黄羽肉鸡ACSL1基因多态性与腹脂性状的相关性研究

长链酯酰辅酶A合成酶(ACSLs)是长链脂肪酸通过硫代酯化进而合成酰基辅酶A衍生物所必需的酶,也是脂肪酸代谢的第一步.哺乳动物ACSL家族由ACSL1、ACSL3、ACSL4、ACSL5和ACSL65个不同的成员组成,ACSL1是主要的异构体之一.为探讨黄羽肉鸡ACSL1基因作为腹脂性状分子标记的可行性,本实验采用PC...     

ACSL3基因研究现状

长链酰基辅酶A合成酶3(ACSL3)基因是长链酰基辅酶A合成酶(ACSLs)家族成员之一,ACSL3能促进卵磷脂的合成和细胞内脂滴形成,参与脂肪酸氧化和维持脂滴形成的两种代谢途径,ACSL3基因在脂肪酸代谢及癌症等疾病方面都发挥作用。目前,在国内关于ACSL3基因的研究相对较少。文章对国内外该基因的研究现状及牛ACSL3基因的研究进展进行综述,以期为后续对ACSL3基因分子机制的相关研究及育种工作提供参考。     

猪ACSL1基因的生物信息学及其与脂肪性状的关联研究

为了研究猪长链脂酰辅酶A合成酶1(ACSL1)基因在脂肪沉积中的作用,采用多种生物信息学软件和分子生物学方法,分析了猪ACSL1基因的理化性质、序列特征和蛋白结构,并且检测了猪ACSL1基因在皮杜长大杂交猪皮下和肌内脂肪高低组中的表达情况,以及其与二花脸猪皮下脂肪性状的关联。结果显示:猪ACSL1基因是一种稳定蛋白,其二级和三级结构以α-螺旋和不规则卷曲为主,存在1个跨膜结构域和真核长链脂肪酸辅酶A合成酶家族的保守结构域;ACSL1基因在皮杜长大杂交猪皮下和肌内脂肪高低组中的表达均没有显著差异(P>0.05);进一步检测发现ACSL1基因上游调控区c.-33A>G位点的二花脸猪AA基因型个体在活体肩胛后沿处、胸腰结合处、腰荐结合处和活体平均背膘厚度上均显著高于GG基因型个体(P<0.05)。提示:ACSL1基因可以显著影响二花脸猪的活体皮下脂肪沉积,结果可为ACSL1基因应用于猪脂肪性状的分子改良提供参考依据。     

ACSL1基因对绵羊脂肪代谢的影响

为了深入了解绵羊长链脂酰辅酶A合成酶1(long-chain fatty acyl-CoA 1,ACSL1)对脂肪代谢的调控机制,本研究利用脂质体介导转染ACSL1基因过表达载体及干扰载体到前体脂肪细胞中,经过G418筛选获得转基因细胞,利用荧光定量PCR检测绵羊ACSL1mRNA水平变化,结果发现过表达载体和RNA干涉载体Ⅰ可有效对ACSL1基因进行转录和调控。检测过表达、沉默ACSL1基因后以及未转染的细胞中甘油三酯含量的变化,结果 ACSL1基因过表达后可显著提高绵羊前脂肪细胞的甘油三酯的含量,抑制ACSL1表达后也显著降低了甘油三酯的含量;表明ACSL1基因可能在调节动物脂肪代谢中起关键作用。     

猪长链脂酰辅酶A合成酶1基因多态性与活体背膘厚的相关分析

长链脂酰辅酶A合成酶1(ACSL1)是为体内合成甘油三酯提供脂酰Co A底物的最重要的长链脂酰Co A合成酶之一,文章以ACSL1基因作为猪背膘厚性状的候选基因,进行多态性检测和相关分析,旨在为大白猪的分子标记辅助选择提供依据。试验采用PCR-RFLP方法检测510头大白猪ACSL1基因多态性,分析多态性与活体校正背膘厚的相关性。结果表明:ACSL1基因的T和C等位基因频率分别为0.565 7和0.434 3;等位基因在该大白猪群体中分布处于哈德-温伯格平衡状态;TT基因型个体的校正背膘厚为8.55 mm,显著薄于TC型个体的9.87 mm(P0.05),极显著薄于CC型个体的11.56 mm(P0.01);TC型个体显著薄于CC型(P0.05);T等位基因的平均效应为-1.117,C等位基因的平均效应为1.455,T等位基因替代C等位基因的平均效应为-2.572。ACSL1基因的T等位基因为该大白猪优良等位基因,有目的地选留TT型个体可有效降低猪的背膘厚,减少脂肪沉积,从而提高瘦肉率。     

鹅肥肝形成相关基因的研究进展

鹅肥肝与鲟鱼子酱、黑菌被西方人誉为世界三大美食。对于肥肝产业而言,加强对鹅遗传育种的研究,培育产肝鹅新品系有着重要的意义。作者依据肥肝形成机制,综述了近年来研究发现的影响肥肝形成的相关基因,包括主要参与脂肪合成的硬脂酰辅酶A去饱和酶(SCD-1)、脂蛋白脂酶(LPL)、脂肪酸合成酶(FAS)、肝X受体(LXRα)、脂肪酸长链延伸因子6(ELOVL-6)、固醇调节元件结合蛋-1c(SREBP-1c)、碳水化合物反应元件结合蛋白(CHREBP)基因,参与脂肪转运的脂肪型脂肪酸结合蛋白(A-FABP)、长链酯酰辅酶A合成酶1(ACSL1)基因,以及参与脂肪氧化的过氧化物酶体增殖物激活受体(PPAR)、胆固醇7a轻化酶(CYP7A1)基因等。     

长链脂酰CoA合成酶(ACSL)的研究进展

长链脂酰CoA合成酶(long-chain acyl-CoA synthetase,ACSL)属于多基因家族编码的酶,在体内催化合成脂酰CoA是哺乳动物利用脂肪酸的第一步反应,因此ACSL在脂肪代谢中起着重要作用。作者从ACSL家族的命名和分类、ACSL基因表达对脂肪代谢的影响、不同ACSL对底物的选择性、转录调控因子对ACSL的调控及当前家畜ACSL的相关研究进展等方面进行了综述,并对今后ACSL研究的重点及意义进行了展望。     

辛酸盐对奶牛乳腺上皮细胞脂肪酸摄取、转运和活化相关蛋白表达的影响

以体外培养的奶牛乳腺上皮细胞(DCMECs)为模型,研究辛酸钠对细胞脂肪酸摄取、转运和脂肪酸活化相关蛋白分化抗原簇36(CD36)、脂肪酸结合蛋白3(FABP3)、脂酰辅酶A合成酶长链家族成员1(ACSL1)、脂酰辅酶A合成酶短链家族成员2(ACSS2)表达的影响。采用q RT-PCR检测目的基因相对表达丰度;Western blot检测目的蛋白相对表达水平。结果显示,与对照组相比,0.5、1、2 mmol/l的辛酸钠对CD36和ACSL1的m RNA表达和蛋白表达无显著性影响(P0.05);但辛酸钠以浓度依赖的方式降低或显著降低FABP3和ACSS2的m RNA表达和蛋白表达(P0.05)。试验结果揭示辛酸钠对乳腺上皮细胞内脂肪酸转运和短链脂肪酸的活化具有一定的抑制作用。     

鹅ACSL6基因编码区克隆、序列分析及组织表达

为研究长链酯酰辅酶A合成酶6(ACSL6)在鹅中的功能,采用RT-PCR方法对其扩增,并采用荧光定量PCR方法检测其在四川白鹅不同组织中的差异表达。结果表明:实验成功获得了鹅ACSL6基因的编码区序列(GQ449255),序列全长2 097 bp,编码698个氨基酸;鹅ACSL6与鸡该基因在核苷酸和氨基酸水平上都有较高的同源性;鹅ACSL6氨基酸与哺乳动物一样,也存在2个保守功能区(跨膜区和luxE保守区),且在这些区域物种间变异较少;鹅ACSL6在脑组织中有较高表达,在肝脏中表达较少,仍与其在哺乳动物中的表达特性一致。以上研究结果表明,ACSL6基因在物种间比较保守,ACSL6与鹅大脑的发育关系密切,可能与鹅肥肝形成的关系较少。     

乙酸和β-羟丁酸对体外培养牛肝细胞脂代谢部分关键酶表达的影响

以体外原代培养的奶牛肝细胞为模型,添加不同浓度的乙酸（Aceticacid,AcOH）和β-羟丁酸（β-hydroxybu—tyrate,BHBA）共培养24h后,提取细胞总RNA。应用实时荧光定量PCR方法检测脂代谢关键酶长链脂酰辅酶A合成酶1（Long-chain acyl-CoA synthetase-1,ACSL1）、柠檬酸合成酶（Citrate synthase,CS）和乙酰辅酶A羧化酶α（Acetyl coenzyme A carboxylase α,ACCα）mRNA丰度的变化。结果显示,适当浓度的AcOH能够促进肝细胞脂肪酸活化及氧化途径关键酶ACSL1和CS的转录,而高浓度AcOH能够抑制脂肪酸从头合成途径关键酶ACCa的转录;高浓度BHBA能够抑制肝细胞ACSL1、CS和AcCα的转录。结果表明,血液中适当浓度的AcOH能够促进肝脏脂肪酸氧化并抑制脂肪酸从头合成,高浓度BHBA能够抑制肝脏脂氧化和合成,影响乳脂前体物的供应,进而影响乳脂合成。     

Identification of Rickettsia felis in fleas but not ticks on stray cats and dogs and the evidence of Rickettsia rhipicephali only in adult stage of Rhipicephalus sanguineus and Rhipicephalus haemaphysaloides

Rickettsia spp. are zoonotic pathogens and mainly transmitted by various arthropod vectors, such as fleas, ticks, and lice. Previous epidemiological studies indicated that ectoparasites infested on dogs or cats may be infected by Rickettsia spp., and transmit them to human beings accidentally. In this study, the prevalence of Rickettsia infection was evaluated using fleas and ticks from stray dogs and cats in Taiwan. A total of 158 pools made by 451 cat fleas (Ctenocephalides felis) from 37 dogs and 4 cats were used for analysis. Besides, 386 Rhipicephalus ticks collected from the other 62 stray dogs were included in this study. Nymphal and adult ticks were individually analyzed but larvae were separated into 21 pools for molecular detection. Partial sequencing analysis of the gltA gene was applied for Rickettsia identification. The results showed that 44.3% (70/158) of the cat flea pools were harboring Rickettsia DNA. Although 6.9% (13/187) of adult ticks were infected with Rickettsia, neither larval pools nor nymphal ticks were found to contain Rickettsia DNA. According to the results of sequencing analyses, all Rickettsia PCR-positive cat flea pools were infected with R. felis, and all Rickettsia PCR-positive adult ticks were infected with R. rhipicephali. The results of this study demonstrated that C. felis but not Rhipicephlus sanguineus (the brown dog tick) and Rh. haemaphysaloides collected from stray animals in Taiwan could be infected the zoonotic pathogen R. felis. Moreover, R. rhipicephali was only identified in adult stage of Rhipicephalus sanguineus and Rh. haemaphysaloides.     

Prevalence and seasonal incidence of nematode parasites and fluke infections of sheep and goats in eastern Ethiopia

Sissay, M.M., Uggla, A. and Waller, P.J., XXXX. Prevalence and seasonal incidence of nematode parasites and fluke infections of sheep and goats in eastern Ethiopia. Tropical Animal Health and Production, XXXX. A 2-year abattoir survey was carried out to determine the prevalence, abundance and seasonal incidence of gastro-intestinal (GI) nematodes and trematodes (flukes) of sheep and goats in the semi-arid zone of eastern Ethiopia. During May 2003 to April 2005, viscera including liver, lungs and GI tracts were collected from 655 sheep and 632 goats slaughtered at 4 abattoirs located in the towns of Haramaya, Harar, Dire Dawa and Jijiga in eastern Ethiopia. All animals were raised in the farming areas located within the community boundaries for each town. Collected materials were transported within 24 h to the parasitology laboratory of Haramaya University for immediate processing. Thirteen species belonging to 9 genera of GI nematodes (Haemonchus contortus, Trichostrongylus axei, T. colubriformis, T. vitrinus, Nematodirus filicollis, N. spathiger, Oesophagostomum columbianum, O. venulosum, Strongyloides papillosus, Bunostomum trigonocephalum, Trichuris ovis, Cooperia curticei and Chabertia ovina), and 4 species belonging to 3 genera of trematodes (Fasciola hepatica, F. gigantica, Paramphistomum {Calicohoron} microbothrium and Dicrocoelium dendriticum) were recorded in both sheep and goats. All animals in this investigation were infected with multiple species to varying degrees. The mean burdens of adult nematodes were generally moderate in both sheep and goats and showed patterns of seasonal abundance that corresponded with the bi-modal annual rainfall pattern, with highest burdens around the middle of the rainy season. In both sheep and goats there were significant differences in the mean worm burdens and abundance of the different nematode species between the four geographic locations, with worm burdens in the Haramaya and Harar areas greater than those observed in the Dire Dawa and Jijiga locations. Similar seasonal variations were also observed in the prevalence of flukes. But there were no significant differences in the prevalence of each fluke species between the four locations. Overall, the results showed that Haemonchus, Trichostrongylus, Nematodirus, Oesophagostomum, Fasciola and Paramphistomum species were the most abundant helminth parasites of sheep and goats in eastern Ethiopia.     

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

Tropical Animal Health and Production -     

Host Switch of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lamellodiscus elegans</Emphasis> (Monogenea: Monopisthocotylea) and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sparicotyle chrysophrii</Emphasis> (Monogenea: Polyopisthocotylea) between Cage-reared Sparids

Sharpsnout bream (Diplodus puntazzo) has been used in Adriatic aquaculture for less than a decade, but the decreasing trend of rearing this species will probably result in its complete substitution by more exploited sea bream (Sparus aurata). Only two facilities still rear both fish species in neighbouring cages in monoculture. A switch of parasites was observed between sparids during monitoring of the gill monogeneans of farmed fish. In wild fish of the Adriatic Sea, Lamellodiscus elegans (Monogenea: Monopisthocotylea) has previously been reported in annular (Diplodus annularis), and two-banded sea bream (D. vulgaris) and sharpsnout bream (D. puntazzo), and the present study confirmed its presence also in sea bream, in low prevalence and abundance. The exclusively sea bream monogenean Sparicotyle chrysophrii (Monogenea: Polyopisthocotylea) was also isolated from sharpsnout bream, showing prevalence and abundance values even higher than in its resident host. In the occurrence of L. elegans in sea bream, the opportunistic switch resulted in lower abundance and prevalence than in the original host, while in the second case of switching the monogenean S. chrysophrii showed better reproductive capacity on a new host (sharpsnout bream). Both cases point to the possible enlargement of parasite host range.     

Detection of Bartonella spp. in wild rodents in Israel using HRM real-time PCR

The prevalence of Bartonella spp. in wild rodents was studied in 19 geographical locations in Israel. One hundred and twelve rodents belonging to five species (Mus musculus, Rattus rattus, Microtus socialis, Acomys cahirinus and Apodemus sylvaticus) were included in the survey. In addition, 156 ectoparasites were collected from the rodents. Spleen sample from each rodent and the ectoparasites were examined for the presence of Bartonella DNA using high resolution melt (HRM) real-time PCR. The method was designed for the simultaneous detection and differentiation of eight Bartonella spp. according to the nucleotide variation in each of two gene fragments (rpoB and gltA) and the 16S–23S intergenic spacer (ITS) locus, using the same PCR protocol which allowed the simultaneous amplification of the three different loci. Bartonella DNA was detected in spleen samples of 19 out of 79 (24%) black rats (R. rattus) and in 1 of 4 (25%) Cairo spiny mice (A. cahirinus). In addition, 15 of 34 (44%) flea pools harbored Bartonella DNA. Only rat flea (Xenopsyla cheopis) pools collected from black rats (R. rattus) were positive for Bartonella DNA. The Bartonella sp. detected in spleen samples from black rats (R. rattus) was closely related to both B. tribocorum and B. elizabethae. The species detected in the Cairo spiny mouse (A. cahirinus) spleen sample was closely related to the zoonotic pathogen, B. elizabethae. These results indicate that Bartonella species are highly prevalent in suburban rodent populations and their ectoparasites in Israel. Further investigation of the prevalence and zoonotic potential of the Bartonella species detected in the black rats and the Cairo spiny mouse is warranted.     

Molecular characterization of Babesia canis canis isolates from naturally infected dogs in Poland

Babesia canis has generally been considered the only large Babesia to infect dogs. In this study, we used PCR to detect and characterize B. canis canis isolated from naturally infected dogs in Poland by amplifying and sequencing a portion of the 18S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene. Venous blood samples were collected from 76 Babesia-symptomatic dogs. A 559-bp fragment of the B. canis canis 18S rRNA gene was amplified by PCR. The PCR products were then digested with HincII restriction enzyme, and isolates were classified according to whether they were cut (group A) or not (group B) by this endonuclease. Sequencing of the PCR products from the isolates led to the identification of seven sequence variants (four in group A, and three in group B). Sequences were compared with GenBank sequences, and alignments showed that all B. canis canis isolates from Europe may be classified into groups A or B as defined in our study.     

The first report of Gyrodactylus salaris Malmberg, 1957 (Platyhelminthes, Monogenea) on Italian cultured stocks of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss Walbaum)

The monogenean Gyrodactylus salaris Malmberg, 1957 is considered one of the most important parasites of wild salmonids in the European Community due to the heavy ecological and economical damage it has inflicted on Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) parr populations. Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) is susceptible to G. salaris and can act as a suitable carrier host and, consequently, its trade in EU territory is restricted in relation to the status of “recognized free” zones. Despite the economic importance of rainbow trout farming in Italy, information on the Italian gyrodactylid fauna is lacking and prior to this study, G. salaris had not been officially reported. During a routine health examination of farmed rainbow trout stock throughout Central and Northern Italy in 2004–2005, five fish farms were found to be infected with G. salaris alongside three other gyrodactylids. Morphological and molecular characterisation confirmed the presence of G. salaris, Gyrodactylus teuchis Lautraite, Blanc, Thiery, Daniel et Vigneulle, 1999 and Gyrodactylus derjavinoides Malmberg, Collins, Cunningham et Jalali, 2007, while Gyrodactylus truttae Gläser, 1974 was identified by morphological analysis only. The findings from this study extend the distribution of G. salaris within Europe and highlight the importance of the rainbow trout trade in its dissemination.     

Deletion of sodCI and spvBC in Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis reduced its virulence to the natural virulence of serovars Agona, Hadar and Infantis for mice but not for chickens early after infection

Salmonella enterica serovars Typhimurium, Enteritidis, Dublin, Choleraesuis or Gallinarum can colonise liver and spleen in particular hosts while infections with serovars Infantis, Agona, Hadar, etc. are usually limited to gastrointestinal tract. Reasons for this behavior are unknown, although it has been shown that sodCI and spv genes exhibit a strict distribution between more and less virulent serovars and they influence Salmonella virulence. However to what extent the presence or absence of these genes is associated with the increased virulence of serovars which possess them has never been addressed experimentally. In this study we therefore first confirmed the exclusive association of spvB and sodCI genes with the former group of serovars. In the next step we removed these two genes from S. Enteritidis genome and compared the virulence of such a mutant with the virulence of S. Infantis, S. Agona and S. Hadar for chickens and highly sensitive Balb/C mice. Single strain infection showed that the deletion of these two genes from S. Enteritidis resulted in the reduction of its virulence for mice but not for chickens. Mixed infection further confirmed these observations and indicated that in mice but not in chickens the virulence of sodCI and spv mutant was reduced to the natural virulence of serovars Infantis, Agona and Hadar. Although sodCI and spv genes do not influence S. Enteritidis virulence for chickens directly, they may be of an indirect effect through the increased persistence of S. Enteritidis in mice and increased probability of the reintroduction of S. Enteritidis into poultry flocks.     

PCR-based detection of blood parasites in cattle and adult Rhipicephalus appendiculatus ticks

To ascertain the infection rate for tick-borne pathogens in Zambia, an epidemiological survey of Theileria parva, Babesia bigemina and Anaplasma marginale in traditionally managed Sanga cattle was conducted using PCR. Of the 71 native Zambian cattle, 28 (39.4%) were positive for T. parva, 16 (22.5%) for B. bigemina and 34 (47.9%) for A. marginale. The mixed infection rate in cattle was 8.5% (6/71), 16.9% (12/71), 7.0% (5/71) and 2.8% (2/71) for T. parva/B. bigemina, T. parva/A. marginale, B. bigemina/A. marginale and T. parva/B. bigemina/A. marginale, respectively.To predict the risk for transmission of tick-borne pathogens from ticks to cattle, a total of 74 Rhipicephalus appendiculatus ticks were collected from a location where cattle had been found positive for T. parva. Of the ticks collected, 10 (13.5%) were found to be PCR-positive for T. parva. The results suggest that the infection rate for tick-borne pathogens was relatively high in Sanga cattle and that adult R. appendiculatus ticks were highly infected with T. parva.     

The genome of Brucella melitensis

The genome of Brucella melitensis strain 16M was sequenced and contained 3,294,931 bp distributed over two circular chromosomes. Chromosome I was composed of 2,117,144 bp and chromosome II has 1,177,787 bp. A total of 3198 ORFs were predicted. The origins of replication of the chromosomes are similar to each other and to those of other α-proteobacteria. Housekeeping genes such as those that encode for DNA replication, protein synthesis, core metabolism, and cell-wall biosynthesis were found on both chromosomes. Genes encoding adhesins, invasins, and hemolysins were also identified.