Project description:Background: African animal trypanosomiasis (AAT) caused by tsetse fly-transmitted protozoa of the genus Trypanosoma is a major constraint on livestock and agricultural production in Africa and is among the top ten global cattle diseases impacting on the poor. Here we show that a functional genomics approach can be used to identify temporal changes in host peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) gene expression due to disease progression. We also show that major gene expression differences exist between cattle from trypanotolerant and trypanosusceptible breeds. Using bovine long oligonucleotide microarrays and real time quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) validation we analysed PBMC gene expression in naïve trypanotolerant and trypanosusceptible cattle experimentally challenged with Trypanosoma congolense across a 34-day infection time course. Results: Trypanotolerant N’Dama cattle displayed a rapid and distinct transcriptional response to infection, with a ten-fold higher number of genes differentially expressed at day 14 post infection compared to trypanosusceptible Boran cattle. These analyses identified coordinated temporal gene expression changes for both breeds in responses to trypanosome infection. In addition, a panel of genes were identified that showed pronounced differences in gene expression between the two breeds, which may underlie the phenomena of trypanotolerance and trypanosusceptibility. Gene ontology (GO) analysis demonstrate that the products of these genes may contribute to increased mitochondrial mRNA translational efficiency, a more pronounced B cell response, an elevated activation status and a heightened response to stress in trypanotolerant cattle. Conclusions: This study has revealed an extensive and diverse range of cellular processes that are altered temporally in response to trypanosome infection in African cattle. Results indicate that the trypanotolerant N’Dama cattle respond more rapidly and with a greater magnitude to infection compared to the trypanosusceptible Boran cattle. Specifically, a subset of the genes analyzed by qRT-PCR, which display significant breed differences, could collectively contribute to the trypanotolerance trait in N’Dama.
Project description:At implantation the endometrium undergoes dramatic modifications necessary for its physical interactions with the trophoblast as well as the development of the conceptus. We aim to identify endometrial factors and pathways essential for a successful implantation in the caruncular [C] and the intercaruncular [IC] areas in cattle. The [C versus IC] direct comparison revealed 1177 and 453 DEG in cyclic and pregnant animals respectively, with a major impact of the conceptus on metabolism and cell adhesion. Keywords: Microarray fluorescence 10 Samples comparing caruncle and intercaruncle in pregnant cows, 10 Samples comparing caruncle and intercaruncle in cyclic cows.
Project description:At implantation the endometrium undergoes dramatic modifications necessary for its physical interactions with the trophoblast as well as the development of the conceptus. We aim to identify endometrial factors and pathways essential for a successful implantation in the caruncular [C] and the intercaruncular [IC] areas in cattle. The [C versus IC] direct comparison revealed 1177 and 453 DEG in cyclic and pregnant animals respectively, with a major impact of the conceptus on metabolism and cell adhesion. Keywords: Microarray fluorescence
Project description:The Gayal (Bos frontalis) is a rare semi-domesticated cattle in China. Gayal has typical beef body shape and good meat production performance. Compared with other cattle species, it has the characteristics of tender meat and extremely low fat content. To explore the underlying mechanism responsible for the differences of meat quality between different breeds, the longissimus dorsi muscle (LM) from Gayal and Banna cattle (Bos taurus) were investigated using transcriptome analysis. The gene expression profiling identified 638 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between LM muscles from Gayal and Banna cattle. Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment of biological functions and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis showed that the gene products were mainly involved in the PPAR signaling pathway, lipid metabolism and amino acid metabolism pathway. Protein-protein interaction(PPI) network analysis showed APOB, CYP7A1, THBS2, ITGAV, IGFBP1 and IGF2R may have great impact on meat quality characteristics of Gayal. Moreover, three transcription factors, FOXA2, NEUROG2, and RUNX1, which may affect meat quality by regulating the expression of genes related to muscle growth and development have also been found. In summary, our research reveals the molecular mechanisms that cause Gayal meat quality characteristics. It will contribute to improving meat quality of cattle through molecular breeding.
Project description:Tropical theileriosis in a cattle disease of global economic importance, caused by the tick-borne protozoan parasite Theileria annulata. Conventional control strategies are failing to contain the disease and an attractive alternative is the use of pre-existing genetic resistance or tolerance. However, tropical theileriosis tolerant cattle are less productive than some susceptible breeds. To combine resistance and production traits requires an understanding of the mechanisms involved in resistance. Therefore, we have compared the response of monocytes derived from tolerant (Sahiwals, Bos indicus) and susceptible (Holstein-Friesians, B. taurus) cattle to in vitro infection with T. annulata. Over 150 genes exhibited breed-specific differential expression during the course of infection and nearly one third were differentially expressed in resting cells, implying that there are inherent differences between monocytes from the breeds. Fifty sequences currently only match ESTs or are unique to the library used to generate the microarray. The differential expression of a selection of genes was validated by quantitative RT-PCR, e.g. CD9, prion protein and signal-regulatory protein alpha. A large proportion of the differentially expressed genes encode proteins expressed on the plasma membrane or in the extracellular space and cell adhesion was one of the major Gene Ontology biological processes identified. We therefore hypothesise that the breed-specific tolerance of Sahiwal cattle compared to Holstein-Friesians is due to the interaction of infected cells with other immune cells, which influences the immune response generated against T. annulata infection. The BoMP microarray is available from the ARK-Genomics facility (www.ark-genomics.org).
Project description:In Drosophila, homozygosity for tumor suppressors, like lethal giant larvae, lgl, results in neoplastic transformation of imaginal disc epithelium - characterized by loss of their apico-basal polarity, unrestricted growth and invasion into neighboring tissues/organs. In genetic mosaics, however, lgl mutant clones are eliminated shortly after their initiation by cell competition. On the other hand, lgl mutant clones generated in Minute (M) genetic background, which compromises cell competition from the neighboring wild type cells, display clonal progression and tissue invasion. To gain insight into the molecular players of fly tumorigensis we undertook genome-wide transcriptional profiling of neoplastically transformed mosaic wing imaginal discs where lgl- clones were induced in M genetic background. Mosaic wing imaginal discs carrying wild type (lgl+) clones, also generated in M genetic background, served as controls. Transcriptional profile revealed up-regulation of a number of signaling pathways, such as Hippo, Wnt, TGF-beta or EGFR. Transcriptional profile of lgl- mosaic imaginal discs therefore provides a useful resource for identification of genes/pathways that are functionally relevant for carcinogenesis
Project description:This study examined the expression of pig-specific microRNAs (miRNAs) at gestation day 20 (gd20) of pregnancy in Yorkshire sows. Tissue differences in miRNA expression, and miRNA differences between healthy and arresting embryo attachment sites (i.e., healthy endometrium vs. arresting endometrium; healthy trophoblast vs. arresting trophoblast), were of prime interest. For more information, please refer to the primary research paper. Paired endometrium and trophoblast samples were collected at gestation day 20 from two conceptus attachement sites (1 healthy, 1 arresting) per sow (n=3). Endometrial samples were collected from four non-pregnant sows at mid-estrus.
Project description:miRNA profiling of bovine satellite cells (BSC) differentiated into myotubes (6th day of in vitro differentiation). BSC isolated from m. semitendinosus of beef (Hereford & Limousine) and dairy (Holstein-Friesian) cattle. Goal was to determine differences in miRNA expresion during in vitro myogenesis in beef vs dairy cattle used as a control.