Project description:Emerging data has highlighted the importance of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) on ruminal microbiome and derived metabolism profiling, and ruminal epithelial health and nutritional absorption in ruminants. However, little is known about the roles of SCFAs on ileal microbiome profiles. Here, we combined infusion of three SCFAs, to study their different roles in ileal microbiome succession profiling using a in vivo goat model.
Project description:Deposition of intramuscular adipose tissue (IMAT; marbling) is one of the primary determinants for beef quality grade within the U.S. However, IMAT accumulation is often secondary to subcuta-neous (SCAT) and visceral (VIAT) adipose tissue deposition, which results in lower product yield. The mechanisms that underlie the differences in the accumulation of IMAT, SCAT, and VIAT are still not fully understood. The aim of this study was to define the depot-specific transcriptome and adipocyte function in IMAT, SCAT and VIAT in beef cattle. Functional transcriptome analysis in-dicated the activation of pathways for greater lipid accumulation and immune function in VIAT and SCAT compared with IMAT. Florescent activated cell sorting analysis identified a greater percentage of adipocyte stem and progenitor cells (ASPC) within IMAT compared to SCAT and VIAT, but lower ASPC's proliferation in vitro, suggesting potential functional defects on IMAT's adipogenic capacity. In vitro culture of adipocytes revealed greater lipid accumulation and insulin responses, and lower lipolysis of SCAT compared to IMAT adipocytes, with VIAT adipocytes having a characteristic of both SCAT, and IMAT adipocytes. Our findings revealed the de-pot-specific transcriptional profile of IMAT, SCAT and VIAT in beef cattle, which were corrobo-rated by differences on adipocyte metabolic function in vitro.
Project description:We examined genome-wide patterns of DNA methylation from whole genome DNA methylation maps of five tissues (brain, kidney, lung, skeletal muscle, and pancreas) from one male koala and one female koala (Phascolarctos cinereus), and present the first whole genome, multi-tissue “methylome atlas” with information on tissue- and sex-specific variation of DNA methylation for a marsupial.
Project description:Emerging data has highlighted the importance of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) on ruminal microbiome and derived metabolism profiling, and ruminal epithelial health and nutritional absorption in ruminants. However, little is known about the roles of SCFAs on hindgut profiles. Here, we firstly combined infusion of three SCFAs, to study their different roles in hindgut microbiome succession and derived metabolism profiling, as well as colonic epithelial transcriptome sequencing patterns using a in vivo goat model. .
Project description:Emerging data has highlighted the importance of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) on ruminal microbiome and derived metabolism profiling, and ruminal epithelial health and nutritional absorption in ruminants. However, little is known about the roles of SCFAs on hindgut profiles. Here, we firstly combined infusion of three SCFAs, to study their different roles in hindgut microbiome succession and derived metabolism profiling, as well as colonic epithelial transcriptome sequencing patterns using a in vivo goat model.
Project description:RASA3 (RAS p21 protein activator 3), also called GAPIII or IP4BP (inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate, IP4, binding protein), is a member of the GAP1 family of RAS-GTPase-activating proteins (GAPs). The RAS superfamily of small GTPases includes the subfamily RAP. Small GTPases act as molecular switches, cycling between active GTP-bound and inactive GDP-bound forms. They are activated by guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs), which stimulate GTP loading, and inactivated by GAPs, which accelerate GTP hydrolysis. A major role of RASA3 in hematopoiesis was first identified upon positional cloning of the co-isogenic autosomal recessive mouse mutation, scat (severe combined anemia and thrombocytopenia. The scat phenotype, in addition to severe anemia and thrombocytopenia, includes significant leukopenia as well. The scat disease progresses episodically, with periods of severe crisis interspersed with one or two periods of remission. The RASA3 mutation (G125V) in scat causes mislocalization of RASA3 to the cytosol, abrogating RASA3 GAP activity and increasing active RAS levels in scat erythroid cells. As part of a broader study to analyze the role of RASA3 in hematopoiesis, we performed RNAseq studies to generate hypotheses regarding the progression of the scat disease from periods of crisis to partial remission.