MicroRNAs Differentially Expressed in Postnatal Aortic Development Downregulate Elastin via 3′ UTR and Coding-Sequence Binding Sites

Elastin production is characteristically turned off during the maturation of elastin-rich organs such as the aorta. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small regulatory RNAs that down-regulate target mRNAs by binding to miRNA regulatory elements (MREs) typically located in the 3′ UTR. Here we show a striking up-regulation of miR-29 and miR-15 family miRNAs during murine aortic development with commensurate down-regulation of targets including elastin and other extracellular matrix (ECM) genes. There were a total of 14 MREs for miR-29 in the coding sequences (CDS) and 3′ UTR of elastin, which was highly significant, and up to 22 miR-29 MREs were found in the CDS of multiple ECM genes including several collagens. This overrepresentation was conserved throughout mammalian evolution. Luciferase reporter assays showed synergistic effects of miR-29 and miR-15 family miRNAs on 3′ UTR and coding-sequence elastin constructs. Our results demonstrate that multiple miR-29 and miR-15 family MREs are characteristic for some ECM genes and suggest that miR-29 and miR-15 family miRNAs are involved in the down-regulation of elastin in the adult aorta

The Strepsirrhine and Tarsier genome sequencing initiative : conservation genomics of the non-anthropoid primate

Tremendous effort has been made to study the ecology and evolution of strepsirrhines and tarsiers. However, in comparison to the anthro-poids, they remain relatively understudied. This disparity is particularly evident in the field of genomics. While the number of non-anthropoid genome studies has increased in recent years, genomic resources are only available for a small number of species. This relative dearth of information has limited the extent to which the remarkable ecological, phenotypic, and demographic diversity of these primates can be studied. As part of the Primate Sequencing Conservation Initiative, we have sequenced whole genomes from 102 individuals in 59 species (37 Lemuroidea, 17 Lorisoidea, and 5 Tarsiiformes) to high coverage (average of ~30X). The majority of these individuals are wild-born, and from species for which whole genomes have never been sequenced. Using this broad panel of genomes, we examine patterns of genetic diversity, demographic history, phylogeny, and genetic introgression, observing a wide range of variation. Secondly, we examine the role of local adaptation to eco-geographic regions of Madagascar. We also identify relationships between digestive and chemosensory genes and ecological variation. In particular, we focus our efforts on the families Lemuridae and Indriidae from which we have sequenced most commonly recognized species. We provide new insights relevant to the ecology and evolution of these understudied primates and valuable genomic resources for ongoing conservation efforts