水牛Smad4基因的克隆及其真核表达载体的构建

为了阐明Smad4基因在水牛卵巢颗粒细胞增殖及胚胎发育中的分子机制,试验采用RT-PCR扩增并克隆水牛Smad4基因,对其核苷酸序列和蛋白质序列进行生物信息学分析,构建Smad4基因的真核表达载体,通过脂质体转染法转染体外培养的牛卵巢颗粒细胞。结果表明,试验克隆得到水牛Smad4基因编码序列,编码区全长为1 662 bp,编码553个氨基酸。通过BLAST对水牛Smad4基因的核苷酸序列进行同源性比对,结果显示,水牛Smad4基因与牛的同源性为99%,与绵羊、猪、马、人的同源性分别为98%、96%、96%和95%。系统进化树分析表明,Smad4基因在不同物种的进化过程中具有高度的保守性。试验成功构建了水牛Smad4基因的真核表达载体pEGFP-N1-Smad4,并在水牛卵巢颗粒细胞中表达出较强的绿色荧光蛋白Smad4-EGFP融合蛋白。本研究成功克隆了水牛Smad4基因,并成功构建了Smad4基因的真核表达载体,为进一步研究Smad4基因在水牛胚胎发育过程中的分子机制奠定基础。     

梅花鹿Smad2与Smad4基因的克隆及其在鹿茸顶端组织的表达

为了从梅花鹿鹿茸顶端组织中克隆Smad2与Smad4基因的编码区(CDS)序列,分析其分子特性及在鹿茸顶端不同组织中的表达情况,试验采用TRIzol法提取鹿茸顶端组织总RNA,以PCR方法获得Smad2与Smad4基因,并利用生物信息学软件对其进行生物信息学分析,免疫组化法检测Smad2与Smad4基因在鹿茸顶端不同组织中的表达水平。结果表明:Smad2基因完整的CDS序列长度为1 404 bp,编码467个氨基酸,与牛、人、马和猪的Smad2核苷酸序列同源性分别为98.29%、94.52%、95.30%和95.51%;Smad4基因完整的CDS序列长度为1 662 bp,编码553个氨基酸,与牛、人、马和猪的Smad4核苷酸序列同源性分别为98.26%、94.89%、95.85%和95.97%;Smad2与Smad4蛋白的分子质量分别为52.24 ku与60.50 ku,理论等电点分别为6.13与6.50,均具有较强的亲水性;梅花鹿Smad2与Smad4基因在茸皮层、间充质层和软骨层中均有表达,在软骨层中表达水平较高。说明梅花鹿Smad2与Smad4基因在鹿茸软骨层中表达水平较高,对鹿茸再生发育具有一定的调节作用。     

银黑狐内皮素受体B基因（EDNRB）的克隆及其组织表达分析

采用RT-PCR方法对银黑狐内皮素受体B基困（EDNRB）进行了克隆,序列分析表明所克隆的cDNA序列全长为1 636bp,包含整个开放阅读框1 332bp,编码443个氨基酸残基。银黑狐EDNRB基因编码序列与GenBank数据库中的犬、猪、人、牛、兔和小鼠的EDNRB基因核酸序列高度同源,同源性分别为99.0%,90.7%,89.5%,89.1%,86.9%和82.8%。银黑狐EDNRB基因编码氨基酸序列中包含1个信号肽序列和7个跨膜区域,跨膜区氨基酸序列在不同物种中高度保守。EDNRB基因组织表达谱分析表明该基因在银黑狐肺、脑和肝脏组织中表达量较高,而在肌肉、脾和心脏中表达量较低,在胃组织中没检测到该基因的表达。本研究结果为下一步探讨ED-NRB基因核酸序列多态性与银黑狐不同毛色表型的相关性奠定了基础。     

狍茸顶端组织Anxa-1基因cDNA克隆及序列分析

为了初步探讨狍膜联蛋白A1(Anxa-1)基因的结构与功能,试验采用RT-PCR方法克隆得到包含全部编码区的东北狍Anxa-1基因cDNA序列,并利用生物学信息方法进行序列分析。结果表明:该基因编码346个氨基酸,相对分子质量为38 898.6,理论等电点为7.02,Anxa-1蛋白氨基酸序列与山羊、牛、猪、人、小鼠的氨基酸序列同源性分别为98%、98%、96%、94%、91%。系统进化树分析表明,在该基因座上狍与山羊、绵羊、水牛、牛等在进化上关系较近,与非洲爪蟾和非洲蟾蜍等关系较远。     

湖羊Lrh-1基因cDNA序列及组织表达谱分析

本研究以湖羊肝脏为材料对肝受体类似物-1(Liver receptor homolog-1,Lrh-1;NR5A2)基因序列进行RT-PCR和RACE测定,并用DNAman、Tmpred、Signal P 3.0、Expasy等生物信息学分析软件和在线工具,对Lrh-1cDNA序列及其蛋白的理化特性、跨膜结构、信号肽和二级结构进行生物信息学分析,同时采用实时荧光定量PCR方法检测湖羊Lrh-1基因的组织表达谱。结果表明,湖羊Lrh-1基因cDNA序列全长1 488bp,与牛的核酸序列相似度最高,为98%,编码区共编码495个氨基酸,氨基酸序列与牛、人、马、猴、犬、小鼠、褐鼠的氨基酸同源性分别为98%、97%、96%、97%、97%、86%和86%;Lrh-1mRNA在湖羊脑、消化及生殖系统组织中均有表达且具有组织特异性,其中在下丘脑组织中的表达量相对最高。     

牦牛DDAH1和DDAH2基因的克隆测序及其在牦牛和犏牛睾丸中的表达差异

为了测定牦牛DDAH1和DDAH2基因序列并比较其在牦牛和雄性不育犏牛睾丸中的表达,以探究该基因与犏牛雄性不育的联系,试验从牦牛睾丸中提取总RNA,采用RT-PCR技术克隆并测序获得牦牛DDAH1和DDAH2基因的c DNA序列;利用实时荧光定量RT-PCR技术检测这两个基因在牦牛与犏牛睾丸中的表达。结果表明:克隆获得的牦牛DDAH1和DDAH2基因序列分别长959 bp及1 091 bp,均包含858 bp的CDS区。DDAH1基因序列与普通牛相比有4个碱基差异,序列同源性为99.58%,而推导的氨基酸序列仅存在1个氨基酸残基差异;DDAH2基因序列与普通牛比较相差1个碱基,序列同源性为99.91%,推导的氨基酸序列存在1个氨基酸残基差异。DDAH1和DDAH2基因在牦牛和犏牛睾丸组织中均有表达,DDAH1基因在犏牛睾丸组织中的表达量显著高于牦牛(P0.05),是牦牛睾丸组织中表达量的1.5倍;DDAH2基因在犏牛睾丸中的表达量与牦牛相比差异不显著。说明DDAH基因表达在犏牛睾丸中上调可能与其雄性不育有关。     

猪ROCK1基因克隆、序列分析及时空表达研究

为进一步获得猪肉质性状候选基因Rho相关激酶1(Rho-associated,coiled-coil containing protein kinase1,ROCK1)的序列特征、生物学功能及时空表达规律等信息,本研究通过PCR、SMARTer RACE PCR的方法克隆了猪ROCK1基因,应用生物信息学方法分析该基因的蛋白质序列在不同物种中的进化关系,并采用RT-PCR和实时荧光定量PCR的方法检测其在不同组织和不同猪种背最长肌不同发育阶段的表达。结果显示,ROCK1基因有2个转录本,包含4 065bp的开放阅读框(ORF),编码1 354个氨基酸;猪ROCK1基因ORF序列与人、小鼠和大鼠的ORF序列的同源性分别为95%、91%和91%,相应的氨基酸序列同源性分别为98%、96%和94%,该蛋白在不同物种间高度保守;ROCK1基因的组织分布较广泛,不同发育阶段在同一组织中的表达会发生变化;胚胎期ROCK1基因在梅山猪背最长肌中的表达极显著高于大白猪(P0.01),出生后ROCK1基因在2个猪种背最长肌中的表达无显著差异(P0.05)。本试验结果为研究ROCK1基因在猪骨骼肌发育中的生物学功能及其分子机制奠定基础。     

绵羊IGFBP-4基因的克隆及序列分析

试验以凉山半细毛羊为研究对象,采用RT-PCR方法克隆了IGFBP-4基因的CDS全序列,生物信息学方法深入分析其序列。结果表明:IGFBP-4基因的CDS序列为777bp,编码258个氨基酸,与山羊、牛、人的CDS同源性分别为99%、98%、95%,氨基酸序列同源性分别为100%、98%、97%,Gen Bank登录号为EU882037.1;IGFBP-4基因的氨基酸分子量为27.9KD,理论等电点(p I)为7.10;进化分析显示与牛、山羊等哺乳动物关系较近,与鸡、鱼类等亲缘关系较远;IGFBP-4基因存在明显的疏水性区域和亲水性区域,有1个信号肽、12个磷酸化位点和2个N-糖基化位点;二级结构分析显示无规卷曲、α-螺旋和β-折叠区域分别为67.44%、22.48%、10.08%;三级结构分析显示存在IGFBP-N功能域序列和甲状腺球蛋白-Ⅰ型功能域。为进一步研究绵羊IGFBP-4基因的功能奠定基础。     

山羊Wnt6基因克隆及组织表达分析

为了研究Wnt6基因在简州大耳羊不同器官组织中的表达水平,试验采用RT-PCR方法克隆山羊Wnt6基因序列,采用荧光定量PCR技术检测该基因在各器官组织中的表达情况。结果表明:获得山羊Wnt6基因序列1 120 bp(Gen Bank登录号为KU950833),其中CDS为1 098 bp,5'UTR16 bp和3'UTR 6 bp,编码365个氨基酸,存在1个信号肽剪切位点,跨膜序列为7~29位氨基酸。氨基酸同源性比较发现,山羊Wnt6与绵羊和牛的同源性最高达99%;山羊Wnt6基因在心脏、肝脏、脾脏、肺脏、肾脏、脂肪、背最长肌、股二头肌、臂三头肌中存在广泛表达,且在脂肪组织中的表达水平极显著高于其他器官组织(P0.01)。     

鹅IDH1基因的分离、序列分析及表达特征研究

为阐明鹅肥肝形成的机制,使用mRNA差异显示技术研究朗德鹅和淑浦鹅在超饲养和正常饲养条件下肝脏基因表达差异.基因IDH1被证实在2个品种鹅肝脏中表达受到显著抑制(P<0.05).结果,得到了该基因1269 bp的CDS序列,与鸡IDHI有95%的同源性.序列分析表明,该序列含有1个1 248 bp的开放读码框(ORF),编码含415个氨基酸的蛋白质,该蛋白质序列存在1个保守结构域Icd,与其它物种该蛋白的同源性分别为:鸡99%、大鼠89%、人90%、猿90%、牛88%、小鼠88%.应用生物信息学的方法对该蛋白质的功能和结构进行了分析.组织表达分析表明,鹅IDH1基因在肝脏中表达丰富,在脾、肾和肌胃中中等表达,在其它组织中表达量较低.研究结果显示,超饲可以抑制鹅肝脏IDH1基因mRNA的表达.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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