1
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Kuo DH, Szczupak L, Weisblat DA, Portiansky EL, Winchell CJ, Lee JR, Tsai FY. Transgenesis enables mapping of segmental ganglia in the leech Helobdella austinensis. J Exp Biol 2024; 227:jeb247419. [PMID: 38940760 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.247419] [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: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024]
Abstract
The analysis of how neural circuits function in individuals and change during evolution is simplified by the existence of neurons identified as homologous within and across species. Invertebrates, including leeches, have been used for these purposes in part because their nervous systems comprise a high proportion of identified neurons, but technical limitations make it challenging to assess the full extent to which assumptions of stereotypy hold true. Here, we introduce Minos plasmid-mediated transgenesis as a tool for introducing transgenes into the embryos of the leech Helobdella austinensis (Spiralia; Lophotrochozoa; Annelida; Clitellata; Hirudinida; Glossiphoniidae). We identified an enhancer driving pan-neuronal expression of markers, including histone2B:mCherry, which allowed us to enumerate neurons in segmental ganglia. Unexpectedly, we found that the segmental ganglia of adult transgenic H. austinensis contain fewer and more variable numbers of neurons than in previously examined leech species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dian-Han Kuo
- Department of Life Science, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan116
- Museum of Zoology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan106
| | - Lidia Szczupak
- Departamento de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Celular, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires and IFIBYNE UBA-CONICET, Ciudad Universitaria, 1428 Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - David A Weisblat
- Department of Molecular & Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720-3200, USA
| | - Enrique L Portiansky
- Laboratory of Image Analysis, School of Veterinary Sciences, National University of La Plata, CONICET, B1900 La Plata, Argentina
| | - Christopher J Winchell
- Department of Molecular & Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720-3200, USA
| | - Jun-Ru Lee
- Department of Life Science, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan116
| | - Fu-Yu Tsai
- Department of Life Science, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan116
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2
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Zhang T, Tan S, Tang N, Li Y, Zhang C, Sun J, Guo Y, Gao H, Cai Y, Sun W, Wang C, Fu L, Ma H, Wu Y, Hu X, Zhang X, Gee P, Yan W, Zhao Y, Chen Q, Guo B, Wang H, Zhang YE. Heterologous survey of 130 DNA transposons in human cells highlights their functional divergence and expands the genome engineering toolbox. Cell 2024; 187:3741-3760.e30. [PMID: 38843831 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2024.05.007] [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: 08/07/2023] [Revised: 03/11/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024]
Abstract
Experimental studies on DNA transposable elements (TEs) have been limited in scale, leading to a lack of understanding of the factors influencing transposition activity, evolutionary dynamics, and application potential as genome engineering tools. We predicted 130 active DNA TEs from 102 metazoan genomes and evaluated their activity in human cells. We identified 40 active (integration-competent) TEs, surpassing the cumulative number (20) of TEs found previously. With this unified comparative data, we found that the Tc1/mariner superfamily exhibits elevated activity, potentially explaining their pervasive horizontal transfers. Further functional characterization of TEs revealed additional divergence in features such as insertion bias. Remarkably, in CAR-T therapy for hematological and solid tumors, Mariner2_AG (MAG), the most active DNA TE identified, largely outperformed two widely used vectors, the lentiviral vector and the TE-based vector SB100X. Overall, this study highlights the varied transposition features and evolutionary dynamics of DNA TEs and increases the TE toolbox diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tongtong Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Reconstruction, State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Shengjun Tan
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Na Tang
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Reconstruction, State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Yuanqing Li
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Chenze Zhang
- National Key Laboratory of Efficacy and Mechanism on Chinese Medicine for Metabolic Diseases, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Jing Sun
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Reconstruction, State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Yanyan Guo
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Hui Gao
- Rengene Biotechnology Co., Ltd., Beijing 100036, China
| | - Yujia Cai
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Reconstruction, State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Wen Sun
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Reconstruction, State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Chenxin Wang
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Reconstruction, State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Liangzheng Fu
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Reconstruction, State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Huijing Ma
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Yachao Wu
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Reconstruction, State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Xiaoxuan Hu
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Reconstruction, State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Xuechun Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Reconstruction, State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Peter Gee
- MaxCyte Inc., Rockville, MD 20850, USA
| | - Weihua Yan
- Cold Spring Biotech Corp., Beijing 100031, China
| | - Yahui Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Qiang Chen
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Baocheng Guo
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; Academy of Plateau Science and Sustainability, Qinghai Normal University, Xining 810008, China
| | - Haoyi Wang
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Reconstruction, State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing 100101, China.
| | - Yong E Zhang
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.
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3
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Wang S, Gao B, Miskey C, Guan Z, Sang Y, Chen C, Wang X, Ivics Z, Song C. Passer, a highly active transposon from a fish genome, as a potential new robust genetic manipulation tool. Nucleic Acids Res 2023; 51:1843-1858. [PMID: 36688327 PMCID: PMC9976928 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2022] [Revised: 12/26/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The discovery of new, active DNA transposons can expand the range of genetic tools and provide more options for genomic manipulation. In this study, a bioinformatics analysis suggested that Passer (PS) transposons, which are members of the pogo superfamily, show signs of recent and current activity in animals and may be active in some species. Cell-based transposition assays revealed that the native PS transposases from Gasterosteus aculeatus and Danio rerio displayed very high activity in human cells relative to the Sleeping Beauty transposon. A typical overproduction inhibition phenomenon was observed for PS, and transposition capacity was decreased by ∼12% with each kilobase increase in the insertion size. Furthermore, PS exhibited a pronounced integration preference for genes and their transcriptional regulatory regions. We further show that two domesticated human proteins derived from PS transposases have lost their transposition activity. Overall, PS may represent an alternative with a potentially efficient genetic manipulation tool for transgenesis and mutagenesis applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saisai Wang
- College of Animal Science & Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, China
| | - Bo Gao
- College of Animal Science & Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, China
| | - Csaba Miskey
- Division of Medical Biotechnology, Paul Ehrlich Institute, D-63225 Langen, Germany
| | - Zhongxia Guan
- College of Animal Science & Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, China
| | - Yatong Sang
- College of Animal Science & Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, China
| | - Cai Chen
- College of Animal Science & Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, China
| | - Xiaoyan Wang
- College of Animal Science & Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, China
| | - Zoltán Ivics
- Division of Medical Biotechnology, Paul Ehrlich Institute, D-63225 Langen, Germany
| | - Chengyi Song
- College of Animal Science & Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, China
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4
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Lu F, Ren Y, Ding L, Lu J, Zhou X, Liu H, Wang N, Cai M. Minos and Restless transposon insertion mutagenesis of psychrotrophic fungus for red pigment synthesis adaptive to normal temperature. BIORESOUR BIOPROCESS 2022; 9:118. [PMID: 38647871 PMCID: PMC10992017 DOI: 10.1186/s40643-022-00604-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The polar psychrotrophic fungus Geomyces sp. WNF-15A can produce high-quality natural red pigment for the potential use as edible pigment. However, it shows low-temperature-dependent synthesis of red pigment, which limits its large-scale industrial applications due to the difficult and high-cost bioprocess control. This study aims to develop transposon-mediated mutagenesis methods to generate mutants that are able to synthesize red pigment at normal temperature. Four transposable systems, including single and dual transposable systems, were established in this fungus based on the Minos from Drosophila hydei and the Restless from Tolypocladium inflatum. A total of 23 production-dominant mutants and 12 growth-dominant mutants were thus obtained by constructed transposable systems. At 14 °C and 20 °C, the MPS1 mutant strain achieved the highest level of red pigment (OD520 of 43.3 and 29.7, respectively), which was increased by 78.4% and 128.7% compared to the wild-type, respectively. Of note, 4 mutants (MPS1, MPS3, MPS4 and MPD1) successfully synthesized red pigment (OD520 of 5.0, 5.3, 4.7 and 4.9, respectively) at 25 °C, which broke the limit of the wild-type production under normal temperature. Generally, the dual transposable systems of Minos and Restless were more efficient than their single transposable systems for mutagenesis in this fungus. However, the positive mutation ratios were similar between the dual and single transposable systems for either Minos or Restless. This study provides alternative tools for genetic mutagenesis breeding of fungi from extreme environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fengning Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200237, China
| | - Yanna Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200237, China
| | - Lulu Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200237, China
| | - Jian Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200237, China
| | - Xiangshan Zhou
- China Resources Biopharmaceutical Co., Ltd, Unit 601, Building No. 2, YESUN Intelligent Community III, Guanlan Street, Shenzhen, China
| | - Haifeng Liu
- China Resources Angde Biotech Pharma Co., Ltd, 78 E-Jiao Street, Liaocheng, 252201, Shandong, China
| | - Nengfei Wang
- First Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Qingdao, 266061, China
| | - Menghao Cai
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200237, China.
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Meilong Road, Shanghai, 200237, China.
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5
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Paris M, Wolff C, Patel NH, Averof M. The crustacean model Parhyale hawaiensis. Curr Top Dev Biol 2022; 147:199-230. [PMID: 35337450 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ctdb.2022.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Arthropods are the most abundant and diverse animals on earth. Among them, pancrustaceans are an ancient and morphologically diverse group, comprising a wide range of aquatic and semi-aquatic crustaceans as well as the insects, which emerged from crustacean ancestors to colonize most terrestrial habitats. Within insects, Drosophila stands out as one of the most powerful animal models, making major contributions to our understanding of development, physiology and behavior. Given these attributes, crustaceans provide a fertile ground for exploring biological diversity through comparative studies. However, beyond insects, few crustaceans are developed sufficiently as experimental models to enable such studies. The marine amphipod Parhyale hawaiensis is currently the best established crustacean system, offering year-round accessibility to developmental stages, transgenic tools, genomic resources, and established genetics and imaging approaches. The Parhyale research community is small but diverse, investigating the evolution of development, regeneration, aspects of sensory biology, chronobiology, bioprocessing and ecotoxicology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathilde Paris
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle de Lyon, École Normale Supérieure de Lyon, Lyon, France; Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), France
| | - Carsten Wolff
- Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, MA, United States
| | - Nipam H Patel
- Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, MA, United States; Department of Organismal Biology and Anatomy, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States.
| | - Michalis Averof
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle de Lyon, École Normale Supérieure de Lyon, Lyon, France; Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), France.
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6
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Shen D, Song C, Miskey C, Chan S, Guan Z, Sang Y, Wang Y, Chen C, Wang X, Müller F, Ivics Z, Gao B. A native, highly active Tc1/mariner transposon from zebrafish (ZB) offers an efficient genetic manipulation tool for vertebrates. Nucleic Acids Res 2021; 49:2126-2140. [PMID: 33638993 PMCID: PMC7913693 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkab045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2020] [Revised: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
New genetic tools and strategies are currently under development to facilitate functional genomics analyses. Here, we describe an active member of the Tc1/mariner transposon superfamily, named ZB, which invaded the zebrafish genome very recently. ZB exhibits high activity in vertebrate cells, in the range of those of the widely used transposons piggyBac (PB), Sleeping Beauty (SB) and Tol2. ZB has a similar structural organization and target site sequence preference to SB, but a different integration profile with respect to genome-wide preference among mammalian functional annotation features. Namely, ZB displays a preference for integration into transcriptional regulatory regions of genes. Accordingly, we demonstrate the utility of ZB for enhancer trapping in zebrafish embryos and in the mouse germline. These results indicate that ZB may be a powerful tool for genetic manipulation in vertebrate model species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Shen
- College of Animal Science & Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225009, China
- Division of Medical Biotechnology, Paul Ehrlich Institute, Langen 63225, Germany
| | - Chengyi Song
- College of Animal Science & Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225009, China
| | - Csaba Miskey
- Division of Medical Biotechnology, Paul Ehrlich Institute, Langen 63225, Germany
| | - Shuheng Chan
- College of Animal Science & Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225009, China
| | - Zhongxia Guan
- College of Animal Science & Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225009, China
| | - Yatong Sang
- College of Animal Science & Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225009, China
| | - Yali Wang
- College of Animal Science & Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225009, China
| | - Cai Chen
- College of Animal Science & Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225009, China
| | - Xiaoyan Wang
- College of Animal Science & Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225009, China
| | - Ferenc Müller
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, Birmingham Centre for Genome Biology, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Zoltán Ivics
- Division of Medical Biotechnology, Paul Ehrlich Institute, Langen 63225, Germany
| | - Bo Gao
- College of Animal Science & Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225009, China
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7
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Kuo DH, De-Miguel FF, Heath-Heckman EAC, Szczupak L, Todd K, Weisblat DA, Winchell CJ. A tale of two leeches: Toward the understanding of the evolution and development of behavioral neural circuits. Evol Dev 2020; 22:471-493. [PMID: 33226195 DOI: 10.1111/ede.12358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2019] [Revised: 10/23/2020] [Accepted: 11/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
In the animal kingdom, behavioral traits encompass a broad spectrum of biological phenotypes that have critical roles in adaptive evolution, but an EvoDevo approach has not been broadly used to study behavior evolution. Here, we propose that, by integrating two leech model systems, each of which has already attained some success in its respective field, it is possible to take on behavioral traits with an EvoDevo approach. We first identify the developmental changes that may theoretically lead to behavioral evolution and explain why an EvoDevo study of behavior is challenging. Next, we discuss the pros and cons of the two leech model species, Hirudo, a classic model for invertebrate neurobiology, and Helobdella, an emerging model for clitellate developmental biology, as models for behavioral EvoDevo research. Given the limitations of each leech system, neither is particularly strong for behavioral EvoDevo. However, the two leech systems are complementary in their technical accessibilities, and they do exhibit some behavioral similarities and differences. By studying them in parallel and together with additional leech species such as Haementeria, it is possible to explore the different levels of behavioral development and evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dian-Han Kuo
- Department of Life Science, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Francisco F De-Miguel
- Instituto de Fisiología Celular - Neurociencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México City, México
| | | | - Lidia Szczupak
- Departamento de Fisiología Biología Molecular y Celular, Universidad de Buenos Aires, and IFIBYNE UBA-CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Krista Todd
- Department of Neuroscience, Westminster College, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - David A Weisblat
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Christopher J Winchell
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, California, USA
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8
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Moschetti R, Palazzo A, Lorusso P, Viggiano L, Massimiliano Marsano R. "What You Need, Baby, I Got It": Transposable Elements as Suppliers of Cis-Operating Sequences in Drosophila. BIOLOGY 2020; 9:E25. [PMID: 32028630 PMCID: PMC7168160 DOI: 10.3390/biology9020025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2019] [Revised: 01/27/2020] [Accepted: 01/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Transposable elements (TEs) are constitutive components of both eukaryotic and prokaryotic genomes. The role of TEs in the evolution of genes and genomes has been widely assessed over the past years in a variety of model and non-model organisms. Drosophila is undoubtedly among the most powerful model organisms used for the purpose of studying the role of transposons and their effects on the stability and evolution of genes and genomes. Besides their most intuitive role as insertional mutagens, TEs can modify the transcriptional pattern of host genes by juxtaposing new cis-regulatory sequences. A key element of TE biology is that they carry transcriptional control elements that fine-tune the transcription of their own genes, but that can also perturb the transcriptional activity of neighboring host genes. From this perspective, the transposition-mediated modulation of gene expression is an important issue for the short-term adaptation of physiological functions to the environmental changes, and for long-term evolutionary changes. Here, we review the current literature concerning the regulatory and structural elements operating in cis provided by TEs in Drosophila. Furthermore, we highlight that, besides their influence on both TEs and host genes expression, they can affect the chromatin structure and epigenetic status as well as both the chromosome's structure and stability. It emerges that Drosophila is a good model organism to study the effect of TE-linked regulatory sequences, and it could help future studies on TE-host interactions in any complex eukaryotic genome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Moschetti
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università degli Studi di Bari “Aldo Moro”, Via Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy; (R.M.); (P.L.); (L.V.)
| | - Antonio Palazzo
- Laboratory of Translational Nanotechnology, “Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II” I.R.C.C.S, Viale Orazio Flacco 65, 70125 Bari, Italy;
| | - Patrizio Lorusso
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università degli Studi di Bari “Aldo Moro”, Via Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy; (R.M.); (P.L.); (L.V.)
| | - Luigi Viggiano
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università degli Studi di Bari “Aldo Moro”, Via Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy; (R.M.); (P.L.); (L.V.)
| | - René Massimiliano Marsano
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università degli Studi di Bari “Aldo Moro”, Via Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy; (R.M.); (P.L.); (L.V.)
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9
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Protein trap: a new Swiss army knife for geneticists? Mol Biol Rep 2019; 47:1445-1458. [PMID: 31728729 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-019-05181-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2019] [Accepted: 11/04/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
The protein trap is a powerful tool for genetic and biochemical studies of gene function in the animal kingdom. Although the original protein trap was developed for flies, it can be easily adapted to other multicellular organisms, both known models and ones with an unsequenced genome. The protein trap has been successfully applied to the fruit fly, crustaceans Parhyale hawaiensis, zebrafish, and insect and animal cell cultures. This approach is based on the integration into genes of an artificial exon that carries DNA encoding a fluorescent marker, standardized immunoepitopes, an integrase docking site, and splice acceptor and donor sites. The protein trap for cell cultures additionally contains an antibiotic resistance gene, which facilitates the selection of trapped clones. Resulting chimeric tagged mRNAs can be interfered by dsRNA against GFP (iGFPi-in vivo GFP interference), or the chimeric proteins can be efficiently knocked down by deGradFP technology. Both RNA and protein knockdowns produce a strong loss of function phenotype in tagged cells. The fluorescent and protein affinity tags can be used for tagged protein localisation within the cell and for identifying their binding partners in their native complexes. Insertion into protein trap integrase docking sites allows the replacement of trap contents by any new constructs, including other markers, cell toxins, stop-codons, and binary expression systems such as GAL4/UAS, LexA/LexAop and QF/QUAS, that reliably reflect endogenous gene expression. A distinctive feature of the protein trap approach is that all manipulations with a gene or its product occur only in the endogenous locus, which cannot be achieved by any other method.
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10
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Kulkarni A, Extavour CG. The Cricket Gryllus bimaculatus: Techniques for Quantitative and Functional Genetic Analyses of Cricket Biology. Results Probl Cell Differ 2019; 68:183-216. [PMID: 31598857 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-23459-1_8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
All extant species are an outcome of nature's "experiments" during evolution, and hence multiple species need to be studied and compared to gain a thorough understanding of evolutionary processes. The field of evolutionary developmental biology (evo-devo) aspires to expand the number of species studied, because most functional genetic studies in animals have been limited to a small number of "traditional" model organisms, many of which belong to the same phylum (Chordata). The phylum Arthropoda, and particularly its component class Insecta, possesses many important characteristics that are considered favorable and attractive for evo-devo research, including an astonishing diversity of extant species and a wide disparity in body plans. The development of the most thoroughly investigated insect genetic model system to date, the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster (a holometabolous insect), appears highly derived with respect to other insects and indeed with respect to most arthropods. In comparison, crickets (a basally branching hemimetabolous insect lineage compared to the Holometabola) are thought to embody many developmental features that make them more representative of insects. Here we focus on crickets as emerging models to study problems in a wide range of biological areas and summarize the currently available molecular, genomic, forward and reverse genetic, imaging and computational tool kit that has been established or adapted for cricket research. With an emphasis on the cricket species Gryllus bimaculatus, we highlight recent efforts made by the scientific community in establishing this species as a laboratory model for cellular biology and developmental genetics. This broad toolkit has the potential to accelerate many traditional areas of cricket research, including studies of adaptation, evolution, neuroethology, physiology, endocrinology, regeneration, and reproductive behavior. It may also help to establish newer areas, for example, the use of crickets as animal infection model systems and human food sources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arpita Kulkarni
- Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Cassandra G Extavour
- Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA.
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11
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Renfer E, Technau U. Meganuclease-assisted generation of stable transgenics in the sea anemone Nematostella vectensis. Nat Protoc 2017; 12:1844-1854. [DOI: 10.1038/nprot.2017.075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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12
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Balaska S, Myrianthopoulos V, Tselika M, Hatzinikolaou DG, Mikros E, Diallinas G. NmeA, a novel efflux transporter specific for nucleobases and nucleosides, contributes to metal resistance in Aspergillus nidulans. Mol Microbiol 2017; 105:426-439. [PMID: 28509393 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.13708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/12/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Through Minos transposon mutagenesis we obtained A. nidulans mutants resistant to 5-fluorouracil due to insertions into the upstream region of the uncharacterized gene nmeA, encoding a Major Facilitator Superfamily (MFS) transporter. Minos transpositions increased nmeA transcription, which is otherwise extremely low under all conditions tested. To dissect the function of NmeA we used strains overexpressing or genetically lacking the nmeA gene. Strains overexpressing NmeA are resistant to toxic purine analogues, but also, to cadmium, zinc and borate, whereas an isogenic nmeAΔ null mutant exhibits increased sensitivity to these compounds. We provide direct evidence that nmeA overexpression leads to efflux of adenine, xanthine, uric acid and allantoin, the latter two being intermediate metabolites of purine catabolism that are toxic when accumulated cytoplasmically due to relevant genetic lesions. By using a functional GFP-tagged version we show that NmeA is a plasma membrane transporter. Homology modeling and docking approaches identified a single purine binding site and a tentative substrate translocation trajectory in NmeA. Orthologues of NmeA are present in all Aspergilli and other Eurotiomycetes, but are absent from other fungi or non-fungal organisms. NmeA is thus the founding member of a new class of transporters essential for fungal success under specific toxic conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Balaska
- Department of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimioupolis, Athens, 15784, Greece
| | - Vassilios Myrianthopoulos
- Department of Pharmacy, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimioupolis, Athens, 15771, Greece
| | - Martha Tselika
- Department of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimioupolis, Athens, 15784, Greece
| | - Dimitris G Hatzinikolaou
- Department of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimioupolis, Athens, 15784, Greece
| | - Emmanuel Mikros
- Department of Pharmacy, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimioupolis, Athens, 15771, Greece
| | - George Diallinas
- Department of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimioupolis, Athens, 15784, Greece
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13
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Zhang HH, Li GY, Xiong XM, Han MJ, Zhang XG, Dai FY. TRT, a Vertebrate and Protozoan Tc1-Like Transposon: Current Activity and Horizontal Transfer. Genome Biol Evol 2016; 8:2994-3005. [PMID: 27667131 PMCID: PMC5630946 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evw213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
We report a Danio rerio transposon named DrTRT, for D. rerio Transposon Related to Tc1. The complete sequence of the DrTRT transposon is 1,563 base pairs (bp) in length, and its transposase putatively encodes a 338-amino acid protein that harbors a DD37E motif in its catalytic domain. We present evidence based on searches of publicly available genomes that TRT elements commonly occur in vertebrates and protozoa. Phylogenetic and functional domain comparisons confirm that TRT constitutes a new subfamily within the Tc1 family. Hallmark features of having no premature termination codons within the transposase, the presence of all expected functional domains, and its occurrence in the bony fish transcriptome suggest that TRT might have current or recent activity in these species. Further analysis showed that the activity of TRT elements in these species might have arisen about between 4 and 19 Ma. Interestingly, our results also implied that the widespread distribution of TRT among fishes, frog, and snakes is the result of multiple independent HT events, probably from bony fishes to snakes or frog. Finally, the mechanisms underlying horizontal transfer of TRT elements are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hua-Hao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Key Laboratory for Sericulture Functional Genomics and Biotechnology of Agricultural Ministry, Southwest University, Chongqing, China College of Pharmacy and Life Science, Jiujiang University, Jiujiang, China
| | - Guo-Yin Li
- Department of pathology, Hanzhoung Hospital, Hanzhoung city, Shaanxi, China
| | - Xiao-Min Xiong
- Clinical Medical College, Jiujiang University, Jiujiang, China
| | - Min-Jin Han
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Key Laboratory for Sericulture Functional Genomics and Biotechnology of Agricultural Ministry, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xiao-Gu Zhang
- College of Pharmacy and Life Science, Jiujiang University, Jiujiang, China
| | - Fang-Yin Dai
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Key Laboratory for Sericulture Functional Genomics and Biotechnology of Agricultural Ministry, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
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14
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Evangelinos M, Anagnostopoulos G, Karvela-Kalogeraki I, Stathopoulou PM, Scazzocchio C, Diallinas G. Minos as a novel Tc1/mariner-type transposable element for functional genomic analysis in Aspergillus nidulans. Fungal Genet Biol 2015; 81:1-11. [PMID: 26021704 DOI: 10.1016/j.fgb.2015.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2015] [Revised: 05/15/2015] [Accepted: 05/18/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Transposons constitute powerful genetic tools for gene inactivation, exon or promoter trapping and genome analyses. The Minos element from Drosophila hydei, a Tc1/mariner-like transposon, has proved as a very efficient tool for heterologous transposition in several metazoa. In filamentous fungi, only a handful of fungal-specific transposable elements have been exploited as genetic tools, with the impala Tc1/mariner element from Fusarium oxysporum being the most successful. Here, we developed a two-component transposition system to manipulate Minos transposition in Aspergillus nidulans (AnMinos). Our system allows direct selection of transposition events based on re-activation of niaD, a gene necessary for growth on nitrate as a nitrogen source. On average, among 10(8) conidiospores, we obtain up to ∼0.8×10(2) transposition events leading to the expected revertant phenotype (niaD(+)), while ∼16% of excision events lead to AnMinos loss. Characterized excision footprints consisted of the four terminal bases of the transposon flanked by the TA target duplication and led to no major DNA rearrangements. AnMinos transposition depends on the presence of its homologous transposase. Its frequency was not significantly affected by temperature, UV irradiation or the transcription status of the original integration locus (niaD). Importantly, transposition is dependent on nkuA, encoding an enzyme essential for non-homologous end joining of DNA in double-strand break repair. AnMinos proved to be an efficient tool for functional analysis as it seems to transpose in different genomic loci positions in all chromosomes, including a high proportion of integration events within or close to genes. We have used Minos to obtain morphological and toxic analogue resistant mutants. Interestingly, among morphological mutants some seem to be due to Minos-elicited over-expression of specific genes, rather than gene inactivation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minoas Evangelinos
- Faculty of Biology, University of Athens, Panepistimioupolis, Athens 15784, Greece
| | | | | | | | - Claudio Scazzocchio
- Department of Microbiology, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom; Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC), CEA, CNRS, Université Paris-Sud, Bâtiment 400, 91405 Orsay Cedex, France
| | - George Diallinas
- Faculty of Biology, University of Athens, Panepistimioupolis, Athens 15784, Greece.
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15
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Liu Y, Yang G. Tc1-like transposable elements in plant genomes. Mob DNA 2014; 5:17. [PMID: 24926322 PMCID: PMC4054914 DOI: 10.1186/1759-8753-5-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2014] [Accepted: 05/12/2014] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Tc1/mariner superfamily of transposable elements (TEs) is widespread in animal genomes. Mariner-like elements, which bear a DDD triad catalytic motif, have been identified in a wide range of flowering plant species. However, as the founding member of the superfamily, Tc1-like elements that bear a DD34E triad catalytic motif are only known to unikonts (animals, fungi, and Entamoeba). RESULTS Here we report the identification of Tc1-like elements (TLEs) in plant genomes. These elements bear the four terminal nucleotides and the characteristic DD34E triad motif of Tc1 element. The two TLE families (PpTc1, PpTc2) identified in the moss (Physcomitrella patens) genome contain highly similar copies. Multiple copies of PpTc1 are actively transcribed and the transcripts encode intact full length transposase coding sequences. TLEs are also found in angiosperm genome sequence databases of rice (Oryza sativa), dwarf birch (Betula nana), cabbage (Brassica rapa), hemp (Cannabis sativa), barley (Hordium valgare), lettuce (Lactuta sativa), poplar (Populus trichocarpa), pear (Pyrus x bretschneideri), and wheat (Triticum urartu). CONCLUSIONS This study extends the occurrence of TLEs to the plant phylum. The elements in the moss genome have amplified recently and may still be capable of transposition. The TLEs are also present in angiosperm genomes, but apparently much less abundant than in moss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Liu
- Department of Biology, University of Toronto at Mississauga, 3359 Mississauga Road, L5L 1C6 Mississauga, ON, Canada ; Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Guojun Yang
- Department of Biology, University of Toronto at Mississauga, 3359 Mississauga Road, L5L 1C6 Mississauga, ON, Canada ; Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
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16
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Mann KM, Jenkins NA, Copeland NG, Mann MB. Transposon insertional mutagenesis models of cancer. Cold Spring Harb Protoc 2014; 2014:235-47. [PMID: 24591685 DOI: 10.1101/pdb.top069849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Transposon-based insertional mutagenesis in the mouse provides a powerful approach for identifying new cancer genes. Transposon insertions in cancer genes are selected during tumor development because of their positive effect on tumor growth, and the transposon insertion sites in tumors thus serve as tags for identifying new cancer genes. Direct comparisons of transposon-mutated genes in mouse tumors with mutated genes in human tumors can lend insight into the genes and signaling pathways that drive tumorigenesis. This is critical for prioritizing genes for further study, either for their efficacy as biomarkers or drug targets. In this article, we will introduce DNA transposon-based systems used for gene discovery in mice and discuss their application to identify candidate cancer genes in light of recently published tumor studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen M Mann
- Cancer Research Program, The Methodist Hospital Research Institute, Houston, Texas 77030
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17
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Inducible protein traps with dominant phenotypes for functional analysis of the Drosophila genome. Genetics 2013; 196:91-105. [PMID: 24172131 DOI: 10.1534/genetics.113.157529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The Drosophila melanogaster genome has been extensively characterized, but there remains a pressing need to associate gene products with phenotypes, subcellular localizations, and interaction partners. A multifunctional, Minos transposon-based protein trapping system called Hostile takeover (Hto) was developed to facilitate in vivo analyses of endogenous genes, including live imaging, purification of protein complexes, and mutagenesis. The Hto transposon features a UAS enhancer with a basal promoter, followed by an artificial exon 1 and a standard 5' splice site. Upon GAL4 induction, exon 1 can splice to the next exon downstream in the flanking genomic DNA, belonging to a random target gene. Exon 1 encodes a dual tag (FLAG epitope and mCherry red fluorescent protein), which becomes fused to the target protein. Hto was mobilized throughout the genome and then activated by eye-specific GAL4; an F1 screen for abnormal eye phenotypes was used to identify inserts that express disruptive fusion proteins. Approximately 1.7% of new inserts cause eye phenotypes. Of the first 23 verified target genes, 21 can be described as regulators of cell biology and development. Most are transcription factor genes, including AP-2, CG17181, cut, klu, mamo, Sox102F, and sv. Other target genes [l(1)G0232, nuf, pum, and Syt4] make cytoplasmic proteins, and these lines produce diverse fluorescence localization patterns. Hto permits the expression of stable carboxy-terminal subfragments of proteins, which are rarely tested in conventional genetic screens. Some of these may disrupt specific cell pathways, as exemplified by truncated forms of Mastermind and Nuf.
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18
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Kalajdzic P, Oehler S, Reczko M, Pavlidi N, Vontas J, Hatzigeorgiou AG, Savakis C. Use of mutagenesis, genetic mapping and next generation transcriptomics to investigate insecticide resistance mechanisms. PLoS One 2012; 7:e40296. [PMID: 22768270 PMCID: PMC3386967 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0040296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2011] [Accepted: 06/06/2012] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Insecticide resistance is a worldwide problem with major impact on agriculture and human health. Understanding the underlying molecular mechanisms is crucial for the management of the phenomenon; however, this information often comes late with respect to the implementation of efficient counter-measures, particularly in the case of metabolism-based resistance mechanisms. We employed a genome-wide insertional mutagenesis screen to Drosophila melanogaster, using a Minos-based construct, and retrieved a line (MiT[w−]3R2) resistant to the neonicotinoid insecticide Imidacloprid. Biochemical and bioassay data indicated that resistance was due to increased P450 detoxification. Deep sequencing transcriptomic analysis revealed substantial over- and under-representation of 357 transcripts in the resistant line, including statistically significant changes in mixed function oxidases, peptidases and cuticular proteins. Three P450 genes (Cyp4p2, Cyp6a2 and Cyp6g1) located on the 2R chromosome, are highly up-regulated in mutant flies compared to susceptible Drosophila. One of them (Cyp6g1) has been already described as a major factor for Imidacloprid resistance, which validated the approach. Elevated expression of the Cyp4p2 was not previously documented in Drosophila lines resistant to neonicotinoids. In silico analysis using the Drosophila reference genome failed to detect transcription binding factors or microRNAs associated with the over-expressed Cyp genes. The resistant line did not contain a Minos insertion in its chromosomes, suggesting a hit-and-run event, i.e. an insertion of the transposable element, followed by an excision which caused the mutation. Genetic mapping placed the resistance locus to the right arm of the second chromosome, within a ∼1 Mb region, where the highly up-regulated Cyp6g1 gene is located. The nature of the unknown mutation that causes resistance is discussed on the basis of these results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Predrag Kalajdzic
- Institute for Biological Research, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia.
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19
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Abstract
The ability to manipulate the genomes of many insects has become a practical reality over the past 15 years. This has been led by the identification of several useful transposon vector systems that have allowed the identification and development of generalized, species-specific, and tissue-specific promoter systems for controlled expression of gene products upon introduction into insect genomes. Armed with these capabilities, researchers have made significant strides in both fundamental and applied transgenics in key model systems such as Bombyx mori, Tribolium casteneum, Aedes aegypti, and Anopheles stephensi. Limitations of transposon systems were identified, and alternative tools were developed, thus significantly increasing the potential for applied transgenics for control of both agricultural and medical insect pests. The next 10 years promise to be an exciting time of transitioning from the laboratory to the field, from basic research to applied control, during which the full potential of gene manipulation in insect systems will ultimately be realized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malcolm J Fraser
- Eck Institute for Global Health, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556-0369, USA.
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20
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MiMIC: a highly versatile transposon insertion resource for engineering Drosophila melanogaster genes. Nat Methods 2011; 8:737-43. [PMID: 21985007 PMCID: PMC3191940 DOI: 10.1038/nmeth.1662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 475] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
We demonstrate the versatility of a collection of insertions of the transposon Minos mediated integration cassette (MiMIC), in Drosophila melanogaster. MiMIC contains a gene-trap cassette and the yellow+ marker flanked by two inverted bacteriophage ΦC31 attP sites. MiMIC integrates almost at random in the genome to create sites for DNA manipulation. The attP sites allow the replacement of the intervening sequence of the transposon with any other sequence through recombinase mediated cassette exchange (RMCE). We can revert insertions that function as gene traps and cause mutant phenotypes to wild type by RMCE and modify insertions to control GAL4 or QF overexpression systems or perform lineage analysis using the Flp system. Insertions within coding introns can be exchanged with protein-tag cassettes to create fusion proteins to follow protein expression and perform biochemical experiments. The applications of MiMIC vastly extend the Drosophila melanogaster toolkit.
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Kontarakis Z, Konstantinides N, Pavlopoulos A, Averof M. Reconfiguring gene traps for new tasks using iTRAC. Fly (Austin) 2011; 5:352-5. [PMID: 22004889 DOI: 10.4161/fly.5.4.18108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
We recently developed integrase-mediated trap conversion (iTRAC) as a means of exploiting gene traps to create new genetic tools, such as markers for imaging, drivers for gene expression and landing sites for gene and chromosome engineering. The principle of iTRAC is simple: primary gene traps are generated with transposon vectors carrying φC31 integrase docking sites, which are subsequently utilized to integrate different constructs into the selected trapped loci. Thus, iTRAC allows us to reconfigure selected traps for new purposes. Two features make iTRAC an attractive approach for Drosophila research. First, its versatility permits the exploitation of gene traps in an open-ended way, for applications that were not envisaged during the primary trapping screen. Second, iTRAC is readily transferable to new species and provides a means for developing complex genetic tools in drosophilids that lack the facility of Drosophila melanogaster genetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zacharias Kontarakis
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Foundation for Research and Technology Hellas, Crete, Greece
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Kontarakis Z, Pavlopoulos A, Kiupakis A, Konstantinides N, Douris V, Averof M. A versatile strategy for gene trapping and trap conversion in emerging model organisms. Development 2011; 138:2625-30. [PMID: 21610038 DOI: 10.1242/dev.066324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Genetic model organisms such as Drosophila, C. elegans and the mouse provide formidable tools for studying mechanisms of development, physiology and behaviour. Established models alone, however, allow us to survey only a tiny fraction of the morphological and functional diversity present in the animal kingdom. Here, we present iTRAC, a versatile gene-trapping approach that combines the implementation of unbiased genetic screens with the generation of sophisticated genetic tools both in established and emerging model organisms. The approach utilises an exon-trapping transposon vector that carries an integrase docking site, allowing the targeted integration of new constructs into trapped loci. We provide proof of principle for iTRAC in the emerging model crustacean Parhyale hawaiensis: we generate traps that allow specific developmental and physiological processes to be visualised in unparalleled detail, we show that trapped genes can be easily cloned from an unsequenced genome, and we demonstrate targeting of new constructs into a trapped locus. Using this approach, gene traps can serve as platforms for generating diverse reporters, drivers for tissue-specific expression, gene knockdown and other genetic tools not yet imagined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zacharias Kontarakis
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Foundation for Research and Technology Hellas, GR-70013 Heraklio, Crete, Greece
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Recombination technologies for enhanced transgene stability in bioengineered insects. Genetica 2010; 139:71-8. [PMID: 20844938 PMCID: PMC3030938 DOI: 10.1007/s10709-010-9494-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2010] [Accepted: 08/27/2010] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Transposon-based vectors currently provide the most suitable gene transfer systems for insect germ-line transformation and are used for molecular improvement of the Sterile Insect Technique. However, the long time stability of genome-integrated transposon constructs depends on the absence of transposase activity that could remobilize the transposon-embedded transgenes. To achieve transgene stability transposon vectors are usually non-autonomous, lacking a functional transposase gene, and chosen so that endogenous or related transposon activities are not present in the host. Nevertheless, the non-autonomous transposon-embedded transgenes could become unstable by the unintended presence of a mobilizing transposase that may have been undetected or subsequently entered the host species by horizontal gene transfer. Since the field release of transgenic insects will present environmental concerns relating to large populations and high mobility, it will be important to ensure that transgene constructs are stably integrated for maintaining strain integrity and eliminating the possibility for unintentional transfer into the genome of another organism. Here we review efficient methods to delete or rearrange terminal repeat sequences of transposons necessary for their mobility, subsequent to their initial genomic integration. These procedures should prevent transposase-mediated remobilization of the transgenes, ensuring their genomic stability.
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Kong J, Wang F, Brenton JD, Adams DJ. Slingshot: a PiggyBac based transposon system for tamoxifen-inducible 'self-inactivating' insertional mutagenesis. Nucleic Acids Res 2010; 38:e173. [PMID: 20688953 PMCID: PMC2952874 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkq658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
We have developed a self-inactivating PiggyBac transposon system for tamoxifen inducible insertional mutagenesis from a stably integrated chromosomal donor. This system, which we have named 'Slingshot', utilizes a transposon carrying elements for both gain- and loss-of-function screens in vitro. We show that the Slingshot transposon can be efficiently mobilized from a range of chromosomal loci with high inducibility and low background generating insertions that are randomly dispersed throughout the genome. Furthermore, we show that once the Slingshot transposon has been mobilized it is not remobilized producing stable clonal integrants in all daughter cells. To illustrate the efficacy of Slingshot as a screening tool we set out to identify mediators of resistance to puromycin and the chemotherapeutic drug vincristine by performing genetrap screens in mouse embryonic stem cells. From these genome-wide screens we identified multiple independent insertions in the multidrug resistance transporter genes Abcb1a/b and Abcg2 conferring resistance to drug treatment. Importantly, we also show that the Slingshot transposon system is functional in other mammalian cell lines such as human HEK293, OVCAR-3 and PE01 cells suggesting that it may be used in a range of cell culture systems. Slingshot represents a flexible and potent system for genome-wide transposon-mediated mutagenesis with many potential applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Kong
- Experimental Cancer Genetics, Welcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, UK
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25
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Sasakura Y, Yaguchi J, Yaguchi S, Yajima M. Excision and transposition activity of Tc1/mariner superfamily transposons in sea urchin embryos. Zoolog Sci 2010; 27:256-62. [PMID: 20192694 DOI: 10.2108/zsj.27.256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Tc1/mariner superfamily transposons are used as transformation vectors in various model organisms. The utility of this transposon family is evidenced by the fact that Tc1/mariner transposons have loose host specificity. However, the activity of these transposons has been observed in only a few organisms, and a recent study in the ascidian Ciona intestinalis suggests that not all Tc1/ mariner transposons show loose host specificity. To understand host specificity, we used sea urchins, since they have a long history as materials of embryology and developmental biology. Transposon techniques have not been reported in this organism, despite the likelihood that these techniques would open up many experimental possibilities. Here we tested the activity of three Tc1/ mariner transposons (Minos, Sleeping Beauty, and Frog Prince) in the sea urchin Hemicentrotus pulcherrimus. Minos has both excision and transposition activity in H. pulcherrimus embryos, whereas no excision activity was detected for Sleeping Beauty or Frog Prince. This study suggests that Minos is active in a broad range of non-host organisms and can be used as a transformation tool in sea urchin embryos.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasunori Sasakura
- Shimoda Marine Research Center, University of Tsukuba, Shimoda, Shizuoka 415-0025, Japan.
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26
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Cancer gene discovery in mouse and man. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2009; 1796:140-61. [PMID: 19285540 PMCID: PMC2756404 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2009.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2009] [Revised: 03/03/2009] [Accepted: 03/05/2009] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The elucidation of the human and mouse genome sequence and developments in high-throughput genome analysis, and in computational tools, have made it possible to profile entire cancer genomes. In parallel with these advances mouse models of cancer have evolved into a powerful tool for cancer gene discovery. Here we discuss the approaches that may be used for cancer gene identification in both human and mouse and discuss how a cross-species 'oncogenomics' approach to cancer gene discovery represents a powerful strategy for finding genes that drive tumourigenesis.
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27
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Ni J, Clark KJ, Fahrenkrug SC, Ekker SC. Transposon tools hopping in vertebrates. BRIEFINGS IN FUNCTIONAL GENOMICS AND PROTEOMICS 2009; 7:444-53. [PMID: 19109308 DOI: 10.1093/bfgp/eln049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
In the past decade, tools derived from DNA transposons have made major contributions to vertebrate genetic studies from gene delivery to gene discovery. Multiple, highly complementary systems have been developed, and many more are in the pipeline. Judging which DNA transposon element will work the best in diverse uses from zebrafish genetic manipulation to human gene therapy is currently a complex task. We have summarized the major transposon vector systems active in vertebrates, comparing and contrasting known critical biochemical and in vivo properties, for future tool design and new genetic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Ni
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
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