The role of alternative promoter usage in tissue-specific gene expression has been well established; however, its role in complex diseases is poorly understood. We performed cap analysis of gene expression (CAGE) sequencing from the left ventricle of a rat model of hypertension, the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR), and a normotensive strain, Brown Norway to understand the role of alternative promoter usage in complex disease. We identified 26,560 CAGE-defined transcription start sites in the rat left ventricle, including 1,970 novel cardiac transcription start sites. We identified 28 genes with alternative promoter usage between SHR and Brown Norway, which could lead to protein isoforms differing at the amino terminus between two strains and 475 promoter switching events altering the length of the 5' UTR. We found that the shift in Insr promoter usage was significantly associated with insulin levels and blood pressure within a panel of HXB/BXH recombinant inbred rat strains, suggesting that hyperinsulinemia due to insulin resistance might lead to hypertension in SHR. Our study provides a preliminary evidence of alternative promoter usage in complex diseases.

• MeSH
• genetická transkripce genetika   MeSH
• hypertenze * genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• krysa rodu rattus MeSH
• potkani inbrední SHR MeSH
• promotorové oblasti (genetika) genetika   MeSH
• sekvenční analýza RNA metody   MeSH
• stanovení celkové genové exprese metody   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• krysa rodu rattus MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the impact of trans-acting genetic variation on the rates with which proteins are synthesized by ribosomes. Here, we investigate the influence of such distant genetic loci on the efficiency of mRNA translation and define their contribution to the development of complex disease phenotypes within a panel of rat recombinant inbred lines. RESULTS: We identify several tissue-specific master regulatory hotspots that each control the translation rates of multiple proteins. One of these loci is restricted to hypertrophic hearts, where it drives a translatome-wide and protein length-dependent change in translational efficiency, altering the stoichiometric translation rates of sarcomere proteins. Mechanistic dissection of this locus across multiple congenic lines points to a translation machinery defect, characterized by marked differences in polysome profiles and misregulation of the small nucleolar RNA SNORA48. Strikingly, from yeast to humans, we observe reproducible protein length-dependent shifts in translational efficiency as a conserved hallmark of translation machinery mutants, including those that cause ribosomopathies. Depending on the factor mutated, a pre-existing negative correlation between protein length and translation rates could either be enhanced or reduced, which we propose to result from mRNA-specific imbalances in canonical translation initiation and reinitiation rates. CONCLUSIONS: We show that distant genetic control of mRNA translation is abundant in mammalian tissues, exemplified by a single genomic locus that triggers a translation-driven molecular mechanism. Our work illustrates the complexity through which genetic variation can drive phenotypic variability between individuals and thereby contribute to complex disease.

• MeSH
• biogeneze organel MeSH
• genetická variace MeSH
• iniciace translace peptidového řetězce * MeSH
• kardiomegalie genetika   metabolismus   patologie   MeSH
• krysa rodu rattus MeSH
• lokus kvantitativního znaku * MeSH
• malá jadérková RNA genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• messenger RNA genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• myokard metabolismus   patologie   MeSH
• myši inbrední C57BL MeSH
• myši knockoutované MeSH
• myši MeSH
• potkani inbrední SHR MeSH
• potkani transgenní MeSH
• regulace genové exprese MeSH
• ribozomální proteiny genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• ribozomy genetika   metabolismus   patologie   MeSH
• Saccharomyces cerevisiae genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• sarkomery metabolismus   patologie   MeSH
• stanovení celkové genové exprese MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• krysa rodu rattus MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• myši MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.

• Publikační typ
• tisková chyba MeSH

Cardiac fibrosis is a final common pathology in inherited and acquired heart diseases that causes cardiac electrical and pump failure. Here, we use systems genetics to identify a pro-fibrotic gene network in the diseased heart and show that this network is regulated by the E3 ubiquitin ligase WWP2, specifically by the WWP2-N terminal isoform. Importantly, the WWP2-regulated pro-fibrotic gene network is conserved across different cardiac diseases characterized by fibrosis: human and murine dilated cardiomyopathy and repaired tetralogy of Fallot. Transgenic mice lacking the N-terminal region of the WWP2 protein show improved cardiac function and reduced myocardial fibrosis in response to pressure overload or myocardial infarction. In primary cardiac fibroblasts, WWP2 positively regulates the expression of pro-fibrotic markers and extracellular matrix genes. TGFβ1 stimulation promotes nuclear translocation of the WWP2 isoforms containing the N-terminal region and their interaction with SMAD2. WWP2 mediates the TGFβ1-induced nucleocytoplasmic shuttling and transcriptional activity of SMAD2.

• MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• extracelulární matrix - proteiny metabolismus   MeSH
• fibróza genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• genetická predispozice k nemoci * genetika   MeSH
• genové regulační sítě * MeSH
• kardiomyopatie genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladiství MeSH
• mladý dospělý MeSH
• myši transgenní MeSH
• myši MeSH
• nemoci srdce genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• protein - isoformy MeSH
• protein Smad2 genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• regulace genové exprese MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• transformující růstový faktor beta metabolismus   MeSH
• ubikvitinligasy genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladiství MeSH
• mladý dospělý MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• myši MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

Fatty acid esters of hydroxy fatty acids (FAHFAs) are lipid mediators with promising antidiabetic and anti-inflammatory properties that are formed in white adipose tissue (WAT) via de novo lipogenesis, but their biosynthetic enzymes are unknown. Using a combination of lipidomics in WAT, quantitative trait locus mapping, and correlation analyses in rat BXH/HXB recombinant inbred strains, as well as response to oxidative stress in murine models, we elucidated the potential pathway of biosynthesis of several FAHFAs. Comprehensive analysis of WAT samples identified ∼160 regioisomers, documenting the complexity of this lipid class. The linkage analysis highlighted several members of the nuclear factor, erythroid 2 like 2 (Nrf2)-mediated antioxidant defense system (Prdx6, Mgst1, Mgst3), lipid-handling proteins (Cd36, Scd6, Acnat1, Acnat2, Baat), and the family of flavin containing monooxygenases (Fmo) as the positional candidate genes. Transgenic expression of Nrf2 and deletion of Prdx6 genes resulted in reduction of palmitic acid ester of 9-hydroxystearic acid (9-PAHSA) and 11-PAHSA levels, while oxidative stress induced by an inhibitor of glutathione synthesis increased PAHSA levels nonspecifically. Our results indicate that the synthesis of FAHFAs via carbohydrate-responsive element-binding protein-driven de novo lipogenesis depends on the adaptive antioxidant system and suggest that FAHFAs may link activity of this system with insulin sensitivity in peripheral tissues.

• MeSH
• bílá tuková tkáň enzymologie   metabolismus   MeSH
• biologické markery metabolismus   MeSH
• estery chemie   metabolismus   MeSH
• faktor 2 související s NF-E2 genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• krysa rodu rattus MeSH
• kyselina palmitová chemie   metabolismus   MeSH
• kyseliny stearové chemie   metabolismus   MeSH
• metabolomika metody   MeSH
• myši inbrední C57BL MeSH
• myši knockoutované MeSH
• náhodné rozdělení MeSH
• oxidační stres * MeSH
• peroxiredoxin VI genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• potkani inbrední BN MeSH
• potkani inbrední SHR MeSH
• potkani transgenní MeSH
• regulace genové exprese enzymů * MeSH
• stanovení celkové genové exprese MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• krysa rodu rattus MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

We previously mapped hypertension-related insulin resistance quantitative trait loci (QTLs) to rat chromosomes 4, 12 and 16 using adipocytes from F2 crosses between spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) and Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats, and subsequently identified Cd36 as the gene underlying the chromosome 4 locus. The identity of the chromosome 12 and 16 genes remains unknown. To identify whole-body phenotypes associated with the chromosome 12 and 16 linkage regions, we generated and characterised new congenic strains, with WKY donor segments introgressed onto an SHR genetic background, for the chromosome 12 and 16 linkage regions. We found a >50% increase in insulin sensitivity in both the chromosome 12 and 16 strains. Blood pressure and left ventricular mass were reduced in the two congenic strains consistent with the congenic segments harbouring SHR genes for insulin resistance, hypertension and cardiac hypertrophy. Integrated genomic analysis, using physiological and whole-genome sequence data across 42 rat strains, identified variants within the congenic regions in Upk3bl, RGD1565131 and AABR06087018.1 that were associated with blood pressure, cardiac mass and insulin sensitivity. Quantitative trait transcript analysis across 29 recombinant inbred strains showed correlation between expression of Hspb1, Zkscan5 and Pdgfrl with adipocyte volume, systolic blood pressure and cardiac mass, respectively. Comparative genome analysis showed a marked enrichment of orthologues for human GWAS-associated genes for insulin resistance within the syntenic regions of both the chromosome 12 and 16 congenic intervals. Our study defines whole-body phenotypes associated with the SHR chromosome 12 and 16 insulin-resistance QTLs, identifies candidate genes for these SHR QTLs and finds human orthologues of rat genes in these regions that associate with related human traits. Further study of these genes in the congenic strains will lead to robust identification of the underlying genes and cellular mechanisms.

• MeSH
• celogenomová asociační studie MeSH
• energetický metabolismus genetika   MeSH
• genomika * MeSH
• homeostáza MeSH
• hypertenze genetika   patofyziologie   MeSH
• inzulin farmakologie   MeSH
• inzulinová rezistence genetika   MeSH
• játra účinky léků   metabolismus   MeSH
• jednonukleotidový polymorfismus genetika   MeSH
• kalorimetrie MeSH
• kardiomegalie genetika   patofyziologie   MeSH
• kosterní svaly účinky léků   metabolismus   MeSH
• krevní tlak účinky léků   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• lokus kvantitativního znaku genetika   MeSH
• potkani inbrední SHR MeSH
• regulace genové exprese účinky léků   MeSH
• savčí chromozomy genetika   MeSH
• srdeční komory účinky léků   patologie   MeSH
• stravovací zvyklosti účinky léků   MeSH
• tělesná hmotnost účinky léků   MeSH
• triglyceridy metabolismus   MeSH
• velikost orgánu účinky léků   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• srovnávací studie MeSH

Coronary flow (CF) measured ex vivo is largely determined by capillary density that reflects angiogenic vessel formation in the heart in vivo. Here we exploit this relationship and show that CF in the rat is influenced by a locus on rat chromosome 2 that is also associated with cardiac capillary density. Mitochondrial tryptophanyl-tRNA synthetase (Wars2), encoding an L53F protein variant within the ATP-binding motif, is prioritized as the candidate at the locus by integrating genomic data sets. WARS2(L53F) has low enzyme activity and inhibition of WARS2 in endothelial cells reduces angiogenesis. In the zebrafish, inhibition of wars2 results in trunk vessel deficiencies, disordered endocardial-myocardial contact and impaired heart function. Inhibition of Wars2 in the rat causes cardiac angiogenesis defects and diminished cardiac capillary density. Our data demonstrate a pro-angiogenic function for Wars2 both within and outside the heart that may have translational relevance given the association of WARS2 with common human diseases.

• MeSH
• dánio pruhované MeSH
• embryo nesavčí MeSH
• endoteliální buňky pupečníkové žíly (lidské) cytologie   enzymologie   MeSH
• fyziologická neovaskularizace genetika   MeSH
• genetické lokusy MeSH
• genom * MeSH
• HEK293 buňky MeSH
• krysa rodu rattus MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• malá interferující RNA genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• mapování chromozomů MeSH
• mitochondrie genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• myokard cytologie   enzymologie   MeSH
• savčí chromozomy chemie   MeSH
• sekvence aminokyselin MeSH
• sekvenční homologie aminokyselin MeSH
• sekvenční seřazení MeSH
• signální transdukce MeSH
• tryptofan-tRNA-ligasa antagonisté a inhibitory   genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• vývojová regulace genové exprese * MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• krysa rodu rattus MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

Herpes simplex encephalitis (HSE) is a rare complication of Herpes simplex virus type-1 infection. It results in severe parenchymal damage in the brain. Although viral latency in neurons is very common in the population, it remains unclear why certain individuals develop HSE. Here we explore potential host genetic variants predisposing to HSE. In order to investigate this we used a rat HSE model comparing the HSE susceptible SHR (Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats) with the asymptomatic infection of BN (Brown Norway). Notably, both strains have HSV-1 spread to the CNS at four days after infection. A genome wide linkage analysis of 29 infected HXB/BXH RILs (recombinant inbred lines-generated from the prior two strains), displayed variable susceptibility to HSE enabling the definition of a significant QTL (quantitative trait locus) named Hse6 towards the end of chromosome 4 (160.89-174Mb) containing the Vwf (von Willebrand factor) gene. This was the only gene in the QTL with both cis-regulation in the brain and included several non-synonymous SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphism). Intriguingly, in human chromosome 12 several SNPs within the intronic region between exon 43 and 44 of the VWF gene were associated with human HSE pathogenesis. In particular, rs917859 is nominally associated with an odds ratio of 1.5 (95% CI 1.11-2.02; p-value = 0.008) after genotyping in 115 HSE cases and 428 controls. Although there are possibly several genetic and environmental factors involved in development of HSE, our study identifies variants of the VWF gene as candidates for susceptibility in experimental and human HSE.

• MeSH
• genotypizační techniky MeSH
• herpetická encefalitida genetika   MeSH
• jednonukleotidový polymorfismus * MeSH
• krysa rodu rattus MeSH
• kvantitativní znak dědičný * MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• lidský herpesvirus 1 * MeSH
• potkani inbrední SHR MeSH
• savčí chromozomy genetika   MeSH
• von Willebrandův faktor genetika   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• krysa rodu rattus MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

The extent of translational control of gene expression in mammalian tissues remains largely unknown. Here we perform genome-wide RNA sequencing and ribosome profiling in heart and liver tissues to investigate strain-specific translational regulation in the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR/Ola). For the most part, transcriptional variation is equally apparent at the translational level and there is limited evidence of translational buffering. Remarkably, we observe hundreds of strain-specific differences in translation, almost doubling the number of differentially expressed genes. The integration of genetic, transcriptional and translational data sets reveals distinct signatures in 3'UTR variation, RNA-binding protein motifs and miRNA expression associated with translational regulation of gene expression. We show that a large number of genes associated with heart and liver traits in human genome-wide association studies are primarily translationally regulated. Capturing interindividual differences in the translated genome will lead to new insights into the genes and regulatory pathways underlying disease phenotypes.

• MeSH
• fenotyp MeSH
• hypertenze metabolismus   MeSH
• játra metabolismus   MeSH
• myokard metabolismus   MeSH
• potkani inbrední BN MeSH
• potkani inbrední SHR MeSH
• proteom MeSH
• regulace genové exprese * MeSH
• ribozomy metabolismus   MeSH
• sekvenční analýza RNA MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

BACKGROUND: ChIP-seq has become a routine method for interrogating the genome-wide distribution of various histone modifications. An important experimental goal is to compare the ChIP-seq profiles between an experimental sample and a reference sample, and to identify regions that show differential enrichment. However, comparative analysis of samples remains challenging for histone modifications with broad domains, such as heterochromatin-associated H3K27me3, as most ChIP-seq algorithms are designed to detect well defined peak-like features. RESULTS: To address this limitation we introduce histoneHMM, a powerful bivariate Hidden Markov Model for the differential analysis of histone modifications with broad genomic footprints. histoneHMM aggregates short-reads over larger regions and takes the resulting bivariate read counts as inputs for an unsupervised classification procedure, requiring no further tuning parameters. histoneHMM outputs probabilistic classifications of genomic regions as being either modified in both samples, unmodified in both samples or differentially modified between samples. We extensively tested histoneHMM in the context of two broad repressive marks, H3K27me3 and H3K9me3, and evaluated region calls with follow up qPCR as well as RNA-seq data. Our results show that histoneHMM outperforms competing methods in detecting functionally relevant differentially modified regions. CONCLUSION: histoneHMM is a fast algorithm written in C++ and compiled as an R package. It runs in the popular R computing environment and thus seamlessly integrates with the extensive bioinformatic tool sets available through Bioconductor. This makeshistoneHMM an attractive choice for the differential analysis of ChIP-seq data. Software is available from http://histonehmm.molgen.mpg.de .

• MeSH
• algoritmy * MeSH
• chromatinová imunoprecipitace MeSH
• genomika metody   MeSH
• histony chemie   genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• krysa rodu rattus MeSH
• kvantitativní polymerázová řetězová reakce MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• Markovovy řetězce MeSH
• myši MeSH
• posttranslační úpravy proteinů * MeSH
• software * MeSH
• výpočetní biologie metody   MeSH
• vysoce účinné nukleotidové sekvenování metody   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• krysa rodu rattus MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• myši MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH