Regulator of G protein signaling z1 (RGSz1), a member of the RGS family of proteins, is present in several networks expressing mu opioid receptors (MOPR). By using genetic mouse models for global or brain region-targeted manipulations of RGSz1 expression, we demonstrate that the suppression of RGSz1 function increases the analgesic efficacy of MOPR agonists in male and female mice and delays the development of morphine tolerance while decreasing the sensitivity to rewarding and locomotor activating effects. Using biochemical assays and next-generation RNA sequencing, we identified a key role of RGSz1 in the periaqueductal gray (PAG) in morphine tolerance. Chronic morphine administration promotes RGSz1 activity in the PAG, which in turn modulates transcription mediated by the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway to promote analgesic tolerance to morphine. Conversely, the suppression of RGSz1 function stabilizes Axin2-Gaz complexes near the membrane and promotes ß-catenin activation, thereby delaying the development of analgesic tolerance. These data show that the regulation of RGS complexes, particularly those involving RGSz1-Gaz, represents a promising target for optimizing the analgesic actions of opioids without increasing the risk of dependence or addiction. Overall design: Understanding the impact of morphine tolerance and the influence of RGSz1 on gene expression in the PAG
Suppression of RGSz1 function optimizes the actions of opioid analgesics by mechanisms that involve the Wnt/β-catenin pathway.
Sex, Specimen part, Treatment, Subject
View SamplesCharacterization of the underlying genetic defects in patients with a rare and peculiar phenotype is challenging. Here we have utilized whole genome expression profiling, and identified a homozygous germline mutation in the DDB2 gene in a patient with several facial tumors. The feasibility of using blood derived RNA, diminishing costs of the technology, and the limited number of samples needed provide this approach a powerful new tool that may substantially aid in such gene identification efforts.
Blood-derived gene-expression profiling in unravelling susceptibility to recessive disease.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesPlant hormones interact with each other and regulate gene expression to control plant growth and development. To understand the complex network, accumulation of comprehensive and integrative data of gene expression and hormone concentration is important. Using microarray, global gene expression profile was analyzed to compare with plant hormone concentration in 14 parts of rice at reproductive stage.
UniVIO: a multiple omics database with hormonome and transcriptome data from rice.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesThe epiblast (foremost embryonic ectoderm) generates all three germ layers and therefore has crucial roles in the formation of all mammalian body cells. Regulation of epiblast gene expression is poorly understood due to the difficulty of manipulating epiblast tissues in vivo. In the present study, using the self-organizing properties of embryonic stem cells (ESCs), we generated and characterized epiblast-like tissue in three-dimensional (3D) culture. We identified significant genome-wide expression changes in this epiblast-like tissue. Additionally, we identified the significance of the Fgf/Erk and ectoderm formation pathways, using the bioinformatics resource IPA and DAVID. We first focused on Fgf5, which ranked in the top 10 among discovered genes. Toward functional analysis of Fgf5, we developed efficient methods of genome engineering (CRISPR/Cas9) and RNA interference (RNAi). Notably, we show one-step generation of an Fgf5 reporter line, null and in/del mutants. Furthermore, mutation types correlated well with CRISPR/Cas9 activity. For time- and dose-dependent depletion of Fgf5 over the course of development, we generated an ESC line harboring a drug-inducible short hairpin RNA cassette integrated by the Tol2 transposon system (pRNAi). Our methods provide a framework for a broad array of applications in the areas of mammalian genetics and molecular biology to understand development and to improve future therapeutics.
Establishment of Functional Genomics Pipeline in Mouse Epiblast-Like Tissue by Combining Transcriptomic Analysis and Gene Knockdown/Knockin/Knockout, Using RNA Interference and CRISPR/Cas9.
Specimen part
View SamplesMechanical Stimuli are arguably the most important aetiolgical factors in osteoarthritis (OA) development. Not only do we see disease arising from joints where the cartilage has sustained direct (e.g. intraarticular fracture) or indirect (e.g. meniscal injury) trauma, but mechanical factors are considered, at least partly, to explain the disease associations with aging and obesity. It is now well established that OA is not simply due to repeated wear and tear, leading to attrition of the articular surfaces, but that it requires activation of a number of inflammatory genes, which drive catabolic protease activity in the joint. These enzymes lead to breakdown of the major extracellular matrix components of cartilage, namely type II collagen, and the proteoglycan, aggrecan. Although it is unclear precisely which enzymes are responsible for matrix breakdown in human OA, Glasson et al showed that deletion of the aggrecan degrading enzyme, ADAMTS5 substantially protected the joint from surgically induced murine OA suggesting that it is a major aggrecanase in the mouse.
Joint immobilization prevents murine osteoarthritis and reveals the highly mechanosensitive nature of protease expression in vivo.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesThe unfolded protein response (UPR) is a cellular defense mechanism against glucose deprivation, a cell condition that occurs in solid tumors.
Chemical genomics identifies the unfolded protein response as a target for selective cancer cell killing during glucose deprivation.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesWe used microarrays to detail transcriptional changes in the rat heart in response to doxorubicin, a chemotherapeutic drug known to induce cardiac disfunction/heart failure
Early effects of doxorubicin in perfused heart: transcriptional profiling reveals inhibition of cellular stress response genes.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesNitrogen (N) is a key nutrient that is often the limiting factor in plant growth. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying transcriptional regulation of N-starvation-responses remain largely unknown.
A NIGT1-centred transcriptional cascade regulates nitrate signalling and incorporates phosphorus starvation signals in Arabidopsis.
Specimen part
View SamplesPatients who cleared HCV viremia early during therapy tended to show favorable outcomes, whereas patients who needed a longer period to clear HCV had poorer outcomes. We explored the mechanisms of treatment resistance by comparing hepatic gene expression before and during treatment
Differential interferon signaling in liver lobule and portal area cells under treatment for chronic hepatitis C.
Specimen part, Time
View SamplesGenes related to sleep and wakefulness were evaluated by RNA microarray in patients, including CKD,HD patients and control subjects.
Messenger RNA expression profile of sleep-related genes in peripheral blood cells in patients with chronic kidney disease.
Sex, Specimen part
View Samples