Project description:Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) can affect mRNA gene expression, in a tissue-specific manner. In this work we survey association of SNP alleles with mRNA gene expression in human dorsal root ganglions (DRG) to gain insights into pathophysiology of pain phenotypes.
Project description:Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) can affect mRNA gene expression, in a tissue-specific manner. In this work we survey association of SNP alleles with mRNA gene expression in human dorsal root ganglions (DRG) to gain insights into pathophysiology of pain phenotypes.
Project description:Cell shape plays a crucial role in microbial survival. While Haloferax volcanii, a model haloarchaeon, forms rods and disks, depending on environmental conditions, little is known about mechanisms underpinning archaeal cell-shape determination. We identified mutants that exclusively form rods and carried out comprehensive proteomics studies in which we compared these mutants to previously identified disk-only mutant strains and wild-type. Using this approach, we identified several additional candidates for shape determination. The generation of deletion mutants lacking genes encoding potential rod- and disk-determining factors, HVO_2174 (RdfA) and HVO_2176 (DdfA), respectively, resulted in rod- and disk-defective phenotypes. Comprehensive proteomics performed with ∆rdfA and ∆ddfA on these shape mutants implicated a diverse set of proteins, including transporters, signaling components, and transducers, as important for cell shape determination. We also identified structural proteins including the H. volcanii actin homolog volactin (VolA), a previously unknown cytoskeletal element, required for disk-shape morphogenesis.
Project description:Among fos family genes modulating the cell fates such as cell proliferation, differentiation and cell death, only the fosB gene produces two forms of mature mRNA for FosB and deltaFosB proteins by alternative splicing of an exonic intron in the exon 4. FosB dramatically enhances the transcription regulation of AP-1 dependent promoters by Jun, while deltaFosB, a truncated form of FosB lacking its C-terminal transactivation domain, suppresses the function of Jun. We and other have shown that FosB and deltaFosB have a distinct function to control the cell fate as well as neuronal functions based on their exogenous expression. To elucidate the authentic function of each protein, it is essential to control each expression separately. We established a mutant mouse embryonic stem (ES) cell line carrying homozygous fosBd/d alleles which encode exclusively deltaFosB, and compared its gene expression profile and phenotypes with fosB-null and wild-type ES cell lines. Both mutant ES cells are devoid of FosB, therefore the common phenotypes between the two mutant ES cells in comparison to wild type depict the effects of FosB deficiency. Opposite phenotypes between the two are considered to be determined by deltaFosB itself. We analyzed the gene expression and cellular function among these two mutant and wild-type ES cells. Experiment Overall Design: Total RNA was purified from ES cells grown in the absence of feeder cells using the Isogen kit (Nippon Gene), according to the manufacturerâs instructions. For DNA microarray experiments, Total RNA (10 microg) were labeled using the Agilent Linear Amplification/Labeling Kit (Agilent Technologies) according to the manufacturer's instructions. One microgram of each Cy3-labeled wild-type and Cy5-labeled mutant cDNA or each Cy3-labeled mutant and Cy5-labeled wild-type cDNA, respectively, were mixed, then hybridized to Agilent Mouse cDNA Microarrays (G4104A, design file number: 000522R000679, Agilent Technologies) with 8500 unique clones from Incyteâs mouse UniGene 1 clone set, according to the manufacturer's hybridization protocol. After the washing step, the microarray slides were analyzed with an Agilent G2565AA microarray scanner system. These experiments were carried out in duplicate using exchanged dye-labeled cDNA probes (i.e., Cy3 and Cy5 dye-swapping experiments).
Project description:Rest (RE1 silencing transcription factor, also called NRSF) is involved in the maintenance of the undifferentiated state of neuronal stem/progenitor cells in vitro by preventing precocious expression of neuronal genes. However, the function of Rest during neurogenesis in vivo remains to be elucidated because of the early embryonic lethal phenotype of the conventional Rest knockout mice. In the present study, we have generated Rest conditional knockout mice, and the effect of genetic ablation of Rest during the embryonic neurogenesis can be examined in vivo. We herein show that Rest plays a role in suppressing the expression of neuronal genes in cultured neuronal cells in vitro, as well as in non-neuronal cells outside of the central nervous system, but that it is dispensable for the embryonic neurogenesis in vivo. Our findings highlight the significance of extrinsic signals for the proper intrinsic regulation of neuronal gene expression levels in the specification of cell fate during embryonic neurogenesis in vivo. Total RNAs from E13.5 limbs and brains were analyzed for global gene expressions by Agilent microarray.