Biology subjects

Gonzalez, P.

Publications and source records attributed to Gonzalez, P..

22 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

bioRxiv2020

A De Novo Genome Assembly, Gene Annotation, And Expression Atlas For The Monarch Butterfly Danaus plexippus

The monarch butterfly epitomizes insect biodiversity decline. Understanding the genetic basis of the adaptation of the monarch to a changing environment requires genomic and transcriptomic resources that better reflect its genetic diversity while being informative about gene functionality during life cycle. We report a reference-quality genome assembly from an individual resident at a nonmigratory colony in Mexico, and a new gene annotation and expression atlas for 14,865 genes, including 492 unreported long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) genes, based on RNA-seq data from 14 larval and pupal stages, plus adult morphological sections. Two thirds of the genes show significant expression changes associated with a life stage or section, with lncRNAs being more finely regulated during adulthood than protein-coding genes, and male-biased expression being four times more common than female-biased. The two portions of the heterochromosome Z display distinct patterns of differential expression between the sexes, reflecting that dosage compensation is either absent or incomplete -depending on the sample- in the ancestral but not in the novel portion of the Z. This study represents a major advance in the genomic and transcriptome resources available for D. plexippus while providing the first systematic analysis of its transcriptional program across most of its life cycle.

genomics↗

bioRxiv2020

Endemic and epidemic human alphavirus infections in Eastern Panama, An Analysis of Population-Based Cross-Sectional Surveys

BackgroundMadariaga virus (MADV), has recently been associated with severe human disease in Panama, where the closely related Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV) also circulates. In June, 2017, a fatal MADV infection was confirmed in a community of Darien province. MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional outbreak investigation with human and mosquito collections in July 2017, where sera were tested for alphavirus antibodies and viral RNA. Additionally, by applying a catalytic, force-of-infection statistical model to two serosurveys from Darien province in 2012 and 2017, we investigated whether endemic or epidemic alphavirus transmission occurred historically. ResultsIn 2017, MADV and VEEV IgM seroprevalence was 1.6% and 4.4%, respectively; IgG antibody prevalences were MADV: 13.2%; VEEV: 16.8%; Una virus (UNAV): 16.0%; and Mayaro virus (MAYV): 1.1%. Active viral circulation was not detected. Evidence of MADV and UNAV infection was found near households -- raising questions about its vectors and enzootic transmission cycles. Insomnia was associated with MADV and VEEV infection, depression symptoms were associated with MADV, and dizziness with VEEV and UNAV. Force-of-infection analyses suggest endemic alphavirus transmission historically, with recent increased human exposure to MADV and VEEV in some regions. ConclusionsThe lack of additional neurological cases suggest that severe MADV and VEEV infections occur only rarely. Our results indicate that, over the past five decades, alphavirus infections have occurred at low levels in eastern Panama, but that MADV and VEEV infections have recently increased -- potentially during the past decade. Endemic infections and outbreaks of MADV and VEEV appear to differ spatially. Author summaryPrior to 2010, it was believed that the Madariaga virus (MADV) was primarily associated with equine disease. However, an outbreak reported in Panama, in an endemic area where Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV) also circulates, suggested a change in its epidemiological profile. We aimed to reconstruct the epidemiological dynamics of MADV and VEEV, as well as additional alphaviruses known to circulate in the region in order to understand MADV emergence. For this, cross-sectional serosurveys were used to demonstrate that the Alphaviruses MADV, VEEV and Una virus have repeatedly infected humans in eastern Panama over the past five decades. Whilst their historical transmission has been low, we confirm that the transmission has recently increased for both MADV and VEEV.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2019

Systems Analysis of Subjects Acutely Infected with Chikungunya Virus

The largest ever recorded epidemic of the chikungunya virus (CHIKV) began in 2004 and affected four continents. Acute symptomatic infections are typically associated with the onset of fever and often debilitating polyarthralgia/polyarthritis. In this study, a systems biology approach was used to analyze the blood transcriptomes of adults acutely infected with CHIKV. Gene signatures that were associated with viral RNA amounts and to the onset of symptoms were identified. Among those genes, the putative role of Eukaryotic Initiation Factor (eIF) family genes and apolipoprotein B mRNA editing catalytic polypeptide-like (APOBEC3A) in the CHIKV replication process were displayed. We further compared these signatures with those induced by dengue virus infection and rheumatoid arthritis. Finally, we demonstrated that CHIKV infection in mice induced IL-1 beta production in a mechanism highly dependent on the inflammasome NLRP3 activation. The findings provided valuable insights into the virus-host interactions during the acute phase and could be useful in the investigation of new and effective therapeutic interventions.

immunology↗

bioRxiv2018

Genome-wide Expression Profiling and Pathway Analysis in Cyclic Stretched Human Trabecular Meshwork Cells

PurposeRegulation of intraocular pressure is dependent upon homeostatic responses of trabecular meshwork (TM) cells to mechanical stretch. Despite the important roles of miRNAs in regulating TM function and aqueous outflow, it remains unclear how miRNA and their target genes interact in response to physiological cyclic mechanical stretch. We aimed to identify differentially expressed miRNAs and their potential targets in human TM cells in response to cyclic mechanical stress.\n\nMethodsMonolayers of TM cells from non-glaucomatous donors (n=3-6) were cultured in the presence or absence of 15% mechanical stretch, 1 cycle/s, for 6 or 24-hours using computer-controlled Flexcell Unit. We profiled the expression of 800 miRNAs using NanoString Human miRNA assays and identified differentially expressed miRNAs using the Bioconductor Limma package. We identified differentially expressed genes using Operon Human Oligo Arrays with GeneSpring software. Pathway analysis with WebGestalt identified stretch-related pathways. We used Integrative miRNA Target Finder from Ingenuity Pathway Analysis to identify potential miRNA-mRNA regulations.\n\nResultsWe identified 540 unique genes and 74 miRNAs with differential expression in TM cells upon cyclic mechanical stretch. Pathway analysis indicated the significant enrichment of genes involved in Wnt-signaling, receptor protein serine/threonine kinase signaling, TGF-{beta} pathway, and response to unfolded protein. We also identified several miRNA master regulators, including miR-19b-3p and miR-93-5p, which may act as switches to control several mechano-responsive genes.\n\nConclusionsThis study suggests that cyclic mechanical stress of TM cells triggers alterations in the expression of both mRNAs and miRNAs implicated in glaucoma-associated pathways.

genomics↗