Article
Cell Biology
Kit-Yeng Sheng, Toru Nakano, Shinpei Yamaguchi
Summary: Genomic imprinting is an epigenetic event where genes are expressed only from either the paternal or maternal allele. A study found that Dopa decarboxylase (Ddc) exhibits an allele-specific expression pattern in different brain regions.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
News Item
Physics, Multidisciplinary
Jan Ryckebusch
Summary: A detailed analysis of a nucleon-knockout experiment has proposed a methodological roadmap for addressing ambiguities in data interpretation, offering potential access to nuclear wave functions in unstable nuclei.
Article
Immunology
Romain Troubat, Samuel Leman, Katleen Pinchaud, Alexandre Surget, Pascal Barone, Sebastien Roger, Anne-Marie Le Guisquet, Bruno Brizard, Catherine Belzung, Vincent Camus
Summary: After exposure to UCMS, P2X7R KO mice showed significant differences in behavioral and neurogenesis compared to the control group, as well as notable changes in the density of brain immune cells. The recruitment rate of peripheral immune cells was unaffected by P2X7R gene expression or antidepressant treatment.
BRAIN BEHAVIOR AND IMMUNITY
(2021)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Adam J. Lawther, Jerzy Zieba, Zhiming Fang, Teri M. Furlong, Illya Conn, Hemna Govindaraju, Laura L. Y. Choong, Nigel Turner, Khawar Sohail Siddiqui, Wallace Bridge, Sam Merlin, Tzipi Cohen Hyams, Murray Killingsworth, Valsamma Eapen, Raymond A. Clarke, Adam K. Walker
Summary: Mitochondrial dysfunction is strongly associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and the IMMP2L gene is linked to autism inheritance. By developing an Immp2lKD knockout mouse model, the researchers found that Immp2l(KD) -/- KO mice did not show any differences in the core behavioral symptoms of ASD, but they exhibited increased auditory stimulus-driven instrumental behavior and amphetamine-induced locomotion. The researchers also discovered that the ROS levels were lowered in the new Immp2l(KD) -/- KO mice, contrary to previous studies on Immp2l-deficient mouse models, and these mice did not display oxidative stress-related phenotypes.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Dong-Chan Seo, Yeon Ha Ju, Jin-Ju Seo, Soo-Jin Oh, C. Justin Lee, Seung Eun Lee, Min-Ho Nam
Summary: Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by motor symptoms. In a PD model, activating dopamine-decarboxylase positive neurons significantly improved motor symptoms and restored dopamine synthesis enzyme expression. This suggests that dormant dopaminergic neurons could be a potential therapeutic strategy for PD.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Dongyu Liu, Kazuyuki Fujihara, Yuchio Yanagawa, Hajime Mushiake, Tomokazu Ohshiro
Summary: By recording EEG in knockout rats for Gad1, we found that GABA can both suppress and enhance SWD generation. Comparison between normal rats and Gad1 knockout rats revealed that SWD symptoms were more severe in Gad1 knockout rats, and the effects of valproate treatment differed in the two groups. Immunohistochemistry results indicated significantly reduced GABA immunoreactivity in the RTN neurons of Gad1 knockout rats.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROLOGY
(2023)
Review
Cell Biology
Tarik Issad, Hasanain Al-Mukh, Abdelouhab Bouaboud, Patrick Pagesy
Summary: O-GlcNAcylation is a crucial protein modification that regulates protein functions and cell signaling, and is associated with numerous physiological and pathological processes.
JOURNAL OF BIOMEDICAL SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Abha Harfouche, Wael Alata, Karine Leblanc, Ghislain Heslaut, Bruno Figadere, Alexandre Maciuk
Summary: This study developed a simple and reliable label-free assay based on mass spectrometry for the detection and quantification of enzymatic reactions. The method can be used to detect active compounds in extracts and determine the inhibitory effects of inhibitors.
JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL AND BIOMEDICAL ANALYSIS
(2022)
Article
Biology
Huaqing Huang, Xintong Cai, Jiexiang Lin, Qiaoling Wu, Kailin Zhang, Yibin Lin, Bin Liu, Jie Lin
Summary: This study constructed a predictive metabolism-related gene signature for endometrial cancer (EC) and demonstrated its ability to accurately predict prognosis and potential for therapeutic application in clinical settings.
COMPUTERS IN BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Dilansu Guneykaya, Bilge Ugursu, Francesca Logiacco, Oliver Popp, Maria Almut Feiks, Niklas Meyer, Stefan Wendt, Marcus Semtner, Fatma Cherif, Christian Gauthier, Charlotte Madore, Zhuoran Yin, Ozcan Cinar, Taner Arslan, Zoltan Gerevich, Philipp Mertins, Oleg Butovsky, Helmut Kettenmann, Susanne A. Wolf
Summary: Loss of NLGN4 affects synaptic and behavioral phenotypes in ASD. NLGN4 depletion leads to lower microglia density, altered morphology, reduced response to injury and purinergic signaling in mice, particularly in the hippocampal CA3 region and predominantly in males. Proteomic analysis reveals disrupted energy metabolism and sexual dimorphism in the microglial phenotype. Estradiol treatment restores the altered microglial phenotype and function in male NLGN4-/- mice.
BRAIN BEHAVIOR AND IMMUNITY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Deepak Kumar, Navneeta Bansal, Ashish Gupta, Anil Mandhani, Hira Lal, Manoj Kumar, Satya Narain Sankhwar
Summary: This study explores metabolomics-derived biomarkers of prostate cancer in pre- and post-radical prostatectomy patients, identifying glutamate, citrate, and glycine as hallmarks of PC. Changes in these markers were observed during treatment, providing valuable insights into PC progression and potential treatment targets.
JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL AND BIOMEDICAL ANALYSIS
(2021)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Rauf Latif, Risheng Ma, Syed A. Morshed, Bengu Tokat, Terry F. Davies
Summary: The synergistic activation of transcription factors in thyroid progenitor cells can lead to differentiation into thyroid neo-follicular structures. Implanted syngeneic mouse thyroid follicular structures in hypothyroid TSH receptor knockout mice effectively ameliorated the hypothyroid state for an extended period of 20 weeks, showing potential for orthotropic implantation of functional thyroid cells without the need for traditional thyroid function control methods.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Maria Consiglia Trotta, Hildegard Herman, Cornel Balta, Marcel Rosu, Alina Ciceu, Bianca Mladin, Carlo Gesualdo, Caterina Claudia Lepre, Marina Russo, Francesco Petrillo, Gorizio Pieretti, Francesca Simonelli, Settimio Rossi, Michele D'Amico, Anca Hermenean
Summary: Repeated oral vitamin D3 supplementation can prevent corneal epithelium damage in an SS mouse model. Mice receiving vitamin D3 supplementation showed preserved corneal epithelium morphology and reduced levels of TACE, neovascularization, and fibrosis markers.
Article
Biology
Karoline B. Rypdal, A. Olav Melleby, Emma L. Robinson, Jia Li, Sheryl Palmero, Deborah E. Seifert, Daniel Martin, Catelyn Clark, Begona Lopez, Kristine Andreassen, Christen P. Dahl, Ivar Sjaastad, Theis Tonnessen, Mathis K. Stokke, William E. Louch, Arantxa Gonzalez, Stephane Heymans, Geir Christensen, Suneel S. Apte, Ida G. Lunde
Summary: Heart failure is a significant global cause of disease and death, characterized by cardiac remodeling due to pressure overload. This study demonstrates that ADAMTSL3 regulates TGF beta in the heart and may have beneficial effects on heart failure.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Yingying Wang, Xueman Chen, Qiaoyu Chen, Ning Zhou, Xin Wang, Alei Zhang, Kequan Chen, Pingkai Ouyang
Summary: This study proposes a one-pot method for the production of 5-HT from L-Trp via two enzyme cascades. A chassis cell capable of converting L-Trp to 5-HTP was constructed by expressing tryptophan hydroxylase from Schistosoma mansoni (SmTPH) and an artificial endogenous tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) module. Then, dopa decarboxylase from Harminia axyridis (HaDDC) was used for the specific catalysis of 5-HTP to 5-HT. The constructed cell factory, E. coli BL21(DE3)Delta tnaA/BH4/HaDDC-SmTPH, achieved the highest 5-HT concentration of 414.5 +/- 1.6 mg/L (conversion rate of 25.9 mol%) under optimal conditions (substrate concentration of 2 g/L, induced temperature of 25 degrees C, IPTG concentration of 0.5 mM, catalysis temperature of 30 degrees C, catalysis time of 72 h).
MICROBIAL CELL FACTORIES
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Allice R. Ferreira Nochi, Luna N. Vargas, Roberto Sartori, Roberto G. Junior, Davi B. Araujo, Ricardo A. Figueiredo, Roberto C. Togawa, Marcos M. C. Costa, Priscila Grynberg, Anelise S. Mendonca, Nayara R. Kussano, Ivo Pivato, Bianca D. M. Silva, Jose Felipe W. Spricigo, Ligiane O. Leme, Joseane P. da Silva, Alexandre R. Caetano, Margot A. N. Dode, Mauricio M. Franco
Summary: Maternal nutrition plays a critical role in the epigenetic reprogramming of animals. A study on Bos indicus cattle found that the levels of sulfur and cobalt in the maternal diet influenced the biochemical and reproductive parameters of the donors, as well as the DNA methylation of the progeny. The study also identified differentially methylated regions linked to DNMT1 and DNMT3B genes in the adult progeny's blood and sperm cells. This research helps us understand the impact of maternal nutrition on epigenetic reprogramming in livestock and opens up new avenues for studying the effects of disrupted epigenetic patterns on health and fertility in adulthood.
JOURNAL OF DEVELOPMENTAL ORIGINS OF HEALTH AND DISEASE
(2022)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Marine Baptissart, Christine M. Bradish, Brie S. Jones, Evan Walsh, Jesse Tehrani, Vicmarie Marrero-Colon, Sanya Mehta, Dereje D. Jima, Seh Hoon Oh, Anna Mae Diehl, Tiffany Fougeray, Herve Guillou, Michael Cowley
Review
Cell Biology
James A. Cain, Bertille Montibus, Rebecca J. Oakey
Summary: The mammalian genome is generally lacking in CG dinucleotides, except for CpG islands (CGIs) found in protected regions. CGIs serve as gene regulatory hubs, with a quarter of them located within genes. These intragenic CGIs play a crucial role in gene regulation, influencing transcription activity and transcriptome diversity within genes.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Elisa Le Boiteux, Pierre-Olivier Guichet, Konstantin Masliantsev, Bertille Montibus, Catherine Vaurs-Barriere, Celine Gonthier-Gueret, Emmanuel Chautard, Pierre Verrelle, Lucie Karayan-Tapon, Anne Fogli, Franck Court, Philippe Arnaud
Summary: The overexpression of long non-coding RNA HOXA-AS2 in Glioma Stem Cells (GSCs) contributes to their aggressiveness by promoting proliferation and modulating the inflammation pathway through the regulation of key transcription factors.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Reproductive Biology
Anelise Dos Santos Mendonca-Soares, Ana Luiza Silva Guimaraes, Andrei Antonioni Guedes Fidelis, Mauricio Machaim Franco, Margot Alves Nunes Dode
Summary: Individual embryo culture allows tracking of embryo development but leads to lower development. This study evaluated alternatives to improve embryo development, finding potential for folic acid in altering DNA methylation pattern and ITS as an alternative to individual culture.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mark D. Simmers, Kathleen M. Hudson, Marine Baptissart, Michael Cowley
Summary: Cadmium accumulation in the placenta restricts fetal growth likely through modulation of imprinted gene expression, with the increase in placental Cdkn1c expression attributed to alterations in placental structure rather than changes in DNA methylation or loss of imprinting.
Article
Toxicology
Sierra D. Riegl, Cassie Starnes, Dereje D. Jima, Marine Baptissart, Anna Mae Diehl, Scott M. Belcher, Michael Cowley
Summary: Cadmium (Cd) exposure in adulthood is associated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This study reveals that developmental Cd exposure may also play a significant role in the programming of NAFLD. The Imprinted Gene Network (IGN) and its regulator Zac1 are identified as key factors in the programming of NAFLD during Cd exposure.
TOXICOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Taynan Stonoga Kawamoto, Joao Henrique Moreira Viana, Thais Preisser Pontelo, Mauricio Machaim Franco, Otavio Augusto Costa de Faria, Andrei Antonioni Guedes Fidelis, Luna Nascimento Vargas, Ricardo Alamino Figueiredo
Summary: This study characterized the reproductive physiology, oocyte competence, and chromatin compaction in Nelore calves during the early-prepubertal and intermediate-prepubertal periods. The oocyte competence gradually improved during the prepubertal period, which can help determine whether to collect oocytes from calves.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Jose Felipe Warmling Spricigo, Ana Luiza Silva Guimaraes, Andrielle Thainar Mendes Cunha, Ligiane de Oliveira Leme, Marcos Coura Carneiro, Mauricio Machaim Franco, Margot Alves Nunes Dode
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate the potential to predict the quality of oocytes by measuring the transcript abundance of a panel of candidate genes in immature and/or mature cumulus cells. The results showed that none of the selected genes can accurately predict the potential of oocytes to develop into embryos. Additionally, cumulus cell biopsy negatively affects embryo development, blastocyst cell number, and apoptotic cell ratio.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
M. A. N. Dode, F. M. C. Caixeta, L. N. Vargas, L. O. Leme, T. S. Kawamoto, A. A. G. Fidelis, M. M. Franco
Summary: This study aimed to establish a genome transfer technique in bovine oocytes using the metaphase plate (MP) and polar body (PB) as the sources of genetic material. The results showed that using MP as the genetic material source resulted in lower fertilization and blastocyst rates compared to the control group. Using PB as the genetic material source also had lower fertilization and blastocyst rates. However, performing genome transfer with vitrified oocytes as the genetic material source yielded similar results to the control group.
JOURNAL OF ASSISTED REPRODUCTION AND GENETICS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Thainara C. F. Silva, Margot A. N. Dode, Thiago F. Braga, Mariana G. Marques, Luna Nascimento Vargas, Otavio Augusto Costa de Faria, Andressa P. de Souza, Daniela Albring, Alexandre R. Caetano, Mauricio M. Franco
Summary: This study evaluated the effects of donor age on lipid metabolism during in vitro maturation (IVM) of pigs cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs). Transcript levels of key genes involved in lipid metabolism showed differences between sows and prepubertal gilts. Lipid droplet content and DNA methylation patterns also differed between the two groups. Sows had a greater capacity to regulate gene expression related to lipid metabolism during IVM. These findings contribute to a better understanding of lipid metabolism and competence acquisition in porcine COCs.
MOLECULAR REPRODUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Luna N. N. Vargas, Felippe M. C. Caixeta, Margot A. N. Dode, Alexandre R. R. Caetano, Mauricio M. Franco
Summary: In this study, a method was used to characterize epialleles in potential epigenetic markers in single in vitro matured oocytes. The analysis showed that there were methylated and unmethylated alleles in certain imprinted genes and hypermethylated alleles in other regions. The methylation patterns varied greatly, potentially related to oocyte quality. The identification of different epialleles in the same oocyte suggests differences in the epigenome of the metaphase plate and polar body.
MOLECULAR REPRODUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Mark D. Simmers, Dereje D. Jima, Yoshiaki Tsuji, Michael Cowley
Summary: This study investigated the impact of cadmium on placental function and identified a long non-coding RNA called Tuna that is upregulated in cadmium-exposed placentae. Further experiments revealed that Tuna can activate the oxidative stress response pathway to enhance NRF2 target gene expression, thereby exacerbating cadmium-induced placental insufficiency.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Luna Nascimento Vargas, Allice Rodrigues Ferreira Nochi, Paloma Soares de Castro, Andrielle Thainar Mendes Cunha, Thainara Christie Ferreira Silva, Roberto Coiti Togawa, Marcia Marques Silveira, Alexandre Rodrigues Caetano, Mauricio Machaim Franco
Summary: The establishment of epigenetic marks during the reprogramming window is susceptible to environmental influences, and stimuli during this critical stage can cause altered DNA methylation in offspring. In a previous study, low levels of sulphur and cobalt (low S/Co) in the diet offered to oocyte donors altered the DNA methylome of bovine embryos. Our results showed that all DMRs analysed in both groups and tissues were hypermethylated unlike that noticed in the embryonic methylome profiles. These results suggest that embryo DMRs were reprogrammed during the final stages of de novo methylation during embryogenesis or later in development. Therefore, due to the highly dynamic epigenetic state during early embryonic development, we suggest that is essential to validate the DMRs found in embryos in adult individuals.
ANIMAL REPRODUCTION
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
P. S. de Castro, L. N. Vargas, T. C. F. Silva, A. F. L. Rios, A. R. Caetano, M. M. Franco
Summary: This study characterized the transcription patterns of the XIST locus in bovine fetal placenta and found sense transcription throughout the XIST locus in male and female. Antisense transcription was detected in exon 1 of female fetal cotyledons, but it was not TSIX. The results emphasize the importance of considering antisense expression in gene expression studies, especially in non-coding RNA or pseudogenes loci.
GENETICS AND MOLECULAR RESEARCH
(2022)