Project description:We previously utilized interval-specific congenic lines derived from C57BL/6J (B6) and DBA/2J (D2) alleles to fine map a quantitative trait locus (QTL) influencing methamphetamine (MA)- induced locomotor activity. We identified a 0.23 MB critical interval on chromosome 11 containing only two protein coding genes, Rufy1 and Hnrnph1. Notably, Rufy1 contains three missense SNPs and Hnrnph1 contains 1 SNP near the 5’ UTR. In an effort to identify the molecular mechanisms that bridge genetic variation with behavior, we conducted transcriptome analysis via mRNA sequencing (RNA-seq) in a B6.D2 congenic line (chr.11: 50-60 Mb) that captures the QTL. There was an overrepresentation of cis-regulated, differentially expressed genes within the congenic interval (4 out of 92 differentially expressed genes; FDR < 0.05) and widespread genomic regulation on all autosomes.
Project description:The 112kb congenic was identified via routine monitoring of the proximal and distal SNP sites of the heterozygous Line 4a C57Bl/6J (B6J)-DBA/2J (D2J) congenic offspring (PMID: 26658939). The 112kb congenic was identified via routine monitoring of the proximal and distal SNP sites of the heterozygous Line 4a C57Bl/6J (B6)-DBA/2J (D2) congenic offspring (Yazdani et al. 2015). Like the Line4a congenic, the original mouse of interest possessed a D2J SNP site at the proximal end of the D2J interval (rs29383600; mm9 - chr11:50,186,508, mm10 - chr11:50,373,006). To identify the distal D2J boundary of this new congenic, we generated a list of known SNPs within a roughly 55kb interval spanning downstream from the distal end of the originally characterized 206kb “critical interval” harboring Hnrnph1 and Rufy1 (mm9 - chr11:50,295,887-50,352,284, mm10 - chr11:50,482,385-50,538,782). Starting from the upstream portion of the interval, PCR primers were designed to every five SNPs, and 200bp region around each SNP was amplified, run on a 1.5% agarose gel, visualized for band specificity. Single appropriately-sized bands were then excised and gel purified (Promega Wizard SV Gel and PCR Clean-Up System, Cat A9281), and prepared for sanger sequencing (Genewiz). Using the SNP data from the Mouse Genome Project (Sanger Institute) for reference, the sequenced SNPs were deemed as either heterozygous for B6J and D2J SNPs or homozygous/wildtype B6J. The final SNP we identified as D2 was rs29459915 (mm9 - chr11:50,297,762, mm10 - chr11:50,484,260), and the first SNP we identified as B6 was rs254771403 (mm9 - chr11:50,300,250, mm10 - chr11: 50,486,748).
Project description:The ability to generate defined null mutations in mice revolutionized the analysis of gene function in mammals. However, gene-deficient mice generated by using 129-derived embryonic stem (ES) cells may carry large segments of 129 DNA, even when extensively backcrossed to reference strains, such as C57BL/6J, and this may confound interpretation of experiments performed in these mice. Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), encoded by the PLAT gene, is a fibrinolytic serine protease that is widely expressed in the brain. A large number of neurological abnormalities have been reported in tPA-deficient mice. The studies here compare genes differentially expressed in the brains of Plat-/- mice from two independent Plat-/- mouse derivations to wild-type C57BL/6J mice. One strain denoted “Old” was constructed in ES cells from a 129 mouse and backcrossed extensively to C57BL/6J, and one denoted “New” Plat-/- mouse was constructed using zinc finger nucleases directly in the C57BL/6J-Plat-/- mouse strain. We identify a significant set of genes that are differentially expressed in the brains of Old Plat-/- mice that preferentially cluster in the vicinity of Plat on chromosome 8, apparently linked to more than 20 Mbp of DNA flanking Plat being of 129 origin. No such clustering is seen in the New Plat-/- mice.
Project description:Previous studies of congenic lines of C57BL/6J-DBA/2J mice compared to C57BL/6 mice revealed a 0.23 QTL for sensitivity to methamphetamine on chromosome 11, which contains two protein coding genes, Rufy1 and Hnrnph1. Subsequent transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs)-mediated introduction of frameshift deletions in the first coding exon of one copy of Hnrnph1 of C57BL/6J mice, revealed comparable association to phenotype. Analysis of the transcriptome and splicesome between these Hnrnph1 heterozygous knockouts and C57BL/6J mice revealed genome-wide differentially expression and exon usage of more than 1000 genes in either.
Project description:We previously utilized interval-specific congenic lines derived from C57BL/6J (B6) and DBA/2J (D2) alleles to fine map a quantitative trait locus (QTL) influencing methamphetamine (MA)- induced locomotor activity. We identified a 0.23 MB critical interval on chromosome 11 containing only two protein coding genes, Rufy1 and Hnrnph1. Notably, Rufy1 contains three missense SNPs and Hnrnph1 contains 1 SNP near the 5â UTR. In an effort to identify the molecular mechanisms that bridge genetic variation with behavior, we conducted transcriptome analysis via mRNA sequencing (RNA-seq) in a B6.D2 congenic line (chr.11: 50-60 Mb) that captures the QTL. There was an overrepresentation of cis-regulated, differentially expressed genes within the congenic interval (4 out of 92 differentially expressed genes; FDR < 0.05) and widespread genomic regulation on all autosomes. For this study, 3mm punches from both striatal hemispheres were collected and pooled from 16 mice (8 controls and 8 B6.D2 congenics), and RNA was extracted and prepared for cDNA library preparation using the Illumina TruSeq (oligo-dT; 50bp single-end reads). Samples 1-16, consisting of alternating B6 and B6.D2 congenics were run in four lanes total, with samples 1-8 run in duplicate across lanes 5 and 6 and samples 9-16 acorss lanes 7 and 8, respectively. Raw samples provided are labeled with the "CB-" prefix, followed by the sample number and the lane that it was run in is described at the tail end as "_L00#" with # being either lane 5, 6, 7 or 8. In this study, all odd samples (e.g. CB-1,3,5 etc.) are C57BL/6J littermate controls, while all even samples are B6.D2 congenics. Note that the lane 7 replicate for Sample CB-13 (CB-13_L007.fastq.gz) was not processed due to technical difficulties with the file.
Project description:Endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) are transposable elements that cause host genome instability and usually play deleterious roles such as tumorigenesis. Recent advances also suggest that this 'enemy within' may encode viral mimic to induce antiviral immune responses through viral sensors. Here, through whole genome RNA-seq we discovered a full-length ERV-derived long non-coding RNA (lncRNA), designated lnc-EPAV (ERV-derived lncRNA positively regulates antiviral responses), as a positive regulator of NF-κB signaling. Lnc-EPAV expression was rapidly up-regulated by viral RNA mimic or RNA viruses to facilitate the expression of RELA, an NF-κB subunit that plays a critical role in antiviral responses. In turn, RELA promoted the transcription of lnc-EPAV to form a positive feedback loop. Transcriptome analysis of lnc-EPAV-silenced macrophages, combined with gain- and loss-of-function experiments, showed that lnc-EPAV was critical for induction of type I interferon (IFN) and inflammatory cytokine expression by RNA viruses. Consistently, lnc-EPAV-deficient mice exhibited reduced expression of type I IFNs, and consequently increased viral loads and mortality following lethal RNA virus infection. Mechanistically, lnc-EPAV promoted expression of RELA by competitively binding to and displacing SFPQ, a transcriptional repressor of RELA. The binding between ERV-derived RNAs and SFPQ also existed in human cells. Altogether, our work demonstrates an alternative mechanism by which ERVs regulate antiviral immune responses.
Project description:The classic piebald mutation in the endothelin receptor type B (Ednrb) gene was found on rolling Nagoya genetic background (PROD-s/s) mice with white coat spotting. To examine whether genetic background influenced the phenotype in the piebald mutant mice, we generated a congenic strain (B6.PROD-s/s), produced by repeated backcrosses to the C57BL/6J (B6) strain. Although B6.PROD-s/s mice showed white coat spotting, 7% of B6.PROD-s/s mice died between 2 and 5 weeks after birth due to megacolon. The PROD-s/s, s/s and Japanese fancy mouse 1 (JF1) strains, which also have piebald mutations on different genetic backgrounds with B6, showed only pigmentation defects without megacolon. In expression analyses, rectums of B6.PROD-s/s with megacolon mice showed ~5% of the level of Ednrb gene expression versus B6 mice. In histological analyses, aganglionosis was detected in the rectum of megacolon animals. The aganglionic rectum was thought to lead to severe constipation and intestinal blockage, resulting in megacolon. We also observed an abnormal intestinal flora, including a marked increase in Bacteroidaceae and Erysipelotrichaceae and a marked decrease in Lactobacillus and Clostridiales, likely inducing endotoxin production and a failure of the mucosal barrier system, leading ultimately to death. These results indicate that the genetic background plays a key role in the development of enteric ganglion neurons, controlled by the Ednrb gene, and that B6 has modifier gene (s) regarding aganglionosis.
Project description:Gene expression analysis on purified murine hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) deficient for Special AT-rich sequence-binding protein 1 (Satb1) compared to wild-type HSCs. Analysis of gene expression of bone marrow-derived CD45.2+ CD150+cKit+Sca-1+CD4-CD8a-CD19-B220-Gr-1- HSCs from congenic recipient animals transplanted >20 weeks with either wild-type or Satb1-deficient hematopoeitic cells.
Project description:Proteome isolated from C57BL/6J mouse B and T cells are evluated for the presence of novel open reading frame products (nORFs). Translation products encoded by non canonical or novel open reading frame (ORF) genomic regions are generally considered too small to play any significant biological role, and dismissed as inconsequential. We conduct a systematic study of novel ORFs to gain new insights into normal biological and disease processes.