Overall design: Strand-specific transcriptome analysis of biological replicates (1) of WT and xrn1-delta cells of the S288C, W303 and SK1 (n & 2n) genetic background of S. cerevisiae; (2) of WT, dcp2-7 and upf1-delta cells; (3) of WT, xrn1-delta and dcp2-7 cells upon treatment of total RNA with Terminator 5''-Phosphate-Dependent Exonuclease. This record also contains CAGE-Seq analysis in wild-type and decapping-deficient cells of the budding yeast S. cerevisiae.
Nonsense-Mediated Decay Restricts LncRNA Levels in Yeast Unless Blocked by Double-Stranded RNA Structure.
Subject
View SamplesGATA transcription factors are highly conserved among eukaryotes and play roles in transcription of genes implicated in cancer progression and hematopoiesis. However, although their consensus binding sites have been well defined in vitro, the in vivo selectivity for recognition by GATA factors remains poorly characterized. Using ChIP-Seq, we identified the Dal80 GATA factor targets in yeast. Our data reveal Dal80 binding to a large set of promoters, sometimes independently of GATA sites, correlating with nitrogen- and/or Dal80-sensitive gene expression. Strikingly, Dal80 was also detected across the body of promoter-bound genes, correlating with high expression. Mechanistic single-gene experiments showed that Dal80 spreading across gene bodies requires active transcription. Consistently, Dal80 co-immunoprecipitated with the initiating and post-initiation forms of RNA Polymerase II. Our work suggests that GATA factors could play dual, synergistic roles during transcription initiation and post-initiation steps, promoting efficient remodeling of the gene expression program in response to environmental changes. Overall design: Strand-specific total RNA-Seq analysis in wild-type (WT) and dal80-delta (dal80) cells grown in glutamine- and/or proline-containing medium.
Transcription-dependent spreading of the Dal80 yeast GATA factor across the body of highly expressed genes.
Subject
View SamplesGlobal heterochromatin reduction, which is one of the hallmarks of aging cells, is associated with reduced transposable element repression and increased risk of chromatin instability. To ensure genomic integrity, the irreparable cells in a population exit permanently from the cell cycle, and this process is termed “senescence”. However, senescence only blocks the expansion of unwanted cells, and the aberrant chromatin of senescent cells remains unstable. Serendipitously, we found that the transient ectopic expression of a repressive epigenetic modulator, DNA methyltransferase 3-like (DNMT3L) was sufficient to delay the premature senescence progression of late-passage mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) associated with a tightened global chromatin structure. DNMT3L induces more repressive H3K9 methylation on endogenous retroviruses and downregulates the derepressed transposons in aging MEFs. In addition, we found that a pulse of ectopic DNMT3L resulted in the reestablishment of H3K27me3 on polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2)-target genes that were derepressed in old MEFs. We demonstrated that ectopic DNMT3L interacted with PRC2 in MEFs. Our data also suggested that ectopic DNMT3L might guide PRC2 to redress deregulated chromatin regions in aging cells. This study might lead to an epigenetic reinforcement strategy for overcoming aging-associated epimutation and senescence.
Transient DNMT3L Expression Reinforces Chromatin Surveillance to Halt Senescence Progression in Mouse Embryonic Fibroblast.
Specimen part
View SamplesThe Drosophila insulator-binding proteins (IBPs) dCTCF/Beaf32 mark the physical borders of chromosomal domains involving co-factors that participate in long-range interactions. Chromosomal borders are further enriched in specific histone modifications yet the implication of histone modifiers and nucleosome dynamics remains largely unknown in such context. Here, we show that IBP depletion impairs nucleosome dynamics over genes flanked by their binding sites. Biochemical purification identifies a key histone methyltransferase of H3K36, NSD/dMes-4, as a novel co-factor of IBPs involved in chromatin accessibility, which specifically co-regulates hundreds of genes flanked by Beaf32/dCTCF. dMes-4 presets chromatin before the recruitment of transcriptional activators including DREF that triggers Set2/Hypb-mediated H3K36me3, RNA splicing and nucleosome positioning. Our results unveil a model for how IBPs regulate gene expression and nucleosome dynamics through NSD/dMes-4, which may contribute to regulate H3K27me3 spreading. Together, our data suggest a division of labor for how IBPs may dynamically regulate chromatin organization depending on distinct co-factors. Overall design: mRNA profiles of Beaf32-depleted or Wild-Type control Drosophila S2 cells by RNASeq (Illumina)
Insulators recruit histone methyltransferase dMes4 to regulate chromatin of flanking genes.
Cell line, Subject
View SamplesHepatic iron overload is a risk factor for progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), although the molecular mechanisms underlying this association have remained unclear. We now show that the iron-sensing ubiquitin ligase FBXL5 is previously unrecognized oncosuppressor in liver carcinogenesis in mice. Hepatocellular iron overload evoked by FBXL5 ablation gives rise to oxidative stress, tissue damage, inflammation and compensatory proliferation in hepatocytes and to consequent promotion of liver carcinogenesis induced by exposure to a chemical carcinogen. The tumor-promoting effect of FBXL5 deficiency in the liver is also operative in a model of virus-induced HCC. FBXL5-deficient mice thus constitute the first genetically engineered mouse model of liver carcinogenesis induced by iron overload. Dysregulation of FBXL5-mediated cellular iron homeostasis was also found to be associated with poor prognosis in human HCC, implicating FBXL5 plays a significant role in defense against hepatocarcinogenesis. Overall design: Total RNA was extracted from the nontumor and tumor tissue of an Alb-Cre/Fbxl5F/F male mouse (nontumor, n = 5; tumor, n = 5) or two littermate control Fbxl5F/F mice (nontumor, n = 6; tumor, n = 6) at 45 weeks of age.
Disruption of FBXL5-mediated cellular iron homeostasis promotes liver carcinogenesis.
Specimen part, Cell line, Subject
View SamplesWe found that a number of Tfh cells downmodulated BCL6 protein after their development, and we sought to compare the gene expression between BCL6-hi Tfh cells and BCL6-low Tfh cells.
Bcl6 protein expression shapes pre-germinal center B cell dynamics and follicular helper T cell heterogeneity.
Specimen part
View SamplesWe searched for roles of ZEB1 during EMT by RNA-seq in breast cancer cells. Overall design: Expression of mRNA in a basal type breast cancer cell line MDA-231-D transfected with ZEB1/ZEB2 siRNAs and stimulated with TGF-beta for 24 h.
ZEB1-regulated inflammatory phenotype in breast cancer cells.
Specimen part, Cell line, Subject
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