Transcript profiling of candidate genes in testis of pigs exhibiting large differences in androstenone levels

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Boar taint is an unpleasant odor and flavor of the meat and occurs in a high proportion of uncastrated male pigs. Androstenone, a steroid produced in testis and acting as a sex pheromone regulating reproductive function in female pigs, is one of the main compounds responsible for boar taint. The primary goal of the present investigation was to determine the differential gene expression of selected candidate genes related to levels of androstenone in pigs.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Altogether 2560 boars from the Norwegian Landrace and Duroc populations were included in this study. Testicle samples from the 192 boars with most extreme high or low levels of androstenone in fat were used for RNA extraction, and 15 candidate genes were selected and analyzed by real-competitive PCR analysis. The genes Cytochrome P450 c17 (<it>CYP17A1</it>), Steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (<it>STAR</it>), Aldo-keto reductase family 1 member C4 (<it>AKR1C4</it>), Short-chain dehydrogenase/reductase family member 4 (<it>DHRS4</it>), Ferritin light polypeptide (<it>FTL</it>), Sulfotransferase family 2A, dehydroepiandrosterone-preferring member 1 (<it>SULT2A1</it>), Cytochrome P450 subfamily XIA polypeptide 1 (<it>CYP11A1</it>), Cytochrome b5 (<it>CYB5A</it>), and 17-beta-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase IV (<it>HSD17B4</it>) were all found to be significantly (P < 0.05) up-regulated in high androstenone boars in both Duroc and Landrace. Furthermore, Cytochrome P450 c19A2 (<it>CYP19A2</it>) was down-regulated and progesterone receptor membrane component 1 (<it>PGRMC1</it>) was up-regulated in high-androstenone Duroc boars only, while <it>CYP21 </it>was significantly down-regulated (2.5) in high-androstenone Landrace only. The genes Nuclear Receptor co-activator 4 (<it>NCOA4</it>), Sphingomyrlin phosphodiesterase 1 (<it>SMPD1</it>) and 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (<it>HSD3B</it>) were not significantly differentially expressed in any breeds. Additionally, association studies were performed for the genes with one or more detected SNPs. Association between SNP and androstenone level was observed in <it>CYB5A </it>only, suggesting cis-regulation of the differential transcription in this gene.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>A large pig material of highly extreme androstenone levels is investigated. The current study contributes to the knowledge about which genes that is differentially expressed regard to the levels of androstenone in pigs. Results in this paper suggest that several genes are important in the regulation of androstenone level in boars and warrant further evaluation of the above mentioned candidate genes, including analyses in different breeds, identification of causal mutations and possible gene interactions.</p

A toothed turtle from the Late Jurassic of China and the global biogeographic history of turtles

Turtles (Testudinata) are a successful lineage of vertebrates with about 350 extant species that inhabit all major oceans and landmasses with tropical to temperate climates. The rich fossil record of turtles documents the adaptation of various sub- lineages to a broad range of habitat preferences, but a synthetic biogeographic model is still lacking for the group.Results: We herein describe a new species of fossil turtle from the Late Jurassic of Xinjiang, China, Sichuanchelys palatodentata sp. nov., that is highly unusual by plesiomorphically exhibiting palatal teeth. Phylogenetic analysis places the Late Jurassic Sichuanchelys palatodentata in a clade with the Late Cretaceous Mongolochelys efremovi outside crown group Testudines thereby establishing the prolonged presence of a previously unrecognized clade of turtles in Asia, herein named Sichuanchelyidae. In contrast to previous hypotheses, M. efremovi and Kallokibotion bajazidi are not found within Meiolaniformes, a clade that is here reinterpreted as being restricted to Gondwana.Conclusions: A revision of the global distribution of fossil and recent turtle reveals that the three primary lineages of derived, aquatic turtles, including the crown, Paracryptodira, Pan-Pleurodira, and Pan- Cryptodira can be traced back to the Middle Jurassic of Euramerica, Gondwana, and Asia, respectively, which resulted from the primary break up of Pangaea at that time. The two primary lineages of Pleurodira, Pan-Pelomedusoides and Pan-Chelidae, can similarly be traced back to the Cretaceous of northern and southern Gondwana, respectively, which were separated from one another by a large desert zone during that time. The primary divergence of crown turtles was therefore driven by vicariance to the primary freshwater aquatic habitat of these lineages. The temporally persistent lineages of basal turtles, Helochelydridae, Meiolaniformes, Sichuanchelyidae, can similarly be traced back to the Late Mesozoic of Euramerica, southern Gondwana, and Asia. Given the ambiguous phylogenetic relationships of these three lineages, it is unclear if their diversification was driven by vicariance as well, or if they display a vicariance-like pattern. The clean, primary signal apparent among early turtles is secondarily obliterated throughout the Late Cretaceous to Recent by extensive dispersal of continental turtles and by multiple invasions of marine habitats

Human Papillomavirus E7 oncoprotein increases production of the anti-inflammatory IL-18 binding protein (IL-18BP) in keratinocytes

Human papillomavirus can successfully evade the host immune response to establish a persistent infection. We show here that expression of the E7 oncoprotein in primary human keratinocytes results in increased production of IL-18 binding protein (IL-18BP). This anti-inflammatory protein is a natural antagonist of IL-18 and is necessary for skin homeostasis. We map increased IL-18BP production to the CR3 region of E7 and demonstrate that this ability is shared amongst E7 proteins from different HPV types. Furthermore, mutagenesis shows that increased IL-18BP production is mediated by a gamma activated sequence (GAS) in the IL-18BP promoter. Importantly, the increased IL-18BP levels seen in E7 expressing keratinocytes are capable of diminishing IL-18 mediated CD4 lymphocyte activation. This study provides the first evidence for a virus protein that targets IL-18BP and further validates E7 as a key component of the HPV immune evasion armor. Importance: Infection with human papillomavirus is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. This study demonstrates that the E7 protein increases production of the anti-inflammatory IL-18BP, a major regulator of epithelial homeostasis. A number of E7 proteins can increase IL-18BP production and a region within the CR3 of E7 is necessary for mediating the increase. A consequence of increased IL-18BP production is a reduction in CD4 positive lymphocyte activation in response to IL-18 co-stimulation. These findings may shed light on the immune evasion abilities of HPV

Quantification of ferritin-bound iron in plant samples by isotope tagging and species-specific isotope dilution mass spectrometry

10.1021/ac900885jAnalytical Chemistry81177368-7372ANCH

A global sea surface carbon observing system: inorganic and organic carbon dynamics in coastal oceans

Coastal environments are an important component of the global carbon cycle, and probably more vulnerable than the open ocean to anthropogenic forcings. Due to strong spatial heterogeneity and temporal variability, carbon flows in coastal environments are poorly constrained. Hence, an integrated, international, and interdisciplinary program of ship-based hydrography, Voluntary Observing Ship (VOS) lines, time-series moorings, floats, gliders, and autonomous surface vessels with sensors for pCO2 and ancillary variables are recommended to better understand present day carbon cycle dynamics, quantify air-sea CO2 fluxes, and determine future long-term trends of CO2 in response to global change forcings (changes in river inputs, in the hydrological cycle, in circulation, sea-ice retreat, expanding oxygen minimum zones, ocean acidification, ?) in the coastal oceans. Integration at the international level is also required for data archiving, management, and synthesis that will require multi-scale approaches including the development of biogeochemical models and use of remotely sensed parameters. The total cost of these observational efforts is estimated at about 50 million US dollars per year