羊C3d基因与细粒棘球蚴EG95s基因在杆状病毒中的串联表达

本研究通过构建含有3拷贝羊C3d基因与细粒棘球蚴EG95s基因的重组杆状病毒,旨在通过昆虫细胞表达EG95-(C3d)3重组融合蛋白,为原核表达和真核表达EG95-(C3d)3重组融合蛋白的免疫效果的比较奠定了基础。将细粒棘球蚴EG95s基因与3拷贝羊C3d基因串联,插入pTarget载体,获得重组质粒pTarget-EG95-(C3d)3,利用BamH Ⅰ和Xba Ⅰ双酶切位点将目的基因EG95-(C3d)3克隆至Bac-to-Bac系统的转移载体pFastBac-Hta中,获得pFastBacHta-EG95-(C3d)3重组质粒,将该重组质粒转化含穿梭载体Bacmid的感受态细胞DH10Bac中进行转座重组,获得携带3拷贝羊C3d基因与细粒棘球蚴EG95s基因的重组转座子rBacmid-EG95-(C3d)3,转染Sf9昆虫细胞后获得EG95-(C3d)3重组杆状病毒,并表达EG95- (C3d)3重组融合蛋白,采用SDS-PAGE和Western blotting进行重组蛋白的鉴定。同时利用昆虫细胞表达蛋白对羊棘球蚴病特异性抗体进行检测。结果表明,获得了EG95-(C3d)3重组杆状病毒,且EG95-(C3d)3重组融合蛋白在Sf9昆虫细胞得到了正确表达,大小约为132 ku,Western blotting鉴定结果显示表达的EG95-(C3d)3重组融合蛋白能与细粒棘球蚴阳性血清产生特异性反应,表明EG95-(C3d)3基因表达产物具有免疫活性。同时表达蛋白对羊棘球蚴病特异性抗体有良好的敏感性。EG95-(C3d)3基因在昆虫细胞获得表达,为原核表达和真核表达EG95-(C3d)3重组融合蛋白的免疫效果的比较,及细粒棘球蚴病的高效检测方法的建立奠定了基础。     

奶牛结核分枝杆菌rpoB和katG基因突变与多重耐药的相关性

本试验旨在研究奶牛结核分枝杆菌rpoB和katG基因突变与耐药性之间的关系。将临床分离的30株牛源结核分枝杆菌,利用噬菌体生物扩增法（phage amplified biologically assay,PhaB）检测其对利福平（RFP）和异烟肼（INH）的药物敏感性,采用聚合酶链式反应—DNA直接测序法（PCR-DS）扩增rpoB和katG基因并测序,分析rpoB和katG基因突变及其耐药相关性。15株表型耐药菌株中4株单耐RFP,PCR产物直接测序后发现3株在rpoB基因531位点发生突变,突变率为75.00%（3/4）;9株单耐INH菌株中7株发生突变,6株katG基因315位点基因突变,突变率为85.71%(6/7),1株发现463位点密码子基因突变,突变率为14.29%（1/7）;2株耐RFP的同时也对INH耐药,测序发现2株均在rpoB基因的531位点〖JP2〗和katG基因的315位点发生突变。所有菌株均未发现rpoB和katG基因的缺失。rpoB基因531位点和katG基因315位点的突变是RFP和INH产生耐药性的主要机制;检测牛源结核分枝杆菌RFP耐药性的同时可以初步筛选耐多药结核分枝杆菌。     

中国奶牛PrP基因型分析

根据已报道奶牛朊蛋白(PrP)基因序列设计引物,采用PCR法扩增了28头黑白花奶牛的PrP基因。序列测定及分析结果表明,所克隆的奶牛PrP基因片段为677 bp,编码225个氨基酸的前体蛋白。对其136、154、171位点氨基酸多态性分析结果发现,对TSE中度易感的ARQ型占检测奶牛的82.9%,对TSE抗性的ARR型占7.1%,对TSE高度易感的VRQ型占10%。这说明中国奶牛的基因型对TSE中度易感,为防制TSE的发生提供基础数据。     

山羊BMP15基因生物信息学分析

为探究骨形态发生蛋白15(Bone morphogenetic protein 15,BMP15)的生物学特性,本试验运用BioXM、DNAMAN、SignalP、ProtScale、PredicProtein、prosite、Smart和ProtFun等生物信息学软件分析山羊BMP15基因cDNA序列信息,预测其编码的蛋白的理化性质、二级结构、疏水性、信号肽、功能结构域和功能等。结果表明,山羊BMP15基因编码区长1185bp,编码394个氨基酸,其基因序列及蛋白序列与绵羊、牛的同源性分别为99%和98%,亲缘关系近。BMP15蛋白序列在25和26位氨基酸之间存在最佳剪切位点,存在信号肽,属于分泌性蛋白,具有信号转导功能。BMP15具有细胞外被膜功能的可能性最大,达到12.822,推测其合成后可能被转运到细胞外膜上进行功能反应。BMP15蛋白序列有TGFβ功能结构域,位于293~394氨基酸区域,且作为激素在生理活动中传递信息的可能性最大。总的来说,山羊BMP15属于分泌性蛋白,可能作为激素进行信号传递来调控机体生理活动,这为进一步研究对BMP15蛋白的功能调节机制奠定理论基础。     

粘着斑激酶FAK基因功能研究进展

粘着斑激酶FAK是一类胞质非受体蛋白酪氨酸激酶,有细胞粘附、凋亡、分化、迁移/移动、细胞周期进程及连接重建等功能。论文概述了FAK的结构、蛋白定位和FAK的几种可变剪切体的形式,重点阐述了FAK与肿瘤的关系,FAK在生殖和早期发育方面的作用,对FAK在肿瘤研究以及生殖方面研究提出了有意义的方向。     

MC4R基因表达及其与鸡屠宰性状的相关分析

根据鸡MC4R mRNA和看家基因β-actin mRNA序列,分别设计1对引物,以半定量RT-PCR法研究不同品种鸡肾上腺中MC4R基因mRNA表达水平,并分析了其与屠宰性状间的相关关系。结果表明,京海黄鸡公鸡MC4R基因在肾上腺中的表达水平显著高于尤溪麻鸡公鸡（P＜0.05）;京海黄鸡公鸡的胴体重、胸肌重、腿肌重与MC4R基因在肾上腺中表达水平存在极显著相关（P＜0.01）;尤溪麻鸡公鸡的胴体重与MC4R基因在肾上腺中表达水平存在极显著相关（P＜0.01）,胸肌重、腿肌重与MC4R基因在肾上腺中表达水平存在显著相关（P＜0.05）。     

荷斯坦母牛AHCY基因PCR-SSCP分析

根据已发表的牛AHCY基因序列设计13对引物,采用PCR-SSCP方法在210头荷斯坦母牛中检测S-腺苷高半胱氨酸水解酶（S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase,AHCY）基因全部10个外显子的单核苷酸多态性,同时分析该基因对荷斯坦母牛乳房炎抗性的影响。结果表明,AHCY基因的10个外显子在检测的荷斯坦母牛中都不存在多态性,AHCY基因外显子区域可能不存在影响乳房炎抗性的遗传标记。     

山羊CREM基因的克隆与生物信息学分析

研究旨在克隆山羊睾丸CREM基因cDNA全序列并进行生物信息学分析。通过提取山羊睾丸总RNA,利用qPCR和RACE技术,扩增山羊PHGPx基因cDNA序列。结果表明,山羊睾丸CREM基因cDNA全长序列为1 183bp(登录号:HM 802260),包含有960bp的开放阅读框,编码319个氨基酸;山羊CREM蛋白二级结构功能区域属于bZIP转录因子家族,在319个氨基酸的序列中,73到115之间有一个"pKID"区域,259~316之间含有一个典型的"BRLZ"结构。构建蛋白质氨基酸分子进化树,结果显示山羊与牛亲缘关系最近。该研究结果将为CREM基因表达分子调控研究提供一定的理论依据。     

牦牛及杂种后代犏牛的TSPY基因克隆分析

 克隆测序了牦牛、犏牛TSPY基因的编码区全序列,并用生物信息学软件分析了该基因的编码区序列、蛋白结构和进化关系。结果表明,牦牛和犏牛TSPY基因编码区序列长度均为954 bp,编码317个氨基酸,牦牛与普通牛TSPY基因序列的一致性分别为98.95%,犏牛与牦牛、普通牛TSPY基因序列的一致性分别为98.95%、99.79%,杂交后代犏牛与亲本序列差异表现在第113位核酸位点发生了改变（T→T→C）,导致第38位氨基酸发生变化（V→V→A）。牦牛和犏牛TSPY蛋白含有TSPY家族典型的SET/NAP保守结构域,与人、鼠TSPY蛋白结构域一致,推测牦牛和犏牛TSPY蛋白在雄性减数分裂过程中参与了精原细胞和初级精母细胞的调节。     

荷斯坦母牛TLR10基因PCR-SSCP分析

设计15对引物,采用PCR-SSCP技术检测Toll样受体10(Toll-like receptor 10,TLR10)基因在210头荷斯坦母牛中的多态性,分析该基因对荷斯坦母牛乳房炎抗性的影响。结果显示,TLR10基因在检测的荷斯坦母牛中都不存在多态性,该基因区域可能不存在影响乳房炎抗性的遗传标记。     

Serodiagnosis of Neospora caninum infection in cattle by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with recombinant truncated NcSAG1

Neospora caninum is a veterinary medically important pathogen capable of causing abortion in cattle and neuromuscular paralysis in dogs. The surface antigen 1 of N. caninum (NcSAG1) is an important candidate for the development of a diagnostic reagent for neosporosis. In order to establish an effective diagnostic method, the gene encoding truncated NcSAG1 (NcSAG1t) lacking a signal peptide and C-terminal hydrophobic regions was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli as a fusion protein with glutathione S-transferase (GST). The purified GST-NcSAG1t was tested in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the detection of N. caninum antibodies in cattle. The ELISA with GST-NcSAG1t clearly differentiated between immunofluorescent antibody test (IFAT)-positive and -negative sera from cattle. In addition, the ELISA detected no cross-reactivity with sera from mice experimentally infected with the closely related parasite Toxoplasma gondii. Field serum samples collected from cattle in Brazil were examined for the diagnosis of neosporosis by using the ELISA. Of the 197 samples analyzed, 66 (33.5%) samples were positive for antibodies to N. caninum. Of the 66 ELISA-positive samples, 60 (90%) samples were confirmed as positive by Western blot analysis with whole parasite antigens. These results suggest that the recombinant NcSAG1t could be a reliable reagent for use as an antigen in ELISA for the serodiagnosis of N. caninum infection in cattle.     

Development of latex agglutination test with recombinant NcSAG1 for the rapid detection of antibodies to Neospora caninum in cattle

Neospora caninum, an apicomplexan protozoan parasite, is recognized as a major cause of abortion in cattle. Surface antigen 1 of N. caninum (NcSAG1) is an important immunodominant candidate for the development of a diagnostic reagent for neosporosis. The present study describes the development and evaluation of a latex agglutination test (LAT) with recombinant NcSAG1 (rNcSAG1) for the detection of antibodies to N. caninum in cattle. The rNcSAG1 gene was cloned in pET-28a and protein was expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3). Carboxylated latex particles were coated with rNcSAG1 and the degree of agreement between LAT and a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (iscomELISA) was evaluated by using of 164 serum samples. Twenty-two (13.4%) and 23 (14.0%) of samples were positive for antibodies to N. caninum by LAT and ELISA respectively. Eighteen of 23 ELISA-positive samples were positive according to the LAT and a substantial agreement (κ=0.77) was found between the results of LAT and ELISA. The results indicated that the LAT with rNcSAG1 would be a rapid, simple, relatively inexpensive and suitable diagnostic test for detection of specific antibodies in N. caninum infection under field conditions. Improvement in purification of rNcSAG1 can reduce probable false positive reactions and so increase the degree of agreement between the LAT and ELISA.     

青海省乌兰县牧羊犬犬新孢子虫病的血清学调查

用犬新孢子虫的重组蛋白GST-NcSAG1t作为ELISA诊断抗原,对青海省乌兰县的部分牧羊犬进行了犬新孢子虫病的血清学调查。经过对所收集的80份牧羊犬血清的检测,共检出犬新孢子虫病阳性血清25份,阳性率为31.25%。结果表明青海省乌兰地区的牧羊犬中存在犬新孢子虫感染。     

青海省海西地区山羊和绵羊犬新孢子虫病的血清学调查

用犬新孢子虫的重组蛋白GST-NcSAG1t作为ELISA诊断抗原,进行了青海省海西地区山羊和绵羊群中犬新孢子虫病的血清学调查。经过对所收集的120份绵羊血清和531份山羊血清抗体的检测,共检出绵羊阳性血清10份,山羊阳性血清36份,其阳性率分别为8.33%和6.78%。说明青海省海西地区的绵羊和山羊群中存在犬新孢子虫的感染。     

Seroepidemiology of Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum in seals around Hokkaido, Japan

Serological analysis was performed to detect Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum infection in seals in Hokkaido. Serum samples were collected from 322 Kuril harbor seals (Phoca vitulina stejnegeri) at Nosappu, Akkeshi and Erimo, from 46 spotted seals (P. largha) at Nosappu, Erimo, Yagishiri Island, Hamamasu and Syakotan, and from 4 ribbon seals (P. fasciata) and a bearded seal (Erignathus barbatus) at Nosappu between 1998 and 2006. Recombinant surface antigen of T. gondii (SAG2t) and N. caninum (NcSAG1t) were used as antigens for ELISA to detect antibodies. Antibodies against SAG2t were detected from 4% of 77 Kuril harbor seals at Nosappu in 2005. Antibodies against NcSAG1t were detected from 2% (1/66) in 2003, 5% (4/79) in 2004 and 10% (8/77) in 2005 of Kuril harbor seals and 11% of 9 spotted seals in 2004 sampled at Nosappu. Eight percent of 12 Kuril harbor seals from Akkeshi and 25% of 4 spotted seals from Erimo in 2005 also contained antibodies against NcSAG1t. These suggest sporadic infection of T. gondii and N. caninum in Kuril harbor seals and spotted seals in Hokkaido. Of the ELISA-positive seals, 2 seals having anti-SAG2t antibodies and 3 seals having anti-NcSAG1t antibodies in 2005 were judged to be juveniles that have no maternal antibodies. These suggest that the protozoan infections have occurred in recent years. Infection of terrestrial protozoa such as T. gondii and N. caninum in seals indicates that the sea environment has been contaminated with protozoa.     

Serodiagnosis of Neospora caninum infection in cattle using a recombinant tNcSRS2 protein-based ELISA

The truncated NcSRS2 gene (tNcSRS2) by removal of the N-terminal hydrophobic sequence was cloned into the pGEX-6p-1 plasmid and subsequently expressed as a glutathione-S-transferase (GST) fusion protein. The purified recombinant tNcSRS2 protein was specific to Neospora caninum and was used in an ELISA for the diagnosis of neosporosis. There was a good agreement between tNctSRS2-based ELISA and three commercially available diagnostic kits (IDEXX ELISA, HIPRA ELISA and VMRD IFAT). Three hundred dairy cattle serum samples from 9 regions were tested by our ELISA. The herd prevalence was 100% and the overall prevalence was 20.3%. There was a statistically significant difference in seroprevalence between regions (P<0.01) and an association between abortion history and N. caninum seropositivity. Our study showed that neosporosis in dairy cattle is widespread in China.     

Evaluation of Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum infections in sheep from Uberlândia, Minas Gerais State, Brazil, by different serological methods

Toxoplasmosis and neosporosis have been recognized as economically important diseases with considerable impact on the livestock industry. Considering the scarce information on the occurrence of Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum infections in sheep from Uberlandia, Minas Gerais State, Brazil, this study aimed to investigate the frequency of antibodies against these parasites in sheep sera from this region by using different serological methods. A total of 155 sheep serum samples were analyzed by the indirect fluorescence antibody test (IFAT) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the detection of IgG against T. gondii and N. caninum. Seroreactivity by IFAT showed 80% of samples with titers between 512 and 2048 for T. gondii (cutoff ≥ 64) and 78% presenting titers between 50 and 200 for N. caninum (cutoff ≥ 50). Seroreactivity by ELISA showed 75% of samples with ELISA index (EI) between 2.0 and 3.0 for T. gondii (cutoff ≥ 1.3) and 54% presenting EI between 1.3 and 2.0 for N. caninum (cut off ≥ 1.3). Discordant results by both tests were analyzed by immunoblot, resulting in a total seropositivity of 61% for T. gondii and 23% for N. caninum, with 41% to T. gondii only, 3% to N. caninum only, and 20% to both parasites. There was a significant positive association between seropositivity to T. gondii and age over one year (P<0.001), but such association was not found for N. caninum infection. In conclusion, as T. gondii and N. caninum infections are simultaneously present in sheep flocks of this region, it should be emphasized the importance to carry out a regular monitoring of Toxoplasma infection due to its high prevalence, its zoonotic potential and induction of reproductive disorders leading to economic losses. For neosporosis, sheep farmers should be instructed about the presence of the parasite in the flock, its risk factors and potential abortifacient role in sheep. Differential flock management could be valuable tool to establish the association of serological positivity and reproductive disease induced by N. caninum in sheep.     

Seroepidemiology of Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii infection in yaks (Bos grunniens) in Qinghai, China

Neospora caninum is a protozoan parasite and is closely related to Toxoplasma gondii, but they are antigenically different. N. caninum and T. gondii infection in a variety of animals such as cattle, dogs, and cats has been reported, but there is little information on the infection of these parasites in domestic yaks. Seroprevalence of antibodies to T. gondii and N. caninum in yaks (Bos grunniens) from eight regions of Qinghai, China were investigated by the indirect agglutination test (IAT) and ELISA, respectively. A total of 112 (11.8%) of 946 serum samples were positive for antibodies to T. gondii, and 21 samples (2.2%) were positive to N. caninum. Two of the yaks had antibodies to both parasites. There was no apparent association of T. gondii infection with age of the animals. The results indicate that T. gondii infection is prevalent in Chinese yaks in most parts of Qinghai province and N. caninum infection rate in the same species is relatively low. This is the first large study showing the infection of T. gondii and N. caninum in domestic yaks.     

Seroprevalence of Neospora caninum in aborting dairy cattle in the Czech Republic

A serological survey for antibodies against Neospora caninum in aborting cattle was carried out in the Czech Republic. Serum samples from 463 aborting dairy cows originated from 137 farms from different parts of the Czech Republic were tested for presence of N. caninum antibodies by use of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and an indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT). Antibodies (> or = 1:640) to N. caninum were found in 18 (3.9%) of 463 aborting cows. Farm prevalence in aborting cows was 12.4% (17/137). The antibody titres of cows were 1:200 (9 cows), 1:640 (7 cows), 1:1280 (3 cows), 1:2560 (3 cows), 1:5120 (3 cows), 1:10,240 (2 cows) and 1:20,480 (0 cow). A case-control study was conducted to estimate the association of N. caninum infection and abortion. For this 407 serum samples were collected from cows on five dairy farms with repeated occurrence of endemic and sporadic abortion of unidentified etiology. These samples were obtained from aborting cattle (n=44) and normally calving cattle (control group; n=363) and tested for N. caninum antibodies by an immunofluorescent antibody test (IFAT). Overall, 3.19% (13/407) of cows sampled had positive N. caninum fluorescence with a cut-off titre of 1:200. The prevalence of N. caninum was significantly higher (P<0.05) in the aborting group (13.64%; 95% confidence interval (CI): 5.2, 27.4) than in the control group (1.93%; 95% CI: 0.8, 3.9). A strong association between seropositivity and abortion was found, with seropositive cows being eight times more likely to abort than seronegative cows (odds ratio=8; 95% CI: 2.6, 25.1). This first report on the serological prevalence of N. caninum in cows in the Czech Republic verified a strong association between N. caninum infection and abortions in five dairy farms. Thus, the neosporosis should be considered in differential diagnosis of bovine abortion.     

Risk factors for canine neosporosis in farm and kennel dogs in southern Italy

Neosporosis by Neospora caninum causes losses to livestock production through abortion in cattle while, in dogs, it induces neuromuscolar disease. This study investigated neosporosis seroprevalence associated risk factors (including the seropositivity to leishmaniosis) in dogs of southern Italy, determined the prevalence of N. caninum oocyst shedding and examined the relationship between seroprevalence of neosporosis in farm dogs and cattle. Using an inhibition ELISA, 20.9% of 306 dogs had percent inhibition values >10 (indicative of exposure) and farm dogs had a significantly (p<0.001) higher seroprevalence than dogs in a rescue kennel. Whilst N. caninum seroprevalence was associated with increasing age in dogs (p< or =0.01) there was no association between seropositivity for N. caninum and for Leishmania infantum. Oocysts of N. caninum were not detected in faecal samples from 230 dogs including 160 farm dogs. The results indicated that neosporosis infection is common in southern Italy both in dogs and in cattle and that dogs at higher risk of exposure are free-ranging ones living in farms. The lack of correlation between canine seroprevalence for N. caninum and L. infantum assumes a particular significance in an endemic area for leishmaniosis.