Transcription Factors GATA/ELT-2 and Forkhead/HNF-3/PHA-4 Regulate the Tropomyosin Gene Expression in the Pharynx and Intestine of Caenorhabditis elegans

Gene regulation during development is an important biological activity that leads to synthesis of biomolecules at specific locations and specific times. The single tropomyosin gene of Caenorhabditis elegans, tmy-1/lev-11 produces four isoforms of protein: two from the external promoter and two from the internal promoter. We investigated the internal promoter of tropomyosin to identify sequences that regulate expression of tmy-1 in the pharynx and intestine. By promoter deletion of tmy-1 reporters as well as by database analyses, a 100 bp fragment was identified that contained binding sequences for a GATA factor, for a chicken CdxA homolog and for a forkhead factor. Both the forkhead and CdxA binding sequences contributed to pharyngeal and intestinal expression. In addition, the GATA site also influenced intestinal expression of tmy-1 reporter. We showed that ELT-2 and PHA-4 proteins interact directly with the GATA and forkhead binding sequences, respectively, in gel mobility shift assays. RNAi knockdown of elt-2 diminished tmy-1::gfp expression in the intestine. In contrast to RNAi knockdown of pha-4, expression of tmy-1::gfp in pha-4;smg-1 mutants was slightly weaker to that of the wild type. Ectopic expression of PHA-4 and ELT-2 by heat shock were sufficient to elicit widespread expression of tmy- 1::lacZ reporter in embryos. We found no indication of a synergistic relation between ELT-2 and PHA-4. Based on our data, PHA-4 and CdxA function as general transcription factors for pharyngeal and intestinal regulation of tmy-1. We present models by which ELT-2, PHA-4 and CdxA orchestrate expression from the internal promoter of tmy-1.</p

Relevance of Principals’ Technology Leadership and Management on 21st Century Teacher Preparation: A Reflection on Ghanaian Colleges of Education

This study aimed to identify the relevance of Principals’ Technology Leadership on Tutors’ Technology Integration in the Ghanaian Colleges of Education. This is a cross-sectional survey where simple random sampling was employed to select 13 principals and 229 tutors from the Colleges of Education in the Ashanti, Ahafo and Bono regions of Ghana. A two-part structured questionnaire guided by Principals’ Technology Leadership Assessment (PTLA), which is based on the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE)-Standards for Administrators [30] was used. Descriptive analysis was carried out using SPSS Version 25. Although the findings showed that the levels of Technology Leadership; the five constructs of ISTE [30], and Tutors’ Technology Integration were essential but, much needs to be done to improve relationship between Principals’ Technology Leadership and Tutors’ Technology Integration in the selected colleges in Ashanti, Ahafo and Bono regions of Ghana. Principals’ preparatory programmes should emphasize leadership based on technology to enhance the integration of technology in classrooms. Further research on professional development for principals is recommende

Management Information Systems and its Impact on Productivity in Higher Education: A Case of Colleges of Education in Ghana

The use of information technology in educational management has swiftly increased due to its efficiency and effectiveness. In the initial stages of its development, management information systems’ (MIS) main purpose was to improve the efficiency of school, office activities. Overall review of literature highlighted positive impact of MIS on school administration and management including better accessibility to information, more efficient administration, higher utilization of school resources, reduction in workload, better time management, and improvement in the quality of reports. In spite of all the successes chalked in the development of educational management; most educational institutions are confronted with numerous challenges especially in the area of Information and Communications Technology. A study into the Management Information Systems and its impact on productivity in higher educational institutions was undertaken among others to examine the relevance of MIS in improving educational management, assess ways MIS could improve capacities in data processing, storage, analysis and the timely supply of educational information to management and administrators to enhance quick and efficient decision making. Stratified and purposive sampling techniques were the main sampling techniques employed. Questionnaire and observational schedule were used to gather relevant data. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS version 25) was used to analyze the data. The study revealed that cost, lack of competent Information Technology staff to operate the system, lack of computer systems and accessories and inferiority complex (technology phobia) were the major constraints militating against the implementation of MIS in the understudy institutions. Recommendations together with suggestions for further studies were therefore made to arrest the challenges unearthed

Assessing College of Education Tutors Readiness to Integrate Hand Held Devices in Teaching and Learning of Science, Mathematics and Ict

The purpose of the study is to understand tutors knowledge, skills and current practices that are considered secured, emerging and aspirational in integrating hand held devices (HHDs) in teaching of science, mathematics and ICT in colleges of education. The convenient sampling technique was used, since the focus was on Science, Mathematics and ICT tutors in the College. Ten (10) Tutors who were available and willing to participate were conveniently sampled for the study. Questionnaires were the major tools used for data collection. It is concluded from the findings of the study that the knowledge and skills of the college of education tutors as far as the use of hand held devices to support learning are concerned is very high (secured). However, majority of the tutors needed knowledge and skills to effectively integrate HHDs in their practices as well as understand how to use YouTube videos as a resource for learning topics that are challenging to them. More so, tutors want to incorporate technological tools to plan sessions carefully to ensure productive use of time and meaningful learning in lesson delivery and to break down difficult concepts to make the subject accessible to pre-service teachers via HHDs. Keywords: Handheld devices, ICT integration. Knowledge, skill, practice

The RNA-binding protein SUP-12 controls muscle-specific splicing of the ADF/cofilin pre-mRNA in C. elegans

Tissue-specific alternative pre-mRNA splicing is essential for increasing diversity of functionally different gene products. In Caenorhabditis elegans, UNC-60A and UNC-60B, nonmuscle and muscle isoforms of actin depolymerizing factor (ADF)/cofilin, are expressed by alternative splicing of unc-60 and regulate distinct actin-dependent developmental processes. We report that SUP-12, a member of a new family of RNA recognition motif (RRM) proteins, including SEB-4, regulates muscle-specific splicing of unc-60. In sup-12 mutants, expression of UNC-60B is decreased, whereas UNC-60A is up-regulated in muscle. sup-12 mutations strongly suppress muscle defects in unc-60B mutants by allowing expression of UNC-60A in muscle that can substitute for UNC-60B, thus unmasking their functional redundancy. SUP-12 is expressed in muscle and localized to the nuclei in a speckled pattern. The RRM domain of SUP-12 binds to several sites of the unc-60 pre-mRNA including the UG repeats near the 3′-splice site in the first intron. Our results suggest that SUP-12 is a novel tissue-specific splicing factor and regulates functional redundancy among ADF/cofilin isoforms

Virulence behavior of uropathogenic Escherichia coli strains in the host model Caenorhabditis elegans

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are among the most common bacterial infections in humans. Although a number of bacteria can cause UTIs, most cases are due to infection by uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC). UPEC are a genetically heterogeneous group that exhibit several virulence factors associated with colonization and persistence of bacteria in the urinary tract. Caenorhabditis elegans is a tiny, free-living nematode found worldwide. Because many biological pathways are conserved in C. elegans and humans, the nematode has been increasingly used as a model organism to study virulence mechanisms of microbial infections and innate immunity. The virulence of UPEC strains, characterized for antimicrobial resistance, pathogenicity-related genes associated with virulence and phylogenetic group belonging was evaluated by measuring the survival of C. elegans exposed to pure cultures of these strains. Our results showed that urinary strains can kill the nematode and that the clinical isolate ECP110 was able to efficiently colonize the gut and to inhibit the host oxidative response to infection. Our data support that C. elegans, a free-living nematode found worldwide, could serve as an in vivo model to distinguish, among uropathogenic E. coli, different virulence behavior

Protein interactions in Xenopus germ plasm RNP particles

Hermes is an RNA-binding protein that we have previously reported to be found in the ribonucleoprotein (RNP) particles of Xenopus germ plasm, where it is associated with various RNAs, including that encoding the germ line determinant Nanos1. To further define the composition of these RNPs, we performed a screen for Hermes-binding partners using the yeast two-hybrid system. We have identified and validated four proteins that interact with Hermes in germ plasm: two isoforms of Xvelo1 (a homologue of zebrafish Bucky ball) and Rbm24b and Rbm42b, both RNA-binding proteins containing the RRM motif. GFP-Xvelo fusion proteins and their endogenous counterparts, identified with antisera, were found to localize with Hermes in the germ plasm particles of large oocytes and eggs. Only the larger Xvelo isoform was naturally found in the Balbiani body of previtellogenic oocytes. Bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) experiments confirmed that Hermes and the Xvelo variants interact in germ plasm, as do Rbm24b and 42b. Depletion of the shorter Xvelo variant with antisense oligonucleotides caused a decrease in the size of germ plasm aggregates and loosening of associated mitochondria from these structures. This suggests that the short Xvelo variant, or less likely its RNA, has a role in organizing and maintaining the integrity of germ plasm in Xenopus oocytes. While GFP fusion proteins for Rbm24b and 42b did not localize into germ plasm as specifically as Hermes or Xvelo, BiFC analysis indicated that both interact with Hermes in germ plasm RNPs. They are very stable in the face of RNA depletion, but additive effects of combinations of antisense oligos suggest they may have a role in germ plasm structure and may influence the ability of Hermes protein to effectively enter RNP particles

Tissue-specific interactions of TNI isoforms with other TN subunits and tropomyosins in C. elegans: The role of the C- and N-terminal extensions

The aim of this study is to investigate the function of the C-terminal extension of three troponin I isoforms, that are unique to the body wall muscles of Caenorhabditis elegans and to understand the molecular interactions within the TN complex between troponin I with troponin C/T, and tropomyosin. We constructed several expression vectors to generate recombinant proteins of three body wall and one pharyngeal troponin I isoforms in Escherichia coli. Protein overlay assays and Western blot analyses were performed using antibodies. We demonstrated that pharyngeal TNI-4 interacted with only the pharyngeal isoforms of troponin C/T and tropomyosin. In contrast, the body wall TNI-2 bound both the body wall and pharyngeal isoforms of these components. Similar to other invertebrates, the N-terminus of troponin I contributes to interactions with troponin C. Full-length troponin I was essential for interactions with tropomyosin isoforms. Deletion of the C-terminal extension had no direct effect on the binding of the body wall troponin I to other muscle thin filament troponin C/T and tropomyosin isoforms

C. elegans Germline-Deficient Mutants Respond to Pathogen Infection Using Shared and Distinct Mechanisms

Reproduction extracts a cost in resources that organisms are then unable to utilize to deal with a multitude of environmental stressors. In the nematode C. elegans, development of the germline shortens the lifespan of the animal and increases its susceptibility to microbial pathogens. Prior studies have demonstrated germline-deficient nematodes to have increased resistance to Gram negative bacteria. We show that germline-deficient strains display increased resistance across a broad range of pathogens including Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria, and the fungal pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans. Furthermore, we show that the FOXO transcription factor DAF-16, which regulates longevity and immunity in C. elegans, appears to be crucial for maintaining longevity in both wild-type and germline-deficient backgrounds. Our studies indicate that germline-deficient mutants glp-1 and glp-4 respond to pathogen infection using common and different mechanisms that involve the activation of DAF-16