Partial depletion of yolk during zebrafish embryogenesis changes the dynamics of methionine cycle and metabolic genes.

Background: Limited nutrient availability during development is associated with metabolic diseases in adulthood. The molecular cause for these defects is unclear. Here, we investigate if transcriptional changes caused by developmental malnutrition reveal an early response that can be linked to metabolism and metabolic diseases.

Genetic basis of transcriptome differences between the founder strains of the rat HXB/BXH recombinant inbred panel.

Background: With the advent of next generation sequencing it has become possible to detect genomic variation on a large scale. However, predicting which genomic variants are damaging to gene function remains a challenge, as knowledge of the effects of genomic variation on gene expression is still limited. Recombinant inbred panels are powerful tools to study the cis and trans effects of genetic variation on molecular phenotypes such as gene expression.

Methods for small RNA preparation for digital gene expression profiling by next-generation sequencing.

Digital gene expression (DGE) profiling techniques are playing an eminent role in the detection, localization, and differential expression quantification of many small RNA species, including microRNAs (1-3). Procedures in small RNA library preparation techniques typically include adapter ligation by RNA ligase, followed by reverse transcription and amplification by PCR. This chapter describes three protocols that were successfully applied to generate small RNA sequencing SOLiD(TM) libraries.

ATP-dependent and independent functions of Rad54 in genome maintenance.

Rad54, a member of the SWI/SNF protein family of DNA-dependent ATPases, repairs DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) through homologous recombination. Here we demonstrate that Rad54 is required for the timely accumulation of the homologous recombination proteins Rad51 and Brca2 at DSBs. Because replication protein A and Nbs1 accumulation is not affected by Rad54 depletion, Rad54 is downstream of DSB resection.

Small RNA expression and strain specificity in the rat.

Background: Digital gene expression (DGE) profiling has become an established tool to study RNA expression. Here, we provide an in-depth analysis of small RNA DGE profiles from two different rat strains (BN-Lx and SHR) from six different rat tissues (spleen, liver, brain, testis, heart, kidney). We describe the expression patterns of known and novel micro (mi)RNAs and piwi-interacting (pi)RNAs.

Repertoire and evolution of miRNA genes in four divergent nematode species.

miRNAs are approximately 22-nt RNA molecules that play important roles in post-transcriptional regulation. We have performed small RNA sequencing in the nematodes Caenorhabditis elegans, C. briggsae, C.