绵羊B4GALNT2和ESR1基因多态性及其与产羔数的关联分析

为探究影响宁夏地区优质肉羊培育中多羔性状的候选位点,试验以杜泊羊、滩寒杂交羊、杂一代、杂二代和横交一代5个绵羊群体为研究对象,采用飞行质谱技术对5个绵羊群体β-1,4-N-乙酰半乳糖胺转移酶2（beta-1,4-N-acetyl-galactosaminyl transferase 2,B4GALNT2）基因g.36933082 G>A和g.36946470 G>A位点以及雌激素受体1（estrogen receptor 1,ESR1）基因g.75378892 A>T位点进行多态性检测,并与绵羊产羔数进行关联分析;应用生物信息学在线软件分析B4GALNT2和ESR1基因突变前后蛋白质的二级结构和三级结构。结果显示,B4GALNT2基因的g.36933082 G>A和g.36946470 G>A位点均存在3种基因型：AA、AG和GG,且GG基因型均为优势基因型;ESR1基因的g.75378892 A>T位点存在3种基因型：AA、TA和TT,且AA基因型为优势基因型。g.36933082 G>A和g.36946470 G>A位点在5个绵羊群体中均表现为低度多态（PIC<0.25）,g.75378892 A>T位点在5个绵羊群体中均表现为中度多态（0.25<PIC<0.5）;3个位点在5个绵羊群体中均处于哈代-温伯格平衡状态（P>0.05）。关联分析结果表明,g.36933082 G>A和g.36946470 G>A位点不同基因型在5个绵羊群体中的产羔数均无显著差异（P>0.05）;g.75378892 A>T位点在杂一代绵羊群体中TA基因型个体产羔数显著高于TT基因型（P<0.05）。生物信息学结果表明,3个位点均导致对应蛋白质的二级结构和三级结构发生变化。综上所述,B4GALNT2基因g.36933082 G>A和g.36946470 G>A位点不适用于5个绵羊群体多羔性状的选育,ESR1基因g.75378892 A>T位点可作为杂一代绵羊群体多羔性状的分子辅助标记。     

Polymorphism of inhibin βB gene and its relationship with litter size in sheep

The inhibin β_B (INHBB) gene was studied as a candidate gene for the prolificacy of Small Tail Han and Hu sheep. According to the sequence of exon 1 and 2 of bovine INHBB gene, six pairs of primers were designed to detect single nucleotide polymorphisms of exon 1 and 2 of INHBB gene in both high (Small Tail Han and Hu sheep) and low prolificacy breeds (Dorset, Texel and German Mutton Merino sheep) by polymerase chain reaction‐single strand conformation polymorphism (PCR‐SSCP). Three pairs of primers (primers 1‐1, 1‐2 and 1‐3) were used to amplify the exon 1, and others (primers 2‐1, 2‐2 and 2‐3) to the exon 2. Only the products amplified by primer 2‐3 displayed polymorphism. For primer 2‐3, three genotypes (AA, AB and BB) were detected in Hu sheep and only AA genotype in other breeds. In Hu sheep, frequency of AA, AB and BB genotypes was 0.636, 0.046 and 0.318, respectively. Sequencing revealed 276A > G mutation (based on the amplification region of primer 2‐3) which did not cause any amino acid change because it lay in the 3′ untranslated region. The ewes with genotype BB had 0.58 (P < 0.01) lambs more than those with AA in Hu sheep.     

猪带绦虫45W-4B基因在家蚕细胞中的表达

猪带绦虫45W基因已被认为是预防猪囊虫病的基因工程疫苗候选基因之一。其中4B基因是45W基因家族中高度保守的一个成员（以下称45W-4B）。本试验将重组于pGEM-3Z载体上的4B基因转载到pVL1393转移载体中，通过鉴定获得重组质粒pVL1393-4B，然后将重组质粒与BmNPV病毒共转染，筛选出重组BmNPV-4B重组病毒，用该重组病毒感染Bm细胞，收集细胞上清，SDS-PAGE电泳鉴定表达蛋白，并经Western blot检测表明该蛋白能识别囊虫病人（猪）阳性血清，45W-4B蛋白的成功表达对进一步研究45W蛋白的结构和功能以及开发高效猪囊虫基因工程疫苗打下了基础。     

羊口疮病毒B2L、F1L基因融合真核表达质粒诱导小鼠的免疫应答及IL-2对其作用影响的研究

为评价羊口疮病毒(OrfV)B2L、F1L基因融合真核表达质粒pVAX1-B2L-F1L免疫小鼠诱导的体液和细胞免疫应答及IL-2对其免疫作用的影响。本研究将构建的pVAX1-B2L-F1L真核质粒转染MDBK细胞后,采用RT-PCR和间接免疫荧光试验(IFA)检测B2L-F1L融合基因在MDBK细胞中的表达;将pVAX1-B2L-F1L、pVAX1-B2L-F1L+pVAX1-IL-2、pVAX1空载体、生理盐水对照组KM系小鼠通过后腿肌肉注射的方式免疫,采用ELISA方法检测免疫小鼠血清中OrfV特异性抗体以及Th1型(IL-2、IFN-γ)、Th2型(IL-4、IL-6)细胞因子;MTT法检测小鼠脾淋巴细胞增殖反应。结果显示,pVAX1-B2L-F1L重组质粒能够在MDBK细胞中表达;pVAX1-B2L-F1L+pVAX1-IL-2联合免疫组小鼠血清抗体及IL-2和IFN-γ水平均显著高于pVAX1-B2L-F1L组;该联合免疫组小鼠血清IL-4、IL-6细胞因子水平与pVAX1-B2L-F1L组相比差异不显著(p>0.05);该联合免疫组小鼠的脾淋巴细胞增殖水平高于pVAX1-B2L-F1L组(p<0.05)。由此表明,pVAX1-B2L-F1L能够诱导小鼠产生OrfV特异性体液免疫和细胞免疫应答,联合pVAX1-IL-2诱导的免疫反应以细胞免疫应答为主,且能够促进Th1型细胞因子的分泌。本研究为OrfV基因工程疫苗的研制提供了参考依据。     

Identification of polymorphisms in the oocyte-derived growth differentiation growth factor 9 (GDF9) gene associated with litter size in New Zealand sheep (Ovis aries) breeds

Having the ability to control litter size is important for sheep farmers and breeders worldwide. However, making genetic gain in key livestock traits like reproductive performance needs typically a lot of time, and both the fecundity and fertility traits have a great economic importance. Attention has therefore turned to better understanding the genes that control reproductive performance. Of these genes, research has focussed on the growth differentiation growth factor 9 (GDF9) gene (GDF9). In this study, a PCR-single strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) approach was used to investigate variation in this gene in separate groups of purebred Finnish Landrace sheep, Finnish Landrace × Texel-cross sheep and composite sheep of undefined breed background, but based on New Zealand Romney-type genetics. Three GDF9 variants (named A, B and C) were found, and upon DNA sequencing, the nucleotide substitutions c.978A>G, c.994G>A and c.1111G>A were revealed. The frequency of variant A (containing nucleotides c.978A, c.994G and c.1111G) in the Finnish Landrace, Finnish Landrace × Texel-cross and composite sheep was 0.86, 0.78 and 0.76, respectively. In these three sheep groups, the frequency of B (defined by the presence of nucleotides c.978G and c.994A) was 0.01, 0.03 and 0.23 and for C (containing c.1111A) was 0.13, 0.18 and 0.01, respectively. An animal model was used to estimate the additive effect of fertility data for Finnish Landrace × Texel-cross sheep and revealed an association between litter size and the c.1111G>A variation (p = .036), but this was not observed for the Finnish Landrace sheep (p = .27) or the composite sheep (p = .17). When all the sheep were analysed together, the presence of c.1111A was associated (p < .05) with increased litter size, when compared to ewes that had c.1111G. Litter size did not differ between sheep with and without c.994A in all three groups of sheep investigated. This study suggests that c.1111A could be a useful genetic marker for improving fecundity in New Zealand sheep breeds and that it could be introgressed into other breeds, but analysis of more sheep will be required to confirm the associations that have been observed here.     

非繁殖季节中国美利奴羊血清E2、P4、FSH、LH激素变化规律研究

为了在非繁殖季节判断绵羊的发情状况,试验以新疆高海拔地区中国美利奴羊为研究对象,采用酶联免疫测定(ELISA)法测定绵羊血清中雌二醇(E2)、孕酮(P4)、促卵泡素(FSH)、促黄体生成素(LH)的含量,研究激素诱导发情羊、发情症状不明显羊、不发情羊体内激素分泌规律的差异。结果表明:激素诱导发情羊的E2含量比不发情羊高,差异显著(P<0.05);但是在P4、FSH、LH水平上,激素诱导发情羊要低于不发情羊,差异不显著(P>0.05)。发情羊与发情不明显羊在4种激素含量上差异不显著(P>0.05),说明公羊试情存在一定缺陷,而通过测定E2含量判定绵羊发情状态将成为未来研究的重点。     

β‐carotene attenuates lipopolysaccharide‐induced inflammation via inhibition of the NF‐κB,JAK2/STAT3 and JNK/p38 MAPK signaling pathways in macrophages

β‐carotene is one of the most abundant carotenoids, has potential anti‐inflammatory effect, it has been reported that β‐carotene could suppress LPS‐induced inflammatory responses by inhibiting nuclear factor kappa B (NF‐κB) translocation, but the more detailed molecular mechanisms underlying the anti‐inflammatory action of β‐carotene remain to be fully understood. In this study, we investigated the influence of β‐carotene on the activation of JAK2/STAT3, MAPK, and NF‐κB signaling pathway induced by LPS in RAW264.7 cells and peritoneal macrophages. Cells were treated with different concentrations of β‐carotene for 3 hr after LPS treatment for 24 hr. The mRNA expression and the release of IL‐1β, IL‐6, and TNF‐α were evaluated by RT‐PCR and ELISA, and the level of signaling proteins of JAK2/STAT3, MAPK, and NF‐κB signaling pathway were detected by Western blot. The results showed that β‐carotene significantly suppressed (p < 0.05) LPS‐induced release of IL‐1β, IL‐6, and TNF‐α and their mRNA expression. LPS‐induced JAK2/STAT3, IκB/NF‐κB p65, JNK/p38 MAPK signal activation were significantly attenuated (p < 0.05) by β‐carotene in a dose‐dependent manner. In conclusion, β‐carotene could attenuate LPS‐induced inflammation via inhibition of the NF‐κB, JAK2/STAT3, and JNK/p38 MAPK signaling pathways in macrophages.     

Detection of centrosome amplification as a surrogate marker of dysfunction in the p53 pathway –p53 gene mutation or MDM2 overexpression

In human and canine cancers, the inactivation of p53 protein as well as p53 gene mutation and MDM2 overexpression result in centrosome amplification that in turn contributes to chromosomal instability. To explore the usefulness of the detection of centrosome amplification as a surrogate marker of dysfunction in the p53 pathway, we systematically analysed centrosome amplification, p53 overexpression, p53 gene mutation and MDM2 overexpression in canine tumours. Centrosome amplification was detected in 16 of 51 (31%) naturally developing tumours in dogs. All the tumour specimens with aberrations in the p53 pathway, including p53 overexpression, p53 gene mutation or MDM2 overexpression, showed centrosome amplification, suggesting that the detection of centrosome amplification could serve as a preliminary surrogate marker of dysfunction in the p53 pathway.     

Ascorbic acid–cyclodextrin complex alters the expression of genes associated with lipid metabolism in bovine in vitro produced embryos

Ascorbic acid (AC) used as antioxidant in embryo culture is very sensitive and degrades unavoidably in aqueous solution. Methyl‐β‐cyclodextrin (CD) improved the stability of AC in solution to elevated temperature, light, humidity and oxidation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the complex AC‐CD during in vitro maturation (IVM) or in vitro culture (IVC) on oocyte developmental competence and subsequent embryo development and quality. AC‐CD (100 µM) was added to IVM media, and maturation level and embryo development were examined. Matured oocytes, their cumulus cells and produced blastocysts were snap‐frozen for gene expression analysis by RT‐qPCR. Besides, in vitro‐produced zygotes were cultured with 100 µM of AC‐CD and blastocysts were as well snap‐frozen for gene expression analysis. A group without AC‐CD (control^?) and other with CD (control⁺) were included. No differences were found on maturation, cleavage or blastocyst rates. However, in matured oocytes, AC‐CD downregulated BAX, GPX1 and BMP15. In cumulus cells, AC‐CD downregulated BAX/BCL2 and GSTA4 while upregulated BCL2 and CYP51A1. The expression of SL2A1, FADS1, PNPLA and MTORC1 was downregulated in blastocysts derived from oocytes matured with AC‐CD, while in blastocysts derived from zygote cultured with AC‐CD, CYP51A1 and IGF2R were downregulated and PNPLA2 was upregulated. In conclusion, AC‐CD in both IVM and IVC media may reduce accumulated fat by increasing lipolysis and suppressing lipogenesis in blastocysts derived from both oocytes and zygotes cultured with AC‐CD, suggesting that CD improves the quality of embryos and bioavailability of AC during IVM and IVC.     

Oral administration of synthetic porcine beta‐defensin‐2 improves growth performance and cecal microbial flora and down‐regulates the expression of intestinal toll‐like receptor‐4 and inflammatory cytokines in weaned piglets challenged with enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli

Synthetic porcine beta‐defensin‐2 (pBD‐2) was tested as an alternative to antimicrobial growth‐promoters in pig production. Thirty 21‐day weaned piglets were challenged with enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli, and orally dosed with either sterile water (CON), pBD‐2 (BD) or neomycin sulphate (NS) twice daily for 21 days. pBD‐2 and NS led to higher growth performance, jejunum villus height and increased expression of insulin‐like growth factor‐I compared with the CON group (P < 0.05). Hemolytic E. coli scores from rectal swabs, and copy numbers of E. coli, Bacteroides fragilis and Streptococcus in the cecal digesta of the BD‐ or NS‐treated piglets were lower than those in the CON group (P < 0.05). Messenger RNA levels of toll‐like receptor 4, tumor necrosis factor‐α, interleukin (IL)‐1β, and IL‐8 in the jejunum mucosa of the BD and NS groups were lower than those in the CON group (P < 0.05). Copy numbers of Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria in the cecal digesta of the BD group were higher than those of the CON and NS groups (P < 0.05). Therefore, pBD‐2 has antimicrobial activity in piglets, and it can improve growth performance, reduce inflammatory cytokine expression and affect intestinal morphological indices in the same way as probiotics. © 2015 Japanese Society of Animal Science     

The T allele at the g.1471620G>T in the EDG1 gene associated with high marbling in Japanese Black cattle is at a low frequency in breeds not selected for marbling

Our previous study detected a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), g.1471620G > T , in the 5' flanking region of the endothelial differentiation sphingolipid G-protein-coupled receptor 1 ( EDG1 ) gene, which has been considered as a positional functional candidate for the gene responsible for marbling, and showed association of the g.1471620G > T SNP with marbling in Japanese Black beef cattle. In the present study, we investigated the allele frequency distribution of the g.1471620G > T SNP among the 5 cattle breeds, Japanese Black, Japanese Brown, Japanese Short Horn, Holstein, and Brown Swiss breeds. The T allele at the g.1471620G > T SNP associated with high marbling was found at high frequency in Japanese Black breed that has been subjected to a strong selection for high marbling, while the allele was absent or at very low frequencies in the other breeds that have not been strongly selected for high marbling. Based on this finding, we hypothesized that the pressure of the strong selection for high marbling in Japanese Black breed has increased the frequency of the T allele at the g.1471620G > T SNP in the EDG1 .