A Universal `One-tube' RT-PCR Protocol for Amplifying Isolates of Bovine Viral Diarrhoea Virus

The increase in the knowledge of the genetic variability of BVDV and the identification of some of the genetic determinants of its pathogenicity require robust and practical tools for rapid molecular characterization of the various genotypes of this virus. This study was undertaken to develop a standard protocol for RT-PCR that allows the amplification of various parts of the genome of BVDV without the need for optimizing each individual reaction. The reaction set-up is very flexible because it consists of two pre-mixes. These are a master mix, with all the required reagents except the desired primers, which are the components of the second pre-mix and are therefore easily interchangeable between the different reactions. After adding any primer-containing pre-mix to the fixed master mix, a non-interrupted cycling protocol led to the generation of amplicons of up to 4 kbp in size in amounts sufficient for subsequent sequencing reactions. The method was applied to five different regions of the BVDV genome: (i) the well-known 5-UTR to differentiate genotypes I and II; (ii) the entire E2 gene, or an approximately 550 bp region within the E2 gene, in order to find the molecular equivalent of antigenic varieties; (iii) the entire structural protein coding region covering the Npro, capsid, E ^RNS, E1 and E2 genes; (iv) a 2.1 kbp region embracing the NS2/3 junction which is known to be cleaved in cytopathic biotypes of BVDV; and (v) the region covering the entire NS4B and NS5A/B genes. All six RT-PCRs were successfully applied using (i) primers with lengths of between 20 and 52 nucleotides, (ii) an aliquot of RNA extracted from either 10⁶ infected bovine embryonal lung cells or the same number of leukocytes from viraemic cattle, and (iii) all the genotype I and II strains of BVDV tested. The technique described was used to generate various Sindbis virus/BVDV recombinants. The correct processing of the amplicon-derived E2 glycoprotein of BVDV strain PT810 was demonstrated by its reaction with a monoclonal antibody in an immunofluorescence assay. Given the variety of RT-PCRs tested, we conclude that this universal protocol may be useful with other RNA viruses.     

Prevalence of bovine herpesvirus-4 infection in cats in Central Michigan

The gammaherpesvirus bovine herpesvirus-4 (BHV-4) has been isolated from a wide variety of animals, including lions and domestic cats. Although BHV-4 antibodies have been detected in normal cats and cats with urinary disorders, the epidemiology and pathogenic role of BHV-4 in cats is unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of BHV-4 antibodies and viral nucleic acid in a population of free-roaming cats. Plasma and peripheral blood leukocyte samples were collected from 52 male and 52 female free-roaming cats impounded at a regional animal control facility in Central Michigan. Plasma concentrations of BHV-4 antibodies were measured with an indirect fluorescent antibody test. Peripheral blood leukocyte DNA was isolated, and a 2-stage polymerase chain reaction with heminested primers delineating a conserved portion of the BHV-4 glycoprotein B gene homologue was used to amplify BHV-4-specific DNA sequences. BHV-4 antibodies were detected in 38 (73%) male and 23 (44%) female cats. Seropositive cats were significantly more likely to be male than female (odds ratio = 3.22; P = .007). Cell-associated viremia was detected in 17 (33%) male and 11 (21%) female cats. Of the 61 seropositive cats, 23 (38%) had a detectable viremia; only 5 (12%) seronegative cats had detectable viremia. Seropositive cats were significantly more likely to be viremic than seronegative cats (OR = 4.30: P = .009). Our results suggest that BHV-4 infection may be more widespread in certain cat populations than previously reported. Furthermore, many cats seropositive for BHV-4 antibodies have a concurrent cell-associated viremia.     

细胞色素C在生物医学方面的研究进展

综合论述了细胞色素C的研究简史和结构性质,探讨了细胞色素C与细胞线粒体呼吸链、生物进化细胞凋亡的关系,并对细胞色素C的应用前景作了展望。     

Effect of polymorphisms linked to LEP gene on its expression on adipose tissues in beef cattle

In cattle, genetic markers at the leptin (LEP) gene and at those linked to the gene have been described as affecting calving interval (markers LEPSau3AI and IDVGA51), or daily weight gain (BMS1074 and BM1500). This work investigated the effect of these alleles on LEP mRNA levels in cattle subcutaneous and omental adipose tissues. A sample of 137 females of a Brangus‐Ibage beef cattle herd was analysed to evaluate the distribution of the polymorphisms; then, animals having at least one of the IDVGA51*181 (allele 181 at marker IDVGA51; six animals), LEPSau3AI*2 (four), BMS1074*151 (13), BM1500*135 (six) alleles and a control group composed of animals without any of these alleles (four animals) were submitted to surgery to obtain omental and subcutaneous adipose tissues. Leptin mRNA expression was quantified by TaqMan RT‐PCR, using 18S rRNA as internal control and adjusted for the effect of body condition score, through regression analysis. Omental fat had LEP gene expression 33% lower than the subcutaneous tissue. Carriers of IDVGA*181 and BMS1074*151 showed subcutaneous fat leptin mRNA levels higher than the controls. Leptin controls feed intake and coordinates reproduction; therefore, animals with higher LEP gene expression will probably have lower daily weight gain than others with similar forage offer and nutritional condition and probably will also have longer calving interval.     

Identification of polymorphisms and association analysis with meat quality traits in the porcine KIAA1717 and HUMMLC2B genes

Skeletal muscle genes are potential candidates for production and meat quality. Screening a subtracted cDNA library constructed with mRNA obtained from longissimus dorsi muscles of F1 hybrids Landrace × Yorkshire and their female parents Yorkshire, we isolated two partial sequences coding for the H3-K4-specific methyltransferase (KIAA1717) and skeletal muscle myosin regulatory light chain (HUMMLC2B) genes. Database search revealed KIAA1717 and HUMMLC2B encoded proteins with SET domain and EF-hand calcium binding motif, respectively. In the present work we identified their partial polymorphisms and two SNPs, one (C1354T) at the 3′ untranslated region (UTR) of KIAA1717 and one (A345G) at the SINE (PRE-1) element of HUMMLC2B, both created/disrupted a restriction site for endonuclease Msp I. The selected pigs were genotyped at the KIAA1717 C1354T and HUMMLC2B A345G sites by means of a PCR-RFLP protocol. Significant associations were observed for the KIAA1717 C1354T polymorphic site with meat marbling (longissimus doris (p < 0.05), biceps femoris (p < 0.01)) and intramuscular fat (p < 0.01). HUMMLC2B A345G were significantly associated with meat pH (longissimus doris (p < 0.05), biceps femoris (p < 0.01)), drip loss (p < 0.01), water holding capacity (p < 0.01) and meat color value (longissimus doris (p < 0.01), biceps femoris (p < 0.05)). Further studies are needed to confirm these preliminary results.     

Transport of nutrients and electrolytes across the intestinal wall in pigs

In recent years, intestinal transport processes have been studied in detail regarding both, functional and structural aspects. For monosaccharides different systems have been demonstrated for apical uptake: this includes the high-affinity SGLT1 as a distinct d-glucose system and GLUT5 for fructose. Specifically in pigs a low affinity, high-capacity system for d-glucose and d-mannose with no preference for Na⁺ over K⁺ and a very low affinity system are suggested as further uptake systems. As in other species, basolateral extrusion is mediated by GLUT2. The distributions of monosaccharide transport along the gastrointestinal axis as well as the potential role of paracellular monosaccharide absorption have not yet been clarified.

Amino acids can principally be absorbed by the paracellular and transcellular pathway whereas transcellular transport can either be mediated by facilitated diffusion or secondary active Na⁺-coupled transport. This includes different transport systems for neutral, anionic and cationic acids. In addition, the presence of the di-/tripeptides transport system PEPT1 which depends on an inwardly directed H⁺-gradient has also been confirmed for the pig small intestine, its quantitative proportion is still under debate.

Short chain fatty acids (SCFA) are the major end products of microbial carbohydrate fermentation which occurs along the gastrointestinal tract with the highest production rates in the large intestines. At least two uptake mechanisms have to be assumed, i.e., non-ionic diffusion and anionic exchange via SCFA⁻/HCO₃⁻-exchange. Controversial views still exist to what extent SCFA are metabolized within the epithelial tissue.

Segmental differences between small and large intestines have been demonstrated for Na⁺ absorption. Whereas in the small intestines the major part of Na⁺ absorption is mediated by coupled nutrient transport systems, aldosterone sensitive Na⁺ channels and Na⁺/H⁺-exchange are the dominant mechanisms in the hindgut. For Cl⁻ paracellular transport and anionic Cl⁻/HCO₃⁻-exchange are the major absorptive mechanisms. Cl⁻ secretion is mediated by apical channels which may be activated by toxins of different origin. Different types of Cl⁻ channels have been identified, such as Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Regulator (CFTR), Ca-activated Cl⁻ channels (CLCA) and Outwardly Rectifying Cl⁻ Channels (ORCC). Whereas CFTR has clearly been shown for jejunal and colonic epithelial and goblet cells controversy still exists on the relevance of CLCA and ORCC in pigs.

For Ca²⁺ there is evidence that both recently published channels TRPV5 and TRPV6 are also expressed in pig intestinal tissues, however, this has not yet been shown on protein level. From several functional approaches it was demonstrated that phosphate uptake can be mediated by both, a Na⁺-dependent transcellular component and paracellularly. On a molecular basis it is uncertain whether the transport protein of transcellular mechanism belongs to the NaPi-IIb cotransporter family.     

抗盐酸克伦特罗单链抗体基因的克隆、序列分析及表达

提取分泌抗盐酸克伦特罗单克隆抗体杂交瘤细胞株的总RNA,通过RT-PCR技术,扩增VH和VL,用一段柔性肽链-(G4S)3将VH和VL连接成ScFv。测序后经NCBI Blast分析,所得ScFv具有重组功能性鼠抗体可变区基因的特征。将所得目的基因与pET-22b( )连接,转化E.coli BL21,用IPTG诱导表达,表达蛋白经SDS-PAGE分析,37℃培养5 h表达量较大,25℃诱导表达以可溶性为主。     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Spongospora subterranea</Emphasis> soil contamination and its relationship to severity of powdery scab on potatoes

We investigated soil contamination by Spongospora subterranea f. sp. subterranea (Sss) and disease severity of powdery scab in 29 potato fields in Hokkaido, Japan, using a hydroponic culture method with tomato seedlings as bait plants. The quantity of Sss infection on the roots of bait plants was evaluated using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and expressed in terms of the infection potential in the soil. The infection potential was positively correlated with the disease severity of harvested tubers, whereas the spore ball density determined using PCR had an indistinct relationship with disease severity. The infection potential can be useful in evaluating soil contamination and in applying countermeasures against powdery scab.