Morphological Characterization of the Radiation Sensitive Cell Line, XRS-5

Morphometric analysis was performed on the radiation sensitive Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) xrs-5 cell line, reverting xrs-5 cells and parental K1 cells. Several ultrastructural parameters (increased nuclear envelope membrane separation, cell and nuclear volume, nuclear to cytoplasmic ratio, and the nuclear surface area per unit volume of the cell) were measured and correlated with radiation sensitivity. A trend in increased cell size and radiosensitivity was observed. However, only the substantially increased nuclear envelope membrane separation in sensitive xrs-5 cells significantly correlated with radiation sensitivity. The maximal nuclear envelope membrane separation in sensitive xrs-5 cells was 270.8 nm. The maximal K1 cell nuclear envelope membrane separation was 134.8 nm, although, on average the K1 cell nuclear envelope membrane separation was 36.8 nm. The reverted xrs-5 cells had a smaller nuclear envelope membrane separation (maximal 83.6 nm), but the measured space did not completely revert to that for K1 cells. Therefore, we conclude that the nuclear envelope membrane separation is correlated with radiation sensitivity of xrs-5 cells, but it cannot be considered as the only defect correlatable with the radiation sensitivity

Morphological characterization of the radiation sensitive cell line, xrs-5

Includes bibliographical references (pages [60]-62)The xrs-5 cell line, derived from the Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) K1 cell line, is defective in double strand break repair capabilities and is extremely radiosensitive, xrs-5 cells have a substantially lower survival rate compared to K1 cells. After six to eight weeks in culture, the xrs-5 cells revert to the K1 cell radiation sensitivity. Ultrastructural examination showed an increased separation between the inner and outer nuclear membranes. As the radiation sensitivity reverted, the nuclear membrane separation reverted to the K1 phenotype. In addition to membrane separation, cell and nuclear volume, nuclear to cytoplasmic ratio, and the surface area per unit volume of the cell were quantified for each cell line. The quantified morphological features were correlated with radiation sensitivity. No significant correlations were obtained except for the substantially higher degree of nuclear membrane separation in xrs-5 cells. It is concluded that the membrane separation of the nuclear envelope can be correlated with the radiation sensitivity of the xrs-5 cells, but it cannot be considered the sole cause of radiation sensitivity.M.S. (Master of Science

Epigenomic Diversity in a Global Collection of Arabidopsis thaliana Accessions

The epigenome orchestrates genome accessibility, functionality, and three-dimensional structure. Because epigenetic variation can impact transcription and thus phenotypes, it may contribute to adaptation. Here, we report 1,107 high-quality single-base resolution methylomes and 1,203 transcriptomes from the 1001 Genomes collection of Arabidopsis thaliana. Although the genetic basis of methylation variation is highly complex, geographic origin is a major predictor of genome-wide DNA methylation levels and of altered gene expression caused by epialleles. Comparison to cistrome and epicistrome datasets identifies associations between transcription factor binding sites, methylation, nucleotide variation, and co-expression modules. Physical maps for nine of the most diverse genomes reveal how transposons and other structural variants shape the epigenome, with dramatic effects on immunity genes. The 1001 Epigenomes Project provides a comprehensive resource for understanding how variation in DNA methylation contributes to molecular and non-molecular phenotypes in natural populations of the most studied model plant

Epigenomic Diversity in a Global Collection of Arabidopsis thaliana Accessions

The epigenome orchestrates genome accessibility, functionality, and three-dimensional structure. Because epigenetic variation can impact transcription and thus phenotypes, it may contribute to adaptation. Here, we report 1,107 high-quality single-base resolution methylomes and 1,203 transcriptomes from the 1001 Genomes collection of Arabidopsis thaliana. Although the genetic basis of methylation variation is highly complex, geographic origin is a major predictor of genome-wide DNA methylation levels and of altered gene expression caused by epialleles. Comparison to cistrome and epicistrome datasets identifies associations between transcription factor binding sites, methylation, nucleotide variation, and co-expression modules. Physical maps for nine of the most diverse genomes reveal how transposons and other structural variants shape the epigenome, with dramatic effects on immunity genes. The 1001 Epigenomes Project provides a comprehensive resource for understanding how variation in DNA methylation contributes to molecular and non-molecular phenotypes in natural populations of the most studied model plant