Biology subjects

Farrell, M.

Publications and source records attributed to Farrell, M..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2018

Need for high-resolution Genetic Analysis in iPSC: Results and Lessons from the ForIPS Consortium

Genetic integrity of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) is essential for their validity as disease models and for potential therapeutic use. We describe the comprehensive analysis in the ForIPS consortium: an iPSC collection from donors with neurological diseases and healthy controls. Characterization included pluripotency confirmation, fingerprinting, conventional and molecular karyotyping in all lines. In the majority, somatic copy number variants (CNVs) were identified. A subset with available matched donor DNA was selected for comparative exome sequencing. We identified single nucleotide variants (SNVs) at different allelic frequencies in each clone with high variability in mutational load. Low frequencies of variants in parental fibroblasts highlight the importance of germline samples. Somatic variant number was independent from reprogramming, cell type and passage. Comparison with disease genes and prediction scores suggest biological relevance for some variants. We show that high-throughput sequencing has value beyond SNV detection and the requirement to individually evaluate each clone.

genomics↗

bioRxiv2018

Barcoded oligonucleotides ligated on RNA amplified for multiplex and parallel in-situ analyses

We present Barcoded Oligonucleotides Ligated On RNA Amplified for Multiplexed and parallel In-Situ analysis (BOLORAMIS), a reverse-transcription (RT)-free method for spatially-resolved, targeted, in-situ RNA identification of single or multiple targets. For this proof of concept, we have profiled 154 distinct coding and small non-coding transcripts ranging in sizes 18 nucleotides in length and upwards, from over 200, 000 individual human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) and demonstrated compatibility with multiplexed detection, enabled by fluorescent in-situ sequencing. We use BOLORAMIS data to identify differences in spatial localization and cell-to-cell expression heterogeneity. Our results demonstrate BOLORAMIS to be a generalizable toolset for targeted, in-situ detection of coding and small non-coding RNA for single or multiplexed applications.

cell biology↗

bioRxiv2017

Cell-type selective deletion of RSK2 reveals insights into altered signaling in Coffin-Lowry Syndrome

Coffin-Lowry syndrome (CLS) is an X-linked syndromic form of mental retardation characterized by various skeletal dysmorphisms, moderate to severe mental retardation, and in some cases, psychosis. CLS is caused by loss-of-function mutations of the p90 ribosomal S6 kinase 2 (RPS6KA3) gene encoding a growth factor-regulated serine/threonine kinase, ribosomal S6 kinase 2 (RSK2). We previously identified RSK2 as a novel interacting protein that tonically inhibits 5-HT2A receptor signaling by phosphorylating Ser-314 within the third intracellular loop. To determine if RSK2 inhibits 5-HT2A receptor signaling in vivo and whether disruption of RSK2 could lead to schizophrenia-like behaviors - as is seen in some CLS patients - we genetically disrupted the function of RSK2 either globally or selectively in forebrain pyramidal neurons in mice. Both global and forebrain-selective RSK2 deletion augmented the locomotor responses to the psychotomimetic drugs phencyclidine (PCP) and amphetamine (AMPH). Significantly, forebrain-selective deletion of RSK2 augmented 5-HT2A receptor signaling as exemplified by enhanced 5-HT2A-mediated c-fos activation and head-twitch response without altering the levels or distribution of 5-HT2A receptor protein. Thus, RSK2 modulates 5HT2A receptor function in vivo, and disruption of RSK2 leads to augmented psychostimulant-induced responses reminiscent of those seen in many animal models of schizophrenia. These findings strengthen the association between 5-HT2A receptor dysfunction and psychosis, and provide a potential mechanism underlying the schizophrenia-like symptoms present in some CLS patients.\n\nHighlightsO_LIGlobal and cell-type-specific RSK2 knock-out mice were assessed behaviorally and pharmacologically\nC_LIO_LIAugmentation of amphetamine and PCP locomotor responses were seen in both global and forebrain-specific RSK2 KO mice\nC_LIO_LIAugmentation of 5-HT2A serotonin receptor function but not number was also observed\nC_LIO_LIThese alterations reveal insights into mechanisms potentially responsible for behavioral sequlae of Coffin-Lowry Syndrome\nC_LI

neuroscience↗