Transfer of a Mouse Artificial Chromosome into Spermatogonial Stem Cells Generates Transchromosomic Mice.

The introduction of megabase-sized large DNA fragments into the germline has been a difficult task. Although microcell-mediated chromosome transfer into mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs) allows the production of transchromosomic mice, ESCs have unstable karyotypes and germline transmission is unreliable by chimera formation. As spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) are the only stem cells in the germline, they represent an attractive target for germline modification.

Draft Genome Sequence of sp. Strain Rs-Y01, Isolated from the Gut of the Lower Termite .

Here, we report the draft genome sequence of sp. strain Rs-Y01, which was isolated from the gut of a wood-feeding termite. The genome information will facilitate the study of the symbiotic functions of this strain in the termite gut.

Histone H3 Methylated at Arginine 17 Is Essential for Reprogramming the Paternal Genome in Zygotes.

At fertilization, the paternal genome undergoes extensive reprogramming through protamine-histone exchange and active DNA demethylation, but only a few maternal factors have been defined in these processes. We identified maternal Mettl23 as a protein arginine methyltransferase (PRMT), which most likely catalyzes the asymmetric dimethylation of histone H3R17 (H3R17me2a), as indicated by in vitro assays and treatment with TBBD, an H3R17 PRMT inhibitor. Maternal histone H3.

Characterization of CcSTOP1; a C2H2-type transcription factor regulates Al tolerance gene in pigeonpea.

Al-responsive citrate-transporting CcMATE1 function and its regulation by CcSTOP1 were analyzed using NtSTOP1 -KD tobacco- and pigeonpea hairy roots, respectively, CcSTOP1 binding sequence of CcMATE1 showed similarity with AtALMT1 promoter. The molecular mechanisms of Aluminum (Al) tolerance in pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan) were characterized to provide information for molecular breeding. Al-inducible citrate excretion was associated with the expression of MULTIDRUGS AND TOXIC COMPOUNDS EXCLUSION (CcMATE1), which encodes a citrate transporter.

Comparative analysis of three-dimensional chromosomal architecture identifies a novel fetal hemoglobin regulatory element.

Chromatin structure is tightly intertwined with transcription regulation. Here we compared the chromosomal architectures of fetal and adult human erythroblasts and found that, globally, chromatin structures and compartments A/B are highly similar at both developmental stages. At a finer scale, we detected distinct folding patterns at the developmentally controlled β-globin locus.

The parathyroid hormone regulates skin tumour susceptibility in mice.

Using a forward genetics approach to map loci in a mouse skin cancer model, we previously identified a genetic locus, Skin tumour modifier of MSM 1 (Stmm1) on chromosome 7, conferring strong tumour resistance. Sub-congenic mapping localized Parathyroid hormone (Pth) in Stmm1b. Here, we report that serum intact-PTH (iPTH) and a genetic polymorphism in Pth are important for skin tumour resistance.

Lactobacillus silagincola sp. nov. and Lactobacillus pentosiphilus sp. nov., isolated from silage.

Three Gram-stain positive, non-motile, non-spore-forming, catalase-negative and rod-shaped bacterial strains (IWT5T, IWT25T and IWT140), isolated from silage, were investigated by using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. Strains IWT5T and IWT25T grew at 10-37 °C and 30-37 °C, and at pH 4.0-7.

Importance of Resolving Fungal Nomenclature: the Case of Multiple Pathogenic Species in the Genus.

Cryptococcosis is a major fungal disease caused by members of the and species complexes. After more than 15 years of molecular genetic and phenotypic studies and much debate, a proposal for a taxonomic revision was made. The two varieties within were raised to species level, and the same was done for five genotypes within .

Prenatal neurogenesis induction therapy normalizes brain structure and function in Down syndrome mice.

Down syndrome (DS) caused by trisomy of chromosome 21 is the most common genetic cause of intellectual disability. Although the prenatal diagnosis of DS has become feasible, there are no therapies available for the rescue of DS-related neurocognitive impairment. A growth inducer newly identified in our screen of neural stem cells (NSCs) has potent inhibitory activity against dual-specificity tyrosine phosphorylation-regulated kinase 1A (DYRK1A) and was found to rescue proliferative deficits in Ts65Dn-derived neurospheres and human NSCs derived from individuals with DS.

Draft Genome Sequences of the Oomycete Strains JCM 30513 and JCM 30514, Formerly Classified as .

, formerly classified as , is a unique oomycete that infects plants asymptomatically. Here, we present the draft genome sequences of two variants of , JCM 30513 and JCM 30514, isolated from uncultivated field soil in Wakayama Prefecture, Japan.

Genetic Dissection of Trabecular Bone Structure with Mouse Intersubspecific Consomic Strains.

Trabecular bone structure has an important influence on bone strength, but little is known about its genetic regulation. To elucidate the genetic factor(s) regulating trabecular bone structure, we compared the trabecular bone structures of two genetically remote mouse strains, C57BL/6J and Japanese wild mouse-derived MSM/Ms. Phenotyping by X-ray micro-CT revealed that MSM/Ms has structurally more fragile trabecular bone than C57BL/6J.

Pseudonocardia thailandensis sp. nov., an actinomycete isolated from a subterranean termite nest.

A novel Gram-stain-positive bacterium designated CMU-NKS-70T was isolated from a subterranean termite nest and characterized using a polyphasic approach. The strain exhibited branching, pinkish-cream aerial mycelium and cream-brown substrate mycelium, and formed chains of rod-like spores. The 16S rRNA gene sequence analyses indicated that strain CMU-NKS-70T belonged to the genus Pseudonocardia, showing high similarity with Pseudonocardia oroxyli D10T (98.

Screening and evolution of a novel protist xylose isomerase from the termite for efficient xylose fermentation in .

Background: The yeast , a promising host for lignocellulosic bioethanol production, is unable to metabolize xylose. In attempts to confer xylose utilization ability in , a number of xylose isomerase (XI) genes have been expressed heterologously in this yeast. Although several of these XI encoding genes were functionally expressed in , the need still exists for a strain with improved xylose utilization ability for use in the commercial production of bioethanol.

A metabolic engineering strategy for producing free fatty acids by the Yarrowia lipolytica yeast based on impairment of glycerol metabolism.

In recent years, bio-based production of free fatty acids from renewable resources has attracted attention for their potential as precursors for the production of biofuels and biochemicals. In this study, the oleaginous yeast Yarrowia lipolytica was engineered to produce free fatty acids by eliminating glycerol metabolism. Free fatty acid production was monitored under lipogenic conditions with glycerol as a limiting factor.

Role of MEK partner-1 in cancer stemness through MEK/ERK pathway in cancerous neural stem cells, expressing EGFRviii.

Background: Glioma stem cells (GSCs) are a major cause of the frequent relapse observed in glioma, due to their high drug resistance and their differentiation potential. Therefore, understanding the molecular mechanisms governing the 'cancer stemness' of GSCs will be particularly important for improving the prognosis of glioma patients.

Methods: We previously established cancerous neural stem cells (CNSCs) from immortalized human neural stem cells (F3 cells), using the H-Ras oncogene.

Efficient and scheduled production of pseudopregnant female mice for embryo transfer by estrous cycle synchronization.

In embryo transfer experiments in mice, pseudopregnant females as recipients are prepared by sterile mating with vasectomized males. Because only females at the proestrus stage accept males, such females are selected from a stock of animals based on the appearance of their external genital tract. Therefore, the efficiency of preparing pseudopregnant females largely depends on the size of female colonies and the skill of the operators who select females for sterile mating.

Distinct Neural Circuits for the Formation and Retrieval of Episodic Memories.

The formation and retrieval of a memory is thought to be accomplished by activation and reactivation, respectively, of the memory-holding cells (engram cells) by a common set of neural circuits, but this hypothesis has not been established. The medial temporal-lobe system is essential for the formation and retrieval of episodic memory for which individual hippocampal subfields and entorhinal cortex layers contribute by carrying out specific functions. One subfield whose function is poorly known is the subiculum.

Impaired lymphocyte trafficking in mice deficient in the kinase activity of PKN1.

Knock-in mice lacking PKN1 kinase activity were generated by introducing a T778A point mutation in the catalytic domain. PKN1[T778A] mutant mice developed to adulthood without apparent external abnormalities, but exhibited lower T and B lymphocyte counts in the peripheral blood than those of wild-type (WT) mice. T and B cell development proceeded in an apparently normal fashion in bone marrow and thymus of PKN1[T778A] mice, however, the number of T and B cell counts were significantly higher in the lymph nodes and spleen of mutant mice in those of WT mice.

Reprogramming Antagonizes the Oncogenicity of HOXA13-Long Noncoding RNA HOTTIP Axis in Gastric Cancer Cells.

Reprogramming of cancer cells into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) is a compelling idea for inhibiting oncogenesis, especially through modulation of homeobox proteins in this reprogramming process. We examined the role of various long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs)-homeobox protein HOXA13 axis on the switching of the oncogenic function of bone morphogenetic protein 7 (BMP7), which is significantly lost in the gastric cancer cell derived iPS-like cells (iPSLCs). BMP7 promoter activation occurred through the corecruitment of HOXA13, mixed-lineage leukemia 1 lysine N-methyltransferase, WD repeat-containing protein 5, and lncRNA HoxA transcript at the distal tip (HOTTIP) to commit the epigenetic changes to the trimethylation of lysine 4 on histone H3 in cancer cells.

Occultifur plantarum f.a., sp. nov., a novel cystobasidiomycetous yeast species.

Nine strains representing a single anamorphic novel yeast species in dispersed tropical and subtropical habitats were isolated from sugarcane leaf tissue (DMKU-SE24, DMKU-SE45T, DMKU-SE129 and DMKU-SE134) and corn leaf tissue (DMKU-CE36) in Thailand, phylloplane and rhizoplane of sugarcane in Brazil (IMUFRJ 52018 and IMUFRJ 52019), bromeliad leaf tissue in Brazil (IMUFRJ 51954) and plant leaf in Japan (IPM31-24). These strains showed identical or only 1 nt substitution in the sequences of the D1/D2 region of the LSU rRNA gene and 0-5 nt substitutions in the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region. Phylogenetic analysis based on the combined sequences of the ITS and the D1/D2 regions showed that the eight of these strains represented a single species in the genus Occultifur that was distinct from related species.

Genomic characterization reconfirms the taxonomic status of .

Whole-genome sequencing was performed for JCM 8573 to confirm its hitherto controversial taxonomic position. Here, we report its first reliable reference genome. Genome-wide metrics, such as average nucleotide identity and digital DNA-DNA hybridization, and phylogenomic analysis based on multiple genes supported its taxonomic status as a distinct species in the genus The availability of a reliable genome sequence will aid future investigations on the industrial applications of in functional foods such as kefir grains.

An erythroid-specific ATP2B4 enhancer mediates red blood cell hydration and malaria susceptibility.

The lack of mechanistic explanations for many genotype-phenotype associations identified by GWAS precludes thorough assessment of their impact on human health. Here, we conducted an expression quantitative trait locus (eQTL) mapping analysis in erythroblasts and found erythroid-specific eQTLs for ATP2B4, the main calcium ATPase of red blood cells (rbc). The same SNPs were previously associated with mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) and susceptibility to severe malaria infection.

Genome-wide Association Study Reveals that the Aquaporin NIP1;1 Contributes to Variation in Hydrogen Peroxide Sensitivity in Arabidopsis thaliana.

Hydrogen peroxide (HO) is a reactive oxygen species that affects cell signaling in various plant defense responses and induces programmed cell death. To identify the new components associated with HO signaling and tolerance, we conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) on the root growth of 133 Arabidopsis thaliana accessions grown in the presence of toxic HO levels. The most significant SNPs were associated with a cluster of chromosome 4 genes encoding an aquaporin NODULIN 26-LIKE INTRINSIC PROTEIN 1; 1 (NIP1;1), an NB-ARC domain-containing disease resistance protein (AT4G19050), and a putative membrane lipoprotein (AT4G19070).

EPC1/TIP60-Mediated Histone Acetylation Facilitates Spermiogenesis in Mice.

Global histone hyperacetylation is suggested to play a critical role for replacement of histones by transition proteins and protamines to compact the genome during spermiogenesis. However, the underlying mechanisms for hyperacetylation-mediated histone replacement remains poorly understood. Here, we report that EPC1 and TIP60, two critical components of the mammalian nucleosome acetyltransferase of H4 (NuA4) complexes, are coexpressed in male germ cells.