Project description:Genome-wide transcriptional profiling showed that reducing gravity levels in the International Space Station (ISS) causes important alterations in Drosophila gene expression intimately linked to imposed spaceflight-related environmental constrains during Drosophila metamorphosis. However, simulation experiments on ground testing space-related environmental constraints, show differential responses. Curiously, although particular genes are not common in the different experiments, the same GO groups including a large multigene family related with behavior, stress response and organogenesis are over represented in them. A global and integrative analysis using the gene expression dynamics inspector (GEDI) self-organizing maps, reveals different degrees in the responses of the transcriptome when using different environmental conditions or microgravity/hypergravity simulation devices These results suggest that the transcriptome is finely tuned to normal gravity. In regular environmental conditions the alteration of this constant parameter on Earth can have mild effects on gene expression but when environmental conditions are far from optimal, the gene expression is much more intense and consistent effects.
Project description:Environmental and simulation facility conditions can modulate a behavioral-driven altered gravity response of Drosophila imagoes transcriptome
| PRJNA154237 | ENA
Project description:Environmental and simulation facility conditions can modulate gravity response of Drosophila transcriptome
Project description:Genome-wide transcriptional profiling shows that reducing gravity levels in the International Space Station (ISS) causes important alterations in Drosophila gene expression. However, simulation experiments on ground, without space constraints, show weaker effects than space environment. A global and integrative analysis using the “gene expression dynamics inspector” (GEDI) self-organizing maps, reveals a subtle response of the transcriptome using different populations and microgravity and hypergravity simulation devices. These results suggest that, in addition to behavioural responses that can be detected also at the gene expression level, the transcriptome is finely tuned to normal gravity. The alteration of this constant parameter on Earth can have effects on gene expression that depends both on the environmental conditions and the ground based facility used to compensate the gravity vector. Alternative and commons effects of mechanical facilities, like the Random Positioning Machine and a centrifuge, and strong magnetic field ones, like a cryogenically cooled superconductive magnet, are discussed.
Project description:Genome-wide transcriptional profiling shows that reducing gravity levels in the International Space Station (ISS) causes important alterations in Drosophila gene expression. However, simulation experiments on ground, without space constraints, show weaker effects than space environment. A global and integrative analysis using the M-bM-^@M-^\gene expression dynamics inspectorM-bM-^@M-^] (GEDI) self-organizing maps, reveals a subtle response of the transcriptome using different populations and microgravity and hypergravity simulation devices. These results suggest that, in addition to behavioural responses that can be detected also at the gene expression level, the transcriptome is finely tuned to normal gravity. The alteration of this constant parameter on Earth can have effects on gene expression that depends both on the environmental conditions and the ground based facility used to compensate the gravity vector. Alternative and commons effects of mechanical facilities, like the Random Positioning Machine and a centrifuge, and strong magnetic field ones, like a cryogenically cooled superconductive magnet, are discussed. We compare the effects over the gene expression profile of different gender/age Drosophila imagoes in 3-4 days-long experiments under altered gravity conditions into three GBF ("Ground Based Facilities" for micro/hyper- gravity simulation) using whole genome microarray platforms. Descriptions of different GBFs ("treatments"): LDC means "Large Diameter Centrifuge". Samples can be placed under three conditions: inside LDC (at certain g level), at the LDC rotational control and at external 1g control (outside the LDC). RPM means "Random Positioning Machine". Samples can be placed under two conditions: inside RPM (at nearly 0g, Microgravity level) and at external 1g control (outside the RPM). At the magnet, means INSIDE the Magnetic levitator (another GBF). Samples can be placed under four conditions: inside Magnet 0g* (at microgravity with magnetic field), inside Magnet at 1g* (internal control with magnetic field) or inside the magnet 2g* (at hypergravity with magnetic field) and at external 1g control (outside the magnet)
Project description:Space travel presents unlimited opportunities for exploration and discovery, but requires a more complete understanding of the immunological consequences of long-term exposure to the conditions of spaceflight. To understand these consequences better and to contribute to design of effective countermeasures, we used the Drosophila model to compare innate immune responses to bacteria and fungi in flies that were either raised on earth or in outer space aboard the NASA Space Shuttle Discovery (STS-121). Microarrays were used to characterize changes in gene expression that occur in response to infection by bacteria and fungus in drosophila that were either hatched and raised in outer space (microgravity) or on earth (normal gravity).
Project description:Space travel presents unlimited opportunities for exploration and discovery, but requires a more complete understanding of the immunological consequences of long-term exposure to the conditions of spaceflight. To understand these consequences better and to contribute to design of effective countermeasures, we used the Drosophila model to compare innate immune responses to bacteria and fungi in flies that were either raised on earth or in outer space aboard the NASA Space Shuttle Discovery (STS-121). Microarrays were used to characterize changes in gene expression that occur in response to infection by bacteria and fungus in drosophila that were either hatched and raised in outer space (microgravity) or on earth (normal gravity). Whole Oregon R strain drosophila melanogaster fruit flies either raised on earth or in space that were (1) uninfected, (2) infected with bacteria (Escherichia coli), or (3) infected with fungus (Beauveria bassiana) were used for RNA extraction and hybridization on Affymetrix microarrays.
Project description:In prospective human exploration of outer space, the need to maintain a species over several generations under changed gravity conditions may arise. This paper reports the analysis of the third generation of fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster obtained during the 44.5-day space flight (Foton-M4 satellite, 2014, Russia), followed by the fourth generation on Earth and the fifth generation under conditions of a 12-day space flight (2014, in the Russian Segment of the ISS). The obtained results show that it is possible to obtain the third-fifth generations of a complex multicellular Earth organism under changed gravity conditions (in the cycle “weightlessness – Earth – weightlessness”), which preserves fertility and normal development. However, there were a number of changes in the expression levels and content of cytoskeletal proteins that are the key components of the spindle apparatus and the contractile ring of cells.
Project description:Physical forces greatly influence the growth and function of an organism. Altered gravity can perturb normal development and induce corresponding changes in gene expression. Understanding this relationship between the physical and biological realms is important for NASA’s space travel goals. We use combined RNA-Seq and qRT-PCR to profile changes in early Drosophila melanogaster pupae exposed to chronic hypergravity (3 g, three times Earth’s gravity) to highlight gravity-dependent pathways and gene products. Robust transcriptional response was evident among the pupae developed in a hypergravity environment compared to control. 1,513 genes showed significantly (p < 0.05) altered gene expression in the 3 g samples. These findings were supported with qRT-PCR data. Major biological processes affected include ion transport, redox homeostasis, immune and humoral stress response, proteolysis, and cuticle development.
Project description:Steroid hormones are powerful endocrine regulators, but little is known about the integration of their production with environmental conditions. Here, we use Drosophila prothoracic gland (PG) to examine how insect steroid hormone production navigates a developmental checkpoint critical for juvenile-to-adult transition. Extensive transcriptome analysis of the PGs revealed that starvation during pre-nutrient restriction checkpoint (NRC) downregulated substantial mitochondria-related genes. We then discovered that pre-NRC starvation reduced prothoraciotropic hormone signaling, insulin signaling, and TORC1 activity in PG cells, which prevented mitochondrial fragmentation and import of Disembodied, a key steroidogenic enzyme. Ultimately, this starvation caused severe mitophagy and proteasome dysfunction, blocking ecdysteroidgenesis and metamorphosis. By contrast, post-NRC starvation did not impair mitochondrial homeostasis in PG cells, but reduced Sit expression and induced moderate autophagy to promote ecdysteroidgenesis, leading to precocious metamorphosis. This study constitutes a paradigm for exploring how steroid hormones themselves are controlled in response to environmental stress like starvation.