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Mishra SK, Liu T, Wang H. Thousands of oscillating LncRNAs in the mouse testis. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2024; 23:330-346. [PMID: 38205156 PMCID: PMC10776378 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2023.11.046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 11/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are involved in numerous fundamental biological processes, including circadian regulation. Although recent studies have revealed insights into the functions of lncRNAs, how the lncRNAs regulate circadian rhythms still requires a deeper investigation. In this study, we generate two datasets of RNA-seq profiles of the mouse (Mus musculus) testis under light-dark (LD) cycle. The first dataset included 18,613 unannotated transcripts measured at 12 time points, each with duplicate samples, under LD conditions; while the second dataset included 21,414 unannotated transcripts measured at six time points, each with three replicates, under desynchronized and control conditions. We identified 5964 testicular lncRNAs in each dataset by BLASTing these transcripts against the known mouse lncRNAs from the NONCODE database. MetaCycle analyses were performed to identify 519, 475, and 494 rhythmically expressed mouse testicular lncRNAs in the 12-time-point dataset, the six-time-point control dataset, and the six-time-point desynchronized dataset, respectively. A comparison of the expression profiles of the lncRNAs under desynchronized and control conditions revealed that 427 rhythmically expressed lncRNAs from the control condition became arrhythmic under the desynchronized condition, suggesting a possible loss of rhythmicity. In contrast, 446 arrhythmic lncRNAs from the control condition became rhythmic under the desynchronized condition, suggesting a possible gain of rhythmicity. Interestingly, 48 lncRNAs were rhythmically expressed under both desynchronized and control conditions. These oscillating lncRNAs were divided into morning lncRNAs, evening lncRNAs, and night lncRNAs based on their time-course expression patterns. We interrogated the promoter regions of these rhythmically expressed mouse testicular lncRNAs to predict their possible regulation by the E-box, D-box, or RORE promoter motifs. GO and KEGG analyses were performed to identify the possible biological functions of these rhythmically expressed mouse testicular lncRNAs. Further, we conducted conservation analyses of the rhythmically expressed mouse testicular lncRNAs with lncRNAs from humans, rats, and zebrafish, and uncovered three mouse testicular lncRNAs conserved across these four species. Finally, we computationally predicted the conserved lncRNA-encoded peptides and their 3D structures from each of the four species. Taken together, our study revealed thousands of rhythmically expressed lncRNAs in the mouse testis, setting the stage for further computational and experimental validations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shital Kumar Mishra
- Center for Circadian Clocks, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, Jiangsu, China
- School of Biology & Basic Medical Sciences, Suzhou Medical College, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, Jiangsu, China
| | - Taole Liu
- Center for Circadian Clocks, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, Jiangsu, China
- School of Biology & Basic Medical Sciences, Suzhou Medical College, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, Jiangsu, China
| | - Han Wang
- Center for Circadian Clocks, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, Jiangsu, China
- School of Biology & Basic Medical Sciences, Suzhou Medical College, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, Jiangsu, China
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2
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Saurabh S, Meier RJ, Pireva LM, Mirza RA, Cavanaugh DJ. Overlapping Central Clock Network Circuitry Regulates Circadian Feeding and Activity Rhythms in Drosophila. J Biol Rhythms 2024; 39:440-462. [PMID: 39066485 DOI: 10.1177/07487304241263734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/28/2024]
Abstract
The circadian system coordinates multiple behavioral outputs to ensure proper temporal organization. Timing information underlying circadian regulation of behavior depends on a molecular circadian clock that operates within clock neurons in the brain. In Drosophila and other organisms, clock neurons can be divided into several molecularly and functionally discrete subpopulations that form an interconnected central clock network. It is unknown how circadian signals are coherently generated by the clock network and transmitted across output circuits that connect clock cells to downstream neurons that regulate behavior. Here, we have exhaustively investigated the contribution of clock neuron subsets to the control of two prominent behavioral outputs in Drosophila: locomotor activity and feeding. We have used cell-specific manipulations to eliminate molecular clock function or induce electrical silencing either broadly throughout the clock network or in specific subpopulations. We find that clock cell manipulations produce similar changes in locomotor activity and feeding, suggesting that overlapping central clock circuitry regulates these distinct behavioral outputs. Interestingly, the magnitude and nature of the effects depend on the clock subset targeted. Lateral clock neuron manipulations profoundly degrade the rhythmicity of feeding and activity. In contrast, dorsal clock neuron manipulations only subtly affect rhythmicity but produce pronounced changes in the distribution of activity and feeding across the day. These experiments expand our knowledge of clock regulation of activity rhythms and offer the first extensive characterization of central clock control of feeding rhythms. Despite similar effects of central clock cell disruptions on activity and feeding, we find that manipulations that prevent functional signaling in an identified output circuit preferentially degrade locomotor activity rhythms, leaving feeding rhythms relatively intact. This demonstrates that activity and feeding are indeed dissociable behaviors, and furthermore suggests that differential circadian control of these behaviors diverges in output circuits downstream of the clock network.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sumit Saurabh
- Department of Biology, Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Ruth J Meier
- Department of Biology, Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Liliya M Pireva
- Department of Biology, Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Rabab A Mirza
- Department of Biology, Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
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3
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Milojevic S, Ghosh A, Makevic V, Stojkovic M, Capovilla M, Tosti T, Budimirovic D, Protic D. Circadian Rhythm and Sleep Analyses in a Fruit Fly Model of Fragile X Syndrome Using a Video-Based Automated Behavioral Research System. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:7949. [PMID: 39063191 PMCID: PMC11277495 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25147949] [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] [Received: 05/28/2024] [Revised: 07/09/2024] [Accepted: 07/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is caused by the full mutation in the FMR1 gene on the Xq27.3 chromosome region. It is the most common monogenic cause of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and inherited intellectual disability (ID). Besides ASD and ID and other symptoms, individuals with FXS may exhibit sleep problems and impairment of circadian rhythm (CR). The Drosophila melanogaster models of FXS, such as dFMR1B55, represent excellent models for research in the FXS field. During this study, sleep patterns and CR in dFMR1B55 mutants were analyzed, using a new platform based on continuous high-resolution videography integrated with a highly-customized version of an open-source software. This methodology provides more sensitive results, which could be crucial for all further research in this model of fruit flies. The study revealed that dFMR1B55 male mutants sleep more and can be considered weak rhythmic flies rather than totally arrhythmic and present a good alternative animal model of genetic disorder, which includes impairment of CR and sleep behavior. The combination of affordable videography and software used in the current study is a significant improvement over previous methods and will enable broader adaptation of such high-resolution behavior monitoring methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Milojevic
- Department of Pharmacology, Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia; (S.M.); (M.S.)
| | - Arijit Ghosh
- Chronobiology and Behavioral Neurogenetics Laboratory, Neuroscience Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Center for Advanced Scientific Research, Jakkur, Bangalore 560064, India;
| | - Vedrana Makevic
- Department of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia;
| | - Maja Stojkovic
- Department of Pharmacology, Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia; (S.M.); (M.S.)
| | - Maria Capovilla
- UMR7275 CNRS-INSERM-UniCA, Institute of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology Institute, Sophia Antipolis, 06560 Valbonne, France;
| | - Tomislav Tosti
- Institute of Chemistry, Technology and Metallurgy, National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia;
| | - Dejan Budimirovic
- Department of Psychiatry, Fragile X Clinic, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA;
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences-Child Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Dragana Protic
- Department of Pharmacology, Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia; (S.M.); (M.S.)
- Fragile X Clinic, Special Hospital for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Neurology, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
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4
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d’Almeida NA, Tipping M. Flight to insight: maximizing the potential of Drosophila models of C9orf72-FTD. Front Mol Neurosci 2024; 17:1434443. [PMID: 38915937 PMCID: PMC11194461 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2024.1434443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Advancements in understanding the pathogenesis of C9orf72-associated frontotemporal dementia (C9orf72-FTD) have highlighted the role of repeat-associated non-ATG (RAN) translation and dipeptide repeat proteins (DPRs), with Drosophila melanogaster models providing valuable insights. While studies have primarily focused on RAN translation and DPR toxicity, emerging areas of investigation in fly models have expanded to neuronal dysfunction, autophagy impairment, and synaptic dysfunction, providing potential directions for new therapeutic targets and mechanisms of neurodegeneration. Despite this progress, there are still significant gaps in Drosophila models of C9orf72-FTD, namely in the areas of metabolism and circadian rhythm. Metabolic dysregulation, particularly lipid metabolism, autophagy, and insulin signaling, has been implicated in disease progression with findings from animal models and human patients with C9orf72 repeat expansions. Moreover, circadian disruptions have been observed in C9of72-FTD, with alterations in rest-activity patterns and cellular circadian machinery, suggesting a potential role in disease pathophysiology. Drosophila models offer unique opportunities to explore these aspects of C9orf72-FTD and identify novel therapeutic targets aimed at mitigating neurodegeneration.
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Ma D, Ojha P, Yu AD, Araujo MS, Luo W, Keefer E, Díaz MM, Wu M, Joiner WJ, Abruzzi KC, Rosbash M. Timeless noncoding DNA contains cell-type preferential enhancers important for proper Drosophila circadian regulation. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2321338121. [PMID: 38568969 PMCID: PMC11009632 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2321338121] [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] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
To address the contribution of transcriptional regulation to Drosophila clock gene expression and to behavior, we generated a series of CRISPR-mediated deletions within two regions of the circadian gene timeless (tim), an intronic E-box region and an upstream E-box region that are both recognized by the key transcription factor Clock (Clk) and its heterodimeric partner Cycle. The upstream deletions but not an intronic deletion dramatically impact tim expression in fly heads; the biggest upstream deletion reduces peak RNA levels and tim RNA cycling amplitude to about 15% of normal, and there are similar effects on tim protein (TIM). The cycling amplitude of other clock genes is also strongly reduced, in these cases due to increases in trough levels. These data underscore the important contribution of the upstream E-box enhancer region to tim expression and of TIM to clock gene transcriptional repression in fly heads. Surprisingly, tim expression in clock neurons is only modestly affected by the biggest upstream deletion and is similarly affected by a deletion of the intronic E-box region. This distinction between clock neurons and glia is paralleled by a dramatically enhanced accessibility of the intronic enhancer region within clock neurons. This distinctive feature of tim chromatin was revealed by ATAC-seq (assay for transposase-accessible chromatin with sequencing) assays of purified neurons and glia as well as of fly heads. The enhanced cell type-specific accessibility of the intronic enhancer region explains the resilience of clock neuron tim expression and circadian behavior to deletion of the otherwise more prominent upstream tim E-box region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dingbang Ma
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai201210, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Aging Studies, Shanghai201210, China
| | - Pranav Ojha
- HHMI, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA02453
- Department of Biology, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA02453
| | - Albert D. Yu
- HHMI, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA02453
- Department of Biology, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA02453
| | - Maisa S. Araujo
- Laboratory of Entomology, Fiocruz Rondônia and Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Experimental/Programa Nacional de Pós-Doutorado, Federal University Foundation of Rondônia, Porto Velho76801-974, Brazil
| | - Weifei Luo
- Guangxi Academy of Sciences, Nanning530003, China
| | - Evelyn Keefer
- HHMI, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA02453
- Department of Biology, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA02453
| | - Madelen M. Díaz
- The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL33136
| | - Meilin Wu
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA92093
| | - William J. Joiner
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA92093
- Center for Circadian Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA92093
| | - Katharine C. Abruzzi
- HHMI, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA02453
- Department of Biology, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA02453
| | - Michael Rosbash
- HHMI, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA02453
- Department of Biology, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA02453
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Rodrigues NR, Macedo GE, Martins IK, Vieira PDB, Kich KG, Posser T, Franco JL. Sleep disturbance induces a modulation of clock gene expression and alters metabolism regulation in drosophila. Physiol Behav 2023; 271:114334. [PMID: 37595818 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2023.114334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Revised: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/20/2023]
Abstract
Sleep disorders are catching attention worldwide as they can induce dyshomeostasis and health issues in all animals, including humans. Circadian rhythms are biological 24-hour cycles that influence physiology and behavior in all living organisms. Sleep is a crucial resting state for survival and is under the control of circadian rhythms. Studies have shown the influence of sleep on various pathological conditions, including metabolic diseases; however, the biological mechanisms involving the circadian clock, sleep, and metabolism regulation are not well understood. In previous work, we standardized a sleep disturbance protocol and, observed that short-time sleep deprivation and sleep-pattern alteration induce homeostatic sleep regulation, locomotor deficits, and increase oxidative stress. Now, we investigated the relationship between these alterations with the circadian clock and energetic metabolism. In this study, we evaluated the expression of the circadian clock and drosophila insulin-like peptides (DILPs) genes and metabolic markers glucose, triglycerides, and glycogen in fruit flies subjected to short-term sleep disruption protocols. The sleep disturbance altered the expression of clock genes and DILPs genes expression, and modulated glucose, triglycerides, and glycogen levels. Moreover, we demonstrated changes in mTor/dFoxo genes, AKT phosphorylation, and dopamine levels in nocturnal light-exposed flies. Thus, our results suggest a connection between clock genes and metabolism disruption as a consequence of sleep disruption, demonstrating the importance of sleep quality in health maintenance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathane Rosa Rodrigues
- Grupo de Pesquisa Estresse Oxidativo e Sinalização Celular, Centro Interdisciplinar de Pesquisas em Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Pampa (UNIPAMPA), São Gabriel, RS, 97307-020, Brazil; Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, CCNE, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria Santa Maria, RS, 97105-900, Brazil.
| | - Giulianna Echeverria Macedo
- Grupo de Pesquisa Estresse Oxidativo e Sinalização Celular, Centro Interdisciplinar de Pesquisas em Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Pampa (UNIPAMPA), São Gabriel, RS, 97307-020, Brazil
| | - Illana Kemmerich Martins
- Grupo de Pesquisa Estresse Oxidativo e Sinalização Celular, Centro Interdisciplinar de Pesquisas em Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Pampa (UNIPAMPA), São Gabriel, RS, 97307-020, Brazil
| | - Patrícia de Brum Vieira
- Grupo de Pesquisa Estresse Oxidativo e Sinalização Celular, Centro Interdisciplinar de Pesquisas em Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Pampa (UNIPAMPA), São Gabriel, RS, 97307-020, Brazil
| | - Karen Gomes Kich
- Grupo de Pesquisa Estresse Oxidativo e Sinalização Celular, Centro Interdisciplinar de Pesquisas em Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Pampa (UNIPAMPA), São Gabriel, RS, 97307-020, Brazil
| | - Thaís Posser
- Grupo de Pesquisa Estresse Oxidativo e Sinalização Celular, Centro Interdisciplinar de Pesquisas em Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Pampa (UNIPAMPA), São Gabriel, RS, 97307-020, Brazil
| | - Jeferson Luis Franco
- Grupo de Pesquisa Estresse Oxidativo e Sinalização Celular, Centro Interdisciplinar de Pesquisas em Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Pampa (UNIPAMPA), São Gabriel, RS, 97307-020, Brazil; Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, CCNE, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria Santa Maria, RS, 97105-900, Brazil
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7
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Gonulkirmaz-Cancalar O, Shertzer O, Bloch G. Bumble Bees ( Bombus terrestris) Use Time-Memory to Associate Reward with Color and Time of Day. INSECTS 2023; 14:707. [PMID: 37623417 PMCID: PMC10455649 DOI: 10.3390/insects14080707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Revised: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
Circadian clocks regulate ecologically important complex behaviors in honey bees, but it is not clear whether similar capacities exist in other species of bees. One key behavior influenced by circadian clocks is time-memory, which enables foraging bees to precisely time flower visitation to periods of maximal pollen or nectar availability and reduces the costs of visiting a non-rewarding flower patch. Bumble bees live in smaller societies and typically forage over shorter distances than honey bees, and it is therefore not clear whether they can similarly associate reward with time of day. We trained individually marked bumble bee (Bombus terrestris) workers to forage for sugar syrup in a flight cage with yellow or blue feeders rewarding either during the morning or evening. After training for over two weeks, we recorded all visitations to colored feeders filled with only water. We performed two experiments, each with a different colony. We found that bees tended to show higher foraging activity during the morning and evening training sessions compared to other times during the day. During the test day, the trained bees were more likely to visit the rewarding rather than the non-rewarding colored feeders at the same time of day during the test sessions, indicating that they associated time of day and color with the sugar syrup reward. These observations lend credence to the hypothesis that bumble bees have efficient time-memory, indicating that this complex behavior is not limited to honey bees that evolved sophisticated social foraging behaviors over large distances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ozlem Gonulkirmaz-Cancalar
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior, The Alexander A. Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Givat-Ram, Jerusalem 91904, Israel; (O.G.-C.); (O.S.)
| | - Oded Shertzer
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior, The Alexander A. Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Givat-Ram, Jerusalem 91904, Israel; (O.G.-C.); (O.S.)
| | - Guy Bloch
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior, The Alexander A. Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Givat-Ram, Jerusalem 91904, Israel; (O.G.-C.); (O.S.)
- The Federmann Center for the Study of Rationality, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91904, Israel
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Bergmann S, Bohn MC, Dornbusch S, Becker SC, Stern M. Influence of RVFV Infection on Olfactory Perception and Behavior in Drosophila melanogaster. Pathogens 2023; 12:pathogens12040558. [PMID: 37111444 PMCID: PMC10142484 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12040558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023] Open
Abstract
In blood-feeding dipterans, olfaction plays a role in finding hosts and, hence, in spreading pathogens. Several pathogens are known to alter olfactory responses and behavior in vectors. As a mosquito-borne pathogen, Rift Valley Fever Virus (RVFV) can affect humans and cause great losses in livestock. We test the influence of RVFV infection on sensory perception, olfactory choice behavior and activity on a non-biting insect, Drosophila melanogaster, using electroantennograms (EAG), Y-maze, and locomotor activity monitor. Flies were injected with RVFV MP12 strain. Replication of RVFV and its persistence for at least seven days was confirmed by quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (RT-qPCR). One day post injection, infected flies showed weaker EAG responses towards 1-hexanol, vinegar, and ethyl acetate. In the Y-maze, infected flies showed a significantly lower response for 1-hexanol compared to uninfected flies. At days six or seven post infection, no significant difference between infected and control flies could be found in EAG or Y-maze anymore. Activity of infected flies was reduced at both time points. We found an upregulation of the immune-response gene, nitric oxide synthase, in infected flies. An infection with RVFV is able to transiently reduce olfactory perception and attraction towards food-related odors in Drosophila, while effects on activity and immune effector gene expression persist. A similar effect in blood-feeding insects could affect vector competence in RVFV transmitting dipterans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stella Bergmann
- Institute for Physiology and Cell Biology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, 30173 Hannover, Germany
| | - Maja C. Bohn
- Institute for Physiology and Cell Biology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, 30173 Hannover, Germany
| | - Susann Dornbusch
- Institute for Parasitology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, 30559 Hannover, Germany
| | - Stefanie C. Becker
- Institute for Parasitology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, 30559 Hannover, Germany
| | - Michael Stern
- Institute for Physiology and Cell Biology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, 30173 Hannover, Germany
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9
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Zadeh-Haghighi H, Simon C. Magnetic field effects in biology from the perspective of the radical pair mechanism. J R Soc Interface 2022; 19:20220325. [PMID: 35919980 PMCID: PMC9346374 DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2022.0325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 04/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Hundreds of studies have found that weak magnetic fields can significantly influence various biological systems. However, the underlying mechanisms behind these phenomena remain elusive. Remarkably, the magnetic energies implicated in these effects are much smaller than thermal energies. Here, we review these observations, and we suggest an explanation based on the radical pair mechanism, which involves the quantum dynamics of the electron and nuclear spins of transient radical molecules. While the radical pair mechanism has been studied in detail in the context of avian magnetoreception, the studies reviewed here show that magnetosensitivity is widespread throughout biology. We review magnetic field effects on various physiological functions, discussing static, hypomagnetic and oscillating magnetic fields, as well as isotope effects. We then review the radical pair mechanism as a potential unifying model for the described magnetic field effects, and we discuss plausible candidate molecules for the radical pairs. We review recent studies proposing that the radical pair mechanism provides explanations for isotope effects in xenon anaesthesia and lithium treatment of hyperactivity, magnetic field effects on the circadian clock, and hypomagnetic field effects on neurogenesis and microtubule assembly. We conclude by discussing future lines of investigation in this exciting new area of quantum biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hadi Zadeh-Haghighi
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2N 1N4
- Institute for Quantum Science and Technology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2N 1N4
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2N 1N4
| | - Christoph Simon
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2N 1N4
- Institute for Quantum Science and Technology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2N 1N4
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2N 1N4
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10
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Geissmann Q, Abram PK, Wu D, Haney CH, Carrillo J. Sticky Pi is a high-frequency smart trap that enables the study of insect circadian activity under natural conditions. PLoS Biol 2022; 20:e3001689. [PMID: 35797311 PMCID: PMC9262196 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3001689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
In the face of severe environmental crises that threaten insect biodiversity, new technologies are imperative to monitor both the identity and ecology of insect species. Traditionally, insect surveys rely on manual collection of traps, which provide abundance data but mask the large intra- and interday variations in insect activity, an important facet of their ecology. Although laboratory studies have shown that circadian processes are central to insects' biological functions, from feeding to reproduction, we lack the high-frequency monitoring tools to study insect circadian biology in the field. To address these issues, we developed the Sticky Pi, a novel, autonomous, open-source, insect trap that acquires images of sticky cards every 20 minutes. Using custom deep learning algorithms, we automatically and accurately scored where, when, and which insects were captured. First, we validated our device in controlled laboratory conditions with a classic chronobiological model organism, Drosophila melanogaster. Then, we deployed an array of Sticky Pis to the field to characterise the daily activity of an agricultural pest, Drosophila suzukii, and its parasitoid wasps. Finally, we demonstrate the wide scope of our smart trap by describing the sympatric arrangement of insect temporal niches in a community, without targeting particular taxa a priori. Together, the automatic identification and high sampling rate of our tool provide biologists with unique data that impacts research far beyond chronobiology, with applications to biodiversity monitoring and pest control as well as fundamental implications for phenology, behavioural ecology, and ecophysiology. We released the Sticky Pi project as an open community resource on https://doc.sticky-pi.com.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quentin Geissmann
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Michael Smith Laboratories, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Faculty of Land and Food Systems, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver (Unceded xʼməθkʼəýəm Musqueam Territory), British Columbia, Canada
| | - Paul K. Abram
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Agassiz, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Di Wu
- Faculty of Land and Food Systems, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver (Unceded xʼməθkʼəýəm Musqueam Territory), British Columbia, Canada
| | - Cara H. Haney
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Michael Smith Laboratories, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Juli Carrillo
- Faculty of Land and Food Systems, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver (Unceded xʼməθkʼəýəm Musqueam Territory), British Columbia, Canada
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11
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Iyengar AS, Kulkarni R, Sheeba V. Under warm ambient conditions, Drosophila melanogaster suppresses nighttime activity via the neuropeptide pigment dispersing factor. GENES, BRAIN, AND BEHAVIOR 2022; 21:e12802. [PMID: 35285135 PMCID: PMC9744560 DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2021] [Revised: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Rhythmic locomotor behaviour of flies is controlled by an endogenous time-keeping mechanism, the circadian clock, and is influenced by environmental temperatures. Flies inherently prefer cool temperatures around 25°C, and under such conditions, time their locomotor activity to occur at dawn and dusk. Under relatively warmer conditions such as 30°C, flies shift their activity into the night, advancing their morning activity bout into the early morning, before lights-ON, and delaying their evening activity into early night. The molecular basis for such temperature-dependent behavioural modulation has been associated with core circadian clock genes, but the neuronal basis is not yet clear. Under relatively cool temperatures such as 25°C, the role of the circadian pacemaker ventrolateral neurons (LNvs), along with a major neuropeptide secreted by them, pigment dispersing factor (PDF), has been showed in regulating various aspects of locomotor activity rhythms. However, the role of the LNvs and PDF in warm temperature-mediated behavioural modulation has not been explored. We show here that flies lacking proper PDF signalling or the LNvs altogether, cannot suppress their locomotor activity resulting in loss of sleep during the middle of the night, and thus describe a novel role for PDF signalling and the LNvs in behavioural modulation under warm ambient conditions. In a rapidly warming world, such behavioural plasticity may enable organisms to respond to harsh temperatures in the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aishwariya Srikala Iyengar
- Chronobiology and Behavioural Neurogenetics LaboratoryNeuroscience Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific ResearchBangaloreIndia
| | - Rutvij Kulkarni
- Chronobiology and Behavioural Neurogenetics LaboratoryNeuroscience Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific ResearchBangaloreIndia
| | - Vasu Sheeba
- Chronobiology and Behavioural Neurogenetics LaboratoryNeuroscience Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific ResearchBangaloreIndia
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12
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Foo M, Akman OE, Bates DG. Restoring circadian gene profiles in clock networks using synthetic feedback control. NPJ Syst Biol Appl 2022; 8:7. [PMID: 35169147 PMCID: PMC8847486 DOI: 10.1038/s41540-022-00216-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The circadian system-an organism's built-in biological clock-is responsible for orchestrating biological processes to adapt to diurnal and seasonal variations. Perturbations to the circadian system (e.g., pathogen attack, sudden environmental change) often result in pathophysiological responses (e.g., jetlag in humans, stunted growth in plants, etc.) In view of this, synthetic biologists are progressively adapting the idea of employing synthetic feedback control circuits to alleviate the effects of perturbations on circadian systems. To facilitate the design of such controllers, suitable models are required. Here, we extend our recently developed model for the plant circadian clock-termed the extended S-System model-to model circadian systems across different kingdoms of life. We then use this modeling strategy to develop a design framework, based on an antithetic integral feedback (AIF) controller, to restore a gene's circadian profile when it is subject to loss-of-function due to external perturbations. The use of the AIF controller is motivated by its recent successful experimental implementation. Our findings provide circadian biologists with a systematic and general modeling and design approach for implementing synthetic feedback control of circadian systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathias Foo
- School of Mechanical, Aerospace and Automotive Engineering, Coventry University, Coventry, CV1 5FB, UK
- School of Engineering, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK
| | - Ozgur E Akman
- College of Engineering, Mathematics and Physical Science, University of Exeter, Exeter, EX4 4QF, UK
| | - Declan G Bates
- Warwick Integrative Synthetic Biology Centre, School of Engineering, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK.
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13
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Aggarwal P, Thapliyal D, Sarkar S. The past and present of Drosophila models of Traumatic Brain Injury. J Neurosci Methods 2022; 371:109533. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2022.109533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Revised: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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14
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The Statin Target HMG-Coenzyme a Reductase (Hmgcr) Regulates Sleep Homeostasis in Drosophila. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15010079. [PMID: 35056136 PMCID: PMC8781969 DOI: 10.3390/ph15010079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Revised: 12/28/2021] [Accepted: 12/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Statins, HMG Coenzyme A Reductase (HMGCR) inhibitors, are a first-line therapy, used to reduce hypercholesterolemia and the risk for cardiovascular events. While sleep disturbances are recognized as a side-effect of statin treatment, the impact of statins on sleep is under debate. Using Drosophila, we discovered a novel role for Hmgcr in sleep modulation. Loss of pan-neuronal Hmgcr expression affects fly sleep behavior, causing a decrease in sleep latency and an increase in sleep episode duration. We localized the pars intercerebralis (PI), equivalent to the mammalian hypothalamus, as the region within the fly brain requiring Hmgcr activity for proper sleep maintenance. Lack of Hmgcr expression in the PI insulin-producing cells recapitulates the sleep effects of pan-neuronal Hmgcr knockdown. Conversely, loss of Hmgcr in a different PI subpopulation, the corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) homologue-expressing neurons (DH44 neurons), increases sleep latency and decreases sleep duration. The requirement for Hmgcr activity in different neurons signifies its importance in sleep regulation. Interestingly, loss of Hmgcr in the PI does not affect circadian rhythm, suggesting that Hmgcr regulates sleep by pathways distinct from the circadian clock. Taken together, these findings suggest that Hmgcr activity in the PI is essential for proper sleep homeostasis in flies.
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15
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Zadeh-Haghighi H, Simon C. Radical pairs can explain magnetic field and lithium effects on the circadian clock. Sci Rep 2022; 12:269. [PMID: 34997158 PMCID: PMC8742017 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-04334-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Drosophila's circadian clock can be perturbed by magnetic fields, as well as by lithium administration. Cryptochromes are critical for the circadian clock. Further, the radical pairs in cryptochrome also can explain magnetoreception in animals. Based on a simple radical pair mechanism model of the animal magnetic compass, we show that both magnetic fields and lithium can influence the spin dynamics of the naturally occurring radical pairs and hence modulate the circadian clock's rhythms. Using a simple chemical oscillator model for the circadian clock, we show that the spin dynamics influence a rate in the chemical oscillator model, which translates into a change in the circadian period. Our model can reproduce the results of two independent experiments, magnetic field and lithium effects on the circadian clock. Our model predicts that stronger magnetic fields would shorten the clock's period. We also predict that lithium influences the clock in an isotope-dependent manner. Furthermore, our model also predicts that magnetic fields and hyperfine interactions modulate oxidative stress. The findings of this work suggest that the quantum nature of radical pairs might play roles in the brain, as another piece of evidence in addition to recent results on xenon anesthesia and lithium effects on hyperactivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hadi Zadeh-Haghighi
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4, Canada.
- Institute for Quantum Science and Technology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4, Canada.
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4, Canada.
| | - Christoph Simon
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4, Canada.
- Institute for Quantum Science and Technology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4, Canada.
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4, Canada.
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16
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Hundreds of LncRNAs Display Circadian Rhythmicity in Zebrafish Larvae. Cells 2021; 10:cells10113173. [PMID: 34831396 PMCID: PMC8620895 DOI: 10.3390/cells10113173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2021] [Revised: 11/06/2021] [Accepted: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been shown to play crucial roles in various life processes, including circadian rhythms. Although next generation sequencing technologies have facilitated faster profiling of lncRNAs, the resulting datasets require sophisticated computational analyses. In particular, the regulatory roles of lncRNAs in circadian clocks are far from being completely understood. In this study, we conducted RNA-seq-based transcriptome analysis of zebrafish larvae under both constant darkness (DD) and constant light (LL) conditions in a circadian manner, employing state-of-the-art computational approaches to identify approximately 3220 lncRNAs from zebrafish larvae, and then uncovered 269 and 309 lncRNAs displaying circadian rhythmicity under DD and LL conditions, respectively, with 30 of them are coexpressed under both DD and LL conditions. Subsequently, GO, COG, and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses of all these circadianly expressed lncRNAs suggested their potential involvement in numerous biological processes. Comparison of these circadianly expressed zebrafish larval lncRNAs, with rhythmically expressed lncRNAs in the zebrafish pineal gland and zebrafish testis, revealed that nine (DD) and twelve (LL) larval lncRNAs are coexpressed in the zebrafish pineal gland and testis, respectively. Intriguingly, among peptides encoded by these coexpressing circadianly expressed lncRNAs, three peptides (DD) and one peptide (LL) were found to have the known domains from the Protein Data Bank. Further, the conservation analysis of these circadianly expressed zebrafish larval lncRNAs with human and mouse genomes uncovered one lncRNA and four lncRNAs shared by all three species under DD and LL conditions, respectively. We also investigated the conserved lncRNA-encoded peptides and found one peptide under DD condition conserved in these three species and computationally predicted its 3D structure and functions. Our study reveals that hundreds of lncRNAs from zebrafish larvae exhibit circadian rhythmicity and should help set the stage for their further functional studies.
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17
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Liu W, Cao H, Liao S, Kudłak B, Williams MJ, Schiöth HB. Dibutyl phthalate disrupts conserved circadian rhythm in Drosophila and human cells. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 783:147038. [PMID: 34088158 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.147038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2021] [Revised: 03/18/2021] [Accepted: 04/05/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
People are constantly exposed to phthalates, due to their common use in the production of plastics, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and skin care products. The ability of phthalates to disrupt endocrine signaling, leading to developmental, reproductive and metabolic defects, has been studied, yet how phthalates interfere with these biological functions is still unclear. To uncover DBP interacting molecular pathways, we raised Drosophila melanogaster on food containing dibutyl phthalate (DBP) at various concentrations. Whole transcriptome analysis of adult Drosophila reveals that DBP exposure throughout development disrupts the expression of genes central to circadian rhythm regulation, including increased expression of vrille (vri, human NFIL3), timeless (tim, human TIMELESS) and period (per, human PER3), with decreased expression of Pigment-dispersing factor (Pdf). DBP exposure also alters the expression of the evolutionarily conserved nuclear receptor Hormone receptor-like in 38 (Hr38, human NR4A2), which is known to regulate Pdf expression. Furthermore, behavioral assays determined that exposing Drosophila to DBP throughout development modifies the circadian rhythm of adults. Although DBP inhibits the expression of signaling systems regulating vision, including Rh5 and Rh6, two light-sensing G-protein coupled receptors involved in the daily resetting of circadian rhythm, it does not influence eye development. Circadian rhythm genes are well conserved from flies to humans; therefore, we tested the effect of DBP exposure on human breast cells (MCF10A) and demonstrate that, similar to the fruit fly model, this exposure disrupts circadian rhythm (BMAL1 expression) at doses that promote the proliferation and migration ability of MCF10A cells. Our results are the first to provide comprehensive evidence that DBP interferes with circadian rhythm in both adult Drosophila and human cells, which may help to explain the broad physiological action of phthalates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen Liu
- Functional Pharmacology, Department of Neuroscience, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Hao Cao
- Functional Pharmacology, Department of Neuroscience, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Sifang Liao
- Functional Pharmacology, Department of Neuroscience, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Błażej Kudłak
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Gdańsk University of Technology, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Michael J Williams
- Functional Pharmacology, Department of Neuroscience, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Helgi B Schiöth
- Functional Pharmacology, Department of Neuroscience, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden; Institute of Translational Medicine and Biotechnology, I. M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia
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18
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Mishra SK, Liu T, Wang H. Identification of Rhythmically Expressed LncRNAs in the Zebrafish Pineal Gland and Testis. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:7810. [PMID: 34360576 PMCID: PMC8346003 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22157810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2021] [Revised: 07/19/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Noncoding RNAs have been known to contribute to a variety of fundamental life processes, such as development, metabolism, and circadian rhythms. However, much remains unrevealed in the huge noncoding RNA datasets, which require further bioinformatic analysis and experimental investigation-and in particular, the coding potential of lncRNAs and the functions of lncRNA-encoded peptides have not been comprehensively studied to date. Through integrating the time-course experimentation with state-of-the-art computational techniques, we studied tens of thousands of zebrafish lncRNAs from our own experiments and from a published study including time-series transcriptome analyses of the testis and the pineal gland. Rhythmicity analysis of these data revealed approximately 700 rhythmically expressed lncRNAs from the pineal gland and the testis, and their GO, COG, and KEGG pathway functions were analyzed. Comparative and conservative analyses determined 14 rhythmically expressed lncRNAs shared between both the pineal gland and the testis, and 15 pineal gland lncRNAs as well as 3 testis lncRNAs conserved among zebrafish, mice, and humans. Further, we computationally analyzed the conserved lncRNA-encoded peptides, and revealed three pineal gland and one testis lncRNA-encoded peptides conserved among these three species, which were further investigated for their three-dimensional (3D) structures and potential functions. Our computational findings provided novel annotations and regulatory mechanisms for hundreds of rhythmically expressed pineal gland and testis lncRNAs in zebrafish, and set the stage for their experimental studies in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shital Kumar Mishra
- Center for Circadian Clocks, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China; (S.K.M.); (T.L.)
- School of Biology & Basic Medical Sciences, Medical College, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Taole Liu
- Center for Circadian Clocks, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China; (S.K.M.); (T.L.)
- School of Biology & Basic Medical Sciences, Medical College, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Han Wang
- Center for Circadian Clocks, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China; (S.K.M.); (T.L.)
- School of Biology & Basic Medical Sciences, Medical College, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China
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19
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Aluru N, Krick KS, McDonald AM, Karchner SI. Developmental Exposure to PCB153 (2,2',4,4',5,5'-Hexachlorobiphenyl) Alters Circadian Rhythms and the Expression of Clock and Metabolic Genes. Toxicol Sci 2021; 173:41-52. [PMID: 31621872 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfz217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are highly persistent and ubiquitously distributed environmental pollutants. Based on their chemical structure, PCBs are classified into non-ortho-substituted and ortho-substituted congeners. Non-ortho-substituted PCBs are structurally similar to dioxin and their toxic effects and mode of action are well-established. In contrast, very little is known about the effects of ortho-substituted PCBs, particularly, during early development. The objective of this study is to investigate the effects of exposure to an environmentally prominent ortho-substituted PCB (2,2',4,4',5,5'-hexachlorobiphenyl; PCB153) on zebrafish embryos. We exposed zebrafish embryos to 3 different concentrations of PCB153 starting from 4 to 120 hours post-fertilization (hpf). We quantified gross morphological changes, behavioral phenotypes, gene expression changes, and circadian behavior in the larvae. There were no developmental defects during the exposure period, but starting at 7 dpf, we observed spinal deformity in the 10 μM PCB153 treated group. A total of 633, 2227, and 3378 differentially expressed genes were observed in 0.1 μM (0.036 μg/ml), 1 μM (0.36 μg/ml), and 10 μM (3.6 μg/ml) PCB153-treated embryos, respectively. Of these, 301 genes were common to all treatment groups. KEGG pathway analysis revealed enrichment of genes related to circadian rhythm, FoxO signaling, and insulin resistance pathways. Behavioral analysis revealed that PCB153 exposure significantly alters circadian behavior. Disruption of circadian rhythms has been associated with the development of metabolic and neurological diseases. Thus, understanding the mechanisms of action of environmental chemicals in disrupting metabolism and other physiological processes is essential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neelakanteswar Aluru
- Biology Department, Woods Hole Center for Oceans and Human Health, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, Massachusetts 02543
| | - Keegan S Krick
- Biology Department, Woods Hole Center for Oceans and Human Health, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, Massachusetts 02543
| | - Adriane M McDonald
- Biology Department, Woods Hole Center for Oceans and Human Health, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, Massachusetts 02543.,Biology Department, Spelman College, Atlanta, Georgia 30314
| | - Sibel I Karchner
- Biology Department, Woods Hole Center for Oceans and Human Health, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, Massachusetts 02543
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20
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Association between the Effects of High Temperature on Fertility and Sleep in Female Intra-Specific Hybrids of Drosophila melanogaster. INSECTS 2021; 12:insects12040336. [PMID: 33918720 PMCID: PMC8069354 DOI: 10.3390/insects12040336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Revised: 03/25/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Humans and fruit flies demonstrate similarity in sleep-wake behavior, e.g., in the pattern of sleep disturbances caused by an exposure to high temperature. Although research has provided evidence for a clear connection between sleeping problems and infertility in women, very little is known regarding the mechanisms underlying this connection. Studies of dysgenic crosses of fruit flies revealed that an exposure to elevated temperature induces sterility in female intra-specific hybrids exclusively in one of two cross directions (progeny of Canton-S females crossed with Harwich males). Given the complexity and limitations of human studies, this fruit flies' model of temperature-sensitive sterility might be used for testing whether the effects of high temperature on fertility and on 24-h sleep pattern are inter-related. To document this pattern, 315 hybrids were kept for at least five days in constant darkness at 20 °C and 29 °C. No evidence was found for a causal link between sterility and sleep disturbance. However, a diminished thermal responsiveness of sleep was shown by females with temperature-induced sterility, while significant responses to high temperature were still observed in fertile females obtained by crossing in the opposite direction (i.e., Canton-S males with Harwich females) and in fertile males from either cross.
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21
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Song BJ, Sharp SJ, Rogulja D. Daily rewiring of a neural circuit generates a predictive model of environmental light. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2021; 7:7/13/eabe4284. [PMID: 33762336 PMCID: PMC7990339 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abe4284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2020] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Behavioral responsiveness to external stimulation is shaped by context. We studied how sensory information can be contextualized, by examining light-evoked locomotor responsiveness of Drosophila relative to time of day. We found that light elicits an acute increase in locomotion (startle) that is modulated in a time-of-day-dependent manner: Startle is potentiated during the nighttime, when light is unexpected, but is suppressed during the daytime. The internal daytime-nighttime context is generated by two interconnected and functionally opposing populations of circadian neurons-LNvs generating the daytime state and DN1as generating the nighttime state. Switching between the two states requires daily remodeling of LNv and DN1a axons such that the maximum presynaptic area in one population coincides with the minimum in the other. We propose that a dynamic model of environmental light resides in the shifting connectivities of the LNv-DN1a circuit, which helps animals evaluate ongoing conditions and choose a behavioral response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bryan J Song
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Slater J Sharp
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Dragana Rogulja
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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22
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Veedin Rajan VB, Häfker NS, Arboleda E, Poehn B, Gossenreiter T, Gerrard E, Hofbauer M, Mühlestein C, Bileck A, Gerner C, Ribera d'Alcala M, Buia MC, Hartl M, Lucas RJ, Tessmar-Raible K. Seasonal variation in UVA light drives hormonal and behavioural changes in a marine annelid via a ciliary opsin. Nat Ecol Evol 2021; 5:204-218. [PMID: 33432133 PMCID: PMC7611595 DOI: 10.1038/s41559-020-01356-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2020] [Accepted: 10/22/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The right timing of animal physiology and behaviour ensures the stability of populations and ecosystems. To predict anthropogenic impacts on these timings, more insight is needed into the interplay between environment and molecular timing mechanisms. This is particularly true in marine environments. Using high-resolution, long-term daylight measurements from a habitat of the marine annelid Platynereis dumerilii, we found that temporal changes in ultraviolet A (UVA)/deep violet intensities, more than longer wavelengths, can provide annual time information, which differs from annual changes in the photoperiod. We developed experimental set-ups that resemble natural daylight illumination conditions, and automated, quantifiable behavioural tracking. Experimental reduction of UVA/deep violet light (approximately 370-430 nm) under a long photoperiod (16 h light and 8 h dark) significantly decreased locomotor activities, comparable to the decrease caused by a short photoperiod (8 h light and 16 h dark). In contrast, altering UVA/deep violet light intensities did not cause differences in locomotor levels under a short photoperiod. This modulation of locomotion by UVA/deep violet light under a long photoperiod requires c-opsin1, a UVA/deep violet sensor employing Gi signalling. C-opsin1 also regulates the levels of rate-limiting enzymes for monogenic amine synthesis and of several neurohormones, including pigment-dispersing factor, vasotocin (vasopressin/oxytocin) and neuropeptide Y. Our analyses indicate a complex inteplay between UVA/deep violet light intensities and photoperiod as indicators of annual time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vinoth Babu Veedin Rajan
- Max Perutz Labs, Vienna BioCenter, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Research Platform 'Rhythms of Life', Vienna BioCenter, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - N Sören Häfker
- Max Perutz Labs, Vienna BioCenter, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Research Platform 'Rhythms of Life', Vienna BioCenter, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Enrique Arboleda
- Max Perutz Labs, Vienna BioCenter, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Research Platform 'Rhythms of Life', Vienna BioCenter, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle de Lyon (IGFL), École Normale Supérieure de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Birgit Poehn
- Max Perutz Labs, Vienna BioCenter, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Research Platform 'Rhythms of Life', Vienna BioCenter, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Elliot Gerrard
- Division of Neuroscience and Experimental Psychology, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Maximillian Hofbauer
- Max Perutz Labs, Vienna BioCenter, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Research Platform 'Rhythms of Life', Vienna BioCenter, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- loopbio, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Andrea Bileck
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Christopher Gerner
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | | | | | - Markus Hartl
- Max Perutz Labs, Vienna BioCenter, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Robert J Lucas
- Division of Neuroscience and Experimental Psychology, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Kristin Tessmar-Raible
- Max Perutz Labs, Vienna BioCenter, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
- Research Platform 'Rhythms of Life', Vienna BioCenter, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
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23
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Adams KL, Sun EF, Alaidrous W, de Roode JC. Constant Light and Frequent Schedule Changes Do Not Impact Resistance to Parasites in Monarch Butterflies. J Biol Rhythms 2021; 36:286-296. [PMID: 33445989 DOI: 10.1177/0748730420985312] [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: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Organisms have evolved internal biological clocks to regulate their activities based on external environmental cues, such as light, temperature, and food. Environmental disruption of these rhythms, such as caused by constant light or frequent light schedule changes, has been shown to impair development, reduce survival, and increase infection susceptibility and disease progression in numerous organisms. However, the precise role of the biological clock in host-parasite interactions is understudied and has focused on unnatural host-parasite combinations in lab-adapted inbred models. Here, we use the natural interaction between monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus) and their virulent protozoan parasite, Ophryocystis elektroscirrha, to investigate the effects of constant light and frequent light schedule changes on development, survival, and parasite susceptibility. We show that constant light exposure slows the monarchs' rate of development but does not increase susceptibility to parasitic infection. Furthermore, frequent schedule changes decrease parasite growth, but have no effect on egg-to-adult survival of infected monarchs. Interestingly, these conditions are usually disruptive to the biological clock, but do not significantly impact the clock of monarch larvae. These unexpected findings show that constant light and frequent schedule changes can uncouple host and parasite performance and highlight how natural relationships are needed to expand our understanding of clocks in host-parasite interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kandis L Adams
- Department of Biology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | | | - Wajd Alaidrous
- Department of Biology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
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24
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Plant Defence Mechanisms Are Modulated by the Circadian System. BIOLOGY 2020; 9:biology9120454. [PMID: 33317013 PMCID: PMC7763185 DOI: 10.3390/biology9120454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2020] [Revised: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary The circadian clock is an endogenous time keeping mechanism found in living organisms and their respective pathogens. Numerous studies demonstrate that rhythms generated by this internal biological oscillator regulate and modulate most of the physiological, developmental, and biochemical processes of plants. Importantly, plant defence responses have also been shown to be modulated by the host circadian clock and vice versa. In this review we discuss the current understanding of the interactions between plant immunity and the circadian system. We also describe the possibility of pathogens directly or indirectly influencing plants’ circadian rhythms and suggest that these interactions could help us devise better disease management strategies for plants. Our review raises further research questions and we conclude that experimentation should be completed to unravel the complex mechanisms underlying interactions between plant defence and the circadian system. Abstract Plant health is an important aspect of food security, with pathogens, pests, and herbivores all contributing to yield losses in crops. Plants’ defence against pathogens is complex and utilises several metabolic processes, including the circadian system, to coordinate their response. In this review, we examine how plants’ circadian rhythms contribute to defence mechanisms, particularly in response to bacterial pathogen attack. Circadian rhythms contribute to many aspects of the plant–pathogen interaction, although significant gaps in our understanding remain to be explored. We conclude that if these relationships are explored further, better disease management strategies could be revealed.
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Inducing different severities of traumatic brain injury in Drosophila using a piezoelectric actuator. Nat Protoc 2020; 16:263-282. [PMID: 33277631 DOI: 10.1038/s41596-020-00415-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Drosophila models have been instrumental in providing insights into molecular mechanisms of neurodegeneration, with wide application to human disease. The brain degeneration associated with traumatic brain injury (TBI) has been modeled in Drosophila using devices that inflict trauma on multiple parts of the fly body, including the head. However, the injuries produced by these models are not specific in location and are inconsistent between individual animals. We have recently developed a device that can be used to inflict controlled head injury to flies, resulting in physiological responses that are remarkably similar to those observed in humans with TBI. This protocol describes the construction, calibration and use of the Drosophila TBI (dTBI) device, a platform that employs a piezoelectric actuator to reproducibly deliver a force in order to briefly compress the fly head against a metal surface. The extent of head compression can be controlled through an electrical circuit, allowing the operator to set different levels of injury. The entire device can be assembled and calibrated in under a week. The device components and the necessary electrical tools are readily available and cost ~$800. The dTBI device can be used to harness the power of Drosophila genetics and perform large-scale genetic or pharmacological screens, using a 7-d post-injury survival curve to identify modifiers of injury.
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Tsurumi A, Li WX. Aging mechanisms-A perspective mostly from Drosophila. ADVANCED GENETICS (HOBOKEN, N.J.) 2020; 1:e10026. [PMID: 36619249 PMCID: PMC9744567 DOI: 10.1002/ggn2.10026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2019] [Revised: 04/04/2020] [Accepted: 04/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
A mechanistic understanding of the natural aging process, which is distinct from aging-related disease mechanisms, is essential for developing interventions to extend lifespan or healthspan. Here, we discuss current trends in aging research and address conceptual and experimental challenges in the field. We examine various molecular markers implicated in aging with an emphasis on the role of heterochromatin and epigenetic changes. Studies in model organisms have been advantageous in elucidating conserved genetic and epigenetic mechanisms and assessing interventions that affect aging. We highlight the use of Drosophila, which allows controlled studies for evaluating genetic and environmental contributors to aging conveniently. Finally, we propose the use of novel methodologies and future strategies using Drosophila in aging research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy Tsurumi
- Department of SurgeryMassachusetts General Hospital, and Harvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
- Department of Microbiology and ImmunologyHarvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
- Shriners Hospitals for Children‐Boston®BostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Willis X. Li
- Department of MedicineUniversity of California at San DiegoLa JollaCaliforniaUSA
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27
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Ch R, Chevallier O, Elliott CT. Metabolomics reveal circadian control of cellular metabolism. Trends Analyt Chem 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.trac.2020.115986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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28
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Abstract
The circadian clock controls daily rhythms in animal physiology, metabolism, and behavior, such as the sleep‐wake cycle. Disruption of circadian rhythms has been revealed in many diseases including neurodegenerative disorders. Interestingly, patients with many neurodegenerative diseases often show problems with circadian clocks even years before other symptoms develop. Here we review the recent studies identifying the association between circadian rhythms and several major neurodegenerative disorders. Early intervention of circadian rhythms may benefit the treatment of neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yong Zhang
- Department of Biology, University of Nevada Reno, 1664 N Virginia St, Reno, NV 89557, U.S.A
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29
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Rashid MM, Kurata H. Coupling protocol of interlocked feedback oscillators in circadian clocks. J R Soc Interface 2020; 17:20200287. [PMID: 32486952 DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2020.0287] [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: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Circadian rhythms (approx. 24 h) show the robustness of key oscillatory features such as phase, period and amplitude against external and internal variations. The robustness of Drosophila circadian clocks can be generated by interlocked transcriptional-translational feedback loops, where two negative feedback loops are coupled through mutual activations. The mechanisms by which such coupling protocols have survived out of many possible protocols remain to be revealed. To address this question, we investigated two distinct coupling protocols: activator-coupled oscillators (ACO) and repressor-coupled oscillators (RCO). We focused on the two coupling parameters: coupling dissociation constant and coupling time-delay. Interestingly, the ACO was able to produce anti-phase or morning-evening cycles, whereas the RCO produced in-phase ones. Deterministic and stochastic analyses demonstrated that the anti-phase ACO provided greater fluctuations in amplitude not only with respect to changes in coupling parameters but also to random parameter perturbations than the in-phase RCO. Moreover, the ACO deteriorated the entrainability to the day-night master clock, whereas the RCO produced high entrainability. Considering that the real, interlocked feedback loops have evolved as the ACO, instead of the RCO, we first proposed a hypothesis that the morning-evening or anti-phase cycle is more essential for Drosophila than achieving robustness and entrainability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Mamunur Rashid
- Department of Bioscience and Bioinformatics, Kyushu Institute of Technology, 680-4 Kawazu, Iizuka, Fukuoka 820-8502, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Kurata
- Biomedical Informatics R&D Center, Kyushu Institute of Technology, 680-4 Kawazu, Iizuka, Fukuoka 820-8502, Japan
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30
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Schneck DT, Barreto FS. Phenotypic Variation in Growth and Gene Expression Under Different Photoperiods in Allopatric Populations of the Copepod Tigriopus californicus. THE BIOLOGICAL BULLETIN 2020; 238:106-118. [PMID: 32412840 DOI: 10.1086/708678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Daylength is a major environmental condition that varies seasonally and predictably along a latitudinal cline, where higher latitudes exhibit greater ranges in total daylengths. Generally, the circadian clock acts as a network of genes whose expression dynamics are known to control daily rhythms in response to daylength, and it enables the control of many physiological processes such as growth and development. While well studied in many model animals, the influence of daylength variation on phenotypic evolution is poorly examined in marine species. In this study we demonstrate that two allopatric populations of the intertidal crustacean Tigriopus californicus exhibit plastic and divergent phenotypic responses to changes in daylength. Using common-garden experiments, we discovered that shorter daylengths promoted decreased adult body size and faster growth rates in the two divergent populations, suggesting a plastic response to shortened days. In addition, the higher-latitude population exhibited a faster growth rate at any daylength condition, indicating a fixed response, possibly as a result of adaptation to respective natural light regimes. Gene expression profiles of several circadian clock genes, monitored throughout the day by quantitative polymerase chain reaction, revealed that the key core clock genes reach higher daily transcription maxima in the southern population compared to the northern population, pointing to divergent strategies used to respond to changes in daylength. Many modifier genes to the circadian clock showed similar plastic responses to the different daylengths, supporting the existence of at least some conserved gene expression across both populations. Ultimately, our results suggest that photoperiod and daylength exert a potent selective pressure underexplored in marine systems and warranting further future research.
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31
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Cassar M, Law AD, Chow ES, Giebultowicz JM, Kretzschmar D. Disease-Associated Mutant Tau Prevents Circadian Changes in the Cytoskeleton of Central Pacemaker Neurons. Front Neurosci 2020; 14:232. [PMID: 32292325 PMCID: PMC7118733 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2020.00232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2020] [Accepted: 03/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
A hallmark feature of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other Tauopathies, like Frontotemporal Dementia with Parkinsonism linked to chromosome 17 (FTDP-17), is the accumulation of neurofibrillary tangles composed of the microtubule-associated protein Tau. As in AD, symptoms of FTDP-17 include cognitive decline, neuronal degeneration, and disruptions of sleep patterns. However, mechanisms by which Tau may lead to these disturbances in sleep and activity patterns are unknown. To identify such mechanisms, we have generated novel Drosophila Tauopathy models by replacing endogenous fly dTau with normal human Tau (hTau) or the FTDP-17 causing hTauV337M mutation. This mutation is localized in one of the microtubule-binding domains of hTau and has a dominant effect. Analyzing heterozygous flies, we found that aged hTauV337M flies show neuronal degeneration and locomotion deficits when compared to wild type or hTauWT flies. Furthermore, hTauV337M flies are hyperactive and they show a fragmented sleep pattern. These changes in the sleep/activity pattern are accompanied by morphological changes in the projection pattern of the central pacemaker neurons. These neurons show daily fluctuations in their connectivity, whereby synapses are increased during the day and reduced during sleep. Synapse formation requires cytoskeletal changes that can be detected by the accumulation of the end-binding protein 1 (EB1) at the site of synapse formation. Whereas, hTauWT flies show the normal day/night changes in EB1 accumulation, hTauV337M flies do not show this fluctuation. This suggests that hTauV337M disrupts sleep patterns by interfering with the cytoskeletal changes that are required for the synaptic homeostasis of central pacemaker neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marlène Cassar
- Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Sciences, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Alexander D Law
- Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Sciences, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Eileen S Chow
- Department of Integrative Biology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States
| | - Jadwiga M Giebultowicz
- Department of Integrative Biology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States
| | - Doris Kretzschmar
- Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Sciences, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, United States
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32
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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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SUR-8 interacts with PP1-87B to stabilize PERIOD and regulate circadian rhythms in Drosophila. PLoS Genet 2019; 15:e1008475. [PMID: 31710605 PMCID: PMC6874087 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1008475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2019] [Revised: 11/21/2019] [Accepted: 10/11/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Circadian rhythms are generated by endogenous pacemakers that rely on transcriptional-translational feedback mechanisms conserved among species. In Drosophila, the stability of a key pacemaker protein PERIOD (PER) is tightly controlled by changes in phosphorylation status. A number of molecular players have been implicated in PER destabilization by promoting PER progressive phosphorylation. On the other hand, there have been few reports describing mechanisms that stabilize PER by delaying PER hyperphosphorylation. Here we report that the protein Suppressor of Ras (SUR-8) regulates circadian locomotor rhythms by stabilizing PER. Depletion of SUR-8 from circadian neurons lengthened the circadian period by about 2 hours and decreased PER abundance, whereas its overexpression led to arrhythmia and an increase in PER. Specifically SUR-8 promotes the stability of PER through phosphorylation regulation. Interestingly, downregulation of the protein phosphatase 1 catalytic subunit PP1-87B recapitulated the phenotypes of SUR-8 depletion. We found that SUR-8 facilitates interactions between PP1-87B and PER. Depletion of SUR-8 decreased the interaction of PER and PP1-87B, which supports the role of SUR-8 as a scaffold protein. Interestingly, the interaction between SUR-8 and PER is temporally regulated: SUR-8 has more binding to PER at night than morning. Thus, our results indicate that SUR-8 interacts with PP1-87B to control PER stability to regulate circadian rhythms. Circadian clocks govern daily rhythms in physiology and behavior. Conserved molecular machinery drives circadian clocks among animals. PERIOD is a key pacemaker protein in fruit flies that undergoes a series of post-translational modifications. Several kinases have been identified in destabilizing PER. Here we identify the role of SUR-8 in circadian locomotor rhythms. Depletion of SUR-8 in pacemaker neurons slows down circadian rhythms and reduces PER abundance. Indeed, SUR-8 promotes the stability of PER. Finally we characterize SUR-8 as a scaffold protein to bridge PER and a phosphatase (PP1-87B) together to regulate PER phosphorylation and abundance.
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34
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Toda H, Williams JA, Gulledge M, Sehgal A. A sleep-inducing gene, nemuri, links sleep and immune function in Drosophila. Science 2019; 363:509-515. [PMID: 30705188 PMCID: PMC6505470 DOI: 10.1126/science.aat1650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2018] [Revised: 06/29/2018] [Accepted: 11/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Sleep remains a major mystery of biology. In particular, little is known about the mechanisms that account for the drive to sleep. In an unbiased screen of more than 12,000 Drosophila lines, we identified a single gene, nemuri, that induces sleep. The NEMURI protein is an antimicrobial peptide that can be secreted ectopically to drive prolonged sleep (with resistance to arousal) and to promote survival after infection. Loss of nemuri increased arousability during daily sleep and attenuated the acute increase in sleep induced by sleep deprivation or bacterial infection. Conditions that increase sleep drive induced expression of nemuri in a small number of fly brain neurons and targeted it to the sleep-promoting, dorsal fan-shaped body. We propose that NEMURI is a bona fide sleep homeostasis factor that is particularly important under conditions of high sleep need; because these conditions include sickness, our findings provide a link between sleep and immune function.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Michael Gulledge
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chronobiology Program, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
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35
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A saturated reaction in repressor synthesis creates a daytime dead zone in circadian clocks. PLoS Comput Biol 2019; 15:e1006787. [PMID: 30779745 PMCID: PMC6396941 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1006787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2018] [Revised: 03/01/2019] [Accepted: 01/14/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Negative feedback loops (NFLs) for circadian clocks include light-responsive reactions that allow the clocks to shift their phase depending on the timing of light signals. Phase response curves (PRCs) for light signals in various organisms include a time interval called a dead zone where light signals cause no phase shift during daytime. Although the importance of the dead zone for robust light entrainment is known, how the dead zone arises from the biochemical reactions in an NFL underlying circadian gene expression rhythms remains unclear. In addition, the observation that the light-responsive reactions in the NFL vary between organisms raises the question as to whether the mechanism for dead zone formation is common or distinct between different organisms. Here we reveal by mathematical modeling that the saturation of a biochemical reaction in repressor synthesis in an NFL is a common mechanism of daytime dead zone generation. If light signals increase the degradation of a repressor protein, as in Drosophila, the saturation of repressor mRNA transcription nullifies the effect of light signals, generating a dead zone. In contrast, if light signals induce the transcription of repressor mRNA, as in mammals, the saturation of repressor translation can generate a dead zone by cancelling the influence of excess amount of mRNA induced by light signals. Each of these saturated reactions is located next to the light-responsive reaction in the NFL, suggesting a design principle for daytime dead zone generation. Light-entrainable circadian clocks form behavioral and physiological rhythms in organisms. The light-entrainment properties of these clocks have been studied by measuring phase shifts caused by light pulses administered at different times. The phase response curves of various organisms include a time window called the dead zone where the phase of the clock does not respond to light pulses. However, the mechanism underlying the dead zone generation remains unclear. We show that the saturation of biochemical reactions in feedback loops for circadian oscillations generates a dead zone. The proposed mechanism is generic, as it functions in different models of the circadian clocks and biochemical oscillators. Our analysis indicates that light-entrainment properties are determined by biochemical reactions at the single-cell level.
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36
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Owens ACS, Lewis SM. The impact of artificial light at night on nocturnal insects: A review and synthesis. Ecol Evol 2018; 8:11337-11358. [PMID: 30519447 PMCID: PMC6262936 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.4557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 131] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2018] [Accepted: 07/14/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent decades, advances in lighting technology have precipitated exponential increases in night sky brightness worldwide, raising concerns in the scientific community about the impact of artificial light at night (ALAN) on crepuscular and nocturnal biodiversity. Long-term records show that insect abundance has declined significantly over this time, with worrying implications for terrestrial ecosystems. The majority of investigations into the vulnerability of nocturnal insects to artificial light have focused on the flight-to-light behavior exhibited by select insect families. However, ALAN can affect insects in other ways as well. This review proposes five categories of ALAN impact on nocturnal insects, highlighting past research and identifying key knowledge gaps. We conclude with a summary of relevant literature on bioluminescent fireflies, which emphasizes the unique vulnerability of terrestrial light-based communication systems to artificial illumination. Comprehensive understanding of the ecological impacts of ALAN on diverse nocturnal insect taxa will enable researchers to seek out methods whereby fireflies, moths, and other essential members of the nocturnal ecosystem can coexist with humans on an increasingly urbanized planet.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sara M. Lewis
- Department of BiologyTufts UniversityMedfordMassachusetts
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37
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Li MT, Cao LH, Xiao N, Tang M, Deng B, Yang T, Yoshii T, Luo DG. Hub-organized parallel circuits of central circadian pacemaker neurons for visual photoentrainment in Drosophila. Nat Commun 2018; 9:4247. [PMID: 30315165 PMCID: PMC6185921 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-06506-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2017] [Accepted: 08/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Circadian rhythms are orchestrated by a master clock that emerges from a network of circadian pacemaker neurons. The master clock is synchronized to external light/dark cycles through photoentrainment, but the circuit mechanisms underlying visual photoentrainment remain largely unknown. Here, we report that Drosophila has eye-mediated photoentrainment via a parallel pacemaker neuron organization. Patch-clamp recordings of central circadian pacemaker neurons reveal that light excites most of them independently of one another. We also show that light-responding pacemaker neurons send their dendrites to a neuropil called accessary medulla (aMe), where they make monosynaptic connections with Hofbauer–Buchner eyelet photoreceptors and interneurons that transmit compound-eye signals. Laser ablation of aMe and eye removal both abolish light responses of circadian pacemaker neurons, revealing aMe as a hub to channel eye inputs to central circadian clock. Taken together, we demonstrate that the central clock receives eye inputs via hub-organized parallel circuits in Drosophila. The central circadian clock in Drosophila is made up of ~ 150 anatomically distributed neurons; the circuits underlying photoentrainment is unclear. This study describes ex vivo patch-clamp recording of the eye-mediated light response of all known circadian clock neurons, and shows that they are organized in parallel circuits centered around a hub.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng-Tong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, College of Life Sciences, Peking University, 100871, Beijing, China.,IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Peking University, 100871, Beijing, China.,Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, 100871, Beijing, China.,PTN Graduate Program, College of Life Sciences, Peking University, 100871, Beijing, China
| | - Li-Hui Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, College of Life Sciences, Peking University, 100871, Beijing, China.,IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Peking University, 100871, Beijing, China.,Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, 100871, Beijing, China.,Center for Quantitative Biology, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, 100871, Beijing, China
| | - Na Xiao
- IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Peking University, 100871, Beijing, China.,Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, 100871, Beijing, China.,Center for Quantitative Biology, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, 100871, Beijing, China
| | - Min Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, College of Life Sciences, Peking University, 100871, Beijing, China.,IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Peking University, 100871, Beijing, China.,Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, 100871, Beijing, China.,PTN Graduate Program, College of Life Sciences, Peking University, 100871, Beijing, China
| | - Bowen Deng
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, College of Life Sciences, Peking University, 100871, Beijing, China.,Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, 100871, Beijing, China
| | - Tian Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, College of Life Sciences, Peking University, 100871, Beijing, China.,IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Peking University, 100871, Beijing, China.,Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, 100871, Beijing, China
| | - Taishi Yoshii
- Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University, Okayama, 700-8530, Japan
| | - Dong-Gen Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, College of Life Sciences, Peking University, 100871, Beijing, China. .,IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Peking University, 100871, Beijing, China. .,Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, 100871, Beijing, China. .,Center for Quantitative Biology, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, 100871, Beijing, China.
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38
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Alisch T, Crall JD, Kao AB, Zucker D, de Bivort BL. MAPLE (modular automated platform for large-scale experiments), a robot for integrated organism-handling and phenotyping. eLife 2018; 7:37166. [PMID: 30117804 PMCID: PMC6193762 DOI: 10.7554/elife.37166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2018] [Accepted: 08/11/2018] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Lab organisms are valuable in part because of large-scale experiments like screens, but performing such experiments over long time periods by hand is arduous and error-prone. Organism-handling robots could revolutionize large-scale experiments in the way that liquid-handling robots accelerated molecular biology. We developed a modular automated platform for large-scale experiments (MAPLE), an organism-handling robot capable of conducting lab tasks and experiments, and then deployed it to conduct common experiments in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Caenorhabditis elegans, Physarum polycephalum, Bombus impatiens, and Drosophila melanogaster. Focusing on fruit flies, we developed a suite of experimental modules that permitted the automated collection of virgin females and execution of an intricate and laborious social behavior experiment. We discovered that (1) pairs of flies exhibit persistent idiosyncrasies in social behavior, which (2) require olfaction and vision, and (3) social interaction network structure is stable over days. These diverse examples demonstrate MAPLE’s versatility for automating experimental biology. Biological research can, at times, be mind-numbingly tedious: scientists often have to do the same experiment over and over on many different samples. When working with animals such as fruit flies, this means researchers have to physically handle large numbers of specimens, selecting certain individuals or moving them from one container to another to perform the study. This represents a serious bottleneck that slows down discovery. Automation represents an obvious solution to this issue. In fact, it has already revolutionized fields like molecular biology, where robots can handle the liquids required for the experiments. Yet, it is not so easy to automate tasks that involve animals larger than a millimeter. To fill that gap, Alisch et al. have developed a robotic system called Modular Automated Platform for Large-scale Experiments (MAPLE) that can manipulate fruit flies and other small organisms. Using gentle vacuum, MAPLE can pick up individual flies to move them from one compartment to another. These areas could be places where the insects grow or where experimental measurements are automatically gathered. Putting the robot to work, Alisch et al. used MAPLE to collect virgin female flies for genetic experiments, a common task in fruit flies laboratories. The system was also configured to load flies into arenas where their behavior could be measured. Finally, MAPLE assisted with an experiment that involved tracking the interactions of known individuals to examine if the flies exhibited social networks, and if those networks were stable. This logistically complicated experiment would have been difficult to run without the help of an automated system. Alisch et al. also show that the robot can be adjusted to work with various species often used for research, such as nematode worms, yeast, slime mould and even bumblebees. This allows the system to be useful in a range of research fields. As MAPLE fits on a table top and is fairly affordable, the hope is that it could help many scientists do their experiments faster and with greater consistency, freeing up time for creative thinking and new ideas. Ultimately, this tool could help to speed up scientific progress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom Alisch
- Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, United States.,Center for Brain Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, United States
| | - James D Crall
- Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, United States.,Planetary Health Alliance, Harvard University, Cambridge, United States
| | - Albert B Kao
- Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, United States
| | | | - Benjamin L de Bivort
- Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, United States.,Center for Brain Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, United States.,FlySorter LLC, Seattle, United States
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39
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Rodrigues NR, Macedo GE, Martins IK, Gomes KK, de Carvalho NR, Posser T, Franco JL. Short-term sleep deprivation with exposure to nocturnal light alters mitochondrial bioenergetics in Drosophila. Free Radic Biol Med 2018; 120:395-406. [PMID: 29655867 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2018.04.549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2017] [Revised: 03/26/2018] [Accepted: 04/11/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Many studies have shown the effects of sleep deprivation in several aspects of health and disease. However, little is known about how mitochondrial bioenergetics function is affected under this condition. To clarify this, we developed a simple model of short-term sleep deprivation, in which fruit-flies were submitted to a nocturnal light condition and then mitochondrial parameters were assessed by high resolution respirometry (HRR). Exposure of flies to constant light was able to alter sleep patterns, causing locomotor deficits, increasing ROS production and lipid peroxidation, affecting mitochondrial activity, antioxidant defense enzymes and caspase activity. HRR analysis showed that sleep deprivation affected mitochondrial bioenergetics capacity, decreasing respiration at oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) and electron transport system (ETS). In addition, the expression of genes involved in the response to oxidative stress and apoptosis were increased. Thus, our results suggest a connection between sleep deprivation and oxidative stress, pointing to mitochondria as a possible target of this relationship.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathane Rosa Rodrigues
- Oxidative Stress and Cell Signaling Research Group, Centro Interdisciplinar de Pesquisas em Biotecnologia - CIPBIOTEC, Universidade Federal do Pampa, Campus São Gabriel, RS, Brazil; Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, CCNE, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, 97105-900 Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
| | - Giulianna Echeverria Macedo
- Oxidative Stress and Cell Signaling Research Group, Centro Interdisciplinar de Pesquisas em Biotecnologia - CIPBIOTEC, Universidade Federal do Pampa, Campus São Gabriel, RS, Brazil
| | - Illana Kemmerich Martins
- Oxidative Stress and Cell Signaling Research Group, Centro Interdisciplinar de Pesquisas em Biotecnologia - CIPBIOTEC, Universidade Federal do Pampa, Campus São Gabriel, RS, Brazil
| | - Karen Kich Gomes
- Oxidative Stress and Cell Signaling Research Group, Centro Interdisciplinar de Pesquisas em Biotecnologia - CIPBIOTEC, Universidade Federal do Pampa, Campus São Gabriel, RS, Brazil
| | - Nélson Rodrigues de Carvalho
- Oxidative Stress and Cell Signaling Research Group, Centro Interdisciplinar de Pesquisas em Biotecnologia - CIPBIOTEC, Universidade Federal do Pampa, Campus São Gabriel, RS, Brazil
| | - Thaís Posser
- Oxidative Stress and Cell Signaling Research Group, Centro Interdisciplinar de Pesquisas em Biotecnologia - CIPBIOTEC, Universidade Federal do Pampa, Campus São Gabriel, RS, Brazil
| | - Jeferson Luis Franco
- Oxidative Stress and Cell Signaling Research Group, Centro Interdisciplinar de Pesquisas em Biotecnologia - CIPBIOTEC, Universidade Federal do Pampa, Campus São Gabriel, RS, Brazil; Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, CCNE, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, 97105-900 Santa Maria, RS, Brazil.
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40
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Zakharenko LP, Petrovsky DV, Putilov AA. Treatments with thousands therapeutic doses of meldonium failed to alter the Drosophila’s circadian clocks but negatively affected the germination of Pisum’s seeds. BIOL RHYTHM RES 2018. [DOI: 10.1080/09291016.2018.1429552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Lyudmila P. Zakharenko
- Department of Insect Genetics, Institute of Cytology and Genetics of the Siberian Branch, the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia
- Faculty of Natural Science, Novosibirsk State University, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Dmitriy V. Petrovsky
- Department of Insect Genetics, Institute of Cytology and Genetics of the Siberian Branch, the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Arcady A. Putilov
- Research Group for Biomedical Systems Modeling, Research Institute for Molecular Biology and Biophysics, Novosibirsk, Russia
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41
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Zakharenko LP, Petrovskii DV, Putilov AA. Larks, owls, swifts, and woodcocks among fruit flies: differential responses of four heritable chronotypes to long and hot summer days. Nat Sci Sleep 2018; 10:181-191. [PMID: 29950910 PMCID: PMC6016586 DOI: 10.2147/nss.s168905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Drosophila melanogaster and our own species share (Homo sapiens) the history of relatively rapid out-of-Africa dispersal. In Eurasia, they had faced a novel adaptive problem of adjustment of their circadian rhythmicity and night sleep episode to seasonal variation in day length and air temperature. Both species usually respond to heat and a short duration of night by reduction of the amount of night sleep and prolongation of "siesta". To further explore similarities between the two species in the ways of adjustment of their sleep-wake behavior to extreme environmental factors, this study examined the possibility to distinguish four extreme chronotypes among fruit flies and the possibility of the differential response of such chronotypes to light and heat stressors. MATERIALS AND METHODS Circadian rhythms of locomotor activity and sleep-wake pattern were tested in constant darkness, and four strains of fruit flies originating from three wild populations of Africa, Europe, and the USA were selected to represent four distinct chronotypes: "larks" (early morning and evening activity peaks), "owls" (late morning and evening peaks), "swifts" (early morning and late evening peaks), and "woodcocks" (late morning and early evening peaks). The circadian rhythms and sleep efficiency of the selected chronotypes were further tested under such extreme conditions as either long day (LD20:4 at 20°C) or a combination of LD20:4 with hot temperature (29°C). RESULTS Despite the identity of such experimental conditions for four chronotypes, their circadian rhythms and sleep timing showed significantly distinct patterns of response to exposure to heat and/or long days. All two-way repeated measures analysis of variances yielded a significant interaction between chronotype and time of the day (P<0.001). CONCLUSION An experimental study of heritable chronotypes in the fruit fly can facilitate a search for genetic underpinnings of individual variation in vulnerability to circadian misalignment, maladaptive sleep-wake behavior, and sleep disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lyudmila P Zakharenko
- Department of Insect Genetics, Institute of Cytology and Genetics of the Siberian Branch, the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia.,Faculty of Natural Science, Novosibirsk State University, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Dmitrii V Petrovskii
- Department of Insect Genetics, Institute of Cytology and Genetics of the Siberian Branch, the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Arcady A Putilov
- Research Group for Biomedical Systems Modeling, Research Institute for Molecular Biology and Biophysics, Novosibirsk, Russia
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Hursh DA, Stultz BG. Odd-Paired: The Drosophila Zic Gene. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2018; 1046:41-58. [PMID: 29442316 DOI: 10.1007/978-981-10-7311-3_3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Zinc finger in the cerebellum (Zic) proteins are a family of transcription factors with multiple roles during development, particularly in neural tissues. The founding member of the Zic family is the Drosophila odd-paired (opa) gene. The Opa protein has a DNA binding domain containing five Cys2His2-type zinc fingers and has been shown to act as a sequence-specific DNA binding protein. Opa has significant homology to mammalian Zic1, Zic2, and Zic3 within the zinc finger domain and in two other conserved regions outside that domain. opa was initially identified as a pair-rule gene, part of the hierarchy of genes that establish the segmental body plan of the early Drosophila embryo. However, its wide expression pattern during embryogenesis indicates it plays additional roles. Embryos deficient in opa die before hatching with aberrant segmentation but also with defects in larval midgut formation. Post-embryonically, opa plays important roles in adult head development and circadian rhythm. Based on extensive neural expression, opa is predicted to be involved in many aspects of neural development and behavior, like other proteins of the Zic family. Consensus DNA binding sites have been identified for Opa and have been shown to activate transcription in vivo. However, there is evidence Opa may serve as a transcriptional regulator in the absence of direct DNA binding, as has been seen for other Zic proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deborah A Hursh
- Division of Cell and Gene Therapy, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, USA.
| | - Brian G Stultz
- Division of Cell and Gene Therapy, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, USA
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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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Rosbash M. A 50-Year Personal Journey: Location, Gene Expression, and Circadian Rhythms. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Biol 2017; 9:cshperspect.a032516. [PMID: 28600396 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a032516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
I worked almost exclusively on nucleic acids and gene expression from the age of 19 as an undergraduate until the age of 38 as an associate professor. Mentors featured prominently in my choice of paths. My friendship with influential Brandeis colleagues then persuaded me that genetics was an important tool for studying gene expression, and I switched my experimental organism to yeast for this reason. Several years later, friendship also played a prominent role in my beginning work on circadian rhythms. As luck would have it, gene expression as well as genetics turned out to be important for circadian timekeeping. As a consequence, background and training put my laboratory in an excellent position to contribute to this aspect of the circadian problem. The moral of the story is, as in real estate, "location, location, location."
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Rosbash
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, National Center for Behavioral Genomics and Department of Biology, Brandeis University, Waltham, Massachusetts 02454
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45
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Temporal calcium profiling of specific circadian neurons in freely moving flies. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2017; 114:E8780-E8787. [PMID: 28973886 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1706608114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
There are no general methods for reliably assessing the firing properties or even calcium profiles of specific neurons in freely moving flies. To this end, we adapted a GFP-based calcium reporter to luciferase that was expressed in small subsets of circadian neurons. This Tric-LUC reporter allowed a direct comparison of luciferase activity with locomotor activity, which was assayed in the same flies with video recording. The LUC profile from activity-promoting E cells paralleled evening locomotor activity, and the LUC profile from sleep-promoting glutamatergic DN1s (gDN1s) paralleled daytime sleep. Similar profiles were generated by novel reporters recently identified based on transcription factor activation. As E cell and gDN1 activity is necessary and sufficient for normal evening locomotor activity and daytime sleep profiles, respectively, we suggest that their luciferase profiles reflect their neuronal calcium and in some cases firing profiles in wake-behaving flies.
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46
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Duan Y, Gong Z, Wu R, Miao J, Jiang Y, Li T, Wu X, Wu Y. Transcriptome analysis of molecular mechanisms responsible for light-stress response in Mythimna separata (Walker). Sci Rep 2017; 7:45188. [PMID: 28345615 PMCID: PMC5367045 DOI: 10.1038/srep45188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2016] [Accepted: 02/20/2017] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Light is an important environmental signal for most insects. The Oriental Armyworm, Mythimna separata, is a serious pest of cereal crops worldwide, and is highly sensitive to light signals during its developmental and reproductive stages. However, molecular biological studies of its response to light stress are scarce, and related genomic information is not available. In this study, we sequenced and de novo assembled the transcriptomes of M. separata exposed to four different light conditions: dark, white light (WL), UV light (UVL) and yellow light (YL). A total of 46,327 unigenes with an average size of 571 base pairs (bp) were obtained, among which 24,344 (52.55%) matched to public databases. The numbers of genes differentially expressed between dark vs WL, dark vs UVL, dark vs YL, and UVL vs YL were 12,012, 12,950, 14,855, and 13,504, respectively. These results suggest that light exposure altered gene expression patterns in M. separata. Putative genes involved in phototransduction-fly, phototransduction, circadian rhythm-fly, olfactory transduction, and taste transduction were identified. This study thus identified a series of candidate genes and pathways potentially related to light stress in M. separata.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun Duan
- Institute of Plant Protection, Henan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Crop Pest Control of Henan Province, Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on Crops in Southern Region of North China, Zhengzhou 450002, China
| | - ZhongJun Gong
- Institute of Plant Protection, Henan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Crop Pest Control of Henan Province, Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on Crops in Southern Region of North China, Zhengzhou 450002, China
| | - RenHai Wu
- Institute of Plant Protection, Henan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Crop Pest Control of Henan Province, Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on Crops in Southern Region of North China, Zhengzhou 450002, China
| | - Jin Miao
- Institute of Plant Protection, Henan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Crop Pest Control of Henan Province, Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on Crops in Southern Region of North China, Zhengzhou 450002, China
| | - YueLi Jiang
- Institute of Plant Protection, Henan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Crop Pest Control of Henan Province, Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on Crops in Southern Region of North China, Zhengzhou 450002, China
| | - Tong Li
- Institute of Plant Protection, Henan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Crop Pest Control of Henan Province, Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on Crops in Southern Region of North China, Zhengzhou 450002, China
| | - XiaoBo Wu
- Institute of Plant Protection, Henan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Crop Pest Control of Henan Province, Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on Crops in Southern Region of North China, Zhengzhou 450002, China
| | - YuQing Wu
- Institute of Plant Protection, Henan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Crop Pest Control of Henan Province, Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on Crops in Southern Region of North China, Zhengzhou 450002, China
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Abruzzi KC, Zadina A, Luo W, Wiyanto E, Rahman R, Guo F, Shafer O, Rosbash M. RNA-seq analysis of Drosophila clock and non-clock neurons reveals neuron-specific cycling and novel candidate neuropeptides. PLoS Genet 2017; 13:e1006613. [PMID: 28182648 PMCID: PMC5325595 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1006613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2016] [Revised: 02/24/2017] [Accepted: 02/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Locomotor activity rhythms are controlled by a network of ~150 circadian neurons within the adult Drosophila brain. They are subdivided based on their anatomical locations and properties. We profiled transcripts “around the clock” from three key groups of circadian neurons with different functions. We also profiled a non-circadian outgroup, dopaminergic (TH) neurons. They have cycling transcripts but fewer than clock neurons as well as low expression and poor cycling of clock gene transcripts. This suggests that TH neurons do not have a canonical circadian clock and that their gene expression cycling is driven by brain systemic cues. The three circadian groups are surprisingly diverse in their cycling transcripts and overall gene expression patterns, which include known and putative novel neuropeptides. Even the overall phase distributions of cycling transcripts are distinct, indicating that different regulatory principles govern transcript oscillations. This surprising cell-type diversity parallels the functional heterogeneity of the different neurons. Organisms ranging from bacteria to humans contain circadian clocks. They keep internal time and also integrate environmental cues such as light to provide external time information for entrainment. In the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster, ~150 brain neurons contain the circadian machinery and are critical for controlling behavior. Several subgroups of these clock neurons have been identified by their anatomical locations and specific functions. Our work aims to profile these neurons and to characterize their molecular contents: what to they contain and how do they differ? To this end, we have purified 3 important subgroups of clock neurons and identified their expressed genes at different times of day. Some are expressed at all times, whereas others are “cycling,” i.e., expressed more strongly at a particular time of day like the morning. Interestingly, each circadian subgroup is quite different. The data provide hints about what functions each group of neurons carries out and how they may work together to keep time. In addition, even a non-circadian group of neurons has cycling genes and has implications for the extent to which all cells have or do not have a functional circadian clock.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharine C. Abruzzi
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute and National Center for Behavioral Genomics,Department of Biology, Brandeis University, Waltham, United States of America
| | - Abigail Zadina
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute and National Center for Behavioral Genomics,Department of Biology, Brandeis University, Waltham, United States of America
| | - Weifei Luo
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute and National Center for Behavioral Genomics,Department of Biology, Brandeis University, Waltham, United States of America
| | - Evelyn Wiyanto
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute and National Center for Behavioral Genomics,Department of Biology, Brandeis University, Waltham, United States of America
| | - Reazur Rahman
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute and National Center for Behavioral Genomics,Department of Biology, Brandeis University, Waltham, United States of America
| | - Fang Guo
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute and National Center for Behavioral Genomics,Department of Biology, Brandeis University, Waltham, United States of America
| | - Orie Shafer
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute and National Center for Behavioral Genomics,Department of Biology, Brandeis University, Waltham, United States of America
| | - Michael Rosbash
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute and National Center for Behavioral Genomics,Department of Biology, Brandeis University, Waltham, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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48
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Interactions Between the Circadian Clock and Heme Oxygenase in the Retina of Drosophila melanogaster. Mol Neurobiol 2016; 54:4953-4962. [PMID: 27520276 PMCID: PMC5533861 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-016-0026-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2016] [Accepted: 08/01/2016] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
The Drosophila retina has an autonomous peripheral circadian clock in which the expression of the gene encoding heme oxygenase (HO) is under circadian control with the ho mRNA peaking at the beginning of the day and in the middle of the night. The function of HO in the retina is unknown, but we observed that it regulates the circadian clock and protects photoreceptors against DNA damage. The decline in HO level increases and decreases the expression of the canonical clock genes period (per) and Clock (Clk), respectively. The opposite result was observed after increasing HO expression. Among three products of HO activity—carbon monoxide (CO), ferrous ions, and biliverdin—the latter has no effect on per and Clk expressions, but CO exerts the same effect as the increase of ho expression. This suggests that HO action on the clock is mediated by CO, which may affect Clk expression during the day and the level of per expression. While ho expression is not stimulated by nitric oxide (NO), NO has the same effect on the clock as HO, increasing Clk expression and decreasing the expression of per.
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49
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Guo F, Yu J, Jung HJ, Abruzzi KC, Luo W, Griffith LC, Rosbash M. Circadian neuron feedback controls the Drosophila sleep--activity profile. Nature 2016; 536:292-7. [PMID: 27479324 PMCID: PMC5247284 DOI: 10.1038/nature19097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 189] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2016] [Accepted: 07/12/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Little is known about the ability of Drosophila circadian neurons to promote sleep. Here we show, using optogenetic manipulation and video recording, that a subset of dorsal clock neurons (DN1s) are potent sleep-promoting cells that release glutamate to directly inhibit key pacemaker neurons. The pacemakers promote morning arousal by activating these DN1s, implying that a late-day feedback circuit drives midday siesta and night-time sleep. To investigate more plastic aspects of the sleep program, we used a calcium assay to monitor and compare the real-time activity of DN1 neurons in freely behaving males and females. Our results revealed that DN1 neurons were more active in males than in females, consistent with the finding that male flies sleep more during the day. DN1 activity is also enhanced by elevated temperature, consistent with the ability of higher temperatures to increase sleep. These new approaches indicate that DN1s have a major effect on the fly sleep-wake profile and integrate environmental information with the circadian molecular program.
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50
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Abstract
Many exciting studies have begun to elucidate the genetics of the morphological and physiological diversity of ants, but as yet few studies have investigated the genetics of ant behavior directly. Ant genomes are marked by extreme rates of gene turnover, especially in gene families related to olfactory communication, such as the synthesis of cuticular hydrocarbons and the perception of environmental semiochemicals. Transcriptomic and epigenetic differences are apparent between reproductive and sterile females, males and females, and workers that differ in body size. Quantitative genetic approaches suggest heritability of task performance, and population genetic studies indicate a genetic association with reproductive status in some species. Gene expression is associated with behavior including foraging, response to queens attempting to join a colony, circadian patterns of task performance, and age-related changes of task. Ant behavioral genetics needs further investigation of the feedback between individual-level physiological changes and socially mediated responses to environmental conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- D A Friedman
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305-5020;
| | - D M Gordon
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305-5020;
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