Haplotyping germline and cancer genomes with high-throughput linked-read sequencing.

Haplotyping of human chromosomes is a prerequisite for cataloguing the full repertoire of genetic variation. We present a microfluidics-based, linked-read sequencing technology that can phase and haplotype germline and cancer genomes using nanograms of input DNA. This high-throughput platform prepares barcoded libraries for short-read sequencing and computationally reconstructs long-range haplotype and structural variant information.

Genomic profiling of fungal cell wall-interfering compounds: identification of a common gene signature.

Background: The fungal cell wall forms a compact network whose integrity is essential for cell morphology and viability. Thus, fungal cells have evolved mechanisms to elicit adequate adaptive responses when cell wall integrity (CWI) is compromised. Functional genomic approaches provide a unique opportunity to globally characterize these adaptive mechanisms.

Activation of the yeast cell wall integrity MAPK pathway by zymolyase depends on protease and glucanase activities and requires the mucin-like protein Hkr1 but not Msb2.

Yeast adaptation to conditions in which cell wall integrity is compromised mainly relies on the cell wall integrity (CWI) mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. Zymolyase, a mixture of cell wall-digesting enzymes, triggers a peculiar signaling mechanism in which activation of the CWI pathway is dependent on the high-osmolarity glycerol MAPK pathway. We have identified inhibitors of the principal enzyme activities present in zymolyase and tested their effect on the activation of the MAPK of the CWI pathway, Slt2/Mpk1.

Differential regulation of glucose transport activity in yeast by specific cAMP signatures.

Successful colonization and survival in variable environments require a competitive advantage during the initial growth phase after experiencing nutrient changes. Starved yeast cells anticipate exposure to glucose by activating the Hxt5p (hexose transporter 5) glucose transporter, which provides an advantage during early phases after glucose resupply. cAMP and glucose FRET (fluorescence resonance energy transfer) sensors were used to identify three signalling pathways that co-operate in the anticipatory Hxt5p activity in glucose-starved cells: as expected the Snf1 (sucrose nonfermenting 1) AMP kinase pathway, but, surprisingly, the sugar-dependent G-protein-coupled Gpr1 (G-protein-coupled receptor 1)/cAMP/PKA (protein kinase A) pathway and the Pho85 (phosphate metabolism 85)/Plc (phospholipase C) 6/7 pathway.

Optical sensors for measuring dynamic changes of cytosolic metabolite levels in yeast.

Optical sensors allow dynamic quantification of metabolite levels with subcellular resolution. Here we describe protocols for analyzing cytosolic glucose levels in yeast using genetically encoded Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) sensors. FRET glucose sensors with different glucose affinities (K(d)) covering the low nano- to mid- millimolar range can be targeted genetically to the cytosol or to subcellular compartments.

In vivo biochemistry: quantifying ion and metabolite levels in individual cells or cultures of yeast.

Over the past decade, we have learned that cellular processes, including signalling and metabolism, are highly compartmentalized, and that relevant changes in metabolic state can occur at sub-second timescales. Moreover, we have learned that individual cells in populations, or as part of a tissue, exist in different states. If we want to understand metabolic processes and signalling better, it will be necessary to measure biochemical and biophysical responses of individual cells with high temporal and spatial resolution.

Functional and genomic analyses of blocked protein O-mannosylation in baker's yeast.

O-mannosylation is a crucial protein modification in eukaryotes that is initiated by the essential family of protein O-mannosyltransferases (PMTs). Here we demonstrate that in the model yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae rhodanine-3-acetic acid derivatives affect members of all PMT subfamilies. Specifically, we used OGT2468 to analyse genome-wide transcriptional changes in response to general inhibition of O-mannosylation in baker's yeast.

Characterization of sensor-specific stress response by transcriptional profiling of wsc1 and mid2 deletion strains and chimeric sensors in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Cell wall stress in the model yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is known to trigger an adaptive transcriptional response. This response is mediated by a specific MAPK cell wall integrity (CWI) signal transduction pathway and affects the expression of many genes whose products are involved in the remodeling of the cellular envelope. Cell wall damage is detected mainly by Wsc1 and Mid2, which are the dominant sensors of CWI pathway.

Dynamic analysis of cytosolic glucose and ATP levels in yeast using optical sensors.

Precise and dynamic measurement of intracellular metabolite levels has been hampered by difficulties in differentiating between adsorbed and imported fractions and the subcellular distribution between cytosol, endomembrane compartments and mitochondria. In the present study, genetically encoded FRET (Förster resonance energy transfer)-based sensors were deployed for dynamic measurements of free cytosolic glucose and ATP with varying external supply and in glucose-transport mutants. Moreover, by using the FRET sensors in a microfluidic platform, we were able to monitor in vivo changes of intracellular free glucose in individual yeast cells.

The high osmotic response and cell wall integrity pathways cooperate to regulate transcriptional responses to zymolyase-induced cell wall stress in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

The adaptation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae to situations in which cell wall integrity is seriously compromised mainly involves the cell wall integrity (CWI) pathway. However, in a recent work ( Bermejo, C., Rodriguez, E.

Different modulation of the outputs of yeast MAPK-mediated pathways by distinct stimuli and isoforms of the dual-specificity phosphatase Msg5.

The activity of protein phosphatases on mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKS) is essential in the modulation of the final outcome of MAPK-signalling pathways. The yeast dual-specificity phosphatase (DSP) Msg5, expressed as two isoforms of different length, dephosphorylates the MAPKs of mating and cell integrity pathways, Fus3 and Slt2, respectively, but its action on the MAPK Kss1 is unclear. Here we analyse the global impact of Msg5 on the yeast transcriptome.

The sequential activation of the yeast HOG and SLT2 pathways is required for cell survival to cell wall stress.

Yeast mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways transduce external stimuli into cellular responses very precisely. The MAPKs Slt2/Mpk1 and Hog1 regulate transcriptional responses of adaptation to cell wall and osmotic stresses, respectively. Unexpectedly, we observe that the activation of a cell wall integrity (CWI) response to the cell wall damage caused by zymolyase (beta-1,3 glucanase) requires both the HOG and SLT2 pathways.

Relationship between biomarker expression and allelic alteration in esophageal carcinoma.

Background And Aim: Expression of biomarkers and probable allelic alterations were studied in esophagus tissue samples from patients with esophageal carcinoma.

Methods: A total of 116 esophagus tissue samples were obtained from 25 patients with esophagus cancer. Histological studies revealed 23 samples were adenocarcinoma and 14 samples were epidermoid carcinoma while 79 samples were non-tumor.

Integrated proteomics and genomics strategies bring new insight into Candida albicans response upon macrophage interaction.

The interaction of Candida albicans with macrophages is considered a crucial step in the development of an adequate immune response in systemic candidiasis. An in vitro model of phagocytosis that includes a differential staining procedure to discriminate between internalized and non-internalized yeast was developed. Upon optimization of a protocol to obtain an enriched population of ingested yeasts, a thorough genomics and proteomics analysis was carried out on these cells.

Genomic sequence of the pathogenic and allergenic filamentous fungus Aspergillus fumigatus.

Aspergillus fumigatus is exceptional among microorganisms in being both a primary and opportunistic pathogen as well as a major allergen. Its conidia production is prolific, and so human respiratory tract exposure is almost constant. A.

The 'yeast cell wall chip' - a tool to analyse the regulation of cell wall biogenesis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Within the field of Saccharomyces cerevisiae functional genomics, DNA microarrays have become a very useful tool to study genome-wide gene-expression changes under diverse experimental conditions. Here, the design and production of a gene microarray, called the 'yeast cell wall chip', specifically tailored to investigate cell wall functions, is described. This array has been validated and shown to be useful to address gene involvement in the regulation of the response to cell wall damage in yeast.

The global transcriptional response to transient cell wall damage in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and its regulation by the cell integrity signaling pathway.

In the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, environmental stress conditions that damage the cell wall lead to activation of the so-called "compensatory mechanism," aimed at preserving cell integrity through a remodeling of this extracellular matrix. Here we used DNA microarrays to investigate the molecular basis of this response to two agents that induce transient cell wall damage; namely Congo Red and Zymolyase. Treatment of the cells with these two agents elicited the up-regulation of 132 and 101 genes respectively, the main functional groups among them being involved in cell wall construction and metabolism.