Genes & genetic systems最新文献

Plaque vulnerability is associated with the degree of carotid artery stenosis (CS) and the risk of stroke. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) exert critical functions in disease progression, although only a few miRNAs have been well identified in CS. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the differential expression profile of miRNAs and their potential functions in plaques of CS patients. Three CS patients with stable plaques and three patients with vulnerable plaques who underwent carotid endarterectomy were enrolled in this study. Differentially expressed miRNAs (DEmiRNAs) between patients with stable and vulnerable plaques were determined using small RNA sequencing. Target genes of DEmiRNAs were predicted and submitted to functional analyses. Validation of dysregulated DEmiRNAs was determined using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). After sequencing, 76 DEmiRNAs were identified in vulnerable plaques, including 53 upregulated miRNAs and 23 downregulated miRNAs. Next, 23,495 target genes of the identified DEmiRNAs were predicted and functionally analyzed. This indicated that the target genes of the identified DEmiRNAs were mainly enriched in protein phosphorylation, transcription, nitrogen compound metabolism, endocytosis and autophagy, and related to signaling pathways of Hippo, MAPK, insulin, TGF-β, FoxO, AMPK and p53. Furthermore, qRT-PCR results for six miRNAs showed that five (83%) of them (hsa-miR-511-5p, hsa-miR-150-5p, hsa-miR-378a-5p, hsa-miR-365b-5p and hsa-miR-6511b-5p) were consistent with the sequencing results. Differential expression profiles and potential function of miRNAs associated with plaque stability in CS patients are identified for the first time, which should help to understand the regulatory mechanism of plaque stability in CS.

Mechanisms underlying how the genetic code was generated by Darwinian selection have remained elusive since the code was cracked in 1965. Here, I propose a hypothesis on the emergence of the genetic code and predict that its emergence was driven by sequential distinct selective pressures. According to the hypothesis, aminoacyl-RNAs for Glu, Asp, Lys, Tyr, His, Arg, Cys and Ser were first selected as cartridge-type subunits of three-subunit ribozymes. Aminoacyl-RNA subunits acting as cofactors were accommodated by the proto P-site of the large subunit of ribozymes. Importantly, I predict that there was no direct relationship between amino acids and codon and anticodon pairs. Duplication of the proto P-site could have created the proto A-site, enabling multi-subunit ribozymes to simultaneously interact with two-cartridge-type aminoacyl-RNA subunits. Random insertion of two cartridges would have instantly abolished enzymatic activity of multi-subunit ribozymes. On the other hand, if two tandemly aligned pairs of codons and anticodons specify two cartridges, dozens of different active pockets in multi-subunit ribozymes would have rapidly emerged, leading to the rise of extant organisms' metabolic pathways. The strong driving force of Darwinian selection described here could have created the primary genetic code for catalytic amino acids. Evolution of the protein translation system and events leading to the expansion of the genetic code until the time it was "frozen" are presented in detail.

Liver cancer is highly heterogeneous and has a poor prognosis. We aimed to identify a drug metabolism-related prognostic subtype and a gene signature as references for prognosis and therapy options for patients with liver cancer. Patient information was collected from online databases. Drug metabolism-related genes were obtained from previous studies and were used to screen differentially expressed prognostic genes. The patients were divided into different clusters and differences in clinical features, immunity, pathways and therapy responses between the clusters were analyzed. LASSO analysis was performed to identify the optimal prognostic genes and establish a risk score model. Finally, the risk score distribution in different subtypes was investigated. A total of 54 prognostic genes were identified to categorize the patients into cluster 1 and cluster 2. Cluster 1 showed worse survival than cluster 2, and cluster 1 also showed high levels of malignancy. Furthermore, cluster 1 exhibited a higher TIDE (tumor immune dysfunction and exclusion) score and lower IC50 response to paclitaxel, gemcitabine and camptothecin, indicating that cluster 1 individuals may derive more benefit from immunotherapy but less benefit from chemotherapy. The risk score, based on the six optimal prognostic genes, demonstrated an adequate prognostic capability. The high-risk group showed worse survival; meanwhile, cluster 1 contained the majority of high-risk samples. Our results should be useful for prognosis and specific therapy for patients with liver cancer. Patients with the features of cluster 1 and a high risk score will tend to exhibit worse survival. Furthermore, immunotherapy may be more suitable for cluster 1-type patients while chemotherapy may be more suitable for cluster 2 patients.

Genome instability is a major cause of aging. In the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, instability of the ribosomal RNA gene repeat (rDNA) is known to shorten replicative lifespan. In yeast, rDNA instability in an aging cell is associated with accumulation of extrachromosomal rDNA circles (ERCs) which titrate factors critical for lifespan maintenance. ERC accumulation is not detected in mammalian cells, where aging is linked to DNA damage. To distinguish effects of DNA damage from those of ERC accumulation on senescence, we re-analyzed a yeast strain with a replication initiation defect in the rDNA, which limits ERC multiplication. In aging cells of this strain (rARS-∆3) rDNA became unstable, as in wild-type cells, whereas significantly fewer ERCs accumulated. Single-cell aging analysis revealed that rARS-∆3 cells follow a linear survival curve and can have a wild-type replicative lifespan, although a fraction of the cells stopped dividing earlier than wild type. The doubling time of rARS-∆3 cells appears to increase in the final cell divisions. Our results suggest that senescence in rARS-∆3 is linked to the accumulation of DNA damage as in mammalian cells, rather than to elevated ERC level. Therefore, this strain should be a good model system to study ERC-independent aging.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) and major depressive disorder (MDD) are comorbid neuropsychiatric disorders that are among the leading causes of long-term disability worldwide. Recent research has indicated the existence of parallel molecular mechanisms between AD and MDD in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). However, the premorbid history and molecular mechanisms have not yet been well characterized. In this study, differentially expressed gene (DEG), differentially co-expressed gene and protein-protein interaction (PPI) network propagation analyses were applied to gene expression data of postmortem DLPFC samples from human individuals diagnosed with and without AD or MDD (AD: cases = 310, control = 157; MDD: cases = 75, control = 161) to identify the main genes in the two disorders' specific and shared biological pathways. Subsequently, the results were evaluated using another four assessment datasets (n1 = 230, n2 = 65, n3 = 58, n4 = 48). Moreover, the postmortem DLPFC methylation status of human subjects with AD or MDD was compared using 68 and 608 samples for AD and MDD, respectively. Eight genes (XIST, RPS4Y1, DDX3Y, USP9Y, DDX3X, TMSB4Y, ZFY and E1FAY) were common DEGs in DLPFC of subjects with AD or MDD. These genes play important roles in the nervous system and the innate immune system. Furthermore, we found HSPG2, DAB2IP, ARHGAP22, TXNRD1, MYO10, SDK1 and KRT82 as common differentially methylated genes in the DLPFC of cases with AD or MDD. Finally, as evidence of shared molecular mechanisms behind this comorbidity, we propose some genes as candidate biomarkers for both AD and MDD. However, more research is required to clarify the molecular mechanisms underlying the co-existence of these two important neuropsychiatric disorders.

Chromosomal damage occurs both endogenously and exogenously and is a crucial factor in the induction of carcinogenesis. Chemically induced chromosomal damage is mainly exogenous. The OECD has developed methods to detect chemicals that induce chromosomal damage so as to identify hazardous substances and limit their exposure to humans. The development and improvement of in vitro mammalian cell methods have been the focus of recent research, as these techniques have higher throughput than in vivo animal methods and are cruelty-free. In vitro mammalian cell methods are highly sensitive and widely used. Nevertheless, they have a high frequency of misleading positive test results, causing the wastage of vital raw materials and pharmaceutical agents, and necessitating additional in vivo animal tests. Therefore, the improvement of in vitro mammalian cell methods is required. Novel methodologies have been proposed and developed for robust animal-free evaluation. As they include omics and AI approaches that use big data, they may enable objective, multidirectional interpretation when applied in combination with current in vitro experimental techniques. We review the existing approaches toward improving chromosome damage detection and introduce innovative techniques that facilitate animal-free testing. The current and latest evaluation methods can support the protection of public health as well as the development of promising chemicals that enrich our lives.

Neural activity-dependent synaptic plasticity is an important physiological phenomenon underlying environmental adaptation, memory and learning. However, its molecular basis, especially in presynaptic neurons, is not well understood. Previous studies have shown that the number of presynaptic active zones in the Drosophila melanogaster photoreceptor R8 is reversibly changed in an activity-dependent manner. During reversible synaptic changes, both synaptic disassembly and assembly processes were observed. Although we have established a paradigm for screening molecules involved in synaptic stability and several genes have been identified, genes involved in stimulus-dependent synaptic assembly are still elusive. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify genes regulating stimulus-dependent synaptic assembly in Drosophila using an automated synapse quantification system. To this end, we performed RNAi screening against 300 memory-defective, synapse-related or transmembrane molecules in photoreceptor R8 neurons. Candidate genes were narrowed down to 27 genes in the first screen using presynaptic protein aggregation as a sign of synaptic disassembly. In the second screen, we directly quantified the decreasing synapse number using a GFP-tagged presynaptic protein marker. We utilized custom-made image analysis software, which automatically locates synapses and counts their number along individual R8 axons, and identified cirl as a candidate gene responsible for synaptic assembly. Finally, we present a new model of stimulus-dependent synaptic assembly through the interaction of cirl and its possible ligand, ten-a. This study demonstrates the feasibility of using the automated synapse quantification system to explore activity-dependent synaptic plasticity in Drosophila R8 photoreceptors in order to identify molecules involved in stimulus-dependent synaptic assembly.

Blast disease caused by the filamentous fungus Pyricularia oryzae (syn. Magnaporthe oryzae) is one of the most destructive diseases of rice (Oryza sativa L.) around the globe. An aus cultivar, Shoni, showed resistance against at least four Japanese P. oryzae isolates. To understand Shoni's resistance against the P. oryzae isolate Naga69-150, genetic analysis was carried out using recombinant inbred lines developed by a cross between Shoni and the japonica cultivar Hitomebore, which is susceptible to Naga69-150. The result indicated that the resistance was controlled by a single locus, which was named Pi-Shoni. A QTL analysis identified Pi-Shoni as being located in the telomeric region of chromosome 11. A candidate gene approach in the region indicated that Pi-Shoni corresponds to the previously cloned Pik locus, and we named this allele Pikps. Loss of gene function mediated by RNA interference demonstrated that a head-to-head-orientated pair of NBS-LRR receptor genes (Pikps-1 and Pikps-2) are required for the Pikps-mediated resistance. Amino acid sequence comparison showed that Pikps-1 is 99% identical to Pikp-1, while Pikps-2 is identical to Pikp-2. Pikps-1 had one amino acid substitution (Pro351Ser) in the NBS domain as compared to Pikp-1. The recognition specificity of Pikps against known AVR-Pik alleles is identical to that of Pikp.

Root nodule symbiosis is promoted in nitrogen-deficient environments, whereas host plants cease the symbiosis if they can obtain enough nitrogen from their surrounding soil. In Lotus japonicus, recent reports indicate that two NODULE INCEPTION (NIN)-LIKE PROTEIN (NLP) transcription factors, LjNLP1 and LjNLP4, play important roles in the regulation of gene expression and nodulation in response to nitrate. To characterize the redundant and unique roles of LjNLP1 and LjNLP4 in more detail, we reanalyzed our previous transcriptome data using Ljnlp1 and Ljnlp4 mutants. Although downstream genes of LjNLP1 and LjNLP4 mostly overlapped, we found that nitrate-induced expression of NITRATE TRANSPORTER 2 (LjNRT2) family genes was specifically regulated by LjNLP1. In contrast, LjNRT1 gene family expression was regulated by both LjNLP1 and LjNLP4. Therefore, it is likely that the two NLPs play distinct roles in the regulation of nitrate transport.

Physiological responses to environmental changes play important roles in adaptive evolution. In particular, homeostatic regulatory systems that maintain constant circulating glucose levels are crucial in animals. However, variation in circulating glucose levels and the genetic effects on phenotypic variation in natural populations remain to be clarified. Here, we investigated the hemolymph glucose levels in natural populations of Drosophila melanogaster and its sibling species, D. simulans, in Japan. We quantified hemolymph glucose concentrations in third instar larvae of 27 lines for each species, which were reared on either glucose-free or glucose-rich food. In both species, genetic variation was not a major component of phenotypic variation on either glucose-free or glucose-rich food. The hemolymph glucose concentrations were much higher in D. simulans than in D. melanogaster. Genetic variance was larger in D. simulans than in D. melanogaster. The observed differences between the two species may be associated with the much more recent colonization history of D. simulans populations in Japan and/or the tolerance to environmental stresses. Our findings suggest that natural selection acting on hemolymph glucose levels in D. melanogaster is different from that in D. simulans.