miR-34c inhibits proliferation and enhances apoptosis in immature porcine Sertoli cells by targeting the SMAD7 gene

MicroRNAs(miRNAs) are implicated in swine spermatogenesis via their regulations of cell proliferation, apoptosis, and differentiation. Recent studies indicated that miR-34 c is indispensable in the late steps of spermatogenesis. However, whether miR-34 c plays similar important roles in immature porcine Sertoli cells remain unknown. In the present study, we conducted two experiments using a completely randomised design to study the function roles of miR-34 c. The results from experiment I demonstrated that the relative expression level of miR-34 c in swine testicular tissues increased(P=0.0017) quadratically with increasing age, while the relative expression level of SMAD family member 7(SMAD7) decreased(P=0.0009) with curve. Furthermore, miR-34 c expression levels showed a significant negative correlation(P=0.013) with SMAD7 gene expression levels. The results from experiment II indicated that miR-34 c directly targets the SMAD7 gene using a luciferase reporter assay, and suppresses(P0.05) SMAD7 mRNA and protein expressions in immature porcine Sertoli cells. Overexpression of miR-34 c inhibited(P0.05) proliferation and enhanced(P0.05) apoptosis in the immature porcine Sertoli cells, which was supported by the results from the Cell Counting Kit-8(CCK-8) assay, the 5-Ethynyl-2′-deoxyuridine(EdU) assay, and the Annexin V-FITC/PI staining assay. Furthermore, knockdown of SMAD7 via small interfering RNA(siR NA) gave a similar result. It is concluded that miR-34 c inhibits proliferation and enhances apoptosis in immature porcine Sertoli cells by targeting the SMAD7 gene.     

Cold plasma promotes Sertoli cell proliferation via AMPK–mTOR signaling pathway

This study investigated cold plasmas for multiple biological applications. Our previous work has found dielectric barrier discharge plasma improves chicken sperm quality. The number of Sertoli cells (SCs) decides spermatogenesis. However, whether cold plasma can regulate SC proliferation remains unclear. This study explored the effects of cold plasma on immature chicken SC proliferation and the regulation mechanism. Results showed that cold plasma exposure at 2.4 W for 30 s twice with an interval of 6 h produced (P<0.05) the maximum SC viability, cell growth, and cell cycle progression. SC proliferation-promoting effect of cold plasma treatment was regulated by increasing (P<0.05) the adenosine triphosphate production and the respiratory enzyme activity in the mitochondria. This process was potentially mediated by the adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK)–mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway, which was regulated by the microRNA (miRNA) targeting regulation directly and by the intracellular reactive oxygen species homeostasis indirectly. The cold plasma treatment increased (P<0.01) the miR-7450-5p expression and led to a decreased (P<0.01) AMPKα1 level. On the other hand, miR-100-5p expression was reduced (P<0.05) and led to an increased (P<0.05) mTOR level in SCs. A single-stranded synthetic miR-7450-5p antagomir and a double-stranded synthetic miR-100-5p agomir reduced (P<0.05) the SC proliferation. However, this could be ameliorated (P<0.05) by the cold plasma treatment. Our findings suggest that appropriate cold plasma treatment provides a safe strategy to improve SC proliferation, which is beneficial to elevating male chicken reproductive capacity.     

NH4Cl promotes apoptosis and inflammation in bovine mammary epithelial cells via the circ02771/miR-194b/TGIF1 axis

Excess ammonia (NH₃) in the circulation of dairy animals can reduce animal health and the quality of products for human consumption. To develop effective prevention and treatment methods, it is essential to examine the molecular mechanisms through which excess NH₃ may affect the mammary gland. The present study used bovine mammary epithelial cells (BMECs) to evaluate the effects of exogenous NH₄Cl on the abundance of circular RNAs (circRNAs) using high-throughput sequencing. Among the identified circRNAs, circ02771 was the most significantly upregulated by exogenous NH₄Cl (P<0.05), with a fold change of 4.12. The results of the apoptosis and proliferation assays, transmission electron microscopy, H&E staining, and immunohistochemistry revealed that circ02771 increased apoptosis and inflammation. A double luciferase reporter assay revealed that circ02771 targeted miR-194b, and the overexpression of circ02771 (pcDNA-circ02771) reduced (P<0.05) the expression of miR-194b and led to apoptosis and inflammation. Circ02771 also enhanced the expression of transforming growth factor beta-induced factor homeobox 1 (TGIF1), which is a target gene of miR-194b. Overall, this study suggests that the circ02771/miR-194b/TGIF1 axis plays a role in mediating the effects of NH₄Cl on BMECs. Therefore, this axis provides a novel target to help control hazards within the mammary gland from high circulating NH₄Cl levels.     

miR-99a-5p inhibits target gene FZD5 expression and steroid hormone secretion from goat ovarian granulosa cells

MicroRNA (miRNA) has vital regulatory effects on the proliferation, differentiation and secretion of ovarian granulosa cells, but the role of miR-99a-5p in goat ovarian granulosa cells (GCs) is unclear. Both miR-99a-5p and Frizzled-5 (FZD5) were found to be expressed in GCs in goat ovaries via fluorescence in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry, respectively, and FZD5 was verified (P<0.001) as a target gene of miR-99a-5p by double luciferase reporter gene experiments. Furthermore, FZD5 mRNA and protein expression were both found to be regulated (P<0.05) by miR-99a-5p in GCs. Moreover, the overexpression of miR-99a-5p or knockdown of FZD5 suppressed (P<0.05) estradiol and progesterone secretion from the GCs, as determined by ELISA. In summary, miR-99a-5p inhibits target gene FZD5 expression and estradiol and progesterone synthesis in GCs. Our study thus provides seminal data and new insights into the regulatory mechanisms of follicular development in the goat and other animals.     

Knockdown of the Meq gene in Marek's disease tumor cell line MSB1 might induce cell apoptosis and inhibit cell proliferation and invasion

Marek's disease (MD), a highly cell-associated and contagious disease of chickens caused by Marek's disease virus (MDV) can result in neural lesions, immunosuppression and neoplasia in chicken. The Meq gene is an important oncogene in the MDV genome, and it is expressed highly in MD tumor tissues and MD T-lymphoblastoid cell lines. An experiment was conducted to elucidate the role of Meq in MD tumor transformation. RNA interference technology was used to block its expression, and then analyzed the biological effects of Meq knockdown on the MD tumor cell line MSB1. A small interfering RNA with an interference efficiency of 70% (P<0.01) was transfected into MSB1 cells to knock down the expression of Meq gene. The cell proliferation, cycle and apoptosis were detected post-Meq knockdown. The results showed that MSB1 cell proliferation was downregulated remarkably at 48 h (P<0.01), 60 h (P<0.05) and 72 h (P<0.01) post-Meq knockdown. The cell cycle was unaffected (P>0.05). B-cell lymphoma 2 gene (BCL2) was anti-apoptotic and caspase-6 was the effector in the apoptosis pathway. The activity of caspase-6 was upregulated (P<0.05) significantly and BCL2 gene expression was downregulated (P<0.05) significantly post-Meq knockdown, suggesting cell apoptosis might be induced. MSB1 cell migration did not exhibit any obvious change (P>0.05) post-Meq knockdown, but the expression of two genes (matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2) and MMP9) that are correlated closely to cell invasion was downregulated (P<0.05) remarkably post-Meq knockdown. The Meq knockdown might affect the main features of tumorous cells, including proliferation, apoptosis, and invasion, suggesting that the Meq gene might play a crucial role in interfering with lymphomatous cell transformation.     

17β-Estradiol Regulates Cultured Immature Boar Sertoli Cell Proliferation via the cAMP-ERK1/2 Pathway and the Estrogen Receptor β

Estrogen plays an important role in regulating Sertoli cell number in the testis. The objective of the study was to identify whether 17β-estradiol affected the proliferation of cultured, immature boar Sertoli cells via the estrogen receptor β （ERβ） and the cAMP-extracellular signal-regulated kinase （ERK1/2） pathway. Low levels （10-10-10-8 mol L-1） of 17β-estradiol increased cell number, but high levels （10-7-10-6 mol L-1） decreased it （P〈0.05）. Sertoli cell number began to recover for an additional 24 h in the medium without 17β-estradiol （10-6 mol L-l） （P〉0.05）. The effects of 17β-estradiol （10-9 mol L-1） peaked at the first 24 h （P〈0.05）. 17β-estradiol activated ERK1/2 from 5 min to 24 h, but the activiy of ERK1/2 began to decrease after 4 h. Both PD98059 and U0126, two ERK inhibitors, blocked cell division （P〈0.05）. 17β-estradiol （10-10-10-6 mol L-1） dose-dependently increased cAMP production （P 〈 0.05）, and both 17β-estradiol （10-9 mol L-1） and forskolin, which increases cAMP levels, induced cell proliferation and activated ERK1/2 （P〈 0.05）. Rp-cAMP, an antagonist of cAMP, blocked this 17β-estradiol activity （P〈 0.05）. Two estrogen receptor antagonists, ICI 182780 and ERβ antagonist （ERβAnt）, reduced Sertoli cell number, cAMP production and ERK1/2 activation （P〈 0.05）, but ERaAnt did not （P〉 0.05）. Therefore, 17β- estradiol mainly promotes pig Sertoli cell proliferation via ERβ to induce cAMP production and ERK activation to promote cell proliferation.     

17β-Estradiol Regulates SKP2 Expression in Cultured Immature Boar Sertoli Cells Mainly via Estrogen Receptor β, cAMP-PKA and ERK1/2

Estrogen plays an important role in regulating testicular Sertoli cell number. Furthermore, S-phase kinase-associated protein 2 （SKP2） plays a central role in mammalian cell cycle progression. The objective of this study was to determine whether 17β-estradiol can regulate the expression of SKP2, and the Sertoli cell cycle, via estrogen receptor β （ERβ）, the cyclic adenosine monophosphate （cAMP）-protein kinase A （PKA） and extracellular signal-regulated kinase （ERK1/2） pathway. When cultured immature boar Sertoli cells were treated with 17β-estradiol, a time-dependent increase in SKP2 mRNA and protein level was observed by real-time PCR and Western blot, and 17β-estradiol activity peaked at 30 min. Treatment with ICI182780 and ERβ antagonist reduced 17β-estradiol-induced expression of SKP2 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen （PCNA）, while increasing the protein concentration of p27kip1. However, the effect of ERa antagonist on these parameters was lower than that of ICI 182780 and ERβ. Forskolin had a similar effect as 17β-estradiol on the expression of SKP2, PCNA and p27kip1, Rp-cAMP, H-89 and U0126 treatment reduced 17β-estradiol-induced changes, while H-89 also inhibited ERK1/2 activation. Therefore, 17β-estradiol mainly regulates SKP2 mRNA and protein expression via ERβ-cAMP-PKA and ERK1/2 activation. SKP2 and PCNA expression were positively correlated, while increased SKP2 expression likely resulted in p27kip1 degradation.     

Analysis of DNA methylation of CD79B in MDV-infected chicken spleen

Marek's disease (MD), an immunosuppressive disease induced by Marek's disease virus (MDV), provides an ideal model for studying diseases caused by a carcinogenic virus. CD79B is a B-cell antigen receptor complex-associated protein β-chain precursor which is involved in the activation, proliferation, differentiation of B-cell and the transmission of downstream signals. This study analyzed CD79B gene mRNA expression and methylation by two schemes #20 (5´ flanking to intron 1) and #27 (intron 2 to intron 3), between MDV-infected tumorous spleens (TS) and non-infected spleens (NS). Results showed that average methylation levels of CpGs in #20 and #27 were higher in TS than in NS (P<0.05), while, CD79B mRNA expression was lower in TS than in NS (P<0.01). Six of 40 CpG sites showed significantly (P<0.05) different methylation levels between TS and NS. Correlation analysis showed that the average methylation level rather than a single site methylation level in #20 affected (P<0.05) mRNA expression. Collectively, it was found that the change of CD79B gene expression after MDV infection might be partly explained by modification of DNA methylation.     

miR-192在尼罗罗非鱼应答碱度胁迫中的表达及靶基因

采用实时荧光定量、生物信息学、双荧光素酶报告和体内miRNA抑制的方法,探究miR-192在尼罗罗非鱼（Oreochromis niloticus）应答碳酸盐碱度胁迫中的作用。结果如下：（1）实时荧光定量PCR实验表明,在急性碱度胁迫（6 g/L NaHCO₃）尼罗罗非鱼6 h后,鳃组织中miR-192的表达显著下调,溶质转运蛋白基因（solute carriers16A7,SLC16A7）表达显著上调（P<0.05）;（2）借助生物信息分析预测到SLC16A7可能是miR-192的靶基因;（3）利用双荧光素酶报告实验发现miR-192会与SLC16A7的3''UTR结合;（4）体内对miR-192抑制后,SLC16A7的表达显著上调（P<0.05）。证实了miR-192参与了尼罗罗非鱼应答碱度胁迫中的调控过程,SLC16A7是miR-192的直接靶基因,为探明miRNAs调控尼罗罗非鱼应答碱度胁迫的分子机制提供了一定的依据。     

内皮素3对不同毛色绵羊黑色素细胞的影响

【目的】探索内皮素3(EDN3)对来源于不同毛色体外培养的黑色素细胞产生黑色素作用机制及差异的影响。【方法】体外培养不同毛色皮肤来源的黑色素细胞,通过MTT法检测不同细胞在EDN3影响下的增殖率,分别提取两种细胞的总RNA和总蛋白,总RNA经反转录合成c DNA,采用实时荧光定量PCR方法检测EDN3对两种细胞内EDNRB、NRas及TYR在m RNA水平相对表达量的影响,总蛋白通过Western blot方法检测EDN3对两种细胞内EDNRB、NRas及TYR在蛋白水平的表达量是否发生变化,结果均使用SPSS19.0软件进行差异显著性分析。【结果】MTT法测得EDN3对黑白两种来源的黑色素细胞的增殖均产生促进作用,实时荧光定量PCR结果显示添加EDN3的白色来源细胞内EDNRB m RNA的相对表达量是正常细胞组的1.7992倍,NRas是正常细胞组的1.8536倍差异极显著(P0.01),但TYR m RNA的相对表达量未发生明显变化;添加EDN3的黑色来源细胞内EDNRB m RNA的相对表达量是正常细胞组的2.2512倍,NRas是正常细胞组的1.3859倍,TYR是正常细胞组的15.5710倍差异极显著(P0.01);Western blot结果显示添加EDN3的白色来源细胞内EDNRB蛋白表达量是正常细胞组的3.0827倍差异极显著(P0.01),NRas是正常细胞组的1.2936倍差异显著(P0.05),TYR蛋白表达量未发生明显变化;添加EDN3的黑色来源细胞内EDNRB蛋白表达量是正常细胞组的3.9800倍差异极显著(P0.01),NRas是正常细胞组的1.3658倍差异显著(P0.05),TYR是正常细胞组的1.8498倍差异显著(P0.05)。【结论】EDN3促进白色来源的黑色素细胞增殖但对色素合成的限速酶TYR未产生促进作用;EDN3促进黑色来源的黑色素细胞增殖并可能促进黑色素生成。     

A 314-bp SINE insertion in the ZNF2 promoter region may act as a repressor related to regulation of fat deposition in pigs

Retrotransposons, a type of DNA fragment that can mobilize itself on genome, can generate genetic variations and develop for molecular markers based on the insertion polymorphism. Zinc finger proteins (ZNFs) are among the most abundant proteins in eukaryotic animals, and their functions are extraordinarily diverse and particularly important in gene regulation. In the current study, bioinformatic prediction was performed to screen for retrotransposon insertion polymorphisms (RIPs) in six ZNF genes (ZNF2, ZNF3, ZNF7, ZNF8, ZNF10 and ZNF12). Six RIPs in these ZNFs, including one short interspersed nuclear element (SINE) RIP in intron 1 and one long interspersed nuclear element 1 (L1) RIP in intron 3 of ZNF2, one SINE RIP in 5′ flanking region and one SINE RIP in intron 2 of ZNF3, one SINE RIP in 3′ UTR of ZNF7 and one L1 RIP in intron 2 of ZNF12, were discovered and their presence was confirmed by PCR. The impact of the SINE RIP in the first intron of ZNF2, which is close to the core promoter of ZNF2, on the gene activity was investigated by dual-luciferase assay in three cell lines. Our results showed that the SINE insertion in the intron 1 of ZNF2 repressed the core promoter activity extremely significantly (P<0.01) in cervical cancer cells and porcine primary embryonic fibroblasts (HeLa and PEF), thus SINE may act as a repressor. This SINE RIP also significantly (P<0.05) affected the corrected back fat thickness in Yorkshire pigs. The corrected back fat thickness of individuals with SINE insertion in the first intron of ZNF2 was significantly (P<0.05) higher than that of individuals without SINE insertion. In summary, our data suggested that RIPs play important roles in the genetic variations of these ZNF genes and SINE RIP in the intron 1 of ZNF2 may provide a useful molecular marker for the screening of fat deposition in the pig breeding.     

抗脂肪细胞膜蛋白多克隆抗体对猪脂类和内分泌代谢的影响

 给15kg体重仔猪分别腹腔注射0,10,20,30mg抗脂肪细胞膜蛋白多克隆抗体。结果显示,抗脂肪细胞膜蛋白抗体可显著提高血清脂蛋白脂酶（LPL）的活性和低密度脂蛋白（LDL）的含量（P<0.05）,降低游离脂肪酸（FFA）和极低密度脂蛋白（VLDL）的含量（P<0.05）,对血清总脂、甘油三酯（TG）、血清总胆固醇（CHO）和高密度脂蛋白（HDL）的含量无明显影响（P>0.05）。此外,该抗体可显著降低血清胰岛素（Ins）的水平（P<0.05）,提高三碘甲状腺原氨酸（T3）的水平（P<0.05）,而对血清生长激素（GH）和胰岛素样生长因子-1（IGF-1）的水平无明显影响（P>0.05）。表明抗脂肪细胞膜蛋白抗体可通过影响血液脂类代谢和激素的水平而减少体内脂肪沉积。     

miR-31-5p对山羊毛囊干细胞增殖和凋亡的影响

【目的】长江三角洲白山羊是我国及世界上唯一能生产优质笔料毛的山羊品种,课题组前期转录组测序结果表明：在优质笔料毛与非优质笔料毛个体皮肤组织中,MAP3K1的表达水平存在显著差异。探究优质笔料毛性状形成过程中与MAP3K1相互作用的关键miRNAs及其对山羊毛囊干细胞增殖和凋亡的影响,为长江三角洲白山羊的分子选育提供理论依据。【方法】通过生物信息学网站（StrBase、miRDB、TargetScan、miRWalk、DAVID、KEGG、RNAhybrid）预测、筛选与MAP3K1具有靶向关系的miRNAs,利用在线网站Venny 2.1绘制韦恩图。通过构建miR-31-5p过表达载体,MAP3K1、RASA1野生型和突变型双荧光素酶报告基因载体,验证miR-31-5p与MAP3K1、RASA1之间的靶向关系,并结合qPCR和Western Blot技术检测过表达后miR-31-5p对MAP3K1、RASA1 mRNA和蛋白表达水平的影响。为探究过表达miR-31-5p后对细胞增殖、凋亡的影响,分析了转染miR-31-5p后毛囊干细胞内增殖相关基因（PCNA, CDK1, CCND2）、抗凋亡基因（Bcl-2）和促凋亡基因（Bax）的mRNA和蛋白表达水平;同时结合CCK-8,EdU,流式细胞术等方法验证过表达miR-31-5p对毛囊干细胞活力、细胞周期以及凋亡的影响。【结果】通过数据库共同预测到3个可能与MAP3K1相作用的miRNAs,结合现有miRNAs在皮肤和毛囊细胞上研究,最终选用评分相对较高的miR-31-5p作为研究对象。转染miR-31-5p后检测细胞内的miR-31-5p的相对表达量,发现miR-31-5p表达含量极显著高于对照组及空白载体组（P<0.01）;双荧光素酶报告基因结果显示过表达miR-31-5p可促使MAP3K1活性升高（P<0.01）,结合TargetScan、KEGG数据库预测发现miR-31-5p可靶向MAPK信号通路中位于MAP3K1的上游抑制因子RASA1。过表达miR-31-5p抑制了RASA1的活性（P<0.01）;同时,qPCR及Western Blot表明：过表达miR-31-5p后显著抑制RASA1的mRNA和蛋白表达,促进了MAP3K1的表达（P<0.01）。CCK-8结果显示过表达miR-31-5p后提高了细胞增殖能力（P<0.01）,通过EdU染色发现过表达miR-31-5p后,EdU阳性细胞率显著高于空白组（P<0.01）,促进细胞增殖;细胞周期数据说明过表达miR-31-5p后, G1/G0期细胞所占比例为52.23%,显著低于Control组（56.81%,P<0.01）,减缓了G1/G0期细胞阻滞,而S期和G2/M期差异不显著,但仍有上升趋势。通过细胞凋亡试验发现过表达miR-31-5p组活细胞率为93.8%,总凋亡率为4.9%,而空白组活细胞率仅为90.1%,总凋亡率为8.41%,说明在过表达miR-31-5p后细胞凋亡率明显下降（P<0.05）;最后检测miR-31-5p对增殖和凋亡相关基因的影响,发现过表达miR-31-5p后显著提高了增殖相关基因、抗凋亡基因（Bcl-2）的mRNA和蛋白表达水平（P<0.05）,降低了促凋亡基因（Bax）的mRNA和蛋白表达水平。最终根据所研究出的结果绘制miR-31-5p在毛囊干细胞中的分子作用机制图。【结论】 miR-31-5p通过靶向抑制MAPK信号通路中的RASA1,上调MAP3K1表达水平,进而促进毛囊干细胞增殖并抑制其凋亡,为进一步阐明调控长江三角洲白山羊优质笔料毛性状的分子形成机制提供理论依据。     

MiR-433-3p靶向调节绵羊BCKDHB表达

【目的】通过理论预测与试验验证,旨在揭示miR-433-3p对BCKDHB的调节机制。【方法】利用Target Scan、miRanda和DIANA-micro T 3个在线软件,以BCKDHB的序列预测与BCKDHB有靶标关系的相关miRNAs。为了验证理论上的预测结果,用设计好的BCKDHB 3′-UTR的特异性引物进行PCR扩增,得到目的片段并进行割胶回收和纯化,并将Pmir-GLO与目的片段同时使用Xho Ⅰ和Xba Ⅰ两个限制性内切酶进行双酶切,再用T4连接酶连接双酶切之后的目的片段和Pmir-GLO,成功构建BCKDHB 3′-UTR的双荧光素酶报告载体。从公司购买miR-433-3p的过表达载体mimics和阴性对照载体NC,设置miR-433-3p过表达、阴性对照、空白对照3个组,分别将2组载体和双荧光素酶报告载体利用lipofectamineTM3000转染试剂共转染至miR-433-3p过表达、阴性对照组的HEK-293T细胞中,空白对照组中的HEK-293T细胞正常培养,之后分别检测3组细胞中的荧光活性,得到萤火虫荧光素酶活性和海肾荧光素酶活性,以海肾荧光素酶活性为内参计算萤火虫荧光素酶的相对活性。便于了解miR-433-3p和BCKDHB在绵羊前体脂肪细胞中的调控机制,对采取的绵羊尾部前体脂肪细胞进行离体培养。用过表达miR-433-3p的方法探索miR-433-3p在绵羊前体脂肪细胞中对BCKDHB的调控,提取过表达miR-433-3p前后细胞的总RNA和总蛋白,利用RT-qPCR检测过表达miR-433-3p前后的miR-433-3p和BCKDHB m RNA的表达量、以及利用Western blotting技术检测BCKDHB在过表达前后的蛋白水平。为了解绵羊前体脂肪细胞分化过程中BCKDHB和miR-433-3p表达量的变化,用RT-qPCR检测前体脂肪细胞分化过程中BCKDHB和miR-433-3p的时序表达。为增加结果的可信度,还对分化过程中不同时段的细胞进行了照片采集和油红O染色。【结果】miR-433-3p在BCKDHB3′-UTR的第8—28个碱基处存在理论上的结合位点。通过比较过表达组,阴性对照组,对照组的相对荧光活性发现过表达miR-433-3p后,BCKDHB 3′-UTR重组双荧光载体的相对荧光活性降低(P0.01),说明miR-433-3p可以与BCKDHB 3′-UTR特异性结合,验证了预测结果的准确性。在绵羊前体脂肪细胞中过表达miR-433-3p后,通过比较过表达组和阴性对照组BCKDHB的m RNA和蛋白的相对表达量,发现过表达组BCKDHB m RNA和蛋白的相对表达量低于阴性对照组(P0.05),说明miR-433-3p在绵羊前体脂肪细胞中对BCKDHB有负调控作用。在诱导绵羊前体脂肪细胞分化为成熟脂肪细胞的过程中,从采集到的图片和油红O染色的结果发现此过程中脂滴聚积得越来越多,油红O染色验证了脂滴的聚集。另外,在分化过程中检测到miR-433-3p和BCKDHB m RNA的表达量呈现负相关关系。【结论】这些结果充分说明miR-433-3p通过与BCKDHB 3′-UTR的结合负调节该基因及其编码蛋白的表达,为进一步研究BCKDHB调节绵羊脂肪代谢的分子机理提供了科学依据。     

miR-221-3p靶向BCL2L11调控小尾寒羊卵泡颗粒细胞凋亡

【目的】BCL2L11在哺乳动物中能够促进多种细胞凋亡,同时参与繁殖性状相关组织器官的发育及疾病治疗,文章利用分子生物学方法探究miR-221-3p靶向调控BCL2L11对小尾寒羊卵泡颗粒细胞凋亡的影响,为进一步研究BCL2L11在卵泡颗粒细胞凋亡和卵泡闭锁过程中的调控作用提供依据。【方法】在前期课题组卵巢组织全转录组测序分析的基础上,获得了候选基因BCL2L11及其调控元件miR-221-3p,利用半定量和组织荧光定量（RT-qPCR）分析BCL2L11在小尾寒羊不同组织中的表达情况;通过RT-qPCR定量试验在小尾寒羊卵泡期和黄体期卵巢组织中鉴定了BCL2L11及miRNA-221-3p的表达情况;构建BCL2L11 3’UTR野生型和突变型载体,在HEK293T细胞中共转染miR-221-3p mimic和BCL2L11野生型和突变型及阴性对照,采用双荧光素酶报告基因检测系统确定miR-221-3p与BCL2L11靶向性关系;在绵羊卵巢原代颗粒细胞中转染miR-221-3p mimic及阴性对照实现miR-221-3p过表达,使用RT-qPCR技术在mRNA水平上检测miR-221-3p对BCL2L11以及卵巢颗粒细胞凋亡标志基因XIAP和Fas表达水平的影响;同时利用EdU试验分析miR-221-3p过表达和阴性对照组中颗粒细胞的增殖变化。【结果】半定量和组织RT-qPCR分析均表明BCL2L11在卵巢组织中表达量高于其他组织;RT-qPCR定量结果显示miR-221-3p和 BCL2L11在小尾寒羊卵泡期和黄体期卵巢组织中差异表达,miR-221-3p在卵泡期卵巢中的表达量高于黄体期,而BCL2L11在卵泡期卵巢中的表达量低于黄体期,表现出负调控的现象;双荧光素酶报告基因验证分析显示,过表达miR-221-3p mimic显著抑制了BCL2L11 3’UTR荧光素酶的活性（P<0.05）,阴性对照组则没有显著影响;过表达miR-221-3p,靶基因BCL2L11 mRNA表达水平显著降低,同时,卵泡颗粒细胞凋亡标志基因XIAP和Fas的表达量也显著降低（P<0.05）;EdU试验分析显示,过表达miR-221-3p的颗粒细胞增殖率为18.9%,极显著高于阴性对照组的10.43%（P<0.01）。【结论】BCL2L11和miR-221-3p是调控绵羊卵巢发育的重要基因及调控元件,BCL2L11是miR-221-3p的靶基因之一,miR-221-3p过表达可抑制颗粒细胞凋亡,该作用结果可能通过抑制靶基因BCL2L11的表达进而影响了绵羊卵巢颗粒细胞的凋亡。     

乌金猪与长白猪肝脏脂肪代谢相关基因mRNA表达水平的比较研究

 为探讨不同品种猪体内脂肪代谢的差异,本文选用云南本土的脂肪型猪种乌金猪与外源性的瘦肉型猪种长白猪为研究对象,通过实时荧光定量PCR比较研究了9个脂肪代谢相关基因mRNA在二者之间肝脏表达的差异,结果显示：乌金猪肝脏组织脂肪酸合成酶（FAS）基因的mRNA表达水平极显著高于长白猪（P<0.01）,乙酰辅酶A羧化酶（ACC）、固醇元件结合蛋白（SREBP）、苹果酸酶（ME）和载脂蛋白B（ApoB）基因的mRNA表达水平显著高于长白猪（P<0.05）,肉碱脂酰转移酶-1（CPT1）基因的mRNA表达水平极显著低于长白猪（P<0.01）,酰基辅酶A氧化酶(ACOX)基因的mRNA表达水平显著低于长白猪（P<0.05）,二酰基甘油酰基转移酶1（DGAT1）和过氧化物酶体增殖物激活型受体α（PPARα）基因的mRNA表达水平与长白猪无显著差异（P>0.05）。本研究结果表明,乌金猪肝脏脂肪合成和脂肪酸转运相关基因的表达水平高于长白猪,而脂肪分解相关基因的表达水平低于长白猪,乌金猪肝脏的脂肪合成能力较长白猪强。     

FSH对体外培养仔猪睾丸支持细胞cyclin D1 mRNA和 cyclin E1 mRNA表达的影响

【目的】确定FSH是否能调节支持细胞cyclin D1 mRNA和cyclin E1 mRNA的表达及可能的机制。【方法】以培养的仔猪睾丸支持细胞为试验材料,通过添加各种信号通路的抑制剂,应用实时荧光定量PCR 检测cyclin D1 mRNA和cyclin E1 mRNA的相对表达量。【结果】不同浓度的FSH（0—100 ng•mL-1）均可促进cyclin D1 mRNA和cyclin E1 mRNA的表达（P＜0.05）,在FSH浓度为50 ng•mL-1时两种基因的表达量最大（P＜0.05）;FSH（50 ng•mL-1）也以时间依赖的方式促进了cyclin D1 mRNA和cyclin E1 mRNA的表达（P＜0.05）,在作用30 min时其表达量达到高峰（P＜0.05）。不同浓度的Foskolin （0—20 μmol•L-1）均可以促进cyclin D1 mRNA和cyclin E1 mRNA的表达（P＜0.05）,但均低于FSH单独作用时两种基因的表达量;Rp-cAMP（0—40 μmol•L-1）、H-89（0—30 μmol•L-1）和Verapamil（0—100 μg•mL-1）以剂量依赖的方式抑制了FSH诱导的cyclin D1 mRNA和cyclin E1 mRNA的表达（P＜0.05）,而且Rp-cAMP和Verapamil联合作用对FSH的抑制效果高于单独的抑制效果（P＜0.05）,但低于两者之和。此外,不同浓度的U0126（0—10 μmol•L-1）降低了FSH诱导的cyclin D1 mRNA和cyclin E1 mRNA的表达（P＜0.05）,而Rp-cAMP、H-89、Verapamil和U0126单独作用时,cyclin D1 mRNA和cyclin E1 mRNA的表达与对照相比没有显著差异（P＞0.05）。【结论】FSH以剂量依赖和时间依赖的方式诱导了cyclin D1 mRNA和cyclin E1 mRNA的表达;cAMP-PKA、Ca2+和ERK1/2参与了FSH对cyclin D1 mRNA和cyclin E1 mRNA表达的调节。