Browsing by Subject "Genetic techniques"

Now showing 1 - 4 of 4
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    Author Correction: Massively parallel in vivo CRISPR screening identifies RNF20/40 as epigenetic regulators of cardiomyocyte maturation
    (Springer Nature, 2021-08-19) VanDusen, Nathan J.; Lee, Julianna Y.; Gu, Weiliang; Butler, Catalina E.; Sethi, Isha; Zheng, Yanjiang; King, Justin S.; Zhou, Pingzhu; Suo, Shengbao; Guo, Yuxuan; Ma, Qing; Yuan, Guo-Cheng; Pu, William T.; Medical and Molecular Genetics, School of Medicine
    Correction to: Nature Communications 10.1038/s41467-021-24743-z, published online 21 July 2021. The original version of this Article contained an error in the spelling of the author William T. Pu, which was incorrectly given as William William Pu. This has now been corrected in both the PDF and HTML versions of the Article.
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    Development of a controlled-release mosquito RNAi yeast larvicide suitable for the sustained control of large water storage containers
    (Springer Nature, 2024-12-04) Mysore, Keshava; Oxley, James D.; Duckham, Craig; Castilla-Gutierrez, Clarissa; Stewart, Akilah T. M.; Winter, Nikhella; Shui Feng, Rachel; Singh, Satish; James, Lester D.; Mohammed, Azad; Severson, David W.; Duman-Scheel, Molly; Medical and Molecular Genetics, School of Medicine
    Large household water storage containers are among the most productive habitats for Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus, 1762), the primary mosquito vector for dengue and other arboviral pathogens. Increasing concerns for insecticide resistance and larvicide safety are limiting the successful treatment of large household water storage containers, which are among the most productive habitats for Aedes juveniles. The recent development of species-specific RNAi-based yeast larvicides could help overcome these problems, particularly if shelf stable ready-to-use formulations with significant residual activity in water can be developed. Here we examine the hypothesis that development of a shelf-stable controlled-release RNAi yeast formulation can facilitate lasting control of A. aegypti juveniles in large water storage containers. In this study, a dried inactivated yeast was incorporated into a biodegradable matrix containing a mixture of polylactic acid, a preservative, and UV protectants. The formulation was prepared using food-grade level components to prevent toxicity to humans or other organisms. Both floating and sinking versions of the tablets were prepared for treatment of various sized water containers, including household water storage tank-sized containers. The tablets passed accelerated storage tests of shelf life stability and demonstrated up to six months residual activity in water. The yeast performed well in both small and large containers, including water barrels containing 20-1000 larvae each, and in outdoor barrel trials. Future studies will include the evaluation of the yeast larvicide in larger operational field trials that will further assess the potential for incorporating this new technology into integrated mosquito control programs worldwide.
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    A functional requirement for sex-determination M/m locus region lncRNA genes in Aedes aegypti female larvae
    (Springer Nature, 2021-05-20) Mysore, Keshava; Hapairai, Limb K.; Li, Ping; Roethele, Joseph B.; Sun, Longhua; Igiede, Jessica; Misenti, Joi K.; Duman‑Scheel, Molly; Medical and Molecular Genetics, School of Medicine
    Although many putative long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) genes have been identified in insect genomes, few of these genes have been functionally validated. A screen for female-specific larvicides that facilitate Aedes aegypti male sex separation uncovered multiple interfering RNAs with target sites in lncRNA genes located in the M/m locus region, including loci within or tightly linked to the sex determination locus. Larval consumption of a Saccharomyces cerevisiae (yeast) strain engineered to express interfering RNA corresponding to lncRNA transcripts resulted in significant female death, yet had no impact on male survival or fitness. Incorporation of the yeast larvicides into mass culturing protocols facilitated scaled production and separation of fit adult males, indicating that yeast larvicides could benefit mosquito population control strategies that rely on mass releases of male mosquitoes. These studies functionally verified a female-specific developmental requirement for M/m locus region lncRNA genes, suggesting that sexually antagonistic lncRNA genes found within this highly repetitive pericentromeric DNA sequence may be contributing to the evolution of A. aegypti sex chromosomes.
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    Massively parallel in vivo CRISPR screening identifies RNF20/40 as epigenetic regulators of cardiomyocyte maturation
    (Springer Nature, 2021-07-21) VanDusen, Nathan J.; Lee, Julianna Y.; Gu, Weiliang; Butler, Catalina E.; Sethi, Isha; Zheng, Yanjiang; King, Justin S.; Zhou, Pingzhu; Suo, Shengbao; Guo, Yuxuan; Ma, Qing; Yuan, Guo-Cheng; Pu, William T.; Medical and Molecular Genetics, School of Medicine
    The forward genetic screen is a powerful, unbiased method to gain insights into biological processes, yet this approach has infrequently been used in vivo in mammals because of high resource demands. Here, we use in vivo somatic Cas9 mutagenesis to perform an in vivo forward genetic screen in mice to identify regulators of cardiomyocyte (CM) maturation, the coordinated changes in phenotype and gene expression that occur in neonatal CMs. We discover and validate a number of transcriptional regulators of this process. Among these are RNF20 and RNF40, which form a complex that monoubiquitinates H2B on lysine 120. Mechanistic studies indicate that this epigenetic mark controls dynamic changes in gene expression required for CM maturation. These insights into CM maturation will inform efforts in cardiac regenerative medicine. More broadly, our approach will enable unbiased forward genetics across mammalian organ systems.