Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), the most common cause of anovulatory infertility, is characterized by increased ovarian androgen production, arrested follicle development, and is frequently associated with insulin resistance. These PCOS phenotypes are associated with exaggerated ovarian responsiveness to FSH and increased pregnancy loss. To examine whether the perturbations in follicle growth and the intrafollicular environment affects development of the mature PCOS oocyte, genes that are differentially expressed in PCOS compared to normal oocytes were defined using microarray analysis. This analysis detected approximately 8000 transcripts. Hierarchical clustering and principal component analysis revealed differences in global gene expression profiles between normal and PCOS oocytes. 374 genes had a statistically-significant increase or decrease in mRNA abundance in PCOS oocytes. A subset of these genes was associated with chromosome alignment and segregation during mitosis and/or meiosis, suggesting that increased mRNAs for these proteins may negatively affect oocyte maturation and/or early embryonic development. Of the 374 differentially expressed genes, 68 contained putative androgen receptor, retinoic acid receptor, and/or peroxisome proliferating receptor gamma binding sites, including 9 of the genes involved in chromosome alignment and segregation. These analyses demonstrated that normal and PCOS oocytes that are morphologically indistinguishable and of high quality exhibit different gene expression profiles. Furthermore, altered mRNA levels in the PCOS oocyte may contribute to defects in meiosis and/or mitosis which might impair oocyte competence for early development and therefore contribute to poor pregnancy outcome in PCOS.
Molecular abnormalities in oocytes from women with polycystic ovary syndrome revealed by microarray analysis.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesPolycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine and metabolic disorder that affects 5-10% of reproductive aged women. The hallmark characteristic of PCOS is increased ovarian androgen synthesis. Previous studies by our laboratory demonstrated that increased androgen synthesis is a stable biochemical phenotype of PCOS theca cells which are the primary source of ovarian androgen production. The increase in theca cell steroidogenesis was due to an increase in expression of several steroidogenic enzymes including CYP17 and CYP11A but not StAR. Interestingly, the anti-epileptic drug valproic acid induces increased theca cell androgen synthesis and increased CYP17 and CYP11A mRNA levels. In this study we have characterized the gene expression profiles of theca cells obtained from normal or polycystic ovaries which were maintained in the absence (UNT) or presence (VPA) of valproic acid. The data identifed new candidate genes and novel signaling pathways which may contribute to the manifestation of PCOS phenotypes including increased androgen production. The experiments in this study were carried using the Affymetrix U133A and U133B oligonucleotide chips.
Valproate-induced alterations in human theca cell gene expression: clues to the association between valproate use and metabolic side effects.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesPolycystic ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a heterogeneous endocrine disorder that shows evidence of genetic predidposition among affected individuals. We have utilized the Microarray data from granulosa cells of normal and PCOS women for network construction.
Differential gene expression in granulosa cells from polycystic ovary syndrome patients with and without insulin resistance: identification of susceptibility gene sets through network analysis.
Specimen part, Disease
View SamplesMeig1-deficient mice show male germ cell development defect after they are 28 days old. To understand if the phenotype was caused by altered gene expression due to MEIG1 deficiency, total testicular RNA was isolated from 22 day old and 28 day old wild type and Meig1-deficient mice, microarray was conducted and gene expression was compared between wld-type and Meig1-deficient mice at the two time points.
A MEIG1/PACRG complex in the manchette is essential for building the sperm flagella.
Age, Specimen part
View SamplesWe have identified desmoglein 2 (DSG2) as the primary high-affinity receptor used by adenovirus (Ad) serotypes Ad3, Ad7, and Ad14. These serotypes represent important human pathogens causing respiratory tract infections. In epithelial cells, adenovirus binding to DSG2 triggers events reminiscent of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, leading to transient opening of intercellular junctions. This improves access to receptors, e.g. CD46 and Her2/neu, that are trapped in intercellular junctions. In addition to complete virions, dodecahedral particles (PtDd) formed by viral penton and fiber in excess during viral replication, can trigger DSG2-mediated opening of intercellular junctions as shown by studies with recombinant Ad3 PtDd. Our findings shed light on adenovirus biology and pathogenesis and have implications for cancer therapy.
Desmoglein 2 is a receptor for adenovirus serotypes 3, 7, 11 and 14.
Specimen part
View Samples2,3,7,8-TCDD (TCDD) is a reproductive toxicant and endocrine disruptor in nearly all vertebrates, yet the mechanisms by which TCDD induces these reproductive alterations have not been fully characterized. Fish are among the most sensitive vertebrates to the toxic effects of TCDD, and even subtle physiologic changes induced by TCDD can impair reproduction. Previously, we have shown that chronic, sub-lethal exposure to TCDD decreased reproductive capacity, reduced serum estradiol and vitellogenin concentrations, and altered follicular development. Here we investigate the transcriptional changes in zebrafish ovary as they relate to observed attenuated estradiol concentrations and ovarian development. We used quantitative RT-PCR to assess TCDDs effects on the expression of several candidate genes important in the regulation of follicular development and steroidogenesis. Additionally, global changes in gene expression in the ovary caused by TCDD exposure were identified using Affymetrix Gene Chip Analysis. Our data suggest that TCDD may inhibit follicle maturation via attenuated gonadotropin responsiveness and/or depressed estradiol biosynthesis. Additionally, genes involved in glucose and lipid metabolism, regulation of transcription, and immune function were dysregulated by at least 2-fold suggesting that TCDD alters various integrated networks of signaling pathways. Approximately 89% of dysregulated transcripts contain putative AHR response elements (AHRE) within 5kb upstream of the predicted transcriptional start site suggesting ovarian toxicity is AHRE driven. Furthermore, approximately 49% of dysregulated transcripts contain putative estrogen response elements (ERE) suggesting that dysregulation of estrogen-responsive genes may also contribute to TCDD-induced attenuated follicular development. Patterns in gene expression were correlated with putative EREs and AHREs, and suggest that impacts on the regulation of transcription may play a large role in TCDDs ovarian toxicity. Taken together, these data illustrate the complexity of TCDDs ovarian toxicity.
Molecular targets of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) within the zebrafish ovary: insights into TCDD-induced endocrine disruption and reproductive toxicity.
Sex, Specimen part
View SamplesIt is fundamentally unknown how normal cellular processes or responses to extracellular stimuli may invoke polyadenylation and degradation of ncRNA substrates or if human disease processes exhibit defects in polyadenylation of ncRNA substrates as part of their pathogenesis. Our results demonstrate that mononuclear cells from subjects with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) exhibit pervasive increases in levels of polyadenylated ncRNAs including Y1 RNA, 18S and 28S rRNA, and U1, U2, and U4 snRNAs and these defects are unique to RRMS. Defects in expression of both Ro60 and La proteins in RRMS appear to contribute to increased polyadenylation of ncRNAs. Further, IFN-ß1b, a common RRMS therapy, restores both Ro60 and La levels to normal as well as levels of polyadenylated Y1 RNA and U1 snRNA suggesting that aberrant polyadenylation of ncRNA substrates may have pathogenic consequences. Overall design: We extracted RNA from peripheral whole blood in healthy control subjects and patients with established relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis using PaxGene tubes.
Defective structural RNA processing in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesTo improve our understanding of lncRNA expression in T cells, we used whole genome sequencing (RNA-seq) to identify lncRNAs expressed in human T cells and those selectively expressed in T cells differentiated under TH1, TH2, or TH17 polarizing conditions. The majority of these lineage-specific lncRNAs are co-expressed with lineage-specific protein-coding genes. These lncRNAs are predominantly intragenic with co-expressed protein-coding genes and are transcribed in sense and antisense orientations with approximately equal frequencies. Further, genes encoding TH lineage specific mRNAs are not randomly distributed across the genome but are highly enriched in the genome in genomic regions also containing genes encoding TH lineage-specific lncRNAs. Our analyses also identify a cluster of antisense lncRNAs transcribed from the RAD50 locus that are selectively expressed under TH2 polarizing conditions and co-expressed with IL4, IL5 and IL13 genes. Depletion of these lncRNAs via selective siRNA treatment demonstrates the critical requirement of these lncRNAs for expression of the TH2 cytokines, IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13. Collectively, our analyses identify new lncRNAs expressed in a TH lineage specific manner and identify a critical role for a cluster of lncRNAs for expression of genes encoding TH2 cytokines. Overall design: Human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were cultured under TH1, TH2, and TH17 polarizing conditions. TH1, TH2, and TH17 primary and effector cultures were isolated and poly(A)+ and total RNA sequencing performed.
Expression and functions of long noncoding RNAs during human T helper cell differentiation.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesWe used Affymetrix DNA arrays to investigate the extent to which nuclear HDAC4 accumulation affects neuronal gene expression.
HDAC4 governs a transcriptional program essential for synaptic plasticity and memory.
Specimen part
View SamplesThe Carboxy-terminal domain (CTD) of RNA Polymerase II (RNAPII) in mammals undergoes extensive post-translational modification, which is essential for transcriptional initiation and elongation. Here, we show that the CTD of RNAPII is methylated at a single arginine (R1810) by the transcriptional co-activator CARM1. Although methylation at R1810 is present on the hyper-phosphorylated form of RNAPII in vivo, Ser-2 or Ser-5 phosphorylation inhibit CARM1 activity towards this site in vitro, suggesting that methylation occurs before transcription initiation. Mutation of R1810 results in the mis-expression of a variety of snRNAs and snoRNAs, an effect that is also observed in Carm1-/- MEFs. These results demonstrate that CTD methylation facilitates the expression of select RNAs, perhaps serving to discriminate the RNAPII-associated machinery recruited to distinct gene types. Overall design: To address the function of RNAPII methylation, we generated Raji cell lines expressing an RNA Polymerase II resistant to a-amanitin and carrying either wild-type R1810 or an arginine to alanine substitution at that same residue, abolishing R1810 methylation of the CTD. In cells cultured in a-amanitin, the a-amanitin-resistant mutants fully replaced the functions of endogenous RNAPII, allowing us to study if gene-expression is affected by the absence of R1810me
The C-terminal domain of RNA polymerase II is modified by site-specific methylation.
No sample metadata fields
View Samples