Project description:Even though the amine reactive BS2G and DSG cross-linkers have the same length of spacer and are based on N-hydroxysuccinimidic group, our data showed that each of them formed preferentially different cross-links. We demonstrated that the choice of cross-linker can have a significant impact on the output data for structural characterization of biomolecules. Using equimolar mixtures of DSG with d6-BS2G, and BS2G with d6-DSG, we established that the polar BS2G preferentially bound to polar regions of modified molecule, whereas non-polar DSG bound to hydrophobic regions. This phenomenon established that the mixture of polar and non-polar cross-linkers acted as an efficient tool for the determination of distance constraints in proteins.
Project description:Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common inflammatory skin disease with a TH2 immune polarity and is often colonized with Staphylococcus aureus. Despite recent advances in understanding Staphylococcus species infection and the impact of polar TH cytokines on the skin, the interactions between these factors in AD pathology are poorly understood. Methods: AD-related key immune biomarkers were measured by quantitative real-time PCR in human keratinocytes exposed heat-killed S. epidermidis or S. aureus with/without polar T-cell derived cytokines such as IFN-γ (TH1), IL-4/IL-13 (TH2), and IL-22 (TH22). Further analysis was performed by RNA-sequencing to define broader responses in both Staphylococcus species and polar cytokines. The similarity of gene expression patterns in AD skin lesions and stimulated keratinocytes was evaluated by gene-set variation analysis (GSVA). Results: Gene expression analysis exhibited distinct immune responses in keratinocytes depending on individual bacterial or polar cytokine exposure. Besides, numerous genes were synergistically upregulated by the combination exposure of bacteria and polar TH cytokines. Moreover, GSVA revealed that combined exposure of S. aureus and IL-4 + IL-13 exhibited significantly higher correlations with a genomic signature of AD skin lesions than their single exposure or combinations of other polar TH cytokines. Conclusions: Our findings provide novel insights into AD-related transcriptional activation and illustrate a potentially novel pathogenic function of S. aureus and IL-4/IL-13 interactions in AD.
Project description:In this study, we map sites of replication initiation and breakage in primary cells at high resolution under conditions of replication stress. We show that replication initiates between transcribed genes within nucleosome-depleted structures established by long asymmetrical poly(dA:dT) tracts flanking the initiation site. Paradoxically, large (>20 bp) homopolymeric (dA/dT) tracts are also preferential sites of polar replication fork stalling and collapse. We propose that the evolutionary expansion of poly(dA:dT) tracts in eukaryotic genomes serves to promote replication initiation, but at the cost of increasing chromosome fragility.
Project description:Inherited mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) diseases transmit maternally and cause severe phenotypes. Since no effective treatment or genetic screening is available, nuclear genome transfer between patients’ and healthy eggs to replace mutant mtDNAs holds promises. Since polar body contains very few mitochondria and share same genomic material as oocyte, here we perform polar body transfer to prevent the transmission of inherited mtDNA variants. We compare the value of different germline genome transfer (spindle-chromosome, pronuclear, first and second polar body) in a mouse model. Reconstructed embryos support normal fertilization and produce live offspring. Strikingly, genetic analysis confirms F1 generation after polar body transfer possesses minimal donor mtDNA carry-over compared with spindle-chromosome (low/medium carry-over) and pronuclear (medium/high carry-over) transfer. Moreover, mtDNA genotype remains stable in F2 generation of progeny after polar body transfer. Our preclinical model demonstrates polar body transfer holds great potential in preventing the transmission of inherited mtDNA diseases.
Project description:This SuperSeries is composed of the following subset Series: GSE29854: Daphnia magna exposed to narcotics and polar narcotics - aniline GSE29856: Daphnia magna exposed to narcotics and polar narcotics - 4-chloroaniline GSE29857: Daphnia magna exposed to narcotics and polar narcotics - 3,5-dichloroaniline GSE29858: Daphnia magna exposed to narcotics and polar narcotics - 2,3,4-trichloroaniline GSE29862: Daphnia magna exposed to narcotics and polar narcotics - ethanol GSE29864: Daphnia magna exposed to narcotics and polar narcotics - isopropanol GSE29867: Daphnia magna exposed to narcotics and polar narcotics - methanol Refer to individual Series