A bioinformatics screen reveals hox and chromatin remodeling factors at the Drosophila histone locus.

BACKGROUND: Cells orchestrate histone biogenesis with strict temporal and quantitative control. To efficiently regulate histone biogenesis, the repetitive Drosophila melanogaster replication-dependent histone genes are arrayed and clustered at a single locus. Regulatory factors concentrate in a nuclear body known as the histone locus body (HLB), which forms around the locus. Historically, HLB factors are largely discovered by chance, and few are known to interact directly with DNA. It is therefore unclear how the histone genes are specifically targeted for unique and coordinated regulation. RESULTS: To expand the list of known HLB factors, we performed a candidate-based screen by mapping 30 publicly available ChIP datasets of 27 unique factors to the Drosophila histone gene array. We identified novel transcription factor candidates, including the Drosophila Hox proteins Ultrabithorax (Ubx), Abdominal-A (Abd-A), and Abdominal-B (Abd-B), suggesting a new pathway for these factors in influencing body plan morphogenesis. Additionally, we identified six other factors that target the histone gene array: JIL-1, hormone-like receptor 78 (Hr78), the long isoform of female sterile homeotic (1) (fs(1)h) as well as the general transcription factors TBP associated factor 1 (TAF-1), Transcription Factor IIB (TFIIB), and Transcription Factor IIF (TFIIF). CONCLUSIONS: Our foundational screen provides several candidates for future studies into factors that may influence histone biogenesis. Further, our study emphasizes the powerful reservoir of publicly available datasets, which can be mined as a primary screening technique.

A bioinformatics screen reveals Hox and chromatin remodeling factors at the Drosophila histone locus.

Cells orchestrate histone biogenesis with strict temporal and quantitative control. To efficiently regulate histone biogenesis, the repetitive Drosophila melanogaster replication-dependent histone genes are arrayed and clustered at a single locus. Regulatory factors concentrate in a nuclear body known as the histone locus body (HLB), which forms around the locus. Historically, HLB factors are largely discovered by chance, and few are known to interact directly with DNA. It is therefore unclear how the histone genes are specifically targeted for unique and coordinated regulation. To expand the list of known HLB factors, we performed a candidate-based screen by mapping 30 publicly available ChIP datasets and 27 factors to the Drosophila histone gene array. We identified novel transcription factor candidates, including the Drosophila Hox proteins Ultrabithorax, Abdominal-A and Abdominal-B, suggesting a new pathway for these factors in influencing body plan morphogenesis. Additionally, we identified six other transcription factors that target the histone gene array: JIL-1, Hr78, the long isoform of fs(1)h as well as the generalized transcription factors TAF-1, TFIIB, and TFIIF. Our foundational screen provides several candidates for future studies into factors that may influence histone biogenesis. Further, our study emphasizes the powerful reservoir of publicly available datasets, which can be mined as a primary screening technique.

Characterization of circulating plasma proteins in dairy cows with cytological endometritis.

Early diagnosis of endometritis in dairy cattle is currently requires invasive techniques and specialist expertise. The goal of this study is to utilize a gel-free mass-spectrometry based proteomics approach to compare the plasma proteome of dairy cattle with cytological endometritis to those without. Blood samples were collected from cows (N = 112) seven days postpartum (DPP). Plasma samples from a cohort of 20 animals with cytological endometritis (n = 10) and without (n = 10) as classified 21 DPP were selected for proteomic analysis. Differential abundances of proteins between the two animal groups were determined using both fold change (≥1.5 fold change) and statistical significance threshold (p < .05). A total of 181 non-redundant proteins were quantified, and 25 proteins were found with differential abundance. These include 4 binding protein alpha and mannose binding lectin 2 involved in immune responses. Differentially abundant proteins between the animals were then processed using PANTHER for gene ontology. Gene ontology included associations with innate immune processes, acute phase responses and immune regulation. A potential marker for disease identified here is the "uncharacterized protein G5E513," a protein previously defined by RNA-transcripts. These proteins may form the basis for endometritis prognosis, the development of which is proceeded by systemic changes in immune function. SIGNIFICANCE: Endometritis is a costly reproductive disease of lactating dairy cows that warrants timely diagnosis. We utilized a gel-free mass-spectrometry based proteomics approach to compare the plasma proteome of dairy cattle with cytological endometritis to those without, for the characterization of changes in the proteomic profile associated with uterine disease postpartum. Furthermore, we compared the plasma proteome of healthy and affected cows in the same physiological status of production to better understand the relationship between changes in expression of circulating proteins and to unravel essential biological mechanisms involved in bovine cytological endometritis.

The ovine hepatic mitochondrial proteome: Understanding seasonal weight loss tolerance in two distinct breeds.

Seasonal weight loss (SWL) is a primary constraint for farmers in the Mediterranean and tropics. One cost-effective solution to SWL is utilizing breeds like the Damara sheep that have adapted to deal with nutritional stress. Previous studies concluded that one of the adaptation mechanisms of SWL is a specialized fatty acid metabolism. Accordingly, hepatic-mitochondrial proteomes were compared across two different breeds (24 sheep total, Merino, n = 12 and Damara, n = 12) and two different diets (restricted vs unrestricted diet, 6 per breed, per diet, 24 total). Mitochondrial-proteins were isolated and relatively quantified using Blue native PAGE / 2D-electrophoresis and then analyzed via mass spectrometry. The tool ReviGO summarized the proteomes' gene-ontology terms. A total of 50 proteins were identified with 7 changing significantly in abundance (ANOVA p-value<0.05). Specific abundance patterns of corticosteroid and inflammatory response-associated proteins such as annexin and glutamate dehydrogenase suggests that the Damara has an unusual inflammation response when subjected to SWL in addition to its unique metabolism. All significant proteins warrant further study; Annexin in particular shows promise as a potentially useful biomarker.