m6A甲基化酶METTL3和WTAP在牦牛组织及脂肪细胞中的表达

本研究旨在探究m⁶A RNA甲基化酶METTL3和WTAP在牦牛(Bos grunniens)不同组织、前体脂肪细胞增殖与分化过程中的表达模式和前体脂肪细胞分化过程mRNA m⁶A的变化水平。采用qRT-PCR检测牦牛皮下脂肪、肌肉、心、肝、脾、肺、肾和皮下脂肪不同时期(18和30月龄)METTL3及WTAP的mRNA表达水平。应用I型胶原酶消化法获取牦牛前体脂肪细胞,油红O染色和脂肪分化标志基因的检测建立牦牛前体脂肪细胞分化模型,以及qRTPCR检测前体脂肪细胞增殖分化阶段METTL3和WTAP的mRNA表达水平。结果表明,肝脏组织中METTL3表达最高(P<0.05),皮下脂肪组织表达量最低(P<0.05);WTAP在皮下脂肪组织中的表达最为丰富,脾脏中的表达量最低(P<0.05)。30月龄皮下脂肪组织中METTL3和WTAP mRNA表达量高于18月龄。前体脂肪细胞诱导分化12 d时,细胞中出现多而密的脂环,脂肪细胞分化特异性标志基因FABP4、C/EBPα和PPARγ第12天的表达量显著高于第0天(P<0.05)。METTL3和WTAP的表达量在细胞增殖阶段(24、48和72 h)呈现“下降-上升”的表达趋势(P<0.05)。在牦牛前体脂肪细胞分化阶段(0、4、8和12 d),METTL3表达量呈现“上升-下降-上升”的趋势,WTAP呈现“上升-下降”的趋势。细胞分化阶段mRNA m⁶A水平呈现逐渐上升的趋势,在分化12 d时细胞内RNA的m⁶A丰度最高(P<0.05)。本研究获得METTL3和WTAP在牦牛不同组织和前体脂肪细胞增殖分化阶段的变化规律及细胞分化过程中mRNA m⁶A水平变化,初步揭示WTAP和METTL3对牦牛脂代谢具有重要的调控作用。     

Cloning and sequence analysis of multiple splice variants of lactate dehydrogenase C in yak testes

Lactate dehydrogenase C (LDH-C) has been reported to play a role in the energy metabolism of mammal spermatozoa. However, the functions and expression patterns of LDH-C still remain unclear. In order to elucidate the functions and expression patterns of LDH-C, we cloned the cDNA of yak LDH-C. Total RNA was extracted from yak testes and reverse transcribed and amplified by PCR. The full length open reading frame (ORF) of LDH-C and its five splice variants were obtained. The full length ORF contained 999 bp encoding a 332-amino-acid protein that showed 100% identity with bovine LDH-C. Compared with the full length ORF of LDH-C, the five variants used the same start codon as the full length ORF and encoded 5 putative proteins. In detail, variants 1 (missing the coding sequence of exon 6 and 7) and 2 (missing the coding sequence of exon 7) bear the entire nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide (NAD) binding domain and an active site. Variants 3 (missing the first 42 nuleotides of exon 4) and 4 (missing the coding sequences of exons 5, 6 and 7) lack part of the NAD binding domain but contained the entire active site. Variant 5 (missing the coding sequence of exons 4 and 7) lacks a large part of the NAD binding domain and the entire active site. Native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was performed to determine if the splice variants can be translated into proteins. However, native PAGE detected no specific bands from yak testes and bovine spermatozoa. This study suggests the alternative splicing of LDH-C is ubiquitous in bovine testes and might be involved in regulation of LDH-C expression. The findings also help to elucidate the functions of LDH-C.     

Differential promoter methylation of DAZL gene in bulls with varying seminal parameters

In India, cross‐breeding of indigenous cattle with exotic cattle such as Holstein Friesian and Jersey has been going on since last four decades to improve milk production. Although it has led to increased milk yield, the subfertility in male cross‐bred progeny has remained a significant problem. Epigenetic modifications (DNA methylation, histone modifications and chromatin remodelling) are regarded as key players influencing gene expression. DAZL gene plays an important role in germline development and gametogenesis. The methylation and mRNA expression level of this gene have been significantly negatively correlated in the testes of cattle–yak hybrids and their parents. This study analysed the methylation profile of DAZL gene promoter in bull spermatozoa in an attempt to speculate its role in cross‐bred cattle subfertility. Semen samples from Sahiwal, Holstein Friesian and Frieswal bulls (Sahiwal X Holstein Friesian) with varying semen motility parameters were collected, and DNA was isolated. Methylation‐specific primers were used to amplify part of promoter and exon 1 of DAZL gene using bisulphite‐converted DNA. The amplified products were sequenced after cloning in pTZ57R/T vector. Sequence analysis revealed significantly higher DNA methylation of DAZL gene in Frieswal bulls with poor motility (28.26%) as compared to medium (15.21%) and high motility phenotype (6.52%). In pure‐bred counterparts, Sahiwal and Holstein Friesian, epigenetic marks were more in the former (15.21%) than the latter (4.34%), but in both cases, the values were lower as compared to the poor motility Frieswal bulls. This suggests that differential hypermethylation of the CpG islands could possibly influence reproductive parameters in bovines.     

牦牛与黄牛远缘杂种雄性不育的研究现状及对策

黄牛和牦牛远缘杂交后代雌性不育是生物界种属间遗传隔离的现象之一。本文系统地论述了各个学科对犏牛雄性不育的研究概况，并根据存在的问题提出了研究犏牛雄性不育遗传机理及其克服的可能途径。同时探讨了应用染色体减数分裂联会复合体，染色体标记同工酶和ＤＮＡ多态检测等技术，研究牦牛和黄牛远缘杂交后代雄性不育与可育遗传机理的可能性。     

Methyl donors dietary supplementation to gestating sows diet improves the growth rate of offspring and is associating with changes in expression and DNA methylation of insulin‐like growth factor‐1 gene

The study aimed to investigate the effects of maternal dietary methyl donors on the performance of sows and their offspring, and the associated hepatic insulin‐like growth factor‐1 (IGF‐1) expression of the offspring. A total of 24 multiparous sows were randomly fed the control (CON) or the CON diet supplemented with methyl donors (MD) at 3 g/kg betaine, 15 mg/kg folic acid, 400 mg/kg choline and 150 μg/kg VB₁₂, from mating until delivery. After farrowing, sows were fed a common lactation diet through a 28‐days lactation period and six litters per treatment were selected to be fed until at approximately 110 kg BW. Maternal MD supplementation resulted in greater birthweight (p < 0.05) and increased the piglet weights (p < 0.01) and litter weights (p < 0.05) at the age of day 28, compared with that in CON group. The offspring pigs in the MD group had greater ADG (p < 0.05) and tended to lower F:G ratio (p = 0.07) compared with that of CON group from day 28 to 180 of age. The offspring pigs from MD group had greater serum IGF‐1 concentrations and expressions of hepatic IGF‐1 gene and muscular IGF‐1 receptor (IGF‐1r) protein at birth (p < 0.05), and greater hepatic IGF‐1 protein (p = 0.03) and muscular IGF‐1r gene expressions (p < 0.05) at slaughter, than that from the CON group. Moreover, the methylation at the promoter of IGF‐1 gene in the liver of newborn piglets and finishing pigs was greater in the MD group than that of the CON group (p < 0.05). In conclusion, maternal MD supplementation throughout gestation could enhance the birthweight and postnatal growth rate of offspring, associated with an increased expression of the IGF‐1 gene and IGF‐1r, as well as the altered DNA methylation of IGF‐1 gene promotor.     

感染禽流感病毒SPF鸡与SPF鸡心脏和肺脏全基因组DNA甲基化差异分析

为研究禽流感病毒感染对宿主全基因组甲基化的影响,本试验使用荧光甲基化敏感扩增片段多态性方法(fluorescent labeled methylation sensitive amplified polymorphism,F-MSAP)检测了SPF鸡心脏、肝脏、脾脏、肺脏、肾脏、气管上段、气管下段、胸腺、法氏囊9个不同组织,和感染A/Goose/Guangdong/1/96,H5N1,A/Duck/Anhui/1/2006(安徽),H5N1 2株禽流感病毒SPF鸡心脏和肺脏2种组织全基因组甲基化在CCGG位点的CC碱基对甲基化状态,并分别对比了2组感染试验组与SPF对照组全基因组甲基化差异.结果显示,SPF对照组的甲基化程度,9种组织的总甲基化比率均在53％左右,其中气管上段最低(50.00％),肝脏最高(57.33％).在心脏中,2个感染组样品内甲基化比率、外甲基化比率和总甲基化比率均高于SPF鸡对照组;而在肺脏中,广东株感染组各甲基化比率均低于对照组,安徽株感染组均高于对照组.本研究初步揭示了禽流感病毒感染过程中H5N1对宿主(鸡)不同组织全基因组甲基化水平的影响,为后续家禽抗病性状的分子机制研究提供了理论依据.     

Inter‐specific and intra‐specific variability in fruit color preference in two species of Turdus

One of the main hypotheses proposed to explain the evolution of fruit color deals with a preference of avian frugivores for specific colors, mainly black and red, which are the most common fruit colors in many of the studied habitats. I analyzed fruit color preferences by wild birds belonging to 2 species of the highly frugivorous genus Turdus (Eurasian Blackbird Turdus merula Linnaeus, 1758 and Redwing Turdus iliacus Linnaeus, 1758) by means of captivity experiments with artificial fruits. Despite important within‐individual (i.e. temporal) and among‐individual variability, consistent patterns of species‐specific color preferences emerged. Eurasian Blackbirds tended to prefer red over blue, green and black, whereas Redwings seemed to prefer black over the rest. Green was systematically avoided by both species, suggesting that it might signal unripeness of fruits. Both preferred colors have been previously reported as the most common among fleshy‐fruited plants. The high variability, both within and between individuals, in preferences suggests that they can be subject to changes through experience and learning and, therefore, are not likely to drive the evolution of fruit color. The main differences between both species could be related to the most common fruit color they fed upon during the last months before capture.     

Genome-wide DNA methylation and transcriptome analyses reveal the key gene for wool type variation in sheep

Background Wool fibers are valuable materials for textile industry. Typical wool fibers are divided into medullated and non-medullated types, with the former generated from primary wool follicles and the latter by either primary or secondary wool follicles. The medullated wool is a common wool type in the ancestors of fine wool sheep before breeding. The fine wool sheep have a non-medullated coat. However, the critical period determining the type of wool follicles is the embryonic stage, which l...     

Affected homologous chromosome pairing and phosphorylation of testis specific histone, H2AX, in male meiosis under FKBP6 deficiency

A gene for FK506 binding protein 6 (Fkbp6) expresses during a specific stage of male and female meiosis. Disruption of the gene influences male reproduction, i.e. arrests spermatogenesis, but not female reproduction. Using the mouse model (targeted disruption), the role of the gene in homologous chromosome pairing has been demonstrated in a previous study. For further understanding the function of Fkbp6 in chromosome synapsis, we evaluated chromosome pairings during male meiosis in the as/as rat, a spontaneous null mutation, and compared them with those of the mouse model. Electron microscopy of the pachytene nuclei unveiled several types of abnormal chromosome pairing in the rat model, as shown in the mouse previously. The frequencies of aberrant pairings in the knockout mice and mutant rats were 42 of 67 nuclei (62.7%) and 20 out of 74 nuclei (27.0%), respectively. In order to clarify the mechanism of male specific infertility in Fkbp6 deficiency, the localization of gammaH2AX, a marker protein of XY chromosome inactivation during male meiosis, was examined. Immunostaining of gammaH2AX unveiled normal localization of the molecule to XY chromosomes (XY body) in both models, showing the independency of FKBP6 in sex chromosome inactivation. Besides the XY body, focal localization of gammaH2AX was observed in accordance with the unsynapsed chromosomes in both types of null animal. These results indicate the fundamental role of Fkbp6 in homologous chromosome synapsis during male meiosis. In conclusion, male specific infertility under Fkbp6 deficiency remains unsolved.     

Use of quantitative real‐time PCR to assess the in vitro survival of specific DNA gene sequences of rumen microbes under simulated abomasal conditions

The use of specific DNA sequences (DS) as a microbial marker in post‐rumen digesta requires their persistence and integrity throughout gastric digestion. The aim of this study was to evaluate in vitro the survival of microbial DS during gastric digestion and the factors involved. Gastric pH had a highly significant effect on the integrity of DS. pH 4.2 allows for a significant growth of microbes in the medium, but at pH 1.2, almost all of the DS were hydrolysed. In the presence of carboxymethylcellulose, the effect of pH was reduced, pepsin activity was inhibited and gene survival increased considerably. In the simulated abomasal conditions (pH = 2.3, 2 g/l of carboxymethylcellulose, and 40‐min retention time), almost all of the bacterial genes and around 78% of the protozoa gene sequences retained their molecular integrity throughout gastric digestion, although factors such as acidity and viscera retention time might compromise the utilisation of DS as a microbial marker.     

Evaluation of the global DNA methylation in canine mast cell tumour samples by immunostaining of 5‐methyl cytosine

Cutaneous mast cell tumours (MCT) are the most common skin tumour in dogs, and to our knowledge, there are no previous studies regarding the global methylation of these tumours. DNA hypomethylation and hypermethylation have been described in several tumours and both mechanisms can lead to carcinogenesis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the global DNA methylation in canine MCT. A total of 48 MCT samples were classified in grades 1, 2 and 3 or high‐grade or low‐grade. Monoclonal antibodies were used for the immunohistochemical detection of the 5‐methylcytosine. The immunostained nuclei were classified in strong, weak or negative pattern, and these were quantified in five distinct microscopic fields (40× objective) in each slide. The results showed that global DNA hypomethylation was predominant in grade 3, high‐grade, less differentiated MCT. These epigenetic changes in neoplastic mast cells warrant further detailed investigation aiming the establishment of tumour epigenetic therapies.     

FC‐36 The use of immunostimulatory bacterial DNA sequences in allergen‐specific immunotherapy of canine atopic dermatitis

The purpose of this study was to evaluate a combination of immunostimulatory bacterial DNA sequences and allergen‐specific immunotherapy for the treatment of canine atopic dermatitis. Seven dogs with nonseasonal atopic dermatitis diagnosed by history, clinical signs and exclusion of differential diagnoses were included. All dogs had been on allergen‐specific immunotherapy for at least 12 months with incomplete responses, were on additional antipruritic therapy and showed residual pruritus. Pruritus was marked by the owner on a visual analogue scale, lesions were determined by a clinician using the Canine Atopic Dermatitis Extent and Severity Index (CADESI), and concurrent medications were recorded before entering the study and after 14 weeks of treatment. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated and cultured; canine cytokine message for IFNγ, IL‐4, TNF and IL‐10 was quantitated using RT‐PCR. A mixture of allergen extract and liposome‐DNA complexes was injected intradermally at the beginning of the study and after 2, 4, 6, 10 and 14 weeks. CADESI, pruritus and medication scores, and cytokine messages at the beginning and end of the study were compared with a paired t‐test. There were significant improvements in pruritus scores (P = 0.0277). Reductions in medication scores and CADESI were not statistically significant. IL‐4 production decreased significantly (P = 0.0428); decreases in other cytokines were not significant. Although the number of dogs in this pilot study was small, the results warrant further investigation of a combination of immunostimulatory bacterial DNA sequences and allergen‐specific immunotherapy for the treatment of canine atopic dermatitis. Funding: Self‐funded.     

A 57‐bp deletion in the ovine KAP6‐1 gene affects wool fibre diameter

High glycine–tyrosine keratin‐associated proteins (HGT‐KAPs) are predominantly present in the orthocortex of wool fibres. They vary in abundance in different wools and have been implicated in regulating wool fibre properties, but little is known about the functional roles of these proteins in the fibre matrix. In this study, we used polymerase chain reaction – single‐strand conformational polymorphism (PCR‐SSCP) analysis to screen for variation in a gene encoding the ovine HGT‐KAP6‐1 protein. We identified three gene variants (A, B and C). Variants A and B were similar to each other, with only three nucleotide differences occurring downstream of the coding sequence. However, variant C had a 57‐bp deletion that would notionally result in a loss of 19 amino acids in the protein. The presence of C was found to be associated with an increase in mean fibre diameter (MFD), fibre diameter standard deviation (FDSD), coefficient of variation of fibre diameter (CVFD) and prickle factor (percentage of fibres over 30 microns; PF). Sheep of genotype BC produced wool of greater MFD, FDSD and PF than sheep of genotypes AA, AB and BB. The CVFD was greater in the BC sheep than the AB sheep. The results suggest that variation in ovine KRTAP6‐1 affects wool fibre diameter‐associated traits and that the 57‐bp deletion in this gene would lead to coarser wool with greater FDSD, CVFD and PF.     

DNA methylation patterns at the IGF2‐H19 locus in sperm of Swiss Landrace and Swiss Large White boars

DNA methylation patterns at the IGF2‐H19 locus were investigated in sperm DNA from Swiss Landrace (SL) and Swiss Large White (LW) boars. The putative IGF2 differentially methylated regions (DMR) 0, 1 and 2, a quantitative trait nucleotide (QTN) region in the intron 3 and a CpG island in the intron 4 of the IGF2 gene as well as three regions around porcine CTCF binding sites within the H19 differentially methylated domain (DMD) were selected for the DNA methylation analysis. In both breeds putative IGF2 DMR0, 1, 2 and H19 DMD were hypermethylated. Significant differences in DNA methylation content were found between the two breeds in the two DMD regions proximal to the H19 gene. The IGF2 QTN region and the CpG island in the IGF2 intron 4 were hypomethylated in sperm DNA of both breeds. The methylation analysis revealed significantly more methylated CpG sites in the intron 4 of sperm from the LW breed than in that from SL. No difference was found in global DNA methylation between the two breeds. These results indicate differences in DNA methylation patterns between breeds and it remains to be established whether variation in DNA methylation patterns impacts on phenotypic traits.     

Flavor evaluation of yak butter in Tsinghai‐Tibet Plateau and isolation of microorganisms contributing flavor

Yak butter in Tsinghai‐Tibet Plateau possesses the characters of high energy, abundant alimentation and a special flavor with certain medical and health care functions. In this paper the organoleptic flavor of yak butter was estimated, and 28 kinds of substance with different flavors were identified with the technique of coupling gas chromatography to mass spectroscopy (GC‐MS). The results showed that there are many microorganisms in yak butter with natural inoculation, which contribute to the formation of its special flavors. It was found that three of these 15 microorganisms, identified as Saccharomycetaceae, Penicillium and Asperillus separately, contributed the most to flavors. The microorganisms are expected to be applied in the food industry, especially to produce dairy food with the unique flavor of yak butter.     

Buffalo SCNT embryos exhibit abnormal gene expression of ERK/MAPK pathway and DNA methylation

Inhibition of ERK/MAPK pathway has been shown to decrease DNA methylation via down‐regulation of DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) in several studies suggesting that this pathway plays an important role in regulation of DNA methylation. We examined the relative expression level of seven important genes related to ERK/MAPK pathway and DNMTs (DNMT1, DNMT3a and DNMT3b) by quantitative real‐time PCR in buffalo blastocysts produced by Hand‐made cloning and compared it with that in blastocyst‐stage embryos produced by in vitro fertilization (IVF). The expression level of six of seven genes related to ERK/MAPK pathway examined i.e., p21RAS, RAF1, AKT1, ERK2, PIK3R2 and c‐Myc was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in cloned than in IVF embryos. However, the expression level of FOS was lower (p < 0.005) in cloned than in IVF embryos. The relative expression level of DNMT3a and DNMT3b but not that of DNMT1 was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in cloned than in IVF embryos. These results indicate that the cloned embryos exhibit an abnormal expression of several important genes related to ERK/MAPK pathway and DNMTs. Although a direct link between ERK/MAPK pathway and DNMTs was not examined in the present study, it can be speculated that ERK/MAPK pathway may have a role in regulating the expression of DNMTs in embryos, as also observed in other tissues.     

牦牛源多杀性巴氏杆菌血清型鉴定及ompH基因序列分析

为分析牦牛多杀性巴氏杆菌(P.multocida)分离株与疫苗株的血清型和ompH基因差异,本研究利用PCR方法鉴定其血清型,并克隆、测序ompH全长基因,用DNAMAN、DNAStar对其进行生物信息学分析.结果显示,分离株与疫苗株血清型为B型,标准株血清型为E型.分离株和疫苗株ompH基因编码氨基酸有2个缺失和2个突变,同源性为99.4％.研究表明ompH基因具有很高的同源性,但氨基酸的缺失和突变可能使抗原表位发生变化,也是导致免疫失败的原因之一.