scholarly journals Duvernoy’s Gland Transcriptomics of the Plains Black-Headed Snake, Tantilla nigriceps (Squamata, Colubridae): Unearthing the Venom of Small Rear-Fanged Snakes

Toxins ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 336
Author(s):  
Erich P. Hofmann ◽  
Rhett M. Rautsaw ◽  
Andrew J. Mason ◽  
Jason L. Strickland ◽  
Christopher L. Parkinson
Keyword(s):  
Snake Venom ◽  
Secretory Proteins ◽  
Single Individual ◽  
Rna Seq ◽  
Relative Expression ◽  
Expression Variation ◽  
Initial Characterization ◽  
Venom Evolution ◽  
First Time ◽  
Transcriptomic Studies

The venoms of small rear-fanged snakes (RFS) remain largely unexplored, despite increased recognition of their importance in understanding venom evolution more broadly. Sequencing the transcriptome of venom-producing glands has greatly increased the ability of researchers to examine and characterize the toxin repertoire of small taxa with low venom yields. Here, we use RNA-seq to characterize the Duvernoy’s gland transcriptome of the Plains Black-headed Snake, Tantilla nigriceps, a small, semi-fossorial colubrid that feeds on a variety of potentially dangerous arthropods including centipedes and spiders. We generated transcriptomes of six individuals from three localities in order to both characterize the toxin expression of this species for the first time, and to look for initial evidence of venom variation in the species. Three toxin families—three-finger neurotoxins (3FTxs), cysteine-rich secretory proteins (CRISPs), and snake venom metalloproteinases (SVMPIIIs)—dominated the transcriptome of T. nigriceps; 3FTx themselves were the dominant toxin family in most individuals, accounting for as much as 86.4% of an individual’s toxin expression. Variation in toxin expression between individuals was also noted, with two specimens exhibiting higher relative expression of c-type lectins than any other sample (8.7–11.9% compared to <1%), and another expressed CRISPs higher than any other toxin. This study provides the first Duvernoy’s gland transcriptomes of any species of Tantilla, and one of the few transcriptomic studies of RFS not predicated on a single individual. This initial characterization demonstrates the need for further study of toxin expression variation in this species, as well as the need for further exploration of small RFS venoms.

scholarly journals Rewired Pathways and Disrupted Pathway Crosstalk in Schizophrenia Transcriptomes by Multiple Differential Coexpression Methods

Genes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 665
Author(s):  
Hui Yu ◽  
Yan Guo ◽  
Jingchun Chen ◽  
Xiangning Chen ◽  
Peilin Jia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Focal Adhesion ◽  
Biological Pathways ◽  
Postmortem Brain ◽  
Rna Seq ◽  
Hub Genes ◽  
Differential Coexpression ◽  
Pathway Crosstalk ◽  
Microarray Datasets ◽  
Transcriptomic Studies

Transcriptomic studies of mental disorders using the human brain tissues have been limited, and gene expression signatures in schizophrenia (SCZ) remain elusive. In this study, we applied three differential co-expression methods to analyze five transcriptomic datasets (three RNA-Seq and two microarray datasets) derived from SCZ and matched normal postmortem brain samples. We aimed to uncover biological pathways where internal correlation structure was rewired or inter-coordination was disrupted in SCZ. In total, we identified 60 rewired pathways, many of which were related to neurotransmitter, synapse, immune, and cell adhesion. We found the hub genes, which were on the center of rewired pathways, were highly mutually consistent among the five datasets. The combinatory list of 92 hub genes was generally multi-functional, suggesting their complex and dynamic roles in SCZ pathophysiology. In our constructed pathway crosstalk network, we found “Clostridium neurotoxicity” and “signaling events mediated by focal adhesion kinase” had the highest interactions. We further identified disconnected gene links underlying the disrupted pathway crosstalk. Among them, four gene pairs (PAK1:SYT1, PAK1:RFC5, DCTN1:STX1A, and GRIA1:MAP2K4) were normally correlated in universal contexts. In summary, we systematically identified rewired pathways, disrupted pathway crosstalk circuits, and critical genes and gene links in schizophrenia transcriptomes.

scholarly journals lncRNA CASC19 Contributes to Radioresistance of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma by Promoting Autophagy via AMPK-mTOR Pathway

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 1407
Author(s):  
Hongxia Liu ◽  
Wang Zheng ◽  
Qianping Chen ◽  
Yuchuan Zhou ◽  
Yan Pan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma ◽  
Cell Line ◽  
Malignant Tumors ◽  
Underlying Mechanism ◽  
Mtor Pathway ◽  
Rna Seq ◽  
Cellular Autophagy ◽  
First Time

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is one of the most frequent head and neck malignant tumors and is majorly treated by radiotherapy. However, radiation resistance remains a serious obstacle to the successful treatment of NPC. The aim of this study was to discover the underlying mechanism of radioresistance and to elucidate novel genes that may play important roles in the regulation of NPC radiosensitivity. By using RNA-seq analysis of NPC cell line CNE2 and its radioresistant cell line CNE2R, lncRNA CASC19 was screened out as a candidate radioresistance marker. Both in vitro and in vivo data demonstrated that a high expression level of CASC19 was positively correlated with the radioresistance of NPC, and the radiosensitivity of NPC cells was considerably enhanced by knockdown of CASC19. The incidence of autophagy was enhanced in CNE2R in comparison with CNE2 and another NPC cell line HONE1, and silencing autophagy with LC3 siRNA (siLC3) sensitized NPC cells to irradiation. Furthermore, CASC19 siRNA (siCASC19) suppressed cellular autophagy by inhibiting the AMPK/mTOR pathway and promoted apoptosis through the PARP1 pathway. Our results revealed for the first time that lncRNA CASC19 contributed to the radioresistance of NPC by regulating autophagy. In significance, CASC19 might be a potential molecular biomarker and a new therapeutic target in NPC.

scholarly journals Transcriptomic and Lipidomic Analysis of Lipids in Forsythia suspensa

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bei Wu ◽  
Yinping Li ◽  
Wenjia Zhao ◽  
Zhiqiang Meng ◽  
Wen Ji ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
De Novo ◽  
Growth Stages ◽  
Rna Seq ◽  
Dynamic Regulation ◽  
Kegg Pathways ◽  
Reference Information ◽  
Forsythia Suspensa ◽  
First Time ◽  
Differential Genes ◽  
Lipid Components

Forsythiae Fructus (Lianqiao in Chinese) is widely used in traditional Chinese medicine. The lipid components in Forsythiae Fructus are the basis of plant growth and active metabolism. Samples were collected at two growth stages for a comprehensive study. Transcriptome and lipidomics were performed by using the RNA-seq and UPLC-Q-TOF-MS techniques separately. For the first time, it was reported that there were 5802 lipid components in Lianqiao comprised of 31.7% glycerolipids, 16.57% phospholipids, 13.18% sphingolipids, and 10.54% fatty acids. Lipid components such as terpenes and flavonoids have pharmacological activity, but their content was low. Among these lipids which were isolated from Forsythiae Fructus, 139 showed significant differences from the May and July harvest periods. The lipids of natural products are mainly concentrated in pregnenolones and polyvinyl lipids. RNA-Seq analysis revealed 92,294 unigenes, and 1533 of these were differentially expressed. There were 551 differential genes enriched in 119 KEGG pathways. The de novo synthesis pathways of terpenoids and flavonoids were explored. Combined with the results of lipidomics and transcriptomics, it is hypothesized that in the synthesis of abscisic acid, a terpenoid, may be under the dynamic regulation of genes EC: 1.1.1.288, EC: 1.14.14.137 and EC: 1.13.11.51 in balanced state. In the synthesis of gibberellin, GA20-oxidase (GA20ox, EC: 1.14.11.12), and GA3-oxidase (GA3ox, EC: 1.14.11.15) catalyze the production of active GAs, and EC: 1.14.11.13 is the metabolic enzymes of active GAs. In the synthesis of flavonoids, MF (multifunctional), PAL (phenylalanine ammonia-lyase), CHS (chalcone synthase), ANS (anthocyanidin synthase), FLS (flavonol synthase) are all key enzymes. The results of the present study provide valuable reference information for further research on the metabolic pathways of the secondary metabolites of Forsythia suspensa.

scholarly journals FoxP2 isoforms delineate spatiotemporal transcriptional networks for vocal learning in the zebra finch

eLife ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zachary Daniel Burkett ◽  
Nancy F Day ◽  
Todd Haswell Kimball ◽  
Caitlin M Aamodt ◽  
Jonathan B Heston ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vocal Learning ◽  
Transcriptional Networks ◽  
Zebra Finches ◽  
Rna Seq ◽  
Song Development ◽  
Gene Modules ◽  
Area X ◽  
First Time ◽  
Vocal Variability ◽  
Coexpression Network Analysis

Human speech is one of the few examples of vocal learning among mammals yet ~half of avian species exhibit this ability. Its neurogenetic basis is largely unknown beyond a shared requirement for FoxP2 in both humans and zebra finches. We manipulated FoxP2 isoforms in Area X, a song-specific region of the avian striatopallidum analogous to human anterior striatum, during a critical period for song development. We delineate, for the first time, unique contributions of each isoform to vocal learning. Weighted gene coexpression network analysis of RNA-seq data revealed gene modules correlated to singing, learning, or vocal variability. Coexpression related to singing was found in juvenile and adult Area X whereas coexpression correlated to learning was unique to juveniles. The confluence of learning and singing coexpression in juvenile Area X may underscore molecular processes that drive vocal learning in young zebra finches and, by analogy, humans.

scholarly journals Quercetin inhibits intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma by inducing ferroptosis and inhibiting epithelial-mesenchymal transformation via the NF-κB pathway

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yinghui Song ◽  
Zhihua Zhang ◽  
Qin Chai ◽  
GuoYi Xia ◽  
Zhangtao Yu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma ◽  
Clonogenic Assay ◽  
Direct Interaction ◽  
Rna Seq ◽  
Wound Healing Assay ◽  
Tumor Bearing ◽  
Mesenchymal Transformation ◽  
First Time

Abstract Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) is a rare high-fatal hepatobiliary malignancy, the treatment option of ICC is very limited, and the prognosis is also poor. Recently, emerging evidence has shown the potential of quercetin (QE) for cancer therapy. We explored the effect and mechanism of QE on ICC in vitro and in vivo. CCK-8 assay and Clonogenic assay showed that QE could inhibit ICC cells proliferation and survival. PI staining suggested QE could induce ICC cells arrest in G1 phase. AV/PI staining suggested QE could promote ICC cells apoptosis. Wound Healing Assay and Transwell chamber experiment suggested QE could inhibit ICC cells EMT. RNA-seq, the changes in the structure of mitochondria by electron microscopy and the key markers of ferroptosis (free iron ions, MDA, SOD, GPX4) were supported QE could promote ferroptosis in ICC cells. Molecular docking showed that QE had direct interaction with NF-κB and GPX4. In vivo, treatment with QE inhibited tumor growth and prolonged survival time of tumor-bearing nude mice. Our data for the first time suggest that QE is a new ferroptosis inducer and combinative treatment of inhibiting NF-κB in ICC cells by inducing ferroptosis and inhibiting EMT, which will hopefully provide a prospective strategy for ICC patients.

scholarly journals Cysteine-Rich Secretory Proteins (CRISPs) from Venomous Snakes: An Overview of the Functional Diversity in a Large and Underappreciated Superfamily

Toxins ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 175 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takashi Tadokoro ◽  
Cassandra M. Modahl ◽  
Katsumi Maenaka ◽  
Narumi Aoki-Shioi
Keyword(s):  
Snake Venom ◽  
Inflammatory Responses ◽  
Neutrophil Infiltration ◽  
Secretory Proteins ◽  
Sequence Alignments ◽  
Functional Sites ◽  
Accelerated Evolution ◽  
Evolutionarily Conserved ◽  
Pathogenesis Related ◽  
Venom Proteins

The CAP protein superfamily (Cysteine-rich secretory proteins (CRISPs), Antigen 5 (Ag5), and Pathogenesis-related 1 (PR-1) proteins) is widely distributed, but for toxinologists, snake venom CRISPs are the most familiar members. Although CRISPs are found in the majority of venoms, very few of these proteins have been functionally characterized, but those that have been exhibit diverse activities. Snake venom CRISPs (svCRISPs) inhibit ion channels and the growth of new blood vessels (angiogenesis). They also increase vascular permeability and promote inflammatory responses (leukocyte and neutrophil infiltration). Interestingly, CRISPs in lamprey buccal gland secretions also manifest some of these activities, suggesting an evolutionarily conserved function. As we strive to better understand the functions that CRISPs serve in venoms, it is worth considering the broad range of CRISP physiological activities throughout the animal kingdom. In this review, we summarize those activities, known crystal structures and sequence alignments, and we discuss predicted functional sites. CRISPs may not be lethal or major components of venoms, but given their almost ubiquitous occurrence in venoms and the accelerated evolution of svCRISP genes, these venom proteins are likely to have functions worth investigating.

scholarly journals A diffusion-based microfluidic device for single-cell RNA-seq

Lab on a Chip ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (7) ◽  
pp. 1247-1256 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mimosa Sarma ◽  
Jiyoung Lee ◽  
Sai Ma ◽  
Song Li ◽  
Chang Lu
Keyword(s):  
Single Cell ◽  
Microfluidic Device ◽  
Microfluidic Devices ◽  
Rna Seq ◽  
Transcriptomic Studies

Scalable microfluidic devices containing reaction and loading chambers were developed to conduct single-cell transcriptomic studies.

scholarly journals Transcriptomic Analysis of mRNA-lncRNA-miRNA Interactions in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xia Tang ◽  
Delong Feng ◽  
Min Li ◽  
Jinxue Zhou ◽  
Xiaoyuan Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Expression Profiles ◽  
Rna Seq ◽  
Pairwise Interactions ◽  
Micro Rnas ◽  
Non Coding Rnas ◽  
First Time

Abstract Fully elucidating the molecular mechanisms of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), including micro RNAs (miRNAs) and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), underlying hepatocarcinogenesis is challenging. We characterized the expression profiles of ncRNAs and constructed a regulatory mRNA-lncRNA-miRNA (MLMI) network based on transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq) of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC, n = 9) patients. Of the identified miRNAs (n = 203) and lncRNAs (n = 1,090), we found 16 significantly differentially expressed (DE) miRNAs and three DE lncRNAs. The DE RNAs were highly enriched in 21 functional pathways implicated in HCC (p < 0.05), including p53, MAPK, and NAFLD signaling. Potential pairwise interactions between DE ncRNAs and mRNAs were fully characterized using in silico prediction and experimentally-validated evidence. We for the first time constructed a MLMI network of reciprocal interactions for 16 miRNAs, three lncRNAs, and 253 mRNAs in HCC. The predominant role of MEG3 in the MLMI network was validated by its overexpression in vitro that the expression levels of a proportion of MEG3-targeted miRNAs and mRNAs was changed significantly. Our results suggested that the comprehensive MLMI network synergistically modulated carcinogenesis, and the crosstalk of the network provides a new avenue to accurately describe the molecular mechanisms of hepatocarcinogenesis.

scholarly journals Comparative Transcriptome Analysis of Different Dendrobium Species Reveals Active Ingredients-Related Genes and Pathways

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 861 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yingdan Yuan ◽  
Bo Zhang ◽  
Xinggang Tang ◽  
Jinchi Zhang ◽  
Jie Lin
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Expression Profiles ◽  
Gene Expression Profiles ◽  
Rna Seq ◽  
Active Ingredients ◽  
Hub Genes ◽  
Transcriptome Database ◽  
Gene Modules ◽  
Functional Investigation ◽  
First Time

Dendrobium is widely used in traditional Chinese medicine, which contains many kinds of active ingredients. In recent years, many Dendrobium transcriptomes have been sequenced. Hence, weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was used with the gene expression profiles of active ingredients to identify the modules and genes that may associate with particular species and tissues. Three kinds of Dendrobium species and three tissues were sampled for RNA-seq to generate a high-quality, full-length transcriptome database. Based on significant changes in gene expression, we constructed co-expression networks and revealed 19 gene modules. Among them, four modules with properties correlating to active ingredients regulation and biosynthesis, and several hub genes were selected for further functional investigation. This is the first time the WGCNA method has been used to analyze Dendrobium transcriptome data. Further excavation of the gene module information will help us to further study the role and significance of key genes, key signaling pathways, and regulatory mechanisms between genes on the occurrence and development of medicinal components of Dendrobium.

scholarly journals Venomics of Trimeresurus (Popeia) nebularis, the Cameron Highlands Pit Viper from Malaysia: Insights into Venom Proteome, Toxicity and Neutralization of Antivenom

Toxins ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 95 ◽  
Author(s):  
Choo Tan ◽  
Kae Tan ◽  
Tzu Ng ◽  
Evan Quah ◽  
Ahmad Ismail ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Snake Venom ◽  
Serine Proteases ◽  
Cross Reactivity ◽  
Secretory Proteins ◽  
Proteomic Profiling ◽  
Phospholipases A2 ◽  
Central Highland ◽  
Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass ◽  
Cameron Highlands ◽  
Venom Proteins

Trimeresurus nebularis is a montane pit viper that causes bites and envenomation to various communities in the central highland region of Malaysia, in particular Cameron’s Highlands. To unravel the venom composition of this species, the venom proteins were digested by trypsin and subjected to nano-liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) for proteomic profiling. Snake venom metalloproteinases (SVMP) dominated the venom proteome by 48.42% of total venom proteins, with a characteristic distribution of P-III: P-II classes in a ratio of 2:1, while P-I class was undetected. Snaclecs constituted the second most venomous protein family (19.43%), followed by snake venom serine proteases (SVSP, 14.27%), phospholipases A2 (5.40%), disintegrins (5.26%) and minor proteins including cysteine-rich secretory proteins, L-amino acid oxidases, phosphodiesterases, 5′-nucleotidases. The venomic profile correlates with local (painful progressive edema) and systemic (hemorrhage, coagulopathy, thrombocytopenia) manifestation of T. nebularis envenoming. As specific antivenom is unavailable for T. nebularis, the hetero-specific Thai Green Pit viper Monovalent Antivenom (GPVAV) was examined for immunological cross-reactivity. GPVAV exhibited good immunoreactivity to T. nebularis venom and the antivenom effectively cross-neutralized the hemotoxic and lethal effects of T. nebularis (lethality neutralizing potency = 1.6 mg venom per mL antivenom). The findings supported GPVAV use in treating T. nebularis envenoming.

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