Biology subjects

Perry, W.

Publications and source records attributed to Perry, W..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2025

Population and adaptation history of 739 Thlaspi arvense natural accessions

Pennycress (Thlaspi arvense) is a promising intermediate oilseed crop, producing oil suitable for conversion to biofuels--including aviation fuels. While domestication efforts are ongoing, a deeper understanding of the genetic architecture of traits is crucial for informing future breeding efforts. Here, we conducted the largest genomic and phenotypic survey of pennycress to date, analyzing 739 accessions collected across four continents. Leveraging whole-genome sequencing and field-collected phenotypes, we characterized the standing genetic variation underlying key agronomic traits and climate resilience. Our findings revealed multiple independent migration events to North America, with substantial genetic admixture. We identified homologs of Arabidopsis thaliana flowering-time genes that contribute to adaptation and demonstrated the agronomic benefits of winter-type pennycress. Furthermore, through multi-season field trials, we identified a genomic region containing a cluster of mTERF genes strongly associated with green canopy coverage, a critical trait for biomass retention and yield stability. These insights provide a genomic roadmap for accelerating pennycress domestication and improving its resilience to climate variability.

genomics↗

bioRxiv2020

Both HIV Infection and Conditional Tat Expression Decrease Prepulse Inhibition with Further Impairment by Methamphetamine History in Humans

HIV infection and methamphetamine (METH) use are highly comorbid and represent a significant public health problem. Both conditions are known to negatively impact a variety of brain functions. One brain function that may be affected by HIV and METH use is sensorimotor gating, an automatic, pre-conscious filtering of sensory information that is thought to contribute to higher order cognitive processes. Sensorimotor gating is often measured using prepulse inhibition (PPI), a paradigm that can be conducted in both humans and animals, thereby enabling cross-species translational studies. While previous studies suggest HIV and METH may individually impair PPI, little research has been conducted on the effects of combined HIV and METH on PPI. The goal of this cross-species study was to determine the effects of METH on PPI in the inducible Tat (iTat) mouse model of HIV and in people with HIV. PPI was measured in the iTat mouse model before, during, and after chronic METH treatment and after Tat induction. Chronic METH treatment decreased PPI in male but not female mice. PPI normalized with cessation of METH. Inducing Tat expression decreased PPI in male but not in female mice. No interactions between chronic METH treatment and Tat expression were observed in mice. In humans, HIV was associated with decreased PPI in both men and women. Furthermore, PPI was lowest in people with HIV who also had a history of METH dependence. Overall, these results suggest HIV and METH may additively impair early information processing in humans, potentially affecting downstream cognitive function. HIGHLIGHTSO_LIHIV decreased PPI in men and women C_LIO_LIPPI was most decreased in people with HIV and a history of METH dependence C_LIO_LIChronic METH treatment decreased PPI in male but not female mice C_LIO_LITat expression decreased PPI in male but not female mice C_LIO_LIChronic METH treatment and Tat expression did not interact to affect PPI in mice C_LI

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2020

Sustained attention and vigilance deficits associated with HIV and a history of methamphetamine dependence

BackgroundHuman immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-associated neurocognitive disorders persist in the era of antiretroviral therapy (ART). One factor that is elevated among persons with HIV (PWH) and independently associated with neurocognitive impairment is methamphetamine dependence (METH+). Such dependence may further increase cognitive impairment among PWH, by delaying HIV diagnosis (and thus, ART initiation), which has been posited to account for persistent cognitive impairment among PWH, despite subsequent treatment-related viral load suppression (VLS; [≤]50 copies of the virus per milliliter in plasma or cerebrospinal fluid). This study examined the independent and combined (additive versus synergistic) effects of HIV and history of METH+ on the sustained attention and vigilance cognitive domain, while controlling for VLS. MethodsParticipants included 205 (median age=44 years; 77% males; HIV-/METH- n=67; HIV+/METH - n=49; HIV-/METH+ n=36; HIV+/METH+ n=53) individuals enrolled in the Translational Methamphetamine AIDS Research Center, who completed Conners and the 5- Choice continuous performance tests (CPTs). ResultsMETH+ participants exhibited deficits in sustained attention and vigilance; however, these effects were not significant after excluding participants who had a positive urine toxicology screen for methamphetamine. Controlling for VLS, PWH did not have worse sustained attention and vigilance, but consistently displayed slower reaction times across blocks, relative to HIV-participants. There was no HIV x METH interaction on sustained attention and vigilance. ConclusionsRecent methamphetamine use among METH+ people and detectable viral loads are detrimental to sustained attention and vigilance. These findings highlight the need for prompt diagnosis of HIV and initiation of ART, and METH use interventions.

neuroscience↗