Study on Expression of Bcl-2 and PCNA Genes in Testicular Tissue of Chickens,Quails and Chicken-quail Hybrids

In order to investigate the molecular mechanism of stunted growth testis of chicken (♂) and quail (♀) hybrids. 84 testicular tissue samples of New Roman cocks, male Korean quails and chicken-quail hybrids at different developmental stages were collected,the mRNA expression of Bcl-2 and PCNA genes in testicular tissue of cocks, quails and chicken-quail hybrids at different growth stages were detected using Real-time PCR. The results showed that the Bcl-2 and PCNA genes mRNA expression patterns in testes of chickens and quails at different growth stages were similar.The Bcl-2 gene was fluctuated in a whole, and decreased to the lowest value, then recovered rapidly and remained at a high level. The PCNA gene had a very significant peak value.Compared with the chicken and quail,the expression of Bcl-2 and PCNA genes mRNA in hybrids had no obvious change, which indicated that the pattern of the Bcl-2 gene regulation apoptosis in testis was different from chicken and quail at the hybrid testicular development process, and there was no obvious cell appreciation process.It was suggested that the molecular influencing factors of testicular dysplasia of chicken and quail hybrids were related to the abnormal expression of Bcl-2 and PCNA genes mRNA in testes.The results provided an important reference for the further study of the mechanism of testicular dysplasia between chicken and quail interspecific hybrids.     

Bcl-2、PCNA基因在鸡、鹌鹑及其杂交种睾丸组织中的表达研究

为探讨鸡（♂）与鹌鹑（♀）属间杂交种睾丸生长发育不良的分子机理,试验采集新罗曼蛋用型公鸡、朝鲜公鹌鹑、鸡与鹌鹑的雄性杂交种不同发育时期的睾丸组织样共计84份,并用实时荧光定量PCR对公鸡、公鹌鹑及其杂交种各阶段睾丸组织中Bcl-2、PCNA基因的mRNA表达进行了检测。结果显示,鸡和鹌鹑不同生长发育期睾丸组织中Bcl-2、PCNA基因mRNA的表达具有相似性,Bcl-2基因整体呈波动性变化,下降到最低值后,迅速回升到较高水平,PCNA基因均有一个极显著的峰值;与鸡和鹌鹑相比,杂交种Bcl-2、PCNA基因mRNA表达均无明显变化,表明杂交种睾丸发育过程中,Bcl-2基因调控睾丸中细胞凋亡的模式不同于鸡和鹌鹑,也不存在明显的细胞增殖过程,从而推测鸡与鹌鹑的杂交种睾丸生长发育不良的分子影响因素与其睾丸组织中Bcl-2、PCNA基因mRNA的异常表达有关。本试验结果为进一步研究鸡与鹌鹑属间杂交种睾丸发育不良的分子机理提供了参考依据。     

AR、ER基因在鸡、鹌鹑及其杂交种睾丸组织中的表达及其对睾丸生长发育的影响

为探讨鸡（♂）与鹌鹑（♀）属间杂交种睾丸生长发育不良的分子机理,采集新罗曼蛋用型公鸡、朝鲜公鹌鹑、鸡与鹌鹑杂交的雄性杂交种不同发育时期的睾丸组织样共计96份并测定其体质量与睾丸质量。采用实时荧光定量PCR对公鸡、公鹌鹑及其杂交种不同生长发育期睾丸组织中AR、ER基因的mRNA表达进行了检测。结果显示：（1）鸡和鹌鹑的睾丸均能随着日龄、体质量的增长而正常生长发育,但鸡与鹌鹑杂交的杂交种的睾丸却生长缓慢而发育不良;（2）鸡和鹌鹑不同生长发育期睾丸组织中AR、ER基因mRNA的表达具有相似性,AR基因均有一个极显著的峰值,ER基因均呈波动性变化;鸡与鹌鹑的杂交种均为极端性表达,AR基因呈直线下降,ER相反则一直升高;与鸡和鹌鹑相比,杂交种AR、ER基因mRNA的极端性表达均应为异常表达。（3）鸡、鹌鹑及其杂交种的共同点是AR表达为最高峰时,ER则趋于最低点,反之,ER表达为最高峰时,AR则趋于最低点,表明ER基因对AR基因具有上调作用或者AR基因对ER基因具有下调作用,从而推测AR与ER即相对立而又协同作用的表达模式是鸡和鹌鹑睾丸组织正常生长发育的分子调控模式,探明了鸡与鹌鹑的杂交种睾丸组织发育不良的分子影响因素是其睾丸组织中的AR、ER基因mRNA异常表达。     

两品种鹌鹑IGF-1基因的克隆测序及序列分析

根据GenBank中鸡胰岛素样生长因子(insulin-like growth factor-1,IGF-1)基因序列设计1对引物,对北京白羽蛋用鹌鹑和法国沙维玛特肉用鹌鹑IGF-1基因部分序列进行PCR扩增及克隆测序,获得的序列长度分别为806和804 bp。结果表明,所测的两段序列经GenBank中的BLAST分析与鸡(Gallus gallus)IGF-1基因同源性均为93%;在IGF-1基因核苷酸水平上,北京白羽蛋用鹌鹑与法国沙维玛特肉用鹌鹑的同源性为99.38%。     

Genetic characterization and susceptibility on poultry and mammal of H7N6 subtype avian influenza virus isolated in Japan in 2009

From February to March 2009, six strains of H7N6 subtype avian influenza virus were isolated from quails in three farms in Aichi prefecture in Japan. The isolates were shown to be low pathogenic for chicken by the examination performed using the "Manual of Standards for Diagnostic Tests and Vaccines" by World organisation for Animal Health (OIE). The deduced amino acid sequence at the cleavage site was PE (I/Q/L) PKRR (nucleotide sequences were cct gaa (a/c) (t/a) a cc (a/g) aaa aga aga), suggesting persistence in domestic poultry for some time. The direct putative ancestor strain could not be elucidated by phylogenetic analysis of all genome segments of the quail isolates. Diverged date from a putative common ancestor in a non-rooted phylogenetic tree among quail viruses was estimated between March 2002 and July 2004. Three putative N-linked glycosylation sites resided in the vicinity of the receptor binding pocket of HA1 region. They are considered to decrease the reactivity of neutralizing antibody against the virus. Experiments for the infectivity and pathogenicity of a quail strain to poultry indicated that the quail isolate had higher infectivity to quails than chickens and ducks. Direct and dust-borne and/or droplet-borne transmissions among quail were proven in quails with and without direct contact with experimentally infected quails. The virus is seldom transmitted among chickens either directly or indirectly, and indirect transmission from infected quails to chickens was not observed. The pathogenicity of the quail strain for mammalian, pig and mouse was low, although it could replicate in those animals.     

Characterization and expression of non‐polymorphic liver expressed antimicrobial peptide 2: LEAP‐2 in the Japanese quail,Coturnix japonica

Liver‐expressed antimicrobial peptide 2 (LEAP‐2) is a cationic peptide that plays an important role in innate immunity for host defense. The aim of this study was to characterize the LEAP‐2 gene in the Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica). Japanese quail LEAP‐2 (CjLEAP‐2) was identified from the Japanese quail draft genome database by a local BLAST analysis using chicken LEAP‐2 (GgLEAP‐2). The exon‐intron structure of CjLEAP‐2, analyzed from three quails, is composed of three exons, as is the chicken LEAP‐2 homolog (GgLEAP‐2). An analysis of the coding sequence revealed that CjLEAP‐2 is 231 bp long, like GgLEAP‐2, and 93% identical to GgLEAP‐2 at the nucleic acid level. The predicted amino acid sequence of CjLEAP‐2 contained the liver‐expressed antimicrobial peptide 2‐precursor domain and four cysteine residues characteristic of the LEAP‐2 protein. The amino acid sequence of the mature peptide of CjLEAP‐2 was 100% identical to that of GgLEAP‐2. We confirmed that CjLEAP‐2 was transcribed in at least seven tissues, including the digestive system. Additionally, the mature peptide region of CjLEAP‐2 exhibited no polymorphisms in 99 quails from six strains. Taken together, these findings indicate that CjLEAP‐2 is non‐polymorphic and therefore, it likely plays an important role in the innate immunity of quail as it does in chicken.     

Investigation of Marek’s disease virus from chickens in central Ethiopia

Marek’s disease (MD) is a lymphoproliferative and neuropathic disease of domestic chickens and less commonly, turkeys and quails, caused by a highly contagious, cell-associated, oncogenic herpesvirus. In Ethiopia, MD is believed to be introduced with importation of exotic and crossbred to improve the poultry production and has been reported to be a potential threat to the poultry sector both in backyard and commercial farming systems. This study was aimed at isolation and molecular analysis of MD virus isolates circulating in chicken population in the central part of Ethiopia where commercial farms are populated. From September 2013 to January 2014, clinical and post-mortem examination were conducted on diseased chickens suspected of MD virus infection. Representative spleen and feather follicle samples were collected following sterile procedure, and infectious virus isolation was performed using primary chicken fibroblast cell culture. Cell culture inoculated with suspension of pathological samples developed characteristic MD virus cytopathic effect of rounding of the cells and small plaques. Further analysis of the virus was conducted by conventional PCR amplifying the ICP4 gene fragment from eleven tissue samples using MD virus specific primers. PCR products were further sequenced and analyzed. Nucleotide sequence similarity search of the local isolates resulted a high degree of sequence similarity with Gallid Herpes virus type 2 strain (Marek’s disease virus type 1, JN034558). To our knowledge, the present study is the first report conducted on virus isolation and molecular characterization of MD virus isolates circulated in Ethiopia. Eleven ICP4-like gene fragment (318 bp) sequences generated in the present study were uploaded in the public database (KU842366–76). Further research on virus isolation, genetic characterization, and infection dynamics is recommended targeting chickens of all age groups reared in different agro-ecological zones under different production system.

     

Novel reassortant H5N6 highly pathogenic influenza A viruses in Vietnamese quail outbreaks

Avian influenza A H5N6 virus is a highly contagious infectious agent that affects domestic poultry and humans in South Asian countries. Vietnam may be an evolutionary hotspot for influenza viruses and therefore could serve as a source of pandemic strains. In 2015, two novel reassortant H5N6 influenza viruses designated as A/quail/Vietnam/CVVI01/2015 and A/quail/Vietnam/CVVI03/2015 were isolated from dead quails during avian influenza outbreaks in central Vietnam, and the whole genome sequences were analyzed. The genetic analysis indicated that hemagglutinin, neuraminidase, and polymerase basic protein 2 genes of the two H5N6 viruses are most closely related to an H5N2 virus (A/chicken/Zhejiang/727079/2014) and H10N6 virus (A/chicken/Jiangxi/12782/2014) from China and an H6N6 virus (A/duck/Yamagata/061004/2014) from Japan. The HA gene of the isolates belongs to clade 2.3.4.4, which caused human fatalities in China during 2014–2016. The five other internal genes showed high identity to an H5N2 virus (A/chicken/Heilongjiang/S7/2014) from China. A whole-genome phylogenetic analysis revealed that these two outbreak strains are novel H6N6-like PB2 gene reassortants that are most closely related to influenza virus strain A/environment/Guangdong/ZS558/2015, which was detected in a live poultry market in China. This report describes the first detection of novel H5N6 reassortants in poultry during an outbreak as well as genetic characterization of these strains to better understand the antigenic evolution of influenza viruses.     

三黄鸡ST3Gal6基因的半定量RT-PCR及生物信息学分析

本研究旨在对三黄鸡ST3Gal6基因进行组织表达谱和生物信息学分析。参考三黄鸡ST3Gal6基因序列设计引物,采用PCR技术克隆三黄鸡ST3Gal6基因序列,并利用半定量RT-PCR进行组织表达谱分析;同时对其进行生物信息学分析。结果表明,克隆的三黄鸡ST3Gal6基因全长1169 bp,含有1059 bp的完整CDS编码区,编码352个氨基酸。其CDS编码区的核苷酸序列与人、黑猩猩、牛、大鼠、蟾ST3Gal6基因对应序列的同源性分别为62%、62%、61.9%、59%、54.4%。组织表达谱分析表明,ST3Gal6基因在各组织均不同程度地表达,其中在大脑表达量很高,肺脏中最低。生物信息学预测ST3Gal6蛋白结构发现,三黄鸡的ST3Gal6蛋白存在2个跨膜螺旋结构域,同时预测ST3Gal6存在22个磷酸化位点和1个特异性蛋白激酶磷酸化位点。     

朝鲜鹌鹑黑素皮质素受体1基因多态性及其在不同羽色个体中的表达

通过混合样品DNA测序方法寻找黑素皮质素受体l（MC1R）基因的突变位点,采用Alu1-RFLP对突变位点在4种羽色（栗羽、黄羽、白羽、黑羽）鹌鹑群体中的基因分布进行了研究;利用qRT-PCR技术测定了MC1R基因在12日龄时4种羽色鹌鹑胚胎皮肤组织中的表达情况。结果表明,在鹌鹑MC1R基因上发现1个T/C突变位点,该位点没有导致编码蛋白氨基酸序列改变,A1u1-RFLP分析发现,该突变位点的不同基因型在4种羽色鹌鹑群体间的分布有显著差异（P〈0.05）。4种羽色鹌鹑皮肤组织中MC1R基因的表达量存在明显差异,栗羽鹌鹑皮肤组织中该基因的表达量明显高于黑羽鹌鹑皮肤中的表达量（栗羽〉黄羽〉白羽〉黑羽）。本试验没有发现导致日本鹌鹑黑羽突变的Glu92Lys突变位点,表明朝鲜鹌鹑的黑羽突变与报道的日本鹌鹑黑羽突变的机制不同,朝鲜鹌鹑的黑羽可能与其他基因的突变有关。     

QDPR基因克隆及其在乌蒙凤鸡不同生长阶段组织表达研究

旨在克隆乌蒙凤鸡醌型二氢生物喋呤还原酶（quinoid dihydropteridine reductase，QDPR）基因，并检测其在不同性别乌蒙凤鸡不同生长阶段各组织中的表达差异，以研究QDPR基因在乌蒙凤鸡生长发育过程中的调控作用。本试验对乌蒙凤鸡QDPR基因CDS区进行PCR扩增和克隆，并对得到的序列进行生物信息学分析，通过实时荧光定量PCR检测QDPR基因在4、12、20和28周龄乌蒙凤鸡公鸡及母鸡的心、肝、脾、肺、肾、胸肌和腿肌组织中的相对表达量。结果表明，QDPR基因开放阅读框长度为417 bp，共编码139个氨基酸，编码蛋白为酸性不稳定蛋白，乌蒙凤鸡的QDPR基因序列与原鸡、日本鹌鹑和珠鸡的QDPR基因同源性较高；QDPR基因在不同性别乌蒙凤鸡不同生长阶段各组织中均有表达，其中，公鸡4、12和20周龄肺组织中QDPR基因表达量最高，极显著高于同一周龄其他组织（P<0.01），母鸡4周龄肝、脾、肺中QDPR基因相对表达量为所有时期最高，极显著高于12、20周龄（P<0.01），公鸡大多数组织中QDPR基因表达量随时间增长总体呈现出先升后降的趋势，母鸡为先降后升。结果显示，QDPR基因在乌蒙凤鸡内脏组织中的表达均高于肌肉组织，且公母鸡不同时期表达情况有所差异，试验结果可为进一步研究QDPR基因在鸡生长发育中的调控作用提供参考。     

哺乳类和鸟类动物隐孢子虫交叉感染试验研究

为了明确哺乳类和鸟类宿主隐孢子虫能否交叉感染，分别从鸡、兔、小白鼠、鸭、鹌鹑分离到隐孢子虫进行交叉感染。结果，从鸡分离的隐孢子虫卵囊能感染鸭、鹌鹑、麻雀，而不能感染鸽、大白鼠、小白鼠、兔，从鸭分离的卵囊能感染鸡，从兔、小白鼠分离的卵囊不能感染鸡、鹌鹑，从鹌鹑分离的卵囊不能感染兔、大白鼠、小白鼠和鸡。提示隐孢子虫在宿主纲水平上有宿主特异性。     

雪山草鸡血管紧张素转换酶2(ACE2)基因克隆、结构特性分析及其表达特征研究

旨在克隆血管紧张素转换酶2（angiotensin converting enzyme 2,ACE2）基因,分析其结构特性和表达特征。本试验以45和90日龄的健康雪山草鸡为研究对象,利用PCR技术扩增ACE2基因的编码区序列;运用生物信息学方法对其结构特征进行分析;通过TA克隆构建黄羽肉鸡ACE2编码区序列质粒标准品,使用绝对定量方法测定ACE2基因在45和90日龄雪山草鸡公母鸡各组织中的表达特性。结果,克隆得到2 427 bp的编码区序列,共编码808个氨基酸,与白羽肉鸡一致,但是在黄羽肉鸡序列中存在大量突变位点造成编码氨基酸发生变化。同源性比较发现,其与红色原鸡的同源性为99%,其次为绿头鸭88%,与其它动物的同源性为73%~76%。生物信息学分析发现,ACE2属于I型跨膜蛋白,即分泌型蛋白,信号肽位于1~17 aa,含有46个蛋白质磷酸化位点。定量结果发现,小肠中ACE2表达量显著高于其它组织。法氏囊、气管、胆囊和脾中ACE2表达量较低,脾中表达量最低。母鸡空肠、盲肠、脾和肺中ACE2基因表达量显著高于公鸡。公鸡肾和心中ACE2基因表达量显著高于母鸡。90日龄雪山草鸡的十二指肠、空肠、肺、脾和回肠组织ACE2基因表达量均显著低于45日龄雪山草鸡,在法氏囊和肾组织中结果呈相反趋势。通过克隆获得了雪山草鸡ACE2基因编码区序列,生物信息学分析发现,雪山草鸡ACE2基因在家禽中较为保守;ACE2基因表达规律呈现出在雪山草鸡肠道组织中高于其他组织,母鸡中高于公鸡,随着时间表达水平呈下降趋势。研究结果为开展ACE2基因在黄羽肉鸡肠道中的功能研究奠定了理论基础。     

Fat-1基因载体构建及其在家鸡中的体外表达

试验旨在构建一种适合于家禽体外表达的ω-3脂肪酸脱氢酶Fat-1基因的真核生物表达载体,为后续转基因鸡的生产奠定基础。根据家鸡密码子使用频率,对秀丽隐杆线虫Fat-1基因进行优化改造;将改造后的Fat-1基因(cFat-1)连接至pLL3.7表达载体,构建重组质粒pLL3.7-cFat-1;经PCR、酶切、序列分析等手段对重组质粒进行鉴定;用胰酶消化法培养鸡成纤维细胞,利用TurboFect^TM转染试剂将pLL3.7-cFat-1转染体外培养的成纤维细胞;通过RT-PCR检测和绿色荧光观察分析cFat-1基因在细胞中的表达。结果表明cFat-1基因在鸡成纤维细胞中高效转录并表达,成功构建了可在家禽体外表达cFat-1基因的特异性表达载体。本研究首次获得可在家禽体外表达cFat-1基因的转基因细胞系,证实了经基因改造后cFat-1基因可在家禽体外的高效转录和表达,为后续制备富含ω-3脂肪酸的转基因鸡奠定基础。     

鸡Smad4基因克隆、生物信息学及组织表达分析

试验旨在克隆鸡Smad4基因，并对其进行生物信息学和组织表达分析。以苏禽3号优质黄羽肉鸡为试验对象，使用RACE技术扩增并克隆了鸡Smad4基因全长序列，对其进行生物信息学分析，构建系统进化树，并利用实时荧光定量PCR检测了Smad4基因在鸡各组织中的表达情况。结果显示，鸡Smad4基因全长序列包含17 bp的5'UTR、1 842 bp的开放阅读框和466 bp的3'UTR，有11个外显子和10个内含子，mRNA序列全长2 325 bp，可编码613个氨基酸。系统进化树显示，鸡Smad4与其他鸟类聚为一类。生物信息学分析显示，Smad4蛋白分子质量为65.43 ku，理论等电点为10.04，为亲水蛋白；含有2个保守结构域：MH1和MH2；二级结构由α-螺旋（18.11%）、延伸链（17.29%）和无规则卷曲（64.60%）组成。组织表达分析表明，Smad4基因在鸡的心脏、肝脏、空肠、卵巢中均有较高表达，而在胸肌中不表达。本试验成功获得了鸡Smad4基因全长序列，并初步研究了其组织表达规律，为进一步研究Smad4基因在鸡繁殖活动中的分子机制提供了理论依据。     

猪BLM基因N端、C端的克隆及其在不同组织与疾病中的表达分析

为探究猪BLM解旋酶N端、C端的结构功能及其在不同组织和疾病中的相对表达量，本研究采用RT-PCR技术扩增从江香猪BLM基因N端和C端，利用生物信息学软件对克隆所获序列进行分析，同时采用实时荧光定量PCR技术分析BLM基因在猪不同组织及病样中的表达差异。结果显示，试验成功克隆了从江香猪BLM基因N端1 025 bp和C端1 300 bp序列，与GenBank中猪BLM基因序列（登录号：NM_001123084.1）同源性为100%；生物信息学软件预测显示，猪BLM基因序列长度为4 316 bp，包含4 280 bp的开放阅读框，编码一个由1 426个氨基酸组成的多肽链；氨基酸序列比对发现，猪BLM基因氨基酸序列与牛的同源性最高（85%）；结构域预测表明，猪BLM基因有DEXDc、HELICc、RQC和HRDC 4个结构域；系统进化树分析表明，猪BLM基因与牛亲缘关系最近；实时荧光定量PCR结果显示，以心脏为对照，BLM基因在从江香猪各组织中均有表达，其中在睾丸中的相对表达量最高，其次为肺脏、肝脏、脾脏、心脏、肾脏、小肠和大肠，在睾丸和肺脏中的表达量均极显著高于其他组织（P<0.01）；BLM基因在患繁殖与呼吸道综合征猪肺脏、患白血病鸡肝脏和患鸭瘟鸭肝脏中的表达水平均极显著或显著高于正常组织（P<0.01；P<0.05），提示BLM基因的变化可能也会导致动物疾病的发生。本试验结果可为后续畜禽BLM解旋酶原核表达载体的构建及其在重大疾病的发生和预防等研究提供理论依据。     

鸡HMIT基因的克隆与表达分析

旨在克隆鸡H+/肌醇转运蛋白（H+/myoinositol transporter，HMIT）基因的转录序列，并检测HMIT基因在鸡不同组织中的表达情况，以及外源胰岛素处理对HMIT基因相对表达量的影响。本研究以AA肉鸡为试验动物，采用RT-PCR技术克隆鸡HMIT基因全编码区序列，采用生物信息学技术分析其编码蛋白的生物学特性，利用荧光定量PCR检测HMIT基因在大脑、肝、腹脂、腿肌、心、肾、空肠和回肠等组织中的表达情况，并检测其在肾和大脑中进行胰岛素处理120和240 min后的表达情况。结果表明，以NCBI预测的鸡HMIT（XM_001232939.5）序列为模板设计引物，成功克隆出鸡HMIT基因（1 694 bp，GenBank登录号：MN708211）。克隆的鸡HMIT编码区全长1 380 bp，相比XM_001232939.5预测的编码序列少561 bp，预测编码含有459个氨基酸组成的蛋白。核苷酸和氨基酸序列比对发现，鸡HMIT在物种间高度同源，共线性分析显示，HMIT所在的1号染色体区域在物种间也是高度保守的。HMIT编码的蛋白质是一种不稳定的亲水性蛋白质，其二级结构和三级结构以无规则卷曲和α-螺旋为主。跨膜结构分析显示，鸡HMIT存在8个明显的跨膜结构域。亚细胞定位结果表明，鸡HMIT蛋白分布于质膜（52.3%）、内质网（21.7%）、液泡（17.4%）、线粒体（4.3%）和高尔基体（4.3%）。实时荧光定量PCR检测结果显示，HMIT基因在鸡大脑和肾表达量最高，且显著高于其他组织（P<0.05）。胰岛素处理240 min后，HMIT在肾和大脑中的表达量都显著低于PBS对照组（P<0.05）。本研究克隆获得了鸡HMIT的全编码区，生物信息学分析及组织表达特性研究为深入探索鸡HMIT基因的生理功能和调控机制奠定基础。