Leaf development has been monitored chiefly by following anatomical markers. Analysis of transcriptome dynamics during leaf maturation revealed multiple expression patterns that rise or fall with age or that display age specific peaks. These were used to formulate a digital differentiation index (DDI), based on a set of selected markers with informative expression during leaf ontogeny. The leaf-based DDI reliably predicted the developmental state of leaf samples from diverse sources and was independent of mitotic cell division transcripts or propensity of the specific cell type. When calibrated by informative root markers, the same algorithm accurately diagnosed dissected root samples. We used the DDI to characterize plants with reduced activities of multiple CINCINNATA (CIN)-TCP growth regulators. These plants had giant curled leaves made up of small cells with abnormal shape, low DDI scores and low expression of mitosis markers, depicting the primary role of CIN-TCPs as promoters of differentiation. Delayed activity of several CIN-TCPs resulted in abnormally large but flat leaves with regular cells. The application of DDI has therefore portrayed the CIN-TCPs as heterochronic regulators that permit the development of a flexible and robust leaf form through an ordered and protracted maturation schedule.
A protracted and dynamic maturation schedule underlies Arabidopsis leaf development.
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View SamplesLeaf development has been monitored chiefly by following anatomical markers. Analysis of transcriptome dynamics during leaf maturation revealed multiple expression patterns that rise or fall with age or that display age specific peaks. These were used to formulate a digital differentiation index (DDI), based on a set of selected markers with informative expression during leaf ontogeny. The leaf-based DDI reliably predicted the developmental state of leaf samples from diverse sources and was independent of mitotic cell division transcripts or propensity of the specific cell type. To calibrate and test the DDI a series of Arabidopsis shoot development was used (Efroni et al, 2008)
A protracted and dynamic maturation schedule underlies Arabidopsis leaf development.
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View SamplesFloral organ identities are specified by few transcription factors which act as master regulators. Subsequently, specification of organ axes programs the distribution of distinct tissue types within the organs that themselves develop unique identities. The C-class, AGAMOUS-clade MADS box genes are primary promoters of the gynoecium which is divided into a distal style and a subtending ovary along the apical-basal axis. We show that members of a clade of B3-domain transcription factors, NGATHA1 to NGA4 (NGA1-4), are expressed distally in all lateral organs, and all four have a redundant and essential role in style development. Loss of all four genes results in gynoecia where style is replaced by valve-like projections and a reduction in style-specific SHATTERPROOF1 (SHP1) expression. In agreement, floral misexpression of NGA1 promotes ectopic style and SHP1 expression. STYLISH1, an auxin biosynthesis inducer, conditionally activated NGA genes, which in turn, promoted distal expression of other STY genes in a putative positive feed back loop. Inhibited auxin transport or lack of YABBY1 gene activities resulted in a basally expanded style domain and broader expression of NGA genes. We speculate that early gynoecium factors delimit NGA gene response to an auxin-based signal, elicited by STY gene activity, to restrict the activation of style program to a late and distal carpel domain.
The NGATHA distal organ development genes are essential for style specification in Arabidopsis.
Age
View SamplesLeaves are flat determinate organs derived from indeterminate shoot apical meristems. The presence of a specific leaf meristem is debated, as anatomical features typical of meristems are not present in leaves. Here we demonstrate that multiple NGATHA (NGA) and CINCINNATA-class-TCP (CIN-TCP) transcription factors act redundantly to suppress activity of a leaf margin meristem in Arabidopsis thaliana, and that their absence confers persistent marginal growth of leaves, cotyledons and floral organs. The marginal meristem is activated by the juxtaposition of adaxial and abaxial domains and maintained by WOX homeobox transcription factors, but other margin elaboration genes are dispensable for its maintenance. This genetic framework parallels the morphogenetic program of shoot apical meristems and may represent a relic from an ancestral shoot system from which seed plant leaves evolved.
Active suppression of a leaf meristem orchestrates determinate leaf growth.
Specimen part
View SamplesIn seed plants, leaves are born on radial shoots but unlike shoots they are determinate dorsiventral organs made of flat lamina. YABBY genes are found only in seed plants and in all cases studied, are expressed primarily in lateral organs and in a polar manner. Despite their simple expression, Arabidopsis plants lacking all YABBY gene activities have a wide range of morphological defects in all lateral organs as well as the shoot apical meristem. Here we show that leaves lacking all YABBY activities are initiated as dorsiventral appendages but fail to properly activate lamina programs. In particular, the activation of most CIN-TCPs does not commence, SAM-specific programs are reactivated, and a marginal leaf domain is not established. Altered distribution of auxin signalling and the auxin efflux carrier PIN1, highly reduced venation, initiation of multiple cotyledons, and gradual loss of the SAM accompany these defects. We suggest that YABBY functions were recruited to mould modified shoot systems into flat plant appendages by translating organ polarity into lamina specific programs that include marginal auxin flow and activation a maturation schedule directing determinate growth.
Differentiating Arabidopsis shoots from leaves by combined YABBY activities.
Specimen part
View Samplescheck the effect of over expression and down regulation of this clade of TFs
The transcript and metabolite networks affected by the two clades of Arabidopsis glucosinolate biosynthesis regulators.
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View SamplesAutism spectrum disorders (ASD) are a group of genetic disorders often overlapping with other neurological conditions. We previously described abnormalities in the branched chain amino acid (BCAA) catabolic pathway as a cause of ASD. Here we show that the solute carrier transporter 7a5 (SLC7A5), a large neutral amino acid transporter localized at the blood brain barrier (BBB), has an essential role in maintaining normal levels of brain BCAAs. In mice, deletion of Slc7a5 from the endothelial cells of the BBB leads to decreased levels of brain BCAAs, abnormal mRNA translation and severe neurological abnormalities. Furthermore, we identified several patients with autistic traits and motor delay carrying deleterious homozygous mutations in the SLC7A5 gene. Finally, we demonstrate that BCAA intracerebroventricular administration ameliorates abnormal behaviors in adult mutant mice. Our data elucidate a neurological syndrome defined by SLC7A5 mutations and support an essential role for the BCAA in human brain function. Overall design: RNA-sequencing of cerebellum from 3 wildtype mice and 3 Slc7a5 KO mice
Impaired Amino Acid Transport at the Blood Brain Barrier Is a Cause of Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Specimen part, Subject
View SamplesWe compare transcriptomic profiles of intestinal epithelial cells obtained from the small intestine of germ-free and conventionally-caged mice. Intestinal epithelial cells were harvested from the intestine of conventional or germ-free C57Bl6J mice. Directional polyA RNA-seq was performed on RNA fom cells using standard Illumina protocols. Microbiota induce decreased expression of the Clec2e gene. Overall design: Intestinal epithelial cells were harvested from the intestine of conventional or germ-free C57Bl6J mice.
Microbiota Inhibit Epithelial Pathogen Adherence by Epigenetically Regulating C-Type Lectin Expression.
Subject
View SamplesStem cells, with their potential to generate different lineages, could offer a solution by replacing damaged or lost cells within the inner ear. We have shown that human embryonic stem cells can be induced to differentiate into otic progenitors, and then into hair cell-like cells and neurons that display expected electrophysiological properties. More importantly, once these otic progenitors are transplanted into animals with induced hearing loss, they differentiate and elicit a significant recovery of auditory function. The generation of otic progenitors is triggered by FGF signalling. In this dataset we have analysed the global gene expression profile of undifferentiated hESCs and compared with cultures that have been treated with FGF3 and 10, the two ligands involved in otic induction, or cultures that have been allowed to differentiate under basal conditions without FGF (DFNB).
Restoration of auditory evoked responses by human ES-cell-derived otic progenitors.
Cell line, Treatment, Time
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