营养素和激素对乳蛋白合成过程中哺乳动物雷帕霉素靶蛋白信号通路调节作用的研究进展

哺乳动物雷帕霉素靶蛋白(mTOR)是一种非典型丝氨酸/苏氨酸蛋白激酶,是mTOR信号通路的重要分子。mTOR可整合氨基酸、能量和激素等多种细胞外信号,参与基因转录、蛋白质翻译等生物过程。本文总结了mTOR信号通路特点及信号途径,重点介绍了营养素(氨基酸、能量底物)和激素(主要是胰岛素)在乳蛋白合成过程中对mTOR信号通路的调节作用。     

氨基酸调节哺乳动物雷帕霉素靶蛋白复合体1信号通路的分子机制

哺乳动物雷帕霉素靶蛋白复合体1(mTORC1)信号通路能够感受一系列细胞内外环境因素的变化,如氨基酸浓度、能量水平、生长因子等进而调节细胞生长。氨基酸不仅是合成蛋白质的底物,也可作为信号分子激活mTORC1信号通路,促进蛋白质合成。溶酶体是氨基酸激活mTORC1信号通路过程中一个重要细胞器,mTORC1感应氨基酸的上游信号通路需要溶酶体相关蛋白及胞浆蛋白的参与完成。本文综述了氨基酸调节mTORC1信号通路的分子机制,为营养因子调控蛋白质合成的关键通路提供参考。     

脂肪和蛋白质代谢对肉品风味的影响

蛋白质和脂肪是机体代谢过程中重要的能量物质,也是人类食物重要的风味前体物质。机体通过酶、激素和信号分子的表达水平来调节物质代谢。不同性别动物肝组织脂肪酸含量和组成有所不同。肝和肌肉脂肪酸组成反映饲料脂肪酸组成。脂肪酸合成酶和激素敏感性脂肪酶是脂肪合成和分解的关键酶,生长激素/胰岛素样生长因子-I生长轴是动物体内重要的合成代谢调节系统,机体在细胞水平上通过雷帕霉素靶蛋白和氨基酸应答信号通路感知食物中的氨基酸含量、丰度和平衡性。核酸、蛋白质和脂肪的代谢产物肌苷酸、游离氨基酸和挥发性物质是肉品代表性风味物质。动物性别、饲料和饲喂模式等通过一系列生理途径影响营养物质的沉积和代谢,也影响肉品的滋味和风味。     

氨基酸代谢与免疫反应

炎症反应和感染性疾病均可改变机体的蛋白质和氨基酸需要,导致动物采食量下降、生长受阻和肌肉消耗,这主要是因细胞因子(如IL-1、IL-6、TNF-α)的增加而改变了蛋白质代谢。在免疫反应中,氨基酸将发生重分配并主要用于合成参与炎症和免疫反应的蛋白质以及参与免疫细胞增殖和其他免疫反应的重要化合物。免疫系统的活化可干扰机体正常的生理反应并导致对某些特殊氨基酸的需要量增加。本文主要综述了某些特殊氨基酸(通常是必需氨基酸)在免疫反应中的重要作用。     

氨基酸供给与内分泌互作调控乳蛋白合成的研究进展

限制性氨基酸研究是泌乳奶牛研究的热点之一,关于其影响乳蛋白合成途径而进行的一系列体内外研究表明:底物效应可能不是主要原因,更重要的是氨基酸及其构成作为信号因子对神经内分泌和细胞内信号通路的影响。本文从乳蛋白合成的影响因素入手,概括了氨基酸供给、激素分泌及二者相互作用对乳蛋白合成的调节,以期为阐明氨基酸供给影响乳蛋白合成的途径提供一定理论参考。     

氨基酸介导的TOR信号传导通路研究进展

TOR(target of rapamycin)是一种进化上十分保守的丝氨酸(Ser)/苏氨酸(Thr)蛋白激酶,可以感知营养状况、能量、生长因子等信号,进而调节细胞的生长、增殖和凋亡等生理进程.本文综述了TOR的上、下游信号传导通路及各种氨基酸对TOR信号传导通路的影响,为探讨氨基酸调控蛋白质合成的作用机制及建立精确...     

氨基酸调节基因表达的研究进展

氨基酸的主要功能是参与蛋白质合成，但也不能忽视氨基酸的其他重要功能，如氨基酸在基因表达上发挥重要作用，氨基酸限制可以激活一些转录调节机制，从而调节从DNA到RNA到蛋白质的各个环节。本文以氨基酸限制调节CHOP基因（表达产物是C/EBP的同源性蛋白）、ASNS基因（编码产物为天门冬酰胺合成酶）以及ATF4(cAMP反应元件结合蛋白家族的成员)基因表达为例阐述氨基酸对基因表达的调节机制，为其在猪和禽等动物上的研究和应用奠定基础。     

乳腺对氨基酸的摄取及其调控机制研究进展

乳蛋白是乳中重要的营养成分之一,超过90%的乳蛋白是乳腺利用从血液中摄取的氨基酸从头合成,因此在保证氨基酸充足供给的前提下,乳腺对氨基酸摄取率的高低是影响乳蛋白产量的关键因素。血液中的氨基酸不能自由扩散进出乳腺,需要由乳腺上皮细胞膜上特异的氨基酸转运载体(AAT)协助完成。而乳腺AAT活性受到营养物质和激素水平的调节,当乳腺感知到营养物质和激素水平变化的信号,能够通过激活或抑制以哺乳动物雷帕霉素靶蛋白复合物1(mTORC1)和一般性调控阻遏蛋白激酶2(GCN2)为核心的2条信号通路的活性,进而影响AAT活性,调节乳腺对氨基酸的摄取。本文主要从乳腺AAT的分类和功能、影响乳腺摄取氨基酸的主要因素以及调控乳腺氨基酸摄取的信号通路机制3个方面作一综述,旨在从氨基酸摄取的角度为提高乳蛋白的合成提供参考。     

瘦素及其受体对肌肉组织蛋白质代谢的调节

近年来,体内外试验研究表明,瘦素的短期或长期处理能够调节哺乳动物骨骼肌和肌细胞内蛋白质的代谢,而这主要是由于瘦素可以调节肌细胞内与蛋白质代谢相关的信号通路(如胰岛素相关信号通路和丝裂原活化蛋白激酶信号通路)的活性.因此,本文综述了瘦素及其受体在动物体内肌肉组织蛋白质代谢过程中的调节作用,并分析讨论了这一过程中瘦素的可能...     

GCN2和mTORC1信号路径对动物机体氨基酸平衡的调节作用

氨基酸平衡对哺乳动物健康生长具有重要意义,而在维持机体氨基酸平衡的过程中,GCN2和mTORC1信号路径发挥着重要作用。GCN2路径能有效感应胞内氨基酸缺乏,而mTORC1路径则能对胞外氨基酸水平的变化做出响应。本文结合近年来有关GCN2和mTORC1的研究进展,阐述了氨基酸充足和氨基酸饥饿条件下,GCN2和mTORC1这两条信号路径的感应特点以及随后启动的相关应答机制,包括蛋白质合成、拒食行为、氨基酸转运体表达增加、氨基酸合成酶增加和自噬启动等。了解动物在不同的氨基酸营养状态下维持细胞内氨基酸平衡的这些调节机制,有助于人们更好的对动物进行氮营养调控,从而改善肠道健康。     

Phase I evaluation of CCNU (lomustine) in tumor-bearing cats

1-(2-Chloroethyl)3-cyclohexyl-1-nitrosourea (CCNU) is an alkylating agent in the nitrosourea subclass. A prospective evaluation of CCNU was done to determine the maximally tolerated dosage of CCNU in tumor-bearing cats. Response data were obtained when available. Twenty-five cats were treated with CCNU at a dosage of 50-60 mg/m3 body surface area. Complete hematologic data were available for 13 cats. Neutropenia was the acute dose-limiting toxicity. The median neutrophil count at the nadir was 1,000 cells/microL (mean, 2,433 cells/microL; range, 0-9,694 cells/microL). The time of neutrophil nadir was variable, occurring 7-28 days after treatment, and counts sometimes did not return to normal for up to 14 days after the nadir. Based on these findings, a 6-week dosing interval and weekly hematologic monitoring after the 1st treatment with CCNU are recommended. The nadir of the platelet count may occur 14-21 days after treatment. The median platelet count at the nadir was 43,500 cells/microL. No gastrointestinal, renal, or hepatic toxicities were observed after a single CCNU treatment, and additional studies to evaluate the potential for cumulative toxicity should be performed. Five cats with lymphoma and 1 cat with mast cell tumor had measurable responses to CCNU. Phase II studies to evaluate antitumor activity should be completed with a dosing regimen of 50-60 mg/m3 every 6 weeks.     

Furosemide continuous rate infusion in the horse: evaluation of enhanced efficacy and reduced side effects

Continuous rate infusion (CRI) of furosemide in humans is considered superior to intermittent administration (IA). This study examined whether furosemide CRI, compared with IA, would increase diuretic efficacy with decreased fluid and electrolyte fluctuations and activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) in the horse. Five mares were used in a crossover-design study. During a 24-hour period, each horse received a total of 3 mg/kg furosemide by either CRI (0.12 mg/kg/h preceded by a loading dose of 0.12 mg/kg IV) or IA (1 mg/kg IV q8h). There was not a statistically significant difference in urine volume over 24 hours between methods; however, urine volume was significantly greater after CRI compared with IA during the first 8 hours ([median 25th percentile, 75th percentile]: 9.6 L [8.9, 14.4] for CRI versus 5.9 L [5.3, 6.0] for IA). CRI produced a more uniform urine flow, decreased fluctuations in plasma volume, and suppressed renal concentrating ability throughout the infusion period. Potassium, Ca, and Cl excretion was greater during CRI than IA (1,133 mmol [1.110, 1,229] versus 764 mmol [709, 904], 102.7 mmol [96.0, 117.2] versus 73.3 mmol [65.0, 73.5], and 1,776 mmol [1,657, 2.378] versus 1,596 mmol [1,457, 1,767], respectively). Elimination half-lives of furosemide were 1.35 and 0.47 hours for CRI and IA, respectively. The area under the excretion rate curve was 1,285.7 and 184.2 mL x mg/mL for CRI and IA, respectively. Furosemide CRI (0.12 mg/kg/h) for 8 hours, preceded by a loading dose (0.12 mg/kg), is recommended when profound diuresis is needed acutely in horses.     

Prevalence of gastric lesions in racing Alaskan sled dogs

Human and equine athletes are reported to have a high prevalence of gastric disease, and anecdotal evidence suggests a similar phenomenon applies to racing sled dogs. To investigate the prevalence of gastric disease in racing sled dogs, we conducted 2 gastroscopy studies on dogs competing in the annual Iditarod Sled Dog Race. A pilot study of dogs that were either dropped from the 2000 Iditarod Sled Dog Race because of illness or that finished the race indicated that, approximately 5 days after competing, 10 of 28 dogs (35%) had endoscopic evidence of gastric ulceration, erosion, or hemorrhage. The next year, an endoscopic study of 73 dogs participating in the 2001 Iditarod race was performed in order to evaluate a larger population of dogs. Data from 70 of these dogs could be used; 34 (48.5%) had ulceration, erosion, gastric hemorrhage, or some combination of these findings. When this group of 70 dogs was compared retrospectively to a control group of 87 dogs presented to the Texas A&M University (TAMU) Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, the Iditarod sled dogs had a significantly higher prevalence (P = .049) of gastric lesions. These findings suggest that, similar to athletes of other species, elite canine athletes have an increased prevalence of gastric disease compared to the canine population at large.     

The Epidemiology of Gastrointestinal Nematodes of Dairy Cattle in Central Kenya

The epidemiology of H. placei and of other gastrointestinal nematodes in yearling dairy cattle was examined on two farms in Kiambu District, central Kenya during each of 13 one-month periods from April 1993 to April 1994. On each farm, 32 newly weaned dairy calves were given a single dose of albendazole and then placed on experimental pastures. Twelve of the animals were designated for bi-monthly slaughter (n = 2) and analysis of worm population characteristics and 20 were designated for blood and faecal collection and for weighing. Two parasite-free tracer calves were grazed alongside the weaner calves each month throughout the study period and were also slaughtered for analysis of worm populations. Faecal egg counts, haematological and serum pepsinogen determinations, herbage larval counts, and animal live weight changes were recorded monthly. The study revealed that Haemonchus placei, Trichostrongylus axei, Cooperia spp. and Oesophagostomum radiatum were responsible for parasitic gastroenteritis and that H. placei was the predominant nematode present in the young cattle on both farms. Faecal egg counts from resident cattle and necropsy worm counts revealed that pasture larval levels were directly related to the amount of rainfall. The total worm burdens in the animals were highest during the rainy season (March–June and October–December) and lowest during the dry seasons (July–September and January–February). The very low recovery of immature larvae of H. placei from the tracer calves indicated that arrested development is not a feature of the life cycle of this parasite in central Kenya. The maintenance of the parasite population depended on continuous cycling of infection between the host and the pasture. The agroclimatic conditions of the study area were such that, in general, favourable weather conditions for the development and survival of the free-living stages of gastrointestinal nematodes existed all year round.     

Diversity of Ectoparasites in Sheep Flocks in Sa~o Paulo,Brazil

The occurrence of ectoparasites in sheep flocks is frequently reported but seldom quantified. Sheep production used to be a predominantly family activity in the state of Sa~o Paulo (Brazil), but it began to become a commercial activity in the past decade. Thus, information about the ectoparasites existing in sheep flocks has become necessary. The present data were obtained by means of questionnaires sent to all sheep breeders belonging to the `Associaça~o Paulista de Criadores de Ovinos' (ASPACO; Sa~o Paulo State Association of Sheep Breeders). Response reliability was tested by means of random visits paid to 10.6% of the respondents. Most of the properties (89.5%) reported the presence of one or more ectoparasites. Screw-worm (Cochliomyia hominivorax) was the most frequent ectoparasite (72.5%), followed by bot fly larvae (Dermatobia hominis, 45.0%), ticks (Amblyomma cajennense) and Boophilus microplus, 31.3%) and finally lice (Damalinia ovis, 13.8%). Combined infestations also occurred, the most common one being screw-worm with bot fly larvae (36.0%) followed by bot fly larvae with ticks (13.9%), screw-worm with ticks (9.3%), bot fly larvae with lice (6.9%), and ticks with lice (5.0%). The most common triple combination was screw-worm, bot fly larvae and ticks (12.8%). Breeds raised for meat or wool were attacked by bot fly larvae and ticks more often than other breeds. Lice were only absent from animals of indigenous breeds. The relationships among these ectoparasites are discussed in terms of sheep breeds, flock size, seasonality and the ectoparasitic combinations on the host.     

Evaluation of biohydrogenation rate of canola vs. soya bean seeds as unsaturated fatty acids sources for ruminants in situ

An experiment was conducted to study disappearance of C14 to C18 fatty acids, lag times and biohydrogenation (BH) rates of C18 fatty acids of ground soya bean and canola seeds in situ. Three ruminally fistulated Dallagh sheep were used to determine ruminal BH of unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs). Differences in the disappearance of fatty acids through the bags and lag times were observed between the oilseeds. We saw that the longer the incubation time of the oilseeds in the rumen, the lower the content of C18:2 and C18:3. Significantly higher lag times for both C18:2 and C18:3 were observed in ground canola compared to ground soya bean. BH rates of C18:2 and C18:3 fatty acids in soya bean were three times higher than those of canola. These results suggest that the fatty acid profile of fat source can affect the BH of UFAs by rumen micro‐organisms. So that UFAs of canola had higher ability to escape from ruminal BH. It seems that fatty acid profile of ruminant products is more affected by canola seed compared to soya bean seed.     

Serum biochemical values and mineral element contents of tissues in yaks

Serum biochemical values and the wet weight to dry weight ratios of tissues were determined in yaks in Shandan county of Gansu province. The liver, kidney, heart and muscle contents of seven elements in yaks were also analysed. Most serum biochemical values were similar to those of cattle, camels and sheep, but the calcium concentration was considerably above the normal range for other ruminants. The liver contained the highest concentrations of copper, manganese and cobalt and the kidney of selenium, iron and calcium.Abbreviations Alb albumin - ALT alanine aminotransferase - AST aspartate aminotransferase - BUN blood urea nitrogen - Chol cholesterol - Glob globulin - -GT -glutamyl transpeptidase - IP inorganic phosphorus - TP total protein     

Avian brood parasitism — a growing research area in behavioral ecology (part Ⅱ)

正We are pleased to publish the second special issue on avian brood parasitism and to be responsible guest editors for the two special issues of Chinese Birds (Vol. 3, No. 4, 2012 and Vol. 4, No. 1, 2013), entitled "Avian Brood Parasitism - A Growing Research Area in Behavioral Ecology". The first issue was published in December 2012. The goal of the two special issues is to publish accumulated knowledge and some of the recent developments in     

Internal Parasites and Haematological Values in Cattle Slaughtered in Buea Subdivision of Cameroon

Tropical Animal Health and Production -