101
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Terwilliger AL, Gu Liu C, Green SI, Clark JR, Salazar KC, Hernandez Santos H, Heckmann ER, Trautner BW, Ramig RF, Maresso AW. Tailored Antibacterials and Innovative Laboratories for Phage (Φ) Research: Personalized Infectious Disease Medicine for the Most Vulnerable At-Risk Patients. PHAGE (NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y.) 2020; 1:66-74. [PMID: 32626851 PMCID: PMC7327541 DOI: 10.1089/phage.2020.0007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Mutation is the most powerful driver of change for life on Earth. Pathogenic bacteria utilize mutation as a means to survive strong live-die selective pressures generated by chemical antibiotics. As such, the traditional drug-making pipeline, characterized by significant financial and time investment, is insufficient to keep pace with the rapid evolution of bacterial resistance to structurally fixed and chemically unmalleable antibacterial compounds. In contrast, the genetic diversity and adaptive mutability of the bacteriophage can be leveraged to not only overcome resistance but also used for the development of enhanced traits that increase lytic potential and therapeutic efficacy in relevant host microenvironments. This is the fundamental premise behind Baylor College of Medicine's Tailored Antibacterials and Innovative Laboratories for Phage (Φ) Research (TAILΦR) initiative. In this perspective, we outline the concept, structure, and process behind TAILΦR's attempt to generate a personalized therapeutic phage that addresses the most clinically challenging of bacterial infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Austen L. Terwilliger
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Carmen Gu Liu
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Sabrina I. Green
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Justin R. Clark
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Keiko C. Salazar
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Haroldo Hernandez Santos
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Emmaline R. Heckmann
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Barbara W. Trautner
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
- Center for Innovations in Quality, Effectiveness and Safety (IQuESt), Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Houston, Texas, USA
- Section of Health Services Research, Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Robert F. Ramig
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Anthony W. Maresso
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
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102
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An Optogenetic Method to Study Signal Transduction in Intestinal Stem Cell Homeostasis. J Mol Biol 2020; 432:3159-3176. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2020.03.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2019] [Revised: 03/09/2020] [Accepted: 03/12/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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103
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Reduced Function of the Glutathione S-Transferase S1 Suppresses Behavioral Hyperexcitability in Drosophila Expressing Mutant Voltage-Gated Sodium Channels. G3-GENES GENOMES GENETICS 2020; 10:1327-1340. [PMID: 32054635 PMCID: PMC7144092 DOI: 10.1534/g3.119.401025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Voltage-gated sodium (Nav) channels play a central role in the generation and propagation of action potentials in excitable cells such as neurons and muscles. To determine how the phenotypes of Nav-channel mutants are affected by other genes, we performed a forward genetic screen for dominant modifiers of the seizure-prone, gain-of-function Drosophila melanogaster Nav-channel mutant, paraShu. Our analyses using chromosome deficiencies, gene-specific RNA interference, and single-gene mutants revealed that a null allele of glutathione S-transferase S1 (GstS1) dominantly suppresses paraShu phenotypes. Reduced GstS1 function also suppressed phenotypes of other seizure-prone Nav-channel mutants, paraGEFS+ and parabss. Notably, paraShu mutants expressed 50% less GstS1 than wild-type flies, further supporting the notion that paraShu and GstS1 interact functionally. Introduction of a loss-of-function GstS1 mutation into a paraShu background led to up- and down-regulation of various genes, with those encoding cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes most significantly over-represented in this group. Because GstS1 is a fly ortholog of mammalian hematopoietic prostaglandin D synthase, and in mammals CYPs are involved in the oxygenation of polyunsaturated fatty acids including prostaglandins, our results raise the intriguing possibility that bioactive lipids play a role in GstS1-mediated suppression of paraShu phenotypes.
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104
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Testa ND, Kaul S, Le KN, Zhan M, Lu H, Paaby AB. A portable, low-cost device for precise control of specimen temperature under stereomicroscopes. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0230241. [PMID: 32160236 PMCID: PMC7065815 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0230241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2019] [Accepted: 02/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
To facilitate precise and convenient control of biological sample temperature, we developed a low-cost device that can be used independently or with any stereomicroscope. The purpose of the device is to control the thermal environment during experimental intervals in which a specimen must be manipulated outside of an incubator, e.g. for dissection or slide-mounting in preparation for imaging. Sample temperatures can be both cooled to below and heated to above room temperatures, and stably maintained at a precision of +/- 0.1˚C. To demonstrate the utility of this device, we report improved characterization of the penetrance of a short-acting temperature-sensitive allele in C. elegans embryos, and identification of the upper temperature threshold for embryonic viability for six Caenorhabditis species. By controlling the temperature environment even as a specimen is manipulated, this device offers consistency and flexibility, reduces environmental noise, and enables precision timing in experiments requiring temperature shifts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas D. Testa
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, United States of America
| | - Samiksha Kaul
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, United States of America
| | - Kim N. Le
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Mei Zhan
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Hang Lu
- School of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, United States of America
| | - Annalise B. Paaby
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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105
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Kakanj P, Eming SA, Partridge L, Leptin M. Long-term in vivo imaging of Drosophila larvae. Nat Protoc 2020; 15:1158-1187. [DOI: 10.1038/s41596-019-0282-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2019] [Accepted: 12/09/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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106
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Matthews BJ, Vosshall LB. How to turn an organism into a model organism in 10 'easy' steps. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020; 223:223/Suppl_1/jeb218198. [PMID: 32034051 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.218198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Many of the major biological discoveries of the 20th century were made using just six species: Escherichia coli bacteria, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Schizosaccharomyces pombe yeast, Caenorhabditis elegans nematodes, Drosophila melanogaster flies and Mus musculus mice. Our molecular understanding of the cell division cycle, embryonic development, biological clocks and metabolism were all obtained through genetic analysis using these species. Yet the 'big 6' did not start out as genetic model organisms (hereafter 'model organisms'), so how did they mature into such powerful systems? First, these model organisms are abundant human commensals: they are the bacteria in our gut, the yeast in our beer and bread, the nematodes in our compost pile, the flies in our kitchen and the mice in our walls. Because of this, they are cheaply, easily and rapidly bred in the laboratory and in addition were amenable to genetic analysis. How and why should we add additional species to this roster? We argue that specialist species will reveal new secrets in important areas of biology and that with modern technological innovations like next-generation sequencing and CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing, the time is ripe to move beyond the big 6. In this review, we chart a 10-step path to this goal, using our own experience with the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which we built into a model organism for neurobiology in one decade. Insights into the biology of this deadly disease vector require that we work with the mosquito itself rather than modeling its biology in another species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin J Matthews
- Department of Zoology, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada, V6T 1Z4
| | - Leslie B Vosshall
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Behavior, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, New York, NY 10065, USA.,Kavli Neural Systems Institute, New York, NY 10065, USA
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107
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Tomoyasu Y, Halfon MS. How to study enhancers in non-traditional insect models. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020; 223:223/Suppl_1/jeb212241. [PMID: 32034049 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.212241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Transcriptional enhancers are central to the function and evolution of genes and gene regulation. At the organismal level, enhancers play a crucial role in coordinating tissue- and context-dependent gene expression. At the population level, changes in enhancers are thought to be a major driving force that facilitates evolution of diverse traits. An amazing array of diverse traits seen in insect morphology, physiology and behavior has been the subject of research for centuries. Although enhancer studies in insects outside of Drosophila have been limited, recent advances in functional genomic approaches have begun to make such studies possible in an increasing selection of insect species. Here, instead of comprehensively reviewing currently available technologies for enhancer studies in established model organisms such as Drosophila, we focus on a subset of computational and experimental approaches that are likely applicable to non-Drosophila insects, and discuss the pros and cons of each approach. We discuss the importance of validating enhancer function and evaluate several possible validation methods, such as reporter assays and genome editing. Key points and potential pitfalls when establishing a reporter assay system in non-traditional insect models are also discussed. We close with a discussion of how to advance enhancer studies in insects, both by improving computational approaches and by expanding the genetic toolbox in various insects. Through these discussions, this Review provides a conceptual framework for studying the function and evolution of enhancers in non-traditional insect models.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marc S Halfon
- Department of Biochemistry, University at Buffalo-State University of New York, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
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108
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Moschetti R, Palazzo A, Lorusso P, Viggiano L, Massimiliano Marsano R. "What You Need, Baby, I Got It": Transposable Elements as Suppliers of Cis-Operating Sequences in Drosophila. BIOLOGY 2020; 9:E25. [PMID: 32028630 PMCID: PMC7168160 DOI: 10.3390/biology9020025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2019] [Revised: 01/27/2020] [Accepted: 01/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Transposable elements (TEs) are constitutive components of both eukaryotic and prokaryotic genomes. The role of TEs in the evolution of genes and genomes has been widely assessed over the past years in a variety of model and non-model organisms. Drosophila is undoubtedly among the most powerful model organisms used for the purpose of studying the role of transposons and their effects on the stability and evolution of genes and genomes. Besides their most intuitive role as insertional mutagens, TEs can modify the transcriptional pattern of host genes by juxtaposing new cis-regulatory sequences. A key element of TE biology is that they carry transcriptional control elements that fine-tune the transcription of their own genes, but that can also perturb the transcriptional activity of neighboring host genes. From this perspective, the transposition-mediated modulation of gene expression is an important issue for the short-term adaptation of physiological functions to the environmental changes, and for long-term evolutionary changes. Here, we review the current literature concerning the regulatory and structural elements operating in cis provided by TEs in Drosophila. Furthermore, we highlight that, besides their influence on both TEs and host genes expression, they can affect the chromatin structure and epigenetic status as well as both the chromosome's structure and stability. It emerges that Drosophila is a good model organism to study the effect of TE-linked regulatory sequences, and it could help future studies on TE-host interactions in any complex eukaryotic genome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Moschetti
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università degli Studi di Bari “Aldo Moro”, Via Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy; (R.M.); (P.L.); (L.V.)
| | - Antonio Palazzo
- Laboratory of Translational Nanotechnology, “Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II” I.R.C.C.S, Viale Orazio Flacco 65, 70125 Bari, Italy;
| | - Patrizio Lorusso
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università degli Studi di Bari “Aldo Moro”, Via Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy; (R.M.); (P.L.); (L.V.)
| | - Luigi Viggiano
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università degli Studi di Bari “Aldo Moro”, Via Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy; (R.M.); (P.L.); (L.V.)
| | - René Massimiliano Marsano
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università degli Studi di Bari “Aldo Moro”, Via Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy; (R.M.); (P.L.); (L.V.)
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109
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Zabihihesari A, Hilliker AJ, Rezai P. Fly-on-a-Chip: Microfluidics for Drosophila melanogaster Studies. Integr Biol (Camb) 2020; 11:425-443. [DOI: 10.1093/intbio/zyz037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2019] [Revised: 10/21/2019] [Accepted: 10/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
The fruit fly or Drosophila melanogaster has been used as a promising model organism in genetics, developmental and behavioral studies as well as in the fields of neuroscience, pharmacology, and toxicology. Not only all the developmental stages of Drosophila, including embryonic, larval, and adulthood stages, have been used in experimental in vivo biology, but also the organs, tissues, and cells extracted from this model have found applications in in vitro assays. However, the manual manipulation, cellular investigation and behavioral phenotyping techniques utilized in conventional Drosophila-based in vivo and in vitro assays are mostly time-consuming, labor-intensive, and low in throughput. Moreover, stimulation of the organism with external biological, chemical, or physical signals requires precision in signal delivery, while quantification of neural and behavioral phenotypes necessitates optical and physical accessibility to Drosophila. Recently, microfluidic and lab-on-a-chip devices have emerged as powerful tools to overcome these challenges. This review paper demonstrates the role of microfluidic technology in Drosophila studies with a focus on both in vivo and in vitro investigations. The reviewed microfluidic devices are categorized based on their applications to various stages of Drosophila development. We have emphasized technologies that were utilized for tissue- and behavior-based investigations. Furthermore, the challenges and future directions in Drosophila-on-a-chip research, and its integration with other advanced technologies, will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Pouya Rezai
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
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110
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The Drosophila melanogaster as Genetic Model System to Dissect the Mechanisms of Disease that Lead to Neurodegeneration in Adrenoleukodystrophy. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2020; 1299:145-159. [PMID: 33417213 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-60204-8_11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Drosophila melanogaster is the most successful genetic model organism to study different human disease with a recent increased popularity to study neurological disorders. Drosophila melanogaster has a complex yet well-defined brain with defined anatomical regions with specific functions. The neuronal network in the adult brain has a structural organization highly similar to human neurons, but in a brain that is much more amenable for complex analyses. The availability of sophisticated genetic tools to study neurons permits to examine neuronal functions at the single cell level in the whole brain by confocal imaging, which does not require sections. Thus, Drosophila has been used to successfully study many neurological disorders such as Parkinson's disease and has been recently adopted to understand the complex networks leading to neurological disorders with metabolic origins such as Leigh disease and X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (X-ALD).In this review, we will describe the genetic tools available to study neuronal structures and functions and also illustrate some limitations of the system. Finally, we will report the experimental efforts that in the past 10 years have established Drosophila melanogaster as an excellent model organism to study neurodegenerative disorders focusing on X-ALD.
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111
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Andrews MG, Nowakowski TJ. Human brain development through the lens of cerebral organoid models. Brain Res 2019; 1725:146470. [PMID: 31542572 PMCID: PMC6887101 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2019.146470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2019] [Revised: 08/21/2019] [Accepted: 09/18/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The brain is one of the most complex organs in the body, which emerges from a relatively simple set of basic 'building blocks' during early development according to complex cellular and molecular events orchestrated through a set of inherited instructions. Innovations in stem cell technologies have enabled modelling of neural cells using two- and three-dimensional cultures. In particular, cerebral ('brain') organoids have taken the center stage of brain development models that have the potential for providing meaningful insight into human neurodevelopmental and neurological disorders. We review the current understanding of cellular events during human brain organogenesis, and the events occurring during cerebral organoid differentiation. We highlight the strengths and weaknesses of this experimental model system. In particular, we explain evidence that organoids can mimic many aspects of early neural development, including neural induction, patterning, and broad neurogenesis and gliogenesis programs, offering the opportunity to study genetic regulation of these processes in a human context. Several shortcomings of the current culture methods limit the utility of cerebral organoids to spontaneously give rise to many important cell types, and to model higher order features of tissue organization. We suggest that future studies aim to improve these features in order to make them better models for the study of laminar organization, circuit formation and how disruptions of these processes relate to disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madeline G Andrews
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA; The Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA.
| | - Tomasz J Nowakowski
- Department of Anatomy, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA; Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA; Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, CA, USA.
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112
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Ballinger- C, Anyagaligb O, Bernard J, Bierbower SM, Dupont-Ver EE, Ghoweri A, Greenhalgh A, Harrison D, Istas O, McNabb M, Saelinger C, Stanback A, Stanback M, Thibault O, Cooper RL. Effects of Bacterial Endotoxin (LPS) on Cardiac and Synaptic Function in Various Animal Models: Larval Drosophila, Crayfish, Crab and Rodent. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019. [DOI: 10.3923/ijzr.2020.33.62] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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113
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Crombie TA, Zdraljevic S, Cook DE, Tanny RE, Brady SC, Wang Y, Evans KS, Hahnel S, Lee D, Rodriguez BC, Zhang G, van der Zwagg J, Kiontke K, Andersen EC. Deep sampling of Hawaiian Caenorhabditis elegans reveals high genetic diversity and admixture with global populations. eLife 2019; 8:50465. [PMID: 31793880 PMCID: PMC6927746 DOI: 10.7554/elife.50465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2019] [Accepted: 12/02/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Hawaiian isolates of the nematode species Caenorhabditis elegans have long been known to harbor genetic diversity greater than the rest of the worldwide population, but this observation was supported by only a small number of wild strains. To better characterize the niche and genetic diversity of Hawaiian C. elegans and other Caenorhabditis species, we sampled different substrates and niches across the Hawaiian islands. We identified hundreds of new Caenorhabditis strains from known species and a new species, Caenorhabditis oiwi. Hawaiian C. elegans are found in cooler climates at high elevations but are not associated with any specific substrate, as compared to other Caenorhabditis species. Surprisingly, admixture analysis revealed evidence of shared ancestry between some Hawaiian and non-Hawaiian C. elegans strains. We suggest that the deep diversity we observed in Hawaii might represent patterns of ancestral genetic diversity in the C. elegans species before human influence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tim A Crombie
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, United States
| | - Stefan Zdraljevic
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, United States.,Interdisciplinary Biological Sciences Program, Northwestern University, Evanston, United States
| | - Daniel E Cook
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, United States.,Interdisciplinary Biological Sciences Program, Northwestern University, Evanston, United States
| | - Robyn E Tanny
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, United States
| | - Shannon C Brady
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, United States.,Interdisciplinary Biological Sciences Program, Northwestern University, Evanston, United States
| | - Ye Wang
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, United States
| | - Kathryn S Evans
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, United States.,Interdisciplinary Biological Sciences Program, Northwestern University, Evanston, United States
| | - Steffen Hahnel
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, United States
| | - Daehan Lee
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, United States
| | - Briana C Rodriguez
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, United States
| | - Gaotian Zhang
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, United States
| | - Joost van der Zwagg
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, United States
| | - Karin Kiontke
- Department of Biology, New York University, New York, United States
| | - Erik C Andersen
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, United States
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114
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Kurlovs AH, Snoeck S, Kosterlitz O, Van Leeuwen T, Clark RM. Trait mapping in diverse arthropods by bulked segregant analysis. CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE 2019; 36:57-65. [PMID: 31499416 DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2019.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2019] [Revised: 07/19/2019] [Accepted: 08/09/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Bulked segregant analysis (BSA) is a cross-based method for genetic mapping in sexually reproducing organisms. The method's use of bulked (pooled) samples markedly reduces the genotyping effort associated with traditional linkage mapping studies. Further, it can be applied to species with life histories or physical attributes (as for micro-insects) that render genetic mapping with other methods impractical. Recent studies in both insects and mites have revealed that advanced BSA experimental designs can resolve causal loci to narrow genomic intervals, facilitating follow-up investigations. As high-quality genomes become more widely available, BSA methods are poised to become an increasingly important tool for the rapid mapping of both monogenic and polygenic traits in diverse arthropod species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andre H Kurlovs
- Department of Plants and Crops, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Coupure links 653, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Simon Snoeck
- Department of Plants and Crops, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Coupure links 653, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Olivia Kosterlitz
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Utah, 257 South 1400 East, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Thomas Van Leeuwen
- Department of Plants and Crops, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Coupure links 653, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Richard M Clark
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Utah, 257 South 1400 East, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA; Center for Cell and Genome Science, University of Utah, 257 South 1400 East, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA.
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115
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McDonald SI, Beachum AN, Hinnant TD, Blake AJ, Bynum T, Hickman EP, Barnes J, Churchill KL, Roberts TS, Zangwill DE, Ables ET. Novel cis-regulatory regions in ecdysone responsive genes are sufficient to promote gene expression in Drosophila ovarian cells. Gene Expr Patterns 2019; 34:119074. [PMID: 31563631 PMCID: PMC6996244 DOI: 10.1016/j.gep.2019.119074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2019] [Revised: 06/18/2019] [Accepted: 09/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The insect steroid hormone ecdysone is a key regulator of oogenesis in Drosophila melanogaster and many other species. Despite the diversity of cellular functions of ecdysone in oogenesis, the molecular regulation of most ecdysone-responsive genes in ovarian cells remains largely unexplored. We performed a functional screen using the UAS/Gal4 system to identify non-coding cis-regulatory elements within well-characterized ecdysone-response genes capable of driving transcription of an indelible reporter in ovarian cells. Using two publicly available transgenic collections (the FlyLight and Vienna Tiles resources), we tested 62 Gal4 drivers corresponding to ecdysone-response genes EcR, usp, E75, br, ftz-f1 and Hr3. We observed 31 lines that were sufficient to drive a UAS-lacZ reporter in discrete cell populations in the ovary. Reporter expression was reproducibly observed in both somatic and germ cells at distinct stages of oogenesis, including those previously characterized as critical points of ecdysone regulation. Our studies identified several useful new reagents, adding to the UAS/Gal4 toolkit available for genetic analysis of oogenesis in Drosophila. Further, our study provides novel insight into the molecular regulation of ecdysone signaling in oogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Allison N Beachum
- Department of Biology, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, 27858, USA
| | - Taylor D Hinnant
- Department of Biology, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, 27858, USA
| | - Amelia J Blake
- Department of Biology, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, 27858, USA
| | - Tierra Bynum
- Department of Biology, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, 27858, USA
| | - E Parris Hickman
- Department of Biology, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, 27858, USA
| | - Joseph Barnes
- Department of Biology, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, 27858, USA
| | - Kaely L Churchill
- Department of Biology, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, 27858, USA
| | - Tamesia S Roberts
- Department of Biology, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, 27858, USA
| | - Denise E Zangwill
- Department of Biology, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, 27858, USA
| | - Elizabeth T Ables
- Department of Biology, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, 27858, USA.
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116
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Blatt P, Martin ET, Breznak SM, Rangan P. Post-transcriptional gene regulation regulates germline stem cell to oocyte transition during Drosophila oogenesis. Curr Top Dev Biol 2019; 140:3-34. [PMID: 32591078 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ctdb.2019.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
During oogenesis, several developmental processes must be traversed to ensure effective completion of gametogenesis including, stem cell maintenance and asymmetric division, differentiation, mitosis and meiosis, and production of maternally contributed mRNAs, making the germline a salient model for understanding how cell fate transitions are mediated. Due to silencing of the genome during meiotic divisions, there is little instructive transcription, barring a few examples, to mediate these critical transitions. In Drosophila, several layers of post-transcriptional regulation ensure that the mRNAs required for these processes are expressed in a timely manner and as needed during germline differentiation. These layers of regulation include alternative splicing, RNA modification, ribosome production, and translational repression. Many of the molecules and pathways involved in these regulatory activities are conserved from Drosophila to humans making the Drosophila germline an elegant model for studying the role of post-transcriptional regulation during stem cell differentiation and meiosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Blatt
- Department of Biological Sciences/RNA Institute, University at Albany SUNY, Albany, NY, United States; University at Albany SUNY, Albany, NY, United States
| | - Elliot T Martin
- Department of Biological Sciences/RNA Institute, University at Albany SUNY, Albany, NY, United States; University at Albany SUNY, Albany, NY, United States
| | - Shane M Breznak
- Department of Biological Sciences/RNA Institute, University at Albany SUNY, Albany, NY, United States; University at Albany SUNY, Albany, NY, United States
| | - Prashanth Rangan
- Department of Biological Sciences/RNA Institute, University at Albany SUNY, Albany, NY, United States; University at Albany SUNY, Albany, NY, United States.
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117
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Bellen HJ, Wangler MF, Yamamoto S. The fruit fly at the interface of diagnosis and pathogenic mechanisms of rare and common human diseases. Hum Mol Genet 2019; 28:R207-R214. [PMID: 31227826 PMCID: PMC6872428 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddz135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2019] [Revised: 05/31/2019] [Accepted: 06/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Drosophila melanogaster is a unique, powerful genetic model organism for studying a broad range of biological questions. Human studies that probe the genetic causes of rare and undiagnosed diseases using massive-parallel sequencing often require complementary gene function studies to determine if and how rare variants affect gene function. These studies also provide inroads to disease mechanisms and therapeutic targets. In this review we discuss strategies for functional studies of rare human variants in Drosophila. We focus on our experience in establishing a Drosophila core of the Model Organisms Screening Center for the Undiagnosed Diseases Network (UDN) and concurrent fly studies with other large genomic rare disease research efforts such as the Centers for Mendelian Genomics. We outline four major strategies that use the latest technology in fly genetics to understand the impact of human variants on gene function. We also mention general concepts in probing disease mechanisms, therapeutics and using rare disease to understand common diseases. Drosophila is and will continue to be a fundamental genetic model to identify new disease-causing variants, pathogenic mechanisms and drugs that will impact medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hugo J Bellen
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine (BCM), Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine (BCM), Houston, TX, USA
- Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of Medicine (BCM), Houston, TX, USA
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX , USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Michael F Wangler
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine (BCM), Houston, TX, USA
- Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of Medicine (BCM), Houston, TX, USA
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX , USA
| | - Shinya Yamamoto
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine (BCM), Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine (BCM), Houston, TX, USA
- Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of Medicine (BCM), Houston, TX, USA
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX , USA
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118
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Riddle NC. Drosophila melanogaster, a new model for exercise research. Acta Physiol (Oxf) 2019; 227:e13352. [PMID: 31344748 DOI: 10.1111/apha.13352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2019] [Revised: 07/03/2019] [Accepted: 07/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Nicole C. Riddle
- Department of Biology The University of Alabama at Birmingham Birmingham Alabama USA
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119
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Mojica-Vázquez LH, Madrigal-Zarraga D, García-Martínez R, Boube M, Calderón-Segura ME, Oyallon J. Mercury chloride exposure induces DNA damage, reduces fertility, and alters somatic and germline cells in Drosophila melanogaster ovaries. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2019; 26:32322-32332. [PMID: 31598926 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-019-06449-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2019] [Accepted: 09/05/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Mercury exposure has been shown to affect the reproductive system in many organisms, although the molecular mechanisms are still elusive. In the present study, we exposed Drosophila melanogaster Canton-S adult females to concentrations of 0 mM, 0.1 mM, 0.3 mM, 3 mM, and 30 mM of mercury chloride (HgCl2) for 24 h, 48 h, or 72 h to determine how mercury could affect fertility. Alkaline assays performed on dissected ovaries showed that mercury induced DNA damage that is not only dose-dependent but also time-dependent. All ovaries treated for 72 h have incorporated mercury and exhibit size reduction. Females treated with 30 mM HgCl2, the highest dose, had atrophied ovaries and exhibited a drastic 7-fold reduction in egg laying. Confocal microscopy analysis revealed that exposure to HgCl2 disrupts germinal and somatic cell organization in the germarium and leads to the aberrant expression of a germline-specific gene in somatic follicle cells in developing egg chambers. Together, these results highlight the potential long-term impact of mercury on germline and ovarian cells that might involve gene deregulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis Humberto Mojica-Vázquez
- Genotoxicología Ambiental, Departamento de Ciencias Ambientales, Centro de Ciencias de la Atmósfera, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Circuito Exterior s/n, Ciudad Universitaria Coyoacán, 04510, Mexico, Mexico.
| | - Diana Madrigal-Zarraga
- Genotoxicología Ambiental, Departamento de Ciencias Ambientales, Centro de Ciencias de la Atmósfera, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Circuito Exterior s/n, Ciudad Universitaria Coyoacán, 04510, Mexico, Mexico
| | - Rocío García-Martínez
- Genotoxicología Ambiental, Departamento de Ciencias Ambientales, Centro de Ciencias de la Atmósfera, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Circuito Exterior s/n, Ciudad Universitaria Coyoacán, 04510, Mexico, Mexico
| | - Muriel Boube
- Centre de Biologie Intégrative (CBI)-CBD, UMR5547 CNRS/Université Toulouse III, Toulouse, France
| | - María Elena Calderón-Segura
- Genotoxicología Ambiental, Departamento de Ciencias Ambientales, Centro de Ciencias de la Atmósfera, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Circuito Exterior s/n, Ciudad Universitaria Coyoacán, 04510, Mexico, Mexico
| | - Justine Oyallon
- Genotoxicología Ambiental, Departamento de Ciencias Ambientales, Centro de Ciencias de la Atmósfera, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Circuito Exterior s/n, Ciudad Universitaria Coyoacán, 04510, Mexico, Mexico.
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120
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Saravanan K, Kumar H, Chhotaray S, Preethi AL, Talokar AJ, Natarajan A, Parida S, Bhushan B, Panigrahi M. Drosophila melanogaster: a promising model system for epigenetic research. BIOL RHYTHM RES 2019. [DOI: 10.1080/09291016.2019.1685216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- K.A. Saravanan
- Division of Animal Genetics and Breeding, ICAR - Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Bareilly, India
| | - Harshit Kumar
- Division of Animal Genetics and Breeding, ICAR - Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Bareilly, India
| | - Supriya Chhotaray
- Division of Animal Genetics and Breeding, ICAR - Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Bareilly, India
| | - A. Latha Preethi
- Division of Animal Genetics and Breeding, ICAR - Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Bareilly, India
| | - Amol J. Talokar
- Division of Animal Genetics and Breeding, ICAR - Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Bareilly, India
| | - A. Natarajan
- Division of Animal Nutrition, ICAR - Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Bareilly, India
| | - Subhashree Parida
- Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, ICAR - Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Bareilly, India
| | - Bharat Bhushan
- Division of Animal Genetics and Breeding, ICAR - Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Bareilly, India
| | - Manjit Panigrahi
- Division of Animal Genetics and Breeding, ICAR - Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Bareilly, India
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121
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Chua SCJH, Tan HQ, Engelberg D, Lim LHK. Alternative Experimental Models for Studying Influenza Proteins, Host-Virus Interactions and Anti-Influenza Drugs. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2019; 12:E147. [PMID: 31575020 PMCID: PMC6958409 DOI: 10.3390/ph12040147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2019] [Revised: 09/11/2019] [Accepted: 09/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Ninety years after the discovery of the virus causing the influenza disease, this malady remains one of the biggest public health threats to mankind. Currently available drugs and vaccines only partially reduce deaths and hospitalizations. Some of the reasons for this disturbing situation stem from the sophistication of the viral machinery, but another reason is the lack of a complete understanding of the molecular and physiological basis of viral infections and host-pathogen interactions. Even the functions of the influenza proteins, their mechanisms of action and interaction with host proteins have not been fully revealed. These questions have traditionally been studied in mammalian animal models, mainly ferrets and mice (as well as pigs and non-human primates) and in cell lines. Although obviously relevant as models to humans, these experimental systems are very complex and are not conveniently accessible to various genetic, molecular and biochemical approaches. The fact that influenza remains an unsolved problem, in combination with the limitations of the conventional experimental models, motivated increasing attempts to use the power of other models, such as low eukaryotes, including invertebrate, and primary cell cultures. In this review, we summarized the efforts to study influenza in yeast, Drosophila, zebrafish and primary human tissue cultures and the major contributions these studies have made toward a better understanding of the disease. We feel that these models are still under-utilized and we highlight the unique potential each model has for better comprehending virus-host interactions and viral protein function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonja C J H Chua
- Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117593, Singapore.
- NUS Immunology Program, Life Sciences Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117456, Singapore.
- CREATE-NUS-HUJ Molecular Mechanisms of Inflammatory Diseases Programme, National University of Singapore, Singapore 138602, Singapore.
| | - Hui Qing Tan
- Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117593, Singapore.
- NUS Immunology Program, Life Sciences Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117456, Singapore.
| | - David Engelberg
- CREATE-NUS-HUJ Molecular Mechanisms of Inflammatory Diseases Programme, National University of Singapore, Singapore 138602, Singapore.
- Department of Microbiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117545, Singapore.
- Department of Biological Chemistry, The Institute of Life Science, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9190401, Israel.
| | - Lina H K Lim
- Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117593, Singapore.
- NUS Immunology Program, Life Sciences Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117456, Singapore.
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122
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Mehta AS, Singh A. Insights into regeneration tool box: An animal model approach. Dev Biol 2019; 453:111-129. [PMID: 30986388 PMCID: PMC6684456 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2019.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2019] [Revised: 04/04/2019] [Accepted: 04/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
For ages, regeneration has intrigued countless biologists, clinicians, and biomedical engineers. In recent years, significant progress made in identification and characterization of a regeneration tool kit has helped the scientific community to understand the mechanism(s) involved in regeneration across animal kingdom. These mechanistic insights revealed that evolutionarily conserved pathways like Wnt, Notch, Hedgehog, BMP, and JAK/STAT are involved in regeneration. Furthermore, advancement in high throughput screening approaches like transcriptomic analysis followed by proteomic validations have discovered many novel genes, and regeneration specific enhancers that are specific to highly regenerative species like Hydra, Planaria, Newts, and Zebrafish. Since genetic machinery is highly conserved across the animal kingdom, it is possible to engineer these genes and regeneration specific enhancers in species with limited regeneration properties like Drosophila, and mammals. Since these models are highly versatile and genetically tractable, cross-species comparative studies can generate mechanistic insights in regeneration for animals with long gestation periods e.g. Newts. In addition, it will allow extrapolation of regenerative capabilities from highly regenerative species to animals with low regeneration potential, e.g. mammals. In future, these studies, along with advancement in tissue engineering applications, can have strong implications in the field of regenerative medicine and stem cell biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abijeet S Mehta
- Department of Biology, University of Dayton, Dayton, OH, 45469, USA
| | - Amit Singh
- Department of Biology, University of Dayton, Dayton, OH, 45469, USA; Premedical Program, University of Dayton, Dayton, OH, 45469, USA; Center for Tissue Regeneration and Engineering at Dayton (TREND), University of Dayton, Dayton, OH, 45469, USA; The Integrative Science and Engineering Center, University of Dayton, Dayton, OH, 45469, USA; Center for Genomic Advocacy (TCGA), Indiana State University, Terre Haute, IN, USA.
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123
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Kim YY, Um JH, Yoon JH, Kim H, Lee DY, Lee YJ, Jee HJ, Kim YM, Jang JS, Jang YG, Chung J, Park HT, Finkel T, Koh H, Yun J. Assessment of mitophagy in mt-Keima Drosophila revealed an essential role of the PINK1-Parkin pathway in mitophagy induction in vivo. FASEB J 2019; 33:9742-9751. [PMID: 31120803 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201900073r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2024]
Abstract
Mitophagy has been implicated in mitochondrial quality control and in various human diseases. However, the study of in vivo mitophagy remains limited. We previously explored in vivo mitophagy using a transgenic mouse expressing the mitochondria-targeted fluorescent protein Keima (mt-Keima). Here, we generated mt-Keima Drosophila to extend our efforts to study mitophagy in vivo. A series of experiments confirmed that mitophagy can be faithfully and quantitatively measured in mt-Keima Drosophila. We also showed that alterations in mitophagy upon environmental and genetic perturbation can be measured in mt-Keima Drosophila. Analysis of different tissues revealed a variation in basal mitophagy levels in Drosophila tissues. In addition, we found a significant increase in mitophagy levels during Drosophila embryogenesis. Importantly, loss-of-function genetic analysis demonstrated that the phosphatase and tensin homolog-induced putative kinase 1 (PINK1)-Parkin pathway is essential for the induction of mitophagy in vivo in response to hypoxic exposure and rotenone treatment. These studies showed that the mt-Keima Drosophila system is a useful tool for understanding the role and molecular mechanism of mitophagy in vivo. In addition, we demonstrated the essential role of the PINK1-Parkin pathway in mitophagy induction in response to mitochondrial dysfunction.-Kim, Y. Y., Um, J.-H., Yoon, J.-H., Kim, H., Lee, D.-Y., Lee, Y. J., Jee, H. J., Kim, Y. M., Jang, J. S., Jang, Y.-G., Chung, J., Park, H. T., Finkel, T., Koh, H., Yun, J. Assessment of mitophagy in mt-Keima Drosophila revealed an essential role of the PINK1-Parkin pathway in mitophagy induction in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Young Yeon Kim
- Peripheral Neuropathy Research Center, College of Medicine, Dong-A University, Busan, Korea
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Dong-A University, Busan, Korea
| | - Jee-Hyun Um
- Peripheral Neuropathy Research Center, College of Medicine, Dong-A University, Busan, Korea
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Dong-A University, Busan, Korea
| | - Jeong-Hyun Yoon
- Peripheral Neuropathy Research Center, College of Medicine, Dong-A University, Busan, Korea
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Dong-A University, Busan, Korea
| | - Hyunjin Kim
- Peripheral Neuropathy Research Center, College of Medicine, Dong-A University, Busan, Korea
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, Dong-A University, Busan, Korea
| | - Da-Ye Lee
- Peripheral Neuropathy Research Center, College of Medicine, Dong-A University, Busan, Korea
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Dong-A University, Busan, Korea
| | - Yoon Jung Lee
- Peripheral Neuropathy Research Center, College of Medicine, Dong-A University, Busan, Korea
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Dong-A University, Busan, Korea
| | - Hye Jin Jee
- Peripheral Neuropathy Research Center, College of Medicine, Dong-A University, Busan, Korea
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Dong-A University, Busan, Korea
| | - Young Mi Kim
- Peripheral Neuropathy Research Center, College of Medicine, Dong-A University, Busan, Korea
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Dong-A University, Busan, Korea
| | - Jae Sung Jang
- Peripheral Neuropathy Research Center, College of Medicine, Dong-A University, Busan, Korea
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Dong-A University, Busan, Korea
| | - Yoon-Gu Jang
- National Creative Research Initiatives Center for Energy Homeostasis Regulation, School of Biological Sciences and Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jongkyeong Chung
- National Creative Research Initiatives Center for Energy Homeostasis Regulation, School of Biological Sciences and Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hwan Tae Park
- Peripheral Neuropathy Research Center, College of Medicine, Dong-A University, Busan, Korea
- Department of Molecular Neuroscience, College of Medicine, Dong-A University, Busan, Korea
| | - Toren Finkel
- Department of Medicine, Aging Institute, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Hyongjong Koh
- Peripheral Neuropathy Research Center, College of Medicine, Dong-A University, Busan, Korea
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, Dong-A University, Busan, Korea
| | - Jeanho Yun
- Peripheral Neuropathy Research Center, College of Medicine, Dong-A University, Busan, Korea
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Dong-A University, Busan, Korea
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Mehta AS, Luz-Madrigal A, Li JL, Tsonis PA, Singh A. Comparative transcriptomic analysis and structure prediction of novel Newt proteins. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0220416. [PMID: 31419228 PMCID: PMC6697330 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0220416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2019] [Accepted: 07/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Notophthalmus viridescens (Red-spotted Newt) possess amazing capabilities to regenerate their organs and other tissues. Previously, using a de novo assembly of the newt transcriptome combined with proteomic validation, our group identified a novel family of five protein members expressed in adult tissues during regeneration in Notophthalmus viridescens. The presence of a putative signal peptide suggests that all these proteins are secretory in nature. Here we employed iterative threading assembly refinement (I-TASSER) server to generate three-dimensional structure of these novel Newt proteins and predicted their function. Our data suggests that these proteins could act as ion transporters, and be involved in redox reaction(s). Due to absence of transgenic approaches in N. viridescens, and conservation of genetic machinery across species, we generated transgenic Drosophila melanogaster to misexpress these genes. Expression of 2775 transcripts were compared between these five newly identified Newt genes. We found that genes involved in the developmental process, cell cycle, apoptosis, and immune response are among those that are highly enriched. To validate the RNA Seq. data, expression of six highly regulated genes were verified using real time Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-qPCR). These graded gene expression patterns provide insight into the function of novel protein family identified in Newt, and layout a map for future studies in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abijeet Singh Mehta
- Department of Biology, University of Dayton, Dayton, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Agustin Luz-Madrigal
- Department of Biology, University of Dayton, Dayton, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Jian-Liang Li
- Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute at Lake Nona, Orlando, Florida, United States of America
| | - Panagiotis A Tsonis
- Department of Biology, University of Dayton, Dayton, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Amit Singh
- Department of Biology, University of Dayton, Dayton, Ohio, United States of America
- Premedical Program, University of Dayton, Dayton, Ohio, United States of America
- Center for Tissue Regeneration and Engineering at Dayton (TREND), University of Dayton, Dayton, Ohio, United States of America
- The Integrative Science and Engineering Center, University of Dayton, Dayton, Ohio, United States of America
- Center for Genomic Advocacy (TCGA), Indiana State University, Terre Haute, Indiana, United States of America
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125
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The SR proteins SF2 and RBP1 regulate triglyceride storage in the fat body of Drosophila. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2019; 516:928-933. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2019.06.151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2019] [Accepted: 06/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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126
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Watanabe LP, Riddle NC. New opportunities: Drosophila as a model system for exercise research. J Appl Physiol (1985) 2019; 127:482-490. [DOI: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00394.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Because of the growing rates of obesity in much of the world, exercise as a treatment option for obesity and as part of a healthy lifestyle is of great interest to the general public, health policy makers, and scientists alike. Despite the long history of exercise promotion and exercise research, there are still significant gaps in our understanding of how exercise impacts individuals and what role genetics plays in determining an individual’s response to exercise. Model organisms are positioned uniquely to help address these questions because of the challenges associated with carrying out large-scale, well-controlled studies in humans. The fruit fly model system, Drosophila melanogaster, has joined the models used for exercise research only recently but already has made significant contributions to the field. In this review, we highlight the opportunities for exercise research in Drosophila. We review the resources available to researchers interested in using Drosophila for exercise research, focusing on the existing systems to induce exercise in Drosophila, to measure the amount of exercise performed, and to assess physical fitness. We illustrate the potential of the Drosophila system by drawing attention to pioneering studies in Drosophila exercise research and emphasize the unique opportunities this model system represents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louis P. Watanabe
- Department of Biology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Nicole C. Riddle
- Department of Biology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
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127
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van der Ende MY, Said MA, van Veldhuisen DJ, Verweij N, van der Harst P. Genome-wide studies of heart failure and endophenotypes: lessons learned and future directions. Cardiovasc Res 2019; 114:1209-1225. [PMID: 29912321 DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvy083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2017] [Accepted: 04/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Heart failure (HF) is a complex clinical syndrome resulting from structural or functional impairments of ventricular filling or ejection of blood. HF has a poor prognosis and the burden to society remains tremendous. The unfulfilled expectation is that expanding our knowledge of the genetic architecture of HF will help to quickly advance the quality of risk assessment, diagnoses, and treatment. To date, genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of HF have led to disappointing results with only limited progress in our understanding and tempering the earlier expectations. However, the analyses of traits closely related to HF (also called 'endophenotypes') have led to promising and novel findings. For example, GWAS of NT-proBNP levels not only identified variants in the NNPA-NPPB locus but also substantiated data suggesting that natriuretic peptides in itself are associated with a lower risk of hypertension and HF. Many other genetic associates currently await experimental follow-up in which genes are prioritized based on bioinformatic analyses and various model organisms are employed to obtain functional insights. Promising genes with identified function could later be used in personalized medicine. Also, targeting specific pathogenic gene mutations is promising to protect future generations from HF, such as recently done in human embryos carrying the cardiomyopathy-associated MYBPC3 mutation. This review discusses the current status of GWAS of HF and its endophenotypes. In addition, future directions such as functional follow-up and application of GWAS results are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maaike Yldau van der Ende
- Department of Cardiology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, RB Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Mir Abdullah Said
- Department of Cardiology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, RB Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Dirk Jan van Veldhuisen
- Department of Cardiology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, RB Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Niek Verweij
- Department of Cardiology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, RB Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Pim van der Harst
- Department of Cardiology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, RB Groningen, The Netherlands
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128
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Brenman-Suttner DB, Yost RT, Frame AK, Robinson JW, Moehring AJ, Simon AF. Social behavior and aging: A fly model. GENES BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR 2019; 19:e12598. [PMID: 31286644 DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2018] [Revised: 07/02/2019] [Accepted: 07/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The field of behavioral genetics has recently begun to explore the effect of age on social behaviors. Such studies are particularly important, as certain neuropsychiatric disorders with abnormal social interactions, like autism and schizophrenia, have been linked to older parents. Appropriate social interaction can also have a positive impact on longevity, and is associated with successful aging in humans. Currently, there are few genetic models for understanding the effect of aging on social behavior and its potential transgenerational inheritance. The fly is emerging as a powerful model for identifying the basic molecular mechanisms underlying neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders. In this review, we discuss these recent advancements, with a focus on how studies in Drosophila melanogaster have provided insight into the effect of aging on aspects of social behavior, including across generations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dova B Brenman-Suttner
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Biology, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ryley T Yost
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ariel K Frame
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - J Wesley Robinson
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Amanda J Moehring
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Anne F Simon
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
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129
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Brown DG, Wobst HJ. Opportunities and Challenges in Phenotypic Screening for Neurodegenerative Disease Research. J Med Chem 2019; 63:1823-1840. [PMID: 31268707 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.9b00797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Toxic misfolded proteins potentially underly many neurodegenerative diseases, but individual targets which regulate these proteins and their downstream detrimental effects are often unknown. Phenotypic screening is an unbiased method to screen for novel targets and therapeutic molecules and span the range from primitive model organisms such as Sacchaomyces cerevisiae, which allow for high-throughput screening to patient-derived cell-lines that have a close connection to the disease biology but are limited in screening capacity. This perspective will review current phenotypic models, as well as the chemical screening strategies most often employed. Advances in in 3D cell cultures, high-content screens, robotic microscopy, CRISPR screening, and use of machine learning methods to process the enormous amount of data generated by these screens are certain to change the paradigm for phenotypic screening and will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dean G Brown
- Hit Discovery, Discovery Sciences, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, 35 Gatehouse Drive, Waltham, Massachusetts 02451, United States
| | - Heike J Wobst
- Neuroscience, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, 35 Gatehouse Drive, Waltham, Massachusetts 02451, United States
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130
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Karam CS, Jones SK, Javitch JA. Come Fly with Me: An overview of dopamine receptors in Drosophila melanogaster. Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol 2019; 126 Suppl 6:56-65. [PMID: 31219669 DOI: 10.1111/bcpt.13277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2019] [Accepted: 06/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Dopamine (DA) receptors play critical roles in a wide range of behaviours, including sensory processing, motor function, reward and arousal. As such, aberrant DA signalling is associated with numerous neurological and psychiatric disorders. Therefore, understanding the mechanisms by which DA neurotransmission drives intracellular signalling pathways that modulate behaviour can provide critical insights to guide the development of targeted therapeutics. Drosophila melanogaster has emerged as a powerful model with unique advantages to study the mechanisms underlying DA neurotransmission and associated behaviours in a controlled and systematic manner. Many regions in the fly brain innervated by dopaminergic neurons have been mapped and linked to specific behaviours, including associative learning and arousal. Here, we provide an overview of the homology between human and Drosophila dopaminergic systems and review the current literature on the pharmacology, molecular signalling mechanisms and behavioural outcome of DA receptor activation in the Drosophila brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caline S Karam
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York City, New York, USA.,Division of Molecular Therapeutics, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York City, New York, USA
| | - Sandra K Jones
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York City, New York, USA.,Division of Molecular Therapeutics, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York City, New York, USA
| | - Jonathan A Javitch
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York City, New York, USA.,Division of Molecular Therapeutics, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York City, New York, USA.,Department of Pharmacology, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York City, New York, USA
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131
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Maitra U, Ciesla L. Using Drosophila as a platform for drug discovery from natural products in Parkinson's disease. MEDCHEMCOMM 2019; 10:867-879. [PMID: 31303984 PMCID: PMC6596131 DOI: 10.1039/c9md00099b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2019] [Accepted: 04/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative movement disorder with no cure. Despite intensive research, most of the currently available therapies are only effective in alleviating symptoms with no effect on disease progression. There is an urgent need for new therapeutics to impede disease progression. Natural products are valuable sources of bioactive compounds that can be exploited for novel therapeutic potential in PD pathogenesis. However, rapid screening of plant-derived natural products and characterization of bioactive compounds is costly and challenging. Drosophila melanogaster, commonly known as the fruit fly, has recently emerged as an excellent model for human neurodegenerative diseases, including PD. The high degree of conserved molecular pathways with mammalian models make Drosophila PD models an inexpensive solution to preliminary phases of target validation in the drug discovery pipeline. The present review provides an overview of drug discovery from natural extracts using Drosophila as a screening platform to evaluate the therapeutic potential of phytochemicals against PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Urmila Maitra
- Department of Biological Sciences , University of Alabama , Science and Engineering Complex 2320, 300 Hackberry Lane , Tuscaloosa , Alabama 35487-0344 , USA . ; Tel: +205 348 7599
| | - Lukasz Ciesla
- Department of Biological Sciences , University of Alabama , Science and Engineering Complex 2329, 300 Hackberry Lane , Tuscaloosa , Alabama 35487-0344 , USA . ; Tel: +205 348 1828
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132
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Evangelakou Z, Manola M, Gumeni S, Trougakos IP. Nutrigenomics as a tool to study the impact of diet on aging and age-related diseases: the Drosophila approach. GENES & NUTRITION 2019; 14:12. [PMID: 31073342 PMCID: PMC6498619 DOI: 10.1186/s12263-019-0638-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2019] [Accepted: 04/10/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Aging is a complex phenomenon caused by the time-dependent loss of cellular homeodynamics and consequently of physiological organismal functions. This process is affected by both genetic and environmental (e.g., diet) factors, as well as by their constant interaction. Consistently, deregulation of nutrient sensing and signaling pathways is considered a hallmark of aging. Nutrigenomics is an emerging scientific discipline that studies changes induced by diet on the genome and thus it considers the intersection of three topics, namely health, diet, and genomics. Model organisms, such as the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster, have been successfully used for in vivo modeling of higher metazoans aging and for nutrigenomic studies. Drosophila is a well-studied organism with sophisticated genetics and a fully annotated sequenced genome, in which ~ 75% of human disease-related genes have functional orthologs. Also, flies have organs/tissues that perform the equivalent functions of most mammalian organs, while discrete clusters of cells maintain insect carbohydrate homeostasis in a way similar to pancreatic cells. Herein, we discuss the mechanistic connections between nutrition and aging in Drosophila, and how this model organism can be used to study the effect of different diets (including natural products and/or their derivatives) on higher metazoans longevity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoi Evangelakou
- Department of Cell Biology and Biophysics, Faculty of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15784 Athens, Greece
| | - Maria Manola
- Department of Cell Biology and Biophysics, Faculty of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15784 Athens, Greece
| | - Sentiljana Gumeni
- Department of Cell Biology and Biophysics, Faculty of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15784 Athens, Greece
| | - Ioannis P. Trougakos
- Department of Cell Biology and Biophysics, Faculty of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15784 Athens, Greece
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133
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Odenthal J, Brinkkoetter PT. Drosophila melanogaster and its nephrocytes: A versatile model for glomerular research. Methods Cell Biol 2019; 154:217-240. [PMID: 31493819 DOI: 10.1016/bs.mcb.2019.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
Glomerular disorders are a predominant cause of chronic kidney diseases and end-stage renal failure. Especially podocytes, epithelial cells which represent the outermost part of the filtration barrier, are affected by disease and experience a gradual loss of function. Despite recent advances in identifying potential pathways underlying podocyte injury, treatment remains challenging. It is therefore desirable to employ suitable model organisms in order to study glomerular disease and elucidate affected pathways. Due to its diverse ways of genetic manipulation and high genomic conservation, Drosophila melanogaster is a powerful model organism for biomedical research. The fly was recently used to assess podocytopathies by exploiting the nephrocyte system. Nephrocytes are spherical cells within the body cavity of the fly responsible for detoxification and clearance of unwanted substances. More importantly, they share many characteristics with mammalian podocytes. Here, we summarize how to use Drosophila as a model organism for podocyte research. We discuss examples of techniques that can be used to genetically manipulate nephrocytes and provide protocols for nephrocyte isolation and for morphological as well as functional analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johanna Odenthal
- Department II of Internal Medicine and Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany; CECAD, University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Paul Thomas Brinkkoetter
- Department II of Internal Medicine and Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany; CECAD, University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany.
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134
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Wu Q, Kumar N, Velagala V, Zartman JJ. Tools to reverse-engineer multicellular systems: case studies using the fruit fly. J Biol Eng 2019; 13:33. [PMID: 31049075 PMCID: PMC6480878 DOI: 10.1186/s13036-019-0161-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2018] [Accepted: 04/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Reverse-engineering how complex multicellular systems develop and function is a grand challenge for systems bioengineers. This challenge has motivated the creation of a suite of bioengineering tools to develop increasingly quantitative descriptions of multicellular systems. Here, we survey a selection of these tools including microfluidic devices, imaging and computer vision techniques. We provide a selected overview of the emerging cross-talk between engineering methods and quantitative investigations within developmental biology. In particular, the review highlights selected recent examples from the Drosophila system, an excellent platform for understanding the interplay between genetics and biophysics. In sum, the integrative approaches that combine multiple advances in these fields are increasingly necessary to enable a deeper understanding of how to analyze both natural and synthetic multicellular systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qinfeng Wu
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556 USA
| | - Nilay Kumar
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556 USA
| | - Vijay Velagala
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556 USA
| | - Jeremiah J. Zartman
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556 USA
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135
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun-Yuan Ji
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, College of Medicine, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, College Station, TX, 77843, USA.
| | - Chun Han
- Weill Institute for Cell and Molecular Biology and Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - Wu-Min Deng
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, 32306, USA
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136
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Abstract
Cancer is a cumulative manifestation of several complicated disease states that affect multiple organs. Over the last few decades, the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster, has become a successful model for studying human cancers. The genetic simplicity and vast arsenal of genetic tools available in Drosophila provides a unique opportunity to address questions regarding cancer initiation and progression that would be extremely challenging in other model systems. In this chapter we provide a historical overview of Drosophila as a model organism for cancer research, summarize the multitude of genetic tools available, offer a brief comparison between different model organisms and cell culture platforms used in cancer studies and briefly discuss some of the latest models and concepts in recent Drosophila cancer research.
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137
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Kirsch R, Seemann SE, Ruzzo WL, Cohen SM, Stadler PF, Gorodkin J. Identification and characterization of novel conserved RNA structures in Drosophila. BMC Genomics 2018; 19:899. [PMID: 30537930 PMCID: PMC6288889 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-018-5234-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2018] [Accepted: 11/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Comparative genomics approaches have facilitated the discovery of many novel non-coding and structured RNAs (ncRNAs). The increasing availability of related genomes now makes it possible to systematically search for compensatory base changes - and thus for conserved secondary structures - even in genomic regions that are poorly alignable in the primary sequence. The wealth of available transcriptome data can add valuable insight into expression and possible function for new ncRNA candidates. Earlier work identifying ncRNAs in Drosophila melanogaster made use of sequence-based alignments and employed a sliding window approach, inevitably biasing identification toward RNAs encoded in the more conserved parts of the genome. RESULTS To search for conserved RNA structures (CRSs) that may not be highly conserved in sequence and to assess the expression of CRSs, we conducted a genome-wide structural alignment screen of 27 insect genomes including D. melanogaster and integrated this with an extensive set of tiling array data. The structural alignment screen revealed ∼30,000 novel candidate CRSs at an estimated false discovery rate of less than 10%. With more than one quarter of all individual CRS motifs showing sequence identities below 60%, the predicted CRSs largely complement the findings of sliding window approaches applied previously. While a sixth of the CRSs were ubiquitously expressed, we found that most were expressed in specific developmental stages or cell lines. Notably, most statistically significant enrichment of CRSs were observed in pupae, mainly in exons of untranslated regions, promotors, enhancers, and long ncRNAs. Interestingly, cell lines were found to express a different set of CRSs than were found in vivo. Only a small fraction of intergenic CRSs were co-expressed with the adjacent protein coding genes, which suggests that most intergenic CRSs are independent genetic units. CONCLUSIONS This study provides a more comprehensive view of the ncRNA transcriptome in fly as well as evidence for differential expression of CRSs during development and in cell lines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Kirsch
- Center for non-coding RNA in Technology and Health, University of Copenhagen, Grønnegårdsvej 3, Frederiksberg C, DK-1870 Denmark
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Science, University of Copenhagen, Grønnegårdsvej 3, Frederiksberg C, DK-1870 Denmark
- Bioinformatics Group, Department of Computer Science, and Interdisciplinary Center for Bioinformatics, Universität Leipzig, Härtelstraße 16–18, Leipzig, D-04107 Germany
| | - Stefan E. Seemann
- Center for non-coding RNA in Technology and Health, University of Copenhagen, Grønnegårdsvej 3, Frederiksberg C, DK-1870 Denmark
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Science, University of Copenhagen, Grønnegårdsvej 3, Frederiksberg C, DK-1870 Denmark
| | - Walter L. Ruzzo
- Center for non-coding RNA in Technology and Health, University of Copenhagen, Grønnegårdsvej 3, Frederiksberg C, DK-1870 Denmark
- School of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Washington, Box 352350, Seattle, 98195-2350 WA USA
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Box 355065, Seattle, 98195-5065 WA USA
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, 1100 Fairview Ave. N., Seattle, 98109-1024 WA USA
| | - Stephen M. Cohen
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3, Copenhagen N, DK-2200 Denmark
| | - Peter F. Stadler
- Center for non-coding RNA in Technology and Health, University of Copenhagen, Grønnegårdsvej 3, Frederiksberg C, DK-1870 Denmark
- Bioinformatics Group, Department of Computer Science, and Interdisciplinary Center for Bioinformatics, Universität Leipzig, Härtelstraße 16–18, Leipzig, D-04107 Germany
- Max Planck Institute for Mathematics in the Sciences, Inselstraße 22, Leipzig, D-04103 Germany
- Faculdad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Sede Bogotá, Ciudad Universitaria, Bogotá, COL-111321 D.C. Colombia
- Department of Theoretical Chemistry, University of Vienna, Währinger Straße 17, Vienna, A-1090 Austria
- Santa Fe Institute, 1399 Hyde Park Rd., Santa Fe, NM87501 USA
| | - Jan Gorodkin
- Center for non-coding RNA in Technology and Health, University of Copenhagen, Grønnegårdsvej 3, Frederiksberg C, DK-1870 Denmark
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Science, University of Copenhagen, Grønnegårdsvej 3, Frederiksberg C, DK-1870 Denmark
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138
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De Lazzari F, Bisaglia M, Zordan MA, Sandrelli F. Circadian Rhythm Abnormalities in Parkinson's Disease from Humans to Flies and Back. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19123911. [PMID: 30563246 PMCID: PMC6321023 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19123911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2018] [Revised: 11/23/2018] [Accepted: 11/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Clinical and research studies have suggested a link between Parkinson’s disease (PD) and alterations in the circadian clock. Drosophila melanogaster may represent a useful model to study the relationship between the circadian clock and PD. Apart from the conservation of many genes, cellular mechanisms, signaling pathways, and neuronal processes, Drosophila shows an organized central nervous system and well-characterized complex behavioral phenotypes. In fact, Drosophila has been successfully used in the dissection of the circadian system and as a model for neurodegenerative disorders, including PD. Here, we describe the fly circadian and dopaminergic systems and report recent studies which indicate the presence of circadian abnormalities in some fly PD genetic models. We discuss the use of Drosophila to investigate whether, in adults, the disruption of the circadian system might be causative of brain neurodegeneration. We also consider approaches using Drosophila, which might provide new information on the link between PD and the circadian clock. As a corollary, since PD develops its symptomatology over a large part of the organism’s lifespan and given the relatively short lifespan of fruit flies, we suggest that genetic models of PD could be used to perform lifelong screens for drug-modulators of general and/or circadian-related PD traits.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marco Bisaglia
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy.
| | - Mauro Agostino Zordan
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy.
- Cognitive Neuroscience Center, University of Padova, 35100 Padova, Italy.
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139
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Abstract
Understanding how activity patterns in specific neural circuits coordinate an animal’s behavior remains a key area of neuroscience research. Genetic tools and a brain of tractable complexity make Drosophila a premier model organism for these studies. Here, we review the wealth of reagents available to map and manipulate neuronal activity with light.
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140
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Wang H, Dewell RB, Ehrengruber MU, Segev E, Reimer J, Roukes ML, Gabbiani F. Optogenetic manipulation of medullary neurons in the locust optic lobe. J Neurophysiol 2018; 120:2049-2058. [PMID: 30110231 PMCID: PMC6230808 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00356.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2018] [Revised: 08/09/2018] [Accepted: 08/09/2018] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The locust is a widely used animal model for studying sensory processing and its relation to behavior. Due to the lack of genomic information, genetic tools to manipulate neural circuits in locusts are not yet available. We examined whether Semliki Forest virus is suitable to mediate exogenous gene expression in neurons of the locust optic lobe. We subcloned a channelrhodopsin variant and the yellow fluorescent protein Venus into a Semliki Forest virus vector and injected the virus into the optic lobe of locusts ( Schistocerca americana). Fluorescence was observed in all injected optic lobes. Most neurons that expressed the recombinant proteins were located in the first two neuropils of the optic lobe, the lamina and medulla. Extracellular recordings demonstrated that laser illumination increased the firing rate of medullary neurons expressing channelrhodopsin. The optogenetic activation of the medullary neurons also triggered excitatory postsynaptic potentials and firing of a postsynaptic, looming-sensitive neuron, the lobula giant movement detector. These results indicate that Semliki Forest virus is efficient at mediating transient exogenous gene expression and provides a tool to manipulate neural circuits in the locust nervous system and likely other insects. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Using Semliki Forest virus, we efficiently delivered channelrhodopsin into neurons of the locust optic lobe. We demonstrate that laser illumination increases the firing of the medullary neurons expressing channelrhodopsin and elicits excitatory postsynaptic potentials and spiking in an identified postsynaptic target neuron, the lobula giant movement detector neuron. This technique allows the manipulation of neuronal activity in locust neural circuits using optogenetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongxia Wang
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine , Houston, Texas
| | - Richard B Dewell
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine , Houston, Texas
| | | | - Eran Segev
- Department of Applied Physics and Material Science, California Institute of Technology , Pasadena, California
| | - Jacob Reimer
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine , Houston, Texas
| | - Michael L Roukes
- Department of Applied Physics and Material Science, California Institute of Technology , Pasadena, California
| | - Fabrizio Gabbiani
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine , Houston, Texas
- Electrical and Computer Engineering Department, Rice University , Houston, Texas
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141
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Chen J, Zhou S, Wang Y, Shi M, Chen X, Huang J. Biocontrol characteristics of the fruit fly pupal parasitoid Trichopria drosophilae (Hymenoptera: Diapriidae) emerging from different hosts. Sci Rep 2018; 8:13323. [PMID: 30190608 PMCID: PMC6127308 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-31718-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2018] [Accepted: 08/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Trichopria drosophilae (Hymenoptera: Diapriidae) is an important pupal endoparasitoid of Drosophila melanogaster Meigen (Diptera: Drosophilidae) and some other fruit fly species, such as D. suzukii, a very important invasive and economic pest. Studies of T. drosophilae suggest that this could be a good biological control agent for fruit fly pests. In this research, we compared the parasitic characteristics of T. drosophilae reared in D. melanogaster (TDm) with those reared in D. hydei (TDh). TDh had a larger size than TDm. The number of maximum mature eggs of a female TDh was 133.6 ± 6.9, compared with the significantly lower value of 104.8 ± 11.4 for TDm. Mated TDh female wasp continuously produced female offspring up to 6 days after mating, compared with only 3 days for TDm. In addition, the offspring female ratio of TDh, i.e., 82.32%, was significantly higher than that of TDm, i.e., 61.37%. Under starvation treatment, TDh survived longer than TDm. TDh also survived longer than TDm at high temperatures, such as 37 °C, although they both survived well at low temperatures, such as 18 °C and 4 °C. Old-age TDh females maintained a high parasitism rate and offspring female ratio, while they were declined in old-age TDm. Overall, TDh had an advantage in terms of body size, fecundity, stress resistance ability and the parasitism rate compared with TDm. Therefore, T. drosophilae from D. hydei could improve biocontrol efficacy with enormous economic benefits in the field, especially in the control of many frugivorous Drosophilidae species worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiani Chen
- Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, 310058, Hangzhou, China.,Ministry of Agriculture Key Lab of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insect Pests, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, 310058, Hangzhou, China
| | - Sicong Zhou
- Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, 310058, Hangzhou, China.,Ministry of Agriculture Key Lab of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insect Pests, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, 310058, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ying Wang
- Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, 310058, Hangzhou, China.,Ministry of Agriculture Key Lab of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insect Pests, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, 310058, Hangzhou, China
| | - Min Shi
- Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, 310058, Hangzhou, China.,Ministry of Agriculture Key Lab of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insect Pests, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, 310058, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xuexin Chen
- Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, 310058, Hangzhou, China. .,Ministry of Agriculture Key Lab of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insect Pests, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, 310058, Hangzhou, China. .,State Key Lab of Rice Biology, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, 310058, Hangzhou, China.
| | - Jianhua Huang
- Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, 310058, Hangzhou, China. .,Ministry of Agriculture Key Lab of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insect Pests, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, 310058, Hangzhou, China.
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142
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Pereira CM, Stoffel TJR, Callegari-Jacques SM, Hua-Van A, Capy P, Loreto ELS. The somatic mobilization of transposable element mariner-Mos1 during the Drosophila lifespan and its biological consequences. Gene 2018; 679:65-72. [PMID: 30171941 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2018.08.079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2018] [Revised: 08/08/2018] [Accepted: 08/29/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Transposable elements (TEs) are mobile DNA sequences on genomes. Some elements are able to transpose in somatic cells, a process known as somatic transposition (ST), which has been associated with detrimental biological effects. The mariner-Mos1 element of Drosophila promotes transposition in somatic and germline cells and is an excellent model for studies related to the biological consequence of somatic excision (SE). In this work, we used temperature stress to induce increasing transposition of mariner-Mos1 during different stages of the development of D. simulans, aiming to quantify SE during lifespan. Furthermore, strains of D. melanogaster exhibiting differential expression of mariner-Mos1 were employed for estimating some biological consequences of mariner mobilization. It is shown that SE of mariner-Mos1 was not constant during development; the larval phase had the highest rates while the pupal stage exhibited lower rates, and in the embryonic stage, no difference was detected. SE can be detrimental, as suggested by correlation in SE level and reduction in behavioral activities and embryonic viability. This study showed that mariner-Mos1 SE accumulates during the Drosophila life cycle, and can be involved in detrimental effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camila M Pereira
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade Animal, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Brazil
| | - Tailini J R Stoffel
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Genética e Biologia Molecular, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Sidia M Callegari-Jacques
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Genética e Biologia Molecular, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil; Departamento de Estatística, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Aurélie Hua-Van
- Laboratoire Evolution, Génomes, Comportement, Ecologie CNRS, Univ. Paris-Sud, IRD, Université Paris-Saclay, 1 avenue de la Terrasse, 91198 Gif-sur-Yvette Cedex, France
| | - Pierre Capy
- Laboratoire Evolution, Génomes, Comportement, Ecologie CNRS, Univ. Paris-Sud, IRD, Université Paris-Saclay, 1 avenue de la Terrasse, 91198 Gif-sur-Yvette Cedex, France
| | - Elgion L S Loreto
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade Animal, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Genética e Biologia Molecular, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil; Dep. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology -Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Av. Roraima 1000, 97105900 Santa Maria, Brazil.
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143
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Towler BP, Newbury SF. Regulation of cytoplasmic RNA stability: Lessons from Drosophila. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS-RNA 2018; 9:e1499. [PMID: 30109918 DOI: 10.1002/wrna.1499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2018] [Revised: 06/06/2018] [Accepted: 07/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The process of RNA degradation is a critical level of regulation contributing to the control of gene expression. In the last two decades a number of studies have shown the specific and targeted nature of RNA decay and its importance in maintaining homeostasis. The key players within the pathways of RNA decay are well conserved with their mutation or disruption resulting in distinct phenotypes as well as human disease. Model organisms including Drosophila melanogaster have played a substantial role in elucidating the mechanisms conferring control over RNA stability. A particular advantage of this model organism is that the functions of ribonucleases can be assessed in the context of natural cells within tissues in addition to individual immortalized cells in culture. Drosophila RNA stability research has demonstrated how the cytoplasmic decay machines, such as the exosome, Dis3L2 and Xrn1, are responsible for regulating specific processes including apoptosis, proliferation, wound healing and fertility. The work discussed here has begun to identify specific mRNA transcripts that appear sensitive to specific decay pathways representing mechanisms through which the ribonucleases control mRNA stability. Drosophila research has also contributed to our knowledge of how specific RNAs are targeted to the ribonucleases including AU rich elements, miRNA targeting and 3' tailing. Increased understanding of these mechanisms is critical to elucidating the control elicited by the cytoplasmic ribonucleases which is relevant to human disease. This article is categorized under: RNA in Disease and Development > RNA in Development RNA Turnover and Surveillance > Regulation of RNA Stability RNA Turnover and Surveillance > Turnover/Surveillance Mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin P Towler
- Brighton and Sussex Medical School, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK
| | - Sarah F Newbury
- Brighton and Sussex Medical School, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK
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144
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Pavin A, Fain K, DeHart A, Sitaraman D. Aversive and Appetitive Learning in Drosophila Larvae: A Simple and Powerful Suite of Laboratory Modules for Classroom or Open-ended Research Projects. JOURNAL OF UNDERGRADUATE NEUROSCIENCE EDUCATION : JUNE : A PUBLICATION OF FUN, FACULTY FOR UNDERGRADUATE NEUROSCIENCE 2018; 16:A177-A185. [PMID: 30057500 PMCID: PMC6057766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2018] [Revised: 04/27/2018] [Accepted: 04/28/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
A key element of laboratory courses introducing students to neuroscience includes behavioral exercises. Associative learning experiments often conducted in research laboratories are difficult to perform and time consuming. Commonly, these experiments cannot be performed without extensive instrumentation or animal care facilities. Here, we describe three distinct laboratory modules that build on simple chemosensory and memory assays in Drosophila larvae. Additionally, we describe open-ended research projects using these assays that can be developed into semester long independent research experiences. Given that Drosophila is a genetic model organism, these simple behavioral assays can be used to generate multiple hypothesis driven projects aimed at identifying a gene or class of neurons involved in appetitive and aversive learning. These lab modules are ideally suited for undergraduates at all levels to experience and can be incorporated in a lower/upper level neuroscience course or as a high school outreach exercise. Further, these modules enable students to collect their own data sets, work in groups in collating large data sets, performing statistical comparisons, and presenting results in the form of short research papers or traditional laboratory reports that include a short literature review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Austin Pavin
- Department of Psychological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, University of San Diego, San Diego, CA-92110
| | - Kevin Fain
- Department of Psychological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, University of San Diego, San Diego, CA-92110
| | - Allison DeHart
- Department of Psychological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, University of San Diego, San Diego, CA-92110
| | - Divya Sitaraman
- Department of Psychological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, University of San Diego, San Diego, CA-92110
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145
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Watanabe LP, Riddle NC. Measuring Exercise Levels in Drosophila melanogaster Using the Rotating Exercise Quantification System (REQS). J Vis Exp 2018. [PMID: 29889199 DOI: 10.3791/57751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Drosophila melanogaster is a new model organism for studies in exercise biology. To date, two main exercise systems, the Power Tower and the Treadwheel have been described. However, a method to measure the amount of additional animal activity induced through the exercise treatment has been lacking. The Rotating Exercise Quantification System (REQS) fills this need, providing a measure of animal activity for animals experiencing rotational exercise. This protocol details how to use the REQS to assess animal activity during rotational exercise and illustrates the type of data that can be generated. Here, we demonstrate how the REQS is used to measure sex- and strain-specific differences in exercise induced activity. The REQS can also be used to evaluate the impact of various other experimental parameters such as age, diet, or population size on exercise induced activity. In addition, it can be used to compare the efficacy of different exercise training protocols. Importantly, it provides an opportunity to standardize exercise treatments between strains, allowing the researcher to achieve equal amounts of activity between groups if needed. Thus, the REQS is a notable new resource for exercise biologists working with the Drosophila model system and complements existing exercise systems.
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146
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Swevers L, Liu J, Smagghe G. Defense Mechanisms against Viral Infection in Drosophila: RNAi and Non-RNAi. Viruses 2018; 10:E230. [PMID: 29723993 PMCID: PMC5977223 DOI: 10.3390/v10050230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2018] [Revised: 04/20/2018] [Accepted: 04/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
RNAi is considered a major antiviral defense mechanism in insects, but its relative importance as compared to other antiviral pathways has not been evaluated comprehensively. Here, it is attempted to give an overview of the antiviral defense mechanisms in Drosophila that involve both RNAi and non-RNAi. While RNAi is considered important in most viral infections, many other pathways can exist that confer antiviral resistance. It is noted that very few direct recognition mechanisms of virus infections have been identified in Drosophila and that the activation of immune pathways may be accomplished indirectly through cell damage incurred by viral replication. In several cases, protection against viral infection can be obtained in RNAi mutants by non-RNAi mechanisms, confirming the variability of the RNAi defense mechanism according to the type of infection and the physiological status of the host. This analysis is aimed at more systematically investigating the relative contribution of RNAi in the antiviral response and more specifically, to ask whether RNAi efficiency is affected when other defense mechanisms predominate. While Drosophila can function as a useful model, this issue may be more critical for economically important insects that are either controlled (agricultural pests and vectors of diseases) or protected from parasite infection (beneficial insects as bees) by RNAi products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luc Swevers
- Institute of Biosciences & Applications, NCSR "Demokritos", 15341 Athens, Greece.
| | - Jisheng Liu
- School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou University, 510006 Guangzhou, China.
| | - Guy Smagghe
- Department of Plants and Crops, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
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147
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De Nobrega AK, Lyons LC. Drosophila: An Emergent Model for Delineating Interactions between the Circadian Clock and Drugs of Abuse. Neural Plast 2017; 2017:4723836. [PMID: 29391952 PMCID: PMC5748135 DOI: 10.1155/2017/4723836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2017] [Accepted: 08/13/2017] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Endogenous circadian oscillators orchestrate rhythms at the cellular, physiological, and behavioral levels across species to coordinate activity, for example, sleep/wake cycles, metabolism, and learning and memory, with predictable environmental cycles. The 21st century has seen a dramatic rise in the incidence of circadian and sleep disorders with globalization, technological advances, and the use of personal electronics. The circadian clock modulates alcohol- and drug-induced behaviors with circadian misalignment contributing to increased substance use and abuse. Invertebrate models, such as Drosophila melanogaster, have proven invaluable for the identification of genetic and molecular mechanisms underlying highly conserved processes including the circadian clock, drug tolerance, and reward systems. In this review, we highlight the contributions of Drosophila as a model system for understanding the bidirectional interactions between the circadian system and the drugs of abuse, alcohol and cocaine, and illustrate the highly conserved nature of these interactions between Drosophila and mammalian systems. Research in Drosophila provides mechanistic insights into the corresponding behaviors in higher organisms and can be used as a guide for targeted inquiries in mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aliza K. De Nobrega
- Department of Biological Science, Program in Neuroscience, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA
| | - Lisa C. Lyons
- Department of Biological Science, Program in Neuroscience, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA
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148
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Hill T, Unckless RL. The dynamic evolution of Drosophila innubila Nudivirus. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2017; 57:151-157. [PMID: 29155284 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2017.11.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2017] [Revised: 11/06/2017] [Accepted: 11/11/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Viruses coevolve with their hosts to overcome host resistance and gain the upper hand in the evolutionary arms race. Drosophila innubila nudivirus (DiNV) is a double stranded DNA virus, closely related to Oryctes rhinoceros nudivirus (OrNV) and Kallithea virus. DiNV is the first DNA virus found to naturally infect Drosophila and therefore has the potential to be developed as a model for DNA virus immune defense and host/virus coevolution within its well-studied host system. Here we sequence and annotate the genome of DiNV and identify signatures of adaptation, revealing clues for genes involved in host-parasite coevolution. The circular genome is 155,555bp and contains 107 coding open reading frames (ORFs) and a wealth of AT-rich simple sequence repeats. While synteny is highly conserved between DiNV and Kallithea virus, it drops off rapidly as sequences become more divergent, consistent with rampant rearrangements across nudiviruses. Overall, we show that evolution of DiNV is likely due to adaptation of a very few genes coupled with high gene turnover.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom Hill
- 4055 Haworth Hall, 1200 Sunnyside Avenue, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA.
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149
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Baculovirus Molecular Evolution via Gene Turnover and Recurrent Positive Selection of Key Genes. J Virol 2017; 91:JVI.01319-17. [PMID: 28814516 PMCID: PMC5660496 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01319-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2017] [Accepted: 08/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Hosts and viruses are locked in an evolutionary arms race. Hosts are constantly evolving to suppress virulence and replication, while viruses, which are reliant on host machinery for survival and reproduction, develop counterstrategies to escape this immune defense. Viruses must also adapt to novel conditions while establishing themselves in a host species. Both processes provide strong selection for viral adaptation. Understanding adaptive evolution in insect viruses can help us to better understand adaptive evolution in general and is important due to the use of these viruses as biocontrol agents and for protecting ecologically or economically important species from outbreaks. Here we examine the molecular evolution of baculoviruses and nudiviruses, a group of insect-infecting viruses with key roles in biocontrol. We looked for signatures of selection between genomes of baculoviruses infecting a range of species and within a population of baculoviruses. Both analyses found only a few strong signatures of positive selection, primarily in replication- and transcription-associated genes and several structural protein genes. In both analyses, we detected a conserved complex of genes, including the helicase gene, showing consistently high levels of adaptive evolution, suggesting that they may be key in antagonistic coevolution to escape host suppression. These genes are integral to the baculovirus life cycle and may be good focal genes for developing baculoviruses as effective biocontrol agents or for targeting baculoviruses infecting ecologically relevant species. Recombination and complex genomes make evolution in these double-stranded DNA viruses more efficient than that in smaller RNA viruses with error-prone replication, as seen via signatures of selection in specific genes within a population of baculoviruses. IMPORTANCE Most viral evolutionary studies focus on RNA viruses. While these viruses cause many human and animal diseases, such studies leave us with a lesser understanding of how DNA viruses adapt to hosts and how the host responds to these pathogens. In this paper, we focus on the evolution of baculoviruses, a group of insect-infecting DNA viruses, many of which have been used in biocontrol. We find that most of the genome is under purifying selection, with only a few key genes evolving adaptively. Our results provide a glimpse into how DNA viruses differ from RNA viruses in their evolutionary dynamics and identify genes that are key to DNA virus adaptation, improving our understanding of how this group of pathogens evolves.
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150
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Abstract
With a century-old history of fundamental discoveries, the fruit fly has long been a favored experimental organism for a wide range of scientific inquiries. But Drosophila is not a “legacy” model organism; technical and intellectual innovations continue to revitalize fly research and drive advances in our understanding of conserved mechanisms of animal biology. Here, we provide an overview of this “ecosystem” and discuss how to address emerging challenges to ensure its continued productivity. Drosophila researchers are fortunate to have a sophisticated and ever-growing toolkit for the analysis of gene function. Access to these tools depends upon continued support for both physical and informational resources. Uncertainty regarding stable support for bioinformatic databases is a particular concern, at a time when there is the need to make the vast knowledge of functional biology provided by this model animal accessible to scientists studying other organisms. Communication and advocacy efforts will promote appreciation of the value of the fly in delivering biomedically important insights. Well-tended traditions of large-scale tool development, open sharing of reagents, and community engagement provide a strong basis for coordinated and proactive initiatives to improve the fly research ecosystem. Overall, there has never been a better time to be a fly pusher.
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