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Comparative mycobacterial genomics as a tool for drug target and antigen discovery.

Genomics and the associated downstream technologies are generating vast data sets that provide new opportunities for understanding and combating both infectious and genetic diseases in humans. The genomic approach has been applied to tuberculosis, a major cause of transmissible morbidity and mortality, with notable success. Complete genome sequences are now available for three members of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex and the related intracellular pathogen M. leprae. Many of the predictions generated in silico by genomics have been validated through functional analysis, including studies of the transcriptome and proteome, and led to the identification of essential genes. Knowledge of the latter defines potential targets for new and existing drugs and their specificity can be assessed by comparative genomics with the host or other pathogens. Genomics is also furthering tuberculosis vaccine development by pinpointing potentially antigenic proteins as well as providing better diagnostic tools to detect infection.

Antigens↗

Is ectopic expression caused by deregulatory mutations or due to gene-regulation leaks with evolutionary potential?

It has long been thought that gene expression is tightly regulated in multicellular eukaryotes, so that expression profiles match functional profiles. This conception emerged from the assumption that gene activity is synonymous with gene function. This paradigm was first challenged by comparative protein electrophoresis studies showing extensive differences in expression patterns among related species. The paradigm is now being challenged by evolutionary transcriptomics using microarray technologies. Most gene expression profiles display features that lack any obvious functional significance. The so-called "ectopic" expression refers to the expression of genes at times and locations where the target gene is not known to have a function. However, ectopic expression might be associated with genuine function even if this function is not essential or has yet to be ascertained. Alternatively, ectopic expression might come about as a superfluous by-product of regulatory systems, which would call for a revision of prevailing ideas about the specificity of gene regulation. We herein review available evidence for ectopic expression and the hypotheses proposed for its origin and evolution. We propose that ectopic expression must be regarded as part of an integrated phenotypic whole. It seems likely that ectopic expression represents a leak in the evolution of regulatory systems, but one that is endowed with considerable evolutionary possibilities.

Animals↗

Global correlation of genome and transcriptome changes in classical Hodgkin lymphoma.

To identify genes involved in the pathogenesis of classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL), we performed serial analysis of gene expression (SAGE) and array-based comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH). Comparison of SAGE libraries of cHL cell lines L428 and L1236 with that of germinal centre B cells revealed consistent overexpression of only 14 genes. In contrast, 141 genes were downregulated in both cHL cell lines, including many B cell and HLA genes. aCGH revealed gain of 2p, 7p, 9p, 11q and Xq and loss of 4q and 11q. Eighteen percent of the differentially expressed genes mapped to regions with loss or gain and a good correlation was observed between underexpression and loss or overexpression and gain of DNA. Remarkably, gain of 2p and 9p did not correlate with increased expression of the proposed target genes c-REL and JAK2. Downregulation of many genes within the HLA region also did not correlate with loss of DNA. FSCN1 and IRAK1 mapping at genomic loci (7p and Xq) that frequently showed gain were overexpressed in cHL cell lines and might be involved in the pathogenesis of cHL.

Carrier Proteins↗

Pan-cancer single-cell atlas of immunotherapy response identifies ZNF385A as a regulator of immune evasion in small cell lung cancer.

Although immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have revolutionized the treatment landscape of solid tumors, response rates in patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC) remain limited, and acquired resistance is highly prevalent. The underlying mechanisms of this immunotherapy resistance remain to be fully elucidated. Clinically, SCLC typically manifests as an "immune-cold" tumor, characterized by a low abundance of CD8+ T cell infiltration and the rare formation of tertiary lymphoid structures (TLS). While DNA damage repair (DDR) is closely linked to innate immune responses, how DDR networks orchestrate the SCLC immune microenvironment remains obscure. In this study, we integrated single-cell transcriptomic data (comprising 344,447 high-quality cells) from six cancer types (BCC, CRC, HCC, HNSCC, iCCA, and SCLC). Our comparative analysis revealed a fundamental depletion of TLS-associated cellular subpopulations (e.g., CXCL13+ CD8+ T cells, HLA-DRB5+ B cells, and CXCL9+ dendritic cells) in SCLC, which was significantly correlated with aberrant DDR activity. Through high-dimensional weighted gene co-expression network analysis (hdWGCNA), we identified ZNF385A as the core hub gene within the DDR-associated module. ZNF385A is highly expressed in SCLC and is associated with poorer prognosis. In vitro, ZNF385A depletion suppressed SCLC cell proliferation and induced apoptosis, accompanied by R-loop accumulation and activation of cGAS-STING signaling, indicating a potential link between ZNF385A, genomic stability and tumor-intrinsic innate immune signaling. Collectively, these findings identify ZNF385A as a potential regulator associated with TLS deficiency and immune evasion in SCLC.

Immunotherapy resistance↗

What do microarrays really tell us about M. tuberculosis?

Bacterial pathogens adapt to their host environments to a large extent through switching on complex transcriptional programmes, and whole-genome microarray experiments promise to reveal this complexity. There has been a recent burst of articles reporting transcriptome analyses of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, including for the first time studies in macrophages and mice. We review gene expression reports, and compare them with each other and with microarray-based gene essentiality studies, revealing at times a startling lack of correlation. Additionally, we suggest a standardization format for the submission of processed data for publication, to facilitate cross-experiment analyses.

Animals↗

Genome analysis of the glycosphingolipid-producing green alga tetraselmis sp. NKG400013.

Microalgae are gaining attention as sustainable resources for the production of valuable compounds, including biofuels, pigments, and bioactive metabolites. To support metabolic engineering and genome editing approaches aimed at enhancing these traits, high-quality genome assemblies are essential; however, genomic information remains limited for many microalgal lineages. Tetraselmis sp. NKG400013 is a green alga known for high glycosphingolipid accumulation with distinctive structural features. Here, we report a draft genome assembly of this strain generated using PacBio HiFi sequencing and transcriptome-supported annotation. The assembled genome spans 423.7 Mbp, with 74.5% repetitive sequences and 15,322 predicted protein-coding genes. Comparative analyses across 11 green algal species revealed a positive correlation between genome sizes and repeat contents, indicating that transposable element expansion, particularly long terminal repeat retrotransposons, has substantially contributed to genome enlargement in Tetraselmis. Genome-wide functional annotation and ortholog inference identified core enzymes required for glycosylceramide biosynthesis. Both sphingolipid Δ4 and Δ8 desaturases were identified in Tetraselmis and their coexistence suggests an expanded capacity for long-chain base modification that may underlie its distinctive glycosphingolipid profile. These results establish a genomic framework for understanding the high glycosphingolipid-producing capacity of NKG400013 and provide insights into the evolutionary diversification of sphingolipid metabolism in green algae.

Chlorophyta↗

Reduced expression of antigenic proteins MPB70 and MPB83 in Mycobacterium bovis BCG strains due to a start codon mutation in sigK.

Mycobacterium bovis Bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) strains are genetically and phenotypically heterogeneous. Expression of the antigenic proteins MPB70 and MPB83 is known to vary considerably across BCG strains; however, the reason for this phenotypic difference has remained unknown. By immunoblot, we separated BCG into high- and low-producing strains. By quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), we determined that transcription of the antigen-encoding genes, mpb70 and mpb83, follows the same strain pattern with mRNA levels reduced over 50-fold in low-producing strains. Transcriptome comparison of the same BCG strains by DNA microarray revealed two gene regions consistently downregulated in low-producing strains compared with high-producing strains, one including mpb70 (Rv2875) and mpb83 (Rv2873) and a second that includes the predicted sigma factor, sigK. DNA sequence analysis revealed a point mutation in the start codon of sigK in all low-producing BCG strains. Complementation of a low-producing strain, BCG Pasteur, with wild-type sigK fully restored MPB70 and MPB83 production. Microarray-based analysis and confirmatory RT-PCR of the complemented strains revealed an upregulation in gene transcription limited to the sigK and the mpb83/mpb70 gene regions. These data demonstrate that a mutation of sigK is responsible for decreased expression of MPB70 and MPB83 in low-producing BCG strains and provide clues into the role of Mycobacterium tuberculosis SigK.

Antigens, Bacterial↗

Transcriptome analysis reveals mechanisms by which Lactococcus lactis acquires nisin resistance.

Nisin, a posttranslationally modified antimicrobial peptide produced by Lactococcus lactis, is widely used as a food preservative. Yet, the mechanisms leading to the development of nisin resistance in bacteria are poorly understood. We used whole-genome DNA microarrays of L. lactis IL1403 to identify the factors underlying acquired nisin resistance mechanisms. The transcriptomes of L. lactis IL1403 and L. lactis IL1403 Nis(r), which reached a 75-fold higher nisin resistance level, were compared. Differential expression was observed in genes encoding proteins that are involved in cell wall biosynthesis, energy metabolism, fatty acid and phospholipid metabolism, regulatory functions, and metal and/or peptide transport and binding. These results were further substantiated by showing that several knockout and overexpression mutants of these genes had strongly altered nisin resistance levels and that some knockout strains could no longer become resistant to the same level of nisin as that of the wild-type strain. The acquired nisin resistance mechanism in L. lactis is complex, involving various different mechanisms. The four major mechanisms are (i) preventing nisin from reaching the cytoplasmic membrane, (ii) reducing the acidity of the extracellular medium, thereby stimulating the binding of nisin to the cell wall, (iii) preventing the insertion of nisin into the membrane, and (iv) possibly transporting nisin across the membrane or extruding nisin out of the membrane.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

Definition of the unique human extraocular muscle allotype by expression profiling.

The extraocular muscles (EOMs) are a unique group of specialized muscles that are anatomically and physiologically distinct from other skeletal muscles. Perhaps the most striking characteristic of the EOMs is their differential sensitivity to disease. EOMs are spared in Duchenne's muscular dystrophy (DMD) despite widespread involvement of other skeletal muscles. Conversely, they are early and prominent targets in myasthenia gravis and mitochondrial myopathies. It is unclear how EOMs achieve such specialization or a differential response to diseases; however, this has been attributed to a unique, group-specific pattern of gene expression or "allotype." To begin to address these issues as well as define the human EOM allotype, we analyzed the human EOM transcriptome using oligonucleotide-based expression profiling. Three hundred thirty-eight genes were found to be differentially expressed in EOM compared with quadriceps femoris limb muscle, using a twofold cutoff. Functional characterization revealed expression patterns corresponding to known metabolic and structural properties of EOMs such as expression of EOM-specific myosin heavy chain (MYH13) and high neural, vascular, and mitochondrial content, suggesting that the profiling was sensitive and specific. Genes related to myogenesis, stem cells, and apoptosis were detected at high levels in normal human EOMs, suggesting that efficient and continuous regeneration and/or myogenesis may be a mechanism by which the EOMs remain clinically and pathologically spared in diseases such as DMD. Taken together, this study provides insight into how human EOMs achieve their unique structural, metabolic, and pathophysiological properties.

Adolescent↗

SAGE is far more sensitive than EST for detecting low-abundance transcripts.

BACKGROUND: Isolation of low-abundance transcripts expressed in a genome remains a serious challenge in transcriptome studies. The sensitivity of the methods used for analysis has a direct impact on the efficiency of the detection. We compared the EST method and the SAGE method to determine which one is more sensitive and to what extent the sensitivity is great for the detection of low-abundance transcripts. RESULTS: Using the same low-abundance transcripts detected by both methods as the targeted sequences, we observed that the SAGE method is 26 times more sensitive than the EST method for the detection of low-abundance transcripts. CONCLUSIONS: The SAGE method is more efficient than the EST method in detecting the low-abundance transcripts.

3' Untranslated Regions↗

TFPI-high myofibroblast states and a meta-program-related five-gene prognostic signature in breast cancer.

Intratumoral heterogeneity and tumor-microenvironment interactions limit prognostic stratification in breast cancer, but the prognostic relevance and cellular context of recurrent transcriptional meta-programs remain unclear. We aimed to derive a meta-program-related prognostic signature and characterize its component transcripts at single-cell resolution. Six paired institutional tumors and adjacent non-tumor tissues served as a proof-of-concept comparison. Univariable Cox screening and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator Cox regression were used to derive a five-gene score from a prespecified meta-program-related candidate set in The Cancer Genome Atlas Breast Invasive Carcinoma (TCGA-BRCA) training cohort; the score was tested internally and assessed in GSE20685 using fixed coefficients and cohort-specific median cutoffs. GSE161529 single-cell transcriptomic data were used to map signature transcripts across 136,526 quality-controlled cells, while donor-aware pseudobulk analysis compared upper- and lower-quartile TFPI expression states in annotated myofibroblasts. The score comprised TCN1, FOXJ1, PIGR, SLAIN1, and TFPI and was associated with overall survival in the training, testing, and external cohorts, with concordance indices of 0.782, 0.756, and 0.721, respectively. TFPI transcripts were detected across endothelial, fibroblast, and myofibroblast compartments. TFPI-high myofibroblasts showed transcriptional enrichment of extracellular matrix and collagen fibril organization, transforming growth factor beta signaling, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and myogenesis, together with lower oxidative phosphorylation and fatty acid metabolism programs. In bulk TCGA-BRCA tissue, TFPI expression correlated positively with stromal (r&#xa0;= 0.48), immune (r&#xa0;= 0.25), and composite microenvironment scores (r&#xa0;= 0.40; all p&#xa0;< 0.001). These findings identify a hypothesis-generating five-gene bulk-tissue prognostic signature and an expression-associated TFPI-high myofibroblast state but do not establish a discrete lineage, the cellular source of bulk TFPI, a TFPI-dependent mechanism, or clinical utility. Independent prospective cohorts, spatial and protein-level validation, and functional perturbation studies are required.

Journal Article↗

Genomic and proteomic profiling for biomarkers and signature profiles of toxicity.

Toxicity profiling measures and compares all gene expression changes among biological samples after toxicant exposure. Toxicity profiling with DNA microarrays to measure all mRNA transcripts (transcriptomics), or by global separation and identification of proteins (proteomics), has led to the discovery of better descriptors of toxicity, toxicant classification and exposure monitoring than current indicators. A shared goal in transcript and proteomic profiling is the development of biomarkers and signatures of chemical toxicity. In this review, biomarkers and signature profiles are described for specific chemical toxicants that affect target organs such as liver, kidney, neural tissues, gastrointestinal tract and skeletal muscle, for specific disease models such as cancer and inflammation, and for unique chemical-protein adducts underlying cell injury. The recent introduction of toxicogenomics databases support researchers in sharing, analyzing, visualizing and mining expression data, assist the integration of transcriptomics, proteomics and toxicology datasets, and eventually will permit in silico biomarker and signature pattern discovery.

Animals↗

A Functionally Conserved yet Dynamically Evolving Toolkit Underpinning Molluscan Biomineralization: Insights From Shell and Radula.

The molluscan shell and radula constitute pivotal molluscan innovations, each characterized by distinct functions and diverse forms, regulated by the highly specific biomineralization regulatory networks. Despite their paramount importance, the conserved components and adaptive evolutionary processes governing these regulatory networks remain unresolved. To address this knowledge gap, we advocate for the integration of data from less-explored lineages, such as Scaphopoda, as an essential step. This study presents the inaugural comprehensive transcriptome analysis of Pictodentalium vernedei, a representative species of Scaphopoda distinguished by a unique and evolutionarily conserved shell morphology and radula structure. Furthermore, comparative transcriptome/genome analyses are employed to unravel the conservatism and evolutionary innovation of the involved biomineralization regulatory elements. Our findings underscore the central role of secretomes in governing biomineralization processes, and we identified a fundamental set of 26 domains within molluscan secretomes, forming an essential functional protein domain repertoire necessary for the transformation of inorganic ions into biomineralized structures. This core biomineralization toolkit has undergone independent expansion and lineage-specific recruitment, giving rise to novel, modular domain architectures. This may be essential for the functional specialization and morphological diversification of shell and radula structures. These evolutionary processes are driven by the independent co-option of ancient genes and the emergence of novel de novo genes. This comprehensive investigation not only contributes insights into the evolution of molluscan biomineralization structures but also establishes avenues for further scholarly exploration.

Animals↗

Intravesical mitomycin-C administered immediately before transurethral resection of bladder tumor in non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer: Clinical outcomes and molecular predictors from over 3 years of extended follow-up in a phase II trial.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the long-term outcomes and molecular correlates of response after immediate preoperative intravesical chemotherapy (IPeIC) with mitomycin-C (MMC) in patients with non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this single-center, open-label, randomized phase II trial, 33 patients received two split doses of IPeIC/MMC (40 mg/20 mL), whereas 38 patients underwent transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) alone. The primary endpoint was 3-year recurrence-free survival (RFS), and secondary endpoints included progression-free survival (PFS). Exploratory RNA sequencing was performed on IPeIC-treated patients (three with recurrence, 25 without) using a Monte Carlo-based resampling strategy. RESULTS: The median follow-up durations were comparable between the intervention (60.0 months) and control arms (60.4 months). IPeIC/MMC reduced recurrence risk by 76.8% versus TURBT alone (p=0.024), yielding a 3-year RFS rate of 90.7% versus 78.6%. On multivariable analysis, IPeIC/MMC independently improved RFS (hazard ratio [HR] 0.266, p=0.044). IPeIC was associated with superior PFS, with 3-year and 5-year rates of 100% versus 92.1% and 85.8%, respectively, in the controls (HR 0.078, p=0.014). Exploratory transcriptomics identified low Glutathione S-transferase Mu 1 (GSTM1) expression as the factor most strongly associated with recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: IPeIC/MMC is associated with improved long-term oncological outcomes compared with TURBT alone and represents a safe prophylactic option for patients with NMIBC who are unable to receive standard immediate postoperative intravesical chemotherapy because of safety concerns or practical constraints. The GSTM1 findings are hypothesis-generating and support future biomarker-driven validation studies.

Aged↗

Evolutionary architecture and lineage-specific diversification of Forkhead box transcription factors in Perna viridis.

The Forkhead box (Fox) transcription factors are evolutionarily conserved regulators of development, cell cycle, and apoptosis across metazoans. This study provides the first comprehensive genome-wide analysis of the Fox gene family in the Asian green mussel (Perna viridis). We identified 28 Fox genes distributed across 10 chromosomes. Comparative analysis reveals the absence of the FoxI, FoxQ1, FoxR and FoxS subfamily, consistent with other bivalves and indicative of lineage-specific gene loss during molluscan evolution. Notably, gene duplications in the FoxAB, FoxD, FoxH, FoxN1-4, FoxQ2 and FoxQD subfamilies may reflect functional diversification associated with environmental adaptation. Exon-intron structural variability, including intron loss in several paralogues, suggests structural diversification and potential regulatory variation. Phylogenetic reconstruction confirmed the monophyly of core Fox classes while highlighting divergent expansion patterns in lophotrochozoans. Selection analyses showed strong purifying selection across duplicated Fox paralogs, supporting functional conservation after lineage-specific expansion. Gene Ontology enrichment linked Fox genes to stress response, apoptosis, and transcriptional regulation. By integrating phylogenetic, structural, and transcriptomic analyses, this study provides a genomic framework for understanding Fox gene organisation, evolution, and tissue-associated expression patterns in Perna viridis and establishes a comparative resource for future functional studies in bivalves.

Animals↗

ARHGAP22 as a Potential Prognostic Biomarker in Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma: Insights into Tumor Immunity and Co-Expression Networks.

Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is the most common subtype of kidney cancer and is characterized by substantial clinical heterogeneity, highlighting the need for reliable prognostic biomarkers. This study evaluated the expression pattern, prognostic relevance, and immune-related associations of ARHGAP22 in ccRCC using transcriptomic and clinical data from The Cancer Genome Atlas Kidney Renal Clear Cell Carcinoma (TCGA-KIRC) cohort, together with external validation data and protein-expression information from the Human Protein Atlas (HPA). ARHGAP22 expression was compared between tumor and adjacent normal tissues, and its associations with overall survival, clinicopathological characteristics, tumor microenvironment scores, and estimated immune-cell fractions were assessed. Co-expression and functional-enrichment analyses were also performed to characterize potential biological associations. ARHGAP22 was significantly upregulated in ccRCC tissues at the transcriptomic level, with corresponding differences observed in immunohistochemical images. High ARHGAP22 expression was associated with shorter overall survival, advanced clinicopathological features, and higher ImmuneScore, StromalScore, and ESTIMATEScore values. CIBERSORT-based analysis showed that the high-expression group had higher estimated fractions of M2 macrophages and regulatory T cells and lower estimated fractions of na&#xef;ve B cells, resting mast cells, and activated dendritic cells after false discovery rate correction. Functional-enrichment analyses linked ARHGAP22-associated genes to immune-related processes, cell migration, and chemokine- and cytokine-mediated signaling pathways. These findings suggest that ARHGAP22 may represent a potential prognostic and immune-related biomarker in ccRCC, although further independent clinical and experimental validation is required.

Humans↗

Transcriptome shock after interspecific hybridization in senecio is ameliorated by genome duplication.

Allopolyploidy, which involves genome doubling of an interspecific hybrid is an important mechanism of abrupt speciation in flowering plants [1-6]. Recent studies show that allopolyploid formation is accompanied by extensive changes to patterns of parental gene expression ("transcriptome shock") [7-15] and that this is likely the consequence of interspecific hybridization rather than polyploidization [16]. To investigate the relative impacts of hybridization and polyploidization on transcription, we compared floral gene expression in allohexaploid Senecio cambrensis with that in its parent species, S. vulgaris (tetraploid) and S. squalidus (diploid), and their triploid F1 hybrid, S. x baxteri [17]. Major changes to parental gene expression were associated principally with S. x baxteri, suggesting that the polyploidization event responsible for the formation of S. cambrensis had a widespread calming effect on altered gene expression arising from hybridization [17]. To test this hypothesis, we analyzed floral gene expression in resynthesized lines of S. cambrensis and show that, for many genes, the "transcriptome shock" observed in S. x baxteri is calmed ("ameliorated") after genome doubling in the first generation of synthetic S. cambrensis and this altered expression pattern is maintained in subsequent generations. These findings indicate that hybridization and polyploidization have immediate yet distinct effects on large-scale patterns of gene expression.

Gene Duplication↗

Comparison of spectral counting and metabolic stable isotope labeling for use with quantitative microbial proteomics.

Spectral counting, a promising method for quantifying relative changes in protein abundance in mass spectrometry-based proteomic analysis, was compared to metabolic stable isotope labeling using (15)N/(14)N "heavy/light" peptide pairs. The data were drawn primarily from a Methanococcus maripaludis experiment comparing a wild-type strain with a mutant deficient in a key enzyme relevant to energy metabolism. The dataset contained both proteome and transcriptome measurements. The normalization technique used previously for the isotopic measurements was inappropriate for spectral counting, but a simple adjustment for sampling frequency was sufficient for normalization. This adjustment was satisfactory both for M. maripaludis, an organism that showed relatively little expression change between the wild-type and mutant strains, and Porphyromonas gingivalis, an intracellular pathogen that has demonstrated widespread changes between intracellular and extracellular conditions. Spectral counting showed lower overall sensitivity defined in terms of detecting a two-fold change in protein expression, and in order to achieve the same level of quantitative proteome coverage as the stable isotope method, it would have required approximately doubling the number of mass spectra collected.

Animals↗