bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Standing covariation between genomic and epigenomic patterns as source for natural selection in wild strawberry plants
Authors: De Kort Hanne , Toivainen Tuomas , Van Nieuwerburgh Filip , Panis Bart , Hytönen Timo P. , Honnay Olivier 
Published: April 2021

AbstractAdaptive evolution is generally thought to be the result of natural selection predominantly acting upon pre-existing DNA sequence polymorphisms through gene-environment interactions. Epigenetic inheritance is, however, recently considered an additional molecular force driving adaptive evolution independent of DNA sequence variation. Through comparative analyses of genome-wide genetic (SNPs) and epigenetic (DMCs) variation of wild strawberry plants raised under distinct drought settings, we demonstrate intermediate levels of genome-wide covariation between SNPs and DMCs. Cases of high SNP-DMC covariation were significantly associated with (i) applied stress, (ii) non-adaptive SNPs, and (iii) solitary DMCs (as opposed to DMC islands). We also found that DMCs, drought-responsive DMCs in particular, typically co-vary with hundreds of SNPs, indicating high genomic redundancy as a basis for polygenic adaptation. Our findings suggest that stress-responsive DMCs initially co-vary with many associated SNPs under increased environmental stress (cfr. co-gradient plasticity), and that natural selection acting upon these SNPs subsequently reduce standing covariation with stress-responsive DMCs. In addition, the degree of covariation between SNPs and DMCs appears independent of their respective genomic distance, indicating that trans-acting associations between SNPs and DMCs are as likely as cis-acting associations. Our study is in favor of DNA methylation profiles representing complex quantitative traits rather than independent evolutionary forces, but further research is required to fully rule out SNP-independence of genome-wide DMCs. We provide a conceptual framework for polygenic regulation and adaptation shaping genome-wide methylation patterns.
MetaProClust-MS1: A tool for clustering metaproteomes using rapid MS1 profiling
Authors: Simopoulos Caitlin M.A. , Ning Zhibin , Li Leyuan , Khamis Mona M. , Zhang Xu , Lavallée-Adam Mathieu , Figeys Daniel 
Published: April 2021

SummaryMetaproteomics is used to explore the composition, dynamics and function of microbial communities. How-ever, acquiring data by tandem mass spectrometry is time consuming and resource intensive. To mediate this challenge, we present MetaProClust-MS1, a computational framework for microbiome screening developed to reduce the time required for data acquisition by mass spectrometry. In this proof-of-concept study, we tested MetaProClust-MS1 on data acquired using short 15 minute MS1-only mass spectrometry gradients and compared the results to those produced using data acquired by a traditional tandem mass spectrometry approach. MetaProClust-MS1 identified robust microbiome shifts caused by xenobiotics in both datasets. Cluster topologies were also significantly correlated. We demonstrate that MetaProClust-MS1 is able to rapidly screen microbiomes using only short MS1 profiles. This approach can be used to prioritize samples for deep metaproteomic analysis and will be especially useful in large-scale metaproteomic screens or in clinical settings where rapid results are required.
CD150-dependent hematopoietic stem cells sensing ofBrucellainstructs myeloid commitment
Authors: Lisiena Hysenaj , Bérengère De Laval , Vilma Arce-Gorvel , Mile Bosilkovski , Gabriela Gonzalez , Guillaume Debroas , Michael Sieweke , Sandrine Sarrazin , Jean-Pierre Gorvel 
Published: April 2021

ABSTRACTSo far, hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) are considered the source of mature immune cells, the latter being the only ones capable of mounting an immune response. Recent evidence shows HSC can also directly sense cytokines released upon infection/inflammation and pathogen-associated molecular pattern interaction, while keeping a long-term memory of previous encountered signals. Direct sensing of danger signals by HSC induces early myeloid commitment, increases myeloid effector cell numbers and contributes to an efficient immune response. Here, using specific genetic tools on both host and pathogen sides, we show that HSC can directly sense B. abortus pathogenic bacteria within the bone marrow via the interaction of the cell surface protein CD150 with the bacterial outer membrane protein Omp25, inducing efficient functional commitment of HSC to the myeloid lineage. This is the first demonstration of a direct recognition of a live pathogen by HSC via CD150, which attests of a very early contribution of HSC to immune response.SUMMARYThis work provides first evidence HSC directly sense Brucella abortus via the bacterial outer membrane protein Omp25 and the HSC surface receptor CD150, leading to functional commitment of HSC to myeloid lineage and very early initiation of immune response.
Predicting skeletal stature using ancient DNA
Authors: Cox Samantha L , Moots Hannah , Stock Jay T , Shbat Andrej , Bitarello Bárbara D , Haak Wolfgang , Rosenstock Eva , Ruff Christopher B , Mathieson Iain 
Published: April 2021

AbstractObjectivesAncient DNA provides an opportunity to separate the genetic and environmental bases of complex traits by allowing direct estimation of genetic values in ancient individuals. Here, we test whether genetic scores for height in ancient individuals are predictive of their actual height, as inferred from skeletal remains. We estimate the contributions of genetic and environmental variables to observed phenotypic variation as a first step towards quantifying individual sources of morphological variation.Materials and MethodsWe collected stature estimates and femur lengths from West Eurasian skeletal remains with published genome-wide ancient DNA data (n=167, dating from 33,000-850 BP). We also recorded genetic sex, genetic ancestry, date and paleoclimate data for each individual, andδ13C andδ15N stable isotope values where available (n=67).ResultsA polygenic score (PRS) for height predicts 6.8% of the variance in femur length in our data (n=117, SD=0.0068%, p<0.001), controlling for sex, ancestry, and date. This is consistent with the predictive power of height PRS in present-day populations and the low coverage of ancient samples. Comparatively, sex explains about 15% of the variance in femur length in our sample. Environmental effects also likely play a role in variation, independent of genetics, though with considerable uncertainty (longitude:R2=0.0317, SD=0.009, p=0.019).DiscussionPolygenic scores explain a small but significant proportion of the variance in height in ancient individuals, though not enough to make useful predictions of individual phenotypes. However, environmental variables also contribute to phenotypic outcomes and understanding their interaction with direct genetic predictions will provide a framework with which to model how plasticity and genetic changes ultimately combine to drive adaptation and evolution.
Microfluidic-based imaging of complete C. elegans larval development
Authors: Berger Simon , Spiri Silvan , deMello Andrew , Hajnal Alex 
Published: April 2021

AbstractSeveral microfluidic-based methods for long-term C. elegans imaging have been introduced in recent years, allowing real-time observation of previously inaccessible processes. The existing methods either permit imaging across multiple larval stages without maintaining a stable worm orientation, or allow for very good immobilization but are only suitable for shorter experiments. Here, we present a novel microfluidic imaging method, which allows parallel live-imaging across multiple larval stages, while delivering excellent immobilization and maintaining worm orientation and identity over time. This is achieved by employing an array of microfluidic trap channels carefully tuned to maintain worms in a stable orientation, while allowing growth and molting to occur. Immobilization is supported by an active hydraulic valve, which presses worms onto the cover glass during image acquisition, with the animals remaining free for most of an experiment. Excellent quality images can be acquired of multiple worms in parallel, with little impact of the imaging method on worm viability or developmental timing. The capabilities of this methodology are demonstrated by observing the hypodermal seam cell divisions and, for the first time, the entire process of vulval development from induction to the end of morphogenesis. Moreover, we demonstrate RNAi on-chip, which allows for perturbation of dynamic developmental processes, such as basement membrane breaching during anchor cell invasion.
A spatial multi-scale fluorescence microscopy toolbox discloses entry checkpoints of SARS-CoV-2 variants in Vero E6 cells
Authors: Storti Barbara , Quaranta Paola , Di Primio Cristina , Clementi Nicola , Mancini Nicasio , Criscuolo Elena , Spezia Pietro Giorgio , Carnicelli Vittoria , Lottini Giulia , Paolini Emanuele , Freer Giulia , Lai Michele , Costa Mario , Beltram Fabio , Diaspro Alberto , Pistello Mauro , Zucchi Riccardo , Bianchini Paolo , Signore Giovanni , Bizzarri Ranieri 
Published: April 2021

ABSTRACTWe exploited a multi-scale microscopy imaging toolbox to address some major issues related to SARS-CoV-2 interactions with host cells. Our approach harnesses both conventional and super-resolution fluorescence microscopy and easily matches the spatial scale of single-virus/cell checkpoints. We deployed this toolbox to characterize subtle issues related to the entry phase of SARS-CoV-2 variants in Vero E6 cells. Our results suggest that in these cells the variant of concern B.1.1.7, (aka Alpha variant), became the predominant circulating variant in several countries by a clear transmission advantage. In fact, in these cells B.1.1.7 outcompetes its ancestor B.1.177 in terms of a much faster kinetics of entry. Given the cell-entry scenario dominated by the endosomal “late pathway”, the faster internalization of B.1.1.7 could be directly related to the N501Y mutation in the S protein, which is known to strengthen the binding of Spike receptor binding domain with ACE2. Remarkably, we also directly observed the main role of clathrin as mediator of late-entry endocytosis, reconciling it with the membrane localization of the ACE2 receptor previously attributed to caveolin-enriched rafts. Overall, we believe that our fluorescence microscopy-based approach represents a fertile strategy to investigate the molecular features of SARS-CoV-2 interactions with cells.
A heterochromatic knob reducing the flowering time in maize
Authors: Carvalho Renata Flávia , Aguiar-Perecin Margarida Lopes Rodrigues , Clarindo Wellington Ronildo , Fristche-Neto Roberto , Mondin Mateus 
Published: April 2021

ABSTRACTMaize flowering time is an important agronomic trait, which has been associated with variations in the genome size and heterochromatic knobs content. We integrated three steps to show this association. Firstly, we selected inbred lines varying for heterochromatic knob composition at specific sites in the homozygous state. Then, we produced homozygous and heterozygous hybrids for knobs. Second, we measured the genome size and flowering time for all materials. Knob composition did not affect the genome size and flowering time. Finally, we developed an association study and identified a knob marker on chromosome 9 showing the strongest association with flowering time. Indeed, modelling allele substitution and dominance effects could offer only one heterochromatic knob locus that could affect flowering time, making it earlier rather than the knob composition.
How does a small molecule bind at a cryptic binding site?
Authors: Shan Yibing , Mysore Venkatesh P. , Leffler Abba E. , Kim Eric T. , Sagawa Shiori , Shaw David E. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractProtein-protein interactions (PPIs) are ubiquitous biomolecular processes that are central to virtually all aspects of cellular function. Identifying small molecules that modulate specific disease-related PPIs is a strategy with enormous promise for drug discovery. The design of drugs to disrupt PPIs is challenging, however, because many potential drug-binding sites at PPI interfaces are “cryptic”: When unoccupied by a ligand, cryptic sites are often flat and featureless, and thus not readily recognizable in crystal structures, with the geometric and chemical characteristics of typical small-molecule binding sites only emerging upon ligand binding. The rational design of small molecules to inhibit specific PPIs would benefit from a better understanding of how such molecules bind at PPI interfaces. To this end, we have conducted unbiased, all-atom MD simulations of the binding of four small-molecule inhibitors (SP4206 and three SP4206 analogs) to interleukin 2 (IL2)—which performs its function by forming a PPI with its receptor—without incorporating any prior structural information about the ligands’ binding. In multiple binding events, a small molecule settled into a stable binding pose at the PPI interface of IL2, resulting in a protein–small-molecule binding site and pose virtually identical to that observed in an existing crystal structure of the IL2-SP4206 complex. Binding of the small molecule stabilized the IL2 binding groove, which when the small molecule was not bound emerged only transiently and incompletely. Moreover, free energy perturbation (FEP) calculations successfully distinguished between the native and non-native IL2–small-molecule binding poses found in the simulations, suggesting that binding simulations in combination with FEP may provide an effective tool for identifying cryptic binding sites and determining the binding poses of small molecules designed to disrupt PPI interfaces by binding to such sites.
Identification of cardiac afterload dynamics from data
Authors: Pigot Henry , Hansson Jonas , Paskevicius Audrius , Liao Qiuming , Sjöberg Trygve , Steen Stig , Soltesz Kristian 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThe prospect ofex vivofunctional evaluation of donor hearts is considered. Particularly, the dynamics of a synthetic cardiac afterload model are compared to those of normal physiology. A method for identification of continuous-time transfer functions from sampled data is developed and verified against results from the literature. The method relies on exact gradients and Hessians obtained through automatic differentiation. This also enables straightforward sensitivity analyses. Such analyses reveal that the 4-element Windkessel model is not practically identifiable from representative data while the 3-element model underfits the data. Pressure–volume (PV) loops are therefore suggested as an alternative for comparing afterload dynamics.
PCRedux: A Data Mining and Machine Learning Toolkit for qPCR Experiments
Authors: Burdukiewicz Michał , Spiess Andrej-Nikolai , Rafacz Dominik , Blagodatskikh Konstantin , Huggett Jim , McCall Matthew N. , Schierack Peter , Rödiger Stefan 
Published: April 2021

AbstractMotivationQuantitative Real-time PCR (qPCR) is a widely used -omics method for the precise quantification of nucleic acids, in which the result is associated with the presence/absence or quantity of a specific nucleic acid sequence. As the amount of qPCR data increases worldwide, the manual assessment of results becomes challenging and difficult to reproduce. To overcome this, some automatable characteristics of amplification curves have been described in the literature, often with an appropriate “rule of thumb”.ResultsWe developedPCReduxto analyze and calculate 90 numerical qPCR amplification curve descriptors (‘‘features”) from large datasets of qPCR amplification curves that are aimed for interpretable machine learning and development of decision support systems. In a case study of a diverse dataset with 3181 positive, negative and ambiguous amplification curves, as assessed by three human raters, we demonstrate a sensitivity >99 % and specificity >97 % in detecting positive and negative amplification.PCReduxis unique as it goes beyond traditional qPCR analysis to capture curvature properties that improve the characterization and classification of amplification curves. The calculation of the features is reproducible and objective, sinceRis used as a controllable working environment.PCReduxis not a black box, but open source software following on the principle of mathematically interpretable features. These can be combined with user-defined labels for automatic multi-category classification and regression in machine learning.Availabilityhttps://cran.r-project.org/package=PCRedux. Web server:http://shtest.evrogen.net/PCRedux-app/. Documentation:https://PCRuniversum.github.io/PCRedux/.
SARS-CoV-2 immune evasion by variant B.1.427/B.1.429
Authors: McCallum Matthew , Bassi Jessica , Marco Anna De , Chen Alex , Walls Alexandra C. , Iulio Julia Di , Tortorici M. Alejandra , Navarro Mary-Jane , Silacci-Fregni Chiara , Saliba Christian , Agostini Maria , Pinto Dora , Culap Katja , Bianchi Siro , Jaconi Stefano , Cameroni Elisabetta , Bowen John E. , Tilles Sasha W , Pizzuto Matteo Samuele , Guastalla Sonja Bernasconi , Bona Giovanni , Pellanda Alessandra Franzetti , Garzoni Christian , Van Voorhis Wesley C. , Rosen Laura E. , Snell Gyorgy , Telenti Amalio , Virgin Herbert W. , Piccoli Luca , Corti Davide , Veesler David 
Published: April 2021

AbstractSARS-CoV-2 entry is mediated by the spike (S) glycoprotein which contains the receptor-binding domain (RBD) and the N-terminal domain (NTD) as the two main targets of neutralizing antibodies (Abs). A novel variant of concern (VOC) named CAL.20C (B.1.427/B.1.429) was originally detected in California and is currently spreading throughout the US and 29 additional countries. It is unclear whether antibody responses to SARS-CoV-2 infection or to the prototypic Wuhan-1 isolate-based vaccines will be impacted by the three B.1.427/B.1.429 S mutations: S13I, W152C and L452R. Here, we assessed neutralizing Ab responses following natural infection or mRNA vaccination using pseudoviruses expressing the wildtype or the B.1.427/B.1.429 S protein. Plasma from vaccinated or convalescent individuals exhibited neutralizing titers, which were reduced 3-6 fold against the B.1.427/B.1.429 variant relative to wildtype pseudoviruses. The RBD L452R mutation reduced or abolished neutralizing activity of 14 out of 35 RBD-specific monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), including three clinical-stage mAbs. Furthermore, we observed a complete loss of B.1.427/B.1.429 neutralization for a panel of mAbs targeting the N-terminal domain due to a large structural rearrangement of the NTD antigenic supersite involving an S13I-mediated shift of the signal peptide cleavage site. These data warrant closer monitoring of signal peptide variants and their involvement in immune evasion and show that Abs directed to the NTD impose a selection pressure driving SARS-CoV-2 viral evolution through conventional and unconventional escape mechanisms.
Extensive variation in the mouse intelectin gene family: recent duplications, deletions and inactivating variants result in diversity in laboratory strains
Authors: Almalki Faisal , Nonnecke Eric B. , Castillo Patricia A. , Bevin-Holder Alex , Ullrich Kristian K. , Lönnerdal Bo , Odenthal-Hesse Linda , Bevins Charles L. , Hollox Edward J. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractIntelectins are a family of multimeric secreted proteins that bind microbe-specific glycans. Both genetic and functional studies have suggested that intelectins have an important role in innate immunity and are involved in the etiology of various human diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease. Experiments investigating the role of intelectins in human disease using mouse models are limited by the fact that there is not a clear one-to-one relationship between intelectin genes in humans and mice, and that the number of intelectin genes varies between different mouse strains. In this study we show by gene sequence and gene expression analysis that human intelectin-1 (ITLN1) has multiple orthologues in mice, including a functional homologue Itln1; however, human intelectin-2 has no such orthologue or homologue. We confirm that all sub-strains of the C57-line have a large deletion resulting in retention of only one intelectin gene,Itln1. The majority of laboratory strains have a full complement of six intelectin genes, except wild-derived CAST, SPRET, SKIVE, MOLF and PANCEVO, which are derived from different mouse species/subspecies and encode different complements of intelectin genes. In wild mice, intelectin deletions are polymorphic inMus musculus castaneusandMus musculus domesticus. Further sequence analysis shows thatItln3andItln5are polymorphic pseudogenes due to premature truncating mutations, and that mouseItln1has undergone recent adaptive evolution. Taken together, our study shows extensive diversity in intelectin genes in both laboratory and wild-mice, suggesting a pattern of birth-and-death evolution. In addition, our data provide a foundation for further experimental investigation of the role of intelectins in disease.
Limiting the priming dose of a SARS CoV-2 vaccine improves virus-specific immunity
Authors: Sanchez Sarah , Palacio Nicole , Dangi Tanushree , Ciucci Thomas , Penaloza-MacMaster Pablo 
Published: April 2021

AbstractSince late 2019, SARS-CoV-2 has caused a global pandemic that has infected 128 million people worldwide. Although several vaccine candidates have received emergency use authorization (EUA), there are still a limited number of vaccine doses available. To increase the number of vaccinated individuals, there are ongoing discussions about administering partial vaccine doses, but there is still a paucity of data on how vaccine fractionation affects vaccine-elicited immunity. We performed studies in mice to understand how the priming dose of a SARS CoV-2 vaccine affects long-term immunity to SARS CoV-2. We first primed C57BL/6 mice with an adenovirus-based vaccine encoding SARS CoV-2 spike protein (Ad5-SARS-2 spike), similar to that used in the CanSino and Sputnik V vaccines. This prime was administered either at a low dose (LD) of 106PFU or at a standard dose (SD) of 109PFU, followed by a SD boost in all mice four weeks later. As expected, the LD prime induced lower immune responses relative to the SD prime. However, the LD prime elicited immune responses that were qualitatively superior, and upon boosting, mice that were initially primed with a LD exhibited significantly more potent immune responses. Overall, these data demonstrate that limiting the priming dose of a SARS CoV-2 vaccine may confer unexpected benefits. These findings may be useful for improving vaccine availability and for rational vaccine design.