Dataset Information

Structural and proteomic analyses of vitelline membrane proteins of blackbird (Turdus merula) and song thrush (Turdus philomelos).

ABSTRACT: In this study, we aimed to perform structural and proteomic analysis of the vitelline membrane (VM) of two species birds belonging to the family Turdidae: blackbird (Turdus merula) and song thrush (Turdus philomelos). We performed structural analyses using scanning electron microscopy. The VM proteins were identified and compared to the best-known chicken VM proteins. According to our results, VM of both species has a typical three-layered structure: the outer layer, inner layer, and the continuous membrane between them. An unusual observation was the finding of "convexity" formed by the inner layer in blackbird. The role of these convex structures is not known, but they can be typical for the species and can be used in their identification. In addition, we identified two proteins in the VM of both species of birds, of which U3KEZ1 FICAL was not previously identified in any other bird species, and the U3JXV8 FICAL protein was confirmed only once in cockatiel parrot VM. The function of these proteins is not exactly known, but their structure shows similarities to the SERPIN proteins that are involved in microbiological defense, i.e., they are immune proteins. This study contributes to the current knowledge about the structure and composition of proteins of VM, especially because similar analyses have never been performed for Turdidae family. Knowledge of the structure and specific proteins of blackbird and song thrush VM can be beneficial in research on ecology and bird biology and also helpful in developing noninvasive and nongenetic identification methods.

SUBMITTER: Damaziak K

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7652871 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Structural and proteomic analyses of vitelline membrane proteins of blackbird (Turdus merula) and song thrush (Turdus philomelos).

Damaziak Krzysztof K Kieliszek Marek M Gozdowski Dariusz D

Scientific reports 20201109 1

In this study, we aimed to perform structural and proteomic analysis of the vitelline membrane (VM) of two species birds belonging to the family Turdidae: blackbird (Turdus merula) and song thrush (Turdus philomelos). We performed structural analyses using scanning electron microscopy. The VM proteins were identified and compared to the best-known chicken VM proteins. According to our results, VM of both species has a typical three-layered structure: the outer layer, inner layer, and the continu ...[more]

PMID: 33168893

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Project description:Necropsy of two free-ranging common blackbirds (Turdus merula) found dead in central Italy revealed the presence of a high number of cyclocoelid flukes in the coelomatic cavity. Cyclocoelid flukes primarily infect avian respiratory system. Histologically, air sac walls were covered with a fibrinous exudate containing degenerate heterophils, many trematodes and some colonies of Gram-positive cocci. The superficial bronchi and parabronchi were markedly distended, and the adjacent pulmonary parenchyma was congested and collapsed. Trematodes, surrounded by a mild suppurative to pyogranulomatous inflammatory reaction, were also observed on the pericardial, intestinal, kidney and hepatic serosal surfaces. The death of the two examined birds was likely due to the high parasite load and associated severe lesions. At parasitological examination, flukes showed a tongue-shaped elongate body, tapered anteriorly and rounded posteriorly, of 2,088-2,314??m in width and 8,268-11,830??m in length. The mouth was slightly oval and sub-terminal, with a small oral sucker. The oval pharynx measured 250-309??m, and the two caeca joined posteriorly. Two large (550-702??m?×?450-520??m) globular testes were situated obliquely to each other, whereas an oval (250?×?300??m in mean) or round (about 334??m in diameter) intertesticular ovary was placed in a longitudinal straight line with the testes. The ootype was about 110??m in diameter, while the brown-yellow eggs measured 131.5?×?73.9??m in mean. The genital pore was post-pharyngeal, while the symmetrically arranged vitelline glands were not confluent posteriorly. Morphoflogical diagnosis led to the identification of Morishitium polonicum, a cyclocoelid fluke species that typically inhabits the air sacs of blackbirds. The morphological diagnosis was corroborated by molecular phylogenetic analysis of the mitochondrial (CO1, ND1) DNA loci. The present study provides the first report of pathological lesions and death caused by M. polonicum in birds.

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Dataset Information

Structural and proteomic analyses of vitelline membrane proteins of blackbird (Turdus merula) and song thrush (Turdus philomelos).

Publications

Structural and proteomic analyses of vitelline membrane proteins of blackbird (Turdus merula) and song thrush (Turdus philomelos).

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