The genome-wide transcriptional consequences of the deletions of sulfur metabolism genes in Drosophila melanogaster

ABSTRACT: The gasotransmitter hydrogen sulfide (H2S), produced by transsulfuration pathway, in recent years has been recognized as a biological mediator playing important role under normal conditions and in various pathologies both in eukaryotes and prokaryotes. The transsulfuration pathway (TSP) includes the conversion of homocysteine to cysteine following the breakdown of methionine. In Drosophila melanogaster and other eukaryotes H2S is produced by cystathionine B-synthase (CBS), cystathionine y-lyase (CSE), and 3-mercaptopyruvate sulftransferase (MST). In the experiments reported here we were able exploring CRISPR technique to obtain single and double deletions of these three major genes responsible for H2S production. In most cases the deletion of one studied gene does not result in the compensatory induction of two other genes responsible for H2S production. Transcriptomic studies demonstrated that the deletions of the above genes alter the genome expression to different degree with more pronounced effect exerted by deletions of CBS gene. Furthermore, the double deletion of both CBS and CSE resulted in cumulative effect on the transcription in the resulted strains. Overall, we found that the obtained deletions affected numerous genes involved in various biological pathways. Characteristically, genes involved in oxidative reduction process, stress-response genes, house-keeping genes, genes participating in olfactory and reproduction were among the most affected. Furthermore, characteristic differences in the response to the deletions of the studied genes were apparently organ specific and have clear-cut gender character. Importantly, the deletions altered global methylation and chromatin state of the experimental strains by increasing the level of inactive chromatin of the genome. Single and double deletions of the three genes responsible for the production of H2S helped to understand new aspects of biological significance of this vital physiological mediator.

ORGANISM(S): Drosophila melanogaster

PROVIDER: GSE148109 | GEO | 2020/04/07

REPOSITORIES: GEO