Biology subjects

Moore, V.

Publications and source records attributed to Moore, V..

5 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

Opioid withdrawal engages a habenular subpopulation responsive to aversive states

AO_SCPLOWBSTRACTC_SCPLOWOpioid withdrawal produces a protracted aversive state that is a driving factor towards relapse for patients with opioid use disorder. The habenula is known to mediate symptoms of withdrawal across several substance use disorders, including alcohol, nicotine, and opioid use disorder. However, it is unclear which habenular populations contribute to withdrawal symptoms. Here, we identify a cell type marker for habenular neurons active during opioid withdrawal. Using immediate early gene analysis, we find that glutamic acid decarboxylase 2-expressing (GAD2+) cells in the lateral habenula (LHbGAD2) increase activity in response to both spontaneous and naloxone-precipitated opioid withdrawal in mice. Recording neural activity in vivo revealed transient activity at the presentation of aversive stimuli, and a sustained increase in activity during aversive states such as opioid withdrawal and inescapable shock. These results highlight the cell type heterogeneity of the habenula, and the role of specific cell types in opioid withdrawal.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2026

Leveraging whole-genome re-sequencing for diversity, population structure, and a public mid-density genotyping enrichment panel in crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum L.) for breeding purposes

AO_SCPLOWBSTRACTC_SCPLOWCrimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum L.) is an obligately outcrossing, cool-season annual legume valued for forage and cover cropping, yet genomic resources to support systematic improvement are limited. We performed the first and most comprehensive whole-genome resequencing (WGR) of global crimson clover germplasm to (i) characterize diversity and population structure and (ii) develop a public mid-density enrichment capture panel for breeding applications. A core set of 45 accessions sequenced at [~]50X generated 5.84 million variants, while 149 additional accessions sequenced at [~]2.54X yielded 17.05 million variants. After stringent filtering, we retained 542,790 high-confidence SNPs from the high-coverage dataset and [~]2.4 million from the low-pass cohort. Population analyses (PCA, ADMIXTURE) revealed compact clustering of cultivars, broader dispersion of wild and uncertain-status accessions, and low overall differentiation (FST = 0.0105) with excess heterozygosity (FIS = -0.0592), consistent with obligate outcrossing. Guided by these resources, we designed a 28,913-SNP TWIST hybrid-capture panel enriched for genic regions and evenly distributed across seven chromosomes. This panel is being deployed within Auburn Universitys crimson clover breeding program to support population improvement and cultivar development. The resulting genomic resources provide a reproducible, mid-density genotyping platform for trait discovery, predictive breeding, and diversity monitoring. Together, these advances bring crimson clover genomic resources on par with other legumes such as soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) and alfalfa (Medicago sativa), establishing a robust foundation for genomics-assisted improvement of this key cover and forage crop in U.S. sustainable agriculture. CORE IDEASO_LIWhole-genome re-sequencing of 194 crimson clover accessions revealed >21 M variants. C_LIO_LIHigh-confidence SNP catalogs from 50X and 2X data enable cost-effective genotyping. C_LIO_LIGenetic diversity is weakly structured, with cultivars clustering narrowly by origin. C_LIO_LIA 28,913 SNP enrichment panel delivers uniform genome coverage and >75% genic content. C_LIO_LIThese genomic tools accelerate GWAS, genomic selection, and breeding innovation. C_LI

genomics↗

bioRxiv2025

Cell cycle control of cohesion establishment

Cohesion between sister chromatids ensures accurate alignment and segregation of chromosomes during cell division. Cohesion establishment requires modification of the SMC3 subunit of cohesin by the ESCO2 acetyltransferase. ESCO2 function relies on interactions between ESCO2 and the DNA replication machinery, but how and whether these interactions are regulated during cell cycle progression is not known. Here we have found that phosphorylation of ESCO2 at serine 75 by cyclin-dependent kinase strongly impacts both interaction of ESCO2 with the replication machinery and ESCO2s ability to ensure sister chromatid cohesion. This study provides mechanistic insight into how establishment of sister chromatid cohesion is entrained in S phase by cell cycle-dependent mechanisms.

cell biology↗

bioRxiv2024

Remote sensing for estimating genetic parameters of biomass accumulation and modeling stability of growth curves in alfalfa

Multi-spectral imaging (MSI) collection by unoccupied aerial vehicles (UAV) is an important tool to measure growth of forage crops. Information from estimated growth curves can be used to infer harvest biomass and to gain insights in the relationship of growth dynamics and harvest biomass stability across cuttings and years. In this study, we used MSI to evaluate Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L. subsp. sativa) to understand the longitudinal relationship between vegetative indices (VIs) and forage/biomass, as well as evaluation of irrigation treatments and genotype by environment interactions (GEI) of different alfalfa cultivars. Alfalfa is a widely cultivated perennial forage crop grown for high yield, nutritious forage quality for feed rations, tolerance to abiotic stress, and nitrogen fixation properties in crop rotations. The direct relationship between biomass and VIs such as Normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), green normalized difference vegetation index (GNDVI), red edge normalized difference vegetation index (NDRE), and Near infrared (NIR) provide a non-destructive and high throughput approach to measure biomass accumulation over subsequent alfalfa harvests. In this study, we aimed to estimate the genetic parameters of alfalfa VIs and utilize longitudinal modeling of VIs over growing seasons to identify potential relationships between stability in growth parameters and cultivar stability for alfalfa biomass yield across cuttings and years. We found VIs of GNDVI, NDRE, NDVI, NIR and simple ratios to be moderately heritable with median values for the field trial in Ithaca, NY to be 0.64, 0.56, 0.45, 0.45 and 0.40 respectively, Normal Irrigation (NI) trial in Leyendecker, NM to be 0.3967, 0.3813, 0.3751, 0.3239 and 0.3019 respectively, and Summer Irrigation Termination (SIT) trial in Leyendecker, NM to be of 0.11225, 0.1389, 0.1375, 0.2539 and 0.1343, respectively. Genetic correlations between NDVI and harvest biomass ranged from 0.52 - .99 in 2020 and 0.08 - .99 in 2021 in the NY trial. Genetic correlations for NI trial in NM for NDVI ranged from 0.72 - .98 in 2021 and SIT ranged from 0.34-1.0 in 2021. Genotype by genotype by interaction (GGE) biplots were used to differentiate between stable and unstable cultivars for locations NY and NM, and Random regression modeling approaches were used to estimate growth parameters for each cutting. Results showed high correspondence between stability in growth parameters and stability, or persistency, in harvest biomass across cuttings and years. In NM, the SIT trial showed more variation in growth curves due to stress conditions. The temporal growth curves derived from NDVI, NIR and Simple ratio were found to be the best phenotypic indices on studying the stability of growth parameters across different harvests. The strong correlation between VIs and biomass present opportunities for more efficient screening of cultivars, and the correlation between estimated growth parameters and harvest biomass suggest longitudinal modeling of VIs can provide insights into temporal factors influencing cultivar stability.

genetics↗

bioRxiv2019

SCAR FORMATION AND DECREASED CARDIAC FUNCTION FOLLOWING ISCHEMIA/REPERFUSION INJURY IN 1-MONTH-OLD SWINE

Studies in mice show a brief neonatal period of cardiac regeneration with minimal scar formation. Less is known about reparative mechanisms in large mammals. A transient cardiac injury approach (ischemia/reperfusion, IR) was used in weaned postnatal day (P)30 pigs, to assess regenerative repair in young large mammals. Female and male P30 pigs were subjected to cardiac ischemia (1 hour) by occlusion of the left anterior descending artery followed by reperfusion, or to sham operation. Following IR, myocardial damage occurred, with cardiac ejection fraction significantly decreased 2 hours post-ischemia. No improvement or worsening of cardiac function to the 4 week study end-point was observed. Histology demonstrated cardiomyocyte (CM) cell cycling at 2-months-of-age in multinucleated CMs in both sham-operated and IR pigs. Regional scar formation and inflammation in the epicardial region proximal to injury were observed 4 weeks post-IR. Sex differences were found, suggestive of females creating a greater fibrotic response with worse cardiac function, highlighting the importance of representing both sexes in cardiac injury studies. Together, our results describe an effective novel cardiac injury model in P30 swine, at a time when CMs are still cycling. Pigs subjected to IR show myocardial damage with a prolonged decrease in cardiac function, formation of a small, regional scar with increased inflammation. These data demonstrate that P30 pigs do not regenerate myocardium, even in the presence of CM mitotic activity, but form a scar after transient IR injury.\n\nNEW & NOTEWORTHYHere, we report for the first time ischemia/reperfusion (IR) cardiac injury in 1-month-old (P30) pigs. This model of IR injury highlights lack of cardiac regeneration, even in the presence of cardiomyocyte (CM) cell cycling in young swine. An effective injury approach is described for use in large mammals to investigate cardiac function, CM cell cycling, extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling, and gene expression changes, while highlighting the importance of studying both sexes.

developmental biology↗