Project description:The avian cerebellum is known for its relatively large size and high degree of development, functioning as a crucial region for multisensory integration and motor control, particularly important for flight. This study aimed to investigate changes in gene expression in the cerebellum of racing pigeons using RNA-Seq analysis. The researchers analyzed samples from 10 racing homers' cerebellums before and after a 300 km flight back to their loft. The findings revealed that flight induces ribosome impairment in the cerebellum, suggesting potential alterations in the protein synthesis machinery due to prolonged flight activity as response to stress and maintain homeostasis.
Project description:The currently known homing pigeon is a result of a sharp one-sided selection for flight characteristics focused on speed, endurance, and spatial orientation. This has led to extremely well-adapted athletic phenotypes in racing birds. Here, we identify genes and pathways contributing to exercise adaptation in sport pigeons by applying next-generation transcriptome sequencing of m.pectoralis muscle samples, collected before and after a 300 km competition flight. The analysis of differentially expressed genes pictured the central role of pathways involved in fuel selection and muscle maintenance during flight, with a core set of genes: ARTN, NREP, CAV3, SLC25A30, SLC2A11. Variations in these genes may therefore be exploited for genetic improvement of the racing pigeon population towards specific categories of competition flights.
Project description:Deep sequencing of mRNA from the rock pigeon Analysis of ploy(A)+ RNA of different specimens: heart and liver from the rock pigeon (Danish Tumbler, Oriental Frill and Racing)