Project description:Both single cell and bulk RNA sequencing was performed on expanding or differentiating snake venom gland organoids (from Aspidelaps Lubricus Cowlesi and Naja Nivea), or tissue (Aspidelaps Lubricus Cowlesi). Bulk RNA sequencing from the snake venom gland, liver and pancreas was performed to construct a de novo transcriptome using Trinity.
Project description:In this study, Solexa sequencing technology has been used to discover small RNA populations of self-grafted watermelon and grafted watermelon (bottle gourd and squash were used as rootstocks). A total of 11,458,476, 11,614,094 and 9,339,089 raw reads representing 2,957,751, 2,880,328 and 2,964,990 unique sequences were obtained from the scions of self-grafted watermelon and watermelon grafted on-to bottle gourd and squash at two true-leaf stage, respectively. 39 known miRNAs belonging to 30 miRNA families and 80 novel miRNAs were identified in our small RNA dataset. Compared with self-grafted watermelon, 20 (5 known and 15 novel miRNAs) and 51 (21 known miRNAs and 30 novel miRNAs) miRNAs were expressed significantly different with higher abundance or lower abundance in watermelon grafted on to bottle gourd and squash, respectively. The differentially expressed miRNA target various transcriptional factors and other genes which involved in a wide range of biological processes. This study was firstly conducted to identify and compare miRNAs on genome-wide scale in watermelon grafting system. The miRNAs expressed differentially when watermelon was grafted onto different rootstocks suggesting that miRNAs might play an important role in diverse biological and metabolic processes in watermelon and grafting may possibly by changing miRNAs expression to regulate plant growth and response to stresses. The small RNA transcriptomes obtained in this study provided insights into molecular basis of miRNA regulation of genes expressed in self-grafted and grafted watermelon.
Project description:In this study, Solexa sequencing technology has been used to discover small RNA populations of self-grafted watermelon and grafted watermelon (bottle gourd and squash were used as rootstocks). A total of 11,458,476, 11,614,094 and 9,339,089 raw reads representing 2,957,751, 2,880,328 and 2,964,990 unique sequences were obtained from the scions of self-grafted watermelon and watermelon grafted on-to bottle gourd and squash at two true-leaf stage, respectively. 39 known miRNAs belonging to 30 miRNA families and 80 novel miRNAs were identified in our small RNA dataset. Compared with self-grafted watermelon, 20 (5 known and 15 novel miRNAs) and 51 (21 known miRNAs and 30 novel miRNAs) miRNAs were expressed significantly different with higher abundance or lower abundance in watermelon grafted on to bottle gourd and squash, respectively. The differentially expressed miRNA target various transcriptional factors and other genes which involved in a wide range of biological processes. This study was firstly conducted to identify and compare miRNAs on genome-wide scale in watermelon grafting system. The miRNAs expressed differentially when watermelon was grafted onto different rootstocks suggesting that miRNAs might play an important role in diverse biological and metabolic processes in watermelon and grafting may possibly by changing miRNAs expression to regulate plant growth and response to stresses. The small RNA transcriptomes obtained in this study provided insights into molecular basis of miRNA regulation of genes expressed in self-grafted and grafted watermelon. Examination of 3 different small RNA expression profilings in self-grafted and grafted watermelon
Project description:While the vertebrate body plan is highly conserved amongst all species of this taxon, extreme variations thereof can be documented in snakes, which display both an absence of limbs and an unusually elongated trunk. As Hox genes are strong candidates both for the making and the evolution of this body plan, their comparative study in such a morphologically diverged group is informative regarding their potential causative importance in these processes. In this work we use an interspecies comparative approach where different aspects of regulation at the HoxD locus are investigated. We find that although spatial collinearity and associated epigenetic mark dynamics are conserved in the corn snake, other regulatory modalities have been largely restructured. A BAC transgenic approach indeed revealed that, while the majority of mesodermal enhancers in vertebrates appear to be mostly located outside of the cluster, the corn snake contains most mesodermal trunk enhancers within the HoxD cluster. We also find that, despite the absence of limbs and an altered Hoxd gene regulation in external genitalia, the bimodal chromatin structure at the corn snake HoxD locus is maintained. The analysis of particular enhancer sequences initially defined in the mouse and further isolated at the snake orthologous locus showed differences in their specificities for the limb and genital bud expression. Of particular interest, a snake counterpart of a mouse limb-only enhancer sequence evolved into a genital-only enhancer. Such a regulatory exaptation suggests that enhancer versatility may have been an important factor to accompany the transition towards the snake body plan. These results show that vertebrate morphological evolution is likely to have been associated with extensive reorganization at the HoxD regulatory landscapes while respecting a very conserved general regulatory framework.
Project description:<p><strong>BACKGROUND:</strong> Reptiles exhibit a wide variety of skin colors, which serve essential roles in survival and reproduction. However, the molecular basis of these conspicuous colors remains unresolved.</p><p><strong>RESULTS:</strong> We investigate color morph-enriched Asian vine snakes (<em>Ahaetulla prasina</em>), to explore the mechanism underpinning color variations. Transmission electron microscopy imaging and metabolomics analysis indicates that chromatophore morphology (mainly iridophores) is the main basis for differences in skin color. Additionally, we assemble a 1.77 Gb high-quality chromosome-anchored genome of the snake. Genome-wide association study and RNA sequencing reveal a conservative amino acid substitution (p.P20S) in <em>SMARCE1</em>, which may be involved in the regulation of chromatophore development initiated from neural crest cells. <em>SMARCE1</em> knockdown in zebrafish and immunofluorescence verify the interactions among <em>SMARCE1</em>, iridophores, and <em>tfec</em>, which may determine color variations in the Asian vine snake.</p><p><strong>CONCLUSIONS:</strong> This study reveals the genetic associations of color variation in Asian vine snakes, providing insights and important resources for a deeper understanding of the molecular and genetic mechanisms related to reptilian coloration.</p>
Project description:Primary objectives: The primary objective is to investigate circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) via deep sequencing for mutation detection and by whole genome sequencing for copy number analyses before start (baseline) with regorafenib and at defined time points during administration of regorafenib for treatment efficacy in colorectal cancer patients in terms of overall survival (OS).
Primary endpoints: circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) via deep sequencing for mutation detection and by whole genome sequencing for copy number analyses before start (baseline) with regorafenib and at defined time points during administration of regorafenib for treatment efficacy in colorectal cancer patients in terms of overall survival (OS).