Project description:Primate evolution has been argued to result, in part, from changes in how genes are regulated. However, we still know little about gene regulation in natural primate populations. We conducted an RNA sequencing (RNA-seq)-based study of baboons from an intensively studied wild population. We performed complementary expression quantitative trait locus (eQTL) mapping and allele-specific expression analyses, discovering substantial evidence for, and surprising power to detect, genetic effects on gene expression levels in the baboons. eQTL were most likely to be identified for lineage-specific, rapidly evolving genes; interestingly, genes with eQTL significantly overlapped between baboons and a comparable human eQTL data set. Our results suggest that genes vary in their tolerance of genetic perturbation, and that this property may be conserved across species. Further, they establish the feasibility of eQTL mapping using RNA-seq data alone, and represent an important step towards understanding the genetic architecture of gene expression in primates. 63 samples (1 per individual) from a wild population of baboons to understand genetic contributions to population variance in gene expression levels
Project description:DNA methylation data from Papio hamadryas (baboons) profiled on the mammalian methylation array (HorvathMammalMethylChip40) which focuses on highly conserved CpGs across mammalian species. Seven tissue types (fetal cerebral cortex, adult cerebral cortex, cerebellum, adipose, heart, liver, and skeletal muscle) with ages ranging from late fetal life to 22.8 years of age.
Project description:Dysregulation of microRNAs (miRNAs) expression has been implicated in molecular genetics events leading to the progression and development of atherosclerosis. We hypothesized that miRNA expression profiles differ between baboons with low and high serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) concentrations in response to diet, and that a subset of these miRNAs regulate genes relevant to dyslipidemia and risk of atherosclerosis. We generated small RNA libraries from baboons differing in their LDL-C response to dietary fat and cholesterol (low LDL-C, n = 3; high LDL-C, n = 3) using liver biopsies collected before and after a high-cholesterol, high-fat (HCHF) challenge diet. We sequenced the libraries using Next-Generation Illumina sequencing methods, analyzed the data using mirTools software and identified 517 baboon miRNAs: 490 homologous to human and 27 novel miRNAs. HCHF diet elicited expression of more miRNAs compared to baseline (chow) diet for both low and high LDL-C baboons. Seventeen miRNAs exhibited significant differential expression in response to HCHF diet in high LDL-C baboons compared to nine miRNAs in low LDL-C baboons. Putative miRNA targets were identified with TargetScan/Base tools. miRNAs significantly targeted more genes in high LDL-C baboons compared to low LDL-C responders. Further, we identified miRNA isomers and other non-coding RNAs that were differentially expressed in response to the challenge diet.Our discovery of differentially expressed baboon miRNAs and their targets is a fundamental step in understanding the role of non-coding RNAs in the modulation of dsylipidemia.
Project description:Proteins and peptides are minor components of vegetal oils. The presence of these compounds in virgin olive oil was first reported in 2001, but the nature of the olive oil proteome is still a puzzling question for food science researchers. In this project, we have compiled for a first time a comprehensive proteomic dataset of olive fruit and fungal proteins that are present at low but measurable concentrations in a vegetable oil from a crop of great agronomical relevance as olive (Olea europaea L.). Accurate mass nLC-MS data were collected in high definition direct data analysis (HD-DDA) mode using the ion mobility separation step. Protein identification was performed using the Mascot Server v2.2.07 software (Matrix Science) against an ad hoc database made of olive protein entries. Starting from this proteomic record, the impact of these proteins on olive oil stability and quality could be tested. Moreover, the effect of olive oil proteins on human health and their potential use as functional food components could be also evaluated. In addition, this dataset provides a resource for use in further functional comparisons across other vegetable oils, and also expands the proteomic resources to non-model species, thus also allowing further comparative inter-species studies.
Project description:Olive oil is protective against risk factors for cardiovascular and cancer diseases. A nutrigenomic approach was performed to assess whether olive oil, the main fat of the Mediterranean diet modifies the gene expression in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Six healthy male volunteers ingested, at fasting state, 50 ml of olive oil, and continued with the same olive oil as a source of raw fat (25ml/day) during 3 weeks. Prior to intervention a 1-week washout period with sunflower oil as the only source of fat was followed. During the 3 days before, and on the intervention day, a very low phenolic compound diet was followed. At baseline (0h), at post ingestion (6h), and at fasting state after 3 weeks of sustained consumption of olive oil total RNA was isolated from PBMC. Gene expression was evaluated by microarray and verified by qRT-PCR. Keywords: Olive oil, gene expression, single dose, sustained consumption
Project description:Primate evolution has been argued to result, in part, from changes in how genes are regulated. However, we still know little about gene regulation in natural primate populations. We conducted an RNA sequencing (RNA-seq)-based study of baboons from an intensively studied wild population. We performed complementary expression quantitative trait locus (eQTL) mapping and allele-specific expression analyses, discovering substantial evidence for, and surprising power to detect, genetic effects on gene expression levels in the baboons. eQTL were most likely to be identified for lineage-specific, rapidly evolving genes; interestingly, genes with eQTL significantly overlapped between baboons and a comparable human eQTL data set. Our results suggest that genes vary in their tolerance of genetic perturbation, and that this property may be conserved across species. Further, they establish the feasibility of eQTL mapping using RNA-seq data alone, and represent an important step towards understanding the genetic architecture of gene expression in primates.
Project description:Although the mechanisms underlying development of atherosclerosis are not well understood, LDL-C is known to influence expression of endothelial microRNAs (miRNAs) and gene-targets of miRNAs to promote cell senescence. However, the impact of LDL-C on expression of PBMC miRNAs and miRNA targeted genes in response to an atherogenic diet is not known. We hypothesized that miRNA expression profiles differ between baboons with low and high serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) concentrations in response to diet, and that microRNA-gene networks in baboons discordant for LDL-Cholesterol We generated small RNA libraries from baboons differing in their LDL-C response to dietary fat and cholesterol (low LDL-C, n = 3; high LDL-C, n = 3) using liver biopsies collected before and after a high-cholesterol, high-fat (HCHF) challenge diet. We sequenced the libraries using Next-Generation Illumina sequencing methods, analyzed the data using mirTools software and identified 517 baboon miRNAs: 490 homologous to human and 27 novel miRNAs. HCHF diet elicited expression of more miRNAs compared to baseline (chow) diet for both low and high LDL-C baboons. Seventeen miRNAs exhibited significant differential expression in response to HCHF diet in high LDL-C baboons compared to nine miRNAs in low LDL-C baboons. Putative miRNA targets were identified with TargetScan/Base tools. miRNAs significantly targeted more genes in high LDL-C baboons compared to low LDL-C responders. Further, we identified miRNA isomers and other non-coding RNAs that were differentially expressed in response to the challenge diet.Our discovery of differentially expressed baboon miRNAs and their targets is a fundamental step in understanding the role of non-coding RNAs in the modulation of dsylipidemia.