Article
Immunology
Yue Li, Si-Ting Chen, Yu-Ying He, Bo Li, Chen Yang, Zhen-Shan Yang, Zeng-Ming Yang
Summary: In this study, the involvement of secreted HMGB1 in early mouse pregnancy was investigated. It was found that HMGB1 can be detected in the uterine lumen fluid and its secretion is influenced by the presence of blastocysts. The presence of trypsin in blastocysts and its ability to stimulate HB-EGF production was also demonstrated. Furthermore, the role of PAR2-HMGB1-ADAM17-HB-EGF signaling pathway in decidualization was identified.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Amith Z. Abdulla, Cedric Vaillant, Daniel Jost
Summary: This study focuses on the mechanisms behind epigenome memory encoded by histone modifications and their impact on stable and heritable phenotypes in eukaryotes. The authors introduce a unified modeling framework that describes the interplay between chromatin regulators, reader-writer processes, and spreading mechanisms. The results highlight the importance of chromatin organization and enzyme recruitment in maintaining epigenomic stability and gene expression. The study also analyzes experimental data to extract quantitative information on epigenomic processes.
NUCLEIC ACIDS RESEARCH
(2022)
Review
Cell Biology
Luisa Di Stefano
Summary: This review discusses the role of chromatin marks in the regulation of transposable elements (TEs) and summarizes the research evidence in Drosophila and mammalian systems.
Review
Biology
Arsala Ali, Kyudong Han, Ping Liang
Summary: Transposable elements (TEs), also known as mobile elements (MEs), are interspersed repeats that constitute a major fraction of genomes, contributing to gene regulation by providing cis-regulatory sequences and encoding regulatory RNAs. These TE-derived regulatory mechanisms play crucial roles in gene regulation, providing evolutionary novelty and tissue-specific functions.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sophia Groh, Anna Viktoria Milton, Lisa Marinelli, Cara Sickinger, Angela Russo, Heike Bollig, Gustavo Pereira de Almeida, Andreas Schmidt, Ignasi Forne, Axel Imhof, Gunnar Schotta
Summary: Endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) make up a significant portion of mammalian genomes, and Morc3 has been identified as a key regulator of ERV silencing. Through interactions with the H3.3 chaperone Daxx, Morc3 plays a critical role in incorporating histone H3.3 into ERV regions.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Aicen Zhang, Wenli Zhang
Summary: Growing evidence suggests that transposons or transposable elements (TEs)-derived accessible chromatin regions (ACRs) play important roles in various biological processes. However, the function of TE-derived ACRs in regulating gene expression in the rice genome is not well understood. This study examined chromatin dynamics in different rice tissues and found that a significant portion of ACRs were derived from TEs. These TE-derived ACRs exhibited distinct levels of accessibility and conservation compared to those without TEs. Additionally, tissue-specific TE-derived ACRs were found to be involved in tissue development through the regulation of nearby gene expression. Furthermore, TE-derived ACRs were also associated with the domestication of rice and the functional divergence of duplicated genes.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Iskander Said, Michael P. McGurk, Andrew G. Clark, Daniel A. Barbash
Summary: Competition between transposable elements (TEs) may lead to the emergence of new variants, with hosts preferentially producing antisense piRNAs to silence these emerging variants.
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Pramod Dhakal, Harriet C. Fitzgerald, Andrew M. Kelleher, Hongyu Liu, Thomas E. Spencer
Summary: The study demonstrated the crucial roles of uterine glands in embryo survival and stromal cell decidualization. Using a glandless FOXA2-deficient mouse model, researchers found compromised embryo survival and decidualization on gestational day 6.5, leading to abrupt pregnancy loss by day 7.5.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Thanvi Srikant, Anjar Tri Wibowo
Summary: This article focuses on epiallelic variations in plants, particularly on methylated regions. It is still uncertain whether variations at individual methylated cytosines serve any regulatory function. Most epialleles in the form of methylated regions have not been assigned any biological function.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Review
Microbiology
H. Martin Kramer, David E. Cook, Michael F. Seidl, Bart P. H. J. Thomma
Summary: Through the association of protein complexes to DNA, the eukaryotic nuclear genome is organized into open euchromatin that is accessible and condensed heterochromatin that is inaccessible. Chromatin alterations impact its organization and functionality and are important regulators of nuclear processes. Studies in fungal plant pathogens uncover the association between chromatin organization and the expression of in planta-induced genes that are important for pathogenicity.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tomoko Ichiyanagi, Hirokazu Katoh, Yoshinobu Mori, Keigo Hirafuku, Beverly Ann Boyboy, Masaki Kawase, Kenji Ichiyanagi
Summary: The currently active SINE B2 copies in mice act as mobile boundary elements that modulate chromatin modifications and gene expression, likely playing a role in the epigenomic and phenotypic diversification of the species.
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Aditi Singh, Xyrus X. Maurer-Alcala, Therese Solberg, Lilia Haeussermann, Silvan Gisler, Michael Ignarski, Estienne C. Swart, Mariusz Nowacki
Summary: Recruiting the chromatin remodeler ISWI1 facilitates IES recognition and precise excision in Paramecium, ensuring efficient DNA elimination.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Erica Gasparotto, Filippo Vittorio Burattin, Valeria Di Gioia, Michele Panepuccia, Valeria Ranzani, Federica Marasca, Beatrice Bodega
Summary: The genome is recognized as a dynamic entity that can evolve and adapt. Transposable Elements (TEs), which are mobile and repetitive elements, are now considered a functional part of the genome. TEs have shaped genomes by promoting genome sizing, rearrangements, and shuffling of DNA sequences. They have also been co-opted by hosts for regulatory functions in gene transcription and genome organization. Deregulation of TE expression and activity is implicated in the development of diseases, and further research is needed to uncover novel regulatory functions for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Tao Jiang, Ziqi Ling, Zhimin Zhou, Xiaoyun Chen, Liqing Chen, Sha Liu, Yingchun Sun, Jiawen Yang, Bin Yang, Jianzhen Huang, Lusheng Huang
Summary: This study presents a genome-wide landscape of chromatin accessibility in 20 tissues of pigs using ATAC-seq. It identifies tissue-specific regulatory elements and reveals their associations with tissue-relevant biological functions. The study also investigates the presence of transposable elements in open chromatin regions and prioritizes a potential causal variant for polyunsaturated fatty acid in muscle tissue.
JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Marzia Rossato, Luca Marcolungo, Luca De Antoni, Giulia Lopatriello, Elisa Bellucci, Gaia Cortinovis, Giulia Frascarelli, Laura Nanni, Elena Bitocchi, Valerio Di Vittori, Leonardo Vincenzi, Filippo Lucchini, Kirstin E. Bett, Larissa Ramsay, David James Konkin, Massimo Delledonne, Roberto Papa
Summary: High-throughput genotyping allows for the analysis of genetic diversity in large populations and genome-wide association studies. In this study, the researchers used CRISPR-Cas9 technology to remove repetitive elements in the lentil genome, thus focusing the sequencing data on coding and regulatory regions. This method significantly increased genotyping accuracy and the number of genotyped bases compared to non-depleted libraries.
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Julia Lipecki, Andrew E. Mitchell, Joanne Muter, Emma S. Lucas, Komal Makwana, Katherine Fishwick, Joshua Odendaal, Amelia Hawkes, Pavle Vrljicak, Jan J. Brosens, Sascha Ott
Summary: By measuring the expression levels of six genes and using a continuous, non-categorical modelling approach, this study improves the accuracy of timing of luteal phase endometrial biopsies based on urinary ovulation testing. The method provides more accurate timing estimates and assesses the reliability of timing estimates for each sample.
HUMAN REPRODUCTION
(2022)
Review
Cell Biology
Jan J. Brosens, Phillip R. Bennett, Vikki M. Abrahams, Rosanna Ramhorst, Arri Coomarasamy, Siobhan Quenby, Emma S. Lucas, Rajiv C. McCoy
Summary: Compared to other mammals, human pregnancy is unique in its involvement of chromosomally diverse embryos and the cyclical breakdown and regeneration of the uterine mucosa. Understanding the mechanisms behind miscarriage can provide insights into the maternal selection of embryos during early gestation.
SEMINARS IN CELL & DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
O. N. Mann, C-S Kong, E. S. Lucas, J. J. Brosens, A. C. Hanyaloglu, P. J. Brighton
Summary: This study reveals the presence of a small subpopulation of endometrial stromal cells expressing LHCGR transcripts, although these cells did not exhibit functional responses to hCG and LH. The findings challenge the belief that LHCGR is functionally active in the human endometrium.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Manuel Tavares, Garima Khandelwal, Joanne Muter, Keijo Viiri, Manuel Beltran, Jan J. Brosens, Richard G. Jenner
Summary: The fusion protein JAZF1-SUZ12 dysregulates PRC2 composition, gene expression, and cell differentiation, and may play an important role in oncogenesis.
Article
Immunology
Astrid H. Paulitsch-Fuchs, Benjamin Boedendorfer, Lukas Wolrab, Nicole Eck, Nigel P. Dyer, Birgit Lohberger
Summary: Periprosthetic infections have significant implications for patient care and healthcare costs. This study investigates different surface modifications of implant materials and their impact on biofilm development. The results show a correlation between surface roughness and biofilm characteristics. The findings suggest the need for new implant materials resistant to biofilm infections.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Pietro Bortoletto, Emma S. Lucas, Pedro Melo, Ioannis D. Gallos, Adam J. Devall, Tom Bourne, Siobhan Quenby, Phillip R. Bennett, Arri Coomarasamy, Jan J. Brosens
Summary: After embryo implantation, the endometrium transforms into a robust decidual matrix to support the fetal placenta. Circulating NK cells and BM-MSC play a crucial role in decidual homeostasis and expansion in early pregnancy. Pathological signals that interfere with the recruitment or activity of extrauterine cells at the maternal-fetal interface may be linked to miscarriage and subsequent adverse pregnancy outcomes.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Xiaoxia Liu, Bernhard Pollner, Astrid H. Paulitsch-Fuchs, Elmar C. Fuchs, Nigel P. Dyer, Willibald Loiskandl, Cornelia Lass-Floerl
Summary: This study assessed the impact of weak magnetic fields on drinking water microbial communities using flow cytometry. The results showed that the applied magnetic fields selectively promoted the growth of certain microbial groups under nutrient-rich environments and inhibited the growth of others. These findings suggest that magnetic field treatment can enhance biostability and potentially serve as a sustainable method for microbial community management.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Anne-Laure Schang, Juliette Van Steenwinckel, Zoi S. Ioannidou, Julia Lipecki, Charlotte Rich-Griffin, Kate Woolley-Allen, Nigel Dyer, Tifenn Le Charpentier, Patrick Schafer, Bobbi Fleiss, Sascha Ott, Delara Saberan-Djoneidi, Valerie Mezger, Pierre Gressens
Summary: This study provides a genome-wide understanding of the effects of neuroinflammation on oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs). It reveals that neuroinflammation takes advantage of a primed epigenomic landscape in OPCs and induces abnormal expression of immune/inflammatory genes. Additionally, neuroinflammation counteracts the normal downregulation of the cell cycle pathway in maturing OPCs.
CELL DEATH & DISEASE
(2022)
Review
Developmental Biology
Joanne Muter, Vincent J. Lynch, Rajiv C. McCoy, Jan J. Brosens
Summary: Embryo implantation in humans is a complex process involving the transformation of the endometrium into a placental bed and interactions between the embryo and the decidualising endometrium. This review examines the evolutionary context of implantation and discusses the remodeling of the uterus before and after conception. It highlights the precarious but adaptable nature of the implantation process.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Laura Hume, Jessica C. Edge, Haidee Tinning, Dapeng Wang, Alysha S. Taylor, Vladimir Ovchinnikov, Annika Geijer-Simpson, Pavle Vrljicak, Jan J. Brosens, Emma S. Lucas, Nigel A. B. Simpson, Jayne Shillito, Karen Forbes, Mary J. O'Connell, Niamh Forde
Summary: We examined the role of conserved placental mammal-specific microRNAs and their targets in regulating endometrial receptivity to implantation. The expression of miR-340-5p, -542-3p, and -671-5p in endometrial epithelial cells was influenced by progesterone exposure. Proteomic analysis showed that these microRNAs altered the expression of numerous proteins, many of which were predicted targets and regulated by progesterone. Dysregulation of these microRNAs and their targets is implicated in recurrent pregnancy loss.
Meeting Abstract
Obstetrics & Gynecology
C. S. Kong, J. Muter, K. Fishwick, P. Brighton, E. S. Lucas, O. Joshua, A. Hawkes, S. Quenby, J. J. Brosens
HUMAN REPRODUCTION
(2022)