Cloning and expression of pigeon IFN-γ gene

This is the first paper describing the cloning of pigeon IFN-γ gene (PiIFN-γ) and the analysis of the in vitro expressed recombinant protein. The PiIFN-γ gene was identified by RT-PCR as a 498 bp, fragment coding for a precursor protein of 165 amino acids instead of 164 amino acids, as observed in the other avian species. The recombinant protein was expressed in vitro by an eukaryotic system and the biological properties of the cytokine were tested using a chicken macrophage cell line. The high degree of amino acid and nucleotide identity, shared with the ChIFN-γ, and the fact that the pigeon protein was functional on chicken cells, indicates a cross-reactivity between pigeon and chicken IFN-γ. The detection of the PiIFN-γ could represent an useful instrument in understanding the role played by this cytokine in immune response related to vaccinations and infectious diseases in the pigeon.     

Vaccination of calves with Mycobacteria bovis Bacilli Calmete Guerin (BCG) induced rapid increase in the proportion of peripheral blood γδ T cells

Changes in the proportion of peripheral blood T cell subsets after subcutaneous inoculation of cattle with Mycobacterium bovis Bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) were studied. Calves were injected with approximately 8 × 10⁶ BCG bacillus and blood samples collected at weekly intervals for flow-cytometric analyses to determine the proportion of CD4⁺, CD8⁺ and γδ T cells. In addition, whole blood samples were stimulated in vitro with M. bovis purified protein derivative (PPD) and the secreted IFN-γ quantified by ELISA. Results showed cellular and cytokine changes which could be categorized into three phases. The first phase occurred within the first 2 weeks after vaccination involving an increase in proportion of WC1⁺ γδ T cells and a concomitant increase in the secretion of IFN-γ. These two responses peaked at 2 weeks and waned thereafter. The second phase involved an increase in the CD4/CD8 ratio as a result of an increase in the proportion of CD4⁺ T cells between 4 and 6 weeks. The third phase involved a decrease in the CD4/CD8 ratio due to an increase in the proportion of CD8⁺ T cells between 8 and 10 weeks. Surprisingly, the IFN-γ response was associated with changes in the γδ rather than the CD4⁺ or CD8⁺ T cells, suggesting that this cytokine was secreted by γδ-T cells. These results are consistent with the reported ability of γδ T cells to act rapidly and bridging the innate and classically adaptive immune responses.     

Effects of interferon-γ knockdown on vaccine-induced immunity against Marek’s disease in chickens

Interferon (IFN)-γ has been shown to be associated with immunity to Marek’s disease virus (MDV). The overall objective of this study was to investigate the causal relationship between IFN-γ and vaccine-conferred immunity against MDV in chickens. To this end, 3 small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) targeting chicken IFN-γ, which had previously been shown to reduce IFN-γ expression in vitro, and a control siRNA were selected to generate recombinant avian adeno-associated virus (rAAAV) expressing short-hairpin small interfering RNAs (shRNAs). An MDV challenge trial was then conducted: chickens were vaccinated with herpesvirus of turkey (HVT), administered the rAAAV expressing shRNA, and then challenged with MDV. Tumors were observed in 4 out of 10 birds that were vaccinated with HVT and challenged but did not receive any rAAAV, 5 out of 9 birds that were administered the rAAAV containing IFN-γ shRNA, and 2 out of 10 birds that were administered a control enhanced green fluorescent protein siRNA. There was no significant difference in MDV genome load in the feather follicle epithelium of the birds that were cotreated with the vaccine and the rAAAV compared with the vaccinated MDV-infected birds. These results suggest that AAAV-based vectors can be used for the delivery of shRNA into chicken cells. However, administration of the rAAAV expressing shRNA targeting chicken IFN-γ did not seem to fully abrogate vaccine-induced protection.     

芦花鸡IFITM3基因克隆及生物信息学分析

本研究旨在对芦花鸡的干扰素诱导的跨膜蛋白-3（interferon-induced transmembrane protein 3，IFITM3）基因进行克隆及生物信息学分析。根据GenBank中鸡IFITM3基因序列（登录号：NM_001350061.1）设计特异性引物，利用RT-PCR技术对芦花鸡IFITM3基因进行克隆、测序和生物信息学分析。结果表明，芦花鸡IFITM3基因片段大小为414 bp，与GenBank中发表的鸡IFITM3基因序列（登录号：NM_001350061.1）同源性为99.9%；编码137个氨基酸。IFITM3基因理论分子质量为14.95 ku，理论等电点（pI）为6.89，不稳定系数为33.98，脂肪系数为103.14，平均疏水指数为0.300，存在3个明显的疏水区，无信号肽，存在2个跨膜区，分别位于第46-68、101-123位氨基酸处；二级结构预测显示，IFITN3蛋白主要以无规则卷曲为主，存在多个α-螺旋和β-折叠区域。本研究成功克隆了芦花鸡IFITM3基因，为进一步研究IFITM3蛋白功能及阐明其抗病毒分子机制奠定了理论基础。     

鸡Oct-1 POU结构域基因的克隆、表达及纯化

根据GenBank已发表的鸡Oct-1基因序列(M29972)设计一对引物,利用RT-PCR技术从SPF鸡肝脏中扩增出编码Oct-1POU功能域的cD-NA序列,序列比较表明,与GenBank中发表的鸡Oct-1基因的同源性为99.6%,推导的氨基酸的同源性为99%。构建了原核表达载体pET-POU,利用IPTG在大肠杆菌中诱导表达,并对表达产物进行了纯化,结果表明,Oct-1POU功能域在大肠杆菌中获得高效可溶性表达,融合蛋白的分子量约为37kD,表达产物经His.Bind亲和层析得到纯化的蛋白。     

猪圆环病毒2型ORF3编码蛋白的体外表达

设计特异引物,以猪圆环病毒2型(PCV-2)杭州株HZ0201的基因组DNA为模板,PCR扩增出ORF3基因,构建了pGEX-4T-1-ORF3原核表达载体和pEGFP-C2-ORF3真核表达载体。ORF3基因全长315 bp,编码105个氨基酸。SDS-PAGE、Western blot分析及真核PK15细胞转染结果显示:ORF3蛋白在大肠杆菌中以包涵体形式存在,分子量大小约为37.7 ku;ORF3重组蛋白在真核PK15细胞的细胞核和细胞浆都有表达,尤其在细胞核中表达量较高,且对细胞有一定的毒性。     

Canine thyrotropin β-subunit gene: cloning and expression in Escherichia coli, generation of monoclonal antibodies, and transient expression in the Chinese hamster ovary cells

The gene encoding the mature β subunit of canine thyroid stimulating hormone (cTSHβ) was cloned, sequenced and expressed in Escherichia coli and in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, and monoclonal antibodies against the recombinant cTSHβ purified from E. coli were generated. The gene fragment that encodes mature TSHβ was cloned from the canine genomic DNA by direct polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using primers that were designed based on the consensus sequences from other species. The resulting 891 basepairs (bp) of genomic DNA consisted of two coding exons of the canine TSHβ gene and an intron of 450 bp. The two exons, which encode the mature cTSHβ subunit, was joined together by an overlap PCR and was expressed in E. coli as 6×His-tagged protein. The purified recombinant cTSHβ with a molecular weight of about 15 kDa was recognized by the polyclonal antibodies prepared against the native canine TSH in Western blot. Monoclonal antibodies were raised against the purified cTSHβ and subsequently characterized. For transient expression in CHO cells that are permanently transfected with the bovine common α gene, a 60-oligonucleotide signal peptide coding sequence was added to the 5′ end of the cTSHβ gene before it was cloned into the mammalian expression vector pRSV and used to transfect CHO cells. The medium from these transfected cells, presumably containing the bovine α and canine TSHβ in heterodimeric confirmation, exhibited TSH bioactivity as indicated by the stimulation of cAMP production in the cultured FRTL-5 thyrocytes.     

Sequence and phylogenetic analysis of interleukin (IL)-1beta-encoding genes of five avian species and structural and functional homology among these IL-1beta proteins

Interleukin (IL)-1beta-encoding regions of chicken, duck, goose, turkey and pigeon were cloned and sequenced. Each IL-1beta-encoding region of chicken, duck, goose and turkey is 804 nucleotides long and encodes IL-1beta protein that is 268 amino acids. Pigeon IL-1beta-encoding region is 810 nucleotides long and encodes IL-1beta protein that is 270 amino acids. Two one-nucleotide and one four-nucleotide insertions of pigeon IL-1beta-encoding region sequence were found, resulting in two amino acid insertions in pigeon IL-1beta. Pairwise sequence analysis showed that the sequence identities of IL-1beta-encoding genes ranged from 77% to 99%, which were also found for IL-1beta protein sequence identities, with an average level of both sequence identities of 89%. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that IL-1beta-encoding regions and the encoded proteins of chicken, duck, goose and turkey clustered together and evolved into a distinct phylogenetic lineage from that of pigeon which evolved into a second lineage. The results from the binding reaction of antiserum against each recombinant IL-1beta (r IL-1beta) protein to homologous or heterologous rIL-1beta, the enhancement levels of K60 mRNA expression in rIL-1beta-treated DF-1 cells or the reduction levels of K60 mRNA expression in DF-1 cells treated with rIL-1beta that was preincubated with homologous or heterologous antiserum showed that all five rIL-1beta were functional active and shared significantly structural and functional homology.     

Correlations between carcass traits and mRNA levels of CGI-105 and CCAAT/enhancer protein α genes in steers of Korean cattle

To understand the molecular mechanisms that regulate intramuscular fat deposition (marbling), cDNA clones expressed in adipose tissues of Korean cattle were identified and characterized. One clone had a total length of 1262 nucleotides coding for 314 amino acids. It was identified as one encoding bovine homolog of human CGI-105 mRNA. CGI-105 is a member of fumarylacetoacetate hydrolase family. Comparison of the deduced amino acid sequences of bovine CGI-105 with those of human revealed more than 89% identity. High levels of CGI-105 mRNA expression were detected in muscle, heart, and kidney tissues among various bovine tissues. Carcass traits, including backfat thickness, rib eye area, yield index, marbling score, and quality grade were analyzed in steer of Korean cattle. A CCAAT/enhancer binding protein alpha (C/EBPα) is one of adipocyte differentiation factors that may affect deposition of fat in muscle. mRNA levels of CGI-105 and C/EBPα genes were determined in the loin muscle tissues of steers. Correlation between carcass traits and mRNA levels of the genes was estimated by Pearson's correlation coefficient. The mRNA levels of C/EBPα showed strong positive correlation (r = 0.83, p < 0.01) with marbling scores. The results of the present study indicate that the manipulation of the expression of the C/EBPα gene may contribute to the development of a method for enhancing intramuscular fat deposition in beef.     

柔嫩艾美耳球虫杨凌株3-1E基因的克隆、表达与蛋白结构预测

应用PCR技术,从柔嫩艾美耳球虫(Eimeria tenella)孢子化卵囊子孢子cDNA表达文库中扩增得到鸡E.tenella杨凌株(YL)子孢子表面抗原3-1E基因。序列分析表明,E.tenella YL 3-1E基因的开放阅读框(ORF)为513个碱基,编码170个氨基酸,与报道的E.tenella甘肃株(GS)3-1E基因相似性为99.8%,两者推导的氨基酸序列相似性为99.4%;而与文献报道的堆型艾美耳球虫(E.acervulina)美国株(US)3-1E基因序列的相似性为98.8%,推导的氨基酸序列相似性为98.8%。利用生物信息学和分子生物学软件对3-1E基因编码的蛋白进行结构预测,结果表明,该蛋白为结构松散的球状蛋白。将3-1E基因亚克隆到表达载体pGEX-4T-1,构建pGEX-3-1E重组质粒并在大肠杆菌BL21中进行表达,表达产物经SDS-PAGE分析,表明成功地表达出了分子量为44.7 ku的融合蛋白。该研究为球虫基因工程疫苗的研制奠定了基础。     

Antiviral activity of rChIFN-α against vesicular stomatitis virus and Newcastle disease virus: a novel recombinant chicken interferon-α showed high antiviral activity

The sequences of 27 chicken interferon-alpha (ChIFN-α) genes were obtained from GenBank. The gene sequences were compared and homology between them was determined by using a bio-software. On the basis of these results, a new rChIFN-α peptide sequence with 194 amino acids was assembled. Thereafter, on the basis of the new amino acid sequences and by using the most frequently occurring codes of Pichia pastoris, and a 582 bp gene sequence was formed. In order to amplify this non-templated gene, 16 primers were designed, and their gene sequences were synthesized, and amplified. This amplified gene sequence was cloned into the expression vector pPICZα-A to construct a recombination plasmid named pPICZ-rChIFN-α. Then, the recombination plasmid was induced to express the rChIFN-α protein. The results demonstrated that the recombinant plasmid pPICZ-rChIFN-α was successfully expressed in P. pastoris. Furthermore, rChIFN-α had a considerable antiviral activity against both Newcastle disease virus (NDV) and vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV). Therefore, this method of gene engineering could give direction to research on the key amino acids in the interferon or analogous proteins and enable the construction of proteins with high antiviral activity, which can be used both for research and industrial purposes.     

柞蚕核糖体蛋白基因S3a的克隆及表达分析

核糖体蛋白在蛋白质的生物合成、细胞的代谢与凋亡、机体免疫、信号转导等方面有重要作用。采用RT-PCR方法克隆了柞蚕(Antheraea pernyi)核糖体蛋白基因S3a的开放阅读框(ORF),ORF序列长795bp,编码264个氨基酸。序列比对表明,柞蚕S3a蛋白与其它10个物种S3a蛋白的相似性介于72%～99%之间,其中与柳蚕(Actias selene)S3a蛋白的相似性最高。用RT-PCR方法分析该基因在柞蚕幼虫组织中的表达情况,结果显示柞蚕S3a基因在柞蚕幼虫的血液、中肠、丝腺和脂肪体组织中均有表达,且转录水平无显著差异。SDS-PAGE和Westernblotting检测显示柞蚕S3a基因在大肠杆菌中获得了正确表达。     

鹅细小病毒主要结构蛋白VP3基因的克隆与序列分析

将GPV H2分离株接种于13日龄非免疫鸭胚，收集接毒后3－7日死亡鸭胚的尿囊液。纯化病毒，通过PCR技术，从病毒基因组DNA中扩增出病毒衣壳蛋白VP3完整基因片段，经酶切鉴定后直接与pMD 18-T质粒载体连接，转化感受态大肠杆菌TG1。提取重组质粒经PCR鉴定和酶切鉴定后，对插入片段进行序列测定及分析。结果表明；鹅细小病毒H1分离株VP3基因全长1605bp,编码534个氨基酸，与国外已发表的鹅细小病毒B株核苷酸序列同源性为98．5％，氨基酸序列同源性为98．3％，表明这二个毒株亲缘关系相近。     

Bovine CD4 T-cell lines reactive with soluble and membrane antigens of Cowdria ruminantium

Cowdria-specific CD4⁺ T-cell lines generated from immunised cattle respond to both soluble and membrane proteins of the agent. Furthermore, the lines produced the Cowdria-inhibitory cytokine IFN-γ in response to soluble antigens fractionated by gel filtration and FPLC. Activity eluted as a single peak around fraction 15 for all T-cell lines tested. This fraction induced the highest production of IFN-γ by the lines and was shown by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and silver staining analysis to contain less than 10 different bands ranging from 22 to 32 kDa. Given their high sensitivity and specificity, these short-term CD4⁺ T-cell lines will be valuable tools for the identification of Cowdria antigens for incorporation in a subunit vaccine.     

鸡贫血病毒vp3基因克隆、序列分析和比较

克隆了从我国哈尔滨分离的一株鸡贫血病毒（CAV）的vp3基因，并对之进行了测序。该基因的开放读码枢由366bp组成，编码121个氨基酸，氨基酸组成具有已报道VP3的典型特点。本次克隆的基因与GenBank收录的CAV的vp3基因进行序列比较，同源性至少为98％。与国内报道的山东株SJ1的vp3基因有3个核苷酸的差异，表明国内的CAV毒株已经产生了一些分化。在EMBL中比较本次克隆的VP3蛋白一级结构，与之差异最大的是马来西亚分离株的VP3，有5个氨基酸残基不同，同源性为96％。同时收集EMBL中的CAV的VP3蛋白绘制进化树，我国哈尔滨分离的CAV毒株与CIA进化关系最近，而与Cux-1的2个衍生株QDWX1、QDWX3进化关系最远。这些结果进一步证明了CAV在遗传方面是较保守的病毒，来自哈尔滨的CAV不是CAV的一个独立分支。     

In vitro effect of vitamin E on lectin-stimulated porcine peripheral blood mononuclear cells

In order to analyze the effect of vitamin E on Th1 and Th2 cytokine production, porcine peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were isolated from healthy pigs (n = 8) and cultured with either 0, 10, 50, or 100 μM of vitamin E (α-tocopherol). PBMC were stimulated with PHA for either, 24 h to determine: (a) the concentration of tocopherol incorporated into the cell membrane, (b) cytokine production and (c) Th1 and Th2 regulators gene expression; or 72 h to determine the proliferation of PBMC. Vitamin E was incorporated into the PBMC in a dose dependent manner, giving as a result a high proliferation of cells irrespective of the dose of vitamin E used. Regarding cytokine production, vitamin E consistently decreases the mRNA expression and the percentage of cells producing IL-10. Vitamin E did not influence the production of IFN-γ but the lowest level of vitamin E (10 μM) was sufficient to maximally increase the proportion of cells producing IL-2, to diminish IL-4, and discreetly increase the mRNA expression of TBX21 vs. GATA3. In conclusion, our results revealed that vitamin E is able to suppress IL-10 production and to influence the production of IL-2, IL-4, and maybe TBX21. Vitamin E clearly has immunomodulatory effects, though further work in vivo to determine the physiological nature of these effects is warranted.     

Identification of single-nucleotide polymorphisms in 5' end and exons of the PRKAG3 gene in Hubbard White broiler, Leghorn layer, and three Chinese indigenous chicken breeds

5′‐AMP‐activated protein kinase plays an important role in regulating the level of ATP in the presence of metabolic stress. Previous studies revealed that polymorphisms in 5′‐AMP‐activated protein kinase gamma 3 subunit (PRKAG3) gene are associated with meat quality in pigs. In the present study, single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the 5′‐end and exons of chicken PRKAG3 gene were identified with the method of single‐strand conformation polymorphism in Hubbard ISA White broiler, Leghorn layer, and three Chinese indigenous chicken breeds, Tibet Chicken, Shouguang Chicken and Beijing Yellow Chicken. Two SNPs in the 5′‐end of the gene and 10 SNPs in exons 3, 4, 9 and 11, of which three caused amino acid substitutions, were identified in the PRKAG3 gene of the five chicken breeds. The results will facilitate further study on the association between the mutations of PRKAG3 and chicken meat quality.     

鸡Rab7b在细胞晚期内吞体定位和结合恒定链的分子特征

Rab蛋白是介导胞内活性蛋白转运的分子家族。恒定链（invariant chain，Ii）具有协助抗原肽转运、B细胞成熟和作为细胞因子的受体等免疫学功能。前期研究发现，鸡（Gallus gallus）Rab5a在细胞早期内吞体中与Ii结合，但不清楚是否还有其他转运蛋白有该特性。基于Rab7b分子定位于晚期内吞体，并与胞内分子转运相关，本研究探索了鸡Rab7b与Ii结合的分子结构特征。首先，用自行设计的引物扩增了鸡和小鼠（Mus musculus）Rab7b基因，并进行了氨基酸同源性比对分析；构建了含鸡Rab7b及其67位氨基酸突变体Rab7bQ67L的原核和真核重组质粒。其次，将含红色荧光蛋白和目的基因的重组质粒转染鼠巨噬细胞系Raw264.7，培养后用绿色荧光素（FITC）标记的鼠抗晚期内吞体蛋白1（LAMP1）抗体染色，观察目的蛋白在内吞体的定位。进一步将鸡Rab7b和Rab7bQ67L分别与Ii共转染293T细胞，观察它们与Ii的共定位。最后用拉下法和免疫印迹检测鸡Rab7b及Rab7bQ67L与Ii的结合。结果表明，所克隆获得的鸡Rab7b基因与预期大小一致，其开放阅读框为624 bp，编码208个氨基酸。鸡和鼠的Rab7b蛋白质结构相似性为74%。尽管鸡Rab7b和突变体Rab7bQ67L均能结合Ii，但只有Rab7b可以定位于晚期内吞体，而突变体却改变了该定位特性。综上所述，鸡Rab7b与Ii不仅在晚期内吞体共定位，而且还能互相结合；鸡Rab7b的第67位氨基酸影响其在细胞内定位而不影响与Ii结合。综上表明，Rab分子参与了Ii在细胞内细胞器的转运，为进一步研究Ii在细胞内的转运机制提供了新的途径。     

Molecular Characteristics of Chicken Rab7b in Localization and Binding Invariant Chain in Late Cell Endocytosis

Rab is a family of molecules that mediate the transport of active proteins in cells. The invariant chain (Ii) has the immunological functions of assisting antigen peptide transport, B cell maturation, and acting as the receptor of cytokines. Previous studies showed that Rab5a of chicken (Gallus gallus) is bound to Ii in the early endocytosis, but it is not clear whether there are other Rab molecules with this property. Based on the localization of Rab7b in late endocytosis and its relationship with intracellular molecular transport, this study explored the molecular structure of Rab7b binding to Ii. First, Rab7b genes of chicken and mouse (Mus musculus) were amplified with self-designed primers, and the amino acid homology was analyzed; the prokaryotic and eukaryotic recombinant plasmids containing Rab7b and its 67 amino acid mutant Rab7bQ67L were constructed. Secondly, the recombinant plasmid containing red fluorescent protein and target gene was transfected into mouse macrophage line Raw264.7. After culture, the recombinant plasmid was stained with FITC labeled mouse anti late endosomal protein 1 (LAMP1) antibody to observe the localization of the target protein. Furthermore, chicken Rab7b and Rab7bQ67L were co-transfected with Ii to observe their co-localization with Ii. Finally, the binding of Rab7b and its mutants to Ii were detected by pull-down technique and Western blotting. The results showed that the Rab7b gene was the same size as expected, and its open reading frame was 624 bp, encoding 208 amino acids. The homology of Rab7b protein structure between chicken and mouse was 74%. Although both Rab7b and Rab7bQ67L could bind to Ii, it was Rab7b rather than Rab7bQ67L could locate in the late endocytosis. In conclusion, Rab7b and Ii were not only co-located in the late endocytosis, but also combined with each other; the 67th amino acid of Rab7b affected its location in cells but not with Ii. These results suggest that Rab molecules are involved in the transport of Ii in intracellular organelles, which provides a new way to further study the mechanism of Ii transport in cells.     

Immunostimulatory effects of natural human interferon-alpha (huIFN-α) on carps Cyprinus carpio L.

Human interferon-α (huIFN-α) is an important immunomodulatory substance used in the treatment and prevention of numerous infectious and immune-related diseases in animals. However, the immunostimulatory effects of huIFN-α in fish remain to be investigated. In the current study, the immune responses of the carp species Cyprinus carpio L. to treatment with huIFN-α were analyzed via measurement of superoxide anion production, phagocytic activity and the expression of cytokine genes including interleukin-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin 10. Low doses of huIFN-α were administered orally once a day for 3 days, and sampling was carried out at 1, 3 and 5 days post-treatment. Our results indicate that a low dose of huIFN-α significantly increased phagocytic activity and superoxide anion production in the carp kidney. The huIFN-α-treated fish also displayed a significant upregulation in cytokine gene expression. The current study demonstrates the stimulatory effects of huIFN-α on the carp immune system and highlights the immunomodulatory role of huIFN-α in fish.