Biology subjects

Yan, Z.

Publications and source records attributed to Yan, Z..

11 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2018

Study on the Difference of Prokaryotic Flora Structure on the Surface of Micro-nano Coating with Different Antifouling Property

Low surface energy composite antifouling coatings prepared from carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) have good values for investigation of biofouling-related biological questions on marine biofilm. In order to deeply study the mechanism of antifouling on the surface of CNTs-PDMS coatings, it is necessary to investigate the structure of the microbial flora in the early biofilm on the coating surface. In the present study, the specific aim of this study was to investigate the structure differences of prokaryotic flora in biofilm samples at the early stage of biofouling through 16S rDNA based high-throughput DNA sequencing. By annotating high-throughput DNA sequencing results, this study identified dominant prokaryotic phyla and genera in biofilms of CNTs-PDMS coatings and identified significant differences in microbial composition and its dynamics among different coatings. Though the analysis of the Shannon index, Simpson index, Chao1 index and ACE index, coatings with better antifouling properties and antifouling properties have significant differences in community diversity and abundance, indicating different antifouling properties can affect the type and content of biofilm communities. According to the canonical correspondence analysis (CCA), time and temperature are more related to microbial community distribution, while the diameter and length of nanomaterials are less correlated. Through this study, the differences in microbial composition and content of prokaryotic communities, differences in diversity and abundance of sample communities, the differences between multiple samples and the correlation with important environmental factors were preliminarily analyzed, which laid a decent foundation for further research on the mechanism of anti-fouling on the surface of CNTs and PDMS coatings.

molecular biology↗

bioRxiv2018

Mitochondrial DNA and their nuclear copies in parasitic wasp Pteromalus puparum: A comparative analysis in Chalcidoidea

Chalcidoidea (chalcidoid wasps) are an abundant and megadiverse insect group with both ecological and economical importance. Here we report a complete mitochondrial genome in Chalcidoidea from Pteromalus puparum (Pteromalidae). Eight tandem repeats followed by 6 reversed repeats were detected in its 3,308 bp control region. This long and complex control region may explain failures of amplifying and sequencing of complete mitochondrial genomes in some chalcidoids. In addition to 37 typical mitochondrial genes, an extra identical isoleucine tRNA (trnI) was detected. We speculate this recent mitochondrial gene duplication indicates that gene arrangements in chalcidoids are ongoing. A comparison among available chalcidoid mitochondrial genomes, reveals rapid gene order rearrangements overall, and high substitution rate in P. puparum. In addition, we identified 24 nuclear sequences of mitochondrial origin (NUMTs) in P. puparum, summing up to 9,989 bp, with 3,617 bp of these NUMTs originating from mitochondrial coding regions. NUMTs abundance in P. puparum is only one-twelfth of that in its relative, Nasonia vitripennis. Based on phylogenetic analysis, we provide evidence that a faster nuclear degradation rate contributes to the reduced NUMT numbers in P. puparum. Overall, our study shows unusually high rates of mitochondrial evolution and considerable variation in NUMT accumulation in Chalcidoidea.

genomics↗

bioRxiv2018

Circadian gene Clock regulates mitochondrial morphology and functions by posttranscriptional way

Many daily activities are under the control of circadian clock, including nutrition metabolism and energy generation. Mitochondria, as the core factories of oxidizing substrates and producing ATP, undergo changes in quantity and morphology to adapt to the demand for energy. It has been demonstrated that mitochondrial gene expression, dynamics and functions are all affected by circadian clock. Here, we demonstrated that circadian gene Clock affects the number, architecture and function of mitochondria via posttranscriptional regulation of Drp1. Clock{Delta}19 leads to fragmented mitochondria accompanied with the loss of membrane potential, excessive ROS accumulation and decreased mitochondrial respiration and ATP generation. Clock{Delta}19 mice exhibit disordered lipid metabolism and evident nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which are rescued by treatment with the mitochondrial fission inhibitor Mdivi-1. These results suggest a strong relationship between Clock, mitochondrial dynamics and metabolic diseases and provide a new perspective on disordered circadian clock and related diseases.

cell biology↗

bioRxiv2018

A computational protocol to characterize elusive Candidate Phyla Radiation bacteria in oral environments using metagenomic data

Several studies have documented the diversity and potential pathogenic associations of organisms in the human oral cavity. Although much progress has been made in understanding the complex bacterial community inhabiting the human oral cavity, our understanding of some microorganisms is less resolved due to a variety of reasons. One such little-understood group is the candidate phyla radiation (CPR), which is a recently identified, but highly abundant group of ultrasmall bacteria with reduced genomes and unusual ribosomes. Here, we present a computational protocol for the detection of CPR organisms from metagenomic data. Our approach relies on a self-constructed dataset comprising published CPR genomic sequences as a filter to identify CPR sequences from metagenomic sequencing data. After assembly and functional prediction, the taxonomic affiliation of CPR contigs can be identified through phylogenetic analysis with publically available 16S rRNA gene and ribosomal proteins, in addition to sequence similarity analyses (e.g., average nucleotide identity calculations and contig mapping). Using this protocol, we reconstructed two draft genomes of organisms within the TM7 superphylum, that had genome sizes of 0.594 Mb and 0.678 Mb. Among the predicted functional genes of the constructed genomes, a high percentage were related to signal transduction, cell motility, and cell envelope biogenesis, which could contribute to cellular morphological changes in response to environmental cues.\n\nImportanceCandidate phyla radiation (CPR) bacterial group is a recently identified, but highly diverse and abundant group of ultrasmall bacteria exhibiting reduced genomes and limited metabolic capacities. A number of studies have reported their potential pathogenic associations in multiple mucosal diseases including periodontitis, halitosis, and inflammatory bowel disease. However, CPR organisms are difficult to cultivate and are difficult to detect with PCR-based methods due to divergent genetic sequences. Thus, our understanding of CPR has lagged behind that of other bacterial component. Here, we used metagenomic approaches to overcome these previous barriers to CPR identification, and established a computational protocol for detection of CPR organisms from metagenomic samples. The protocol describe herein holds great promise for better understanding the potential biological functioning of CPR. Moreover, the pipeline could be applied to other organisms that are difficult to cultivate.

bioinformatics↗

bioRxiv2018

Cryo-EM structure of the volume-regulated anion channel LRRC8

Maintenance of cell volume against osmotic change is crucial for proper cell functions, such as cell proliferation and migration. The leucine-rich repeat-containing 8 (LRRC8) proteins are anion selective channels, and were recently identified as pore components of the volume-regulated anion channels (VRACs), which extrude anions to decrease the cell volume upon cell-swelling. Here, we present the human LRRC8A structure, determined by a single-particle cryo-electron microscopy analysis. The sea anemone-like structure represents a trimer of dimers assembly, rather than a symmetrical hexameric assembly. The four-spanning transmembrane region has a gap junction channel-like membrane topology, while the LRR region containing 15 leucine-rich repeats forms a long twisted arc. The channel pore is along the central axis and constricted on the extracellular side, where the highly conserved polar and charged residues at the tip of the extracellular helix contribute to the anion and other osmolyte permeability. Comparing the two structural populations facilitated the identification of both compact and relaxed conformations, suggesting that the LRR region is flexible and mobile with rigid-body motions, which might be implicated in structural transitions upon pore opening. Overall, our structure provides a framework for understanding the molecular mechanisms of this unique class of ion channels.

molecular biology↗

bioRxiv2018

RNAs as proximity labeling media for identifying nuclear speckle positions relative to the genome

Nuclear speckles are interchromatin structures enriched in RNA splicing factors. Determining their relative positions with respect to the folded nuclear genome could provide critical information on co-and post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression. However, it remains challenging to identify which parts of the nuclear genome are in proximity to nuclear speckles, due to physical separation between nuclear speckle cores and chromatin. We hypothesized that noncoding RNAs including small nuclear RNAs, 7SK and Malat1, which accumulate at the periphery of nuclear speckles (nsaRNA, nuclear speckle associated RNA), may extend to sufficient proximity to the nuclear genome. Leveraging a transcriptome-genome interaction assay (MARGI), we identified nsaRNA-interacting genomic sequences, which exhibited clustering patterns (nsaPeaks) in the genome, suggesting existence of relatively stable interaction sites for nsaRNAs in nuclear genome. Posttranscriptional pre-mRNAs, which are known to be clustered to nuclear speckles, exhibited proximity to nsaPeaks but rarely to other genomic regions. Furthermore, CDK9 proteins that localize to the vicinity of nuclear speckles produced ChIP-seq peaks that overlapped with nsaPeaks. Our combined DNA FISH and immunofluorescence analysis in 182 single cells revealed a 3-fold increase in odds for nuclear speckles to localize near an nsaPeak than its neighboring genomic sequence. These data suggest a model that nsaRNAs locate in sufficient proximity to nuclear genome and leave identifiable genomic footprints, thus revealing the parts of genome proximal to nuclear speckles.

bioinformatics↗

bioRxiv2018

Evolutionary rate coevolution between mitochondria and mitochondria-associated nuclear-encoded proteins in insects

The mitochondrion is a pivotal organelle for energy production, and includes components encoded by both the mitochondrial and nuclear genomes. How these two genomes coevolve is a long-standing question in evolutionary biology. Here we initially investigate the evolutionary rates of mitochondrial components (oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) proteins and ribosomal RNAs) and nuclear-encoded proteins associated with mitochondria, across the major orders of holometabolous insects. There are significant evolutionary rate correlations (ERCs) between mitochondria and mitochondria-associated nuclear-encoded proteins, which is likely driven by different rates of mitochondrial sequence evolution and compensatory changes in the interacting nuclear-encoded proteins. The pattern holds after correction for phylogenetic relationships and considering protein conservation levels. Correlations are stronger for nuclear-encoded OXPHOS proteins in contact with mitochondrial-encoded OXPHOS proteins and nuclear-encoded mitochondrial ribosomal amino acids directly contacting the mitochondrial rRNA. Mitochondrial-associated proteins show apparent rate acceleration over evolutionary time, but we suspect this pattern to be due to artifacts (e.g. rate estimation or calibration bias). We find that ERC between mitochondrial and nuclear proteins is a strong predictor of nuclear proteins known to interact with mitochondria, and therefore ERCs can be used to predict new candidate nuclear proteins with mitochondrial function. Using this approach, we detect proteins with high ERCs but not with known mitochondrial function based on gene ontology (GO). Manual screening of the literature revealed potential mitochondrial function for some of these proteins in humans or yeast. Their holometabolous ERCs therefore indicate these proteins may have phylogenetically conserved mitochondrial function. Twenty three additional candidates warrant further study for mitochondrial function based on this approach, including ERC evidence that proteins in the minichromosome maintenance helicase (MCM) complex interact with mitochondria. We conclude that the ERC method shows promise for identifying new candidate proteins with mitochondrial function.

evolutionary biology↗

bioRxiv2018

Transcriptome Landscape of Human Oocytes and Granulosa Cells Throughout Folliculogenesis

Folliculogenesis is a highly regulated process that involves bidirectional interactions of the oocytes and surrounding granulosa cells (GCs). Little is unknown, however, about the transcriptomic profiles of human oocytes and GCs throughout folliculogenesis. Here we performed a high resolution RNA-Seq of human oocytes and GCs at each follicular stage, which revealed unique transcriptional profiles, stage-specific signature genes, oocyte- and GC-derived genes that reflect ovarian reserve. We identified reciprocal cell-to-cell interactions between oocytes and GCs, including NOTCH, TGF-{beta} signaling and gap junctions and determined the expression patterns of maternal-effect genes involved in folliculogenesis and early embryogenesis. Finally, we demonstrated robust differences between human and mice oocyte transcriptomes. This is the first comprehensive overview of the transcriptomic signatures governing the stepwise human folliculogenesis in-vivo that provides a valuable resource for basic and translational research in human reproductive biology.

cell biology↗

bioRxiv2018

A proteome-based design of bitter peptide digestion regime to attenuate cod-bone soup bitterness: comparison with a rainbow trout extract-mediated bitter taste masking approach

BACKGROUNDThe fresh bones (with some meat on them; frequently discarded as a large quantity of industry garbage) of marine fish such as cod and salmon are good materials for manufacture of food additives (taste adjusters). However, such fish-bone originated additives often have apparent bitter taste and need additional debittering regime.\n\nRESULTSIn this study, 46 known bitter peptides in the cod proteome were targeted for specific protease digestion to eliminate bitter taste from the cod bone soup. Though the debittering effect was apparent, the bitter taste was not completely removed. However, the bitter taste can be removed by addition of trout extract to a complete extent. The strong debittering power of rainbow trout extract was further confirmed by the debittering experiments on salmon bone soup and bitter melon, both with perfect results.\n\nCONCLUSIONThese results indicated that the cod bone soup bitterness comes not only from bitter peptide but also from other substances that can be masked by trout extract. Considering the fact that trout proteome has more potential bitter peptides than cod, trout extract shall have a strong bitter masking substance to be determined in the future.

biochemistry↗

bioRxiv2017

Meta-analysis of massive parallel reporter assay enables functional regulatory elements prediction

Deciphering the potential of non-coding loci to influence gene regulation has been the subject of intense research, with important implications in understanding genetic underpinnings of human diseases. Massively parallel reporter assays (MPRAs) can measure regulatory activity of thousands of DNA-sequences and their variants in a single experiment. With increasing number of publically available MPRA datasets, one can now develop data-driven models which, given a DNA-sequence, predict its regulatory activity. Here, we performed a comprehensive meta-analysis of several MPRA datasets in a variety of cellular contexts. We first applied an ensemble of methods to predict MPRA output in each context and observed that the most predictive features are consistent across datasets. We then demonstrate that predictive models trained in one cellular context can be used to predict MPRA output in another, with loss of accuracy attributed to cell-type specific features. Finally, we show that our approach achieves top performance in the Fifth Critical Assessment of Genome Interpretation "Regulation Saturation" Challenge for predicting effects of single nucleotide variants. Overall, our analysis provides insights into how MPRA data can be leveraged to highlight functional regulatory regions throughout the genome and can guide effective design of future experiments by better prioritizing regions of interest.

genomics↗

bioRxiv2017

Wide sampling of natural diversity identifies novel molecular signatures of C4 photosynthesis

Introductory paragraphMuch of biology is associated with convergent traits, and it is challenging to determine the extent to which underlying molecular mechanisms are shared across phylogeny. By analyzing plants representing eighteen independent origins of C4 photosynthesis, we quantified the extent to which this convergent trait utilises identical molecular mechanisms. We demonstrate that biochemical changes that characterise C4 species are recovered by this process, and expand the paradigm by four metabolic pathways not previously associated with C4 photosynthesis. Furthermore, we show that expression of many genes that distinguish C3 and C4 species respond to low CO2, providing molecular evidence that reduction in atmospheric CO2 was a driver for C4 evolution. Thus the origin and architecture of complex traits can be derived from transcriptome comparisons across natural diversity.

plant biology↗