1 research outputs found
Heterologous Microarray Analysis of Transcriptome Alterations in <i>Mus spretus</i> Mice Living in an Industrial Settlement
This work demonstrates the successful
application of a commercial
oligonucleotide microarray containing <i>Mus musculus</i> whole-genome probes to assess the biological effects of an industrial
settlement on inhabitant <i>Mus spretus</i> mice. The transcriptomes
of animals in the industrial settlement contrasted with those of specimens
collected from a nearby protected ecosystem. Proteins encoded by the
differentially expressed genes were broadly categorized into six main
functional classes. Immune-associated genes were mostly induced and
related to innate and acquired immunity and inflammation. Genes sorted
into the stress-response category were mainly related to oxidative-stress
tolerance and biotransformation. Metabolism-associated genes were
mostly repressed and related to lipid metabolic pathways; these included
genes that encoded 11 of the 20 cholesterol biosynthetic pathway enzymes.
Crosstalk between members of different functional categories was also
revealed, including the repression of serine-protease genes and the
induction of protease-inhibitor genes to control the inflammatory
response. Absolute quantification of selected transcripts was performed
via RT-PCR to verify the microarray results and assess interindividual
variability. Microarray data were further validated by immunoblotting
and by cholesterol and protein-thiol oxidation level determinations.
Reported data provide a broad impression of the biological consequences
of residing in an industrial area