scholarly journals GeTallele: a method for integrative analysis and visualization of DNA and RNA allele frequencies

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Piotr Słowiński ◽  
Muzi Li ◽  
Paula Restrepo ◽  
Nawaf Alomran ◽  
Liam F. Spurr ◽  
...  

AbstractBackgroundAsymmetric allele expression typically indicates functional and/or structural features associated with the underlying genetic variants. When integrated, RNA and DNA allele frequencies can reveal patterns characteristic of a wide-range of biological traits, including ploidy changes, genome admixture, allele-specific expression and gene-dosage transcriptional response.ResultsTo assess RNA and DNA allele frequencies from matched sequencing datasets, we introduce a method for generating model distributions of variant allele frequencies (VAF) with a given variant read probability. In contrast to other methods, based on whole sequences or single SNV, proposed methodology uses continuous multi-SNV genomic regions. The methodology is implemented in a GeTallele toolbox that provides a suite of functions for integrative analysis, statistical assessment and visualization of Genome and Transcriptome allele frequencies. Using model VAF probabilities, GeTallele allows estimation and comparison of variant read probabilities (VAF distributions) in a sequencing dataset. We demonstrate this functionality across cancer DNA and RNA sequencing datasets.ConclusionBased on our evaluation, variant read probabilities can serve as a dependable indicator to assess gene and chromosomal allele asymmetries and to aid calls of genomic events in matched sequencing RNA and DNA [email protected]

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (10) ◽  
pp. 743-750 ◽  
Author(s):  
Remya Radha ◽  
Sathyanarayana N. Gummadi

Background:pH is one of the decisive macromolecular properties of proteins that significantly affects enzyme structure, stability and reaction rate. Change in pH may protonate or deprotonate the side group of aminoacid residues in the protein, thereby resulting in changes in chemical and structural features. Hence studies on the kinetics of enzyme deactivation by pH are important for assessing the bio-functionality of industrial enzymes. L-asparaginase is one such important enzyme that has potent applications in cancer therapy and food industry.Objective:The objective of the study is to understand and analyze the influence of pH on deactivation and stability of Vibrio cholerae L-asparaginase.Methods:Kinetic studies were conducted to analyze the effect of pH on stability and deactivation of Vibrio cholerae L-asparaginase. Circular Dichroism (CD) and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) studies have been carried out to understand the pH-dependent conformational changes in the secondary structure of V. cholerae L-asparaginase.Results:The enzyme was found to be least stable at extreme acidic conditions (pH< 4.5) and exhibited a gradual increase in melting temperature from 40 to 81 °C within pH range of 4.0 to 7.0. Thermodynamic properties of protein were estimated and at pH 7.0 the protein exhibited ΔG37of 26.31 kcal mole-1, ΔH of 204.27 kcal mole-1 and ΔS of 574.06 cal mole-1 K-1.Conclusion:The stability and thermodynamic analysis revealed that V. cholerae L-asparaginase was highly stable over a wide range of pH, with the highest stability in the pH range of 5.0–7.0.


2020 ◽  
Vol 09 ◽  
Author(s):  
Minita Ojha ◽  
R. K. Bansal

Background: During the last two decades, horizon of research in the field of Nitrogen Heterocyclic Carbenes (NHC) has widened remarkably. NHCs have emerged as ubiquitous species having applications in a broad range of fields, including organocatalysis and organometallic chemistry. The NHC-induced non-asymmetric catalysis has turned out to be a really fruitful area of research in recent years. Methods: By manipulating structural features and selecting appropriate substituent groups, it has been possible to control the kinetic and thermodynamic stability of a wide range of NHCs, which can be tolerant to a variety of functional groups and can be used under mild conditions. NHCs are produced by different methods, such as deprotonation of Nalkylhetrocyclic salt, transmetallation, decarboxylation and electrochemical reduction. Results: The NHCs have been used successfully as catalysts for a wide range of reactions making a large number of building blocks and other useful compounds accessible. Some of these reactions are: benzoin condensation, Stetter reaction, Michael reaction, esterification, activation of esters, activation of isocyanides, polymerization, different cycloaddition reactions, isomerization, etc. The present review includes all these examples published during the last 10 years, i.e. from 2010 till date. Conclusion: The NHCs have emerged as versatile and powerful organocatalysts in synthetic organic chemistry. They provide the synthetic strategy which does not burden the environment with metal pollutants and thus fit in the Green Chemistry.


Materials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (6) ◽  
pp. 1486
Author(s):  
Eugene B. Caldona ◽  
Ernesto I. Borrego ◽  
Ketki E. Shelar ◽  
Karl M. Mukeba ◽  
Dennis W. Smith

Many desirable characteristics of polymers arise from the method of polymerization and structural features of their repeat units, which typically are responsible for the polymer’s performance at the cost of processability. While linear alternatives are popular, polymers composed of cyclic repeat units across their backbones have generally been shown to exhibit higher optical transparency, lower water absorption, and higher glass transition temperatures. These specifically include polymers built with either substituted alicyclic structures or aromatic rings, or both. In this review article, we highlight two useful ring-forming polymer groups, perfluorocyclobutyl (PFCB) aryl ether polymers and ortho-diynylarene- (ODA) based thermosets, both demonstrating outstanding thermal stability, chemical resistance, mechanical integrity, and improved processability. Different synthetic routes (with emphasis on ring-forming polymerization) and properties for these polymers are discussed, followed by their relevant applications in a wide range of aspects.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gareth B. Gillard ◽  
Lars Grønvold ◽  
Line L. Røsæg ◽  
Matilde Mengkrog Holen ◽  
Øystein Monsen ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Whole genome duplication (WGD) events have played a major role in eukaryotic genome evolution, but the consequence of these extreme events in adaptive genome evolution is still not well understood. To address this knowledge gap, we used a comparative phylogenetic model and transcriptomic data from seven species to infer selection on gene expression in duplicated genes (ohnologs) following the salmonid WGD 80–100 million years ago. Results We find rare cases of tissue-specific expression evolution but pervasive expression evolution affecting many tissues, reflecting strong selection on maintenance of genome stability following genome doubling. Ohnolog expression levels have evolved mostly asymmetrically, by diverting one ohnolog copy down a path towards lower expression and possible pseudogenization. Loss of expression in one ohnolog is significantly associated with transposable element insertions in promoters and likely driven by selection on gene dosage including selection on stoichiometric balance. We also find symmetric expression shifts, and these are associated with genes under strong evolutionary constraints such as ribosome subunit genes. This possibly reflects selection operating to achieve a gene dose reduction while avoiding accumulation of “toxic mutations”. Mechanistically, ohnolog regulatory divergence is dictated by the number of bound transcription factors in promoters, with transposable elements being one likely source of novel binding sites driving tissue-specific gains in expression. Conclusions Our results imply pervasive adaptive expression evolution following WGD to overcome the immediate challenges posed by genome doubling and to exploit the long-term genetic opportunities for novel phenotype evolution.


1992 ◽  
Vol 277 ◽  
Author(s):  
Geoffrey A. Ozin ◽  
Carol L. Bowes ◽  
Mark R. Steele

ABSTRACTVarious MOCVD (metal-organic chemical vapour deposition) type precursors and their self-assembled semiconductor nanocluster products [1] have been investigated in zeolite Y hosts. From analysis of in situ observations (FTIR, UV-vis reflectance, Mössbauer, MAS-NMR) of the reaction sequences and structural features of the precursors and products (EXAFS and Rietveld refinement of powder XRD data) the zeolite is viewed as providing a macrospheroidal, multidendate coordination environment towards encapsulated guests. By thinking about the α- and β-cages of the zeolite Y host effectively as a zeolate ligand composed of interconnected aluminosilicate “crown ether-like” building blocks, the materials chemist is able to better understand and exploit the reactivity and coordination properties of the zeolite internal surface for the anchoring and self-assembly of a wide range of encapsulated guests. This approach helps with the design of synthetic strategies for creating novel guest-host inclusion compounds having possible applications in areas of materials science such as nonlinear optics, quantum electronics, and size/shape selective catalysis.


2013 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 1860-1873 ◽  
Author(s):  
Magdalena Nowacka ◽  
Łukasz Klapiszewski ◽  
Małgorzata Norman ◽  
Teofil Jesionowski

AbstractAdvanced silica/lignin hybrid biomaterials were obtained using hydrated or fumed silicas (Aerosil®200) and Kraft lignin as precursors, which is a cheap and biodegradable natural polymer. To extend the possible range of applications, the silicas were first modified with N-2-(aminoethyl)-3-aminopropyltrimethoxsysilane, and then with Kraft lignin, which had been oxidized with sodium periodate. The SiO2/lignin hybrids and precursors were characterised by means of determination of their physicochemical and dispersive-morphological properties. The effectiveness of silica binding to lignin was verified by FT-IR spectroscopy. The zeta potential value provides relevant information regarding interactions between colloid particles. Measurement of the zeta potential values enabled an indirect assessment of stability for the studied hybrid systems. Determination of zeta potential and density of surface charge also permitted the quantitative analysis of changes in surface charge, and indirectly confirmed the effectiveness of the proposed method for synthesis of SiO2/lignin hybrid materials. A particularly attractive feature for practical use is their stability, especially electrokinetic stability. It is expected that silica/lignin hybrids will find a wide range of applications (polymer fillers, biosorbents, electrochemical sensors), as they combine the unique properties of silica with the specific structural features of lignin. This makes these hybrids biomaterials advanced and multifunctional.


2008 ◽  
Vol 74 (12) ◽  
pp. 3764-3773 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dina Raafat ◽  
Kristine von Bargen ◽  
Albert Haas ◽  
Hans-Georg Sahl

ABSTRACT Chitosan is a polysaccharide biopolymer that combines a unique set of versatile physicochemical and biological characteristics which allow for a wide range of applications. Although its antimicrobial activity is well documented, its mode of action has hitherto remained only vaguely defined. In this work we investigated the antimicrobial mode of action of chitosan using a combination of approaches, including in vitro assays, killing kinetics, cellular leakage measurements, membrane potential estimations, and electron microscopy, in addition to transcriptional response analysis. Chitosan, whose antimicrobial activity was influenced by several factors, exhibited a dose-dependent growth-inhibitory effect. A simultaneous permeabilization of the cell membrane to small cellular components, coupled to a significant membrane depolarization, was detected. A concomitant interference with cell wall biosynthesis was not observed. Chitosan treatment of Staphylococcus simulans 22 cells did not give rise to cell wall lysis; the cell membrane also remained intact. Analysis of transcriptional response data revealed that chitosan treatment leads to multiple changes in the expression profiles of Staphylococcus aureus SG511 genes involved in the regulation of stress and autolysis, as well as genes associated with energy metabolism. Finally, a possible mechanism for chitosan's activity is postulated. Although we contend that there might not be a single classical target that would explain chitosan's antimicrobial action, we speculate that binding of chitosan to teichoic acids, coupled with a potential extraction of membrane lipids (predominantly lipoteichoic acid) results in a sequence of events, ultimately leading to bacterial death.


2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Weiyang Li ◽  
Yanwei Qi ◽  
Xiaofang Cui ◽  
Qing Huo ◽  
Liangxi Zhu ◽  
...  

High-risk HPV is clearly associated with cervical cancer. HPV integration has been confirmed to promote carcinogenesis in the previous studies. In our study, a total of 285 DNA breakpoints and 287 RNA breakpoints were collected. We analyzed the characteristic of HPV integration in the DNA and RNA samples. The results revealed that the patterns of HPV integration in RNA and DNA samples differ significantly. FHIT, KLF5, and LINC00392 were the hotspot genes integrated by HPV in the DNA samples. RAD51B, CASC8, CASC21, ERBB2, TP63, TEX41, RAP2B, and MYC were the hotspot genes integrated by HPV in RNA samples. Breakpoints of DNA samples were significantly prone to the region of INTRON (P < 0.01, Chi-squared test), whereas in the RNA samples, the breakpoints were prone to EXON. Pathway analysis had revealed that the breakpoints of RNA samples were enriched in the pathways of transcriptional misregulation in cancer, cancer pathway, and pathway of adherens junction. Breakpoints of DNA samples were enriched in the pathway of cholinergic synapse. In summary, our data helped to gain insights into the HPV integration sites in DNA and RNA samples of cervical cancer. It had provided theoretical basis for understanding the mechanism of tumorigenesis from the perspective of HPV integration in the HPV-associated cervical cancers.


2005 ◽  
Vol 71 (6) ◽  
pp. 3235-3247 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heath J. Mills ◽  
Robert J. Martinez ◽  
Sandra Story ◽  
Patricia A. Sobecky

ABSTRACT The characterization of microbial assemblages within solid gas hydrate, especially those that may be physiologically active under in situ hydrate conditions, is essential to gain a better understanding of the effects and contributions of microbial activities in Gulf of Mexico (GoM) hydrate ecosystems. In this study, the composition of the Bacteria and Archaea communities was determined by 16S rRNA phylogenetic analyses of clone libraries derived from RNA and DNA extracted from sediment-entrained hydrate (SEH) and interior hydrate (IH). The hydrate was recovered from an exposed mound located in the northern GoM continental slope with a hydrate chipper designed for use on the manned-submersible Johnson Sea Link (water depth, 550 m). Previous geochemical analyses indicated that there was increased metabolic activity in the SEH compared to the IH layer (B. N. Orcutt, A. Boetius, S. K. Lugo, I. R. Macdonald, V. A. Samarkin, and S. Joye, Chem. Geol. 205:239-251). Phylogenetic analysis of RNA- and DNA-derived clones indicated that there was greater diversity in the SEH libraries than in the IH libraries. A majority of the clones obtained from the metabolically active fraction of the microbial community were most closely related to putative sulfate-reducing bacteria and anaerobic methane-oxidizing archaea. Several novel bacterial and archaeal phylotypes for which there were no previously identified closely related cultured isolates were detected in the RNA- and DNA-derived clone libraries. This study was the first phylogenetic analysis of the metabolically active fraction of the microbial community extant in the distinct SEH and IH layers of GoM gas hydrate.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erik Hembre ◽  
Julie V. Early ◽  
Joshua Odingo ◽  
Catherine Shelton ◽  
Olena Anoshchenko ◽  
...  

The identification and development of new anti-tubercular agents are a priority research area. We identified the trifluoromethyl pyrimidinone series of compounds in a whole-cell screen against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Fifteen primary hits had minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) with good potency IC90 is the concentration at which M. tuberculosis growth is inhibited by 90% (IC90 &lt; 5 μM). We conducted a structure–activity relationship investigation for this series. We designed and synthesized an additional 44 molecules and tested all analogs for activity against M. tuberculosis and cytotoxicity against the HepG2 cell line. Substitution at the 5-position of the pyrimidinone with a wide range of groups, including branched and straight chain alkyl and benzyl groups, resulted in active molecules. Trifluoromethyl was the preferred group at the 6-position, but phenyl and benzyl groups were tolerated. The 2-pyridyl group was required for activity; substitution on the 5-position of the pyridyl ring was tolerated but not on the 6-position. Active molecules from the series demonstrated low selectivity, with cytotoxicity against eukaryotic cells being an issue. However, there were active and non-cytotoxic molecules; the most promising molecule had an MIC (IC90) of 4.9 μM with no cytotoxicity (IC50 &gt; 100 μM). The series was inactive against Gram-negative bacteria but showed good activity against Gram-positive bacteria and yeast. A representative molecule from this series showed rapid concentration-dependent bactericidal activity against replicating M. tuberculosis bacilli with ~4 log kill in &lt;7 days. Overall the biological properties were promising, if cytotoxicity could be reduced. There is scope for further medicinal chemistry optimization to improve the properties without major change in structural features.


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