Dataset Information

Regional heterogeneity impacts gene expression in the subarctic zooplankter Neocalanus flemingeri in the northern Gulf of Alaska.

ABSTRACT: Marine pelagic species are being increasingly challenged by environmental change. Their ability to persist will depend on their capacity for physiological acclimatization. Little is known about limits of physiological plasticity in key species at the base of the food web. Here we investigate the capacity for acclimatization in the copepod Neocalanus flemingeri, which inhabits the Gulf of Alaska, a heterogeneous and highly seasonal environment. RNA-Seq analysis of field-collected pre-adults identified large regional differences in expression of genes involved in metabolic and developmental processes and response to stressors. We found that lipid synthesis genes were up-regulated in individuals from Prince William Sound and down-regulated in the Gulf of Alaska. Up-regulation of lipid catabolic genes in offshore individuals suggests they are experiencing nutritional deficits. The expression differences demonstrate physiological plasticity in response to a steep gradient in food availability. Our transcriptional analysis reveals mechanisms of acclimatization that likely contribute to the observed resilience of this population.

SUBMITTER: Roncalli V

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6718390 | biostudies-literature | 2019

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Regional heterogeneity impacts gene expression in the subarctic zooplankter <i>Neocalanus flemingeri</i> in the northern Gulf of Alaska.

Roncalli Vittoria V Cieslak Matthew C MC Germano Martina M Hopcroft Russell R RR Lenz Petra H PH

Communications biology 20190902

Marine pelagic species are being increasingly challenged by environmental change. Their ability to persist will depend on their capacity for physiological acclimatization. Little is known about limits of physiological plasticity in key species at the base of the food web. Here we investigate the capacity for acclimatization in the copepod <i>Neocalanus flemingeri</i>, which inhabits the Gulf of Alaska, a heterogeneous and highly seasonal environment. RNA-Seq analysis of field-collected pre-adult ...[more]

PMID: 31482143

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Project description:RationaleStructural differences between ventricular regions may not be the sole determinant of local ventricular fibrillation (VF) dynamics and molecular remodeling may play a role.ObjectivesTo define regional ion channel expression in myopathic hearts compared to normal hearts, and correlate expression to regional VF dynamics.Methods and resultsHigh throughput real-time RT-PCR was used to quantify the expression patterns of 84 ion-channel, calcium cycling, connexin and related gene transcripts from sites in the LV, septum, and RV in 8 patients undergoing transplantation. An additional eight non-diseased donor human hearts served as controls. To relate local ion channel expression change to VF dynamics localized VF mapping was performed on the explanted myopathic hearts right adjacent to sampled regions. Compared to non-diseased ventricles, significant differences (p<0.05) were identified in the expression of 23 genes in the myopathic LV and 32 genes in the myopathic RV. Within the myopathic hearts significant regional (LV vs septum vs RV) expression differences were observed for 13 subunits: Nav1.1, Cx43, Ca3.1, Cavα2δ2, Cavβ2, HCN2, Na/K ATPase-1, CASQ1, CASQ2, RYR2, Kir2.3, Kir3.4, SUR2 (p<0.05). In a subset of genes we demonstrated differences in protein expression between control and myopathic hearts, which were concordant with the mRNA expression profiles for these genes. Variability in the expression of Cx43, hERG, Na(+)/K(+) ATPase ß1 and Kir2.1 correlated to variability in local VF dynamics (p<0.001). To better understand the contribution of multiple ion channel changes on VF frequency, simulations of a human myocyte model were conducted. These simulations demonstrated the complex nature by which VF dynamics are regulated when multi-channel changes are occurring simultaneously, compared to known linear relationships.ConclusionsIon channel expression profile in myopathic human hearts is significantly altered compared to normal hearts. Multi-channel ion changes influence VF dynamic in a complex manner not predicted by known single channel linear relationships.

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Dataset Information

Regional heterogeneity impacts gene expression in the subarctic zooplankter Neocalanus flemingeri in the northern Gulf of Alaska.

Publications

Regional heterogeneity impacts gene expression in the subarctic zooplankter <i>Neocalanus flemingeri</i> in the northern Gulf of Alaska.

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