DNA methylation and gene expression dynamics during cotton ovule and fiber development

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qingxin Song ◽  
Xueying Guan ◽  
Z. Jeffrey Chen

Cotton is the largest source of renewable textile fiber and a successful model of transgenic applications in crop production. However, improving cotton production using fiber-related transgenes is somewhat difficult. This is probably related to unique epigenetic and gene expression changes during fiber development. Here we show that inhibiting DNA methylation impairs fiber development. Genome-wide methylcytosine-, mRNA-, and small RNA-sequencing analyses reveal minor changes in CG and CHG methylation and distinct changes in CHH methylation among different tissues. In ovules CHH hypermethyaltion is associated with small RNA-directed DNA methylation (RdDM) and expression changes of nearby genes in euchromatin. Remarkably, ovule-derived fiber cells not only maintain euchromatic CHH methylation, but also generate additional heterochromatic CHH hypermethylation independent of RdDM, which represses transposable elements (TEs) and nearby genes including fiber-related genes. Furthermore, DNA methylation contributes to the expression bias of homoeologous genes in ovules and fibers. This spatiotemporal DNA methylation in promoters could act as a double-lock feedback mechanism to regulate TE and gene expression, which could be translated into genomic and biotechnological improvement of agronomic traits.

2013 ◽  
Vol 33 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kasey C Vickers ◽  
Michael G Levin ◽  
Michael P Anderson ◽  
Qing Xu ◽  
Joshua Anzinger ◽  
...  

Many HDL-microRNAs (miRNA) are well-characterized post-transcriptional regulators of inflammation, and are significantly increased on HDL with hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis in humans and mice. Therefore, we hypothesize that inflammatory cells uniquely control their own gene expression through cellular miRNA export to HDL and then regulate recipient cell gene expression through HDL-mediated miRNA delivery. To test this hypothesis, we used high-throughput proteomics, Open Arrays, small RNA sequencing, and gene expression microarrays. Human monocytes (plasma elutriation) were differentiated into dendritic cells and multiple macrophage phenotypes. Each cell-type was incubated with pure reconstituted HDL (rHDL), which was then purified from culture media by apolipoprotein A-I immunoprecipitation after 24 h, and both cellular and HDL-miRNAs were profiled using TaqMan Open Arrays. Macrophages were found to export high levels of miRNAs to HDL that inhibit monocyte/macrophage differentiation (miR-146a, miR-223); however, monocytes were also found to export many miRNAs associated with differentiation, including miR-92a, miR-222, miR-17, miR-20a, miR106a, and miR-21. Furthermore, many miRNAs were found to be transcribed in inflammatory cells, but completely exported to HDL and not retained in the cell. Most interestingly, HDL treatment was found to induce miR-223 transcription in monocytes, as determined by primary miR-223 transcript levels; however, intracellular levels of the mature form (miR-223) did not change. These results suggest that HDL induces the export of miRNAs it transports. PAR-CLIP with high-throughput small RNA sequencing was used to demonstrate that miRNAs are transferred from macrophages to endothelial cells and loaded onto cellular Argonaute 2-continaining RNA-induced silencing complexes. To demonstrate this in mice, human HDL, containing endogenous levels of miR-223, were injected into miR-223-null mice and inflammation-associated miRNA delivery was mapped in vivo. In summary, we found profound differences in the cellular response to HDL treatment and HDL-miRNA communication amongst inflammatory cell phenotypes that are physiologically relevant to cardiovascular disease.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lichun Zhang ◽  
Xiaoqian Yang ◽  
Yiyi Yin ◽  
Jinxing Wang ◽  
Yanwei Wang

Abstract Quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) is a common method to analyze gene expression. Due to differences in RNA quantity, quality, and reverse transcription efficiency between qRT-PCR samples, reference genes are used as internal standards to normalize gene expression. However, few universal genes especially miRNAs have been identified as reference so far. Therefore, it is essential to identify reference genes that can be used across various experimental conditions, stress treatments, or tissues. In this study, 14 microRNAs (miRNAs) and 5.8S rRNA were assessed for expression stability in poplar trees infected with canker pathogen. Using three reference gene analysis programs, we found that miR156g and miR156a exhibited stable expression throughout the infection process. miR156g and miR156a were then tested as internal standards to measure the expression of miR1447 and miR171c, and the results were compared to small RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) data. We found that when miR156a was used as the reference gene, the expression of miR1447 and miR171c were consistent with the small RNA-seq expression profiles. Therefore, miR156a was the most stable miRNAs examined in this study, and could be used as a reference gene in poplar under canker pathogen stress, which should enable comprehensive comparisons of miRNAs expression and avoid the bias caused by different lenth between detected miRNAs and traditional referece genes. The present study has expanded the miRNA reference genes available for gene expression studies in trees under biotic stress.


Parasitology ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 147 (8) ◽  
pp. 855-864
Author(s):  
Collette Britton ◽  
Roz Laing ◽  
Eileen Devaney

AbstractSmall RNAs are important regulators of gene expression. They were first identified in Caenorhabditis elegans, but it is now apparent that the main small RNA silencing pathways are functionally conserved across diverse organisms. Availability of genome data for an increasing number of parasitic nematodes has enabled bioinformatic identification of small RNA sequences. Expression of these in different lifecycle stages is revealed by small RNA sequencing and microarray analysis. In this review we describe what is known of the three main small RNA classes in parasitic nematodes – microRNAs (miRNAs), Piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) and small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) – and their proposed functions. miRNAs regulate development in C. elegans and the temporal expression of parasitic nematode miRNAs suggest modulation of target gene levels as parasites develop within the host. miRNAs are also present in extracellular vesicles released by nematodes in vitro, and in plasma from infected hosts, suggesting potential regulation of host gene expression. Roles of piRNAs and siRNAs in suppressing target genes, including transposable elements, are also reviewed. Recent successes in RNAi-mediated gene silencing, and application of small RNA inhibitors and mimics will continue to advance understanding of small RNA functions within the parasite and at the host–parasite interface.


mSystems ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Tomkovich ◽  
Raad Z. Gharaibeh ◽  
Christine M. Dejea ◽  
Jillian L. Pope ◽  
Jinmai Jiang ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Disrupted interactions between host and intestinal bacteria are implicated in colorectal cancer (CRC) development. However, activities derived from these bacteria and their interplay with the host are unclear. Here, we examine this interplay by performing mouse and microbiota RNA sequencing on colon tissues and 16S and small RNA sequencing on stools from germfree (GF) and gnotobiotic ApcMinΔ850/+;Il10−/− mice associated with microbes from biofilm-positive human CRC tumor (BF+T) and biofilm-negative healthy (BF-bx) tissues. The bacteria in BF+T mice differentially expressed (DE) >2,900 genes, including genes related to bacterial secretion, virulence, and biofilms but affected only 62 host genes. Small RNA sequencing of stools from these cohorts revealed eight significant DE host microRNAs (miRNAs) based on biofilm status and several miRNAs that correlated with bacterial taxon abundances. Additionally, computational predictions suggest that some miRNAs preferentially target bacterial genes while others primarily target mouse genes. 16S rRNA sequencing of mice that were reassociated with mucosa-associated communities from the initial association revealed a set of 13 bacterial genera associated with cancer that were maintained regardless of whether the reassociation inoculums were initially obtained from murine proximal or distal colon tissues. Our findings suggest that complex interactions within bacterial communities affect host-derived miRNA, bacterial composition, and CRC development. IMPORTANCE Bacteria and bacterial biofilms have been implicated in colorectal cancer (CRC), but it is still unclear what genes these microbial communities express and how they influence the host. MicroRNAs regulate host gene expression and have been explored as potential biomarkers for CRC. An emerging area of research is the ability of microRNAs to impact growth and gene expression of members of the intestinal microbiota. This study examined the bacteria and bacterial transcriptome associated with microbes derived from biofilm-positive human cancers that promoted tumorigenesis in a murine model of CRC. The murine response to different microbial communities (derived from CRC patients or healthy people) was evaluated through RNA and microRNA sequencing. We identified a complex interplay between biofilm-associated bacteria and the host during CRC in mice. These findings may lead to the development of new biomarkers and therapeutics for identifying and treating biofilm-associated CRCs.


2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S29-S29
Author(s):  
Takahiko Toyonaga ◽  
Benjamin Keith ◽  
Jasmine Barrow ◽  
Matthew Schaner ◽  
Elizabeth Wolber ◽  
...  

Abstract Background and Aims Intestinal epithelial cell (IEC) barrier dysfunction is critical to the development of Crohn’s disease (CD). Mechanisms controlling colonocyte differentiation and barrier defects are understudied in CD. We recently reported increased expression of microRNA-31-5p (miR-31-5p) in colonic IECs of CD patients compared to non-IBD (NIBD) controls. In this study we identify and characterize the miR-31-5p target gene Activin Receptor-Like Kinase 1 (ALK1) as a key regulator of colonocyte maturation and IEC barrier integrity, specifically the functional impact of aberrant ALK1 signaling on colonocyte differentiation, barrier integrity, and clinical disease outcomes in CD. Methods MiR-31-5p target genes were identified in CD patients by integrative analysis of RNA- and small RNA-sequencing data from colonic mucosa and confirmed by quantitative RT-PCR (qPCR) in isolated colonic IECs. Functional characterization of ALK1 in colonic IECs was performed ex vivo using 2- or 3-dimensional cultured human primary colonic IECs. The impact of altered colonic ALK1 signaling for the risk of surgery and endoscopic relapse was evaluated by a multivariate regression analysis and a Kaplan-Meier estimator among CD patients. Results Integrative analysis of RNA- and small RNA-sequencing and follow-up qPCR identified ALK1 as a candidate target of miR-31-5p in the colonic IECs of CD patients. A 3’-UTR reporter assay with site-directed mutagenesis confirmed the direct regulation of ALK1 expression by miR-31-5p in HEK293T cells. Increased activation of ALK1 restricted the proliferation of primary colonic IECs in an EdU proliferation assay and down-regulated the expression of stemness-related genes, such as LGR5 and ASCL2. Activated ALK1 signaling directed the fate of human colonic IEC differentiation toward colonocytes. Down-regulated ALK1 signaling was associated with increased stemness-related gene expression and decreased colonocyte-specific gene expression in the isolated colonic IECs of CD patients compared to non-IBD controls. Activation of ALK1 did not affect colonic IEC migration in a wound healing assay, but enhanced epithelial barrier integrity in a trans-epithelial electrical resistance (TEER)-based permeability assay. Lower colonic ALK1 expression was associated with higher risks of surgery and endoscopic relapse in CD patients. Conclusion Decreased colonic ALK1 signaling disrupts colonic IEC barrier integrity and is associated with a poor clinical outcome in CD patients.


Genetics ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 178 (4) ◽  
pp. 1845-1858 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meng Chen ◽  
Misook Ha ◽  
Erika Lackey ◽  
Jianlin Wang ◽  
Z. Jeffrey Chen

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmed H. El-Sappah ◽  
Kuan Yan ◽  
Qiulan Huang ◽  
Md. Monirul Islam ◽  
Quanzi Li ◽  
...  

Gene silencing is a negative feedback mechanism that regulates gene expression to define cell fate and also regulates metabolism and gene expression throughout the life of an organism. In plants, gene silencing occurs via transcriptional gene silencing (TGS) and post-transcriptional gene silencing (PTGS). TGS obscures transcription via the methylation of 5′ untranslated region (5′UTR), whereas PTGS causes the methylation of a coding region to result in transcript degradation. In this review, we summarized the history and molecular mechanisms of gene silencing and underlined its specific role in plant growth and crop production.


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