RESUMEN

Advancing chloroplast genetic engineering in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii remains challenging, decades after its first successful transformation. This study introduces the development of a chloroplast-optimized mNeonGreen fluorescent reporter, enabling in vivo observation through a sixfold increase in fluorescence via context-aware construct engineering. Our research highlights the influence of transcriptional readthrough and antisense mRNA pairing on post-transcriptional regulation, pointing to novel strategies for optimizing heterologous gene expression. We further demonstrate the applicability of these insights using an accessible experimentation system using glass-bead transformation and reestablishment of photosynthesis using psbH mutants, focusing on the mitigation of transcriptional readthrough effects. By characterizing heterologous expression using regulatory elements such as PrrnS, 5'atpA, and 3' rbcL in a sense-transcriptional context, we further documented up to twofold improvement in fluorescence levels. Our findings contribute new tools for molecular biology research in the chloroplast and evidence fundamental gene regulation processes that could enable the development of more effective chloroplast engineering strategies. This work not only paves the way for more efficient genetic engineering of chloroplasts but also deepens our understanding of the regulatory mechanisms at play.

Asunto(s)

Chlamydomonas reinhardtii , Cloroplastos , Chlamydomonas reinhardtii/genética , Chlamydomonas reinhardtii/metabolismo , Cloroplastos/metabolismo , Cloroplastos/genética , Regulación de la Expresión Génica de las Plantas , Transcripción Genética , Genes Reporteros , Fotosíntesis/genética , ARN sin Sentido/genética , Proteínas Luminiscentes/genética , Proteínas Luminiscentes/metabolismo

RESUMEN

The adult hippocampus generates new granule cells (aGCs) with functional capabilities that convey unique forms of plasticity to the preexisting circuits. While early differentiation of adult radial glia-like cells (RGLs) has been studied extensively, the molecular mechanisms guiding the maturation of postmitotic neurons remain unknown. Here, we used a precise birthdating strategy to study aGC differentiation using single-nuclei RNA sequencing. Transcriptional profiling revealed a continuous trajectory from RGLs to mature aGCs, with multiple immature stages bearing increasing levels of effector genes supporting growth, excitability, and synaptogenesis. Analysis of differential gene expression, pseudo-time trajectory, and transcription factors (TFs) revealed critical transitions defining four cellular states: quiescent RGLs, proliferative progenitors, immature aGCs, and mature aGCs. Becoming mature aGCs involved a transcriptional switch that shuts down pathways promoting cell growth, such SoxC TFs, to activate programs that likely control neuronal homeostasis. aGCs overexpressing Sox4 or Sox11 remained immature. Our results unveil precise molecular mechanisms driving adult RGLs through the pathway of neuronal differentiation.

Asunto(s)

Diferenciación Celular , Hipocampo , Neurogénesis , Neuronas , Factores de Transcripción SOXC , Animales , Hipocampo/metabolismo , Hipocampo/citología , Neuronas/metabolismo , Neuronas/citología , Factores de Transcripción SOXC/metabolismo , Factores de Transcripción SOXC/genética , Diferenciación Celular/genética , Neurogénesis/genética , Ratones , Transcripción Genética , Perfilación de la Expresión Génica , Factores de Transcripción/metabolismo , Factores de Transcripción/genética , Células Ependimogliales/metabolismo , Células Ependimogliales/citología

RESUMEN

Regulating transcription allows organisms to respond to their environment, both within a single generation (plasticity) and across generations (adaptation). We examined transcriptional differences in gill tissues of fishes in the Poecilia mexicana species complex (family Poeciliidae), which have colonized toxic springs rich in hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in southern Mexico. There are gene expression differences between sulfidic and non-sulfidic populations, yet regulatory mechanisms mediating this gene expression variation remain poorly studied. We combined capped-small RNA sequencing (csRNA-seq), which captures actively transcribed (i.e. nascent) transcripts, and messenger RNA sequencing (mRNA-seq) to examine how variation in transcription, enhancer activity, and associated transcription factor binding sites may facilitate adaptation to extreme environments. csRNA-seq revealed thousands of differentially initiated transcripts between sulfidic and non-sulfidic populations, many of which are involved in H2S detoxification and response. Analyses of transcription factor binding sites in promoter and putative enhancer csRNA-seq peaks identified a suite of transcription factors likely involved in regulating H2S-specific shifts in gene expression, including several key transcription factors known to respond to hypoxia. Our findings uncover a complex interplay of regulatory processes that reflect the divergence of extremophile populations of P. mexicana from their non-sulfidic ancestors and suggest shared responses among evolutionarily independent lineages.

Asunto(s)

Sulfuro de Hidrógeno , Poecilia , Animales , Sulfuro de Hidrógeno/metabolismo , Poecilia/genética , Poecilia/fisiología , Poecilia/metabolismo , Extremófilos/metabolismo , Extremófilos/fisiología , Extremófilos/genética , Transcripción Genética , México , Factores de Transcripción/metabolismo , Factores de Transcripción/genética , Branquias/metabolismo

RESUMEN

Nox1 signaling is a causal key element in arterial hypertension. Recently, we identified protein disulfide isomerase A1 (PDI) as a novel regulatory protein that regulates Nox1 signaling in VSMCs. Spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) have increased levels of PDI in mesenteric resistance arteries compared with Wistar controls; however, its consequences remain unclear. Herein, we investigated the role of PDI in mediating Nox1 transcriptional upregulation and its effects on vascular dysfunction in hypertension. We demonstrate that PDI contributes to the development of hypertension via enhanced transcriptional upregulation of Nox1 in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). We show for the first time that PDI sulfenylation by hydrogen peroxide contributes to EGFR activation in hypertension via increased shedding of epidermal growth factor-like ligands. PDI also increases intracellular calcium levels, and contractile responses induced by ANG II. PDI silencing or pharmacological inhibition in VSMCs significantly decreases EGFR activation and Nox1 transcription. Overexpression of PDI in VSMCs enhances ANG II-induced EGFR activation and ATF1 translocation to the nucleus. Mechanistically, PDI increases ATF1-induced Nox1 transcription and enhances the contractile responses to ANG II. Herein we show that ATF1 binding to Nox1 transcription putative regulatory regions is augmented by PDI. Altogether, we provide evidence that HB-EGF in SHR resistance vessels promotes the nuclear translocation of ATF1, under the control of PDI, and thereby induces Nox1 gene expression and increases vascular reactivity. Thus, PDI acts as a thiol redox-dependent enhancer of vascular dysfunction in hypertension and could represent a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of this disease.

Asunto(s)

Hipertensión , Músculo Liso Vascular , NADPH Oxidasa 1 , Proteína Disulfuro Isomerasas , Ratas Endogámicas SHR , Regulación hacia Arriba , Animales , Proteína Disulfuro Isomerasas/metabolismo , Proteína Disulfuro Isomerasas/genética , NADPH Oxidasa 1/metabolismo , NADPH Oxidasa 1/genética , Hipertensión/fisiopatología , Hipertensión/genética , Hipertensión/metabolismo , Ratas , Músculo Liso Vascular/metabolismo , Masculino , Miocitos del Músculo Liso/metabolismo , Receptores ErbB/metabolismo , Receptores ErbB/genética , Ratas Wistar , Transcripción Genética

RESUMEN

Intracellular pathogens like Brucella face challenges during the intraphagocytic adaptation phase, where the modulation of gene expression plays an essential role in taking advantage of stressors to persist inside the host cell. This study aims to explore the expression of antisense virB2 RNA strand and related genes under intracellular simulation media. Sense and antisense virB2 RNA strands increased expression when nutrient deprivation and acidification were higher, being starvation more determinative. Meanwhile, bspB, one of the T4SS effector genes, exhibited the highest expression during the exposition to pH 4.5 and nutrient abundance. Based on RNA-seq analysis and RACE data, we constructed a regional map depicting the 5' and 3' ends of virB2 and the cis-encoded asRNA_0067. Without affecting the CDS or a possible autonomous RBS, we generate the deletion mutant ΔasRNA_0067, significantly reducing virB2 mRNA expression and survival rate. These results suggest that the antisense asRNA_0067 expression is promoted under exposure to the intraphagocytic adaptation phase stressors, and its deletion is associated with a lower transcription of the virB2 gene. Our findings illuminate the significance of these RNA strands in modulating the survival strategy of Brucella within the host and emphasize the role of nutrient deprivation in gene expression.

Asunto(s)

Brucella abortus , Regulación Bacteriana de la Expresión Génica , Brucella abortus/genética , Brucella abortus/metabolismo , Proteínas Bacterianas/genética , Proteínas Bacterianas/metabolismo , ARN Bacteriano/genética , ARN Bacteriano/metabolismo , Transcripción Genética , ARN sin Sentido/genética , ARN sin Sentido/metabolismo , Estrés Fisiológico , Animales , Macrófagos/microbiología

RESUMEN

Recent evidence suggests that human gene promoters display gene expression regulatory mechanisms beyond the typical single gene local transcription modulation. In mammalian genomes, genes with an associated bidirectional promoter are abundant; bidirectional promoter architecture serves as a regulatory hub for a gene pair expression. However, it has been suggested that its contribution to transcriptional regulation might exceed local transcription initiation modulation. Despite their abundance, the functional consequences of bidirectional promoter architecture remain largely unexplored. This work studies the long-range gene expression regulatory role of a long non-coding RNA gene promoter using chromosome conformation capture methods. We found that this particular bidirectional promoter contributes to distal gene expression regulation in a target-specific manner by establishing promoter-promoter interactions. In particular, we validated that the promoter-promoter interactions of this regulatory element with the promoter of distal gene BBX contribute to modulating the transcription rate of this gene; removing the bidirectional promoter from its genomic context leads to a rearrangement of BBX promoter-enhancer interactions and to increased gene expression. Moreover, long-range regulatory functionality is not directly dependent on its associated non-coding gene pair expression levels.

Asunto(s)

Regulación de la Expresión Génica , Regiones Promotoras Genéticas , ARN Largo no Codificante , Humanos , ARN Largo no Codificante/genética , Regulación de la Expresión Génica/genética , Transcripción Genética , Elementos de Facilitación Genéticos

RESUMEN

Circadian clocks temporally coordinate daily organismal biology over the 24-h cycle. Their molecular design, preserved between fungi and animals, is based on a core-oscillator composed of a one-step transcriptional-translational-negative-feedback-loop (TTFL). To test whether this evolutionarily conserved TTFL architecture is the only plausible way for achieving a functional circadian clock, we adopted a transcriptional rewiring approach, artificially co-opting regulators of the circadian output pathways into the core-oscillator. Herein we describe one of these semi-synthetic clocks which maintains all basic circadian features but, notably, it also exhibits new attributes such as a "lights-on timer" logic, where clock phase is fixed at the end of the night. Our findings indicate that fundamental circadian properties such as period, phase and temperature compensation are differentially regulated by transcriptional and posttranslational aspects of the clockworks.

Asunto(s)

Relojes Circadianos , Transcripción Genética , Relojes Circadianos/genética , Animales , Ritmo Circadiano/genética , Evolución Molecular , Regulación de la Expresión Génica

RESUMEN

The white-rot fungus Pleurotus eryngii secretes various laccases involved in the degradation of a wide range of chemical compounds. Since the laccase production is relatively low in fungi, many efforts have been focused on finding ways to increase it, so in this study, we investigated the effect of copper on the transcription of the pel3 laccase gene and extracellular laccase activity. The results indicate that adding 0.5 to 2 mM copper to liquid cultures of P. eryngii KS004 increased both pel3 gene transcription and extracellular laccase activity in a concentration-dependent manner. The most significant increase in enzyme activity occurred at 1 mM Cu2+, where the peak activity was 4.6 times higher than in control flasks. Copper also induced the transcription of the laccase gene pel3. The addition of 1.5 and 2 mM Cu2+ to fungal culture media elevated pel3 transcript levels to more than 13-fold, although the rate of induction slowed down at Cu2+ concentrations higher than 1.5 mM. Our findings suggest that copper acts as an inducer in the regulation of laccase gene expression in P. eryngii KS004. Despite its inhibitory effect on fungal growth, supplementing cultures with copper can lead to an increased extracellular laccase production in P. eryngii.

Asunto(s)

Lacasa , Pleurotus , Lacasa/metabolismo , Cobre/farmacología , Cobre/metabolismo , Pleurotus/genética , Pleurotus/metabolismo , Transcripción Genética

RESUMEN

Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) are recognized as being responsible for many cases of foodborne diseases worldwide. Cattle are the main reservoir of STEC, shedding the microorganisms in their feces. The serogroup STEC O91 has been associated with hemorrhagic colitis and hemolytic uremic syndrome. Locus of Adhesion and Autoaggregation (LAA) and its hes gene are related to the pathogenicity of STEC and the ability to form biofilms. Considering the frequent isolation of STEC O91, the biofilm-forming ability, and the possible role of hes in the pathogenicity of STEC, we propose to evaluate the ability of STEC to form biofilms and to evaluate the expression of hes before and after of biofilm formation. All strains were classified as strong biofilm-forming. The hes expression showed variability between strains before and after biofilm formation, and this may be due to other genes carried by each strain. This study is the first to report the relationship between biofilm formation, and hes expression and proposes that the analysis and diagnosis of LAA, especially hes as STEC O91 virulence factors, could elucidate these unknown mechanisms. Considering that there is no specific treatment for HUS, only supportive care, it is necessary to know the survival and virulence mechanisms of STEC O91.

Asunto(s)

Biopelículas , Proteínas de Escherichia coli , Escherichia coli Shiga-Toxigénica , Biopelículas/crecimiento & desarrollo , Escherichia coli Shiga-Toxigénica/genética , Escherichia coli Shiga-Toxigénica/fisiología , Escherichia coli Shiga-Toxigénica/patogenicidad , Proteínas de Escherichia coli/genética , Proteínas de Escherichia coli/metabolismo , Regulación Bacteriana de la Expresión Génica , Animales , Bovinos , Infecciones por Escherichia coli/veterinaria , Infecciones por Escherichia coli/microbiología , Transcripción Genética

RESUMEN

Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that may modulate the immune response by altering the maturation and function of antigen-presenting cells, such as dendritic cells. This study aimed to evaluate the antibacterial gene expression of dendritic cells challenged with LPS and probiotics. Immature dendritic cells were obtained from human CD14+ monocytes and challenged with E. coli LPS and probiotics Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus (LR-32) and Lactobacillus acidophilus (LA-5) at a ratio DC:bacteria of 1:10. The analysis of gene expression was performed by RT-qPCR using the Kit RT2 human antibacterial response. In the supernatant, the cytokines secretion was determined by ELISA. Tukey post-ANOVA with p at 5% was used for statistical analysis. LPS showed the higher upregulation of 29 genes compared with the groups where probiotics were added to LPS, including genes related to an inflammatory response like BIRC3, CASP1, CCL5, CXCL1, IL12B, IL18, MYD88, NLRP3, RIPK1, and TIRAP. Similarly, LPS increased the transcription of genes enrolled with apoptosis such as CARD6, CASP1, IRF5, MAP2K1, MAP2K4, MAPK1, MYD88, NLRP3, RIPK2, TNF, TNFRSF1A, and XIAP when compared to probiotics groups (p < 0.05). Although probiotics decrease several genes upregulated by LPS, the transcription of encoded cytokines IL12A, IL12B, IL1B, IL6, CXCL8, and TNF genes was maintained upregulated by probiotics, except for IL18, which was downregulated by LA-5. LA-5 led to a higher transcription of IL1B, IL6, and CXCL-8 which was followed by the secretion of these proteins by ELISA. The results suggest that probiotics attenuate the transcription of inflammatory and immune response genes caused by LPS.

Asunto(s)

Lactobacillus , Probióticos , Humanos , Lactobacillus/genética , Lipopolisacáridos , Proteína con Dominio Pirina 3 de la Familia NLR/genética , Proteína con Dominio Pirina 3 de la Familia NLR/metabolismo , Interleucina-6/genética , Escherichia coli/genética , Interleucina-18/genética , Interleucina-18/metabolismo , Factor 88 de Diferenciación Mieloide/genética , Factor 88 de Diferenciación Mieloide/metabolismo , Células Dendríticas , Citocinas/metabolismo , Transcripción Genética , Probióticos/metabolismo

RESUMEN

RegulonDB is a database that contains the most comprehensive corpus of knowledge of the regulation of transcription initiation of Escherichia coli K-12, including data from both classical molecular biology and high-throughput methodologies. Here, we describe biological advances since our last NAR paper of 2019. We explain the changes to satisfy FAIR requirements. We also present a full reconstruction of the RegulonDB computational infrastructure, which has significantly improved data storage, retrieval and accessibility and thus supports a more intuitive and user-friendly experience. The integration of graphical tools provides clear visual representations of genetic regulation data, facilitating data interpretation and knowledge integration. RegulonDB version 12.0 can be accessed at https://regulondb.ccg.unam.mx.

Asunto(s)

Bases de Datos Genéticas , Escherichia coli K12 , Regulación Bacteriana de la Expresión Génica , Biología Computacional/métodos , Escherichia coli K12/genética , Internet , Transcripción Genética

RESUMEN

To study the estrogen regulated transcription of the uteroglobin (UG) gene, the founding member of the secretoglobin family widely expressed in many different mammalian species, we re-created functional estrogen response elements (EREs) in the UG gene promoter from a species where UG expression is not regulated by estrogens: the hamster Mesocricetus auratus (Ma), to ascertain if the lack of functional EREs is the real cause of its estrogen insensitivity. Functional EREs in the hamster promoter, including the consensus ERE (cERE), failed to respond to an appropriate estrogen stimulus compared with its estrogen regulated ortholog from the brown hare Lepus capensis (Lc). As the nucleotide sequence is the only difference between genetic constructs from these two species, we suspected that the UG promoter from the hamster probably contains cis-acting genetic elements that negatively impairs the estrogen-regulated transcription mediated by the functional ERE. Accordingly, we prepared chimeric DNA constructs which eventually allowed to identify a region located 29 base pairs (bp) downstream of the ERE as responsible for the lack of estrogen-responsiveness of the Ma-UG gene in the breast cancer cell line MCF-7. This region contains the sequence ACACCCC which has been identified as the core sequence of the Sp/ Krüppel-like factor (KLF) family of transcription factors. This finding is relevant, not only due to the observation on a novel mechanism that control estrogen-induced transcription, but also because it may encourage further investigation for better defining specific genes with an ERE that do not respond to estrogen signaling in MCF-7 cells, a cell line widely employed as an in vitro model in breast cancer research.

Asunto(s)

Neoplasias de la Mama , Liebres , Cricetinae , Animales , Humanos , Femenino , Células MCF-7 , Uteroglobina/genética , Secuencia de Bases , Estrógenos/farmacología , Estrógenos/metabolismo , Neoplasias de la Mama/genética , Liebres/metabolismo , Transcripción Genética , Estradiol/farmacología

RESUMEN

The nucleolus is sensitive to stress and can orchestrate a chain of cellular events in response to stress signals. Despite being a growth factor, FGF2 has antiproliferative and tumor-suppressive functions in some cellular contexts. In this work, we investigated how the antiproliferative effect of FGF2 modulates chromatin-, nucleolus- and rDNA-associated proteins. The chromatin and nucleolar proteome indicated that FGF2 stimulation modulates proteins related to transcription, rRNA expression and chromatin-remodeling proteins. The global transcriptional rate and nucleolus area increased along with nucleolar disorganization upon 24 h of FGF2 stimulation. FGF2 stimulation induced immature rRNA accumulation by increasing rRNA transcription. The rDNA-associated protein analysis reinforced that FGF2 stimulus interferes with transcription and rRNA processing. RNA Pol I inhibition partially reversed the growth arrest induced by FGF2, indicating that changes in rRNA expression might be crucial for triggering the antiproliferative effect. Taken together, we demonstrate that the antiproliferative FGF2 stimulus triggers significant transcriptional changes and modulates the main cell transcription site, the nucleolus.

Asunto(s)

Nucléolo Celular , Factor 2 de Crecimiento de Fibroblastos , Factor 2 de Crecimiento de Fibroblastos/genética , Factor 2 de Crecimiento de Fibroblastos/farmacología , Factor 2 de Crecimiento de Fibroblastos/metabolismo , Nucléolo Celular/metabolismo , ARN Ribosómico/genética , ARN Ribosómico/metabolismo , Transcripción Genética , ADN Ribosómico/genética , Cromatina/genética , Cromatina/metabolismo

RESUMEN

Soybean stem canker (SSC) caused by the fungal pathogen Diaporthe caulivora is an important disease affecting soybean production worldwide. However, limited information related to the molecular mechanisms underlying soybean resistance to Diaporthe species is available. In the present work, we analyzed the defense responses to D. caulivora in the soybean genotypes Williams and Génesis 5601. The results showed that compared to Williams, Génesis 5601 is more resistant to fungal infection evidenced by significantly smaller lesion length, reduced disease severity and pathogen biomass. Transcriptional profiling was performed in untreated plants and in D. caulivora-inoculated and control-treated tissues at 8 and 48 h post inoculation (hpi). In total, 2.322 and 1.855 genes were differentially expressed in Génesis 5601 and Williams, respectively. Interestingly, Génesis 5601 exhibited a significantly higher number of upregulated genes compared to Williams at 8 hpi, 1.028 versus 434 genes. Resistance to D. caulivora was associated with defense activation through transcriptional reprogramming mediating perception of the pathogen by receptors, biosynthesis of phenylpropanoids, hormone signaling, small heat shock proteins and pathogenesis related (PR) genes. These findings provide novel insights into soybean defense mechanisms leading to host resistance against D. caulivora, and generate a foundation for the development of resistant SSC varieties within soybean breeding programs.

Asunto(s)

Glycine max , Enfermedades de las Plantas , Glycine max/genética , Glycine max/microbiología , Enfermedades de las Plantas/genética , Enfermedades de las Plantas/microbiología , Genotipo , Transcriptoma , Regulación de la Expresión Génica de las Plantas , Transcripción Genética

RESUMEN

Some chemoattractants and leukocytes such as M1 and M2 macrophages are known to be involved in the development of glomerulosclerosis during diabetic nephropathy (DN). In the course of diabetes, an altered and defective cellular metabolism leads to the increase in adenosine levels, and thus to changes in the polarity (M1/M2) of macrophages. MRS1754, a selective antagonist of the A2B adenosine receptor (A2BAR), attenuated glomerulosclerosis and decreased macrophage-myofibroblast transition in DN rats. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the effect of MRS1754 on the glomerular expression/secretion of chemoattractants, the intraglomerular infiltration of leukocytes, and macrophage polarity in DN rats. Kidneys/glomeruli of non-diabetic, DN, and MRS1754-treated DN rats were processed for transcriptomic analysis, immunohistopathology, ELISA, and in vitro macrophage migration assays. The transcriptomic analysis identified an upregulation of transcripts and pathways related to the immune system in the glomeruli of DN rats, which was attenuated using MRS1754. The antagonism of the A2BAR decreased glomerular expression/secretion of chemoattractants (CCL2, CCL3, CCL6, and CCL21), the infiltration of macrophages, and their polarization to M2 in DN rats. The in vitro macrophages migration induced by conditioned-medium of DN glomeruli was significantly decreased using neutralizing antibodies against CCL2, CCL3, and CCL21. We concluded that the pharmacological blockade of the A2BAR decreases the transcriptional expression of genes/pathways related to the immune response, protein expression/secretion of chemoattractants, as well as the infiltration of macrophages and their polarization toward the M2 phenotype in the glomeruli of DN rats, suggesting a new mechanism implicated in the antifibrotic effect of MRS1754.

Asunto(s)

Acetamidas , Antagonistas del Receptor de Adenosina A2 , Polaridad Celular , Factores Quimiotácticos , Nefropatías Diabéticas , Glomérulos Renales , Macrófagos , Purinas , Nefropatías Diabéticas/genética , Nefropatías Diabéticas/inmunología , Glomérulos Renales/efectos de los fármacos , Glomérulos Renales/metabolismo , Factores Quimiotácticos/antagonistas & inhibidores , Factores Quimiotácticos/genética , Factores Quimiotácticos/metabolismo , Polaridad Celular/efectos de los fármacos , Polaridad Celular/inmunología , Macrófagos/efectos de los fármacos , Macrófagos/inmunología , Antagonistas del Receptor de Adenosina A2/farmacología , Receptor de Adenosina A2B , Acetamidas/farmacología , Purinas/farmacología , Animales , Ratas , Movimiento Celular/efectos de los fármacos , Masculino , Ratas Sprague-Dawley , Transcripción Genética/efectos de los fármacos , Biosíntesis de Proteínas/efectos de los fármacos , Inmunidad/efectos de los fármacos , Inmunidad/genética

RESUMEN

Giardia duodenalis is a protozoan intestinal parasite that causes a significant number of infections worldwide each year, particularly in low-income and developing countries. Despite the availability of treatments for this parasitic infection, treatment failures are alarmingly common. As a result, new therapeutic strategies are urgently needed to effectively combat this disease. On the other hand, within the eukaryotic nucleus, the nucleolus stands out as the most prominent structure. It plays a crucial role in coordinating ribosome biogenesis and is involved in vital processes such as maintaining genome stability, regulating cell cycle progression, controlling cell senescence, and responding to stress. Given its significance, the nucleolus presents itself as a valuable target for selectively inducing cell death in undesirable cells, making it a potential avenue for anti-Giardia treatments. Despite its potential importance, the Giardia nucleolus remains poorly studied and often overlooked. In light of this, the objective of this study is to provide a detailed molecular description of the structure and function of the Giardia nucleolus, with a primary focus on its involvement in ribosomal biogenesis. Likewise, it discusses the targeting of the Giardia nucleolus as a therapeutic strategy, its feasibility, and the challenges involved.

Asunto(s)

Nucléolo Celular , Giardia , Ribosomas , Nucléolo Celular/genética , Nucléolo Celular/metabolismo , Giardia/citología , Giardia/genética , ARN Ribosómico/genética , ADN Ribosómico/genética , ADN Protozoario/genética , ARN Protozoario/genética , Transcripción Genética , Regulación de la Expresión Génica , Procesamiento Postranscripcional del ARN/genética , Ribosomas/genética , Ribosomas/metabolismo , Giardiasis/tratamiento farmacológico , Antiparasitarios/uso terapéutico , Desarrollo de Medicamentos/tendencias

RESUMEN

Chicken erythrocytes are nucleated cells often considered to be transcriptionally inactive, although the epigenetic changes and chromatin remodeling that would mediate transcriptional repression and the extent of gene silencing during avian terminal erythroid differentiation are not fully understood. Here, we characterize the changes in gene expression, chromatin accessibility, genome organization and chromatin nuclear disposition during the terminal stages of erythropoiesis in chicken and uncover complex chromatin reorganization at different genomic scales. We observe a robust decrease in transcription in erythrocytes, but a set of genes maintains their expression, including genes involved in RNA polymerase II (Pol II) promoter-proximal pausing. Erythrocytes exhibit a reoriented nuclear architecture, with accessible chromatin positioned towards the nuclear periphery together with the paused RNA Pol II. In erythrocytes, chromatin domains are partially lost genome-wide, except at minidomains retained around paused promoters. Our results suggest that promoter-proximal pausing of RNA Pol II contributes to the transcriptional regulation of the erythroid genome and highlight the role of RNA polymerase in the maintenance of local chromatin organization.

Asunto(s)

Regulación de la Expresión Génica , ARN Polimerasa II , ARN Polimerasa II/metabolismo , Cromatina , Genoma , Eritrocitos/metabolismo , Transcripción Genética

RESUMEN

Preventing the replication of adenovirus could have practical uses, such as controlling infection with wild-type virus or in applications involving recombinant vectors. Mainly transient methods have been used to inhibit adenovirus replication, including siRNA or drugs. Here, we tested whether stable expression of shRNA designed to target hexon, Iva2, or pol can inhibit the replication of a recombinant adenoviral vector, Ad-LacZ (serotype 5, E1/E3 deleted), in 293T cells. Significant knockdown correlating with reduced Ad-LacZ replication was achieved only when hexon was targeted. Cell sorting and isolation of cellular clones further accentuated knockdown of the hexon transcript, reduced protein levels by more than 90%, and diminished adenovirus production. As visualized by transmission electron microscopy, the cellular clone expressing the hexon-specific shRNA yielded 89.2% fewer particles compared to the parental 293T cells. Full scale production followed by purification revealed a 90.2% reduction in Ad-LacZ biological titer. These results support the notion that stable expression of shRNA can be used as a means to control adenovirus replication.

Asunto(s)

Adenoviridae , Replicación Viral , Adenoviridae/genética , ARN Interferente Pequeño/genética , Vectores Genéticos/genética , Humanos , Células HEK293 , Transcripción Genética , Células Clonales

RESUMEN

Fission yeast ribosomal protein genes (RPGs) contain a HomolD box as a core promoter element required for transcription. Some of the RPGs also contain a consensus sequence named HomolE, located upstream of the HomolD box. The HomolE box acts as an upstream activating sequence (UAS), and it is able to activate transcription in RPG promoters containing a HomolD box. In this work, we identified a HomolE-binding protein (HEBP) as a polypeptide of 100 kDa, which was able to bind to the HomolE box in a Southwestern blot assay. The features of this polypeptide were similar to the product of the fhl1 gene of fission yeast. The Fhl1 protein is the homolog of the FHL1 protein of budding yeast and possesses fork-head-associated (FHA) and fork-head (FH) domains. The product of the fhl1 gene was expressed and purified from bacteria, and it was demonstrated that is able to bind the HomolE box in an electrophoretic mobility assay (EMSA), as well as being able to activate in vitro transcription from an RPG gene promoter containing HomolE boxes upstream of the HomolD box. These results indicate that the product of the fhl1 gene of fission yeast can bind to the HomolE box, and it activates the transcription of RPGs.

Asunto(s)

Schizosaccharomyces , Proteínas Portadoras/metabolismo , Regiones Promotoras Genéticas , Proteínas Ribosómicas/genética , Proteínas Ribosómicas/metabolismo , Schizosaccharomyces/genética , Schizosaccharomyces/metabolismo , Transcripción Genética

RESUMEN

Multiple evidence accumulated over the years, demonstrates that vitamin D-dependent physiological control in vertebrates occurs primarily through the regulation of target gene transcription. In addition, there has been an increasing appreciation of the role of the chromatin organization of the genome on the ability of the active form of vitamin D, 1,25(OH)2D3, and its specific receptor VDR to regulate gene expression. Chromatin structure in eukaryotic cells is principally modulated through epigenetic mechanisms including, but not limited to, a wide number of post-translational modifications of histone proteins and ATP-dependent chromatin remodelers, which are operative in different tissues during response to physiological cues. Hence, there is necessity to understand in depth the epigenetic control mechanisms that operate during 1,25(OH)2D3-dependent gene regulation. This chapter provides a general overview about epigenetic mechanisms functioning in mammalian cells and discusses how some of these mechanisms represent important components during transcriptional regulation of the model gene system CYP24A1 in response to 1,25(OH)2D3.

Asunto(s)

Epigénesis Genética , Vitamina D , Humanos , Animales , Vitamina D/farmacología , Vitaminas , Cromatina/genética , Transcripción Genética , Mamíferos