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Transcriptomic and RNAi analyses reveal chloride channel 3-associated osmoregulation in Litopenaeus vannamei under low-salinity stress.

Chloride channels and transporters are important for cellular volume regulation and salinity adaptation in euryhaline crustaceans, yet the intestinal transcriptional relationship between plasma-membrane and intracellular chloride pathways remains unclear in Litopenaeus vannamei. In this study, RNA interference of anoctamin 1 (ANO1) was combined with intestinal transcriptome sequencing under the production-relevant low-salinity condition of salinity 3. ANO1 silencing produced a focused transcriptional response, with 16 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) identified (11 upregulated and 5 downregulated). Functional enrichment indicated that these genes were associated with transporter activity, cytoskeletal organization, extracellular matrix-receptor interaction, membrane lipid metabolism, and vesicular processes. Notably, a transcript encoding chloride channel protein 3 (CLC-3) was significantly upregulated following ANO1 knockdown, suggesting a potential transcriptional relationship between ANO1 and CLC-3 in chloride homeostasis. Based on this finding, CLC-3 was selected for full-length cDNA cloning, sequence characterization, salinity-gradient expression analysis, and RNAi-based functional assessment. The cloned CLC-3 cDNA was 2883 bp in length and encoded an 850 amino acid protein containing a conserved voltage-gated chloride channel (Voltage-CLC) domain and two cystathionine β-synthase domains. Phylogenetic analysis placed LvCLC-3 within the intracellular CLC-c clade, and tissue distribution analysis showed the highest CLC-3 expression in the intestine. Intestinal CLC-3 expression responded nonlinearly to salinity variation, peaking at salinity 20. Under salinity 3, CLC-3 knockdown reduced ANO1, Na+/K+-ATPase alpha subunit, and Na+-K+-2Cl- cotransporter transcript levels, whereas glutamate-gated chloride channel expression increased. Mild hepatopancreatic structural alterations were also observed after CLC-3 knockdown. These findings suggest that CLC-3 is a salinity-responsive intracellular chloride-transporter candidate associated with intestinal ion-transport-related transcriptional responses after ANO1 suppression in L. vannamei, although the underlying physiological mechanism requires further validation.

Animals↗

Baculovirus-mediated gene delivery into Mammalian cells does not alter their transcriptional and differentiating potential but is accompanied by early viral gene expression.

Gene delivery to neural cells is central to the development of transplantation therapies for neurological diseases. In this study, we used a baculovirus derived from the domesticated silk moth, Bombyx mori, as vector for transducing a human cell line (HEK293) and primary cultures of rat Schwann cells. Under optimal conditions of infection with a recombinant baculovirus containing the reporter green fluorescent protein gene under mammalian promoter control, the infected cells express the transgene with high efficiency. Toxicity assays and transcriptome analyses suggest that baculovirus infection is not cytotoxic and does not induce differential transcriptional responses in HEK293 cells. Infected Schwann cells retain their characteristic morphological and molecular phenotype as determined by immunocytochemistry for the marker proteins S-100, glial fibrillary acidic protein, and p75 nerve growth factor receptor. Moreover, baculovirus-infected Schwann cells are capable of differentiating in vitro and express the P0 myelination marker. However, transcripts for several immediate-early viral genes also accumulate in readily detectable levels in the transduced cells. This transcriptional activity raises concerns regarding the long-term safety of baculovirus vectors for gene therapy applications. Potential approaches for overcoming the identified problem are discussed.

Animals↗

ApcMin/+ mouse model of colon cancer: gene expression profiling in tumors.

The Apc(Min/+) mouse is a popular animal model for studies of human colon cancer, but the molecular changes associated with neoplasia in this system have only been partially characterized. Our aim was to identify novel genes involved in tumorigenesis in this model. RNA from intestinal adenomas and from pre-neoplastic small intestine were prepared from six Apc(Min/+) mice. The tumor transcriptomes were analyzed with high-density oligonucleotide microarrays representing approximately 12,000 probe sets; we compared their profiles with those of matched pre-neoplastic intestine. Stringent analysis revealed reproducible changes for 98 probe sets representing 90 genes, including novel observations regarding 50 genes whose involvement in this mouse model has never been reported. In addition to the expected changes in growth regulatory genes, the altered gene products could be assigned to four functional groupings that should enhance tumorigenesis: metabolic changes that would result in a high rate of glycolysis, alterations in enzymes involved in reactive oxygen species or carcinogen metabolism, cytoskeletal elements, and proteins involved in tumor invasion or angiogenesis. A fifth group consisted of expression changes that might restrict tumor progression, suggesting that the adenomatous state reflects a balance of pro- and anti-tumorigenic factors. Since many of the altered genes had not previously been reported to be involved in any tumorigenic processes, our observations provide a host of new candidates for potential modulation to prevent or treat intestinal neoplasia.

Adenomatous Polyposis Coli Protein↗

Omics studies in Behçet's disease.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: In this review, we aimed to highlight recent findings from "-omics" studies in Behçet's disease. RECENT FINDINGS: Recent genomic studies in Behçet's disease identified possible risk loci associated with Behçet's disease related uveitis, neurologic involvement and gastrointestinal involvement. Additionally, sex-specific genetic effects were determined in Behçet's disease. Transcriptomic analyses of immune cells in Behçet's disease revealed that key inflammatory pathways such as NF-κB and MAPK have roles in Behçet's disease pathogenesis. Proteomic studies have highlighted the role of immune cell derived extracellular vesicles and identified potential biomarkers for vascular involvement and examined HLA I-bound immunopeptidomes. Metabolomics studies are still limited, but recent research has pointed to alterations in fatty acid metabolism and lipid profiles in Behçet's disease patient. SUMMARY: Omics studies have gained importance in the field of Behçet's disease through the generation of large data sets and efforts to extend their application are intensifying. These studies can provide opportunities for understanding Behçet's disease pathogenesis when they lead to testable hypotheses. Current challenges include the choice of appropriately homogeneous patient and control groups, effective data management and sharing, high cost and a rapidly increasing gap between the wealth of observational data generated and the relative paucity of controlled experimental efforts that could lead to mechanistic understanding.

Behcet Syndrome↗

Transgenesis has less impact on the transcriptome of wheat grain than conventional breeding.

Detailed global gene expression profiles have been obtained for a series of transgenic and conventionally bred wheat lines expressing additional genes encoding HMW (high molecular weight) subunits of glutenin, a group of endosperm-specific seed storage proteins known to determine dough strength and therefore bread-making quality. Differences in endosperm and leaf transcriptome profiles between untransformed and derived transgenic lines were consistently extremely small, when analysing plants containing either transgenes only, or also marker genes. Differences observed in gene expression in the endosperm between conventionally bred material were much larger in comparison to differences between transgenic and untransformed lines exhibiting the same complements of gluten subunits. These results suggest that the presence of the transgenes did not significantly alter gene expression and that, at this level of investigation, transgenic plants could be considered substantially equivalent to untransformed parental lines.

Breeding↗

In silico whole-genome screening for cancer-related single-nucleotide polymorphisms located in human mRNA untranslated regions.

BACKGROUND: A promising application of the huge amounts of genetic data currently available lies in developing a better understanding of complex diseases, such as cancer. Analysis of publicly available databases can help identify potential candidates for genes or mutations specifically related to the cancer phenotype. In spite of their huge potential to affect gene function, no systematic attention has been paid so far to the changes that occur in untranslated regions of mRNA. RESULTS: In this study, we used Expressed Sequence Tag (EST) databases as a source for cancer-related sequence polymorphism discovery at the whole-genome level. Using a novel computational procedure, we focused on the identification of untranslated region (UTR)-localized non-coding Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (UTR-SNPs) significantly associated with the tumoral state. To explore possible relationships between genetic mutation and phenotypic variation, bioinformatic tools were used to predict the potential impact of cancer-associated UTR-SNPs on mRNA secondary structure and UTR regulatory elements. We provide a comprehensive and unbiased description of cancer-associated UTR-SNPs that may be useful to define genotypic markers or to propose polymorphisms that can act to alter gene expression levels. Our results suggest that a fraction of cancer-associated UTR-SNPs may have functional consequences on mRNA stability and/or expression. CONCLUSION: We have undertaken a comprehensive effort to identify cancer-associated polymorphisms in untranslated regions of mRNA and to characterize putative functional UTR-SNPs. Alteration of translational control can change the expression of genes in tumor cells, causing an increase or decrease in the concentration of specific proteins. Through the description of testable candidates and the experimental validation of a number of UTR-SNPs discovered on the secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC) gene, this report illustrates the utility of a cross-talk between in silico transcriptomics and cancer genetics.

Computational Biology↗

Integrative Genomic, Transcriptomic and Epigenomic Analysis Reveals cis-regulatory Contributions to High-altitude Adaptation in Tibetan Pigs.

The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, characterized by its extreme environmental conditions, presents significant challenges to life, making it an ideal region for studying adaptation and evolution. Tibetan pigs, known for their high genetic diversity and exceptional adaptability to high altitudes, serve as excellent models for investigating high-altitude adaptation. While previous studies have extensively identified genetic determinants associated with high-altitude adaptation, the molecular mechanisms, particularly cis-regulatory patterns, remain poorly understood. Here, we conducted a selective sweep analysis using 484 genomes from Chinese and Western pig breeds across various altitudes, revealing 38.56 Mb of genomic regions under selection in Tibetan pigs. Enrichment analysis identified the lung as the primary functional tissue involved in high-altitude adaptation, supported by tissue-specific transcriptional and regulatory patterns observed between Tibetan and Meishan pigs (low altitude). By integrating genomic, RNA-seq, ATAC-seq, and H3K27ac HiChIP data, we constructed comprehensive enhancer-promoter regulatory maps of candidate genes and pinpointed promising genetic determinants associated with high-altitude adaptation, including SNPs in EPAS1, KLF13, SPRED1, and CFD. These loci were predicted to influence chromatin accessibility and the interactions of regulatory elements, with altered binding strength of relevant transcription factors. Further in vitro experiments confirmed that these loci function as allele-specific enhancers, modulating the expression of target genes. Our findings elucidate the regulatory basis of high-altitude adaptation in Tibetan pigs and provide valuable insights for exploring hypoxia-related diseases in livestock and humans.

Animals↗

Recurrent reversible mutations at gaf1 driving metastable TORC1 inhibitor resistance in fission yeast.

Metastable phenotypic inheritance is often attributed to epigenetic mechanisms, but reversible genetic alterations can produce similar instability. Here, we investigated the basis of unstable resistance to TORC1 inhibitor (rapamycin plus caffeine) in Schizosaccharomyces pombe. Six independent, metastable resistant mutants were isolated. Genetic mapping positioned the causal lesion to a single Mendelian locus, which sequencing identified as gaf1, encoding a GATA transcription factor and a key negative regulator of growth downstream of TORC1. In each mutant, distinct loss-of-function mutations (insertions, deletions, or point mutations) were found in gaf1 in the resistant state, and these mutations precisely reverted to the wild-type sequence upon loss of resistance. Restoring the wild-type gaf1 allele abolished resistance, indicating that reversible genetic disruption of gaf1 is both necessary and sufficient for the metastable phenotype. Furthermore, strong resistance in several strains from a genome-wide deletion library was due to secondary, inactivating mutations in gaf1, underscoring its role as a recurrent adaptive target under rapamycin plus caffeine treatment. Mechanistically, gaf1 inactivation established a distinct basal transcriptome and pronounced derepression of translation and metabolic programs upon drug treatment. While rapamycin plus caffeine triggered extensive chromatin remodeling and H3K9 methylation contributed partially to resistance, these epigenetic changes were most consistent with a downstream modifying layer. Our study shows that metastable drug resistance in fission yeast is predominantly associated with recurrent, reversible genetic inactivation of the central transcriptional regulator gaf1, demonstrating how rapidly reversible genetic switches can drive adaptive evolution.IMPORTANCEDistinguishing between genetic and epigenetic inheritance is fundamental to understanding how cells adapt to environmental stress. In the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe, rapid and reversible drug resistance is often assumed to be driven by epigenetic switches that change gene activity without altering DNA. However, our study reveals that this instability can be caused by physical mutations in a single gene, gaf1, which acts as a genetic toggle. These mutations appear under drug pressure and precisely revert to the original sequence when the drug is removed. We also demonstrate that these spontaneous mutations can contaminate standard laboratory yeast collections, leading to potential misinterpretation of experimental data. These findings broaden our understanding of unstable inheritance and show that DNA sequences can be far more dynamic than previously recognized during rapid evolution and the development of drug resistance.

TORC1 signaling↗

Epigallocatechin gallate is associated with PDGFRB downregulation and altered PI3K-AKT signaling in gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND: Gastric cancer (GC) remains a major cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a natural polyphenol derived from green tea, exhibits anticancer properties; however, its molecular targets and regulatory mechanisms in GC are not fully elucidated. This study aimed to identify candidate EGCG-associated genes in GC and generate a hypothesis for future mechanistic investigation. METHODS: Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in GC were identified and intersected with EGCG-associated targets retrieved from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and GeneCards public databases. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression and Cox proportional hazards analyses were performed to screen prognostically relevant genes. Diagnostic performance was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Functional enrichment analysis was conducted to explore biological significance. Public single-cell RNA sequencing datasets were analyzed to determine the cellular localization of platelet-derived growth factor receptor beta (PDGFRB), while DepMap transcriptomic data were used to assess its expression across GC cell lines. In vitro assays, 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT), Transwell migration, and Western blotting, were performed to evaluate the biological effects of EGCG on GC-associated signaling pathways. RESULTS: Thirty-eight EGCG-associated DEGs were identified. Enrichment analysis revealed these genes were involved in cancer-associated pathways. LASSO-Cox modelling identified four candidate genes. Among them, PDGFRB was selected for further investigation based on its prognostic relevance and favorable diagnostic performance. PDGFRB expression was significantly higher in the TCGA genomically stable (GS) subtype than in the other molecular subtypes and was predominantly localized to cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and pericytes in single-cell RNA sequencing analysis. DepMap data demonstrated heterogeneous PDGFRB expression across GC cell lines. In vitro experiments showed that EGCG inhibited proliferation, migration, and invasion, reduced PDGFRB protein expression, and was associated with apoptosis-related protein changes and altered PI3K-AKT signaling. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that EGCG treatment was associated with reduced PDGFRB expression and altered PI3K-AKT signaling in GC cells. These findings identify PDGFRB as a candidate EGCG-associated gene and provide a hypothesis for future mechanistic investigation.

Gastric cancer (GC)↗

Functional genomic and metabolic studies of the adaptations of a prominent adult human gut symbiont, Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron, to the suckling period.

The adult human gut microbiota is dominated by two divisions of Bacteria, the Bacteroidetes and the Firmicutes. Assembly of this community begins at birth through processes that remain largely undefined. In this report, we examine the adaptations of Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron, a prominent member of the adult distal intestinal microbiota, during the suckling and weaning periods. Germ-free NMRI mice were colonized at birth from their gnotobiotic mothers, who harbored this anaerobic Gram-negative saccharolytic bacterium. B. thetaiotaomicron was then harvested from the ceca of these hosts during the suckling period (postnatal day 17) and after weaning (postnatal day 30). Whole genome transcriptional profiles were obtained at these two time points using custom B. thetaiotaomicron GeneChips. Transcriptome-based in silico reconstructions of bacterial metabolism and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and biochemical assays of carbohydrate utilization in vivo indicated that in the suckling gut B. thetaiotaomicron prefers host-derived polysaccharides, as well as mono- and oligosaccharides present in mother's milk. After weaning, B. thetaiotaomicron expands its metabolism to exploit abundant, plant-derived dietary polysaccharides. The bacterium's responses to postnatal alterations in its nutrient landscape involve expression of gene clusters encoding environmental sensors, outer membrane proteins involved in binding and import of glycans, and glycoside hydrolases. These expression changes are interpreted in light of a phylogenetic analysis that revealed unique expansions of related polysaccharide utilization loci in three human alimentary tract-associated Bacteroidetes, expansions that likely reflect the evolutionary adaptations of these species to different nutrient niches.

Animals↗

In vitro generation of human high-density-lipoprotein-resistant Trypanosoma brucei brucei.

The host range of African trypanosomes is influenced by innate protective molecules in the blood of primates. A subfraction of human high-density lipoprotein (HDL) containing apolipoprotein A-I, apolipoprotein L-I, and haptoglobin-related protein is toxic to Trypanosoma brucei brucei but not the human sleeping sickness parasite Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense. It is thought that T. b. rhodesiense evolved from a T. b. brucei-like ancestor and expresses a defense protein that ablates the antitrypanosomal activity of human HDL. To directly investigate this possibility, we developed an in vitro selection to generate human HDL-resistant T. b. brucei. Here we show that conversion of T. b. brucei from human HDL sensitive to resistant correlates with changes in the expression of the variant surface glycoprotein (VSG) and abolished uptake of the cytotoxic human HDLs. Complete transcriptome analysis of the HDL-susceptible and -resistant trypanosomes confirmed that VSG switching had occurred but failed to reveal the expression of other genes specifically associated with human HDL resistance, including the serum resistance-associated gene (SRA) of T. b. rhodesiense. In addition, we found that while the original active expression site was still utilized, expression of three expression site-associated genes (ESAG) was altered in the HDL-resistant trypanosomes. These findings demonstrate that resistance to human HDLs can be acquired by T. b. brucei.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Response of Staphylococcus aureus to salicylate challenge.

Growth of Staphylococcus aureus with the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory salicylate reduces susceptibility of the organism to multiple antimicrobials. Transcriptome analysis revealed that growth of S. aureus with salicylate leads to the induction of genes involved with gluconate and formate metabolism and represses genes required for gluconeogenesis and glycolysis. In addition, salicylate induction upregulates two antibiotic target genes and downregulates a multidrug efflux pump gene repressor (mgrA) and sarR, which represses a gene (sarA) important for intrinsic antimicrobial resistance. We hypothesize that these salicylate-induced alterations jointly represent a unique mechanism that allows S. aureus to resist antimicrobial stress and toxicity.

Anti-Infective Agents↗

Trimethylamine-producing microbe Bacillus megaterium KCTC 3007 promotes antitumor immunity in endometrial cancer via type I interferon response pathways.

BACKGROUND: Endometrial cancer (ECa) is one of the most common gynecologic malignancies, with limited therapeutic responses in metastatic or recurrent cases. The bacterial microbiota has emerged as a key modulator of carcinogenesis and antitumor immunity. However, the role of endometrial microbiota in ECa pathogenesis and prognosis remains poorly understood. METHODS: We performed comprehensive multi-omics analysis integrating metatranscriptomics, transcriptomics, and targeted metabolomics from 60 ECa and 18 benign patients. RNA sequencing enabled simultaneous profiling of active tissue-resident microbiota and host gene expression. Serum metabolomics was conducted on all patients. Identified microbial-metabolite associations were validated through in vitro co-culture experiments using peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), cancer cell lines, RNA sequencing, and live cell imaging. RESULTS: ECa patients exhibited significantly altered microbial diversity and composition compared to benign controls. Through integrated multi-omics analysis, we identified Bacillus megaterium (BM) KCTC 3007 as a beneficial microbe associated with prolonged recurrence-free survival. In an exploratory analysis of ECa subtypes, Cupriavidus taiwanensis and Marinomonas primoryensis showed potential links to poor prognosis, although these observations warrant caution due to the limited size of certain subgroups. Tissue BM abundance positively correlated with serum trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) levels, particularly in postmenopausal women. In vitro experiments demonstrated that BM KCTC 3007 enhanced antitumor immunity by promoting interleukin and type I interferon expression, expanding CD8 + T cell populations, and increasing immune cell-tumor cell interactions. RNA sequencing revealed activation of interferon alpha response and immune cell proliferation pathways, with IFNAR1 identified as a key upstream regulator. TMAO treatment recapitulated these immune-activating effects, enhancing CD8 + T cell responses and preferentially inducing pyroptotic cancer cell death. CONCLUSIONS: We provide the first evidence that tissue-resident BM KCTC 3007 promotes antitumor immunity in ECa through TMAO production and subsequent type I interferon-mediated immune activation. This integrated multi-omics approach establishes a complete microbe-metabolite-host mechanistic pathway and highlights the therapeutic potential of TMAO-producing probiotic strains for ECa treatment. Video Abstract.

Female↗

[Transcriptomes for serial analysis of gene expression].

The availability of the sequences for whole genomes is changing our understanding of cell biology. Functional genomics refers to the comprehensive analysis, at the protein level (proteome) and at the mRNA level (transcriptome) of all events associated with the expression of whole sets of genes. New methods have been developed for transcriptome analysis. Serial Analysis of Gene Expression (SAGE) is based on the massive sequential analysis of short cDNA sequence tags. Each tag is derived from a defined position within a transcript. Its size (14 bp) is sufficient to identify the corresponding gene and the number of times each tag is observed provides an accurate measurement of its expression level. Since tag populations can be widely amplified without altering their relative proportions, SAGE may be performed with minute amounts of biological extract. Dealing with the mass of data generated by SAGE necessitates computer analysis. A software is required to automatically detect and count tags from sequence files. Criterias allowing to assess the quality of experimental data can be included at this stage. To identify the corresponding genes, a database is created registering all virtual tags susceptible to be observed, based on the present status of the genome knowledge. By using currently available database functions, it is easy to match experimental and virtual tags, thus generating a new database registering identified tags, together with their expression levels. As an open system, SAGE is able to reveal new, yet unknown, transcripts. Their identification will become increasingly easier with the progress of genome annotation. However, their direct characterization can be attempted, since tag information may be sufficient to design primers allowing to extend unknown sequences. A major advantage of SAGE is that, by measuring expression levels without reference to an arbitrary standard, data are definitively acquired and cumulative. All publicly available data can thus be stored in a unique database, facilitating whole-genome analysis of differential expression between cell types, normal and diseased samples, or samples with and without drug treatment. SAGE data are readily amenable to statistical comparisons, allowing to determine the level of confidence of the observed variations. A major limitation of SAGE is that, because each analysis is obligatory performed on the whole set of expressed genes, it can hardly be performed on multiple samples, for example in kinetics studies or to compare the effects of large numbers of drugs. To overcome this limitation, high-throughput detection of a subset of mRNAs is more rapidly performed by parallel hybridization of mRNAs on arrays of nucleic acids immobilized on solid supports. From this point of view, a SAGE platform is a powerful instrument for selecting the most informative subset of genes, assembling them to design microarrays dedicated to a specific problem and calibrating measurement by comparison with a standard cell model for which SAGE data are available. This approach is an attractive alternative to strategies based exclusively on pangenomic arrays. A very large amount of SAGE data are already available and the problem is now to extract their biological meaning. Knowledge on metabolic pathways is already organized so that its successful integration in a SAGE platform can be undertaken. For other cell components and pathways, the problem lies on the lack of controlled vocabulary to describe gene activities, starting form a clear definition of the concept of biological function itself. Progress in gene and cell ontology is expected to facilitate computer-based extraction of biological knowledge from existing and forthcoming SAGE data.

Animals↗

Multi-Omics Analysis of Experimentally Evolved Candida auris Isolates Reveals Modulation of Sterols, Sphingolipids, and Oxidative Stress in Acquired Amphotericin B Resistance.

Clinical isolates of Candida auris show a high prevalence of resistance to Amphotericin B (AmB)-an uncommon trait in most Candida species. Alterations in ergosterol biosynthesis can contribute to acquired AmB resistance in C. auris laboratory strains but are rarely seen in clinical isolates. In this study, we experimentally evolved two drug-susceptible Clade II isolates of C. auris to develop AmB resistance. The evolved strains displayed a four to eight fold increase in MIC50 compared to the parental cells. We analyzed changes in their karyotype, genome, lipidome, and transcriptome associated with this acquired resistance. In one lineage, AOX2 was upregulated, and its deletion reversed the AmB resistance phenotype. The aox2Δ mutant also failed to evolve AmB resistance under experimental conditions. In the same lineage, restoring the UPC2 S332R and RTG3 S101T mutations to the wild-type allele restored AmB susceptibility. In another lineage, the ergosterol and sphingolipid pathways were observed to play a critical role, and upregulation of the ERG genes elevated the total sterol content, while significant downregulation of HSX11 (glucosylceramide synthase) resulted in lower levels of glucosylceramides. To our knowledge, this study is the first to show that AmB resistance in C. auris can be acquired through mechanisms both dependent on or independent of sterol content modulation, highlighting Aox2 and Upc2 as key regulators of amphotericin resistance.

Amphotericin B↗

Advanced age is associated with worsened outcomes and a unique genomic response in severely injured patients with hemorrhagic shock.

INTRODUCTION: We wished to characterize the relationship of advanced age to clinical outcomes and to transcriptomic responses after severe blunt traumatic injury with hemorrhagic shock. METHODS: We performed epidemiological, cytokine, and transcriptomic analyses on a prospective, multi-center cohort of 1,928 severely injured patients. RESULTS: We found that there was no difference in injury severity between the aged (age &#x2265;55, n&#x2009;=&#x2009;533) and young (age <55, n&#x2009;=&#x2009;1395) cohorts. However, aged patients had more comorbidities. Advanced age was associated with more severe organ failure, infectious complications, ventilator days, and intensive care unit length of stay, as well as, an increased likelihood of being discharged to skilled nursing or long-term care facilities. Additionally, advanced age was an independent predictor of a complicated recovery and 28-day mortality. Acutely after trauma, blood neutrophil genome-wide expression analysis revealed an attenuated transcriptomic response as compared to the young; this attenuated response was supported by the patients' plasma cytokine and chemokine concentrations. Later, these patients demonstrated gene expression changes consistent with simultaneous, persistent pro-inflammatory and immunosuppressive states. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that advanced age is one of the strongest non-injury related risk factors for poor outcomes after severe trauma with hemorrhagic shock and is associated with an altered and unique peripheral leukocyte genomic response. As the general population's age increases, it will be important to individualize prediction models and therapeutic targets to this high risk cohort.

Adult↗

Sorghum bicolor's transcriptome response to dehydration, high salinity and ABA.

Genome wide changes in gene expression were monitored in the drought tolerant C4 cereal Sorghum bicolor, following exposure of seedlings to high salinity (150 mM NaCl), osmotic stress (20% polyethylene glycol) or abscisic acid (125 microM ABA). A sorghum cDNA microarray providing data on 12,982 unique gene clusters was used to examine gene expression in roots and shoots at 3- and 27-h post-treatment. Expression of approximately 2200 genes, including 174 genes with currently unknown functions, of which a subset appear unique to monocots and/or sorghum, was altered in response to dehydration, high salinity or ABA. The modulated sorghum genes had homology to proteins involved in regulation, growth, transport, membrane/protein turnover/repair, metabolism, dehydration protection, reactive oxygen scavenging, and plant defense. Real-time PCR was used to quantify changes in relative mRNA abundance for 333 genes that responded to ABA, NaCl or osmotic stress. Osmotic stress inducible sorghum genes identified for the first time included a beta-expansin expressed in shoots, actin depolymerization factor, inositol-3-phosphate synthase, a non-C4 NADP-malic enzyme, oleosin, and three genes homologous to 9-cis-epoxycarotenoid dioxygenase that may be involved in ABA biosynthesis. Analysis of response profiles demonstrated the existence of a complex gene regulatory network that differentially modulates gene expression in a tissue- and kinetic-specific manner in response to ABA, high salinity and water deficit. Modulation of genes involved in signal transduction, chromatin structure, transcription, translation and RNA metabolism contributes to sorghum's overlapping but nonetheless distinct responses to ABA, high salinity, and osmotic stress. Overall, this study provides a foundation of information on sorghum's osmotic stress responsive gene complement that will accelerate follow up biochemical, QTL and comparative studies.

Abscisic Acid↗

Time-dependent effects of rapid-acting antidepressants in iPSC-derived neurons from treatment-resistant depression and healthy volunteers.

Rapid-acting antidepressants like ketamine and serotonergic psychedelics show promise for treatment-resistant depression (TRD), but the molecular mechanisms that contribute to their therapeutic effects remain unclear. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) offer a platform to model human cortical neurons and investigate drug effects in a human-relevant system. Here, iPSCs from individuals with TRD and healthy volunteers (HVs) were differentiated into mature cortical-like neurons and treated for six and 24&#x2009;h with agents being investigated as rapid-acting antidepressants, including (2&#x2009;R,6&#x2009;R)-hydroxynorketamine (HNK), psilocybin, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), and 2,5-Dimethoxy-4-iodoamphetamine (DOI). Bulk and single-cell RNA sequencing assessed global and cell-type-specific transcriptomic responses. Synaptic proteins were evaluated via Western blotting and immunocytochemistry. To validate translational relevance, transcriptomic results were compared to CSF proteomics from ketamine-treated HVs. Despite differing initial pharmacological targets, overall gene expression across all compounds was highly correlated at matched timepoints compared to vehicle control, suggesting shared downstream effects. Both glutamatergic and serotonergic drugs converged on pathways involving inflammation, mTORC1 signaling, and cellular growth. At the single-cell level, (2&#x2009;R,6&#x2009;R)-HNK showed distinct cell-type specific alterations: upregulation in excitatory neurons and concomitant downregulation of inhibitory neuron populations. Differentially expressed genes from (2&#x2009;R,6&#x2009;R)-HNK-treated neurons also overlapped with CSF proteomic signatures from ketamine-treated individuals, supporting the model's translational relevance. This study is the first to assess multiple putative rapid-acting antidepressants in parallel using an iPSC-derived neuron model. Both convergent and drug-specific changes in gene expression and pathway enrichment were observed across diverse compounds, supporting the use of human iPSC-derived neurons in antidepressant drug discovery. Clinical Trial Registry: www.clinical trials.gov, NCT02484456.

Journal Article↗