Leveraging deep single-soma RNA sequencing to explore the neural basis of human somatosensation.

The versatility of somatosensation arises from heterogeneous dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. However, soma transcriptomes of individual human (h)DRG neurons-critical information to decipher their functions-are lacking due to technical difficulties. In this study, we isolated somata from individual hDRG neurons and conducted deep RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) to detect, on average, over 9,000 unique genes per neuron, and we identified 16 neuronal types.

Structure-guided discovery of bile acid derivatives for treating liver diseases without causing itch.

Chronic itch is a debilitating symptom profoundly impacting the quality of life in patients with liver diseases like cholestasis. Activation of the human G-protein coupled receptor, MRGPRX4 (hX4), by bile acids (BAs) is implicated in promoting cholestasis itch. However, the detailed underlying mechanisms remain elusive.

Identification of transcription factor BnHDG4-A08 as a novel candidate associated with the accumulation of oleic, linoleic, linolenic, and erucic acid in Brassica napus.

We screened 47 significantly associated haplotype blocks for oleic, linoleic, linolenic, and erucic acid, with 17 blocks influencing multiple traits. A novel candidate of transcription factor BnHDG4 A08 influencing oleic, linoleic, linolenic, and erucic acid was identified, by a joint strategy of haplotype-based genome-wide association study, genomic resequencing, gene cloning, and co-expression network Fatty acid (FA) composition determines the quality and economic value of rapeseed oil (Brassica napus). However, the molecular network of FAs is unclear.

Distinct local and global functions of mouse Aβ low-threshold mechanoreceptors in mechanical nociception.

The roles of Aβ low-threshold mechanoreceptors (LTMRs) in transmitting mechanical hyperalgesia and in alleviating chronic pain have been of great interest but remain contentious. Here we utilized intersectional genetic tools, optogenetics, and high-speed imaging to specifically examine functions of Split labeled mouse Aβ-LTMRs in this regard. Genetic ablation of Split-Aβ-LTMRs increased mechanical nociception but not thermosensation in both acute and chronic inflammatory pain conditions, indicating a modality-specific role in gating mechanical nociception.

PIEZO2-dependent rapid pain system in humans and mice.

The PIEZO2 ion channel is critical for transducing light touch into neural signals but is not considered necessary for transducing acute pain in humans. Here, we discovered an exception - a form of mechanical pain evoked by hair pulling. Based on observations in a rare group of individuals with PIEZO2 deficiency syndrome, we demonstrated that hair-pull pain is dependent on PIEZO2 transduction.

Development and validation of functional kompetitive allele-specific PCR markers for herbicide resistance in .

Effective weed control in the field is essential for maintaining favorable growing conditions and rapeseed yields. Sulfonylurea herbicides are one kind of most widely used herbicides worldwide, which control weeds by inhibiting acetolactate synthase (ALS). Molecular markers have been designed from polymorphic sites within the sequences of ALS genes, aiding marker-assisted selection in breeding herbicide-resistant rapeseed cultivars.

Distinct Local and Global Functions of Aβ Low-Threshold Mechanoreceptors in Mechanical Pain Transmission.

The roles of Aβ low-threshold mechanoreceptors (LTMRs) in transmitting mechanical hyperalgesia and in alleviating chronic pain have been of great interest but remain contentious. Here we utilized intersectional genetic tools, optogenetics, and high-speed imaging to specifically examine functions of labeled Aβ-LTMRs in this regard. Genetic ablation of Split-Aβ-LTMRs increased mechanical pain but not thermosensation in both acute and chronic inflammatory pain conditions, indicating their modality-specific role in gating mechanical pain transmission.

Distinct Local and Global Functions of Aβ Low-Threshold Mechanoreceptors in Mechanical Pain Transmission.

The roles of Aβ low-threshold mechanoreceptors (LTMRs) in transmitting mechanical hyperalgesia and in alleviating chronic pain have been of great interest but remain contentious. Here we utilized intersectional genetic tools, optogenetics, and high-speed imaging to specifically examine functions of labeled Aβ-LTMRs in this regard. Genetic ablation of Split -Aβ-LTMRs increased mechanical pain but not thermosensation in both acute and chronic inflammatory pain conditions, indicating their modality-specific role in gating mechanical pain transmission.

Single-Soma Deep RNA sequencing of Human DRG Neurons Reveals Novel Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms Underlying Somatosensation.

The versatility of somatosensation arises from heterogeneous dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. However, soma transcriptomes of individual human DRG (hDRG) neurons-critical in-formation to decipher their functions-are lacking due to technical difficulties. Here, we developed a novel approach to isolate individual hDRG neuron somas for deep RNA sequencing (RNA-seq).

Scratch-AID, a deep learning-based system for automatic detection of mouse scratching behavior with high accuracy.

Mice are the most commonly used model animals for itch research and for development of anti-itch drugs. Most laboratories manually quantify mouse scratching behavior to assess itch intensity. This process is labor-intensive and limits large-scale genetic or drug screenings.

CRISPR/Cas9-Mediated Gene Editing of and Modifies Fatty Acid Profiles in .

Fatty acid (FA) composition determines the quality of oil from oilseed crops, and thus is a major target for genetic improvement. () and () are critical FA synthetic genes, and have been the focus of genetic manipulation to alter fatty acid composition in oilseed plants. In this study, to improve the nutritional quality of rapeseed cultivar CY2 (about 50% oil content; of which 40% erucic acid), we generated novel knockout plants by CRISPR/Cas9 mediated genome editing of and genes.

ErbB4 spinal cord dorsal horn neurons process heat pain.

How the spinal cord transmits heat signals from the periphery to the brain remains unclear. In this issue of Neuron, Wang et al. (2022) identify a population of spinal cord neurons functioning in this pathway.

Identification and Development of KASP Markers for Novel Mutant Alleles Associated With Elevated Oleic Acid in .

The fatty acid desaturase genes are the main contributors to oleic acid content, and different alleles can result in different oleic acid contents in rapeseed oil. Hence, identification of allelic variation in is an extremely desirable breeding goal. By performing QTL mapping using 190 F lines genotyped by genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers assayed by the 60 K Infinium BeadChip Array, four quantitative trait loci (QTL) for C18:1 content were mapped on chromosomes A01, A05, A09 and C05 over 3 years in a population segregating for oleic acid content.

Localization, proteomics, and metabolite profiling reveal a putative vesicular transporter for UDP-glucose.

Vesicular neurotransmitter transporters (VNTs) mediate the selective uptake and enrichment of small-molecule neurotransmitters into synaptic vesicles (SVs) and are therefore a major determinant of the synaptic output of specific neurons. To identify novel VNTs expressed on SVs (thus identifying new neurotransmitters and/or neuromodulators), we conducted localization profiling of 361 solute carrier (SLC) transporters tagging with a fluorescent protein in neurons, which revealed 40 possible candidates through comparison with a known SV marker. We parallelly performed proteomics analysis of immunoisolated SVs and identified seven transporters in overlap.

MRGPRX4 in Cholestatic Pruritus.

Pruritus (itch) is a debilitating symptom in liver diseases with cholestasis, which severely affects patients' quality of life. Limited treatment options are available for cholestatic itch, largely due to the incomplete understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms. Several factors have been proposed as pruritogens for cholestatic itch, such as bile acids, bilirubin, lysophosphatidic acid, and endogenous opioids.

MicroRNA-mRNA expression profiles and their potential role in cadmium stress response in Brassica napus.

Background: Oilseed rape is an excellent candidate for phytoremediation of cadmium (Cd) contaminated soils given its advantages of high biomass, fast growth, moderate metal accumulation, ease of harvesting, and metal tolerance, but the cadmium response pathways in this species (Brassica napus) have yet to be fully elucidated. A combined analysis of miRNA and mRNA expression to infer Cd-induced regulation has not been reported in B. napus.

MRGPRX4 is a bile acid receptor for human cholestatic itch.

Patients with liver diseases often suffer from chronic itch, yet the pruritogen(s) and receptor(s) remain largely elusive. Here, we identify bile acids as natural ligands for MRGPRX4. MRGPRX4 is expressed in human dorsal root ganglion (hDRG) neurons and co-expresses with itch receptor HRH1.

NBS-Encoding Genes in Evolved Rapidly After Allopolyploidization and Co-localize With Known Disease Resistance Loci.

Genes containing nucleotide-binding sites (NBS) play an important role in pathogen resistance in plants. However, the evolutionary fate of NBS-encoding genes after formation of allotetraploid (AACC, 2n = 38) is still unknown. We performed a genome-wide comparison of putatively functional NBS-encoding genes in and its progenitor species (AA, 2n = 20) and (CC, 2n = 18), identifying 464, 202, and 146 putatively functional NBS-encoding genes respectively, with genes unevenly distributed in several clusters.

Floral Initiation in Response to Planting Date Reveals the Key Role of Floral Meristem Differentiation Prior to Budding in Canola (Brassica napus L.).

In Brassica napus, floral development is a decisive factor in silique formation, and it is influenced by many cultivation practices including planting date. However, the effect of planting date on floral initiation in canola is poorly understood at present. A field experiment was conducted using a split plot design, in which three planting dates (early, 15 September, middle, 1 October, and late, 15 October) served as main plot and five varieties differing in maturity (1358, J22, Zhongshuang 11, Zheshuang 8, and Zheyou 50) employed as subplot.

Small RNA changes in synthetic Brassica napus.

Small RNAs and microRNAs were found to vary extensively in synthetic Brassica napus and subsequent generations, accompanied by the activation of transposable elements in response to hybridization and polyploidization. Resynthesizing B. napus by hybridization and chromosome doubling provides an approach to create novel polyploids and increases the usable genetic variability in oilseed rape.

Chlorophyll and carbohydrate metabolism in developing silique and seed are prerequisite to seed oil content of Brassica napus L.

Background: Although the seed oil content in canola is a crucial quality determining trait, the regulatory mechanisms of its formation are not fully discovered. This study compared the silique and seed physiological characteristics including fresh and dry weight, seed oil content, chlorophyll content, and carbohydrate content in a high oil content line (HOCL) and a low oil content line (LOCL) of canola derived from a recombinant inbred line in 2010, 2011, and 2012. The aim of the investigation is to uncover the physiological regulation of silique and seed developmental events on seed oil content in canola.