Project description:A major task in dissecting the genetics of complex traits is to identify causal genes for disease phenotypes. We previously developed a method to infer causal relationships among genes through the integration of DNA variation, gene transcription, and phenotypic information. Here we validated our method through the characterization of transgenic and knockout mouse models of candidate genes that were predicted to be causal for abdominal obesity. Perturbation of eight out of the nine genes, with Gas7, Me1 and Gpx3 being novel, resulted in significant changes in obesity related traits. Liver expression signatures revealed alterations in common metabolic pathways and networks contributing to abdominal obesity and overlapped with a macrophage-enriched metabolic network module that is highly associated with metabolic traits in mice and humans. Integration of gene expression in the design and analysis of traditional F2 intercross studies allows high confidence prediction of causal genes, and identification of involved pathways and networks. This SuperSeries is composed of the following subset Series: GSE11991: Liver gene expression profiling of lipoprotein lipase heterozygous knockout mice GSE11992: Liver gene expression profiling of cytosolic malic enzyme knockout mice GSE11993: Liver gene expression profiling of zinc finger binding protein 90 (Zfp90) transgenic mice GSE11994: Liver gene expression profiling of transforming growth factor beta receptor 2 heterozygous knockout (Tgfbr2+/-) mice GSE11995: Liver gene expression profiling of complement component 3a receptor 1 knockout (C3ar1-/-) mice GSE11996: Gas7 male transgenic liver expression vs FVB male wildtype control GSE11997: Gpx3 male transgenic liver expression vs B6/DBA male wildtype control GSE11998: Gyk female heterozygous liver expression vs C57Bl/6J female wildtype control GSE11999: Lactb male transgenic liver expression vs FVB male wildtype control Refer to individual Series
Project description:We collected whole genome testis expression data from hybrid zone mice. We integrated GWAS mapping of testis expression traits and low testis weight to gain insight into the genetic basis of hybrid male sterility.
Project description:We identified genes expressed in mouse liver that are regulated by Cux2, a highly female-specific liver transcription factor whose expression is regulated by sex-dependent plasma GH patterns. Using adenovirus to overexpress Cux2 (Adeno-Cux2) in male liver, we show that Cux2 represses ~35% of male-biased genes and induces/de-represses ~35% of female-biased genes. Adeno-CMV was used as a control for adenoviral infection. (Published in: TL Conforto et al 2012, Mol Cell Biol. 2012, 32:4611-4627. PubMed PMID: 22966202; PMCID: PMC3486175)
Project description:We identified genes expressed in mouse liver that are regulated by Cux2, a highly female-specific liver transcription factor whose expression is regulated by sex-dependent plasma GH patterns. Using siRNA to knockdown Cux2 expression in female liver, we show that female specific genes are predominantly repressed by Cux2 knockdown. In contrast, similar numbers of male-biased genes are repressed as are induced by Cux2 knockdown. A scrambled, non-specific siRNA was used as a control. (Published in: TL Conforto et al 2012, Mol Cell Biol. 2012, 32:4611-4627. PubMed PMID: 22966202; PMCID: PMC3486175)
Project description:Sex differences in liver gene expression are dictated by sex-differences in circulating growth hormone (GH) profiles. Presently, the pituitary hormone dependence of mouse liver gene expression was investigated on a global scale to discover sex-specific early GH response genes that might contribute to sex-specific regulation of downstream GH targets and to ascertain whether intrinsic sex-differences characterize hepatic responses to plasma GH stimulation. RNA expression analysis using 41,000-feature microarrays revealed two distinct classes of sex-specific mouse liver genes: genes subject to positive regulation (class-I) and genes subject to negative regulation by pituitary hormones (class-II). Genes activated or repressed in hypophysectomized (Hypox) mouse liver within 30-90min of GH pulse treatment at a physiological dose were identified as direct targets of GH action (early response genes). Intrinsic sex-differences in the GH responsiveness of a subset of these early response genes were observed. Notably, 45 male-specific genes, including five encoding transcriptional regulators that may mediate downstream sex-specific transcriptional responses, were rapidly induced by GH (within 30min) in Hypox male but not Hypox female mouse liver. The early GH response genes were enriched in 29 male-specific targets of the transcription factor Mef2, whose activation in hepatic stellate cells is associated with liver fibrosis leading to hepatocellular carcinoma, a male-predominant disease. Thus, the rapid activation by GH pulses of certain sex-specific genes is modulated by intrinsic sex-specific factors, which may be associated with prior hormone exposure (epigenetic mechanisms) or genetic factors that are pituitary-independent, and could contribute to sex-differences in predisposition to liver cancer or other hepatic pathophysiologies.
Project description:We identified genes expressed in mouse liver that are regulated by Cux2, a highly female-specific liver transcription factor whose expression is regulated by sex-dependent plasma GH patterns. Using adenovirus to overexpress Cux2 (Adeno-Cux2) in male liver, we show that Cux2 represses ~35% of male-biased genes and induces/de-represses ~35% of female-biased genes. Adeno-CMV was used as a control for adenoviral infection. (Published in Molec Cell Biology, TL Conforto et al, 2012) Liver RNA isolated from the following eight groups of mice was used in the present study: (1) 8 wk old untreated male (M) mice (n = 10; 5 per each pool); (2) 8 wk old untreated female mice (F) mice (n = 11; 5 or 6 per each pool); (3) 8 wk old male mice treated with Adeno-Cux2 and euthanized 5 days later (n = 12; 6 per each pool); (4) 8 wk old female mice treated with Adeno-Cux2 and euthanized 5 days later (n = 8; 4 per each pool); (5) 8 wk old male mice treated with Adeno-CMV and euthanized 5 days later (n = 13; 6 or 7 per each pool); (6) 8 wk old female mice treated with Adeno-CMV and euthanized 5 days later (n = 7; 3 or 4 per each pool); (7) 8 wk old male mice treated with Adeno-Cux2 and euthanized 3 days later (n=11; 5 or 6 per each pool); (8) 8 wk old male mice treated with Adeno-CMV and euthanized 3 days later (n=11; 5 or 6 per pool). These RNA pools were used in four separate sets of competitive hybridization experiments: 1) 8 wk untreated M vs. 8 wk untreated F; 2) 8 wk M + Ad-Cux2 (5 day) vs. 8 wk M + Ad-CMV (5 day); 3) 8 wk F + Ad-Cux2 (5 day) vs. 8 wk F + Ad-CMV (5 day); 4) 8 wk M + Ad-Cux2 (3 day) vs. 8 wk M + Ad-CMV (3 day). Fluorescent labeling of RNA and hybridization of the Alexa 555-labeled (green) and Alexa 647-labeled (red) RNA samples to Agilent Mouse Gene Expression 4x44k v1 microarrays (Agilent Technology, Palo Alto, CA; catalog # G4122F-014868) were carried out, with dye swapping for each of the three hybridization experiments to eliminate dye bias. Two microarrays, one for each mixed cDNA sample, were hybridized for each of the four fluorescent reverse pairs, giving a total of 8 microarrays.