Biology subjects

Craig, Z.

Publications and source records attributed to Craig, Z..

7 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

Genomic variation associated with endosymbiont shuffling and areal growth in the endangered elkhorn coral, Acropora palmata

Biodiversity losses continue to outpace traditional management, underscoring the need to understand adaptive capacity and the potential for interventions to increase fitness under climate change. We undertook a genome-wide association study on 156 Acropora palmata genets to investigate the genomic basis of areal growth, endosymbiont association, and thermal tolerance. Seven peaks on chromosomes 1, 3 and 14 were associated with endosymbiont shuffling and two peaks on chromosome 4 were associated with areal growth. As variants were located in non-coding regions we incorporated additional data from an independent field-transplant experiment to investigate their relationship with patterns of gene expression. Intersection of these datasets implicated melanocortin-like receptor activity and Ran GTPase activating protein 1 in endosymbiont composition and surface area growth, respectively. Results indicate that growth and endosymbiont associations may represent more viable intervention targets than temperature tolerance and highlight the need to better understand the role of non-coding variation in basic biology and development of restoration interventions.

genomics↗

bioRxiv2026

High relatedness in sexually produced restoration cohorts of the endangered elkhorn coral, Acropora palmata

Climate change is driving the decline of coral populations around the world such that many are unlikely to recover without human intervention. Assisted sexual reproduction is one intervention proposed to enhance genetic diversity and support population recovery, yet its genetic outcomes remain poorly quantified. We evaluated genome-wide relatedness and genetic diversity in 168 restoration genets of the endangered Caribbean coral Acropora palmata, including 153 sexually produced offspring derived from multi-parent batch and biparental crosses. We detected high relatedness within multi-parent batch cross cohorts, with many genets comprising only one or a few full-sibling groups, indicating highly unequal parental contributions. Nucleotide diversity was lower in one batch cross cohort relative to founder populations, but the absolute difference was small and runs of homozygosity were relatively short indicating that inbreeding depression is not yet a concern. These patterns suggest that common larval propagation approaches can successfully generate large numbers of new genets but underscore the need to manage inbreeding risk, especially in small breeding stocks such as the Caribbean Acropora spp. Specifically, our results highlight the need for comprehensive genetic management to integrate assisted sexual reproduction into coral restoration, including parentage tracking, broodstock rotation, and relatedness-informed outplanting designs.

genomics↗

bioRxiv2026

Prenatal Dibutyl Phthalate Exposure Dysregulates Fetal-Placental Vascular Function and Placental Vasculature-Specific Lipid Metabolism

IntroductionIn humans, prenatal dibutyl phthalate (DBP) exposure is associated with increased risks of adverse fetal outcomes as well as metabolic and cardiovascular diseases in the offspring in a fetal sex-specific manner. However, mechanisms underlying these prenatal DBP exposure-associated adverse fetal/offspring outcomes are unclear. We hypothesize that environmentally relevant low-dose prenatal DBP exposure dysregulates fetal-placental vascular function and lipid metabolism in a fetal sex-specific manner, thereby impairing placental efficiency and programming adverse offspring metabolic outcomes. MethodsFemale CD-1 adult mice (8-10 weeks) were orally dosed with vehicle or an environmentally relevant low-dose DBP (0.1g/kg/day) daily from 30 days pre-pregnancy through gestational day (GD) 18.5. Fetal-placental vascular hemodynamics of these dams were examined using high-frequency ultrasound at multiple timepoints. The effect of prenatal environmentally relevant low-dose DBP exposure on placental efficiency, spatial transcriptomic profiles, lipid homeostasis, and placental vascular endothelial cells function in male and female fetuses were evaluated at gestational day (GD) 18.5. ResultsThe prenatal low-dose DBP exposure dysregulated the fetal-placental vascular hemodynamic indices from mid-to late gestation. DBP exposure impairs placental efficiency in male, but not female placenta at GD18.5. Further, female placentas exhibited fetal labyrinth vasculature-specific transcriptomic adaptations that preserves placental efficiency and endothelial function. In contrast, male placentas exhibited minimum transcriptomic adaptation, together with compromised placental efficiency and endothelial function associated with lipotoxic lipid profile. ConclusionsIn conclusion, prenatal low-dose DBP exposure dysregulates placental vascular function and lipid homeostasis in a fetal sex-specific manner, with male fetuses being more susceptible to DBP exposure.

physiology↗

bioRxiv2024

Anillin tunes contractility and regulates barrier function during Rho flare-mediated tight junction remodeling

To preserve barrier function, cell-cell junctions must dynamically remodel during cell shape changes. We have previously described a rapid tight junction repair pathway characterized by local, transient activation of RhoA, termed Rho flares, which repair leaks in tight junctions via promoting local actomyosin-mediated junction remodeling. In this pathway, junction elongation is a mechanical trigger that initiates RhoA activation through an influx of intracellular calcium and recruitment of p115RhoGEF. However, mechanisms that tune the level of RhoA activation and Myosin II contractility during the process remain uncharacterized. Here, we show that the scaffolding protein Anillin localizes to Rho flares and regulates RhoA activity and actomyosin contraction at flares. Knocking down Anillin results in Rho flares with increased intensity but shorter duration. These changes in active RhoA dynamics weaken downstream F-actin and Myosin II accumulation at the site of Rho flares, resulting in decreased junction contraction. Consequently, tight junction breaks are not reinforced following Rho flares. We show that Anillin-driven RhoA regulation is necessary for successfully repairing tight junction leaks and protecting junctions from repeated barrier damage. Together, these results uncover a novel regulatory role for Anillin during tight junction repair and barrier function maintenance. Significance StatementO_LIBarrier function is critical for epithelial tissues. Epithelial cells maintain barrier function via tight junctions, which must be remodeled to allow for cell- and tissue-scale shape changes. How barrier function is maintained and remodeled as epithelial cells change shape remains unclear. C_LIO_LIThe scaffolding protein Anillin is required for generating effective actomyosin contraction to reinforce damaged tight junctions; lack of reinforcement leads to repeated barrier leaks. C_LIO_LIThese findings highlight a novel role for Anillin in tight junction remodeling and suggest that Anillins ability to tune the level and duration of local Rho activation affects the contractile output. C_LI

cell biology↗

bioRxiv2024

Prenatal Exposure to Environmentally Relevant Low Dosage Dibutyl Phthalate Reduces Placental Efficiency in CD-1 Mice

IntroductionDibutyl phthalate (DBP), a phthalate congener, is widely utilized in consumer products and medication coatings. Women of reproductive age have a significant burden of DBP exposure through consumer products, occupational exposure, and medication. Prenatal DBP exposure is associated with adverse pregnancy/fetal outcomes and cardiovascular diseases in the offspring. However, the role of fetal sex and the general mechanisms underlying DBP exposure-associated adverse pregnancy outcomes are unclear. We hypothesize that prenatal DBP exposure at an environmentally relevant low dosage adversely affects fetal-placental development and function during pregnancy in a fetal sex-specific manner. MethodsAdult female CD-1 mice (8-10wks) were orally treated with vehicle (control) or with environmentally relevant low DBP dosages at 0.1 g/kg/day (refer as DBP0.1) daily from 30 days before pregnancy through gestational day (GD) 18.5. Dam body mass composition was measured non-invasively using the echo-magnetic resonance imaging system. Lipid disposition in fetal labyrinth and maternal decidual area of placentas was examined using Oil Red O staining. ResultsDBP0.1 exposure did not significantly affect the body weight and adiposity of non-pregnant adult female mice nor the maternal weight gain pattern and adiposity during pregnancy in adult female mice. DBP0.1 exposure does not affect fetal weight but significantly increased the placental weight at GD18.5 (indicative of decreased placental efficiency) in a fetal sex-specific manner. We further observed that DBP0.1 significantly decreased lipid disposition in fetal labyrinth of female, but not male placentas, while it did not affect lipid disposition in maternal decidual. ConclusionsPrenatal exposure to environmentally relevant low-dosage DBP adversely impacts the fetal-placental efficiency and lipid disposition in a fetal sex-specific manner.

physiology↗

bioRxiv2023

Human relevant exposure to di-n-butyl phthalate tampers with the ovarian insulin-like growth factor 1 system and disrupts folliculogenesis in young adult mice

Phthalates are compounds used in consumer and medical products worldwide. Phthalate exposure in women has been demonstrated by detection of phthalate metabolites in their urine and ovarian follicular fluid. High urinary phthalate burden has been associated with reduced ovarian reserve and oocyte retrieval in women undergoing assisted reproduction. Unfortunately, no mechanistic explanation for these associations is available. In short term in vivo and in vitro animal studies modeling human relevant exposures to di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP), we have identified ovarian folliculogenesis as a target for phthalate exposures. In the present study, we investigated whether DBP exposure negatively influences insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF) signaling in the ovary and disrupts ovarian folliculogenesis. CD-1 female mice were exposed to corn oil (vehicle) or DBP (10 or 100 g/kg/day) for 20-32 days. Ovaries were collected as animals reached the proestrus stage to achieve estrous cycle synchronization. Levels of mRNAs encoding IGF1 and 2 (Igf1 and Igf2), IGF1 receptor (Igf1r), and IGF binding proteins 1-6 (Ifgbp1-6) were measured in whole ovary homogenates. Ovarian follicle counts and immunostaining for phosphorylated IGF1R protein (pIGF1R) were used to evaluate folliculogenesis and IGF1R activation, respectively. DBP exposure, at a realistic dose that some women may experience (100 g/kg/day for 20-32 days), reduced ovarian Igf1 and Igf1r mRNA expression and reduced small ovarian follicle numbers and primary follicle pIGF1R positivity in DBP-treated mice. These findings reveal that DBP tampers with the ovarian IGF1 system and provide molecular insight into how phthalates could influence the ovarian reserve in females.

pharmacology and toxicology↗

bioRxiv2022

A phenomic modeling approach for using chlorophyll-a fluorescence-based measurements on coral photosymbionts: a step towards bio-optical bleaching prediction

We test a newly developed instrument prototype which utilizes time-resolved chlorophyll-a fluorescence techniques and fluctuating light to characterize Symbiodiniaceae functional traits across seven different coral species under cultivation as part of ongoing restoration efforts in the Florida Keys. While traditional chlorophyll-a fluorescence techniques only provide a handful of algal biometrics, the system and protocol we have developed generates > 1000 dynamic measurements in a short ([~]11 min) time frame. Resulting high-content algal biometric data revealed distinct phenotypes, which broadly corresponded to clade-level Symbiodiniaceae designations determined using quantitative PCR. Next, algal biometric data from Acropora cervicornis (10 genotypes) and A. palmata (5 genotypes) coral fragments was correlated with bleaching response metrics collected after a two month-long exposure to high temperature. A network analysis identified 1973 correlations (Spearman R > 0.5) between algal biometrics and various bleaching response metrics. These identified biomarkers of thermal stress were then utilized to train a predictive model, and when tested against the same A. cervicornis and A. palmata coral fragments, yielded high correlation (R = 0.92) with measured thermal response (reductions in absorbance by chlorophyll-a). When applied to all seven coral species, the model ranked fragments dominated by Cladocopium or Breviolum symbionts as more bleaching susceptible than corals harboring thermally tolerant symbionts (Durusdinium). While direct testing of bleaching predictions on novel genotypes is still needed, our device and modeling pipeline may help broaden the scalability of existing approaches for determining thermal tolerance in reef corals. Our instrument prototype and analytical pipeline aligns with recent coral restoration assessments that call for the development of novel tools for improving scalability of coral restoration programs.

ecology↗