DNA methylation and other repressive epigenetic marks are erased genome-wide in mammalian primordial germ cells (PGCs), the early embryo and in naïve embryonic stem cells (ESCs). This is a critical phase for transposon element (TE) defense since presumably alternative pathways need to be employed to limit their activity. It has been reported that pervasive transcription is enriched for TEs in ESCs in comparison to somatic cells. Here we test the hypothesis that pervasive transcription overlapping TEs forms a sensor for loss of their transcriptional repression. Overlapping sense and antisense transcription is found in TEs, and the increase of sense transcription induced by acute deletion of DNMT1 leads to the emergence of small RNAs. These small RNAs are loaded into ARGONAUTE 2 suggesting an endosiRNA mechanism for transposon silencing. Indeed, deletion of DICER reveals this mechanism to be important for silencing of certain transposon classes, while others are additionally repressed by deposition of repressive histone marks. Our observations suggest that pervasive transcription overlapping with TEs resulting in endosiRNAs is a transposon sensor that restrains their activity during epigenetic reprogramming in the germline. Overall design: Total RNA-seq libraires (2 biological replicates of 16 samples, 1 biological replicate of 1 sample)
An endosiRNA-Based Repression Mechanism Counteracts Transposon Activation during Global DNA Demethylation in Embryonic Stem Cells.
Specimen part, Subject
View SamplesSlow-cycling subpopulations exist in bacteria, yeast, and mammalian systems. In the case of cancer, slow-cycling subpopulations have been proposed to give rise to drug resistance. However, the origin of slow-cycling human cells is poorly studied, in large part due to lack of markers to identify these rare cells. Slow-cycling cells pass through a non-cycling period marked by low CDK2 activity and high p21 levels. Here, we use this knowledge to isolate these naturally slow-cycling cells from a heterogeneous population and perform RNA-sequencing to delineate the transcriptome underlying the slow-cycling state. We show that cellular stress responses – the p53 transcriptional response and the integrated stress response – are the most salient causes of spontaneous entry into the slow-cycling state. Overall design: mRNA profiling of spontaneously quiescent human cells and cells forced into quiescence by four different methods
Spontaneously slow-cycling subpopulations of human cells originate from activation of stress-response pathways.
Cell line, Subject
View SamplesLaser capture microdissection coupled with microarray genes expression analysis were utilized in order to elucidate the regulatory networks active in epithelial cells of the neonatal and adult mouse uterus.
Cell-specific transcriptional profiling reveals candidate mechanisms regulating development and function of uterine epithelia in mice.
Specimen part
View SamplesTo identify genes differentially expressed in the glandless uterus, whole uteri were collected from control (uterine glands present) and PUGKO (no uterine glands) mice at day of pseudopregnancy (DOPP) 3.5 (day DOPP 0.5= vaginal plug). Microarray analysis identified differentially expressed genes in the glandless uteri of PUGKO mice as compared to control mice.
Cell-specific transcriptional profiling reveals candidate mechanisms regulating development and function of uterine epithelia in mice.
Specimen part
View SamplesTo identify candidate genes regulated by forkhead transcription factor box A2 (FOXA2) in the uterus, control and Foxa2-deleted uteri were collected at day of pseudopregnancy (DOPP) 3.5 (DOPP 0.5= vaginal plug). Microarray analysis identified differentially expressed genes in the Foxa2-deleted as compared to control uteri that are candidiate FOXA2-regulated genes in the uterus.
Integrated chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing and microarray analysis identifies FOXA2 target genes in the glands of the mouse uterus.
Specimen part
View SamplesRNA seq analysis was conducted to determine gene expression in the day 14 ovine conceptus. This was used in conjunction with the day 14 PPARG ChIP-seq analysis to identify genes bound by PPARG which were also expressed or not expressed in the day 14 conceptus. Understanding changes in gene expression during early pregnancy is critical to improving fertility and reproductive efficiency in ruminants. Overall design: RNA seq analysis of 4 conceptuses from 4 individual Day 14 pregnant columbia/rambouillet crossbred ewes
Biological Roles of Hydroxysteroid (11-Beta) Dehydrogenase 1 (HSD11B1), HSD11B2, and Glucocorticoid Receptor (NR3C1) in Sheep Conceptus Elongation.
Subject
View SamplesRNA seq analysis of laser capture microdissected luminal and glandular epithelium from ewes on day of pregnancy 10, 12, 14, 16 and 20. As well as RNA seq of whole conceptuses, and trophectoderm tissue from day 12, 14, 16 and 20 of pregnancy. Determination of gene expression changes in the uterine epithelium and conceptus during early pregnancy helps to improve our understanding of early pregnancy events and provides a basis of new strategies to improve fertility and reproductive efficiency in ruminants. Overall design: RNA seq analysis of 4 samples of each tissue type (luminal epithelium (LE), glandular epithelium (GE) and conceptus) for 4 animals. Pre-sequencing amplification of LE, GE and day 12 conceptus samples.
Analysis of the Uterine Epithelial and Conceptus Transcriptome and Luminal Fluid Proteome During the Peri-Implantation Period of Pregnancy in Sheep.
Specimen part, Subject
View SamplesBy employing FOXA2-deficient mouse models coupled with LIF repletion, we reveal definitive roles of uterine glands in pregnancy establishment.These studies provide original evidence that uterine glands synchronize embryo-endometrial interactions, coordinate on-time embryo implantation, and impact stromal cell decidualization, thereby ensuring embryo viability, placental growth, and pregnancy success. Overall design: Uterine transcriptomes of control and Foxa2-deficient mice were generated on gestational day (GD) 4 and GD 6 following LIF-repletion. All time points were done in quadruplicates.
Uterine glands coordinate on-time embryo implantation and impact endometrial decidualization for pregnancy success.
Specimen part, Cell line, Subject
View SamplesGhrelin, an orexigenic gut-derived peptide, is gaining increasing attention due to its multifaceted role in a number of physiological functions, including metabolism, cardiovascular health, stress and reproduction. Ghrelin exists in circulation primarily as des-acylated and acylated ghrelin. Des-acyl ghrelin, until recently considered to be an inactive form ghrelin, is now known to have independent physiological functionality. However, the relative contribution of acyl and des-acyl ghrelin to reproductive development and function is currently unknown. Here we used ghrelin-O-acyltransferase (GOAT) knockout (KO) mice that have no measurable levels of endogenous acyl ghrelin and chronically high levels of des-acyl ghrelin, to characterise how the developmental and life-long absence of acyl ghrelin affects ovarian development and reproductive capacity. We have combined ovarian transcriptome analysis using RNA sequencing with measures of ovarian morphometry, as well as with the assessment of markers of reproductive maturity and the capacity to breed. Our data show pronounced specific changes in the ovarian transcriptome in the juvenile GOAT KO ovary, indicative of advanced ovarian development. These changes corresponded with diminished ovarian reserve in the juvenile and adult ovaries of these mice, due to a continuous reduction in the number of small follicle populations. These changes did not affect the timing of puberty onset or reproductive capacity under optimal conditions. These data suggest that an absence of acyl ghrelin does not prevent reproductive success but that appropriate levels of acyl and des-acyl ghrelin may be necessary for optimal ovarian maturation. Overall design: 4 WT and 4 GOAT KO ovaries were used for this analysis
Acylated Ghrelin Supports the Ovarian Transcriptome and Follicles in the Mouse: Implications for Fertility.
Age, Specimen part, Cell line, Subject
View SamplesThis study relates to pregnancy outcome after assisted reproduction of fertility-classified cattle. The aim is to investigate how the uterine environment impacts and programs conceptus survival and development. The study found that ripple effects of dysregulated conceptus-endometrial interactions elicit post-elongation pregnancy loss in subfertile animals during the implantation period. Overall design: Heifer cows classified as high fertile (HF), subfertile (SF), or infertile (IF) were investigated. The RNA-seq analysis was performed for endometrium samples at day 17 of pregnancy. For comparison, non-pregnant cows were included in the analysis. RNA from conceptus of HF and SF pregnant animals (day 17) were also included in the RNA-seq analysis. A total of 25 endometrium samples (5 non-pregnant of each fertilty group, 5 pregnant HF, and 5 pregnant SF) and 27 conceptus samples (10 SF and 17 HF) were used in the RNA-seq analysis.
Uterine influences on conceptus development in fertility-classified animals.
Specimen part, Subject
View Samples