Project description:Identification of the changes in gene expression between the antler velvet and mesenchyme, pedicle skin and frontal skin tissues from adult male deers (Cervus elaphus). Hybridization data were analysed using MAS5, RMA, GCRMA and Dchip algorithms to maximize the chances of identifying gene expression changes.
Project description:Identification of the changes in gene expression between the antler velvet and mesenchyme, pedicle skin and frontal skin tissues from adult male deers (Cervus elaphus). Hybridization data were analysed using MAS5, RMA, GCRMA and Dchip algorithms to maximize the chances of identifying gene expression changes. Comparison of 4 tissues with 3 biological replicates each. Samples were obtained from Velvet, Mesenchyme, Pedicle, and Frontal tissues of 3 adult males.
Project description:Rib bone growth in red deer stags - Abstract: In 'The Bone and Joint Decade' interest is focused on genetic factors causing bone disorders. Osteoporosis, attacking 10% of the population worldwide, is the most common metabolic bone disease, which is mimiced by several ovarectomised or genetically modified 'cascadeur' animal species, but none of them is able to remedy its pathologically porous bone tissue. Regeneration in skeletal elements is the curiosity of our newly investigated osteoporosis animal model, red deer (Cervus elaphus). The cyclic physiological osteoporosis in red deer stag is a consequence of the annual antler cycle. This phenomenon raises the possibility to explore new genes involved in regulating bone mineral density (BMD) and recovery of bone resorption on the basis of comparative genomics between deer and human. Here we compared the gene expression activities of osteoporotic and regenerating flying rib bone samples versus late autumn dwell control in red deer by heterologous microarray hybridization. Identified genes were tested on human femoral bone tissue from postmenopausal osteoporotic and non-osteoporotic patients. Expression data were evaluated by Principal Components Analysis and Discriminant Analysis. Keywords: Gene Expression experiment Approximately 2-3 g flying rib bone pieces in the entire cross section of bony rib were surgically removed from 3 anaesthetized [SBH-Ketamine (2.5 mg/kg live weight) combined with Xylazine (0.2 mg/kg live weight) i.m. injection] 6, 7 and 8 year old Cervus elaphus stags. (Cast antler pairs weighed 7-8 kg for each animal.) Removed rib pieces were extensively washed in PBS for eliminating blood and marrow contamination, than immediately frozen in liquid nitrogen. The time of tissue collections were (i) within the period of the active mineralization of antler, at the beginning of June when skeletal osteoporosis takes place, (ii) in the fitness improvement period with velvet shedding in late July, that is the 'regenerating time' and (iii) in the period of late autumn dwell at the end of November when in the skeleton the mineral mobilization and deposition are dynamically equilibrated (BMD is in steady state). Each comparison performed on Platforms GPL4052 and GPL5352.
Project description:Deer antlers are amazing natural appendages that grow faster than any other known mammalian bone. Antler growth occurs at the tip and is initially cartilage, which is later replaced by bone tissue. However, little is known regarding the precise role of cooperation between cell lineages and functional genes in regulating antler growth, and molecular mechanisms responsible for rapid growth remain elusive. In this study, we use an RNA-Seq approach to identify miRNA expression patterns during antler growth.
Project description:The aim of this study is to determine differential gene expression on skin biopsies of experimentally BTV-infected hinds (Cervus elaphus) using serotypes 1 and 8 to understand the possible role that these genes play during BTV infection. Understanding the strategies used by this virus for their cellular uptake, and detection of differentially expressed transcripts in experimentally infected hosts, can provide identification of detailed information that might be used to prevent infection. Four seven-month-old red deer Cervus elaphus were kept in a P3 facility to be experimentally infected with Bluetongue virus, and 4 more red deer were kept as controls. Skin biopsies were taken at 14 days post-infection to determine gene expression in response to this virus.
Project description:We present the analysis of an osseous finger ring from an early Neolithic context in Denmark. To characterise the artefact and identify the raw material used for its manufacture, we performed micro-computed tomography (Micro CT) scanning, zooarchaeology by mass spectrometry (ZooMS) peptide mass fingerprinting, as well as protein sequencing by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). We found that the ring was made from long bone or antler due to the presence of osteons (Haversian canals). Subsequent ZooMS analysis of the collagen present indicated that it was made from either elk (Alces alces) or red deer (Cervus elaphus) material. We then used LC-MS/MS analysis to refine our species identification, confirming that the ring was made from red deer, and to examine other proteins present. This study demonstrates the potential of ancient proteomics for species identification of prehistoric artefacts made from osseous material.