Check out the August issue of GENETICS by looking at the highlights or the full table of contents!

ISSUE HIGHLIGHTS

This Month’s Centennial Articles

Horvitz and Sulston on Caenorhabditis elegans cell lineage mutants, pp. 1485-1487

Kenneth J. Kemphues

Kenneth Kemphues introduces Horvitz and Sulston’s 1980 GENETICS Classic, which demonstrated that systematic mutational analysis could dissect the regulation of the precise cell lineage of Caenorhabditis elegans. The paper heralded a new wave of developmental analysis that would eventually reveal much about the previously unknown relationship between genes and development.

Marcus Rhoades on preferential segregation in maize, pp. 1489-1490

James A. Birchler

GENETICS Associate Editor James A. Birchler introduces Marchus Rhoades’ 1942 Classic on the discovery of preferential segregation, a striking violation of Mendelian inheritance later known as meiotic drive.

Navigating the phenotype frontier: the Monarch Initiative, pp. 1491-1495

Julie A. McMurry, Sebastian Kohler, Nicole L. Washington, James P Balhoff, Charles Borromeo, Matthew Brush, Seth Carbon, Tom Conlin, Nathan Dunn, Mark Engelstad, Erin Foster, Jean-Philippe Gourdine, Julius O. B. Jacobsen, Daniel Keith, Bryan Laraway, Jeremy Nguyen Xuan, Kent Shefchek, Nicole A. Vasilevsky, Zhou Yuan, Suzanna E. Lewis, Harry Hochheiser, Tudor Groza, Damian Smedley, Peter N. Robinson, Christopher J. Mungall, and Melissa A. Haendel

Although numerous model organism resources exist, it is challenging to obtain a global mechanistic picture, since each resource focuses on a different species, disease, or data type. This Centennial commentary highlights challenges in integrating phenotypic data and introduces the Monarch Initiative, which aims to develop a computational infrastructure to bring together disparate data across sources, organisms, and scales.

The Hiroshima/Nagasaki survivor studies: discrepancies between results and general perception, pp. 1505-1512

Bertrand R. Jordan

Many people believe that survivors of the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945 suffered a very high cancer burden, dramatically shortened life span, and that their children also had higher mutation rates and frequent abnormalities. In fact, extensive and ongoing follow-up of 120,000 survivors and 77,000 of their children reveal more modest effects. This Perspectives article summarizes the results of these studies, which have been crucial for setting safe radiation exposure limits, and discusses possible reasons for the very striking discrepancy between the facts and general beliefs about this situation.

Hubby and Lewontin on protein variation in natural populations: when molecular genetics came to the rescue of population genetics, pp. 1497-1503

Brian Charlesworth, Deborah Charlesworth, Jerry A. Coyne, and Charles H. Langley

The 1966 GENETICS papers by John Hubby and Richard Lewontin were landmarks in the study of genome-wide levels of variability, revealing a surprisingly high level of protein sequence variability in natural populations. To mark the fiftieth anniversary of the papers and the hundredth anniversary of the journal, Charlesworth et al. discuss the methods used in these pioneering studies, and show how they led to subsequent developments in empirical and theoretical research on natural variation.

—————————————————–

Principles of microRNA regulation revealed through modeling microRNA expression quantitative trait loci, pp. 1629-1640

Stefan Budach, Matthias Heinig, and Annalisa Marsico

Transcriptional regulation of microRNAs is poorly understood, due to difficulties determining the start sites of transient primary transcripts. This challenge can be addressed using expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs), whose effects represent a natural perturbation of cis-regulatory elements. Budach et al. describe a model to predict microRNA-eQTL SNPs in human lymphoblastoid cell lines based on their overlap with regulatory regions. Interestingly, the majority of overlapping microRNA- eQTLs and mRNA-eQTLs affect microRNA and host expression independently. MicroRNA-only eQTLs are enriched for intronic promoters, validating the existence of alternative microRNA promoters that can decouple microRNA and host transcription.

Crosstalk between mitochondrial fusion and the hippo pathway in controlling cell proliferation during Drosophila development, pp. 1777-1788

Qiannan Deng, Ting Guo, Xiu Zhou, Yongmei Xi, Xiaohang Yang, and Wanzhong Ge

Mitochondrial function and the highly conserved Hippo signaling pathway have been linked in growth control, but the molecular mechanisms are unclear. Deng et al. identify mitochondrial inner membrane protein ChChd3 as a regulator of tissue growth in Drosophila. The authors also show crosstalk between mitochondrial fusion and the Hippo pathway that is essential in controlling cell proliferation and tissue homeostasis in Drosophila.

Genomic prediction for quantitative traits is improved by mapping variants to gene ontology categories in Drosophila melanogaster, pp. 1871-1883

Stefan M. Edwards, Izel F. Sørensen, Pernille Sarup, Trudy F. C. Mackay, and Peter Sørensen

Predicting quantitative phenotypes from high resolution genomic polymorphism data is important for personalized medicine, plant and animal breeding and adaptive evolution. Edwards et al. hypothesized that mapping polymorphisms to genes and their gene ontology categories could increase the accuracy of genomic prediction models. They evaluate a Genomic Feature Best Linear Unbiased Prediction (GFBLUP) model using prior information on Gene Ontology categories and show it can increase the predictive ability of the genomic value for three quantitative traits in the unrelated, sequenced inbred lines of the Drosophila melanogaster Genetic Reference Panel (DGRP).

Refining the use of linkage disequilibrium as a robust signature of selective sweeps, pp. 1807-1825

Guy S. Jacobs, Tim J. Sluckin, and Toomas Kivisild

One signal used to infer positive selection at specific genome regions is a characteristic local distortion in linkage disequilibrium between loci. However, recombination rate can be highly variable along the genome, creating a rough linkage disequilibrium landscape that may confound this approach. The authors explore this effect, and suggest methods that use information on recombination rate variation to retrieve the true signal of selection.

The chromatin remodeling component Aridla is a suppressor of spontaneous mammary tumors in mice, pp. 1601-1611

Nithya Kartha, Lishuang Shen, Carolyn Maskin, Marsha Wallace, and John C. Schimenti

ARID1A is commonly mutated in many cancers. Using a mouse model of sporadic breast cancer, Kartha et al. show that most tumors lack one copy of Arid1a, and have decreased Arid1a mRNA. Re-expression/ overexpression of ARID1A in tumor cells slowed their growth and prevented re-formation of tumors upon transplantation, but only in p53-proficient cells. Overall, the results provide evidence for a tumor suppressive and/or maintenance role for ARID1a in breast cancer and suggest a potential strategy for therapeutic intervention.

Plasticity in the meiotic epigenetic landscape of sex chromosomes in Caenorhabditis Species, pp. 1641-1658

Braden J. Larson, Mike V. Van, Taylor Nakayama, and JoAnne Engebrecht

Successful meiosis relies on homology between chromosomes. But the sex chromosomes of the heterogametic sex are non homologous. To facilitate transmission despite lack of homology, such chromosomes are epigenetically modified by Meiotic Sex Chromosome Inactivation (MSCI). The role and conservation of MSCI has been controversial. Larson et al. examined MSCI in closely related Caenorhabditis species and found that, although conserved, the repressive chromatin marks which mediate MSCI and their underlying gene networks have diverged. The study provides evidence for epigenetic plasticity in regulation of transcription, checkpoint signaling, and DNA replication timing.

Contrasting levels of molecular evolution on the mouse X chromosome, pp. 1841-1857

Erica L. Larson, Dan Vanderpool, Sara Keeble, Meng Zhou, Brice A. J. Sarver, Andrew D. Smith, Matthew D. Dean, and Jeffrey M. Good

Evolutionary theory predicts that the X chromosome should evolve rapidly under some conditions, particularly for genes involved in male reproduction. Larson et al. tested these predictions in mouse spermatogenesis. They found faster protein evolution late in spermatogenesis and faster-X protein evolution at all stages, while expression divergence was slower late on the X chromosome. They also found slower-X DNA methylation divergence in sperm. The authors propose that slower-late regulatory evolution is a consequence of strong constraints during sperm development.

Restriction of retrotransposon mobilization in Schizosaccharomyces pombe by transcriptional silencing and higher-order chromatin organization, pp. 1669-1678

Heather E. Murton, Patrick J. R. Grady, Tsun Ho Chan, Hugh P. Cam, and Simon K. Whitehall

Uncontrolled propagation of retrotransposons is potentially harmful to host genome integrity. Murton et al. reveal a novel host mechanism for controlling transposon mobilization through nuclear organization. The authors used a sensitive reporter assay to characterize the factors that suppress mobilization of an endogenous Tf2 LTR retrotransposon in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe. Their analysis suggests S. pombe deploys the clustering of Tf2 elements in concert with transcriptional silencing to suppress retrotransposition.

,
View all posts by Editorial Staff »

Read more in

  • Collage of 2021 Rosalind Franklin Award recipients

    Where are they now? Rosalind Franklin Young Investigator Award recipients share updates on their research

    Rosalind Franklin Young Investigator Award applications are open–make sure you submit your application or nomination of a colleague by September 30, 2024.

  • University of Minnesota researchers map genome of the last living wild horse species

    The study, published in G3: Genes|Genomes|Genetics, is part of larger conservation efforts to save Przewalski’s horse.

  • Congratulations to the Spring 2024 DeLill Nasser Awardees!

    GSA is pleased to announce the recipients of the DeLill Nasser Award for Professional Development in Genetics for Spring 2024! Given twice a year to graduate students and postdoctoral researchers, DeLill Nasser Awards support attendance at meetings and laboratory courses. The award is named in honor of DeLill Nasser, a long-time GSA supporter and National Science Foundation…

  • Carolyn Damilola headshot

    Carolyn Damilola: an NFS Rising Scientist on a lifelong quest to learn more

    Carolyn Damilola is an NFS Rising Scientist from Nigeria doing respiratory system research and paving the way for scientists from underrepresented communities through mentorship.

  • Text over a blue background image: Apply for up to $2,000 for your project from the Starter Culture Microgrant Program.

    What does a good microgrant proposal look like?

    Members of the Microgrant Review Committee share their tips for a successful proposal.

  • A blurred image of a human face is shown against a dark background.

    The first piece of the facial recognition puzzle

    New research in GENETICS gives a first peek at the molecular pathway involved in recognizing faces.

  • New Senior Editor Amy MacQueen joins GENETICS

    A new senior editor is joining GENETICS in the Genome Integrity and Transmission section. We’re excited to welcome Amy MacQueen to the editorial team.

  • Close up of an adult zebrafish with blue and white stripes in an aquarium with red lighting.

    Block party on the zebrafish sex chromosome

    Research in G3 identifies a gene regulatory block of the zebrafish genome responsible for overseeing the maternal-to-zygotic-transition.

  • Lemna Minor, the common duckweed

    Unraveling the mysteries of duckweed: epigenetic insights from Spirodela polyrhiza

    Research published in G3 offers insight into the impact of DNA methylation on clonal propagation in asexually reproducing plants.

  • Luciano Marraffini headshot

    A microbiologist’s quest to understand CRISPR in bacterial self-defense

    2024 Genetics Society of America Medal recipient Luciano Marraffini determined how CRISPR-Cas systems destroy genetic targets with precision, paving the way for gene editing technology development.

  • Elaine Ostrander headshot

    Unlocking mysteries of trait and disease heritability in dogs

    2024 Edward Novitski Prize recipient Elaine Ostrander, a pioneer of the domestic dog model, discovered numerous genes affecting dog size, morphology, behavior, and disease susceptibility—many of which have relevance in humans.

  • NSF-funded BIO-LEAPS Grant to Support Culture Change in Genetics

    GSA and collaborators Personal Genetics Education & Dialogue and Reclaiming STEM Institute launch NSF-funded BIO-LEAPS project to support culture change in genetics 

    We are thrilled to announce that the Genetics Society of America (GSA) is collaborating with the Personal Genetics Education & Dialogue (PGED) based in the Department of Genetics at Harvard Medical School, and the Reclaiming STEM Institute (RSI) on a Leading Culture Change Through Professional Societies of Biology (BIO-LEAPS) grant from the U.S. National Science…

  • Daman Saluja: Navigating Science and Policy in India

    In the Paths to Science Policy series, we talk to individuals who have a passion for science policy and are active in advocacy through their various roles and careers. The series aims to inform and guide early career scientists interested in science policy. This series is brought to you by the GSA Early Care­er Scientist…

  • Deborah Andrew headshot

    A fly geneticist’s journey into discovering rules of organ development

    2024 George W. Beadle Award recipient Deborah Andrew discovered new genes and pathways in Drosophila salivary gland organogenesis. Now, her work can help optimize cell secretion in therapeutic applications and fight malaria.

  • Małgorzata Gazda's headshot

    Małgorzata Gazda: How receiving the DeLill Nasser Award helped her land her dream job

    Have you ever experienced an event that changes the course of your life, or in this case, your career? Małgorzata (Gosia) Gazda is Assistant Professor at the University of Montreal and in 2022, she received the DeLill Nasser Award for Professional Development in Genetics, which she used to attend and present at the 2022 Population,…

  • Hongyu Zhao joins GENETICS as new Senior Editor

    A new senior editor is joining GENETICS in the Statistical Genetics and Genomics section. We’re excited to welcome Hongyu Zhao to the editorial team.

  • Julio Molina Pineda at TAGC 2024

    GSA Member Julio Molina Pineda Receives DeLill Nasser Award, Shines at TAGC 2024 

    “At any career stage, the GSA membership is an amazing investment for any genetics professional!” Julio Molina Pineda is a PhD Candidate in Cell and Molecular Biology and a Research Assistant at the University of Arkansas, and a Doctoral Academy Fellow at the Lewis Lab. In 2023, Julio was awarded the DeLill Nasser Award for…

  • Ed Grell at his dissecting microscope using ether to anesthetize his flies.

    In Memoriam: Ellsworth Herman Grell (1932–2023), a pioneer of Drosophila genome engineering and annotation

    Ellsworth (Ed) Grell blessed the Drosophila community through three enduring legacies: as a pioneer of chromosome mechanics, as a primary organizer and synthesizer of genetic knowledge in Drosophila, and as a graceful mentor to those fortunate to have known him personally. Ed grew up in rural Nebraska, completed his undergraduate studies at Iowa State, and…

  • Congratulations to the #Fungal24 Poster Award winners!

    We are pleased to announce the recipients of the GSA Poster Awards for posters presented at the 32nd Fungal Genetics Conference! Undergraduate and graduate student members of GSA were eligible for the awards, and a hard-working team of judges made the determinations. Congratulations to all! Felicia Ebot Ojong, The University of Georgia My research is focused…

  • Poster presentation tips for TAGC 2024

    You’ve been selected to present a poster at The Allied Genetics Conference 2024 in March—you’ve celebrated, made plans to attend, now what? This is an exciting opportunity to showcase your research and engage with fellow members of the genetics community, so you want to make sure you’re prepared. We wanted to offer you some tips…

  • Maximize your TAGC 2024 experience 

    A guide to all that National Harbor & DC have to offer Are you joining us for The Allied Genetics Conference 2024 in March? Make the most of your #TAGC24 experience in National Harbor! We know the science will keep you busy, but you deserve to unwind and have some fun, so we’ve curated a…

  • Early Career Leadership Spotlight: Sarah Petrosky

    We’re taking time to get to know the members of the GSA’s Early Career Scientist Committees. Join us to learn more about our early career scientist advocates. Sarah PetroskyMultimedia SubcommitteeUniversity of Pittsburgh Research Interest I am interested in understanding adaptation that has been happening recently in populations by dissecting the ways that genes underlying an adaptation…

  • TAGC 2024 Early Career Award Winners

    GSA is pleased to announce the winners of the early career awards presented at The Allied Genetics Conference 2024. These awards are specific to particular TAGC communities and recognize early career scientists’ outstanding work on their respective research organisms. The awardees will present their talks in keynote sessions at TAGC 2024.  Don’t miss the opportunity…

  • Preeminent geneticists recognized with revamped GSA Awards

    In 2022, GSA’s Board of Directors launched an audit to review the five major awards conferred by the Society. Today, we are thrilled to announce the recipients of the reimagined GSA Awards, including the new Genetics Society of America Early Career Medal. The scientists honored this year are recognized by their peers for their outstanding…

  • Fly Board funds outreach programs to spread the word about Drosophila research

    In 2020, the Fly Board voted to use part of its reserve fund to support efforts to increase trainee participation as well as equity and diversity in the Drosophila community. An awards committee decides how the money will be spent each year, and from 2020–2022, the committee posted a very broad call for applications from…

  • New members of the GSA Board of Directors: 2024–2026

    We are pleased to announce the election of four new leaders to the GSA Board of Directors: 2024 Vice President/2025 President Brenda Andrews Professor, University of Toronto It’s an honor to continue my association with the Society by serving as Vice President of the Board of Directors. I have broad knowledge of the ongoing activities…

  • The Fly Meeting is one-of-a-kind! Dros 2025 organizers share their excitement

    The 66th Annual Drosophila Research Conference promises to be a meeting rich with the latest in Drosophila research as well as opportunities to advance your career and connect with a global community of 1,400+ scientists. The organizers Todd Nystul, Michelle Bland, Leila Rieder, Amanda Crocker, and Justin Crocker are hard at work, planning a conference…

  • Early Career Leadership Spotlight: Olufemi Osonowo

    We’re taking time to get to know the members of the GSA’s Early Career Scientist Committees. Join us to learn more about our early career scientist advocates. Olufemi Adekunle OsonowoCareer Development SubcommitteeDalhousie University Research Interest Metabolomics and genomics are two distinct but complimentary approaches that offer valuable insights into the underlying mechanisms of complex traits, such…

  • Early Career Leadership Spotlight: Hector Mendoza

    We’re taking time to get to know the members of the GSA’s Early Career Scientist Committees. Join us to learn more about our early career scientist advocates. Hector MendozaCommunication and Outreach SubcommitteeUniversity of Michigan Research Interest My research goals converge around the evolution of sexual reproduction. During my doctoral program, I investigated mitochondrial inheritance, a mechanism…