Complete genome sequence of bacteriocin-producing Ligilactobacillus salivarius B4311 isolated from fecal samples of broiler chicken with anti-listeria activity.

Ligilactobacillus is a genus of Gram-positive lactobacilli commonly found in the intestinal tracts of vertebrates. It has been granted a Qualified Presumption of Safety (QPS) status from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). One specific strain, Ligilactobacillus salivarius B4311, was isolated from fecal samples of broiler chickens from a farm associated with Chung-Ang University (Anseong, Korea). This strain was observed to have inhibitory effects against Listeria monocytogenes. In this paper, we present the complete genome sequence of Lig. salivarius B4311. The whole genome of strain B4311 comprises 2,071,255 bp assembled into 3 contigs representing a chromosome, repA-type megaplasmid, and small plasmid. The genome contains 1,963 protein-coding sequences, 22 rRNA genes, and 78 tRNA genes, with a guanine + cytosine (GC) content of 33.1%. The megaplasmid of strain B4311 was found to contain the bacteriocin gene cluster for salivaricin P, a two-peptide bacteriocin belonging to class IIb.

Microbial-transcriptome integrative analysis of heat stress effects on amino acid metabolism and lipid peroxidation in poultry jejunum.

Despite the significant threat of heat stress to livestock animals, only a few studies have considered the potential relationship between broiler chickens and their microbiota. Therefore, this study examined microbial modifications, transcriptional changes and host-microbiome interactions using a predicted metabolome data-based approach to understand the impact of heat stress on poultry. After the analysis, the host functional enrichment analysis revealed that pathways related to lipid and protein metabolism were elevated under heat stress conditions. In contrast, pathways related to the cell cycle were suppressed under normal environmental temperatures. In line with the transcriptome analysis, the microbial analysis results indicate that taxonomic changes affect lipid degradation. Heat stress engendered statistically significant difference in the abundance of 11 microorganisms, including Bacteroides and Peptostreptococcacea. Together, integrative approach analysis suggests that microbiota-induced metabolites affect host fatty acid peroxidation metabolism, which is correlated with the gene families of Acyl-CoA dehydrogenase long chain (ACADL), Acyl-CoA Oxidase (ACOX) and Acetyl-CoA Acyltransferase (ACAA). This integrated approach provides novel insights into heat stress problems and identifies potential biomarkers associated with heat stress.

Effect of dietary betaine supplementation on the liver transcriptome profile in broiler chickens under heat stress conditions.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the present study was to investigate the effect of dietary betaine (BT) supplementation on the hepatic transcriptome profiles in broiler chickens raised under heat stress (HS) conditions. METHODS: A total of 180 (21-d-old) Ross 308 male broiler chicks were allotted to 1 of 3 treatment groups with 6 replicated cages in a completely randomized design. One group was kept under thermoneutral conditions at all times and was fed a basal diet (PC). Other 2 groups were exposed to a cyclic heat stress condition. One of the 2 groups under heat stress conditions was fed the basal diet as a negative control (NC), whereas the other group was fed the basal diet supplemented with 0.2% BT. All chickens were provided with diets and water ad libitum for 21 d. Following the experiment, the liver samples were collected for RNA sequencing analysis. RESULTS: Broiler chickens in NC and BT group had decreased (p<0.05) growth performance. In the transcriptome analysis, the number of differentially expressed genes were identified in the liver by HS conditions and dietary BT supplementation. In the comparison between NC and PC treatments, genes related to energy and nucleic acid metabolism, amino acid metabolism, and immune system were altered by HS, which support the reason why heat-stressed poultry had decreased growth performance. In the comparison between NC and BT treatments, genes related to lipid metabolism, carbohydrate metabolism, and immune system were differently expressed under HS conditions. CONCLUSION: HS negatively impacts various physiological processes, including DNA replication, metabolism of amino acids, lipids, and carbohydrates, and cell cycle progression in broiler chickens. Dietary BT supplementation, however, offers potential counteractive effects by modulating liver function, facilitating gluconeogenesis, and enhancing immune systems. These findings provide a basis for understanding molecular responses by HS and the possible benefits of dietary BT supplementation in broiler chickens exposed to HS.

Integrated multiple transcriptomes in oviductal tissue across the porcine estrous cycle reveal functional roles in oocyte maturation and transport.

Understanding the changes in the swine female reproductive system is important for solving issues related to reproductive failure and litter size. Elucidating the regulatory mechanisms of the natural estrous cycle in the oviduct under non-fertilisation conditions can improve our understanding of its role in the reproductive system. Herein, whole transcriptome RNA sequencing of oviduct tissue samples was performed. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified for each time point relative to day 0 and classified into three clusters based on their expression patterns. Clusters 1 and 2 included genes involved in the physiological changes through the estrous cycle. Cluster 1 genes were mainly involved in PI3K-Akt signaling and steroid hormone biosynthesis pathways. Cluster 2 genes were involved in extracellular matrix-receptor interactions and protein digestion pathways. In Cluster 3, the DEGs were downregulated in the luteal phase; they were strongly associated with cell cycle, calcium signaling, and oocyte meiosis. The gene expression in the oviduct during the estrous cycle influenced oocyte transport and fertilization. Our findings provide a basis for successfully breeding pigs and elucidating the mechanisms underlying the changes in the pig oviduct during the estrous cycle.

Understanding the swine female reproductive system is important for solving issues related to reproductive failure and litter size. The oviduct is the site of fertilization. After fertilization, the fertilized egg moves to the uterus for implantation. Elucidating the regulatory mechanisms of the estrous cycle in the oviduct can improve our understanding of their roles. In this study, whole transcriptome RNA sequencing of oviduct tissue samples was performed throughout the estrous cycle to screen for differentially expressed genes (DEGs). The DEGs were classified into three clusters based on their expression patterns. Clusters 1 and 2 included genes involved in the physiological changes observed through the estrous cycle. The expression levels of Cluster 3 genes were downregulated specifically in the luteal phase; this was associated with calcium signalling and oocyte meiosis. In this study, we identified that the expression of genes in the oviduct influences oocyte transport and fertilization, which are the key functions of the oviduct. This study provides a basis for successful breeding in the pig industry and elucidating the mechanisms underlying the changes in the pig oviduct during the estrous cycle.

Identification of Monoallelically Expressed Genes Associated with Economic Traits in Hanwoo (Korean Native Cattle).

Hanwoo, an indigenous Korean cattle breed, has been genetically improved by selecting superior sires called Korean-proven bulls. However, cows still contribute half of the genetic stock of their offspring, and allelic-specific expressed genes have potential, as selective targets of cows, to enhance genetic gain. The aim of this study is to identify genes that have MAEs based on both the genome and transcriptome and to estimate their effects on breeding values (BVs) for economically important traits in Hanwoo. We generated resequencing data for the parents and RNA-sequencing data for the muscle, fat, and brain tissues of the offspring. A total of 3801 heterozygous single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in offspring were identified and they were located in 1569 genes. Only 14 genes showed MAE (seven expressing maternal alleles and seven expressing paternal alleles). Tissue-specific MAE was observed, and LANCL1 showed maternal allele expression across all tissues. MAE genes were enriched for the biological process of cell death and angiogenesis, which included ACKR3 and PDCL3 genes, whose SNPs were significantly associated with BVs of lean meat production-related traits, such as weight at 12 months of age, carcass weight, and loin eye area. In the current study, monoallelically expressed genes were identified in various adult tissues and these genes were associated with genetic capacity in Hanwoo.