Project description:The effects of maternal microbiota on the fetal development was investigated by comparing tissues of fetuses from germ-free (GF) and normal (SPF) murine dams using RNA-seq and non-targeted metabolomics (for metabolomics data, see: https://bmcmicrobiol.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12866-022-02457-6). For RNA-seq, two E18.5 fetuses were collected from 6 GF dams and 6 SPF dams, and transcriptomes analyzed by QuantSeq in whole intestine, brain and placenta.
Project description:Total brain was collected from newborn rats that were growth-restricted obtained by feeding the females a low-protein diet during pregnancy. The model was extensively described in Buffat et al, J. Pathology 2007, and Zana-Taieb et al, J. Pathology, 2015.
Project description:Caloric restriction (CR) extends organismal life- and health-span by improving glucose homeostasis. How CR affect the structure-function of pancreatic beta cells remains unknown. We used single nucleus transcriptomics to show that CR increases the expression of genes for beta cell identity, protein processing, and organelle homeostasis. Gene regulatory network analysis reveal that CR activates transcription factors important for beta cell identity and homeostasis, while imaging metabolomics demonstrates that CR beta cells are more energetically competent. In fact, high-resolution microscopy show that CR reduces beta cell mitophagy to increase mitochondria mass and the potential for ATP generation. However, CR beta cells have impaired adaptive pro liferation in response to high fat diet feeding. Finally, we show that long-term CR delays the onset of beta cell aging and promotes cell longevity by reducing beta cell turnover. Therefore, CR could be a feasible approach to preserve compromised beta cell structure-function during aging and diabetes. 27 diabetes.
Project description:The cerebellum harbors a circadian clock that can be shifted by scheduled mealtime and participates in behavioral anticipation of food access. To determine which cerebellar proteins are modified by time-of-day and/or feeding time, we determined day-night variations of proteome in the cerebellum of mice fed either ad libitum or only during daytime (from noon to lights off). Two-dimensional differences in gel electrophoresis (2D-DIGE) combined with two-way analyses of variance reveals that a majority of cerebellar proteins are significantly regulated by feeding conditions (food availability). Levels of few other cerebellar proteins were modulated exclusively by daily (or circadian) cues, independent of meal time, and others due to combined influence of meal time and time-of-day. Changes reflect behavioral anticipation of mealtime and/or feeding-induced shift in the circadian clock of the cerebellum.
Project description:The adaptable transcriptional response to changes in food availability not only ensures animal survival, but also permits progressing with embryonic development. Interestingly, the central nervous system is preferentially protected to periods of malnutrition, a phenomenon known as ‘brain sparing’. However, the mechanisms that mediates this genetic response remains poorly understood. To get a better understanding of this, we used Drosophila melanogaster as a genetic model, analysing the transcriptional response of larval neural stem cells (neuroblasts) and glial cells of the blood-brain barrier during nutrient restriction using the targeted DamID technique.