Monoclonal Suncus Antibodies: Generation of Fusion Partners to Produce Suncus-Suncus Hybridomas.

We used suncus (Suncus murinus; house musk shrew) to generate partner cells for cell fusion to produce suncus monoclonal antibodies. Suncus are insectivores that are genetically distant to rodents, and recognize antigens and epitopes that are not immunogenic in mice and rats, which are the animals most commonly used in basic life science research and from which monoclonal antibodies are usually produced. To date, monoclonal antibodies from suncus have not been generated due to the lack of a plasmacytoma fusion partner. To obtain suncus plasmacytoma cell lines suitable as a cell fusion partner, we injected suncus at both sides of the tail base with antigen emulsion, collected the lymph nodes and spleens, and cultured the cells to obtain immortalized lymphoid cell lines visually resembling mouse SP2/0-Ag14 myeloma cells. Three suncus immunized with the antigen provided 4 cell lines of suncus plasmacytoma, but they did not secrete immunoglobulins. Antibody-producing hybrid cells were generated from these cell lines using a cell fusion technique. Using one of the cell lines as a fusion partner, we obtained six lines of immunoglobulin-producing hybrid cells which secreted an unidentified monoclonal IgG. When these 6 lines were used as new fusion partners, we obtained several hybrid cell lines which secreted immunogen-specific monoclonal antibodies. These hybrid cells can be cloned and cryopreserved. We also obtained another good fusion partner which initially secreted antibody but later stopped doing so. These suncus-suncus hybrid cell lines will be useful for the production of suncus monoclonal antibodies.

Improved Starch Digestion of Sucrase-deficient Shrews Treated With Oral Glucoamylase Enzyme Supplements.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Although named because of its sucrose hydrolytic activity, this mucosal enzyme plays a leading role in starch digestion because of its maltase and glucoamylase activities. Sucrase-deficient mutant shrews, Suncus murinus, were used as a model to investigate starch digestion in patients with congenital sucrase-isomaltase deficiency.Starch digestion is much more complex than sucrose digestion. Six enzyme activities, 2 α-amylases (Amy), and 4 mucosal α-glucosidases (maltases), including maltase-glucoamylase (Mgam) and sucrase-isomaltase (Si) subunit activities, are needed to digest starch to absorbable free glucose. Amy breaks down insoluble starch to soluble dextrins; mucosal Mgam and Si can either directly digest starch to glucose or convert the post-α-amylolytic dextrins to glucose. Starch digestion is reduced because of sucrase deficiency and oral glucoamylase enzyme supplement can correct the starch maldigestion. The aim of the present study was to measure glucogenesis in suc/suc shrews after feeding of starch and improvement of glucogenesis by oral glucoamylase supplements. METHODS: Sucrase mutant (suc/suc) and heterozygous (+/suc) shrews were fed with C-enriched starch diets. Glucogenesis derived from starch was measured as blood C-glucose enrichment and oral recombinant C-terminal Mgam glucoamylase (M20) was supplemented to improve starch digestion. RESULTS: After feedings, suc/suc and +/suc shrews had different starch digestions as shown by blood glucose enrichment and the suc/suc had lower total glucose concentrations. Oral supplements of glucoamylase increased suc/suc total blood glucose and quantitative starch digestion to glucose. CONCLUSIONS: Sucrase deficiency, in this model of congenital sucrase-isomaltase deficiency, reduces blood glucose response to starch feeding. Supplementing the diet with oral recombinant glucoamylase significantly improved starch digestion in the sucrase-deficient shrew.

Expression patterns of Fgf8 and Shh in the developing external genitalia of Suncus murinus.

Reciprocal epithelial-mesenchymal interactions and several signalling pathways regulate the development of the genital tubercle (GT), an embryonic primordium of external genitalia. The morphology of the adult male external genitalia of the Asian house musk shrew Suncus murinus (hereafter, laboratory name: suncus) belonging to the order Eulipotyphla (the former order Insectivora or Soricomorpha) differs from those of mice and humans. However, the developmental process of the suncus GT and its regulatory genes are unknown. In the present study, we explored the morphological changes and gene expression patterns during the development of the suncus GT. Morphological observations suggested the presence of common (during the initial outgrowth) and species-specific (during the sexual differentiation of GT) developmental processes of the suncus GT. In gene expression analysis, fibroblast growth factor 8 (Fgf8) and sonic hedgehog (Shh), an indicator and regulator of GT development in mice respectively, were found to be expressed in the cloacal epithelium and the developing urethral epithelium of the suncus GT. This pattern of expression specifically in GT epithelium is similar to that observed in the developing mouse GT. Our results indicate that the mechanism of GT formation regulated by the FGF and SHH signalling pathways is widely conserved in mammals.

Identification of the sexually dimorphic gastrin-releasing peptide system in the lumbosacral spinal cord that controls male reproductive function in the mouse and Asian house musk shrew (Suncus murinus).

Several regions of the brain and spinal cord control male reproductive function. We previously demonstrated that the gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) system, located in the lumbosacral spinal cord of rats, controls spinal centers to promote penile reflexes during male copulatory behavior. However, little information exists on the male-specific spinal GRP system in animals other than rats. The objective of this study was to examine the functional generality of the spinal GRP system in mammals using the Asian house musk shrew (Suncus murinus; suncus named as the laboratory strain), a specialized placental mammal model. Mice are also used for a representative model of small laboratory animals. We first isolated complementary DNA encoding GRP in suncus. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that suncus preproGRP was clustered to an independent branch. Reverse transcription-PCR showed that GRP and its receptor mRNAs were both expressed in the lumbar spinal cord of suncus and mice. Immunohistochemistry for GRP demonstrated that the sexually dimorphic GRP system and male-specific expression/distribution patterns of GRP in the lumbosacral spinal cord in suncus are similar to those of mice. In suncus, we further found that most GRP-expressing neurons in males also express androgen receptors, suggesting that this male-dominant system in suncus is also androgen-dependent. Taken together, these results indicate that the sexually dimorphic spinal GRP system exists not only in mice but also in suncus, suggesting that this system is a conserved property in mammals. J. Comp. Neurol. 525:1586-1598, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Comparative Anatomy of Gastrin-releasing Peptide Pathways in the Trigeminal Sensory System of Mouse and the Asian House Musk Shrew Suncus murinus.

Gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) has recently been identified as an itch-signaling molecule in the primary afferents and spinal cord of rodents. However, little information exists on the expression and localization of GRP in the trigeminal somatosensory system other than in rats. We examined the generality of the trigeminal GRP system in mammals using two distinct species, suncus as a model of specialized placental mammals known to have a well-developed trigeminal sensory system and mice as a representative small laboratory animal. We first analyzed the gross morphology of the trigeminal somatosensory system in suncus to provide a brainstem atlas on which to map GRP distribution. Immunohistochemical analyses showed that 8% of trigeminal ganglion neurons in suncus and 6% in mice expressed GRP. Expression was restricted to cells with smaller somata. The GRP-containing fibers were densely distributed in the superficial layers of the caudal part of the trigeminal spinal nucleus (Vc) but rare in the rostral parts, both in suncus and mice. Expression of GRP receptor mRNA and protein was also detected in the Vc of suncus. Taken together, these results suggest that the trigeminal GRP system mediating itch sensation is conserved in mammals.

Motilin Stimulates Gastric Acid Secretion in Coordination with Ghrelin in Suncus murinus.

Motilin and ghrelin constitute a peptide family, and these hormones are important for the regulation of gastrointestinal motility. In this study, we examined the effect of motilin and ghrelin on gastric acid secretion in anesthetized suncus (house musk shrew, Suncus murinus), a ghrelin- and motilin-producing mammal. We first established a gastric lumen-perfusion system in the suncus and confirmed that intravenous (i.v.) administration of histamine (1 mg/kg body weight) stimulated acid secretion. Motilin (0.1, 1.0, and 10 µg/kg BW) stimulated the acid output in a dose-dependent manner in suncus, whereas ghrelin (0.1, 1.0, and 10 µg/kg BW) alone did not induce acid output. Furthermore, in comparison with the vehicle administration, the co-administration of low-dose (1 µg/kg BW) motilin and ghrelin significantly stimulated gastric acid secretion, whereas either motilin (1 µg/kg BW) or ghrelin (1 µg/kg BW) alone did not significantly induce gastric acid secretion. This indicates an additive role of ghrelin in motilin-induced gastric acid secretion. We then investigated the pathways of motilin/motilin and ghrelin-stimulated acid secretion using receptor antagonists. Treatment with YM 022 (a CCK-B receptor antagonist) and atropine (a muscarinic acetylcholine receptor antagonist) had no effect on motilin or motilin-ghrelin co-administration-induced acid output. In contrast, famotidine (a histamine H2 receptor antagonist) completely inhibited motilin-stimulated acid secretion and co-administration of motilin and ghrelin induced gastric acid output. This is the first report demonstrating that motilin stimulates gastric secretion in mammals. Our results also suggest that motilin and co-administration of motilin and ghrelin stimulate gastric acid secretion via the histamine-mediated pathway in suncus.

Genetic and phenotypic characterization of a Japanese wild-derived DOB/Oda rat strain.

Wild-derived rat strains can provide novel genome resources that are not available in standard laboratory strains. Genetic backgrounds of wild-derived strains can facilitate effective genetic linkage analyses and often modulate the expression of mutant phenotypes. Here we describe the development and characterization of a new inbred rat strain, DOB/Oda, from wild rats (Rattus norvegicus) captured in Shitara, Aichi, Japan. Phenotype analysis of 109 parameters revealed that the DOB/Oda rats had small body weight, preference for darkness, and high locomotor activity compared with the rat strains in the National BioResource Project for the Rat (NBRP-Rat) database. Genome analysis with 357 SSLP markers identified DOB/Oda-specific alleles in 70 markers. The percentage of SSLP markers that showed polymorphism between the DOB/Oda strain and any of 132 laboratory strains from NBRP-Rat varied from 89 to 95 %. The polymorphic rate (average of the values of the percentage) for the DOB/Oda strain was 91.6 %, much higher than the rates for available wild-derived strains such as the Brown Norway rat. A phylogenic tree constructed with DOB/Oda and all the strains in NBRP-Rat showed that the DOB/Oda strain localized within the wild rat groups, apparently separate from the laboratory strains. Together, these findings indicated that the DOB/Oda rat has a unique genome that is not available in the laboratory strains. Therefore, the new DOB/Oda strain will provide an important genome resource that will be useful for designing genetic experiments and for the discovery of genes that modulate mutant phenotypes.

Mechanism of ghrelin-induced gastric contractions in Suncus murinus (house musk shrew): involvement of intrinsic primary afferent neurons.

Here, we have reported that motilin can induce contractions in a dose-dependent manner in isolated Suncus murinus (house musk shrew) stomach. We have also shown that after pretreatment with a low dose of motilin (10(-10) M), ghrelin also induces gastric contractions at levels of 10(-10) M to 10(-7) M. However, the neural mechanism of ghrelin action in the stomach has not been fully revealed. In the present study, we studied the mechanism of ghrelin-induced contraction in vitro using a pharmacological method. The responses to ghrelin in the stomach were almost completely abolished by hexamethonium and were significantly suppressed by the administration of phentolamine, prazosin, ondansetron, and naloxone. Additionally, N-nitro-l-arginine methylester significantly potentiated the contractions. Importantly, the mucosa is essential for ghrelin-induced, but not motilin-induced, gastric contractions. To evaluate the involvement of intrinsic primary afferent neurons (IPANs), which are multiaxonal neurons that pass signals from the mucosa to the myenteric plexus, we examined the effect of the IPAN-related pathway on ghrelin-induced contractions and found that pretreatment with adenosine and tachykinergic receptor 3 antagonists (SR142801) significantly eliminated the contractions and GR113808 (5-hydroxytryptamine receptor 4 antagonist) almost completely eliminated it. The results indicate that ghrelin stimulates and modulates suncus gastric contractions through cholinergic, adrenergic, serotonergic, opioidergic neurons and nitric oxide synthases in the myenteric plexus. The mucosa is also important for ghrelin-induced gastric contractions, and IPANs may be the important interneurons that pass the signal from the mucosa to the myenteric plexus.

Effect of vitamin E on alloxan-induced mouse diabetes.

OBJECTIVES: Alloxan generates hydrogen peroxide in the body, and a small amount of alloxan administered to acatalasemic mice results in diabetes. D-α-Tocopherol (vitamin E) is an antioxidant which helps prevent excess oxidation in the body. In this study, we examined the effect of vitamin E on diabetes caused by alloxan administration in mice. METHODS: Mice were maintained on a vitamin E-deprived diet and supplemented diet, respectively, for 14 weeks. Alloxan was then intraperitoneally administered, and blood glucose, glucose tolerance and the insulin level in mouse blood were examined. RESULTS: Hyperglycemia was observed in the mice maintained on the vitamin E-deprived diet. The incidence of hyperglycemia in the mice maintained on the vitamin E-deprived diet was significantly higher than that in the mice maintained on the supplemented diet. The abnormal glucose metabolism caused by alloxan administration was ameliorated by the vitamin E-supplemented diet. CONCLUSIONS: It is deduced that vitamin E can prevent a decrease of insulin concentration in the blood in this mouse model.

Coordination of motilin and ghrelin regulates the migrating motor complex of gastrointestinal motility in Suncus murinus.

Motilin and ghrelin are the gastrointestinal (GI) hormones released in a fasting state to stimulate the GI motility of the migrating motor complex (MMC). We focused on coordination of the ghrelin/motilin family in gastric contraction in vivo and in vitro using the house musk shrew (Suncus murinus), a ghrelin- and motilin-producing mammal. To measure the contractile activity of the stomach in vivo, we recorded GI contractions either in the free-moving conscious or anesthetized S. murinus and examined the effects of administration of motilin and/or ghrelin on spontaneous MMC in the fasting state. In the in vitro study, we also studied the coordinative effect of these hormones on the isolated stomach using an organ bath. In the fasting state, phase I, II, and III contractions were clearly recorded in the gastric body (as observed in humans and dogs). Intravenous infusion of ghrelin stimulated gastric contraction in the latter half of phase I and in the phase II in a dose-dependent manner. Continuous intravenous infusion of ghrelin antagonist (d-Lys3-GHRP6) significantly suppressed spontaneous phase II contractions and prolonged the time of occurrence of the peak of phase III contractions. However, intravenous infusion of motilin antagonist (MA-2029) did not inhibit phase II contractions but delayed the occurrence of phase III contractions of the MMC. In the in vitro study, even though a high dose of ghrelin did not stimulate contraction of stomach preparations, ghrelin administration (10(-10)-10(-7) M) with pretreatment of a low dose of motilin (10(-10) M) induced gastric contraction in a dose-dependent manner. Pretreatment with 10(-8) M ghrelin enhanced motilin-stimulated gastric contractions by 10 times. The interrelation of these peptides was also demonstrated in the anesthetized S. murinus. The results suggest that ghrelin is important for the phase II contraction and that coordination of motilin and ghrelin are necessary to initiate phase III contraction of the MMC.

Heterochrony and developmental modularity of cranial osteogenesis in lipotyphlan mammals.

BACKGROUND: Here we provide the most comprehensive study to date on the cranial ossification sequence in Lipotyphla, the group which includes shrews, moles and hedgehogs. This unique group, which encapsulates diverse ecological modes, such as terrestrial, subterranean, and aquatic lifestyles, is used to examine the evolutionary lability of cranial osteogenesis and to investigate the modularity of development. RESULTS: An acceleration of developmental timing of the vomeronasal complex has occurred in the common ancestor of moles. However, ossification of the nasal bone has shifted late in the more terrestrial shrew mole. Among the lipotyphlans, sequence heterochrony shows no significant association with modules derived from developmental origins (that is, neural crest cells vs. mesoderm derived parts) or with those derived from ossification modes (that is, dermal vs. endochondral ossification). CONCLUSIONS: The drastic acceleration of vomeronasal development in moles is most likely coupled with the increased importance of the rostrum for digging and its use as a specialized tactile surface, both fossorial adaptations. The late development of the nasal in shrew moles, a condition also displayed by hedgehogs and shrews, is suggested to be the result of an ecological reversal to terrestrial lifestyle and reduced functional importance of the rostrum. As an overall pattern in lipotyphlans, our results reject the hypothesis that ossification sequence heterochrony occurs in modular fashion when considering the developmental patterns of the skull. We suggest that shifts in the cranial ossification sequence are not evolutionarily constrained by developmental origins or mode of ossification.

Whole-genome resequencing shows numerous genes with nonsynonymous SNPs in the Japanese native cattle Kuchinoshima-Ushi.

BACKGROUND: Because the Japanese native cattle Kuchinoshima-Ushi have been isolated in a small island and their lineage has been intensely protected, it has been assumed to date that numerous and valuable genomic variations are conserved in this cattle breed. RESULTS: In this study, we evaluated genetic features of this breed, including single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) information, by whole-genome sequencing using a Genome Analyzer II. A total of 64.2 Gb of sequence was generated, of which 86% of the obtained reads were successfully mapped to the reference sequence (Btau 4.0) with BWA. On an average, 93% of the genome was covered by the reads and the number of mapped reads corresponded to 15.8-fold coverage across the covered region. From these data, we identified 6.3 million SNPs, of which more than 5.5 million (87%) were found to be new. Out of the SNPs annotated in the bovine sequence assembly, 20,432 were found in protein-coding regions containing 11,713 nonsynonymous SNPs in 4,643 genes. Furthermore, phylogenetic analysis using sequence data from 10 genes (more than 10 kbp) showed that Kuchinoshima-Ushi is clearly distinct from European domestic breeds of cattle. CONCLUSIONS: These results provide a framework for further genetic studies in the Kuchinoshima-Ushi population and research on functions of SNP-containing genes, which would aid in understanding the molecular basis underlying phenotypic variation of economically important traits in cattle and in improving intrinsic defects in domestic cattle breeds.

Physiological characteristics of gastric contractions and circadian gastric motility in the free-moving conscious house musk shrew (Suncus murinus).

Although many studies have demonstrated the physiological action of motilin on the migrating motor complex, the precise mechanisms remain obscure. To obtain new insights into the mechanisms, we focused on the house musk shrew (Suncus murinus, suncus used as a laboratory name) as a small model animal for in vivo motilin study, and we studied the physiological characteristics of suncus gastrointestinal motility. Strain gauge transducers were implanted on the serosa of the gastric body and duodenum, and we recorded gastrointestinal contractions in the free-moving conscious suncus and also examined the effects of intravenous infusion of various agents on gastrointestinal motility. During the fasted state, the suncus stomach and duodenum showed clear migrating phase III contractions (intervals of 80-150 min) as found in humans and dogs. Motilin (bolus injection, 100-300 ng/kg; continuous infusion, 10-100 ng·kg(-1)·min(-1)) and erythromycin (80 µg·kg(-1)·min(-1)) induced gastric phase III contractions, and motilin injection also increased the gastric motility index in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.05, vs. saline). Pretreatment with atropine completely abolished the motilin-induced gastric phase III contractions. On the other hand, in the free-feeding condition, the suncus showed a relatively long fasting period in the light phase followed by spontaneous gastric phase III contractions. The results suggest that the suncus has almost the same gastrointestinal motility and motilin response as those found in humans and dogs, and we propose the suncus as a new small model animal for studying gastrointestinal motility and motilin in vivo.

Lineage-specific duplication and loss of pepsinogen genes in hominoid evolution.

Fourteen different pepsinogen-A cDNAs and one pepsinogen-C cDNA have been cloned from gastric mucosa of the orangutan, Pongo pygmaeus. Encoded pepsinogens A were classified into two groups, i.e., types A1 and A2, which are different in acidic character. The occurrence of 9 and 5 alleles of A1 and A2 genes (at least 5 and 3 loci), respectively was anticipated. Respective orthologous genes are present in the chimpanzee genome although their copy numbers are much smaller than those of the orangutan genes. Only A1 genes are present in the human probably due to the loss of the A2 gene. Molecular phylogenetic analyses showed that A1 and A2 genes diverged before the speciation of great hominoids. Further reduplications of respective genes occurred several times in the orangutan lineage, with much higher frequencies than those occurred in the chimpanzee and human lineages. The rates of non-synonymous substitutions were higher than those of synonymous ones in the lineage of A2 genes, implying the contribution of the positive selection on the encoded enzymes. Several sites of pepsin moieties were indeed found to be under positive selection, and most of them locate on the surface of the molecule, being involved in the conformational flexibility. Deduced from the known genomic structures of pepsinogen-A genes of primates and other mammals, the duplication/loss were frequent during their evolution. The extreme multiplication in the orangutan might be advantageous for digestion of herbaceous foods due to the increase in the level of enzymes in stomach and the diversification of enzyme specificity.

A novel Caspr mutation causes the shambling mouse phenotype by disrupting axoglial interactions of myelinated nerves.

The neurological mouse mutation shambling (shm) exhibits ataxia and hindlimb paresis. Positional cloning of shm showed that it encodes contactin-associated protein (Caspr), which is required for formation of the paranodal junction in myelinated nerves. The shm mutation is a TT insertion in the Caspr gene that results in a frame shift and a premature stop codon at the COOH-terminus. The truncated Caspr protein that is generated lacks the transmembrane and cytoplasmic domains. Here, we found that the nodal/paranodal axoplasm of shm mice lack paranodal junctions and contain large mitochondria and abnormal accumulations of cytoplasmic organelles that indicate altered axonal transport. Immunohistochemical analysis of mutant mice showed reduced expression of Caspr, contactin, and neurofascin 155, which are thought to form a protein complex in the paranodal region; protein 4.1B, however, was normally distributed. The mutant mice had aberrant localization of voltage-gated ion channels on the axolemma of nodal/paranodal regions. Electrophysiological analysis demonstrated that the velocity of saltatory conduction was reduced in sciatic nerves and that the visual response was attenuated in the primary visual cortex. These abnormalities likely contribute to the neurological phenotype of the mutant mice.

Identification of ghrelin in the house musk shrew (Suncus murinus): cDNA cloning, peptide purification and tissue distribution.

Ghrelin is the endogenous ligand for the growth hormone (GH) secretagogue receptor, and the sequence of ghrelin has been determined in many species from fish to mammals. In the present study, to reveal the production of ghrelin in the house musk shrew (Suncus murinus, order: Insectivora, suncus is used as a laboratory name), we determined the cDNA sequence and structure of suncus ghrelin and also demonstrated the ghrelin-producing cells in the gastrointestinal tract. Results of cDNA cloning and mass spectrometry analysis revealed that suncus ghrelin is composed of 18 or 26 amino acid residues and that the 3rd Ser was acylated mainly by n-octanoic acid. The 10 amino acids of the N-terminal region of suncus mature ghrelin were consistent with those of other mammals. Quantitative RT-PCR revealed that suncus ghrelin mRNA is highly expressed in the gastric corpus and pyloric antrum, and low expression levels were found in various tissues, including the intestinal tract. Ghrelin cells were found only in the corpus and antrum by immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization, and most of the ghrelin cells were closed-type cells with relatively rich cytoplasm and scattered in the glandular body and base of the gastric mucosa. The density of ghrelin cells in the corpus was significantly greater than that in the antrum. The results of this study together with our recent results regarding motilin production in the suncus indicate that the suncus will be a useful model animal for study of physiological function of the motilin/ghrelin family.

Sensitivity of liver injury in heterozygous Sod2 knockout mice treated with troglitazone or acetaminophen.

Recently, it was reported that the intraperitoneal administration of 30 mg/kg/day troglitazone to heterozygous superoxide dismutase 2 gene knockout (Sod2+/-) mice for twenty-eight days caused liver injury, manifested by increased serum ALT activity and hepatic necrosis. Therefore, we evaluated the reproducibility of troglitazone-induced liver injury in Sod2+/- mice, as well as their validity as an animal model with higher sensitivity to mitochondrial toxicity by single-dose treatment with acetaminophen in Sod2+/- mice. Although we conducted a repeated dose toxicity study in Sod2+/- mice treated orally with 300 mg/kg/day troglitazone for twenty-eight days, no hepatocellular necrosis was observed in our study. On the other hand, six hours and twenty-four hours after an administration of 300 mg/kg acetaminophen, plasma ALT activity was significantly increased in Sod2+/- mice, compared to wild-type mice. In particular, six hours after administration, hepatic centrilobular necrosis was observed only in Sod2+/- mice. These results suggest that Sod2+/- mice are valuable as an animal model with higher sensitivity to mitochondrial toxicity. On the other hand, it was suggested that the mitochondrial damage alone might not be the major cause of the troglitazone-induced idiosyncratic liver injury observed in humans.

Oculocutaneous albinism in Suncus murinus: establishment of a strain and identification of its responsible gene.

The house musk shrew Suncus murinus (Insectivora, Soricidae) is referred to as suncus in a laboratory context. Although the capture of albino-like shrews (wild suncus) has been reported previously, albino-like strains have never been established, and the molecular basis of the character has remained elusive. We have established an OCAO mutant strain (oculocutaneous albinism Okinawa), from a wild suncus with a white coat and red eyes, which was captured in 2002. During the course of establishing the strain, it was revealed that the albino-like phenotype was inherited in an autosomal recessive manner. To elucidate the molecular basis of this phenotype, we cloned the suncus cDNAs for tyrosinase (Tyr), pink-eyed dilution (p), and solute carrier family 45, member 2 (Slc45a2), since these genes are involved in oculocutaneous albinism in various species, including humans. Several polymorphisms were identified in these genes; however, linkage analysis excluded the involvement of Tyr and p. On the other hand, two amino acid substitutions (V240A and G366E) were identified in Slc45a2 that cosegregated with the phenotype in the OCAO mutant strain. While V240A was also present in colored suncus collected from Okinawa, G366E was unique to the albino-like suncus and heterozygous carriers. Thus, we conclude that a mutation in Slc45a2 (G366E) is responsible for an albino-like phenotype in Suncus murinus.

House musk shrew (Suncus murinus, order: Insectivora) as a new model animal for motilin study.

Although many studies have demonstrated the action of motilin on migrating motor complex by using human subjects and relatively large animals, the precise physiological mechanisms of motilin remain obscure. One reason for the lack of progress in this research field is that large animals are generally not suitable for molecular-level study. To overcome this problem, in this study, we focused on the house musk shrew (Suncus murinus, order: Insectivora, suncus named as laboratory strain) as a small model animal, and we present here the results of motilin gene cloning and its availability for motilin study. The motilin gene has a high homology sequence with that of other mammals, including humans. Suncus motilin is predicted to exist as a 117-residue prepropeptide that undergoes proteolytic cleavage to form a 22-amino-acid mature peptide. The results of RT-PCR showed that motilin mRNA is highly expressed in the upper small intestine, and low levels of expression were found in many tissues. Morphological analysis revealed that suncus motilin-producing cells were present in the upper small intestinal mucosal layer but not in the myenteric plexus. Administration of suncus motilin to prepared muscle strips of rabbit duodenum showed almost the same contractile effect as that of human motilin. Moreover, suncus stomach preparations clearly responded to suncus or human motilin stimulation. To our knowledge, this is the first report that physiological active motilin was determined in small laboratory animals, and the results of this study suggest that suncus is a suitable model animal for studying the motilin-ghrelin family.

Numerical variation of teeth in the wild house musk shrew Suncus murinus captured from Nagasaki, Japan.

Wild populations of Suncus murinus from Nagasaki were thought to be extinct, although specimens from Nagasaki are kept at the National Science Museum, Tokyo. Variation in the number of teeth, including both congenital and postnatal absence, was observed in 25 of 85 individuals. All 25 abnormal individuals were checked using a micro-CT unit to document the presence or absence of embedded teeth and any traits of postnatal absence. Four of these had congenitally absent teeth, whereas the rest showed signs of postnatal absence. There was no significant difference in the ratio of length of tooth group P(4)M(3) against palatal length between individuals with congenital absent teeth and normal ones. Because S. murinus in captivity shows a high rate of periodontal disease, we suggest that the high rate of postnatal absence of teeth in the wild population is due to oral diseases such as periodontal disease or other traumatic factors.