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At least 217 records · Page 12Linked to original sources

Interpretable data integration for single-cell and spatial multi-omics.

Integrating single-cell or spatial transcriptomic and epigenomic data enables scrutinizing the transcriptional regulatory mechanisms controlling cell fate. Current integration methods usually align multi-omics data into a shared latent space but fail to reveal the underlying connections between genes and regulatory elements. The correlation- or regression-based regulatory inference methods cannot dissect different transcriptional regulation codes for cells under different spatial and temporal states. To address both problems, we develop a feature-guided optimal transport (FGOT) method, which simultaneously uncovers cellular heterogeneity and their associated transcriptional regulatory links. FGOT also provides post hoc interpretability for existing integration methods. FGOT is applicable for paired/unpaired single-cell multi-omics data and paired spatial multi-omics data. Benchmarking and validating via histone modification data or three-dimensional (3D) genomics data show good robustness and accuracy in integration and inference of regulatory links. The method allows systematic screening of cell-state and spatial-location-specific regulatory elements in diseases at the single-cell level. A record of this paper's transparent peer review process is included in the supplemental information.

Single-Cell Analysis↗

Advances and challenges in human 3D solid tumor models.

The field of cancer biology and therapeutics has soared in the past several decades with new therapeutic modalities and options for patients, such as chemoradiotherapy, immunotherapy, and combination therapy. This dramatic success in expanding patient options is primarily attributed to the development of various model systems to elucidate drivers of oncogenesis, tumor maturation and evolution, and response to therapeutics. While mouse models have been a workhorse of cancer research, technological progress in ex vivo patient-derived tumor models has afforded more tunable and scrutable systems for patient-predictive platforms and mechanistic study. This review explores the technological innovations in 3D solid tumor models and their applicability to various aspects of cancer biology and identification of therapeutics. Features of the tumor and tumor microenvironment like spatial heterogeneity, multicellular populations and genomic variations are addressed and elaborated through the establishment of new in vitro models. We further address the integration of perfusable vasculature with 3D tumor models and the potentially wide-ranging applications of these more complex platforms in precision medicine and cancer immunotherapy. Finally, we provide an outlook on the future of experimental cancer models for both biological investigation and bench-to-bedside pipeline development.

Journal Article↗

The channels model of nuclear matrix structure.

The specificity of eukaryotic DNA organization into loops fixed to the nuclear matrix/chromosomal scaffold has been studied for more than fifteen years. The results and conclusions of different authors remain, however, controversial. Recently, we have elaborated a new approach to the study of chromosomal DNA loops. Instead of characterizing loop basements (nuclear matrix DNA), we have concentrated our efforts on the characterization of individual loops after their excision by DNA topoisomerase II-mediated DNA cleavage at matrix attachment sites. In this review the results of applying this mapping approach are compared with the results and conclusions from studies of nuclear matrix DNA. An attempt is also made to reconsider all data about the specificity of DNA interactions with the nuclear matrix and to suggest a model of spatial organization of the eukaryotic genome which resolves apparent contradictions between these data.

Animals↗

Repositioning of human interphase chromosomes by nucleolar dynamics in the reverse transformation of HT1080 fibrosarcoma cells.

An experimental system which should be valuable for studying the role of spatial positioning of the nuclear genome in human cell function has been developed. Reverse transformation of the malignant HT1080 fibrosarcoma cell line upon treatment with 8-chloro-cAMP results in growth inhibition, cytoskeletal reorganization, changes in nuclear shape and chromatin accessibility, and formation of prominent nucleoli. Fluorescent in situ hybridization was used to study DNA positioning during nuclear remodeling. Morphometric analysis of the hybridization sites for both repetitive sequences and "painting probes" for whole chromosomes indicated dispersal of acrocentric chromosomes in untreated cells and a highly organized central location of these ribosome gene-containing chromosomes in association with one or a few large nucleoli in nondividing treated cells. The results suggest that there was a directed movement of interphase chromosomes during a response which normalized a malignant cell line. These large-scale repositionings may serve two functions in restoring a normal transcriptional setup to the nucleus. First, ribosome genes are placed in the nucleolus, their transcriptional suborganelle. Second, nucleolar anchorings together with additional perinucleolar centromeric associations orient the domain shapes of entire chromosomes, installing gene-rich chromosomal regions into pockets of (accessible) DNAse I-sensitive chromatin populated by spliceosomes.

8-Bromo Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate↗

Homeodomain proteins in development and therapy.

Homeobox genes encode transcriptional regulators found in all organisms ranging from yeast to humans. In Drosophila, a specific class of homeobox genes, the homeotic genes, specifies the identity of certain spatial units of development. Their genomic organization, in Drosophila, as well as in vertebrates, is uniquely connected with their expression which follows a 5'-posterior-3'-anterior rule along the longitudinal body axis. The 180-bp homeobox is part of the coding sequence of these genes, and the sequence of 60 amino acids it encodes is referred to as the homeodomain. Structural analyses have shown that homeodomains consist of a helix-turn-helix motif that binds the DNA by inserting the recognition helix into the major groove of the DNA and its amino-terminal arm into the adjacent minor groove. Developmental as well as gene regulatory functions of homeobox genes are discussed, with special emphasis on one group, the Antennapedia (Antp) class homeobox genes and a representative 60-amino acid Antennapedia peptide (pAntp). In cultured neuronal cells, pAntp translocates through the membrane specifically and efficiently and accumulates in the nucleus. The internalization process is followed by a strong induction of neuronal morphological differentiation, which raises the possibility that motoneuron growth is controlled by homeodomain proteins. It has been demonstrated that chimeric peptide molecules encompassing pAntp are also captured by cultured neurons and conveyed to their nuclei. This may be of enormous interest for the internalization of drugs.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Isolation of a library of target-sites for sequence specific DNA binding proteins from chick embryonic heart: a potential tool for identifying novel transcriptional regulators involved in embryonic development.

Enormity of the metazoan genomes and divergence in their regulation impose a serious constraint on the comprehensive understanding of context specific gene regulation. DNA elements located in the promoter, enhancer, and other regulatory regions of the genome dictate the temporal and spatial patterns of gene activities. However, owing to the diminutive and variable nature of the regulatory DNA elements, their identification and location remains a major challenge. We have developed an efficient strategy for isolating a repertoire of target sites for sequence specific DNA binding proteins from embryonic chick heart. A comprehensive library of such sequences was constructed and authenticated using various parameters including in silico determination of functional binding sites. This approach, therefore, for the first time, established an experimental and conceptual framework for defining the entire repertoire of functional DNA elements in any cellular context.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The stress response in gametes and embryos after paternal chemical exposures.

There is increasing concern that paternal exposure to toxic chemicals impacts negatively on progeny outcome. Exposure of male rats to a model male-mediated developmental toxicant and anticancer alkylating agent, cyclophosphamide, resulted in increased pre- and post-implantation loss, as well as in malformations. We hypothesize that the stage specificity of the effects of paternal cyclophosphamide exposure on progeny depends on the ability of germ cells to respond to stress, repair DNA or undergo apoptosis. Acute high dose exposure of male rats to cyclophosphamide increased the expression of heat shock proteins and DNA repair genes, predominantly in round spermatids. In contrast, chronic low dose treatment dramatically decreased the expression of stress response genes in pachytene spermatocytes and round spermatids, but not in elongated spermatids; this reduced ability to respond to stress may allow damage to accumulate, resulting in altered sperm function. Increased DNA damage was maximal 3 weeks after drug exposure, during spermiogenesis, a key point in sperm chromatin remodelling. Drug exposure for 9 weeks increased the frequency of spermatozoa with chromosome 4 disomy and nullisomy. DNA damage found in cyclophosphamide-exposed spermatozoa was imparted to the newly fertilized zygote. Drug-exposed spermatozoa decondensed more rapidly than control spermatozoa and male pronuclear formation was earlier. RNA synthesis was higher in 1-cell embryos sired by drug-treated fathers than in controls. Significantly, the profile of gene expression was altered in embryos sired by drug-treated males as early as the 1-cell stage. Thus, exposure of male rats to cyclophosphamide altered male germ cell quality with a consequent temporal and spatial disruption of the zygotic genome activation.

Animals↗

Sequence, structure and expression of the hemolymph juvenile hormone binding protein gene in the tobacco hornworm, Manduca sexta.

The hemolymph juvenile hormone binding protein (hJHBP) gene of Manduca sexta is a key target of its specific ligand, juvenile hormone (JH). While the cDNA for hJHBP has been partially characterized, little is known about the hJHBP gene structure or its promoter(s) and enhancers(s). Previous studies have demonstrated that JH stimulates a rapid accumulation of hJHBP mRNA in the fat body. To better understand the underlying molecular events affecting regulation, we sequenced the M. sexta hJHBP gene and its mRNA transcript, characterized its genomic organization, and determined the spatial and temporal expression patterns of the hJHBP gene. The gene is composed of 5 exons spanning 6.7 kb. Southern blot analysis indicates that the gene is present as a single copy. The earliest expression of hJHBP occurs 24 to 48 h after fertilization. Distribution studies indicate that fat body is the only site for hJHBP expression. Elements displaying similarity with sequences of other lepidopteran genes were discovered outside the open reading frame and may represent mobile insertion elements.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Pocket proteins and cell cycle control.

The retinoblastoma protein (pRB) and the pRB-related p107 and p130 comprise the 'pocket protein' family of cell cycle regulators. These proteins are best known for their roles in restraining the G1-S transition through the regulation of E2F-responsive genes. pRB and the p107/p130 pair are required for the repression of distinct sets of genes, potentially due to their selective interactions with E2Fs that are engaged at specific promoter elements. In addition to regulating E2F-responsive genes in a reversible manner, pocket proteins contribute to silencing of such genes in cells that are undergoing senescence or differentiation. Pocket proteins also affect the G1-S transition through E2F-independent mechanisms, such as by inhibiting Cdk2 or by stabilizing p27(Kip1), and they are implicated in the control of G0 exit, the spatial organization of replication, and genomic rereplication. New insights into pocket protein regulation have also been obtained. Kinases previously thought to be crucial to pocket protein phosphorylation have been shown to be redundant, and new modes of phosphorylation and dephosphorylation have been identified. Despite these advances, much remains to be learned about the pocket proteins, particularly with regard to their developmental and tumor suppressor functions. Thus continues the story of the pocket proteins and the cell cycle.

Cell Cycle↗

A transgenic mouse model with an inducible skin blistering disease phenotype.

One of the current limitations of gene transfer protocols involving mammalian genomes is the lack of spatial and temporal control over the desired gene manipulation. Starting from a human keratin gene showing a complex regulation as a template, we identified regulatory sequences that confer inducible gene expression in a subpopulation of keratinocytes in stratified epithelia of adult transgenic mice. We used this cassette to produce transgenic mice with an inducible skin blistering phenotype mimicking a form of epidermolytic hyperkeratosis, a keratin gene disorder. Upon induction by topical application of a phorbol ester, the mutant keratin transgene product accumulates in the differentiating layers of epidermis, leading to keratinocyte lysis after application of mechanical trauma. This mouse model will allow for a better understanding of the complex relationship between keratin mutation, keratinocyte cytoarchitecture, and hypersensitivity to trauma. The development of an inducible expression vector showing an exquisite cellular specificity has important implications for manipulating genes in a spatially and temporally controlled fashion in transgenic mice, and for the design of gene therapy strategies using skin as a tissue source for the controlled delivery of foreign substances.

Animals↗

Intranuclear anchoring of repetitive DNA sequences: centromeres, telomeres, and ribosomal DNA.

Centromeres, telomeres, and ribosomal gene clusters consist of repetitive DNA sequences. To assess their contributions to the spatial organization of the interphase genome, their interactions with the nucleoskeleton were examined in quiescent and activated human lymphocytes. The nucleoskeletons were prepared using "physiological" conditions. The resulting structures were probed for specific DNA sequences of centromeres, telomeres, and ribosomal genes by in situ hybridization; the electroeluted DNA fractions were examined by blot hybridization. In both nonstimulated and stimulated lymphocytes, centromeric alpha-satellite repeats were almost exclusively found in the eluted fraction, while telomeric sequences remained attached to the nucleoskeleton. Ribosomal genes showed a transcription-dependent attachment pattern: in unstimulated lymphocytes, transcriptionally inactive ribosomal genes located outside the nucleolus were eluted completely. When comparing transcription unit and intergenic spacer, significantly more of the intergenic spacer was removed. In activated lymphocytes, considerable but similar amounts of both rDNA fragments were eluted. The results demonstrate that: (a) the various repetitive DNA sequences differ significantly in their intranuclear anchoring, (b) telomeric rather than centromeric DNA sequences form stable attachments to the nucleoskeleton, and (c) different attachment mechanisms might be responsible for the interaction of ribosomal genes with the nucleoskeleton.

Cell Nucleus↗

Cyclin A/Cdk1 promotes chromosome alignment and timely mitotic progression.

To ensure genomic fidelity, a series of spatially and temporally coordinated events is executed during prometaphase of mitosis, including bipolar spindle formation, chromosome attachment to spindle microtubules at kinetochores, the correction of erroneous kinetochore-microtubule (k-MT) attachments, and chromosome congression to the spindle equator. Cyclin A/Cdk1 kinase plays a key role in destabilizing k-MT attachments during prometaphase to promote correction of erroneous k-MT attachments. However, it is unknown whether Cyclin A/Cdk1 kinase regulates other events during prometaphase. Here, we investigate additional roles of Cyclin A/Cdk1 in prometaphase by using an siRNA knockdown strategy to deplete endogenous Cyclin A from human cells. We find that depleting Cyclin A significantly extends mitotic duration, specifically prometaphase, because chromosome alignment is delayed. Unaligned chromosomes display erroneous monotelic, syntelic, or lateral k-MT attachments suggesting that bioriented k-MT attachment formation is delayed in the absence of Cyclin A. Mechanistically, chromosome alignment is likely impaired because the localization of the kinetochore proteins BUB1 kinase, KNL1, and MPS1 kinase are reduced in Cyclin A-depleted cells. Moreover, we find that Cyclin A promotes BUB1 kinetochore localization independently of its role in destabilizing k-MT attachments. Thus, Cyclin A/Cdk1 facilitates chromosome alignment during prometaphase to support timely mitotic progression.

Humans↗

Cyclin A/Cdk1 promotes chromosome alignment and timely mitotic progression.

To ensure genomic fidelity a series of spatially and temporally coordinated events are executed during prometaphase of mitosis, including bipolar spindle formation, chromosome attachment to spindle microtubules at kinetochores, the correction of erroneous kinetochore-microtubule (k-MT) attachments, and chromosome congression to the spindle equator. Cyclin A/Cdk1 kinase plays a key role in destabilizing k-MT attachments during prometaphase to promote correction of erroneous k-MT attachments. However, it is unknown if Cyclin A/Cdk1 kinase regulates other events during prometaphase. Here, we investigate additional roles of Cyclin A/Cdk1 in prometaphase by using an siRNA knockdown strategy to deplete endogenous Cyclin A from human cells. We find that depleting Cyclin A significantly extends mitotic duration, specifically prometaphase, because chromosome alignment is delayed. Unaligned chromosomes display erroneous monotelic, syntelic, or lateral k-MT attachments suggesting that bioriented k-MT attachment formation is delayed in the absence of Cyclin A. Mechanistically, chromosome alignment is likely impaired because the localization of the kinetochore proteins BUB1 kinase, KNL1, and MPS1 kinase are reduced in Cyclin A-depleted cells. Moreover, we find that Cyclin A promotes BUB1 kinetochore localization independently of its role in destabilizing k-MT attachments. Thus, Cyclin A/Cdk1 facilitates chromosome alignment during prometaphase to support timely mitotic progression.

Preprint↗

Expression of the granule-bound starch synthase I (Waxy) gene from snapdragon is developmentally and circadian clock regulated

The granule-bound starch synthase I (GBSSI or waxy) enzyme catalyzes one of the enzymatic steps of starch synthesis. This enzyme is responsible for the synthesis of amylose and is also involved in building the final structure of amylopectin. Little is known about expression of GBSSI genes in tissues other than storage organs, such as seeds, endosperm, and tuber. We have isolated a gene encoding the GBSSI from snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus). This gene is present as a single copy in the snapdragon genome. There is a precise spatial and developmental regulation of its expression in flowers. GBSSI expression was observed in all floral whorls at early developmental stages, but it was restricted to carpel before anthesis. These results give new insights into the role of starch in later reproductive events such as seed filling. In leaves the mRNA level of GBSSI is regulated by an endogenous circadian clock, indicating that the transition from day to night may be accompanied by abolition of expression of starch synthesis genes. This mechanism does not operate in sink tissues such as roots when grown in the dark.

Journal Article↗

Novel surface and multicolor charge coupled device-based fluorescent imaging system for DNA microarrays.

We report a novel support, concomitant attachment chemistry, and a fluorescent imaging system for DNA microarrays. The support consists of soda lime glass coated with a layer of chromium, which eliminates any autofluorescence from the underlying glass substrate and reduces nonspecific probe binding. Attachment of DNA fragments exceeding 300 nucleotides in length is achieved without chemical modifications of either the chrome surface or the DNA itself. The charge coupled device (CCD)-based imaging system employs a 175 W xenon arc lamp as the light source, allowing the use of many different fluorophors. A 14 mm x 9 mm sample area is imaged with a single exposure, which takes between 5 and 20 s for each color plane in typical genomic comparative genomic hybridization type assays. The spatial resolution is limited only by the pixel size of the CCD chip (9 microm). The oblique illumination geometry combined with effective background reduction afforded by the chromium surface enables the system to achieve a detection limit of <5 x 10(7) fluorophors/cm(2) with 10 s integration. In a model system with arrayed lambda DNA targets a dose response was observed over four orders of magnitude in response to hybridizations with increasing amounts of the fluorescent labeled lambda probe.

Escherichia coli↗

tomoseqr: A Bioconductor package for spatial reconstruction and visualization of 3D gene expression patterns based on RNA tomography.

RNA tomography computationally reconstructs 3D spatial gene expression patterns genome-widely from 1D tomo-seq data, generated by RNA sequencing of cryosection samples along three orthogonal axes. We developed tomoseqr, an R package designed for RNA tomography analysis of tomo-seq data, to reconstruct and visualize 3D gene expression patterns through user-friendly graphical interfaces. We show the effectiveness of tomoseqr using simulated and real tomo-seq data, validating its utility for researchers. R package tomoseqr is available on Bioconductor (https://doi.org/doi:10.18129/B9.bioc.tomoseqr) and GitHub (https://github.com/bioinfo-tsukuba/tomoseqr).

Software↗

Simulation of DNA damage after proton irradiation.

The biophysical radiation track simulation model PARTRAC was improved by implementing new interaction cross sections for protons in water. Computer-simulated tracks of energy deposition events from protons and their secondary electrons were superimposed on a higher-order DNA target model describing the spatial coordinates of the whole genome inside a human cell. Induction of DNA double-strand breaks was simulated for proton irradiation with LET values between 1.6 and 70 keV/microm and various reference radiation qualities. The yield of DSBs after proton irradiation was found to rise continuously with increasing LET up to about 20 DSBs per Gbp and Gy, corresponding to an RBE up to 2.2. About half of this increase resulted from a higher yield of DSB clusters associated with small fragments below 10 kbp. Exclusion of experimentally unresolved multiple DSBs reduced the maximum DSB yield by 30% and shifted it to an LET of about 40 keV/microm. Simulated fragment size distributions deviated significantly from random breakage distributions over the whole size range after irradiation with protons with an LET above 10 keV/microm. Determination of DSB yields using equations derived for random breakage resulted in an underestimation by up to 20%. The inclusion of background fragments had only a minor influence on the distribution of the DNA fragments induced by radiation. Despite limited numerical agreement, the simulations reproduced the trends in proton-induced DNA DSBs and fragment induction found in recent experiments.

DNA↗

Micro-RNA-like effects of complete intronic sequences.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been suggested as suppressors of numerous target genes in human cells. In this report, we present gene chip array data indicating that in the absence of miRNA sequences, complete human introns are similarly capable of coordinating expression of large numbers of gene products at spatially diverse sites within the genome. The expression of selected intronic sequences (6a, 14b and 23) derived from the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene caused extensive and specific transcriptional changes in epithelial cells (HeLa) that do not normally express this gene product. Each intron initiated a distinctive pattern of gene transcription. Affected genes such as FOXF1, sucrase-isomaltase, collagen, interferon, complement and thrombospondin 1 have previously been linked to CFTR function or are known to contribute to the related processes of epithelial differentiation and repair. A possible regulatory function of this nature has not been demonstrated previously for non-coding sequences within eukaryotic DNA. The results are consistent with the observation that splicesomal introns are found only in eukaryotic organisms and that the number of introns increases with phylogenetic complexity.

Cell Differentiation↗