To characterize the role of the circadian clock in mouse physiology and behavior, we used RNA-seq and DNA arrays to quantify the transcriptomes of 12 mouse organs over time. We found 43% of all protein coding genes showed circadian rhythms in transcription somewhere in the body, largely in an organ-specific manner. In most organs, we noticed the expression of many oscillating genes peaked during transcriptional rush hours preceding dawn and dusk. Looking at the genomic landscape of rhythmic genes, we saw that they clustered together, were longer, and had more spliceforms than nonoscillating genes. Systems-level analysis revealed intricate rhythmic orchestration of gene pathways throughout the body. We also found oscillations in the expression of more than 1,000 known and novel noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs). Supporting their potential role in mediating clock function, ncRNAs conserved between mouse and human showed rhythmic expression in similar proportions as protein coding genes. Importantly, we also found that the majority of best-selling drugs and World Health Organization essential medicines directly target the products of rhythmic genes. Many of these drugs have short half-lives and may benefit from timed dosage. In sum, this study highlights critical, systemic, and surprising roles of the mammalian circadian clock and provides a blueprint for advancement in chronotherapy.
A circadian gene expression atlas in mammals: implications for biology and medicine.
Specimen part
View SamplesThe cortex and hippocampus were dissected from each individual mouse. Targets from three biological replicates of earlybird mutants and their wildtype littermates and six replicates of Rab3a knockouts and wildtype littermates were generated and the expression profiles were determined using Affymetrix MOE430 A and B arrays. Comparisons between the sample groups allow the identification of tissue specifically expressed genes and genes that are affected by mutations of Rab3a.
Biochemical, molecular and behavioral phenotypes of Rab3A mutations in the mouse.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesHigh-temporal resolution profiling was performed on mouse liver to detect rhythmic transcripts
Harmonics of circadian gene transcription in mammals.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesHigh-temporal resolution profiling was performed on NIH3T3 fibroblasts to detect rhythmic transcripts
Harmonics of circadian gene transcription in mammals.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesHigh-temporal resolution profiling was performed on U2OS fibroblasts to detect rhythmic transcripts
No associated publication
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesCircadian profiling of total RNA collected from wildtype and dnClk adult Drosophila fatbody
No associated publication
Sex, Specimen part, Time
View SamplesBackground: The prefrontal cortex is important in regulating sleep and mood. Diurnally regulated genes in the prefrontal cortex may be controlled by the circadian system, by the sleep-wake states, or by cellular metabolism or environmental responses. Bioinformatics analysis of these genes will provide insights into a wide-range of pathways that are involved in the pathophysiology of sleep disorders and psychiatric disorders with sleep disturbances. Results: We examined gene expression in the mouse prefrontal cortex at four time points during the 24-hour (12-hour light:12-hour dark) cycle by microarrays, and identified 3,890 transcripts corresponding to 2,927 genes with diurnally regulated expression patterns. We show that 16% of the genes identified in our study are orthologs of identified clock, clock controlled or sleep/wakefulness induced genes in the mouse liver and SCN, rat cortex and cerebellum, or Drosophila head. The diurnal expression patterns were confirmed in 16 out of 18 genes in an independent set of RNA samples. The diurnal genes fall into eight temporal categories with distinct functional attributes, as assessed by the Gene Ontology classification and by the analysis of enriched transcription factor binding sites. Conclusions: Our analysis demonstrates that ~10% of transcripts have diurnally regulated expression patterns in the mouse prefrontal cortex. Functional annotation of these genes will be important for the selection of candidate genes for behavioural mutants in the mouse and for genetic studies of disorders associated with anomalies in the sleep:wake cycle and circadian rhythms.
Genome-wide expression profiling and bioinformatics analysis of diurnally regulated genes in the mouse prefrontal cortex.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesFibroblasts and lymphoblastoid cells (LCLs) are the most widely used cells in genetic, genomic, and transcriptomic studies in relation to human diseases. Examining the gene expression patterns in these two cell types will provide valuable information regarding the validity of using them to study gene expression related to various human diseases.
Genomic landscape of a three-generation pedigree segregating affective disorder.
Age, Disease
View SamplesExtramedullary hematopoiesis (EMH) refers to the differentiation of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) into effector cells that occurs in compartments outside of the bone marrow. Previous studies linked pattern recognition receptor (PRR)-expressing HSCs, EMH and immune responses to microbial stimuli. However, the factors that regulate EMH and whether EMH operates in broader immune contexts remain unknown. Here, we demonstrate a previously unrecognized role for thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) in promoting the population expansion of progenitor cells in the periphery and identify that TSLP-elicited progenitors differentiate into effector cells including macrophages, dendritic cells and granulocytes that contribute to TH2 cytokine responses. The frequency of circulating progenitor cells was also increased in allergic patients with a gain-of-function polymorphism in TSLP, suggesting the TSLP-EMH pathway may operate in human disease. These data identify that TSLP-induced EMH contributes to the development of allergic inflammation and indicate that EMH is a conserved mechanism of innate immunity.
Thymic stromal lymphopoietin-mediated extramedullary hematopoiesis promotes allergic inflammation.
Sex, Specimen part
View SamplesThe forkhead transcription factor, Foxp3, is pivotal to the development and function of CD4+CD25+ T regulatory (Treg) cells that limit autoimmunity and maintain immune homeostasis. Previous data indicated that many of the functions of Foxp3 are controlled by the acetylation of several lysines within the forkhead domain. We now show that mutation of each of two lysines within the forkhead domain of Foxp3, lysine at position 382 (K17) and lysine at position 393 (K18), impaired Treg suppressive function in vivo and in vitro. Lysine mutations also decreased Treg expression of multiple functionally important Foxp3-regulated genes, and inhibited the promoter remodeling of target genes (CTLA-4 and IL-2) without affecting Foxp3 expression level. These data point to the need for a further understanding of the effects of various post-translational modifications on Foxp3 function. Our studies also provide a rationale for developing small molecule inhibitors of such post-translational modifications so as to regulate Foxp3+ Treg function clinically.
No associated publication
Specimen part
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