Volume 15, Issue 9, September 2025

A systems-level characterization of RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) is important for a comprehensive understanding of gene regulation during development. Here Peng and Murray updated a twelve-year-old RBP compendium in Caenorhabditis elegans to a current genome annotation. The authors annotated this compendium by integrating information about the expression and developmental importance of RBP genes from existing functional genomic resources. They found that many RBP genes are expressed in a highly specific manner, which emphasizes the potential for RBPs to contribute to cell type-specific gene regulation. Furthermore, RBPs are highly conserved, and their loss can result in a wide range of developmental defects.

Feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is considered hereditary, although genetic discovery is limited to specific breeds or small families. Kaplan et al. performed whole genome sequencing and RNA-sequencing in 138 and 42 cats, respectively, to identify novel variants and molecular signatures associated with disease. No single or combination of variants appeared to cause or modify disease in whole genome association testing, highlighting the complex disease genotype-phenotype relationship. Transcriptomic data revealed several differences in gene expression profiles between HCM-affected cats and controls that may serve useful in future investigations of feline precision medicine.

This study provides a comprehensive and accessible guide to Barcode Sequencing (Bar-seq), a powerful method for investigating gene-by-environment interactions across thousands of strains in parallel. Aimed at researchers in functional genomics, especially graduate trainees, Barazandeh et al. present detailed, platform-agnostic protocols for Bar-seq library preparation, sequencing, and data analysis. The authors also benchmark data quality across multiple sequencing platforms, offering practical insights into platform selection. Their results highlight the value of Bar-seq in uncovering functional relationships and drug-gene interactions at scale. This work serves as a resource for expanding the utility of pooled genomic assays in diverse experimental settings.

In this work, Torres et al. have developed an experimental design tool for GWAS studies, as well as implemented new methodology on complex traits of sorghum. The experiment took place during 3 years on Wellbrook Farm, Watkinsville, GA at the University of Georgia.

This study will interest plant scientists and crop geneticists seeking to understand tissue-specific gene regulation in maize. Using 1,771 RNA-seq datasets from seven tissues, Lei et al. constructed a multi-tissue gene regulation atlas, revealing that 59% of eQTLs are tissue-specific. The authors linked 74 genes to 30 agronomic traits, highlighting tissue-driven trait variation. Their findings enhance fine-mapping and functional annotation in plant genetics, providing valuable insights for improving complex trait studies in crops.