Immunoprecipitation of EGFR from irradiated A549 (ATCC CCL185) cells was performed in order to characterize bound mRNA species with the help of microarray analysis
New roles for nuclear EGFR in regulating the stability and translation of mRNAs associated with VEGF signaling.
Cell line, Treatment
View SamplesThe use of radiation treatment has increased for both sporadic and neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2)-associated vestibular schwannoma (VS). However, there are a subset of radioresistant tumors and systemic treatments that are seldom used in these patients. We investigated molecular alterations after radiation in three NF2-associated and five sporadically operated recurrent VS after primary irradiation. We compared these findings with 49 non-irradiated (36 sporadic and 13 NF2-associated) VS through gene-expression profiling and pathway analysis. Furthermore, we stained the key molecules of the distinct pathway by immunohistochemistry. A total of 195 differentially expressed genes in sporadic and NF2-related comparisons showed significant differences based on the criteria of p value < 0.05 and a two-fold change. These genes were involved in pathways that are known to be altered upon irradiation (e.g., mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling). We observed a combined downregulation of PTEN signaling and an upregulation of mTOR signaling in progressive NF2-associated VS after irradiation. Immunostainings with mTOR and PTEN antibodies confirmed the respective molecular alterations. Taken together, mTOR inhibition might be a promising therapeutic strategy in NF2-associated VS progress after irradiation.
Contribution of mTOR and PTEN to Radioresistance in Sporadic and NF2-Associated Vestibular Schwannomas: A Microarray and Pathway Analysis.
Specimen part, Disease
View SamplesMicroarray analysis of wild type plants and plants with reduced (ago1-27 and se-1) or increased miR156 levels (se-1 p35S:MIR156). Shoot apices were dissected from 20-day-old, short-day grown plants.
miR156-regulated SPL transcription factors define an endogenous flowering pathway in Arabidopsis thaliana.
Age, Specimen part
View SamplesAdult stem cells support tissue homeostasis and repair throughout the life of an individual. However, numerous intrinsic and extrinsic changes occur with age that result in altered stem cell behavior and reduced tissue maintenance and regeneration. In the Drosophila testis, stem cells surround and contact the apical hub, a cluster of somatic cells that express the self-renewal factor Unpaired (Upd), which activates the JAK-STAT pathway in adjacent stem cells. However, aging results in a dramatic decrease in upd expression, with a concomitant loss of germline stem cells (GSCs). Here we present genetic and biochemical data to demonstrate that IGF-II mRNA binding protein (Imp) counteracts endogenous small interfering RNAs to stabilize upd RNA and contribute to maintenance of the niche. However, Imp expression decreases in hub cells of older males, similar to upd, which is due to targeting of Imp by the heterochronic microRNA let-7. Therefore, in the absence of Imp, upd mRNA becomes unprotected and susceptible to degradation. Understanding the mechanistic basis for aging-related changes in stem cell behavior will lead to the development of strategies to treat age-onset diseases and facilitate stem cell based therapies in older individuals. Overall design: Examination of small RNA levels in testes from young (1day old) and aged (30days old) males of Drosophila melanogaster by deep sequencing (using Illumina GAII).
The let-7-Imp axis regulates ageing of the Drosophila testis stem-cell niche.
Specimen part, Cell line, Subject
View SamplesIn animals, the piRNA pathway preserves the integrity of gametic genomes, guarding them against the activity of mobile genetic elements. This innate immune mechanism relies on distinct genomic loci, termed piRNA clusters, to provide a molecular definition of transposons, enabling their discrimination from genes. piRNA clusters give rise to long, single-stranded precursors which are processed into primary piRNAs through an unknown mechanism. These can engage in an adaptive amplification loop, the ping-pong cycle, to optimize the content of small RNA populations via the generation of secondary piRNAs. Many proteins have been ascribed functions in either primary biogenesis or the ping-pong cycle, though for the most part the molecular functions of proteins implicated in these pathways remain obscure. Here, we link shutdown, a gene previously shown to be required for fertility in Drosophila, to the piRNA pathway. Analysis of knockdown phenotypes in both the germline and somatic compartments of the ovary demonstrate important roles for shutdown in both primary biogenesis and the ping-pong cycle. shutdown is a member of the FKBP family of immunophilins. Shu contains domains implicated in peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase activity and in the binding of HSP90-family chaperones, though the relevance of these domains to piRNA biogenesis is unknown. Overall design: Analysis of mRNA expression in Drosophila OSS cells transfected with GFP dsRNA. One sample and replicate, used to establish the OSS baseline transcriptome in the presence of exogenous RNAi activity.
shutdown is a component of the Drosophila piRNA biogenesis machinery.
Specimen part, Subject
View SamplesRosiglitazone (Rosi), a member of the thiazolidinedione class of drugs used to treat type 2 diabetes, activates the adipocyte-specific transcription factor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARg). This activation causes bone loss in animals and humans, at least in part due to suppression of osteoblast differentiation from marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSC). In order to identify mechanisms by which PPARg2 suppresses osteoblastogenesis and promotes adipogenesis in MSC, we have analyzed the PPARg2 transcriptome in response to Rosi. A total of 4,252 transcriptional changes resulted when Rosi (1 uM) was applied to the U-33 marrow stromal cell line, stably transfected with PPARg2 (U-33/g2), as compared to non-induced U-33/g2 cells. Differences between U-33/g2 and U-33 cells stably transfected with empty vector (U-33/c) comprised 7,928 transcriptional changes, independent of Rosi. Cell type-, time- and treatment-specific gene clustering uncovered distinct patterns of PPARg2 transcriptional control of MSC lineage commitment. The earliest changes accompanying Rosi activation of PPARg2 included adjustments in morphogenesis, Wnt signaling, and immune responses, as well as sustained induction of lipid metabolism. Expression signatures influenced by longer exposure to Rosi provided evidence for distinct mechanisms governing the repression of osteogenesis and stimulation of adipogenesis. Our results suggest interactions that could lead to the identification of a master regulatory scheme controlling osteoblast differentiation.
PPARgamma2 nuclear receptor controls multiple regulatory pathways of osteoblast differentiation from marrow mesenchymal stem cells.
Compound, Time
View SamplesThoracic perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) is a unique adipose depot that likely influences vascular function and susceptibility to pathogenesis in obesity and metabolic syndrome. Surprisingly, PVAT has been reported to share characteristics of both brown and white adipose, but a detailed direct comparison to interscapular brown adipose tissue (BAT) has not been performed. Here we show by full genome DNA microarray analysis that global gene expression profiles of PVAT are virtually identical to BAT, with equally high expression of Ucp-1, Cidea and other genes known to be uniquely or very highly expressed in BAT. PVAT and BAT also displayed nearly identical phenotypes upon immunohistochemical analysis, and electron microscopy confirmed that PVAT contained multilocular lipid droplets and abundant mitochondria. Compared to white adipose tissue (WAT), PVAT and BAT from C57BL/6 mice fed a high fat diet for 13 weeks had markedly lower expression of immune cell-enriched mRNAs, suggesting resistance to obesity-induced inflammation. Indeed, staining of BAT and PVAT for macrophage markers (F4/80, CD68) in obese mice showed virtually no macrophage infiltration, and FACS analysis of BAT confirmed the presence of very few CD11b+/CD11c+ macrophages in BAT (1.0%) in comparison to WAT (31%). In summary, murine PVAT from the thoracic aorta is virtually identical to interscapular BAT, is resistant to diet-induced macrophage infiltration, and thus may play an important role in protecting the vascular bed from thermal and inflammatory stress.
Similarity of mouse perivascular and brown adipose tissues and their resistance to diet-induced inflammation.
Specimen part, Treatment
View SamplesObesity is a risk factor for numerous metabolic disorders; however, not all obese individuals are prone to insulin resistance. The central aim of this study was to identify molecular pathways directly related to insulin resistance independent of BMI in obesity.
Body mass index-independent inflammation in omental adipose tissue associated with insulin resistance in morbid obesity.
Sex, Specimen part
View SamplesObesity is a risk factor for numerous metabolic disorders; however, not all obese individuals are prone to insulin resistance. The central aim of this study was to identify molecular pathways directly related to insulin resistance independent of BMI in obesity.
Body mass index-independent inflammation in omental adipose tissue associated with insulin resistance in morbid obesity.
Sex, Specimen part
View SamplesDrosophila melanogaster expresses three classes of small RNAs, which are classified according to their mechanisms of biogenesis. MicroRNAs are ~22-23-nt, ubiquitously expressed small RNAs that are sequentially processed from hairpin-like precursors by Drosha/Pasha and Dcr-1/Loquacious complexes. MicroRNAs usually associate with AGO1 and regulate the expression of protein-coding genes. Piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) of ~24-28-nt associate with Piwi-family proteins and can arise from single-stranded precursors. piRNAs function in transposon silencing and are mainly restricted to gonadal tissues. Endo-siRNAs are found in both germline and somatic tissues. These ~21-nt RNAs are produced by a distinct Dicer, Dcr-2, and do not depend on Drosha/Pasha complexes. They predominantly bind to AGO2 and target both mobile elements and protein-coding genes. Surprisingly, a subset of endo-siRNAs strongly depend for their production on the dsRNA-binding protein Loquacious (Loqs), thought generally to be a partner for Dcr-1 and a co-factor for miRNA biogenesis. Endo-siRNA production depends on a specific Loqs isoform, Loqs-PD, which is distinct from the one, Loqs-PB, required for the production of microRNAs. Paralleling their roles in the biogenesis of distinct small RNA classes, Loqs-PD and Loqs-PB bind to different Dicer proteins, with Dcr-1/Loqs-PB complexes and Dcr-2/Loqs-PD complexes driving microRNA and endo-siRNA biogenesis, respectively. Small RNA profiling by high throughput sequencing Overall design: Total RNA was isolated using Trizol reagent (Invitrogen) and size-fractionated by PAGE into 19-24nt. These were independently processed and sequenced using the Illumina GAII platform. In total, six libraries were analyzed.
Processing of Drosophila endo-siRNAs depends on a specific Loquacious isoform.
Cell line, Subject
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