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Volume 226, Issue 3, March 2024
Brief Investigations
Experimental Technologies and Resources
Critical view on oligo(dT)-based RNA-seq: bias arising, modeling, and mitigating
Investigation
Cellular Genetics
Dynein directs prophase centrosome migration to control the stem cell division axis in the developing Caenorhabditis elegans epidermis
Gene loss and cis-regulatory novelty shaped core histone gene evolution in the apiculate yeast Hanseniaspora uvarum
Hanseniaspora are a group of unicellular fungi primarily associated with vineyards and grape must. While much research has been conducted into their potential biotechnological applications, fewer studies have looked into their genetics and cell biology. Here, Haase, Steenwyk, and Boeke investigate the cell cycle progression and regulation of core histone genes in H. uvarum, revealing considerable differences to the well-known model yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
Gene Expression
Calcineurin contributes to RNAi-mediated transgene silencing and small interfering RNA production in the human fungal pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans
Genome Integrity and Transmission
rec-1 loss of function increases recombination in the central gene clusters at the expense of autosomal pairing centers
Bradysia (Sciara) coprophila larvae up-regulate DNA repair pathways and down-regulate developmental regulators in response to ionizing radiation
Centromere-proximal suppression of meiotic crossovers in Drosophila is robust to changes in centromere number, repetitive DNA content, and centromere-clustering
Heterozygosity alters Msh5 binding to meiotic chromosomes in the baker's yeast
Natural variation in the zinc-finger-encoding exon of Prdm9 affects hybrid sterility phenotypes in mice
Molecular Genetics of Development
Complex epistatic interactions between ELF3, PRR9, and PRR7 regulate the circadian clock and plant physiology
Population and Evolutionary Genetics
The fitness consequences of genetic divergence between polymorphic gene arrangements
A new hybrid incompatibility locus between Drosophila melanogaster and Drosophila sechellia
Through a newly-developed triple hybrid mapping method, Bladen, Cooper, Ridges et al. reveal the existence of a previously undiscovered hybrid lethal factor between D. melanogaster and its sister species D. sechellia. This study raises questions about whether new hybrid incompatibility genes can integrate into an existing hybrid incompatibility, or if the continued evolution of genes can strengthen an existing hybrid incompatibility.
Statistical Genetics and Genomics
Using encrypted genotypes and phenotypes for collaborative genomic analyses to maintain data confidentiality
Here, Zhao et al. introduce a data encryption method to promote open agricultural research while ensuring data privacy. This technique allows scientists to securely share and analyze genetic data without revealing sensitive information, thus providing a valuable tool for joint genomic studies both by facilitating collaboration and ensuring data confidentiality.