ABSTRACT: Genomic sequencing of historical, ancient, and modern North American wolf-like canids: red wolves (Canis rufus), eastern wolves (Canis lycaon), coyotes (Canis latrans), and gray wolves (Canis lupus)
Project description:This study uses a custom made Nimblegen aCGH chip that targeted all segmental duplications in the canine genome to identify associated CNVs. A total of 23 hybridizations were performed in a panel of diverse dogs and a single wolf. This study focuses on the use a custom made Nimblegen aCGH chip to genotype 1,611 dog CNVs in 23 wolf-like canids (4 purebred dogs, one dingo, 15 gray wolves, one red wolf, one coyote and one golden jackal) to identify CNVs that may have arisen after domestication
Project description:The goal of the study was to test whether CBD103 genotype of North American gray wolves impacts the gene expression response to polyI:C or to live canine distemper virus. We established 24 primary cultures of epidermal keratinocytes from skin punches of North American gray wolves, and also generated an immortalized keratinocyte line and a CRISPR/Cas9 edited cell line. We evaluated the gene expression response of cells to either 24 hours challenge with 1 ug/ml polyI:C or to five days challenge with live canine distemper virus (100 TCID50/ml). Every challenged cell culture had a paired null control sample (plated and collected at same time points).
Project description:We sequenced total RNA from whole blood samples of 27 wild gray wolves from Yellowstone National Park. Gene expression level analysis of both male and female wolves, ranging from ages 0.8-8.8 years.
Project description:Background: The idea of using whole genome microarrays to detect peripheral blood biomarkers for physiological status a fairly new and unexplored method. Identifying biomarkers that can be linked to stress and immune response would be of great importance not only in animal management practices but in humans as well. The main objective of this research was to explore this concept using the North American Red Wolf (Canis rufus) which are exposed to a wide variety of environments from free ranging to confinement. Results: Transcription profiling of peripheral blood samples from 13 red wolf individuals in the Alligator River region of North Carolina revealed a strong signal of differentiation between confined and free-range animals. 482 out of 2,980 transcripts detected on the human Illumina Ref8 oligonucleotide bead arrays were found to differentiate these groups at a false discovery rate of 5 percent. Over-representation of genes in focal adhesion, insulin signaling, proteasomal, and tryptophan metabolism pathways suggests the activation of proinflammatory and stress responses in confined animals. Conclusions: Integration of immunological and physiological signals may leave a signature of lifestyle in the patterns of gene expression in the blood and suggest the possible development of biomarkers for disease and normal conditions. Keywords: Stress Response/Disease State