Effects of Pax3 and Pax7 expression on muscle mass in the Pekin duck (Anas platyrhynchos domestica).

This study aimed to investigate whether the differential expression of muscle development-related genes is one of the reasons why muscle development differs between Pekin, Jianchang, and Heiwu ducks, which are all domesticated duck breeds (Anas platyrhynchos domestica) breeds. At 2 weeks of age, the RNA expression of paired box 7 (Pax7), paired box 3 (Pax3), myogenic differentiation antigen (MYOD), and myogenin (MYOG) genes were measured by quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and Pax3 and Pax7 protein levels were detected by western blot assay. Myofiber morphology was investigated using paraffin-embedded muscle sections. At 8 weeks of age, 30 ducks of each breed were slaughtered for meat quality determination. The results revealed that Pax3 and Pax7 expression levels at both the RNA and protein levels were high in the Pekin duck. In addition, MYOG expression levels in the Jianchang duck were significantly higher than in the other two duck breeds (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in MYOD expression levels between the breeds (P > 0.05). Myofiber diameter and cross-sectional area were the largest in the Pekin duck and the smallest in the Heiwu duck. There were significant differences in slaughter data between these breeds, and muscle content was greatest in the Pekin duck. The results indicate that the muscle content of three different duck breeds is associated with the expression of satellite-cell marker genes.

3'-UTR polymorphism (rs10434) in the VEGF gene is associated with B-CLL in a Chinese population.

We investigated the relationship between a VEGF genetic polymorphism and B cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL). A total of 102 patients with B-CLL and 124 healthy subjects were included in this study. All individuals were typed for the rs10434 in the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene using the TaqMan technique. We found that the A allele and the AA genotype of rs10434 were more frequent in B-CLL patients than in control subjects (0.54 vs 0.34; 27 vs 13%; respectively). VEGF alleles and genotypes segregated similarly in patients at different disease stages according to Rai classification. These results suggest a possible association between the VEGF polymorphism and high-risk B-CLL.

Comparison of tumor neovasculature-targeted paramagnetic nanoliposomes for MRI in mice xenograft models.

INTRODUCTION: Neovasculature imaging is a promising approach for tumor diagnosis. We constructed tumor neovasculature targeted paramagnetic nanoliposomes with RGD10, F56, and K237 peptides, which can bind to Integrin αvß3 and VEGFR-1, VEGFR-2, respectively, and compared their potential value as MRI contrast agents for detecting small tumors in animal models. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Peptide-Ahx-palmitic acid conjugate was synthesized using Fmoc solid-phase synthesis chemistry. Targeted paramagnetic nanoliposomes were prepared by the thin film dispersion-sonication method. The tumor signal enhancements of liposome particles were evaluated by MRI in a xenograft mice model. RESULTS: The apparent affinity constants of RGD10, K237, and F56 peptides binding to their cell receptors were 9.15 × 10(7), 6.01 × 10(7), and 3.85 × 10(7) mol/L, respectively. RGD10 and K237 targeted paramagnetic nanoliposomes have shown much greater tumor-specific MRI signal enhancement in xenograft of the nude mice compared to F56 targeted paramagnetic nanoliposome. Tumor signal enhancement rate (SER %) increased 2.21 ± 0.09 and 1.82 ± 0.05 fold, respectively, for RGD10 and K237 compared to non-targeted control in T1 weighted MR image. CONCLUSION: RGD10 and K237 targeted paramagnetic nanoliposomes can be developed as potential tumor-specific MRI contrast agents and are helpful for tumor detection.

Luteinizing hormone receptor splicing variants in bovine Leydig cells.

The luteinizing hormone receptor (LHR) plays a key role in testosterone production through its interaction with the gonadotropins, LH and chorionic gonadotropin. We examined the LHR splicing pattern in bovine Leydig cells; LH-induced expression of eight cloned splicing variants was detected by real-time PCR. Luteinizing hormone applied to cultured Leydig cells resulted in expression of full-length LHR and the A and B isoforms, as well as secretion of testosterone, which first increased, then declined, and then increased further, with increased LH levels. The secretion of testosterone progressively increased with increasing LH, but the expression levels of LHR (FL, A, and B) did not increase correspondingly. We conclude that the LHR splicing pattern is complex in bovine Leydig cells, and that expression of full-length LHR and isoforms A and B changes when induced with LH.

Molecular cloning and sequence analysis of follicle-stimulating hormone beta polypeptide precursor cDNA from the bovine pituitary gland.

Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) plays an essential role in mammalian spermatogenesis and follicular development. In a previous study, we demonstrated that some bulls carry numerous linked mutations in the FSH beta-subunit (FSHB) gene, and that these bulls have poor-quality semen, low fertility, and slightly lower serum FSH concentration compared to those without such mutations. Here, we identified the different FSHB mRNA transcripts in such individuals and analyzed the evolutionary pattern of the FSHB open reading frame (ORF) in different species. Two different lengths of FSHB mRNA transcripts corresponding to two different polyadenylation sites in the 3'-UTR were detected in wild-type bull pituitary glands, and four different mRNA transcripts resulting from the different polyadenylation sites and linked mutations were identified in mutation-bearing bull pituitaries. All transcripts had almost the same putative FSHB precursor molecule. When the ORF sequences of wild-type and mutation-bearing genes were compared with those of other tetrapod species, the leopard frog had the lowest level of homology (57.8 and 58.1%) and the buffalo had the highest level (95.9 and 96.7%), respectively. These results indicated that the bovine FSHB gene transcribes at least two classes of mRNA in the wild-type and four classes of mRNA in the mutation-bearing individuals, which provides a new insight into the bovine FSHB evolutionary pattern. In addition, these findings lay a foundation for further study of gene expression regulation and the effects of mutations on male fertility traits in cattle.