Genome最新文献

A pangenome analysis offers a unique exploration of the metabolic and genetic diversity, range of ecological niches, and evolution of a particular genus or species. However, such pangenomic analyses are uncommon among environmentally relevant genera. Here, we present freshwater pangenomes of three environmentally relevant genera, Limnohabitans, Aquabacterium, and Novosphingobium. These genera had been detected in hydrocarbon degrading cultures in previous research by our group. Using pangenomic tools we attempted to characterize the extent of hydrocarbon degradation potential within each pangenome and determine what ecological niche each genus occupies within hydrocarbon degradation. In total 46 Limnohabitans, 10 Aquabacterium, and 32 Novosphingobium freshwater genomes were collected from various databases and compiled into pangenomes. We found that each pangenome harbours downstream hydrocarbon degrading potential and unexpected genetic diversity within its core and accessory pangenomes possibly stemming from geographic and metagenomic data processing influences. This work was the first to explore pangenomes of these environmentally relevant genera.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is an increasingly recognized childhood developmental disorder. Despite extensive study, causal variants and molecular diagnosis remain elusive. There is both heterogeneity of the phenotype, as well as the genetic landscape associated with phenotype, which includes both inherited and de novo mutations. Currently, diagnosis is complex and behaviourally based, oftentimes occurring years after the ideal 1-2 years of age. Structural variants (SVs) are large and sometimes complex genomic variants that are likely underrepresented contributors to ASD due to the limitations of short-read DNA sequencing, such as alignment in repetitive regions and regions with GC bias. Here, we performed long-read sequencing (LRS) on four individuals with autism spectrum disorder to delineate SV complexity and determine precise breakpoints for SVs, which was not possible with short-read whole-genome sequencing (SRS). We use LRS to interrogate the methylation pattern associated with the SVs and phase the SV haplotypes to further clarify their contribution to disorder. LRS allows insight into the genome and methylome that allow us to uncover variant complexity and contribution that was previously unseen with SRS. Ultimately, this furthers precision diagnosis and contributes to individualized treatment for affected individuals and their families within the clinic.

Prion protein (PrP) plays a central role in bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE). Given the structural and biological similarity to PrP, recent research has focused on Doppel (Dpl) protein, which is encoded by the prion-like protein Doppel (PRND) gene. In this study, we characterized the PRND genetic polymorphism in 100 Jeju black cattle, a native Korean breed. We predicted the potential effect of nonsynonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on the Dpl protein function using three in silico tools: SIFT, PANTHER, and PolyPhen-2. Finally, we performed a comparative analysis of the genotype distribution of c.395A>G (Q132R) between German BSE-infected cattle and Korean healthy cattle to assess the BSE susceptibility of Korean cattle. We found eight SNPs, including three novel SNPs c.-7C>T, c.172G>A (A58T), and c.537+83C>T. Only c.172G>A was predicted by SIFT to exert a deleterious effect. According to the comparative analysis, Holstein and Jeju black cattle exhibited a higher potential risk for BSE. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the genetic characteristics of the PRND gene in Jeju black cattle.

The worldwide salinization of freshwater ecosystems poses a major threat to the biodiversity, functioning and services that these essential ecosystems provide. We are far from fully understanding the ecological and evolutionary consequences of salinization for freshwater organisms. Here we review current research on the genomic responses to salinity in freshwater zooplankton. Surveying transcriptomic studies, we identify many key ion transport genes critical for osmoregulation of ions in multiple zooplankton species in response to salinity stress. Laboratory investigations of natural zooplankton populations inhabiting gradients of salinity often reveal additional candidate genes that are not identified in gene expression experiments (e.g., trehalose). We suggest that future studies should focus on genomic approaches to explore the molecular mechanisms of adaptation to freshwater salinization in zooplanktons, and to predict the eco-evolutionary consequences of freshwater salinization.

Luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone A3 (LHRH-A3), a reproductive hormone analog, is widely used to stimulate ovulation in female rabbits. However, the long-term impact of sustained LHRH-A3 administration on the reproductive system, particularly ovarian health, remains unclear. In this study, we compared apoptosis levels in ovaries and molecular regulation between LHRH-A3-treated (A3 group) and untreated female rabbits (N group) after their 5th litter. Western blotting showed a significantly lower Bcl-2/Bax ratio in the A3 group compared with the N group (P < 0.01), indicating higher ovarian apoptosis. Ovarian tissues from four rabbits per group were divided into the A3 group and the N group, and RNA-seq technology was then utilized to conduct transcriptome analysis on these two groups. This analysis revealed 220 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), including BMP6, BMP15, CYP1A1, and other reproductive-related genes. KEGG analysis of these DEGs showed their involvement in processes such as the cell cycle, PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, and ovarian steroidogenesis. Subsequently, we selected the key gene Matrix metallopeptidase 7 (MMP7) for functional analysis using CCK8 and Annexin V-FITC/PI techniques. MMP7 was found to promote the proliferation of granulosa cells (GCs) and inhibit apoptosis (P < 0.01). In conclusion, LHRH-A3 treatment can modulate ovarian molecular regulation, with the key gene MMP7 involved in the proliferation and apoptosis of GCs.

The Green Revolution's objective of increasing yields precipitated an approach to impact evaluation that relied predominantly on econometric analyses to measure yield differences and how those differences impact farmer incomes. This paper explores the legacies of this assessment scholarship for New Breeding Technologies (NBTs) in sub-Saharan Africa. It examines three pervasive assumptions underpinning econometric-informed evaluative approaches: farmer homogeneity, profit maximization, and scale neutrality. The paper concludes by introducing Farming Systems Research as a complement to existing econometric approaches, which can serve to create more robust and accurate assessments of the potential farm-level benefits and challenges of NBTs in sub-Saharan Africa.

The sea cucumber Parastichopus tremulus is an important holothuroid species inhabiting the eastern North Atlantic Ocean benthic zone at depths from about 20 to 3000 m. Geographical distribution is from the Barents Sea in the north to the Canary Islands in the south. Along with the increasing commercial interest of new sea cucumber species, research into sea cucumber biology has also advanced. Recently, the genomes of tropical sea cucumber species have become available. However, genomes of cold-water sea cucumbers are still lacking. To fill this knowledge gap, both the mitochondrial genome and the nuclear genome of P. tremulus have been sequenced and assembled. Mitochondrial genome size and gene-organization closely matched what has been found for other holothuroids of the Stichopodidae family. The total nuclear genome assembly length was found to be 775 Mb at 24× coverage and achieved a final BUSCO completeness score of 87.2%.

Crop breeding, which relies on the presence and/or generation of alterations in DNA, has been essential to the development of agricultural production. Such breeding endeavours are carried out using a wide range of methods, which have diversified immensely over the years as our understanding of genetics has grown. While this expansion in our breeding "toolbox" has provided vast improvements in the specificity, pace and effectiveness of crop trait enhancement, apprehension surrounding the use of biotechnological breeding platforms in particular led countries to develop costly and lengthy regulatory processes for plants deemed to be "genetically modified" as a means of managing safety concerns and assuaging public unease. In this article, we discuss crop regulatory policies in Canada and beyond, in the context of transgenic crops, as well as those developed using newer biotechnological breeding platforms such as gene editing. We also examine the benefits of biotechnologically bred crops, and consider the broader socio-economic, ethical, and environmental impacts of overly restrictive regulatory frameworks, which could very feasibly limit the prospect of food security in the future.

Anthrax, caused by the bacterial pathogen Bacillus anthracis, is a lethal disease affecting both livestock and humans. This study focused on the comparative whole-genome analysis of two Indian virulent Bacillus anthracis strains recovered from anthrax cases in cattle (NIVEDIAX3) and sheep (NIVEDIAX61), and their comparison with available genomes (n = 55) in the NCBI database. Phylogenetic analysis based on average nucleotide identity clustered the 57 strains into 3 groups, with both NIVEDIAX strains grouped under Cluster II, alongside the Ames Ancestor strain. Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) assigned the strains to Bacillus cereus sequence type ST1, Bacillus anthracis core genome MLST ST284, and Bacillus anthracis plasmid ST12 based on typing scheme. A total of 5217 orthologous clusters and 468 single-copy gene clusters shared between the NIVEDIAX strains and the Ames Ancestor strain were identified. Canonical single nucleotide polymorphism (canSNP) analysis classified both strains as A.Br.003 (A.Br.Aust94 sub-lineage). Further, analysis of the 57 Bacillus anthracis genomes revealed that A.Br.003 was the most prevalent canSNP among animal isolates. In India, multiple Bacillus anthracis sub-lineages have been reported. In conclusion, the circulation of diverse Bacillus anthracis sub-lineages in livestock across Southern and Eastern states of India, was noted.