β‐hydroxy‐β‐methyl butyrate promotes leucine metabolism and improves muscle fibre composition in growing pigs

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of excess leucine (Leu) vs. its metabolites α‐ketoisocaproate (KIC) and β‐hydroxy‐β‐methyl butyrate (HMB) on Leu metabolism, muscle fibre composition and muscle growth in growing pigs. Thirty‐two pigs with a similar initial weight (9.55 ± 0.19 kg) were fed 1 of 4 diets for 45 days: basal diet, basal diet + 1.25% L‐Leu, basal diet + 1.25% KIC‐Ca, basal diet + 0.62% HMB‐Ca. Results indicated that relative to the basal diet and HMB groups, Leu and KIC groups exhibited increased Leu concentrations and decreased concentrations of isoleucine, valine and EAAs in selected muscle (p < 0.05) and had lower mRNA levels of MyHC I and higher expression of MyHC IIx/IIb (p < 0.05), and there was no significant difference between the basal and HMB‐supplemented groups. Moreover, the mRNA expression levels of AMPKα and UCP3 were higher but the myostatin mRNA levels were lower in the soleus muscle of the HMB group than those from other groups (p < 0.05). These findings demonstrated that doubling dietary Leu content exerted growth‐depressing effects in growing pigs; dietary KIC supplementation induced muscular branched‐chain amino acid imbalance and promoted muscle toward a more glycolytic phenotype; while dietary HMB supplementation promoted the generation of more oxidative muscle types and increased muscle growth specially in oxidative skeletal muscle, and these effects of HMB might be associated with the AMPKα‐Sirt1‐PGC‐1α axis and mitochondrial biogenesis.     

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.     

Differential gene expression of Eph‐ephrin A1 and LEPR‐LEP with high or low number of embryos in pigs during implantation

The objective of this study was to ascertain whether mRNA and protein expressions of implantation‐related genes (erythropoietin‐producing hepatocellular receptor–ligand A1, Eph‐ephrin A1 and leptin receptor–leptin, LEPR‐LEP) differed between pigs with high and low number of embryos, and whether these differences in gene expression might affect embryo implantation. Experimental pig groups (n = 24) for high and low number of embryos were prepared by altering the number of eggs ovulated in pre‐pubertal gilts treated with 1.5 × (High) or 1.0 × (Low) PG600 ([400 IU PMSG + 200 IU hCG]/dose, AKZO‐NOBEL). Gilts expressing oestrus were artificially inseminated twice and maintained in breeding and gestation until the reproductive tract was collected on day 22 of pregnancy. At slaughter, the reproductive tracts from each pregnant gilt from each treatment were immediately processed to collect samples for RNA and protein analysis. Within each gilt, three conceptus points were sampled, one from each horn and then a random conceptus within the tract. At each conceptus point, endometrial attachment site, chorion–allantois and embryo were collected and immediately frozen in liquid nitrogen. Number of corpus luteum (CL) (35.4 vs. 12.6) and total embryo number (18.8 vs. 10.2) were greater in the high‐embryo compared to the low‐embryo group, respectively (p < .05). Real‐time qPCR results showed that Eph‐ephrin A1 mRNA expression was less in the high‐embryo (p < .05) compared to the low‐embryo group. In addition, Western blotting analysis indicated that Eph‐ephrin A1 and LEP protein expression at endometrial attachment site in high‐embryo was less (p < .05) compared to low‐embryo group. It was also noted that mRNA expression of Eph‐ephrin A1 and LEPR‐LEP was greater in pregnant than non‐pregnant gilts (p < .05). Moreover, mRNA expression of Eph‐ephrin A1 (p < .05) and LEPR‐LEP was greatest at endometrial attachment site among all three tissues. There was a positive correlation between expressions of Eph‐ephrin A1, LEPR‐LEP and embryo length with the correlation coefficient 0.31–0.59. For Eph‐ephrin A1, the highest correlation coefficient appeared between Eph A1 expression and normal embryo number, between ephrin A1 expression and embryo length. For LEPR‐LEP, the highest correlation coefficient appeared between LEPR‐LEP expression and ovary weight (0.79 for both, p < .05), followed by embryo length and weight. The results of this study suggest that low expression of Eph‐ephrin A1 and LEPR‐LEP is somehow related to increased embryo number during implantation and that endometrial attachment site might be the main target tissue of these gene products. Yet, the increased expression of Eph‐ephrin A1 and LEPR‐LEP appeared associated with increased embryo growth (length and weight) and ovary weight, Eph‐ephrin A1 and LEPR‐LEP might play roles in the regulation of embryo implantation in pigs.     

ACE inhibition in goats under fixed‐time artificial insemination protocol increases the pregnancy rate and twin births

To assess the effect of the angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition on the efficiency of the fixed‐time artificial insemination (TAI), 69 goats were divided randomly into two groups: enalapril (n = 35) and control (n = 34). In the experiment, all animals underwent the protocol of fixed‐time artificial insemination for 12 days. Enalapril group received enalapril maleate dissolved in saline (Enalapril, Lab Teuto Ltda) subcutaneously at the following doses: 0.2 mg/kg/day in D0‐D2; 0.3 mg/kg/day in D3‐D6 and 0.4 mg/kg/day in D7‐D11. The control group received the corresponding volume of 0.9% saline solution. We performed a single insemination 36 hr after sponge removal using frozen semen from two adult male goats with recognized fertility. The ultrasound pregnancy diagnosis was 30 days after the artificial insemination (AI). There was significant increase in pregnancy rates and twinning as well as a decrease in foetal loss in animals receiving enalapril (p < .01). The use of ACE inhibitors during the TAI protocol was shown to be a promising alternative to increase the efficiency of such reproductive biotechnology.     

EIAV Rev蛋白拮抗eqTRIM5α介导的AP-1信号通路的机制研究

为探究马传染性贫血病毒(EIAV)附属蛋白Rev负调控Tripartite motif-containing protein 5α(TRIM5α)介导的AP-1信号通路的机制,本研究将pEIAV-Rev-HA和pcDNA3.1质粒分别与含TRIM5α基因的质粒及pGL3-AP-1-Luc(AP-1报告质粒)共转染HEK 293T细胞,采用荧光素酶试验检测Rev对TRIM5α激活的AP-1信号通路的影响;将pEIAV-Rev-HA和pcDNA3.1质粒分别与含TAK1、TAB2、P38和c-Jun基因的质粒及pGL3-AP-1-Luc共转染HEK 293T细胞,采用荧光素酶试验检测Rev对TRIM5α下游转导分子(TAK1、TAB2、P38、c-Jun)激活的AP-1信号通路的影响;将pEIAV-Rev-HA和pcDNA3.1质粒分别与含TAK1、TAB2、P38基因的质粒共转染HEK293T细胞,利用western blot试验分别检测TAK1、TAB2、P38的表达水平;将pEIAV-Rev-HA和pcDNA3.1质粒分别与含P38基因的质粒共转染HEK 293T细胞后加入蛋白酶体抑制剂MG132,利用western blot检测P38蛋白的表达情况。结果显示,共转染EIAV-Rev-HA实验组中TRIM5α对AP-1的激活倍数为0.4,而共转染pcDNA3.1对照组中相应的激活倍数为26.0;共转染pEIAV-Rev-HA实验组中,TAK1、TAB2、P38和c-Jun对AP-1信号通路的激活倍数分别为7.7、0.1、0.6、9.8,而共转染pcDNA3.1对照组中对AP-1信号通路的激活倍数分别为60.0、1.5、6.3、12.0;转染pEIAV-Rev-HA+pP38-Flag组与转染pcDNA3.1+pP38-Flag组相比,前者P38蛋白的表达量显著降低;加入蛋白酶体抑制剂组则恢复了P38蛋白的表达。上述结果表明,EIAV Rev显著下调eqTRIM5α及其下游转导分子TAK1、TAB2、P38激活的AP-1信号通路,但不显著下调c-Jun激活的AP-1信号通路;EIAV Rev通过蛋白酶体途径降解P38蛋白的表达而抑制eqTRIM5α激活的AP-1信号通路。本研究结果为理解EIAV与宿主蛋白相互作用提供参考依据。     

The integration and insertion site of GbVe1 gene in the genome of transgenic cotton (Gossypium hirsutum)

[Objective] The aim of this study was to obtain the flanking sequences of T-DNA in the transgenic cotton containing a GbVe1 over-expression cassette. [Method] The T-DNA insertion copy number in the transgenic GbVe1 cotton was analyzed by southern blot. Flanking sequences of the transgenic lines with putative single T-DNA insertion copy were obtained using high-efficiency Thermal asymmetric interlaced polymerase chain reaction (hiTAIL-PCR). The T-DNA insertion sites were further confirmed by PCR with specific primers. [Result] RB-flanking sequences (119-1 018 bp) and LB-flanking sequences (243-516 bp) were obtained from three transgenic lines with low copy number of T-DNA insertion. The AT content was more than 63% in these flanking sequences. A same single insertion site in the intron of Gohir.D01G157600.1 was found in the two transgenic lines 7/100826-152 and 12/100826-393, while two separated insertion sites, one also in the intron of Gohir.-D01G157600.1 and the other in the intergenic region of A12 chromosome, were found in the transgenic line 1/w-ch14. A deletion of 21 bp was found in the insertion site in the intron of Gohir.D01G157600.1. The T-DNA insertion in the intron of Gohir.D01G157600.1 was further confirmed by the specific PCR. [Conclusion] The flanking sequences of T-DNA in the transgenic GbVe1 cotton were obtained and the specific transformation event in the intron of Gohir.D01G157600.1 was further confirmed by PCR.     

UCP1基因变异与绵羊生长及胴体性状的关联分析

试验旨在探讨解耦联蛋白1（UCP1）基因核苷酸变异对绵羊生长性状的性别差异和胴体性状的影响，以期能够筛选出可以提升绵羊生长及胴体性状的核苷酸变异，为提高绵羊相关重要经济性状的分子遗传标记提供材料。以9个绵羊品种为研究对象，用PCR-SSCP方法检测不同性别绵羊中UCP1基因内含子5区和外显子6区变异。利用Minitab 16.0软件中一般线性模型分析内含子5区等位基因与不同性别绵羊生长性状、公羔胴体性状的关联性。结果显示，绵羊UCP1基因内含子5区和外显子6区共检测到8个核苷酸变异，其中位点c.910 G/A突变导致p.Ala304Thr氨基酸变异。生长性状关联分析结果表明，内含子5区等位基因对绵羊生长性状的影响存在性别特异性，母羔中携带等位基因A₁的群体较缺失群体具有较低的初生重（P<0.05），公羔中携带等位基因C₁的群体较缺失群体具有较高的断尾重（P<0.05），未发现其他等位基因与羔羊的生长性状存在性别特异性。胴体性状关联分析结果表明，携带等位基因A₁的群体具有较低后腿瘦肉量、腰部瘦肉量和较高的肩部瘦肉比例（P<0.05），携带等位基因C₁的群体具有较低的后腿瘦肉比例（P<0.05），其他胴体性状均没有发现与等位基因存在显著相关，基因型分析结果与等位基因分析结果一致。结果提示，UCP1基因对绵羊的生长性状影响具有性别特异性，且携带等位基因A₁的公羔群体具有较低的胴体生产性状，为提高公羔胴体生产性能提供了理论依据。     

Cloning of Buffalo BMP1 Gene and its Expression Pattern Investigation in Different Tissues

Buffalo BMP1 gene was cloned in the present study, the BMP1 sequence was systemically analysed by bioinformatics techniques, and the expression level of BMP1 gene in different tissues were also assayed with Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (QRT-PCR).The results showed that with RT-PCR a 3 195 bp buffalo BMP1 gene was cloned and sequenced, including the whole ORF of 2 967 bp (coding 988 amino acid).The sequence multialigned results showed that buffalo BMP1 gene shared 99%, 96%, 96%, 96% and 95% of similar amino acid sequence with Bos taurus, Sus scrofa, Equus, Homa sapiens and Mus musclus, respectively.It was predicted that buffalo BMP1 protein contained a signal peptide domain, a preregion, a metalloproteinases domain, five complement-Uegf-BMP-1 domain (CUB domain) and two epitheloid growth factor-like domain (EGF-like domain).In addition, we also analyzed the expression level in different tissues through QRT-PCR, the results showed that BMP1 gene mRNA existed in all nine tissues with the most abundant expression in heart, followed by testis, ovary, genital ridge, while with lower amount of bone and other tissues, the minimal expression in liver was observed.     

植物TIR1/AFBs基因家族研究进展

TIR1/AFBs基因家族是一种存在于细胞核中的生长素受体,属于F-box蛋白基因中的一个小亚族。它们通过与相关生长素相结合活化转录因子来促进基因的表达,从而进行调控,是生长素信号转导过程中的关键部分。为了深入研究生长素信号转导机制,从TIR1/AFBs基因家族的发现与结构,家族成员表达模式的差异及对植物生长发育方面的调节等方面概括介绍了TIR1/AFBs基因家族的分子调控机制,总结了TIR1/AFBs基因的功能。最后探讨了TIR1/AFBs基因的研究方向。     

1株鸭源非O1/O139群霍乱弧菌的分离鉴定与致病性分析

为探明引起贵州省某鸭场雏鸭发病的病原及其致病性和耐药情况，本研究对该鸭场送的疑似细菌感染病鸭进行剖检，取鼻黏膜、心脏和肝脏等组织器官接种于培养基中进行细菌分离鉴定，通过对分离菌进行药敏试验、动物回归试验和毒力基因检测研究其耐药情况和致病性。结果显示，分离菌在血琼脂培养基上生长16 h后呈现为边缘整齐、有光泽的乳白色菌落，伴有β-溶血现象，经革兰氏染色后在生物显微镜下呈两端钝圆、弧状、排列无规则的革兰氏阴性短小杆菌，与霍乱弧菌相符；16S rDNA基因序列同源性及系统进化树显示，该分离菌与霍乱弧菌同源性高达99.6%~99.7%聚为一支；药敏试验结果显示，分离菌对大部分药物都表现为耐药，其中对氨苄西林、克林霉素、复方新诺明、苯唑西林和克林霉素等抗菌药耐药性较强，对头孢哌酮和头孢曲松敏感；动物回归试验显示，分离菌可导致试验组雏鸭5 d内全部发病死亡，表明该分离菌对雏鸭具有较强的致病性；毒力基因PCR检测结果显示，检测的霍乱弧菌相关毒力基因hlyA、ompW和chxA为阳性，而检测的O1群rfb、O139群rfb、tcpA及ctxA基因为阴性，表明本次分离的霍乱弧菌携带有致病基因，但不属于O1和O139血清群。结果表明，该鸭场雏鸭发病的疫情病原为非O1/O139血清群霍乱弧菌，该菌致病性强且对多种抗菌药物耐药。本试验结果为贵州省鸭霍乱弧菌病的防控提供了参考依据。