Project description:BACKGROUND: MicroRNAs negatively regulate gene expression and play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of human type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). As the domestic cat presents a spontaneous animal model for human T2DM, the purpose of this study was to investigate whether microRNAs are detectable in feline serum and whether microRNA expression profiles differ between healthy and diabetic cats. METHODS: Total RNA was extracted from 400 µl serum of healthy lean (HL) and newly diagnosed diabetic (D) cats. MicroRNA microarrays representing 1079 distinct mouse miRNA targets were used to measure miRNA expression in samples from eight HL and eight D cats. RESULTS: By microarray, 227 distinct microRNAs were identified. Nineteen miRNAs were differentially expressed in diabetic cats, but only two reached statistical significance after correction for multiple comparisons. In qRT-PCR, miR-122* was found to be upregulated in diabetic cats more than 40-fold compared to HL cats, while miR-193b was upregulated about 10-fold. MiR-483* showed a 6- fold increase in diabetic cats compared to HL cats. CONCLUSIONS: Small volumes of serum samples yield sufficient material to detect altered microRNA expression profiles in diabetic cats. The domestic cat may be considered a useful animal model for studying miRNAs involved in human T2DM.
Project description:BACKGROUND: MicroRNAs negatively regulate gene expression and play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of human type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). As the domestic cat presents a spontaneous animal model for human T2DM, the purpose of this study was to investigate whether microRNAs are detectable in feline serum and whether microRNA expression profiles differ between healthy and diabetic cats. METHODS: Total RNA was extracted from 400 M-BM-5l serum of healthy lean (HL) and newly diagnosed diabetic (D) cats. MicroRNA microarrays representing 1079 distinct mouse miRNA targets were used to measure miRNA expression in samples from eight HL and eight D cats. RESULTS: By microarray, 227 distinct microRNAs were identified. Nineteen miRNAs were differentially expressed in diabetic cats, but only two reached statistical significance after correction for multiple comparisons. In qRT-PCR, miR-122* was found to be upregulated in diabetic cats more than 40-fold compared to HL cats, while miR-193b was upregulated about 10-fold. MiR-483* showed a 6- fold increase in diabetic cats compared to HL cats. CONCLUSIONS: Small volumes of serum samples yield sufficient material to detect altered microRNA expression profiles in diabetic cats. The domestic cat may be considered a useful animal model for studying miRNAs involved in human T2DM. Blood was drawn from two groups of cats: 8 healthy cats and 8 cats suffering from diabetes. After clotting, samples were centrifuged and total mRNA was extracted from serum. These 16 serum samples were analyzed and the groups were compared. Due to technical problems during hybridization (leaking chamber), sample 1_4_B (Serum_diabetic_8) was not included into analysis.
Project description:MicroRNAs negatively regulate gene expression and may serve as biomarkers for human cardiomyopathy. In the domestic cat, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) represents the most common primary cardiomyopathy. In humans, the etiology of HCM is linked to mutations in genes of contractile muscle proteins, while in cats a clear proof for causal mutations is missing. The etiology of feline HCM is uncertain. Diagnosis is made by heart ultrasound examination and measuring the serum level of N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether microRNA profiles in the serum of cats with HCM are different from the profiles of healthy cats and whether specific miRNAs can be detected to serve as potential biomarkers for feline HCM or may help in understanding the etiology of this disease Blood was drawn from two groups of cats: 12 healthy cats and 11 cats suffering from hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. After clotting, samples were centrifuged and total mRNA was extracted from serum. These 23 serum samples were analyzed and the groups were compared
Project description:We apply developmental and single cell gene expression analysis to fetal skin of domestic cats, together with genetic characterization of Mendelian color variation, to identify when, where, and how, during fetal development, felid color patterns are established. Prior to the appearance of hair follicle placodes, we identify changes in epidermal thickness that represent a signature of color pattern establishment, and that are preceded by a pre-pattern of gene expression in which the secreted Wnt inhibitor encoded by Dickkopf 4 (Dkk4) plays a central role. We also demonstrate that mutations in Dkk4 underlie the Ticked pattern mutation in cats. Our results bring molecular understanding to how the leopard got its spots, suggest that similar mechanisms underlie periodic color pattern and periodic hair follicle spacing, and provide a genomic framework to explore natural selection for diverse pattern types in wild felids.
Project description:MicroRNAs negatively regulate gene expression and may serve as biomarkers for human cardiomyopathy. In the domestic cat, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) represents the most common primary cardiomyopathy. In humans, the etiology of HCM is linked to mutations in genes of contractile muscle proteins, while in cats a clear proof for causal mutations is missing. The etiology of feline HCM is uncertain. Diagnosis is made by heart ultrasound examination and measuring the serum level of N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether microRNA profiles in the serum of cats with HCM are different from the profiles of healthy cats and whether specific miRNAs can be detected to serve as potential biomarkers for feline HCM or may help in understanding the etiology of this disease
2015-07-22 | GSE49427 | GEO
Project description:RADseq of domestic cats, Asian leopard cats, and domestic cat hybrids
Project description:Purpose: Photoperiod is known to cause physiological changes in seasonal mammals, including body weight, physical activity, and reproductive status. Because cats are seasonal breeders, we recently tested the effects of day length on resting metabolic rate, voluntary physical activity, and food intake. In that study, resting metabolic rate, physical activity, and food intake to maintain body weight were greater in cats exposed to long days vs. short days. Because photoperiod has also been demonstrated to affect adipose tissue gene expression in several species, including dairy cows, sheep, and Siberian hamsters, the objective of this study was to determine the effects of day length on the adipose transcriptome profile of cats as assessed by RNA-seq. Methods: Ten healthy adult neutered male domestic shorthair cats were used in a randomized crossover design study. During two 12-wk periods, cats were exposed to either short days (8 hr light:16 hr dark) or long days (16 hr light:8 hr dark). Cats were fed a commercial diet to maintain baseline body weight. Subcutaneous adipose biopsies were collected at wk 12 of each period for RNA isolation and Illumina sequencing. Results: A total of 578 million sequences (28.9 million/sample) were generated by Illumina sequencing. Using a raw p value of P<0.005, 170 mRNA transcripts were differentially expressed between short day- and long day-housed cats. Of the 170 transcripts highlighted, 25 annotated transcripts were up-regulated, while 116 annotated transcripts were down-regulated by long days. Another 29 un-annotated transcripts (name and function not known) were also different between groups. In general, adipose tissue of long day-housed cats had greater expression of genes involved with cholesterol trafficking, fatty acid synthesis and immune function, and lower expression of genes involved with cell cycle and growth, cell development and structure, and protein processing, when compared to short day-housed cats. Subcutaneous adipose tissue mRNA profiles of healthy adult neutered male cats exposed to short days (8 hr light: 16 hr dark) or long days (16 hr light: 8 hr dark) using Illumina sequencing.
Project description:Purpose: Photoperiod is known to cause physiological changes in seasonal mammals, including body weight, physical activity, and reproductive status. Because cats are seasonal breeders, we recently tested the effects of day length on resting metabolic rate, voluntary physical activity, and food intake. In that study, resting metabolic rate, physical activity, and food intake to maintain body weight were greater in cats exposed to long days vs. short days. Because photoperiod has also been demonstrated to affect adipose tissue gene expression in several species, including dairy cows, sheep, and Siberian hamsters, the objective of this study was to determine the effects of day length on the adipose transcriptome profile of cats as assessed by RNA-seq. Methods: Ten healthy adult neutered male domestic shorthair cats were used in a randomized crossover design study. During two 12-wk periods, cats were exposed to either short days (8 hr light:16 hr dark) or long days (16 hr light:8 hr dark). Cats were fed a commercial diet to maintain baseline body weight. Subcutaneous adipose biopsies were collected at wk 12 of each period for RNA isolation and Illumina sequencing. Results: A total of 578 million sequences (28.9 million/sample) were generated by Illumina sequencing. Using a raw p value of P<0.005, 170 mRNA transcripts were differentially expressed between short day- and long day-housed cats. Of the 170 transcripts highlighted, 25 annotated transcripts were up-regulated, while 116 annotated transcripts were down-regulated by long days. Another 29 un-annotated transcripts (name and function not known) were also different between groups. In general, adipose tissue of long day-housed cats had greater expression of genes involved with cholesterol trafficking, fatty acid synthesis and immune function, and lower expression of genes involved with cell cycle and growth, cell development and structure, and protein processing, when compared to short day-housed cats.
Project description:The glaucomas are a group of diseases characterized by optic nerve damage that together represent a leading cause of blindness in the human population and in domestic animals. Here we report a mutation in LTBP2 that causes primary congenital glaucoma (PCG) in domestic cats. We identified a spontaneous form of PCG in cats and established a breeding colony segregating for PCG consistent with fully penetrant, autosomal recessive inheritance of the trait. Elevated intraocular pressure, globe enlargement and elongated ciliary processes were consistently observed in all affected cats by 8 weeks of age. Varying degrees of optic nerve damage resulted by 6 months of age. Although subtle lens zonular instability was a common feature in this cohort, pronounced ectopia lentis was identified in less than 10% of cats examined. Thus, glaucoma in this pedigree is attributed to histologically confirmed arrest in the early post-natal development of the aqueous humor outflow pathways in the anterior segment of the eyes of affected animals. Using a candidate gene approach, significant linage was established on cat chromosome B3 (LOD 18.38, q = 0.00) using tightly linked short tandem repeat (STR) loci to the candidate gene, LTBP2. A 4 base-pair insertion was identified in exon 8 of LTBP2 in affected individuals that generates a frame shift that completely alters the downstream open reading frame and eliminates functional domains. Thus, we describe the first spontaneous and highly penetrant non-rodent model of PCG, identifying a valuable animal model for primary glaucoma that closely resembles the human disease providing valuable insights into mechanisms underlying the disease and a valuable animal model for testing therapies.
2016-05-01 | GSE73263 | GEO
Project description:Rectal swab samples from domestic cats