Biology subjects

Flibotte, S.

Publications and source records attributed to Flibotte, S..

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

Mapping the Functional Landscape and Viral Diversity of 2A Peptides

2A peptides are short (~18 to 22 amino acid) sequences utilized by a subset of RNA viruses to process their polyproteins in an unusual co-translational event known as StopGo or ribosome skipping. This process involves ribosome pausing at a conserved C-terminal D(V/I)ExNPGP motif, followed by peptidyl-tRNA hydrolysis of the nascent peptide-tRNAGly, and continued translation from the downstream proline codon. However, how nascent 2A peptide interacts with the ribosomal exit tunnel to promote these event(s) remains poorly understood and the molecular determinants governing 2A mediated StopGo translation remain undefined. Here, we developed a mammalian fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) based high-throughput reporter system to quantitatively measure 2A activity across large libraries of natural and engineered 2A peptides. Systematic mutational analysis of canonical viral 2A peptides from porcine tescovirus and foot-and-mouth disease virus (P2A, F2A) identified key residues required for activity and revealed critical contributions from previously uncharacterized N-terminal residues. Extending this approach to metagenomic viral datasets uncovered conserved sequences governing StopGo efficiency leading to functional ranking of diverse viral 2A peptides in mammalian cells, including identification of a novel subclass that supports high stop-go activity (>99%). Phylogenetic analysis of viral genomes revealed clustering of functional 2A peptides and specific motifs within specific viral lineages branches, suggesting an evolutionary trajectory underlying 2A diversification and optimization. These findings define the sequence and functional landscape of viral 2A peptides and provide mechanistic and evolutionary insights into how nascent peptide ribosome exit tunnel interactions mediate StopGo translation.

biochemistry↗

bioRxiv2025

Molecular determinants underlying functional divergence of TBP homologs

The TATA-box binding protein (TBP) is a highly conserved basal transcription factor and a core component of the pre-initiation complex (PIC) for all three eukaryotic RNA polymerases (RNA Pols). Despite this conservation, TBP function diverges across species. In yeast, TBP is required for all three RNA Pols, whereas in mammals, it is essential only for RNA Pol III, but not RNA Pol I or II. To examine the evolutionary divergence of TBP homologs in different species, we determined the ability of murine TBP and its paralogs to complement endogenous TBP in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Despite their highly conserved DNA-binding domains, murine TBP homologs were unable to fully rescue the lethality caused by TBP inactivation in yeast. This incomplete complementation correlates with a failure to fully support binding by RNA Pols II and III. Furthermore, we show that the divergent N-terminal domain (NTD) of TBP contributes to species-specific activity and modulates RNA Pol II binding changes in stress-induced response. Lastly, we demonstrate a negative correlation between the length of the intrinsically disordered NTD of TBP family proteins and the gene density in different species, suggesting that the NTD may have contributed to increasingly complex gene regulation during evolution.

molecular biology↗

bioRxiv2025

Ribosome biogenesis mediates the translational increase of non-optimal codon transcripts during IFN stimulation

The interferon response is a signaling pathway unique to vertebrates that links the innate and adaptive immune responses. Interferons signal through a cascade of factors including the JAK-STAT pathway to induce the transcription of hundreds of interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs). Although the main interferon signal transduction pathways and ISGs have been elucidated, translational regulation of ISG transcripts is not fully understood. Prior work demonstrated that ribosomal protein RPL28 negatively regulates a subset of ISGs; however, we find that this effect may be due to a reduction in overall ribosome availability. Multi-omics analysis of RNA-seq and LC-MS/MS data reveal proteins, including several ISGs, that are translationally up-regulated in IFN-{beta}-stimulated cells depleted of ribosome biogeneis factor BOP1. Analysis of codon usage demonstrates a significant reduction in codon optimality for proteins that are translationally up-regulated during BOP1 knockdown and IFN-{beta} stimulation. Using reporter constructs, we demonstrate that codon non-optimal reporters are translated more than codon-optimized reporters in BOP1-depleted IFN-{beta} cells. We propose that ribosome biogenesis regulates translational fine-tuning of integral protein production to ensure optimal interferon responses.

systems biology↗

bioRxiv2025

Nuclear hormone receptor regulation of Caudal mediates ventral nerve cord assembly in C. elegans.

The regulatory network governed by CDX/Caudal family transcription factors plays critical roles in shaping embryonic neural development. In C. elegans, we found that proper expression of pal-1, the C. elegans Caudal homologue, is required for correct positioning of motor neuron cell bodies in the first larval stage ventral nerve cord (VNC). We identified an upstream regulatory region within the pal-1 promoter that drives pal-1 expression in a subset of DD and DA neuronal progenitors. We also show that SEX-1, a nuclear hormone receptor, is required for motor neuron positioning in the VNC. Loss of sex-1 results in neuronal positioning defects similar to those observed in pal-1 mutants. This is in part due to a requirement for SEX-1 in promoting pal-1 expression in DD and DA neuronal progenitors during VNC assembly. Double mutant analysis further suggests that sex-1 also has pal-1-independent functions. Together, these findings define a transcriptional hierarchy in which the SEX-1 nuclear hormone receptor regulates the tissue-specific activity of PAL-1 to promote proper motor neuron positioning in the VNC and highlight a conserved role for NHR and CDX/Caudal family proteins in central nerve cord formation. Highlights- PAL-1 is required for proper neuron cell body positioning in the ventral nerve cord (VNC) in newly hatched worms. - An upstream promoter element controls the expression of pal-1 in DD and DA neurons. - The nuclear hormone receptor SEX-1 is required for proper neuron positioning in the VNC. - SEX-1 regulates PAL-1 expression in DD and DA neurons.

developmental biology↗

bioRxiv2024

PAN deadenylase is required for mitosis in response to microtubule stress in yeast and humans

HIGHLIGHTSO_LIPAN2-PAN3 catalytic activity is required for mitotic robustness under MT stress C_LIO_LICatalytic-dead Pan2-D1020A phenocopies pan2{Delta}: spindle defects and G2/M arrest C_LIO_LILoss of Pan2 catalytic activity amplifies nocodazole-induced changes in CLB1 and CLN3 mRNA C_LIO_LIPAN2 depletion in human cells produces multipolar spindles under MT stress C_LI IN BRIEFVerma et al. show that PAN2-PAN3 deadenylase catalytic activity is selectively required for mitotic fidelity under microtubule stress. Yeast pan2{Delta} cells exhibit spindle defects, G2/M arrest, and altered CLB1 and CLN3 mRNA levels under nocodazole. PAN2 knockdown in human cells produces multipolar spindles, demonstrating evolutionary conservation. Cytoplasmic deadenylation by PAN2-PAN3 and CCR4-NOT regulates mRNA stability and translation, but the contribution of individual deadenylases to mitotic progression is poorly defined. Here we show that PAN2-PAN3 catalytic activity is selectively required for mitotic robustness under microtubule stress. In budding yeast, the catalytically inactive Pan2-D1020A mutant fails to complement pan2{Delta} nocodazole sensitivity, leading to G2/M arrest, spindle defects, and increased cell death. pan2{Delta} exhibits synthetic genetic interactions with tubulin and tubulin-folding genes, and RNA-seq reveals dysregulation of cell-cycle transcripts including the cyclins CLB1 and CLN3. The phenotype is stress-conditional: pan2{Delta} cells proliferate normally without drug. In mammalian cells, PAN2 depletion sensitizes HEK293A cells to nocodazole and colchicine and produces prolonged metaphase with multipolar spindles. Together, these findings define a conserved, stress-conditional role for PAN2-PAN3 deadenylase activity in safeguarding mitotic fidelity when microtubules are compromised. O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=147 SRC="FIGDIR/small/591760v3_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (27K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@19e6662org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@53ba18org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@de9c99org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@fb0f9d_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG O_FLOATNOGraphical Abstract:C_FLOATNO See accompanying graphical abstract file. C_FIG

cell biology↗

bioRxiv2024

IPPK-1 and IP6 contribute to ventral nerve cord assembly in C. elegans

Inositol phosphates (IPs) are essential for the development and function of the nervous system. Loss-of-function studies, which demonstrate the importance of specific IP isomers, show their critical role in proper neural tube formation. In this study, we show that inositol pentakisphosphate 2-kinase (IPPK-1), the kinase that phosphorylates IP5 to generate IP6, is involved in assembling the ventral nerve cord (VNC) in C. elegans. We show that mutations in ippk-1 lead to the mispositioning of motor neurons along the VNC of newly hatched larvae. These positioning defects reflect disruption of VNC assembly during embryogenesis, as VNC neuronal progenitors in ippk-1 embryos display a more compact organization after arising on the left and right sides of the embryo, delays in rosette-mediated convergent extension, and defects in cell intercalation. We further show that injection of exogenous IP6 into the gonads of ippk-1 mutants can rescue both embryonic and neuron positioning defects. Our findings indicate that IP isomers, particularly IP6, are important for ventral nerve cord formation in C. elegans. Along with their role in neural tube formation in vertebrates, these results suggests that IP isomers play an ancient role in central nerve cord development. Highlights- ipmk-1 and ippk-1 mutants display neuron position defects in the ventral nerve cord (VNC). - ippk-1 mutants display disorganization in VNC neuronal progenitors during VNC assembly. - IPPK-1 is involved in convergent extension during VNC formation. - Exogenous IP6 rescues larval and embryonic defects in ippk-1 mutants.

developmental biology↗

bioRxiv2023

The X-Linked Intellectual Disability gene, ZDHHC9, is important for oligodendrocyte maturation and myelin formation

Two percent of patients with X-linked intellectual disability (XLID) exhibit loss-of-function mutations in the enzyme, ZDHHC9. One of the main anatomical deficits observed in these patients is a decrease in corpus callosum volume and a concurrent disruption in white matter integrity. In this study, we demonstrate that deletion of Zdhhc9 in mice disrupts the balance of mature oligodendrocyte subtypes within the corpus callosum. While overall mature oligodendrocyte numbers are unchanged, there is a marked increase in MOL5/6 cells that are enriched in genes associated with cell adhesion and synapses, and a concomitant decrease in MOL2/3 cells that are enriched in genes associated with myelination. In line with this, we observed a decrease in the density of myelinated axons and disruptions in myelin compaction in the corpus callosum of Zdhhc9 knockout mice. RNA sequencing and proteomic analysis further unveiled a reduction in genes and proteins essential for lipid metabolism, cholesterol synthesis, and myelin compaction. These findings reveal a previously under-appreciated and fundamental role for ZDHHC9 and protein palmitoylation in regulating oligodendrocyte subtype determination and myelinogenesis, offering mechanistic insights into the deficits observed in white matter volume in patients with mutations in ZDHHC9.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2022

Transcriptomic profiling of the adult reptilian dentition sheds light on the genes regulating indefinite tooth replacement

The aim of this study is to profile the transcriptome of teeth and the surrounding tissues of an adult lizard dentition (Eublepharis macularius) that is actively replacing teeth throughout life. Bulk RNAseq was used to compare teeth that are in function versus unerupted, developing teeth and single cell RNA-seq was carried out on jaw segments containing the dental forming tissues. In bulk RNAseq data, we found that functional teeth expressed genes involved in bone and tooth resorption. Indeed, multinucleated odontoclasts were abundant in tissue sections of functional teeth undergoing resorption. Unexpectedly, chemotaxis gene SEMA3A was expressed within odontoblasts and in adjacent mesenchyme, confirmed using RNAscope. Semaphorins may be involved in regulating odontoclasts during tooth resorption. The scRNA-seq experiment successfully isolated dental mesenchyme and epithelial cells. We confirmed that some of these genes are expressed in the earliest tooth buds within the tooth forming field. In addition, we found evidence of convergent evolution in the tooth eruption trait. Geckos evolved a means for second generation teeth to communicate with the functional teeth. Instead of a dental follicle inducing an eruption pathway as in the mammal, the gecko and other squamate reptiles use the enamel organ of the successional teeth to trigger tooth resorption of the functional teeth, thus creating an eruption pathway. New molecules such as SEMA3A and SFRP2 may also participate in this process. Future studies on the gecko will uncover the molecular basis of convergent evolution in the dentition.

evolutionary biology↗

bioRxiv2022

An impedance-based chemiresistor for the real-time detection of gut microbiota-generated short-chain fatty acids

Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are key molecules produced by gut bacteria in the intestine, that are absorbed into the bloodstream and strongly influence human health. SCFA disruption and imbalances have been linked to many diseases; however, they are seldom used diagnostically as their detection requires extensive sample preparation and expensive equipment. In this work, an electrochemical sensor was developed to enable real-time, quantitative measurement of SCFAs from complex samples in liquid phase without the need for extraction, evaporation, or destruction. An impedance-based sensor for in vitro detection of acetic acid, propionic acid, and butyric acid (accounting for more than 95% of SCFAs in the intestine) was fabricated by the deposition of a ZnO and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) on the surface of a microfabricated interdigitated gold electrode. The sensor was first exposed to a broad, physiologically relevant range of concentrations of SCFAs in isolation (0.5-20 mg/ml) and unlike previously published SCFA sensors that could detect only in gas form with the aid of evaporation, it was able to detect them directly in the liquid phase at room temperature. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy analysis was then applied to the mixture of SCFAs prepared at different ratios and in complex media at concentrations ranging from 0.5 to 10 mg/ml, which showed the capability of the sensor to measure SCFAs in experimentally relevant mixture. The recorded faradaic responses were then used to train a fit-to-data model to utilize the sensor to screen human bacterial isolates and detect which species secrete SCFAs in vitro. This work will allow for the rapid and non-destructive determination of the levels of SCFAs in complex biological samples, providing a miniaturized, highly stable, and highly sensitive sensor for real-time monitoring applications.

bioengineering↗

bioRxiv2022

ztf-16 is a novel heterochronic modulator that opposes adult cell fate in dauer and continuous life histories in Caenorhabditis elegans

Animal development is a complex yet robust process that can withstand lengthy and variable interruptions. In Caenorhabditis elegans, adverse conditions can trigger entry into dauer diapause, a stress-resistant, developmentally arrested stage that occurs midway through larval development. Favorable conditions promote recovery from dauer and the completion of development. During larval development, hypodermal seam cells are multipotent and divide at each stage. At adulthood, seam cells differentiate and express the adult-specific COL-19 collagen. The larval-to-adult transition is controlled by a network of genes called the heterochronic pathway, including the LIN-29 transcription factor that directly activates col-19 expression, and the let-7 microRNA that indirectly promotes lin-29 expression. Notably, most heterochronic genes that oppose adult cell fate are dispensable after dauer. We performed a genetic screen for heterochronic genes that act after dauer and identified ztf-16, encoding a zinc finger transcription factor in the hunchback/Ikaros-like family. We found that ztf-16 opposes precocious expression of the adult cell fate marker col-19p::gfp equally during both life histories, making ztf-16(-) the first precocious heterochronic mutant to be unaffected by dauer. Our data indicate that ztf-16 regulates col-19p::gfp via a novel, lin-29-independent mechanism. Endogenous ztf-16b::gfp expression is regulated by let-7 and ztf-16 acts genetically downstream of let-7, but lin-29 is not required for col-19p::gfp expression in ztf-16 mutant larvae or adults. Taken together, this work illuminates a novel aspect of the heterochronic pathway relevant to both dauer and non-dauer development.

genetics↗

bioRxiv2022

Multiple viral protein genome-linked proteins compensate viral translation in +ssRNA virus infection

Viral protein genome-linked (VPg) protein plays an essential role in protein-primed replication of plus stranded RNA viruses. VPg is covalently linked to the 5 end of the viral RNA genome via a phosphodiester bond typically at a conserved amino acid. Whereas most viruses have a single VPg, some viruses encode multiple VPgs that are proposed to have redundant yet undefined roles in viral replication. Here, we use the dicistrovirus, cricket paralysis virus (CrPV), which encodes four non-identical copies of VPg, as a model to characterize the role of VPg copies in infection. Dicistroviruses encode two main open reading frames (ORFs) that are driven by distinct IRESs. We systematically generated single and combinatorial deletions and mutations of VPg1-4 within the CrPV infectious clone and monitored viral yield in Drosophila S2 cells. Deletion of one to three VPg copies progressively decreased viral yield and delayed viral replication, suggesting a threshold number of VPgs for productive infection. Mass spectrometry analysis of CrPV VPg-linked RNAs revealed viral RNA linkage to either a serine or threonine in VPg, from which mutations in all VPgs attenuated infection. Mutating serine 4 in a single VPg abolished viral infection, indicating a dominant-negative effect. Using viral minigenome reporters that monitor dicistrovirus 5 untranslated (UTR) and intergenic internal ribosome entry site (IRES) translation revealed a relationship between VPg copy number and the ratio of distinct IRES translation. We uncover a novel viral strategy whereby VPg copies in dicistrovirus genomes compensate for the relative IRES translation efficiencies to promote infection. ImportanceGenetic duplication is exceedingly rare in small RNA viral genomes as there is selective pressure to prevent RNA genomes from expanding. However, some small RNA viruses encode multiple copies of a viral protein, most notably an unusual viral protein that is linked to the viral RNA genome. Here, we investigate a family of viruses that contains multiple viral protein genome-linked proteins and reveal a novel viral strategy whereby viral protein copy number counterbalances differences in viral protein synthesis mechanisms.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2021

Synaptic Activity-Dependent Changes in the Hippocampal Palmitoylome

Dynamic protein S-palmitoylation is critical for neuronal function, development, and synaptic plasticity. Activity-dependent changes in palmitoylation have been observed for several neuronal substrates, however a full characterization of the activity-regulated palmitoylome is lacking. Here, we use an unbiased approach to identify differentially palmitoylated proteins in the mouse hippocampus following context-dependent fear conditioning. Of the 121 differentially palmitoylated proteins identified 63 were synaptic proteins, while others were associated with metabolic functions, cytoskeletal organization, and signal transduction. The vast majority of synaptic proteins exhibited increased palmitoylation following fear conditioning, whereas proteins that exhibited decreased palmitoylation were predominantly associated with metabolic processes. We show a link between dynamic palmitoylation and synapse plasticity by demonstrating that the palmitoylation of one of our identified proteins, PRG-1/LPPR4, is essential for activity-induced insertion of AMPA receptors into the postsynaptic membrane. Together, this study identifies networks of synaptic proteins whose dynamic palmitoylation may play a central role in learning and memory. SUMMARYThis study identifies networks of proteins that undergo dynamic post-translational palmitoylation in response to fear conditioning and demonstrates that palmitoylation of one of these proteins is essential for synapse plasticity. Together, this illustrates the importance of palmitoylation in learning/memory and synapse plasticity.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2021

BrainPalmSeq: A curated RNA-seq database of palmitoylating and de-palmitoylating enzyme expression in the mouse brain

Protein S-palmitoylation is a reversible post-translational lipid modification that plays a critical role in neuronal development and plasticity, while dysregulated S-palmitoylation underlies a number of severe neurological disorders. Dynamic S-palmitoylation is regulated by a large family of ZDHHC palmitoylating enzymes, their accessory proteins, and a small number of known de-palmitoylating enzymes. Here, we curated and analyzed expression data for the proteins that mediate S-palmitoylation from publicly available RNAseq datasets, providing a comprehensive overview of their distribution in the mouse nervous system. We developed a web-tool that enables interactive visualization of the expression patterns for these proteins in the nervous system (http://brainpalmseq.med.ubc.ca/), and explored this resource to find region and cell-type specific expression patterns that give insight into the function of palmitoylating and de-palmitoylating enzymes in the brain and neurological disorders. We found coordinated expression of ZDHHC enzymes with their accessory proteins, de-palmitoylating enzymes and other brain-expressed genes that included an enrichment of S-palmitoylation substrates. Finally, we utilized ZDHHC expression patterns to predict and validate palmitoylating enzyme-substrate interactions.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2021

Identification of essential genes in Caenorhabditis elegans through whole genome sequencing of legacy mutant collections

It has been estimated that 15-30% of the [~]20,000 genes in C. elegans are essential, yet many of these genes remain to be identified or characterized. With the goal of identifying unknown essential genes, we performed whole genome sequencing on complementation pairs from legacy collections of maternal-effect lethal and sterile mutants. This approach uncovered maternal genes required for embryonic development and genes with putative sperm-specific functions. In total, 58 essential genes were identified on chromosomes III, IV, and V, of which 49 genes are represented by novel alleles in this collection. Of these 49 genes, 19 (40 alleles) were selected for further functional characterization. The terminal phenotypes of embryos were examined, revealing defects in cell division, morphogenesis, and osmotic integrity of the eggshell. Mating assays with wild-type males revealed previously unknown male-expressed genes required for fertilization and embryonic development. The result of this study is a catalogue of mutant alleles in essential genes that will serve as a resource to guide further study toward a more complete understanding of this important model organism. As many genes and developmental pathways in C. elegans are conserved and essential genes are often linked to human disease, uncovering the function of these genes may also provide insight to further our understanding of human biology.

genetics↗

bioRxiv2021

Effects of hyperinsulinemia on pancreatic cancer development and the immune microenvironment revealed through single-cell transcriptomics

Hyperinsulinemia is independently associated with increased risk and mortality of pancreatic cancer. We recently reported that a [~]50% reduction in pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PanIN) pre-cancerous lesions in mice could be achieved with reduced insulin production. However, only female mice remained normoglycemic and only the gene dosage of rodent-specific Ins1 alleles was tested in our previous model. Moreover, we did not delve into the molecular and cellular mechanisms associated with modulating hyperinsulinemia. Here, we studied PanIN lesion development in both male and female Ptf1aCreER;KrasLSL-G12D mice lacking the rodent specific Ins1 gene, and possessing one or two alleles of the wild-type Ins2 gene to modulate insulin production. High-fat diet induced hyperinsulinemia was transiently and modestly reduced, without affecting glucose tolerance, in male and female mice with only one allele of Ins2. Genetic reduction of insulin production resulted in mice with a tendency for less PanIN and acinar-to-ductal metaplasia (ADM) lesions. Using single-cell transcriptomics, we found hyperinsulinemia affected multiple cell types in the pancreas, with the most statistically significant effects on local immune cell populations, which were highly represented in our analysis. Specifically, hyperinsulinemia modulated pathways associated with protein translation, MAPK-ERK signaling, and PI3K-AKT signaling, which were changed in epithelial cells and subsets of immune cells. These data suggest a role for the immune microenvironment in hyperinsulinemia-driven PanIN development. Together with our previous work, we propose that mild suppression of insulin levels may be useful in preventing pancreatic cancer by acting on multiple cell types.

cancer biology↗

bioRxiv2020

The type 1 diabetes at-risk allele at rs3842753 increases beta cell INS mRNA expression and variance in a meta-analysis of single cell RNA sequencing data

Type 1 diabetes is characterized by the autoimmune destruction of insulin secreting {beta} cells. Genetic variations upstream at the insulin (INS) locus contribute to ~10% of type 1 diabetes heritable risk. Multiple studies showed an association between rs3842753 C/C genotype and type 1 diabetes susceptibility, but the molecular mechanisms remain unclear. To date, no large-scale studies have looked at the effect of genetic variation at rs3842753 on INS mRNA at the single cell level. We aligned all human islet single cell RNA sequencing datasets available to us in 2020 to the reference genome GRCh38.98 and genotyped rs3842753, integrating 2315 {beta} cells and 1223 {beta}-like cells from 13 A/A protected donors, 23 A/C heterozygous donors, and 35 C/C at-risk donors, including adults without diabetes and with type 2 diabetes. INS expression mean and variance were significantly higher in single {beta} cells from females compared with males. Comparing across {beta} cells and {beta}-like cells, we found that rs3842753 C containing cells (either homozygous or heterozygous) had the highest INS expression. We also found that {beta} cells with the rs3842753 C allele had significantly higher ER stress marker gene expression compared to the A/A homozygous genotype. These findings support the emerging concept that inherited risk of type 1 diabetes may be associated with inborn, persistent elevated insulin production which may lead to {beta} cell ER stress and fragility.

cell biology↗

bioRxiv2020

Beta-cell specific insulin resistance promotes glucose-stimulated insulin hypersecretion

Abstract Insulin receptor (Insr) protein can be found at higher levels in pancreatic {beta}-cells than in most other tissues, but the consequences of {beta}-cell insulin resistance remain enigmatic. Ins1cre allele was used to delete Insr specifically in {beta}-cells of both female and male mice. Experimental mice were compared to Ins1cre-containing littermate controls at multiple ages and on multiple diets. RNA-seq of purified recombined {beta}-cells revealed transcriptomic consequences of Insr loss, which differed between female and male mice. Action potential and calcium oscillation frequencies were increased in Insr knockout {beta}- cells from female, but not male mice, whereas only male {beta}InsrKO mice had reduced ATP-coupled oxygen consumption rate and reduced expression of genes involved in ATP synthesis. Female {beta}InsrKO and {beta}InsrHET mice exhibited elevated insulin release in perifusion experiments, during hyperglycemic clamps, and following i.p. glucose challenge. Deletion of Insr did not alter {beta}-cell area up to 9 months of age, nor did it impair hyperglycemia-induced proliferation. Based on our data, we adapted a mathematical model to include {beta}-cell insulin resistance, which predicted that {beta}-cell Insr knockout would improve glucose tolerance depending on the degree of whole-body insulin resistance. Indeed, glucose tolerance was significantly improved in female {beta}InsrKO and {beta}InsrHET mice when compared to controls at 9, 21 and 39 weeks, and also in insulin-sensitive 4-week old males. We did not observe improved glucose tolerance in older male mice or in high fat diet-fed mice, corroborating the prediction that global insulin resistance obscures the effects of {beta}-cell specific insulin resistance. The propensity for hyperinsulinemia was associated with mildly reduced fasting glucose and increased body weight. We further validated our main in vivo findings using the Ins1-CreERT transgenic line and found that male mice had improved glucose tolerance 4 weeks after tamoxifen-mediated Insr deletion. Collectively, our data show that loss of {beta}-cell Insr contributes to glucose-induced hyperinsulinemia, thereby improving glucose homeostasis in otherwise insulin sensitive dietary and age contexts.

physiology↗

bioRxiv2019

Characterization of the phototoxicity, chemigenetic profile, and mutational signatures of the chemotherapeutic CX-5461 in Caenorhabditis elegans

New anti-cancer therapeutics require extensive in vivo characterization to identify endogenous and exogenous factors affecting efficacy, to measure toxicity and mutagenicity, and to determine genotypes resulting in therapeutic sensitivity or resistance. We used Caenorhabditis elegans as a platform with which to characterize properties of anti-cancer therapeutic agents in vivo. We generated a map of chemigenetic interactions between DNA damage response mutants and common DNA damaging agents. We used this map to investigate the properties of the new anti-cancer therapeutic CX-5461. We phenocopied the photoreactivity observed in CX-5461 clinical trials and found that CX-5461 generates reactive oxygen species when exposed to UVA radiation. We demonstrated that CX-5461 is a mutator, resulting in both large copy number variations and a high frequency of single nucleotide variations (SNVs). CX-5461-induced SNVs exhibited a distinct mutational signature. Consistent with the wide range of CX-5461-induced mutation types, we found that multiple repair pathways were needed for CX-5461 tolerance. Together, the data from C. elegans demonstrate that CX-5461 is a multimodal DNA damaging agent with strong similarity to ellipticines, a class of antineoplastic agents, and to anthracycline-based chemotherapeutics.

genetics↗