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Merkle JA. Dissection, Fixation, and Standard Staining of Adult Drosophila Ovaries. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2626:49-68. [PMID: 36715899 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2970-3_3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Studies of the Drosophila ovary have provided significant insight into the molecular and cellular processes that control cell function, tissue organization, and animal development. To characterize mutants with defects in oogenesis or to observe the distribution of gene products involved in egg production, the ovaries must be carefully extracted and prepared for analysis. This chapter describes the manual dissection of ovaries from adult Drosophila females, followed by standard fixation and staining of the isolated tissue. Specifically, this chapter provides procedures for simple DNA and F-actin staining to assess cell and tissue morphology, as well as immunostaining to localize proteins of interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie A Merkle
- Department of Biology, University of Evansville, Evansville, IN, USA.
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Easwaran S, Van Ligten M, Kui M, Montell DJ. Enhanced germline stem cell longevity in Drosophila diapause. Nat Commun 2022; 13:711. [PMID: 35132083 PMCID: PMC8821637 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-28347-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2020] [Accepted: 01/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
In many species including humans, aging reduces female fertility. Intriguingly, some animals preserve fertility longer under specific environmental conditions. For example, at low temperature and short day-length, Drosophila melanogaster enters a state called adult reproductive diapause. As in other stressful conditions, ovarian development arrests at the yolk uptake checkpoint; however, mechanisms underlying fertility preservation and post-diapause recovery are largely unknown. Here, we report that diapause causes more complete arrest than other stresses yet preserves greater recovery potential. During dormancy, germline stem cells (GSCs) incur DNA damage, activate p53 and Chk2, and divide less. Despite reduced niche signaling, germline precursor cells do not differentiate. GSCs adopt an atypical, suspended state connected to their daughters. Post-diapause recovery of niche signaling and resumption of division contribute to restoring GSCs. Mimicking one feature of quiescence, reduced juvenile hormone production, enhanced GSC longevity in non-diapausing flies. Thus, diapause mechanisms provide approaches to GSC longevity enhancement. Drosophila enter adult reproductive diapause in low temperatures and short day, halting ovarian development yet preserving fertility. Here the authors show that ovarian arrest in diapause is distinct from other stress responses and that despite DNA damage and decreased division, germline stem cells recover.
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Mendoza-Garcia P, Basu S, Sukumar SK, Arefin B, Wolfstetter G, Anthonydhason V, Molander L, Uçkun E, Lindehell H, Lebrero-Fernandez C, Larsson J, Larsson E, Bemark M, Palmer RH. DamID transcriptional profiling identifies the Snail/Scratch transcription factor Kahuli as an Alk target in the Drosophila visceral mesoderm. Development 2021; 148:dev199465. [PMID: 34905617 PMCID: PMC8722224 DOI: 10.1242/dev.199465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Development of the Drosophila visceral muscle depends on Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase (Alk) receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) signaling, which specifies founder cells (FCs) in the circular visceral mesoderm (VM). Although Alk activation by its ligand Jelly Belly (Jeb) is well characterized, few target molecules have been identified. Here, we used targeted DamID (TaDa) to identify Alk targets in embryos overexpressing Jeb versus embryos with abrogated Alk activity, revealing differentially expressed genes, including the Snail/Scratch family transcription factor Kahuli (Kah). We confirmed Kah mRNA and protein expression in the VM, and identified midgut constriction defects in Kah mutants similar to those of pointed (pnt). ChIP and RNA-Seq data analysis defined a Kah target-binding site similar to that of Snail, and identified a set of common target genes putatively regulated by Kah and Pnt during midgut constriction. Taken together, we report a rich dataset of Alk-responsive loci in the embryonic VM and functionally characterize the role of Kah in the regulation of embryonic midgut morphogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Mendoza-Garcia
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Gothenburg, SE-405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Swaraj Basu
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Gothenburg, SE-405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Sanjay Kumar Sukumar
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Gothenburg, SE-405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Badrul Arefin
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Gothenburg, SE-405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Georg Wolfstetter
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Gothenburg, SE-405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Vimala Anthonydhason
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Gothenburg, SE-405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Linnea Molander
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Gothenburg, SE-405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Ezgi Uçkun
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Gothenburg, SE-405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Henrik Lindehell
- Department of Molecular Biology, Umeå University, SE-901 87 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Cristina Lebrero-Fernandez
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Gothenburg, SE-405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Jan Larsson
- Department of Molecular Biology, Umeå University, SE-901 87 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Erik Larsson
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Gothenburg, SE-405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Mats Bemark
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Gothenburg, SE-405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Clinical Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Region Västra Götaland, SE-41346 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Ruth H. Palmer
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Gothenburg, SE-405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
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Mahmoudi Gomari M, Saraygord-Afshari N, Farsimadan M, Rostami N, Aghamiri S, Farajollahi MM. Opportunities and challenges of the tag-assisted protein purification techniques: Applications in the pharmaceutical industry. Biotechnol Adv 2020; 45:107653. [PMID: 33157154 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2020.107653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2020] [Revised: 10/22/2020] [Accepted: 10/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Tag-assisted protein purification is a method of choice for both academic researches and large-scale industrial demands. Application of the purification tags in the protein production process can help to save time and cost, but the design and application of tagged fusion proteins are challenging. An appropriate tagging strategy must provide sufficient expression yield and high purity for the final protein products while preserving their native structure and function. Thanks to the recent advances in the bioinformatics and emergence of high-throughput techniques (e.g. SEREX), many new tags are introduced to the market. A variety of interfering and non-interfering tags have currently broadened their application scope beyond the traditional use as a simple purification tool. They can take part in many biochemical and analytical features and act as solubility and protein expression enhancers, probe tracker for online visualization, detectors of post-translational modifications, and carrier-driven tags. Given the variability and growing number of the purification tags, here we reviewed the protein- and peptide-structured purification tags used in the affinity, ion-exchange, reverse phase, and immobilized metal ion affinity chromatographies. We highlighted the demand for purification tags in the pharmaceutical industry and discussed the impact of self-cleavable tags, aggregating tags, and nanotechnology on both the column-based and column-free purification techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Mahmoudi Gomari
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Allied Medical Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Neda Saraygord-Afshari
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Allied Medical Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Marziye Farsimadan
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran
| | - Neda Rostami
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Arak University, Iran
| | - Shahin Aghamiri
- Student research committee, Department of medical biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad M Farajollahi
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Allied Medical Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Lin KY, Hsu HJ. Regulation of adult female germline stem cells by nutrient-responsive signaling. CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE 2020; 37:16-22. [PMID: 32070932 DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2019.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2019] [Revised: 10/10/2019] [Accepted: 10/14/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Insect oogenesis is greatly affected by nutrient availability. When nutrients are abundant, oocytes are rapidly generated, but the process is slowed to conserve energy under nutrient-deficient conditions. To properly allocate limited resources toward oogenesis, systemic factors coordinate the behavioral response of ovarian germline stem cells (GSCs) to nutritional inputs by acting on the GSC itself, GSC supporting cells (the niche), or the adipose tissue surrounding the ovary. In this review, we describe current knowledge of the Drosophila ovarian GSC-niche-adipocyte system and major nutrient sensing pathways (insulin/IGF signaling, TOR signaling, and GCN2-dependent amino acid sensing) that intrinsically or extrinsically regulate GSC responses to nutrient signals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kun-Yang Lin
- Molecular and Biological Agricultural Sciences Program, Taiwan International Graduate Program, National Chung Hsing University and Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Biotechnology, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 40227, Taiwan; Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
| | - Hwei-Jan Hsu
- Molecular and Biological Agricultural Sciences Program, Taiwan International Graduate Program, National Chung Hsing University and Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan; Biotechnology Center, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 40227, Taiwan; Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan.
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Protein trap: a new Swiss army knife for geneticists? Mol Biol Rep 2019; 47:1445-1458. [PMID: 31728729 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-019-05181-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2019] [Accepted: 11/04/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
The protein trap is a powerful tool for genetic and biochemical studies of gene function in the animal kingdom. Although the original protein trap was developed for flies, it can be easily adapted to other multicellular organisms, both known models and ones with an unsequenced genome. The protein trap has been successfully applied to the fruit fly, crustaceans Parhyale hawaiensis, zebrafish, and insect and animal cell cultures. This approach is based on the integration into genes of an artificial exon that carries DNA encoding a fluorescent marker, standardized immunoepitopes, an integrase docking site, and splice acceptor and donor sites. The protein trap for cell cultures additionally contains an antibiotic resistance gene, which facilitates the selection of trapped clones. Resulting chimeric tagged mRNAs can be interfered by dsRNA against GFP (iGFPi-in vivo GFP interference), or the chimeric proteins can be efficiently knocked down by deGradFP technology. Both RNA and protein knockdowns produce a strong loss of function phenotype in tagged cells. The fluorescent and protein affinity tags can be used for tagged protein localisation within the cell and for identifying their binding partners in their native complexes. Insertion into protein trap integrase docking sites allows the replacement of trap contents by any new constructs, including other markers, cell toxins, stop-codons, and binary expression systems such as GAL4/UAS, LexA/LexAop and QF/QUAS, that reliably reflect endogenous gene expression. A distinctive feature of the protein trap approach is that all manipulations with a gene or its product occur only in the endogenous locus, which cannot be achieved by any other method.
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Ke YT, Hsu HJ. Generation of Inducible Gene-Switched GAL4 Expressed in the Drosophila Female Germline Stem Cell Niche. G3 (BETHESDA, MD.) 2019; 9:2007-2016. [PMID: 31018943 PMCID: PMC6553524 DOI: 10.1534/g3.119.400246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2019] [Accepted: 04/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The stem cell niche, a regulatory microenvironment, houses and regulates stem cells for maintenance of tissues throughout an organism's lifespan. While it is known that stem cell function declines with age, the role of niche cells in this decline is not completely understood. Drosophila exhibits a short lifespan with well-characterized ovarian germline stem cells (GSCs) and niche compartments, providing a good model with which to study stem cell biology. However, no inducible tools for temporal and spatial control of gene expression in the GSC-niche unit have been previously developed for aging studies. The current UAS-GAL4 systems are not ideal for aging studies because fly physiological aging may be affected by the temperature shifts used to manipulate GAL4 activity. Additionally, the actual needs of the aged niche may be masked by continuously driven gene expression. Since GeneSwitch GAL4 is conveniently activated by the steroid RU486 (mifepristone), we conducted an enhancer-trap screen to isolate GeneSwitch GAL4 lines with expression in the GSC-niche unit. We identified six lines with expression in germarial somatic cells, and two lines (#2305 and #2261) with expression in niche cap cells, the major constituent of the GSC niche. The use of lines #2305 or #2261 to overexpress Drosophila insulin-like peptide 2, which maintains GSC lifespan, in aged niche cap cells significantly delayed age-dependent GSC loss. These results support the notion that insulin signaling is beneficial for maintaining aged stem cells and also validate the utility of our GeneSwitch GAL4 lines for studying stem cell aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Teng Ke
- Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
| | - Hwei-Jan Hsu
- Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
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Mitochondrial fragmentation drives selective removal of deleterious mtDNA in the germline. Nature 2019; 570:380-384. [PMID: 31092924 PMCID: PMC6614061 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-019-1213-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 139] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2017] [Accepted: 04/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Mitochondria contain their own genomes, and unlike nuclear genomes, mitochondrial genomes are inherited maternally. With a high mutation rate and little recombination, special selection mechanisms exist in the female germline to prevent the accumulation of deleterious mutations1–5. The molecular mechanisms underpinning selection remain poorly understood6. Here, using an allele-specific fluorescent in situ-hybridization approach to distinguish wildtype from mutant mtDNA, we have visualized germline selection for the first time. Selection first manifests in the early stages of Drosophila oogenesis, triggered by reduction of the pro-fusion protein Mitofusin. This leads to the physical separation of mitochondrial genomes into different mitochondrial fragments, preventing the mixing of genomes and their products, and thereby reducing complementation. Once fragmentated, mitochondria harboring mutant genomes are less able to make ATP, which marks them for selection through a process requiring the mitophagy proteins Atg1 and BNIP3. Surprisingly, a reduction in Atg1 or BNIP3 decreases the amount of wildtype mtDNA, suggesting a link between mitochondrial turnover and mtDNA replication. Remarkably, fragmentation is not only necessary for selection in germline tissues, but also sufficient to induce selection in somatic tissues where selection is normally absent. Our studies posit a generalizable mechanism to select against deleterious mtDNA mutations that may allow the development of strategies for treatment of mtDNA disorders.
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Yoshinari Y, Kurogi Y, Ameku T, Niwa R. Endocrine regulation of female germline stem cells in the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster. CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE 2019; 31:14-19. [PMID: 31109668 DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2018.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2018] [Revised: 06/27/2018] [Accepted: 07/03/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Germline stem cells (GSCs) are critical for the generation of sperms and eggs in most animals including the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster. It is well known that self-renewal and differentiation of female D. melanogaster GSCs are regulated by local niche signals. However, little is known about whether and how the GSC number is regulated by paracrine signals. In the last decade, however, multiple humoral factors, including insulin and ecdysteroids, have been recognized as key regulators of female D. melanogaster GSCs. This review paper summarizes the role of humoral factors in female D. melanogaster GSC proliferation and maintenance in response to internal and external conditions, such as nutrients, mating stimuli, and aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuto Yoshinari
- Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tennoudai 1-1-1, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8572, Japan
| | - Yoshitomo Kurogi
- College of Biological Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tennoudai 1-1-1, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8572, Japan
| | - Tomotsune Ameku
- Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tennoudai 1-1-1, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8572, Japan
| | - Ryusuke Niwa
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tennoudai 1-1-1, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8572, Japan; AMED-CREST, Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development, 1-7-1 Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-0004, Japan.
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Su YH, Rastegri E, Kao SH, Lai CM, Lin KY, Liao HY, Wang MH, Hsu HJ. Diet regulates membrane extension and survival of niche escort cells for germline homeostasis via insulin signaling. Development 2018; 145:dev.159186. [DOI: 10.1242/dev.159186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2017] [Accepted: 03/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Diet is an important regulator of stem cell homeostasis, however, the underlying mechanisms of this regulation are not fully known. Here, we report that insulin signaling mediates dietary maintenance of Drosophila ovarian germline stem cells (GSCs) by promoting the extension of niche escort cell (EC) membranes to wrap around GSCs. This wrapping may facilitate the delivery of BMP stemness factors from ECs in the niche to GSCs. In addition to the effects on GSCs, insulin signaling-mediated regulation of EC number and protrusions controls the division and growth of GSC progeny. The effects of insulin signaling on EC membrane extension are, at least in part, driven by enhanced translation of Failed axon connections (Fax) via Ribosomal protein S6 kinase. Fax is a membrane protein that may participate in Abl-regulated cytoskeletal dynamics and is known to be involved in axon bundle formation. Therefore, we conclude that dietary cues stimulate insulin signaling in the niche to regulate EC cellular structure, probably via Fax-dependent cytoskeleton remodeling. This mechanism enhances intercellular contact and facilitates homeostatic interactions between somatic and germline cells in response to diet.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Han Su
- Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
| | - Elham Rastegri
- Molecular and Cell Biology, Taiwan International Graduate Program, Academia Sinica and Graduate Institute of Life Science, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
| | - Shih-Han Kao
- Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Min Lai
- Molecular and Biological Agricultural Sciences Program, Taiwan International Graduate Program, Academia Sinica and National Chung-Hsing University, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Biotechnology, National Chung-Hsing University, Taichung 40227, Taiwan
- Biotechnology Center, National Chung-Hsing University, Taichung 40227, Taiwan
| | - Kun-Yang Lin
- Molecular and Biological Agricultural Sciences Program, Taiwan International Graduate Program, Academia Sinica and National Chung-Hsing University, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Biotechnology, National Chung-Hsing University, Taichung 40227, Taiwan
- Biotechnology Center, National Chung-Hsing University, Taichung 40227, Taiwan
| | - Hung-Yu Liao
- Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
| | - Mu-Hsiang Wang
- Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
| | - Hwei-Jan Hsu
- Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
- Molecular and Cell Biology, Taiwan International Graduate Program, Academia Sinica and Graduate Institute of Life Science, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Biotechnology, National Chung-Hsing University, Taichung 40227, Taiwan
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