MitoGenesisDB: an expression data mining tool to explore spatio-temporal dynamics of mitochondrial biogenesis

Mitochondria constitute complex and flexible cellular entities, which play crucial roles in normal and pathological cell conditions. The database MitoGenesisDB focuses on the dynamic of mitochondrial protein formation through global mRNA analyses. Three main parameters confer a global view of mitochondrial biogenesis: (i) time-course of mRNA production in highly synchronized yeast cell cultures, (ii) microarray analyses of mRNA localization that define translation sites and (iii) mRNA transcription rate and stability which characterize genes that are more dependent on post-transcriptional regulation processes. MitoGenesisDB integrates and establishes cross-comparisons between these data. Several model organisms can be analyzed via orthologous relationships between interspecies genes. More generally this database supports the ‘post-transcriptional operon’ model, which postulates that eukaryotes co-regulate related mRNAs based on their functional organization in ribonucleoprotein complexes. MitoGenesisDB allows identifying such groups of post-trancriptionally regulated genes and is thus a useful tool to analyze the complex relationships between transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation processes. The case of respiratory chain assembly factors illustrates this point. The MitoGenesisDB interface is available at http://www.dsimb.inserm.fr/dsimb_tools/mitgene/

Mutations in Subunits of the Activating Signal Cointegrator 1 Complex Are Associated with Prenatal Spinal Muscular Atrophy and Congenital Bone Fractures

Transcriptional signal cointegrators associate with transcription factors or nuclear receptors and coregulate tissue-specific gene transcription. We report on recessive loss-of-function mutations in two genes (TRIP4 and ASCC1) that encode subunits of the nuclear activating signal cointegrator 1 (ASC-1) complex. We used autozygosity mapping and whole-exome sequencing to search for pathogenic mutations in four families. Affected individuals presented with prenatal-onset spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), multiple congenital contractures (arthrogryposis multiplex congenita), respiratory distress, and congenital bone fractures. We identified homozygous and compound-heterozygous nonsense and frameshift TRIP4 and ASCC1 mutations that led to a truncation or the entire absence of the respective proteins and cosegregated with the disease phenotype. Trip4 and Ascc1 have identical expression patterns in 17.5-day-old mouse embryos with high expression levels in the spinal cord, brain, paraspinal ganglia, thyroid, and submandibular glands. Antisense morpholino-mediated knockdown of either trip4 or ascc1 in zebrafish disrupted the highly patterned and coordinated process of α-motoneuron outgrowth and formation of myotomes and neuromuscular junctions and led to a swimming defect in the larvae. Immunoprecipitation of the ASC-1 complex consistently copurified cysteine and glycine rich protein 1 (CSRP1), a transcriptional cofactor, which is known to be involved in spinal cord regeneration upon injury in adult zebrafish. ASCC1 mutant fibroblasts downregulated genes associated with neurogenesis, neuronal migration, and pathfinding (SERPINF1, DAB1, SEMA3D, SEMA3A), as well as with bone development (TNFRSF11B, RASSF2, STC1). Our findings indicate that the dysfunction of a transcriptional coactivator complex can result in a clinical syndrome affecting the neuromuscular system

Effects of kefir on coccidial oocysts excretion and performance of dairy goat kids following weaning

The aim of this study was to investigate effects of kefir, a traditional source of probiotic, on coccidial oocysts excretion and on the performance of dairy goat kids following weaning. Twin kids were randomly allocated to one of two groups at weaning. Kids of the first group received 20 ml of kefir daily for 6 weeks (KEF), while kids in the control group were given a placebo (CON). Individual faecal samples were regularly (n = 18 per kid) taken to quantify the number of coccidial oocysts per gram of faeces (OpG). There were no differences between the groups in terms of body weight development (P > 0.05) and feed consumption. Kids of both groups were not able to consume enough feed to meet their nutrient requirements during the first 3 weeks following weaning. KEF had a lower frequency of OpG positive samples than CON (P = 0.043). Kefir did not affect the maximum oocyst excretion and age of the kids at the highest oocyst excretion (P > 0.05). KEF shed numerically 35% lower coccidial oocysts than the controls, which corresponded to a statistical tendency (P = 0.074) in lowering Log-OpG in comparison to CON. While KEF had a lower frequency of OpG positive samples and tended to shed lower OPG by around one-third, the frequency of diarrhea, level of highest oocyst excretion, and performance of the kids remained unaffected. Therefore, it is concluded that overall effects of kefir do not have a significant impact on sub-clinical infection and performance in weaned kids under relatively high-hygienic farming conditions

Cardiovascular, endocrine and behavioural responses to suckling and permanent separation in goats

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Suckling can be a peaceful or vulnerable event for goats and kids, whereas, separation is suggested as stressful. The aim of this study was to investigate physiology and behaviour in these two different situations in dairy goats.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Four studies were performed with seven goats kept with their first-born kid in individual boxes. The goats were videotaped and heart rate and arterial blood pressure were recorded every minute by telemetry from parturition until 24 hours after separation. One to two days after parturition, Study 1 was performed with analyses of heart rate and blood pressure around a suckling. In Study 2, performed 3-5 days after parturition, blood sampling was done before, during and after suckling. Study 3 was performed 4-6 days post partum, with blood sampling before and after a permanent goat and kid separation. In addition, vocalisations were recorded after separation. Blood samples were obtained from a jugular vein catheter and analysed for plasma cortisol, β-endorphin, oxytocin, and vasopressin concentrations. Study 4 was performed during the first (N1) and second nights (N2) after parturition and the nights after Study 2 (N3) and 3 (N4). Heart rate, blood pressure and time spent lying down were recorded.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The kids suckled 2 ± 0.2 times per hour and each suckling bout lasted 43 ± 15 s. In Study 1, heart rate and blood pressure did not change significantly during undisturbed suckling. In Study 2, plasma cortisol (P ≤ 0.05 during suckling and P ≤ 0.01 five minutes after suckling) and β-endorphin (P ≤ 0.05) concentrations increased during suckling, but oxytocin and vasopressin concentrations did not change. In Study 3, the goats and kids vocalised intensively during the first 20 minutes after separation, but the physiological variables were not affected. In Study 4, heart rate and arterial blood pressure declined gradually after parturition and were lowest during N4 (P ≤ 0.05) when the goats spent longer time lying down than during earlier nights (P ≤ 0.01 during N1 and N3 and P ≤ 0.05 during N2).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Suckling elevated plasma cortisol and β-endorphin concentrations in the goats. The intensive vocalisation in the goats after separation, earlier suggested to indicate stress, was not accompanied by cardiovascular or endocrine responses.</p

Gas chromatographic-mass spectometric method to characterise the transfer of dietary odorous compounds into plasma and milk

International audienc

Gas chromatographic-mass spectometric method to characterise the transfer of dietary odorous compounds into plasma and milk

International audienc

Répulsion alimentaire chez trois espèces d'ongulés en situation de pâturage : effet des excréments de chien

In a previous study the odour of dog faeces has been demonstrated to induce a food repulsion in sheep tested indoor (Arnould and Signoret, in press). The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness as food repellent of dog faeces in sheep (Ovis aries), but also in roedeer (Capreolus capreolus) and red deer (Cervus elaphus) in pasture situation. In the first experiment, 6 sheep were placed for 2 h 30 in a 12 x 12m pen. On 2 patches of 1 m2 each, the grass had been sprayed with a dilution of dog faeces in water. One sheep was observed only once grazing in a treated area versus 21 times (and all the 6 sheep) on the 2 control patches of 1 m2 sprayed with water. In 4 additional trials, leaves of freshly cut yoke-elm (Car pinus betulus) branches placed in the pen and sprayed with dog faeces were not browsed contrary to control ones that were totally eaten after 1 h trials. In the second experiment, oak (Quercus sp.) branches spread with diluted faeces were similarly not eaten by a group of 6 roedeer. The repulsion was still effective five days after spraying the leaves. In the third experiment, 3 groups of red deer living in a pasture, were tested by presenting their daily ration of barley together with the odour of dog faeces (in pans underneath). Only one out of the 61 deer tested ate a few grains of barley, and only in 3 out of the 7 trials. The odour of dog faecal matter had a food repellent effect on the 3 species of ungulates tested, and animals did not habituate to it over 3 to 7 successive daily trials. The adaptive value of this phenomenon is discussed.Lors d’une étude préalable, le fort pouvoir répulsif des excréments de Chien a été mis en évidence chez des ovins testés de manière standardisée (Arnould et Signoret, sous presse). Dans le présent travail nous avons étudié, en situation de pâturage, l’activité répulsive des fèces de Chien sur le comportement alimentaire du Mouton (O vis aries), du Chevreuil (Capreolus capreolus) et du Cerf (Cervus elaphus). Dans la première expérience, 6 moutons ont été placés, durant 2 h 30, dans un enclos de 12 x 12 m où 2 zones d’un m2 ont été arrosées avec une solution diluée de fèces de Chien. L’une de ces zones a été broutée une seule fois, alors que les 2 zones témoins d’un m2, arrosées d’eau, l’ont été 21 fois au total (et par les 6 moutons). Dans 4 épreuves supplémentaires, des branches de Charme (Car pinus betulus), fraîchement coupées, trempées dans une solution de fèces n’ont pas été consommées alors que des branches témoins l’ont été complètement après 1 h d’épreuve. Dans la seconde expérience, réalisée sur un lot de 6 chevreuils, des résultats similaires ont été obtenus. Aucun des individus n’a consommé de branches de Chêne (Quercus sp.) trempées dans une solution de fèces et 5 jours après avoir traité les branches, la répulsion était toujours présente. Dans la troisième expérience, 3 lots de cerfs en enclos ont été testés lors de leur alimentation journalière. Une dilution de fèces de Chien était placée, sous leur ration d’Orge, à l’intérieur de l’auge. Un seul individu sur les 61 testés a consommé quelques grains d’Orge, et seulement lors de 3 des 7 épreuves. L’odeur des matières fécales du Chien a donc un effet répulsif sur les 3 espèces testées et les animaux ne s’habituent pas à cette odeur. La valeur adaptative de ce phénomène est discutée.Arnould Cécile, Orgeur P., Sempéré A., Signoret J.-P, Verdier M. Répulsion alimentaire chez trois espèces d'ongulés en situation de pâturage : effet des excréments de chien. In: Revue d'Écologie (La Terre et La Vie), tome 48, n°2, 1993. pp. 121-132

Influence du tempérament de la truie sur son adaptation et ses performances en maternité

National audienc