猪乳铁蛋白N叶(PLF-N)在毕赤酵母中的表达及抑菌活性鉴定

根据猪乳铁蛋白N叶(PLF-N)的蛋白序列和毕赤酵母(Pichia pastoris)密码子的偏嗜性,通过全基因合成法合成改造后的PLF-N基因片段,将其克隆到pGAPZα-A质粒中构建分泌型重组酵母表达载体 pGAPZα-A- PLF。pGAPZα-A- PLF 通过限制性内切酶Avr Ⅱ酶切线性化后,经电穿孔法转入毕赤酵母细胞SMD1168内。PCR检测结果发现,PLF-N基因与毕赤酵母染色体稳定结合,Zeocin抗性筛选,得到高拷贝转化子。在GAP启动子调控下,PLF-N重组蛋白获得分泌表达,其分子质量约为38 ku,上清表达量约为364 μg/mL。琼脂糖孔穴扩散法检测结果显示,该表达产物对革兰氏阴性菌和革兰氏阳性菌均具有较好的抑菌活性,且对大肠杆菌和金黄色葡萄球菌最小抑菌浓度(MIC)分别为12.5、25.0 μg/mL。     

潮霉素抗性基因筛选标记质粒的构建及LL37的表达

为了实现以潮霉素磷酸转移酶基因(hpt)为选择标记的质粒在毕赤酵母中高效表达抗菌肽LL37,在pGAPZαA质粒的基础上,通过EcoRⅤ、BamHⅠ双酶切将Zeocin抗性基因替换成潮霉素磷酸转移酶基因,获得的表达质粒命名为pGAPHαA。根据LL37氨基酸序列,通过毕赤酵母密码子偏嗜性改造,合成的LL37基因片段克隆到pGAPHαA质粒中,获得重组分泌型表达质粒pGAPHαA-LL37,线性化后电击转化毕赤酵母SMD1168,经潮霉素B筛选阳性转化子。72 h表达上清LL37蛋白含量约为167 μg /mL,表达产物耐热性好,对大肠杆菌DH5α、猪链球菌最小抑菌浓度分别为2.94、7.06 μg/mL。     

柞蚕溶菌酶真核表达系统的构建及重组蛋白纯化分析

利用甲醇营养型毕赤酵母对柞蚕溶菌酶进行高效重组表达。首先根据毕赤酵母密码子偏爱性对柞蚕溶菌酶成熟肽基因进行密码子优化,将优化后的基因序列ApLyz克隆至毕赤酵母分泌型表达载体pPICZαA中,构建重组表达载体pPICZαA-ApLyz。重组载体经电转化整合入毕赤酵母菌株GS115基因组中,并利用高质量浓度Zeocin(500μg/mL)抗性平板筛选得到高拷贝转化子。摇瓶发酵显示,甲醇诱导72 h后,高拷贝菌株发酵液中溶菌酶活性为450 U/mL(313 U/mg总蛋白),酶活约为单拷贝菌株的3.1倍。纯化后的重组柞蚕溶菌酶分子质量约14 kDa,酶活为3 870 U/mL,比酶活为20 262 U/mg。酶学性质分析显示,重组柞蚕溶菌酶的最适反应温度为40℃,最适反应pH为4.5,具有较好的热稳定性。     

抗菌肽LL-37在毕赤酵母SMD1168中的高效表达及活性鉴定

为获得高效表达的抗菌肽LL-37,根据人源抗菌肽LL-37的氨基酸序列,选择毕赤酵母(Pichia pastoris)密码子的偏嗜性,通过SOEing法改造合成LL-37基因片段,克隆到pGAPZαA质粒中,获得分泌型重组酵母表达载体pGAPZαA-LL-37。pGAPZαA-LL-37通过限制性内切酶AvrII酶切线性化后,经电穿孔法转入毕赤酵母细胞SMD1168。经Zeocin抗性筛选,得到高拷贝转化子,PCR检测表明LL-37基因与毕赤酵母染色体稳定结合。在GAP启动子调控下,LL-37蛋白获得分泌表达,其上清表达量约为237mg/L。表达产物耐热性强,在100℃条件下30min内仍保持一定的抗菌活性。表达产物对大肠杆菌DH5α、大肠杆菌D31和猪链球菌的最小抑菌浓度(MIC)分别为1.56μg/mL、3.12μg/mL和6.25μg/mL。     

重组猪圆环病毒2型Cap蛋白在毕赤酵母中的表达及免疫原性研究

为了获得在体外表达的猪圆环病毒2型(Porcine circovirus 2,PCV2)Cap蛋白,研究其免疫原性,试验根据GenBank公布的国内PCV2-Cap蛋白基因序列特点,结合毕赤酵母密码子偏好对Cap基因进行优化,合成目的基因后,构建分泌型表达载体pPIC9K-Cap,转化毕赤酵母GS115后,经诱导表达获得重组Cap蛋白。重组蛋白以50μg/只的剂量连续3次免疫豚鼠后检测抗体水平。结果表明:含有PCV2-Cap基因的质粒成功转化到酵母菌基因组中,重组酵母菌株在30℃,经1%甲醇诱导表达96 h后,培养液中能够检测到33 ku的重组蛋白,重组蛋白表达量为155μg/mL,占培养上清液总蛋白的9.362%,Western-blot试验结果显示重组蛋白具有良好的抗原活性。重组蛋白以50μg/只的剂量连续3次免疫豚鼠后,能够刺激豚鼠产生特异性抗体且与接种0.3头份/只剂量的市售PCV2灭活疫苗产生的抗体水平无显著差异(P0.05)。说明成功利用毕赤酵母表达系统分泌表达了PCV2-Cap蛋白,表达的重组蛋白具有良好的抗原活性。     

猪β-防御素1在毕赤酵母中的串联表达

猪β-防御素1(pBD1)是在猪体内广泛分布的一种抗菌肽,在猪的先天免疫系统中发挥重要的作用。本试验为实现pBD1在巴斯德毕赤酵母中的高效表达,根据pBD1基因的成熟肽序列和巴斯德毕赤酵母密码子的偏好性,设计合成pBD1三倍串联体(3pBD1)基因序列,将合成的目的基因克隆到表达载体pHLI-S1中,构建重组表达载体pHLI-S1-3pBD1,线性化后的pHLI-S1-3pBD1电转化至毕赤酵母宿主菌GS115,PCR鉴定阳性转化子,MM平板和MD平板鉴定Mut表型。将鉴定为阳性的Mut~+型重组酵母菌株进行甲醇诱导表达,SDS-PAGE分析表达上清液。结果显示,获得的重组酵母菌株为Mut~+表型,经甲醇诱导表达后,表达上清液中含有分子量为22 kDa的目的蛋白。结果表明,获得了能够表达3pBD1的重组巴斯德毕赤酵母。     

鸡IFN-α基因的多点突变及其在毕赤酵母中的高效表达

根据毕赤酵母基因的密码子选择偏爱性,在不改变其编码的氨基酸序列的前提下,对鸡IFN-α序列进行PCR介导的定点突变优化,将鸡IFN-α成熟肽序列中136～143位相近的4个Arg密码子和N端的6个稀有密码子突变为毕赤酵母高表达优越密码子,构建了含正确突变和未突变序列的克隆载体pMD-IFNm、pMD-IFN和酵母表达载体pPICZ-IFNm、pPICZ-IFN,电击转化毕赤酵母X-33菌株,经筛选、鉴定表明鸡IFN-α基因已整合到酵母基因组中.通过表达产物的抗病毒活性测定,筛选出突变与未突变高表达酵母转化子各1株.经密码子优化的突变重组酵母菌株PP-IFNm于BMMY培养基中诱导72 h上清中抗病毒活性单位可达410U/mL,其活性比未优化重组酵母株PP-IFN(48.33U/mL)提高了约10倍.     

猪蛔虫抗菌肽Cecropin P2 基因的真核表达及表达产物的抗菌活性研究

为获得猪蛔虫抗菌肽Cecropin P2基因并研究其抗菌功能,根据CecropinP2成熟肽的编码基因,人工合成3条寡聚核苷酸片段,经PCR获取Cecropin P2基因序列,成功构建了重组表达质粒pPIC9 K-Cecropin P2-His6并转化毕赤酵母GS115感受态细胞。转化子经MD、MM以及G418筛选,1%甲醇诱导表达,利用Tris tricine-SDS-PAGE对表达产物进行检测。体外抑菌试验表明,获得的重组蛋白对大肠杆菌和金黄色葡萄球菌均有较好的抑菌活性。本试验为抗菌肽的应用和新抗菌肽类药物的开发提供了必要的试验基础。     

重组犬α6干扰素的酵母表达及其抗病毒活性评价

试验旨在构建犬α6干扰素毕赤酵母表达系统,并对其进行优化和筛选,以期获得高活性的重组犬α6干扰素（CaIFN-α6）。根据CaIFN-α6基因序列,按毕赤酵母菌密码子偏好性对CaIFN-α6全基因序列进行优化与合成,用Xho Ⅰ和Not Ⅰ双酶切将其连接至载体pPICZαA中,构建pPICZαA-CaIFN-α6重组表达质粒,转化大肠杆菌DH5α感受态细胞。提取质粒pPICZαA-CaIFN-α6并线性化,电转入酵母感受态细胞X33中制备重组菌。采用甲醇进行诱导表达,收集上清,超滤浓缩,最终获得纯化的重组CaIFN-α6。利用BCA法测得纯化后的CaIFN-α6蛋白浓度为1.5 mg/mL,Western blotting分析表明CaIFN-α6蛋白具有良好的反应原性,SDS-PAGE显示其纯度约在95%以上,MDCK/VSV法检测其效价为2.37×10⁷ IU/mL,比活性为1.58×10⁷ IU/mg。结果表明犬α6干扰素在毕赤酵母pPICZαA表达载体系统中成功表达,且具有较高的生物活性,为后期的犬病毒病的临床预防与治疗提供了良好的支撑。     

重组犬α6干扰素的酵母表达及其抗病毒活性评价

试验旨在构建犬α6干扰素毕赤酵母表达系统,并对其进行优化和筛选,以期获得高活性的重组犬α6干扰素(CaIFN-α6)。根据CaIFN-α6基因序列,按毕赤酵母菌密码子偏好性对CaIFN-α6全基因序列进行优化与合成,用XhoⅠ和NotⅠ双酶切将其连接至载体pPICZαA中,构建pPICZαA-CaIFN-α6重组表达质粒,转化大肠杆菌DH5α感受态细胞。提取质粒pPICZαA-CaIFN-α6并线性化,电转入酵母感受态细胞X33中制备重组菌。采用甲醇进行诱导表达,收集上清,超滤浓缩,最终获得纯化的重组CaIFN-α6。利用BCA法测得纯化后的CaIFN-α6蛋白浓度为1.5 mg/mL,Western blotting分析表明CaIFN-α6蛋白具有良好的反应原性,SDS-PAGE显示其纯度约在95%以上,MDCK/VSV法检测其效价为2.37×10~7 IU/mL,比活性为1.58×10~7 IU/mg。结果表明犬α6干扰素在毕赤酵母pPICZαA表达载体系统中成功表达,且具有较高的生物活性,为后期的犬病毒病的临床预防与治疗提供了良好的支撑。     

白术、微米白术和白术多糖对断奶仔猪生长性能和肠道形态及微生态区系的影响

试验选用96头平均体重14.82 kg左右的杜×长×大断奶仔猪,随机分成4组,每组3栏,每栏8头(公母各半)。对照组饲喂基础日粮,试验1、2、3组分别添加1%80目白术、0.2%白术多糖和1%微米白术。试验期30 d。结果表明:在生长性能方面,与对照组相比,1%微米白术添加组可显著提高日增重(P0.05)、降低饲料增重比和腹泻率,而且效果优于1%80目白术组和0.2%白术多糖组,在肠道形态和肠道微生态区系方面,与对照组相比,日粮添加1%80目白术、0.2%白术多糖、1%微米白术均可不同程度的提高十二指肠和空肠的绒毛高度,加深十二指肠和空肠的隐窝深度,并且增加肠道微生态区系的多样性,其中以1%微米白术添加组的效果最佳。     

Prevalence and seasonal incidence of nematode parasites and fluke infections of sheep and goats in eastern Ethiopia

Sissay, M.M., Uggla, A. and Waller, P.J., XXXX. Prevalence and seasonal incidence of nematode parasites and fluke infections of sheep and goats in eastern Ethiopia. Tropical Animal Health and Production, XXXX. A 2-year abattoir survey was carried out to determine the prevalence, abundance and seasonal incidence of gastro-intestinal (GI) nematodes and trematodes (flukes) of sheep and goats in the semi-arid zone of eastern Ethiopia. During May 2003 to April 2005, viscera including liver, lungs and GI tracts were collected from 655 sheep and 632 goats slaughtered at 4 abattoirs located in the towns of Haramaya, Harar, Dire Dawa and Jijiga in eastern Ethiopia. All animals were raised in the farming areas located within the community boundaries for each town. Collected materials were transported within 24 h to the parasitology laboratory of Haramaya University for immediate processing. Thirteen species belonging to 9 genera of GI nematodes (Haemonchus contortus, Trichostrongylus axei, T. colubriformis, T. vitrinus, Nematodirus filicollis, N. spathiger, Oesophagostomum columbianum, O. venulosum, Strongyloides papillosus, Bunostomum trigonocephalum, Trichuris ovis, Cooperia curticei and Chabertia ovina), and 4 species belonging to 3 genera of trematodes (Fasciola hepatica, F. gigantica, Paramphistomum {Calicohoron} microbothrium and Dicrocoelium dendriticum) were recorded in both sheep and goats. All animals in this investigation were infected with multiple species to varying degrees. The mean burdens of adult nematodes were generally moderate in both sheep and goats and showed patterns of seasonal abundance that corresponded with the bi-modal annual rainfall pattern, with highest burdens around the middle of the rainy season. In both sheep and goats there were significant differences in the mean worm burdens and abundance of the different nematode species between the four geographic locations, with worm burdens in the Haramaya and Harar areas greater than those observed in the Dire Dawa and Jijiga locations. Similar seasonal variations were also observed in the prevalence of flukes. But there were no significant differences in the prevalence of each fluke species between the four locations. Overall, the results showed that Haemonchus, Trichostrongylus, Nematodirus, Oesophagostomum, Fasciola and Paramphistomum species were the most abundant helminth parasites of sheep and goats in eastern Ethiopia.     

Phase I evaluation of CCNU (lomustine) in tumor-bearing cats

1-(2-Chloroethyl)3-cyclohexyl-1-nitrosourea (CCNU) is an alkylating agent in the nitrosourea subclass. A prospective evaluation of CCNU was done to determine the maximally tolerated dosage of CCNU in tumor-bearing cats. Response data were obtained when available. Twenty-five cats were treated with CCNU at a dosage of 50-60 mg/m3 body surface area. Complete hematologic data were available for 13 cats. Neutropenia was the acute dose-limiting toxicity. The median neutrophil count at the nadir was 1,000 cells/microL (mean, 2,433 cells/microL; range, 0-9,694 cells/microL). The time of neutrophil nadir was variable, occurring 7-28 days after treatment, and counts sometimes did not return to normal for up to 14 days after the nadir. Based on these findings, a 6-week dosing interval and weekly hematologic monitoring after the 1st treatment with CCNU are recommended. The nadir of the platelet count may occur 14-21 days after treatment. The median platelet count at the nadir was 43,500 cells/microL. No gastrointestinal, renal, or hepatic toxicities were observed after a single CCNU treatment, and additional studies to evaluate the potential for cumulative toxicity should be performed. Five cats with lymphoma and 1 cat with mast cell tumor had measurable responses to CCNU. Phase II studies to evaluate antitumor activity should be completed with a dosing regimen of 50-60 mg/m3 every 6 weeks.     

Prevalence of gastric lesions in racing Alaskan sled dogs

Human and equine athletes are reported to have a high prevalence of gastric disease, and anecdotal evidence suggests a similar phenomenon applies to racing sled dogs. To investigate the prevalence of gastric disease in racing sled dogs, we conducted 2 gastroscopy studies on dogs competing in the annual Iditarod Sled Dog Race. A pilot study of dogs that were either dropped from the 2000 Iditarod Sled Dog Race because of illness or that finished the race indicated that, approximately 5 days after competing, 10 of 28 dogs (35%) had endoscopic evidence of gastric ulceration, erosion, or hemorrhage. The next year, an endoscopic study of 73 dogs participating in the 2001 Iditarod race was performed in order to evaluate a larger population of dogs. Data from 70 of these dogs could be used; 34 (48.5%) had ulceration, erosion, gastric hemorrhage, or some combination of these findings. When this group of 70 dogs was compared retrospectively to a control group of 87 dogs presented to the Texas A&M University (TAMU) Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, the Iditarod sled dogs had a significantly higher prevalence (P = .049) of gastric lesions. These findings suggest that, similar to athletes of other species, elite canine athletes have an increased prevalence of gastric disease compared to the canine population at large.     

Furosemide continuous rate infusion in the horse: evaluation of enhanced efficacy and reduced side effects

Continuous rate infusion (CRI) of furosemide in humans is considered superior to intermittent administration (IA). This study examined whether furosemide CRI, compared with IA, would increase diuretic efficacy with decreased fluid and electrolyte fluctuations and activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) in the horse. Five mares were used in a crossover-design study. During a 24-hour period, each horse received a total of 3 mg/kg furosemide by either CRI (0.12 mg/kg/h preceded by a loading dose of 0.12 mg/kg IV) or IA (1 mg/kg IV q8h). There was not a statistically significant difference in urine volume over 24 hours between methods; however, urine volume was significantly greater after CRI compared with IA during the first 8 hours ([median 25th percentile, 75th percentile]: 9.6 L [8.9, 14.4] for CRI versus 5.9 L [5.3, 6.0] for IA). CRI produced a more uniform urine flow, decreased fluctuations in plasma volume, and suppressed renal concentrating ability throughout the infusion period. Potassium, Ca, and Cl excretion was greater during CRI than IA (1,133 mmol [1.110, 1,229] versus 764 mmol [709, 904], 102.7 mmol [96.0, 117.2] versus 73.3 mmol [65.0, 73.5], and 1,776 mmol [1,657, 2.378] versus 1,596 mmol [1,457, 1,767], respectively). Elimination half-lives of furosemide were 1.35 and 0.47 hours for CRI and IA, respectively. The area under the excretion rate curve was 1,285.7 and 184.2 mL x mg/mL for CRI and IA, respectively. Furosemide CRI (0.12 mg/kg/h) for 8 hours, preceded by a loading dose (0.12 mg/kg), is recommended when profound diuresis is needed acutely in horses.     

Y‐chromosomal variation of local goat breeds of Turkey close to the domestication centre

Genetic variations in chromosome Y are enabling researchers to identify paternal lineages, which are informative for introgressions and migrations. In this study, the male‐specific region markers, sex‐determining region‐Y (SRY), amelogenin (AMELY) and zinc finger (ZFY) were analysed in seven Turkish native goat breeds, Angora, Kilis, Hair, Honaml?, Norduz, Gürcü and Abaza. A SNP in the ZFY gene defined a new haplotype Y2C. All domestic haplogroups originate from Capra aegagrus, while the finding of Y1A, Y1B, Y2A and Y2C in 32, 4, 126 and 2 Turkish domestic goats, respectively, appears to indicate a predomestic origin of the major haplotypes. The occurrence of four haplotypes in the Hair goat and, in contrast, a frequency of 96% of Y1A in the Kilis breed illustrate that Y‐chromosomal variants have a more breed‐dependent distribution than mitochondrial or autosomal DNA. This probably reflects male founder effects, but a role in adaptation cannot be excluded.     

The Epidemiology of Gastrointestinal Nematodes of Dairy Cattle in Central Kenya

The epidemiology of H. placei and of other gastrointestinal nematodes in yearling dairy cattle was examined on two farms in Kiambu District, central Kenya during each of 13 one-month periods from April 1993 to April 1994. On each farm, 32 newly weaned dairy calves were given a single dose of albendazole and then placed on experimental pastures. Twelve of the animals were designated for bi-monthly slaughter (n = 2) and analysis of worm population characteristics and 20 were designated for blood and faecal collection and for weighing. Two parasite-free tracer calves were grazed alongside the weaner calves each month throughout the study period and were also slaughtered for analysis of worm populations. Faecal egg counts, haematological and serum pepsinogen determinations, herbage larval counts, and animal live weight changes were recorded monthly. The study revealed that Haemonchus placei, Trichostrongylus axei, Cooperia spp. and Oesophagostomum radiatum were responsible for parasitic gastroenteritis and that H. placei was the predominant nematode present in the young cattle on both farms. Faecal egg counts from resident cattle and necropsy worm counts revealed that pasture larval levels were directly related to the amount of rainfall. The total worm burdens in the animals were highest during the rainy season (March–June and October–December) and lowest during the dry seasons (July–September and January–February). The very low recovery of immature larvae of H. placei from the tracer calves indicated that arrested development is not a feature of the life cycle of this parasite in central Kenya. The maintenance of the parasite population depended on continuous cycling of infection between the host and the pasture. The agroclimatic conditions of the study area were such that, in general, favourable weather conditions for the development and survival of the free-living stages of gastrointestinal nematodes existed all year round.     

Diversity of Ectoparasites in Sheep Flocks in Sa~o Paulo,Brazil

The occurrence of ectoparasites in sheep flocks is frequently reported but seldom quantified. Sheep production used to be a predominantly family activity in the state of Sa~o Paulo (Brazil), but it began to become a commercial activity in the past decade. Thus, information about the ectoparasites existing in sheep flocks has become necessary. The present data were obtained by means of questionnaires sent to all sheep breeders belonging to the `Associaça~o Paulista de Criadores de Ovinos' (ASPACO; Sa~o Paulo State Association of Sheep Breeders). Response reliability was tested by means of random visits paid to 10.6% of the respondents. Most of the properties (89.5%) reported the presence of one or more ectoparasites. Screw-worm (Cochliomyia hominivorax) was the most frequent ectoparasite (72.5%), followed by bot fly larvae (Dermatobia hominis, 45.0%), ticks (Amblyomma cajennense) and Boophilus microplus, 31.3%) and finally lice (Damalinia ovis, 13.8%). Combined infestations also occurred, the most common one being screw-worm with bot fly larvae (36.0%) followed by bot fly larvae with ticks (13.9%), screw-worm with ticks (9.3%), bot fly larvae with lice (6.9%), and ticks with lice (5.0%). The most common triple combination was screw-worm, bot fly larvae and ticks (12.8%). Breeds raised for meat or wool were attacked by bot fly larvae and ticks more often than other breeds. Lice were only absent from animals of indigenous breeds. The relationships among these ectoparasites are discussed in terms of sheep breeds, flock size, seasonality and the ectoparasitic combinations on the host.     

Feline intracranial neoplasia: retrospective review of 160 cases (1985-2001)

The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency of different tumor types within a large cohort of cats with intracranial neoplasia and to attempt to correlate signalment, tumor size and location, and survival time for each tumor. Medical records of 160 cats with confirmed intracranial neoplasia evaluated between 1985 and 2001 were reviewed. Parameters evaluated included age, sex, breed, FeLV/FIV status, clinical signs, duration of signs, number of tumors, tumor location(s), imaging results, treatment, survival times, and histopathologic diagnosis. Most of the cats were older (11.3 +/- 3.8 years). Primary tumors accounted for 70.6% of cases. Metastasis and direct extension of secondary tumors accounted for only 5.6 and 3.8% of cases, respectively. Twelve cats (7.5%) had 2 or more discrete tumors of the same type, whereas 16 cats (10.0%) had 2 different types of intracranial tumors. The most common tumor types were meningioma (n = 93, 58.1%), lymphoma (n = 23, 14.4%), pituitary tumors (n = 14, 8.8%), and gliomas (n = 12, 7.5%). The most common neurological signs were altered consciousness (n = 42, 26.2%), circling (n = 36, 22.5%), and seizures (n = 36, 22.5%). Cats without specific neurological signs were common (n = 34, 21.2%). The tumor was considered an incidental finding in 30 (18.8%) cats. In addition to expected relationships (eg, meninges and meningioma, pituitary and pituitary tumors), we found that lesion location was predictive of tumor type with diffuse cerebral or brainstem involvement predictive of lymphoma and third ventricle involvement predictive of meningioma.