BMPs are multifunctional growth factors implicated in regulating the ovarian function as key intra-ovarian factors. Biological effects of BMPs are mediated through binding with membrane bound ...receptors like BMPR-IB and initiating downstream Smad signaling pathway. FecB mutation, regarded as a loss of function mutation in the BMPR-IB gene was identified in certain sheep breeds having high fecundity. Similar type of fecundity genes in goats have not been discovered so far. Hence, the current study was designed to investigate the effects of BMPR-IB gene modulation on granulosa cell function in goats. The BMPR-IB gene was knocked out using CRISPR-Cas technology in granulosa cells and cultured in vitro with BMP-4 stimulation for three different durations In addition, the FecB mutation was introduced in the BMPR-IB gene applying Easi-CRISPR followed by BMP-4/7 stimulation for 72 h. Steroidogenesis and cell viability were studied to explore the granulosa cell function on BMPR-IB gene modulation. BMPRs were found to be expressed stage specifically in granulosa cells of goats. Higher transcriptional abundance of R-Smads, LHR and FSHR indicating sensitisation of Smad signaling and increased gonadotropin sensitivity along with a significant reduction in the cell proliferation and viability was observed in granulosa cells upon BMPR-IB modulation. The inhibitory action of BMP-4/7 on P4 secretion was abolished in both KO and KI cells. Altogether, the study has revealed an altered Smad signaling, steroidogenesis and cell viability upon modulation of BMPR-IB gene in granulosa cells similar to that are documented in sheep breeds carrying the FecB mutation.
Determination of factors affecting sex ratio is important while considering application of sex ratio enrichment approach. Present study aimed to design a SYBR Green qPCR‐based method for measurement ...of primary sex ratio and to evaluate different factors (genetic group, sire, spermiogenic cycle and processing layer) affecting boar sperm sex ratio. The qPCR was based on relative copy number analysis of sex chromosome‐specific single copy gene fragments with an autosomal gene as reference and was evaluated using DNA dilution series from pigs with numerically normal karyotype. The sex ratio was estimated from genomic DNA samples isolated from boar semen collected from different genetic groups at different time points and different processing layers. The X chromosome frequencies of semen samples revealed significant effect of genetic group. However, significant variation was observed neither within same genetic group nor between ejaculates of different spermatogenic cycles. Among the processing techniques studied, swim‐up technique produced a significant X sperm enrichment in comparison to control whereas, Percoll density gradient failed to show any significant difference among layers. The lower layer in swim‐up technique was found to contain higher proportion of X sperms. The designed qPCR is found to be an easy, less time‐consuming method and does not require high end laboratory facilities or the specialized expertise. The lower layer of swim‐up processing has a scope for X sperm enrichment in boar semen with proper validation.
The EGR family comprises of EGR 1, EGR 2, EGR 3 and EGR 4 which are involved in the transactivation of several genes. A broad range of extracellular stimuli by growth factors is capable of activating ...EGR mediated transactivation of genes involved in angiogenesis and cell proliferation. However, their role in controlling VEGF A and FGF 2 signaling in the CL of water buffalo is not known. The present study was conducted to understand the role of EGR mediated regulation of VEGF A and FGF 2 signaling in buffalo luteal cells. Towards this goal, luteal cells were cultured and treated with VEGF A and FGF 2 and the mRNA expression pattern of EGR family members were documented. The EGR 1 message was found to be up-regulated in luteal cells of buffalo at 72 hours of culture. The functional validation of EGR 1 gene was accomplished by knocking out (KO) of EGR 1 in cultured luteal cells by CRISPR/Cas9 mediated gene editing technology. The EGR 1 KO cells were then cultured and stimulated with VEGF A and FGF 2. It was observed that VEGF A and FGF 2 induced angiogenesis, cell proliferation and steroidogenesis in wild type luteal cells, whereas the response of the growth factors was attenuated in the EGR 1 KO cells. Taken together our study provides evidence convincingly that both VEGF and FGF mediate their biological action through a common intermediate, EGR 1, to regulate corpus luteum function of buffalo.
Rohu,
Labeo rohita
, is one of the most important aquaculture species in the Indian subcontinent. Understanding the molecular-level physiological responses to thermal stress or climate change is ...essential. In the present work, transcriptome sequencing was carried out in the muscle tissue of the rohu in response to heat stress (35 °C) in comparison with the control (28 °C). A total of 125 Gb of sequence data was generated, and the raw-reads were filtered and trimmed, which resulted in 484 million quality reads. Reference-based assembly of reads was performed using
L. rohita
genome, and a total of 90.17% of reads were successfully mapped. A total of 37,462 contigs were assembled with an N50 value of 1854. The differential expression analysis revealed a total of 107 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) (15 up-, 37 down-, and 55 neutrally regulated) as compared to the control group (Log2FC > 2,
P
< 0.05). Gene enrichment analysis of DEGs indicates that transcripts were associated with molecular, biological, and cellular activities. The randomly selected differentially expressed transcripts were validated by RT-qPCR and found consistent expression patterns in line with the RNA-seq data. Several transcripts such as
SERPINE1(HSP47)
,
HSP70
,
HSP90alpha
,
Rano class II histocompatibility A beta
,
PGC-1
and
ERR-induced regulator
,
proto-oncogene c-Fos
,
myozenin2
,
alpha-crystallin B chain-like protein
,
angiopoietin-like protein 8
, and
acetyl-CoA carboxylases
have been identified in muscle tissue of rohu that are associated with stress/immunity. This study identified the key biomarker
SERPINE1 (HSP47)
, which showed significant upregulation (~ 2- to threefold) in muscle tissue of rohu exposed to high temperature. This study can pave a path for the identification of stress-responsive biomarkers linked with thermal adaptations in the farmed carps.
Paratuberculosis (PTB) is a chronic infectious enteritis of ruminants, caused by
Mycobacterium avium
subspecies
paratuberculosis
(
MAP
) that brings huge economic loss to the dairy farmers. The study ...was conducted to explore the association of selected SNPs in
IFNG, SLC11A1, ANKRA2
and
PGLYRP1
genes with resistance to PTB disease in Indian cattle population. A case-control resource population was established based on the results of diagnostic tests used for detection of
MAP
infection status viz. ELISA, Johnin PPD test, faecal microscopy and
IS900
blood PCR. The PCR-RFLP method was used for genotyping of SNPs. SNPs rs109453173 in
SLC11A1
, rs110853455 in
IFNG
and rs41933863 in
ANKRA2
genes were significantly (P<0.05) associated with resistance to
MAP
infection. For SNP rs109453173, GG genotype and G allele was found to be associated with resistance against MAP infection than CC and CG genotypes and C allele, respectively. For SNP rs110853455, AG genotype was found to be associated with susceptibility to
MAP
infection than AA and GG genotype. For SNP rs41933863, the AG genotype provided three and six times more resistance against
MAP
infection than GG and AA genotype. The results of this study are suggestive of SNPs rs109453173, rs110853455 and rs41933863 as potential markers for screening
MAP
resistant cattle and a breeding programme favouring GG genotype and G allele for rs109453173, AG genotype for rs41933863 and against AG genotype for rs110853455 might confer resistance against
MAP
infection in Indian cattle. However, investigation of these SNPs in an independent and larger population will warrant the strength of association for resistance against
MAP
infection in cattle.
Prostaglandins (PGs) are the key mediators of several female reproductive functions, including luteolysis, ovulation, fertilization, implantation, pregnancy, and parturition. The present study was ...conducted in buffalo endometrial and luteal tissues between nonpregnant and two stages of pregnancy (29–38 days of pregnancy, 48–56 days of pregnancy) tissue samples. The genes involved from synthesis upto receptor level effect of PGs (PGF2α and PGE2) were studied for their relative mRNA expression. We have collected the endometrial and luteal tissues from slaughtered animals and confirmed the stages by external examination and crown vertebral rump length measurement of the foetus. The mRNA expression of COX-2 and PGFS genes revealed high significant rise in the transcript at pregnancy stage I as compared to the late luteal phase of nonpregnant. However, EP2 and EP3 genes were highly upregulated in pregnancy stage II. The expression of PLA2G4A and PGT genes showed difference in their transcripts in pregnancy, however, the difference was nonsignificant as compared to the nonpregnant stage. The findings emerged from this study also suggested the strict regulation at COX-2 mRNA level than at synthase enzyme's level. Among the four subtypes of EP gene, we have observed highly significant expression difference in EP2 followed by EP3 after implantation.
•Several studies in different species showed that the PLA2G4A, PGT, COX-2, PGFS, PGES, FP, EP1, EP2, EP3 and EP4 genes are involved in the PG biosynthesis pathway and effector mechanisms for maintenance of pregnancy.•This is the first study ever in case of buffaloes, in which we have elucidated the regulation of these genes during different stages of pregnancy.•The basic information generated in our study will present the way forward on specific pathways involved in understanding the faeto-maternal communication during early pregnancy in buffaloes.•Besides, further studies are needed to be carried out on the global genes expression profiling in different reproductive stages to understand the gene network pathway involved during the pregnancy.
PGF2α is essential for the induction of the corpus luteum regression which in turn reduces progesterone production. Early growth response (EGR) proteins are Cys2-His2-type zinc-finger transcription ...factor that are strongly linked to cellular proliferation, survival and apoptosis. Rapid elevation of EGR1 was observed after luteolytic dose of PGF2α. EGR1 is involved in the transactivation of many genes, including TGFβ1, which plays an important role during luteal regression.
The current study was conducted in buffalo luteal cells with the aim to better understand the role of EGR1 in transactivation of TGFβ1 during PGF2α induced luteal regression. Luteal cells from mid stage corpus luteum of buffalo were cultured and treated with different doses of PGF2α for different time durations. Relative expression of mRNAs encoding for enzymes within the progesterone biosynthetic pathway (3βHSD, CYP11A1 and StAR); Caspase 3; AKT were analyzed to confirm the occurrence of luteolytic event. To determine if EGR1 is involved in the PGF2α induced luteal regression via induction of TGFβ1 expression, we knocked out the EGR1 gene by using CRISPR/Cas9.
The present experiment determined whether EGR1 protein expression in luteal cells was responsive to PGF2α treatment. Quantification of EGR1 and TGFβ1 mRNA showed significant up regulation in luteal cells of buffalo at 12 h post PGF2α induction. In order to validate the role of PGF2α on stimulating the expression of TGFβ1 by an EGR1 dependent mechanism we knocked out EGR1. The EGR1 ablated luteal cells were stimulated with PGF2α and it was observed that EGR1 KO did not modulate the PGF2α induced expression of TGFβ1. In PGF2α treated EGR1 KO luteal cell, the mRNA expression of Caspase 3 was significantly increased compared to PGF2α treated wild type luteal cells maintained for 12 h. We also studied the influence of EGR1 on steroidogenesis. The EGR1 KO luteal cells with PGF2α treatment showed no substantial difference either in the progesterone concentration or in StAR mRNA expression with PGF2α-treated wild type luteal cells.
These results suggest that EGR1 signaling is not the only factor which plays a role in the regulation of PGF2α induced TGFβ1 signaling for luteolysis.
Thrombospondins (TSPs) are large multi-modular proteins, identified as natural angiogenesis inhibitors that exert their activity by binding to CD36 and CD47 receptors. The anti-angiogenic effect of ...TSPs in luteal regression of water buffalo has not been addressed. The present study characterized the expression pattern and localization of TSPs and their receptors in ovarian corpus luteum during different stages of development in buffalo. This study also elucidated the effect of exogenous Thrombospondin1 (TSP1) or the knocking out of the endogenous protein on luteal cell viability and function. Further, the in vitro transcriptional interaction of TSP1 with hormones, LH, PGF2α and angiogenic growth factors, VEGF and FGF2 were also evaluated.
First, the CLs were classified into four groups based on macroscopic observation and progesterone concentration. mRNA expression of examined factors was measured by qPCR, localization by immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry. TSP1 was knocked out (KO) in cultured luteal cells isolated from late luteal stage CLs (day 1116) by CRISPR/Cas9 mediated gene editing technology in order to functionally validate the TSP1 gene. Isolated cells from late stage CLs were also stimulated with different doses of TSP1, LH, PGF2α, VEGF and FGF2 for various time intervals to determine transcriptional regulation of thrombospondins.
mRNA expression of TSPs and their receptors were found to be significantly higher in late and regressed stage of CL as compared to other groups which was consistent with the findings of immunoblotting and immunolocalization experiments. It was observed that TSP1 induced apoptosis, down regulated angiogenic growth factors, VEGF and FGF2 and attenuated progesterone production in cultured luteal cells. However, knocking out of endogenous TSP1 with CRISPR/Cas9 system improved the viability of luteal cells, progesterone synthesis and upregulated the expression of VEGF and FGF2 in the KO luteal cells. PGF2α induced the upregulation of TSPs and Caspase 3 transcripts, whereas treatment with LH and angiogenic growth factors (VEGF and FGF2) down regulated the TSP system in luteal cells.
Collectively, these data provide evidence that thrombospondins along with their receptors are expressed at varying levels in different stages of CL progression with maximum expression during the late and regressing stages. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that thrombospondins stimulated by PGF2α plays an essential modulatory role in bringing about structural and functional luteolysis in buffalo.
► We investigated RNA interference (RNAi) as antiviral agent against rabies using two small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) targeting rabies virus (RV) nucleoprotein (N) and polymerase (L) genes. ► The ...antiviral potential of siRNAs delivered using adenoviruses in BHK-21 cells showed marked inhibition in RV multiplication, RV titer knockdown of RV gene transcripts. ► Mice treated with adenoviruses expressing siRNAs showed 66.6% and 33.3% protection with adenoviruses expressing siRNAs against RV-N and RV-L genes, respectively against lethal rabies virus challenge.
To investigate the potential of RNA interference (RNAi) as antiviral agent against rabies, two small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) targeting rabies virus (RABV) nucleoprotein (N) and polymerase (L) genes were designed and evaluated. Both siRNAs knockdown or silenced the target RABV genes as evaluated in a plasmid based transient expression model. For efficient delivery, adenoviruses expressing the siRNAs were constructed and antiviral potential of the delivered siRNAs was investigated in BHK-21 cells. When cells treated with adenoviruses expressing siRNAs were challenged with RABV, there was 88.35±2.4% and 41.52±9.3% reduction in RABV multiplication in infected cells with siRNAs targeting RABV-N and L genes, respectively. Relative quantification of RABV transcripts using real-time PCR revealed knockdown of both RABV-N and L gene transcripts, however, significant reduction was observed only with adenovirus expressing siRNA against RABV-N. When mice treated intracerebrally with adenoviruses expressing siRNAs were challenged peripherally with lethal RABV by the intramuscular route in masseter muscle, there was 66.6% and 33.3% protection with adenoviruses expressing siRNAs against RABV-N and L genes, respectively. These results demonstrated that adenovirus expressing siRNA against RABV-N efficiently inhibited the RABV multiplication both, in vitro and in vivo and conferred significant protection against lethal RABV challenge. This supported the hypothesis that RNAi, based on siRNA targeting RABV-N gene can prevent RABV infection and holds the potential of RNAi as an approach to prevent rabies infection.
is a small and low maintenance beetle that has emerged as a most suitable insect model for studying developmental biology and functional genetic analysis. Diverse population genetic studies have been ...conducted using
as the principal model to establish basic facts and principles of inbreeding experiments and response to the selection and other quantitative genetics fundamentals. The advanced molecular genetic studies presently focused on the use of
as a typical invertebrate model for higher diploid eukaryotes. After a whole genome sequencing of
, many areas of functional genomics were unraveled, which enabled the use of it in many technical approaches of genomics. The present text reviews the use of
in techniques such as RNAi, transgenic studies, immune priming, immunohistochemistry,
hybridization, gene sequencing for characterization of microRNAs, and gene editing using engineered endonuclease. In contrast to
, the
holds a robust systemic RNAi response, which makes it an excellent model for comparative functional genetic studies.
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