A bioimage informatics platform for high-throughput embryo phenotyping

High-throughput phenotyping is a cornerstone of numerous functional genomics projects. In recent years, imaging screens have become increasingly important in understanding gene–phenotype relationships in studies of cells, tissues and whole organisms. Three-dimensional (3D) imaging has risen to prominence in the field of developmental biology for its ability to capture whole embryo morphology and gene expression, as exemplified by the International Mouse Phenotyping Consortium (IMPC). Large volumes of image data are being acquired by multiple institutions around the world that encompass a range of modalities, proprietary software and metadata. To facilitate robust downstream analysis, images and metadata must be standardized to account for these differences. As an open scientific enterprise, making the data readily accessible is essential so that members of biomedical and clinical research communities can study the images for themselves without the need for highly specialized software or technical expertise. In this article, we present a platform of software tools that facilitate the upload, analysis and dissemination of 3D images for the IMPC. Over 750 reconstructions from 80 embryonic lethal and subviable lines have been captured to date, all of which are openly accessible at mousephenotype.org. Although designed for the IMPC, all software is available under an open-source licence for others to use and develop further. Ongoing developments aim to increase throughput and improve the analysis and dissemination of image data. Furthermore, we aim to ensure that images are searchable so that users can locate relevant images associated with genes, phenotypes or human diseases of interest

Prime Focus Spectrograph (PFS) for the Subaru Telescope: Overview, recent progress, and future perspectives

PFS (Prime Focus Spectrograph), a next generation facility instrument on the 8.2-meter Subaru Telescope, is a very wide-field, massively multiplexed, optical and near-infrared spectrograph. Exploiting the Subaru prime focus, 2394 reconfigurable fibers will be distributed over the 1.3 deg field of view. The spectrograph has been designed with 3 arms of blue, red, and near-infrared cameras to simultaneously observe spectra from 380nm to 1260nm in one exposure at a resolution of ~1.6-2.7A. An international collaboration is developing this instrument under the initiative of Kavli IPMU. The project is now going into the construction phase aiming at undertaking system integration in 2017-2018 and subsequently carrying out engineering operations in 2018-2019. This article gives an overview of the instrument, current project status and future paths forward.Comment: 17 pages, 10 figures. Proceeding of SPIE Astronomical Telescopes and Instrumentation 201

Genetic analysis reveals a hierarchy of interactions between polycystin-encoding genes and genes controlling cilia function during left-right determination

During mammalian development, left-right (L-R) asymmetry is established by a cilia-driven leftward fluid flow within a midline embryonic cavity called the node. This ‘nodal flow’ is detected by peripherally-located crown cells that each assemble a primary cilium which contain the putative Ca2+ channel PKD2. The interaction of flow and crown cell cilia promotes left side-specific expression of Nodal in the lateral plate mesoderm (LPM). Whilst the PKD2-interacting protein PKD1L1 has also been implicated in L-R patterning, the underlying mechanism by which flow is detected and the genetic relationship between Polycystin function and asymmetric gene expression remains unknown. Here, we characterize a Pkd1l1 mutant line in which Nodal is activated bilaterally, suggesting that PKD1L1 is not required for LPM Nodal pathway activation per se, but rather to restrict Nodal to the left side downstream of nodal flow. Epistasis analysis shows that Pkd1l1 acts as an upstream genetic repressor of Pkd2. This study therefore provides a genetic pathway for the early stages of L-R determination. Moreover, using a system in which cultured cells are supplied artificial flow, we demonstrate that PKD1L1 is sufficient to mediate a Ca2+ signaling response after flow stimulation. Finally, we show that an extracellular PKD domain within PKD1L1 is crucial for PKD1L1 function; as such, destabilizing the domain causes L-R defects in the mouse. Our demonstration that PKD1L1 protein can mediate a response to flow coheres with a mechanosensation model of flow sensation in which the force of fluid flow drives asymmetric gene expression in the embryo

CRISIS AFAR: an international collaborative study of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health and service access in youth with autism and neurodevelopmental conditions

BackgroundHeterogeneous mental health outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic are documented in the general population. Such heterogeneity has not been systematically assessed in youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and related neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD). To identify distinct patterns of the pandemic impact and their predictors in ASD/NDD youth, we focused on pandemic-related changes in symptoms and access to services.MethodsUsing a naturalistic observational design, we assessed parent responses on the Coronavirus Health and Impact Survey Initiative (CRISIS) Adapted For Autism and Related neurodevelopmental conditions (AFAR). Cross-sectional AFAR data were aggregated across 14 European and North American sites yielding a clinically well-characterized sample of N = 1275 individuals with ASD/NDD (age = 11.0 ± 3.6 years; n females = 277). To identify subgroups with differential outcomes, we applied hierarchical clustering across eleven variables measuring changes in symptoms and access to services. Then, random forest classification assessed the importance of socio-demographics, pre-pandemic service rates, clinical severity of ASD-associated symptoms, and COVID-19 pandemic experiences/environments in predicting the outcome subgroups.ResultsClustering revealed four subgroups. One subgroup-broad symptom worsening only (20%)-included youth with worsening across a range of symptoms but with service disruptions similar to the average of the aggregate sample. The other three subgroups were, relatively, clinically stable but differed in service access: primarily modified services (23%), primarily lost services (6%), and average services/symptom changes (53%). Distinct combinations of a set of pre-pandemic services, pandemic environment (e.g., COVID-19 new cases, restrictions), experiences (e.g., COVID-19 Worries), and age predicted each outcome subgroup.LimitationsNotable limitations of the study are its cross-sectional nature and focus on the first six months of the pandemic.ConclusionsConcomitantly assessing variation in changes of symptoms and service access during the first phase of the pandemic revealed differential outcome profiles in ASD/NDD youth. Subgroups were characterized by distinct prediction patterns across a set of pre- and pandemic-related experiences/contexts. Results may inform recovery efforts and preparedness in future crises; they also underscore the critical value of international data-sharing and collaborations to address the needs of those most vulnerable in times of crisis

Heavy and light roles: myosin in the morphogenesis of the heart

Myosin is an essential component of cardiac muscle, from the onset of cardiogenesis through to the adult heart. Although traditionally known for its role in energy transduction and force development, recent studies suggest that both myosin heavy-chain and myosin lightchain proteins are required for a correctly formed heart. Myosins are structural proteins that are not only expressed from early stages of heart development, but when mutated in humans they may give rise to congenital heart defects. This review will discuss the roles of myosin, specifically with regards to the developing heart. The expression of each myosin protein will be described, and the effects that altering expression has on the heart in embryogenesis in different animal models will be discussed. The human molecular genetics of the myosins will also be reviewed

La Haine de la musique

Peut-on parler de « haine de la musique », à l’instar de Pascal Quignard qui accuse la musique de compromission avec les camps de concentration nazis ? Si la radicalité stimule la pensée, la longue histoire des relations entre musique et littérature est en réalité nourrie d’amour et de haine, en somme de fascination ambivalente. À ce problème ancien, notre modernité a donné une acuité nouvelle. D’abord parce que, avec le romantisme, la consécration de l’absolu musical est loin d’être univoque. Ensuite, et selon un mouvement inverse, parce que la musique résiste au xxe siècle, quels que soient les coups portés contre sa légitimité. Les études réunies ici explorent différents territoires de cette haine — anthropologique, esthétique, sociologique. Dans son interrogation sur la musique, la littérature ne cesse de chercher une définition d’elle-même et puise une inspiration constamment renouvelée

Early doors (Edo) mutant mouse reveals the importance of period 2 (PER2) PAS domain structure for circadian pacemaking

The suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) defines 24 h of time via a transcriptional/posttranslational feedback loop in which transactivation of Per (period) and Cry (cryptochrome) genes by BMAL1-CLOCK complexes is suppressed by PER-CRY complexes. The molecular/structural basis of how circadian protein complexes function is poorly understood. We describe a novel N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU)-induced mutation, early doors (Edo), in the PER-ARNT-SIM (PAS) domain dimerization region of period 2 (PER2) (I324N) that accelerates the circadian clock of Per2(Edo/Edo) mice by 1.5 h. Structural and biophysical analyses revealed that Edo alters the packing of the highly conserved interdomain linker of the PER2 PAS core such that, although PER2(Edo) complexes with clock proteins, its vulnerability to degradation mediated by casein kinase 1ε (CSNK1E) is increased. The functional relevance of this mutation is revealed by the ultrashort (<19 h) but robust circadian rhythms in Per2(Edo/Edo); Csnk1e(Tau/Tau) mice and the SCN. These periods are unprecedented in mice. Thus, Per2(Edo) reveals a direct causal link between the molecular structure of the PER2 PAS core and the pace of SCN circadian timekeeping

Phenotyping of <i>Pkd1l1</i>^{<i>tm1/tm1</i>} Mutants.

<p>(A) Schematic diagram of PKD1L1 and PKD2 showing protein domains and the nature of the <i>Pkd1l1</i>^<i>rks</i> and <i>Pkd2</i>^<i>lrm4</i> point mutations. The double headed red arrow denotes the site of interaction between PKD1L1 and PKD2. PKD—Polycystic Kidney Disease; REJ—Receptor for Egg Jelly; GPS—G-protein Coupled Receptor Proteolytic Site; PLAT—Polycystin-1, Liopoxygenase, Alpha-Toxin. (B) <i>Pkd1l1</i>^{<i>tm1/tm1</i>} and sibling control showing reversed and normal situs, respectively. White arrows indicate stomach position. (C) Heart-stomach discordance (H-S Disc.) in <i>Pkd1l1</i>^{<i>tm1/tm1</i>}, <i>Dnah11</i>^<i>iv/iv</i> and <i>Pkd1l1</i>^{<i>rks/rks</i>} mutants scored at E13.5. Normally, the heart apex and stomach are positioned to the left. H-S Disc. is defined as the heart apex and stomach being on opposite sides. ns—not significant; *—p<0.05; **—p<0.001, Fisher’s Exact Test applied. (D-F) Lung situs assessed at E13.5 for embryos of the indicated genotypes with the ratio of lung lobes between left and right sides given. The percentage and total numbers of embryos showing each phenotype are indicated in <i>(F)</i>. (G-P) Expression patterns of <i>Nodal</i>, <i>Pitx2</i>, and <i>Lefty1/2</i> in embryos at E8.5 of the indicated genotypes, with the percentage number of embryos exhibiting each phenotype and the total number given. Embryos exhibiting bilateral marker expression are further categorized by whether they show equal or biased expression between the left and right sides. The inset in <i>(M)</i> shows a <i>Pkd1l1</i>^{<i>tm1/tm1</i>} embryo with bilateral <i>Pitx2</i> expression but with a right-sided bias. Arrowheads in <i>(N)</i> and <i>(O)</i> indicate midline <i>Lefty1</i> expression. <i>t</i> is shorthand for <i>Pkd1l1</i>^<i>tm1</i>. (Q-R) Sonic hedgehog (<i>Shh</i>) expression in the node (n) and notochord (nc) at E8.5.</p

Molecular characterisation of tumours of the lacrimal apparatus

International audienceAims: Malignant tumours of the lacrimal apparatus are rare and frequently show a poor prognosis, with no clear therapeutic standards. Characterisation of the genetic landscape of these rare tumours is sparse, and therefore therapeutics generally follow those of their common salivary gland counterparts. To further clarify the pathophysiology and discover potential therapeutic targets, we investigated the genetic landscape of eight tumours of the lacrimal apparatus. Methods and results: DNA and RNA sequencing were performed to identify genetic mutations and gene fusions. Immunohistochemistry, fluorescence in-situ hybridisation and reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction followed by Sanger sequencing were performed to confirm the identified molecular alterations. Genetic alterations were detected in six tumours. Among five adenoid cystic carcinomas (ACC), four had confirmed alterations of MYB or MYBL1 genes, including a MYB::NFIB fusion, a MYBL1::NFIB fusion, a MYB amplification and a novel NFIB::THSD7B fusion. Mutations in genes encoding epigenetic modifiers, as well as NOTCH1, FGFR2 and ATM mutations, were also identified in ACCs. A carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma showed TP53 and CIC mutations and an amplification of ERBB2. A transitional cell carcinoma was associated with HPV16 infection. No genetic alteration was found for one adenocarcinoma, not otherwise specified. Conclusions: Our study highlights the variety of molecular alterations associated with lacrimal system tumours and emphasises the importance of molecular testing in these tumours, which can reveal potentially targetable mutations. Our results also reinforce the hypothesis of a common physiopathology of all ACCs, regardless of their primary location

Destabilization of a PKD Domain by the <i>Pkd1l1</i>^<i>rks</i> Mutation.

<p>(A-C) Structure of human PKD1 PKD domain 1 (<i>A</i>) and models of mouse PKD1L1 PKD domain 2; wild-type (<i>B</i>) or <i>rks</i>-mutated (<i>C</i>). Domains are largely composed of β-sheets (block arrows). The aspartic acid mutated in <i>Pkd1l1</i>^<i>rks</i>, or its equivalent in PKD1, is shown in space-fill. The asterisks denote loss of secondary structure in the <i>rks</i>-mutated domain. (D) SRCD spectroscopy of mouse PKD1L1 PKD domain 2 for wild-type and <i>rks</i>-mutated domains. Spectra are consistent with decreased stability (decreased secondary structure) in mutated domains. (E) Thermal denaturation analysis of PKD1L1 PKD domain 2: a reduced melting temperature (Tm) of 56.4°C is evident in the <i>rks</i>-mutated domain; in wild-type controls a Tm of 68.6°C is detected.</p