scholarly journals Transcriptome dynamics in developing testes of domestic cats and impact of age on tissue resilience to cryopreservation

BMC Genomics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Olga Amelkina ◽  
Andreia M. da Silva ◽  
Alexandre R. Silva ◽  
Pierre Comizzoli
Keyword(s):  
Adult Development ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Initial Response ◽  
Domestic Cat ◽  
Dna Integrity ◽  
Domestic Cats ◽  
Juvenile Period ◽  
Physiological Conditions ◽  
Juvenile Sample ◽  
Before And After

Abstract Background Fundamental knowledge of cellular and molecular mechanisms in developing testicular tissues is critical to better understand gonadal biology and responses to non-physiological conditions. The objective of our study was to (1) analyze transcriptome dynamics in developing testis of the domestic cat and (2) characterize age effects on the initial response of the tissue to vitrification. Tissues from adult and juvenile cats were processed for histology, DNA integrity, and RNA sequencing analyses before and after vitrification. Results Transcriptomic findings enabled to further characterize juvenile period, distinguishing between early and late juvenile tissues. Changes in gene expression and functional pathways were extensive from early to late juvenile to adult development stages. Additionally, tissues from juvenile animals were more resilient to vitrification compared to adult counterparts, with early juvenile sample responding the least to vitrification and late juvenile sample response being closest to adult tissues. Conclusions This is the first study reporting comprehensive datasets on transcriptomic dynamic coupled with structural analysis of the cat testis according to the age and exposure to cryopreservation. It provides a comprehensive network of functional terms and pathways that are affected by age in the domestic cat and are either enriched in adult or juvenile testicular tissues.

scholarly journals Presence of Antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 in Domestic Cats in Istanbul, Turkey, Before and After COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aysun Yilmaz ◽  
Abdullah Kayar ◽  
Nuri Turan ◽  
Onur Iskefli ◽  
Alper Bayrakal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
White Blood Cells ◽  
Companion Animals ◽  
Skin Lesions ◽  
Neutralization Assay ◽  
Domestic Cat ◽  
Domestic Cats ◽  
Pet Owners ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Household Members ◽  
Feline Coronavirus

Recent studies demonstrated that domestic cats can be naturally and experimentally infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). This study was performed to investigate the presence of SARS-CoV-2-specific antibodies within the domestic cat population in Istanbul, Turkey, before the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Overall, from 155 cat sera analyzed, 26.45% (41/155) tested positive in the spike protein-ELISA (S-ELISA), 28.38% (44/155) in the receptor-binding domain-ELISA (RBD-ELISA), and 21.9% (34/155) in both, the S- and RBD-ELISAs. Twenty-seven of those were also positive for the presence of antibodies to feline coronavirus (FCoV). Among the 34 SARS-CoV-2-positive sera, three of those were positive on serum neutralization assay. Six of the 30 cats before COVID-19 and 28 of the 125 cats during COVID-19 were found to be seropositive. About 20% of ELISA-positive cats exhibited mainly respiratory, gastrointestinal, and renal signs and skin lesions. Hematocrit, hemoglobin, white blood cells, lymphocyte, and platelet numbers were low in about 30% of ELISA-positive cats. The number of neutrophils and monocytes were above normal values in about 20% of ELISA-positive cats. The liver enzyme alanine aminotransferase levels were high in 23.5% ELISA-positive cats. In conclusion, this is the first report describing antibodies specific to SARS-CoV-2 antigens (S and RBD) in cats in Istanbul, Turkey, indicating the risk for domestic cats to contract SARS-CoV-2 from owners and/or household members with COVID-19. This study and others show that COVID-19-positive pet owners should limit their contact with companion animals and that pets with respiratory signs should be monitored for SARS-CoV-2 infections.

MiR-597 Targeting 14-3-3σ Enhances Cellular Invasion and EMT in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Cells

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 105-114 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisha Xie ◽  
Tao Jiang ◽  
Ailan Cheng ◽  
Ting Zhang ◽  
Pin Huang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma ◽  
Cell Lines ◽  
Western Blotting ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Suppressor Gene ◽  
Migration And Invasion ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Downstream Target ◽  
Before And After

Background: Alterations in microRNAs (miRNAs) are related to the occurrence of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and play an important role in the molecular mechanism of NPC. Our previous studies show low expression of 14-3-3σ (SFN) is related to the metastasis and differentiation of NPC, but the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. Methods: Through bioinformatics analysis, we find miR-597 is the preferred target miRNA of 14-3-3σ. The expression level of 14-3-3σ in NPC cell lines was detected by Western blotting. The expression of miR-597 in NPC cell lines was detected by qRT-PCR. We transfected miR-597 mimic, miR-597 inhibitor and 14-3-3σ siRNA into 6-10B cells and then verified the expression of 14-3-3σ and EMT related proteins, including E-cadherin, N-cadherin and Vimentin by western blotting. The changes of migration and invasion ability of NPC cell lines before and after transfected were determined by wound healing assay and Transwell assay. Results: miR-597 expression was upregulated in NPC cell lines and repaired in related NPC cell lines, which exhibit a potent tumor-forming effect. After inhibiting the miR-597 expression, its effect on NPC cell line was obviously decreased. Moreover, 14-3-3σ acts as a tumor suppressor gene and its expression in NPC cell lines is negatively correlated with miR-597. Here 14-3-3σ was identified as a downstream target gene of miR-597, and its downregulation by miR-597 drives epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and promotes the migration and invasion of NPC. Conclusion: Based on these findings, our study will provide theoretical and experimental evidences for molecular targeted therapy of NPC.

scholarly journals Comparative Transcriptome Analysis Reveals Sex-Based Differences during the Development of the Adult Parasitic Wasp Cotesia vestalis (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)

Genes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 896
Author(s):  
Yuenan Zhou ◽  
Pei Yang ◽  
Shuang Xie ◽  
Min Shi ◽  
Jianhua Huang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alternative Splicing ◽  
Adult Development ◽  
Sexual Development ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Parasitic Wasp ◽  
Differentially Expressed Gene ◽  
Regulation Mechanism ◽  
Rna Seq ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Cotesia Vestalis

The endoparasitic wasp Cotesia vestalis is an important biological agent for controlling the population of Plutella xylostella, a major pest of cruciferous crops worldwide. Though the genome of C. vestalis has recently been reported, molecular mechanisms associated with sexual development have not been comprehensively studied. Here, we combined PacBio Iso-Seq and Illumina RNA-Seq to perform genome-wide profiling of pharate adult and adult development of male and female C. vestalis. Taking advantage of Iso-Seq full-length reads, we identified 14,466 novel transcripts as well as 8770 lncRNAs, with many lncRNAs showing a sex- and stage-specific expression pattern. The differentially expressed gene (DEG) analyses showed 2125 stage-specific and 326 sex-specific expressed genes. We also found that 4819 genes showed 11,856 alternative splicing events through combining the Iso-Seq and RNA-Seq data. The results of comparative analyses showed that most genes were alternatively spliced across developmental stages, and alternative splicing (AS) events were more prevalent in females than in males. Furthermore, we identified six sex-determining genes in this parasitic wasp and verified their sex-specific alternative splicing profiles. Specifically, the characterization of feminizer and doublesex splicing between male and female implies a conserved regulation mechanism of sexual development in parasitic wasps.

Do prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster) change their activity and space use in response to domestic cat (Felis catus) excreta?

Mammalia ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian Keane ◽  
Phillip J. Long ◽  
Yasmeen Fleifil ◽  
Nancy G. Solomon
Keyword(s):  
Space Use ◽  
Felis Catus ◽  
Domestic Cat ◽  
Microtus Ochrogaster ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Domestic Cats ◽  
Prairie Voles ◽  
Natural Habitats ◽  
Odor Cues ◽  
Risk Of Predation

AbstractBehavioral changes that reduce the risk of predation in response to predator-derived odor cues are widespread among mammalian taxa and have received a great deal of attention. Although voles of the genus Microtus are staples in the diet of many mammalian predators, including domestic cats (Felis catus), there are no previous studies on vole space utilization and activity levels in response to odor cues from domestic cats. Therefore, the objective of our study was to investigate responses of adult prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster) living in semi-natural habitats to odor cues from domestic cat excreta. Contrary to expectations, neither adult males or females showed significant changes in space use or willingness to enter traps in response to cat odors. One hypothesis to explain our results are that prairie voles have not co-evolved with domestic cats long enough to respond to their odors. Other possible explanations include whether levels of odors in the environment were sufficient to trigger a response or that the perceived risk of predation from odor cues alone did not outweigh relative costs of changing space use and activity levels. Future studies should consider multiple factors when determining what cues are sufficient to elicit antipredatory behavior.

scholarly journals BMP signaling alters aquaporin-4 expression in the mouse cerebral cortex

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kazuya Morita ◽  
Naoyuki Matsumoto ◽  
Kengo Saito ◽  
Toshihide Hamabe-Horiike ◽  
Keishi Mizuguchi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cerebral Cortex ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Water Movement ◽  
Water Channel ◽  
Bmp Signaling ◽  
Aquaporin 4 ◽  
Mammalian Brain ◽  
Physiological Conditions ◽  
Pathological Conditions ◽  
Mouse Cerebral Cortex

AbstractAquaporin-4 (AQP4) is a predominant water channel expressed in astrocytes in the mammalian brain. AQP4 is crucial for the regulation of homeostatic water movement across the blood–brain barrier (BBB). Although the molecular mechanisms regulating AQP4 levels in the cerebral cortex under pathological conditions have been intensively investigated, those under normal physiological conditions are not fully understood. Here we demonstrate that AQP4 is selectively expressed in astrocytes in the mouse cerebral cortex during development. BMP signaling was preferentially activated in AQP4-positive astrocytes. Furthermore, activation of BMP signaling by in utero electroporation markedly increased AQP4 levels in the cerebral cortex, and inhibition of BMP signaling strongly suppressed them. These results indicate that BMP signaling alters AQP4 levels in the mouse cerebral cortex during development.

Language and life history: A new perspective on the development and evolution of human language

2006 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 259-280 ◽  
Author(s):  
John L. Locke ◽  
Barry Bogin
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Adult Development ◽  
Homo Sapiens ◽  
Human Life ◽  
Modern Human ◽  
Linguistic Knowledge ◽  
Human Language ◽  
Juvenile Period ◽  
Development Of Language ◽  
New Perspective

It has long been claimed that Homo sapiens is the only species that has language, but only recently has it been recognized that humans also have an unusual pattern of growth and development. Social mammals have two stages of pre-adult development: infancy and juvenility. Humans have two additional prolonged and pronounced life history stages: childhood, an interval of four years extending between infancy and the juvenile period that follows, and adolescence, a stage of about eight years that stretches from juvenility to adulthood. We begin by reviewing the primary biological and linguistic changes occurring in each of the four pre-adult ontogenetic stages in human life history. Then we attempt to trace the evolution of childhood and juvenility in our hominin ancestors. We propose that several different forms of selection applied in infancy and childhood; and that, in adolescence, elaborated vocal behaviors played a role in courtship and intrasexual competition, enhancing fitness and ultimately integrating performative and pragmatic skills with linguistic knowledge in a broad faculty of language. A theoretical consequence of our proposal is that fossil evidence of the uniquely human stages may be used, with other findings, to date the emergence of language. If important aspects of language cannot appear until sexual maturity, as we propose, then a second consequence is that the development of language requires the whole of modern human ontogeny. Our life history model thus offers new ways of investigating, and thinking about, the evolution, development, and ultimately the nature of human language.

scholarly journals Physical dissociation of the TCR-CD3 complex accompanies receptor ligation.

1995 ◽  
Vol 182 (6) ◽  
pp. 1997-2006 ◽  
Author(s):  
H Kishimoto ◽  
R T Kubo ◽  
H Yorifuji ◽  
T Nakayama ◽  
Y Asano ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Flow Cytometry ◽  
Cell Surface ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Signal Transduction Pathway ◽  
Surface Expression ◽  
Cell Surface Expression ◽  
Protein Levels ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Physical Dissociation ◽  
Receptor Ligation

Recent studies indicate that there may be functional uncoupling of the TCR-CD3 complex and suggest that the TCR-CD3 complex is composed of two parallel signal-transducing units, one made of gamma delta epsilon chains and the other of zeta chains. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms that may explain the functional uncoupling of TCR and CD3, we have analyzed their expression by using flow cytometry as well as immunochemical means both before and after stimulation with anti-TCR-beta, anti-CD3 epsilon, anti-CD2, staphylococcal enterotoxin B, and ionomycin. We present evidence that TCR physically dissociates from CD3 after stimulation of the TCR-CD3 complex. Stimulation with anti-CD3 resulted in down-modulation of TCR within 45 min whereas CD3 epsilon was still expressed on the cell surface as detected by flow cytometry. However, the cell surface expression of TCR and CD3 was not affected when cells were stimulated with anti-TCR-beta under the same conditions. In the case of anti-CD3 treatment of T cells, the TCR down-modulation appeared to be due to the internalization of TCR, as determined by immunoelectron microscopy. Immunochemical analysis of cells after stimulation with either anti-TCR or anti-CD3 mAbs revealed that the overall protein levels of TCR and CD3 were similar. More interestingly, the dissociation of the TCR-CD3 complex was observed with both treatments and occurred in a manner that the TCR and the associated TCR-zeta chain dissociated as a unit from CD3. These results provide the first report of physical dissociation of TCR and CD3 after stimulation through the TCR-CD3 complex. The results also suggest that the signal transduction pathway triggered by TCR may differ from that induced by CD3.

Testicular effects of a postnatal GnRH antagonist in domestic cats

2021 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Gnrh Antagonist ◽  
Domestic Cat ◽  
Domestic Cats ◽  
Low Concentrations ◽  
Cellular Debris ◽  
Reduced Height ◽  
Faecal Samples ◽  
Luminal Area ◽  
Germinal Cells

Abstract The aim of this study was to describe the histological effects of two high postnatal doses of the potent third-generation GnRH antagonist, acyline in the domestic cat testicle. Secondly, the physical, endocrine, and steroidogenic findings of this pharmaceutical protocol are also reported. Twelve postnatal littermate male kittens were administered acyline in a dose of 2.2 mg/100 g SC weekly for 2 weeks (ACY; n = 6), or placebo (PL; n = 6). All the animals were followed up until puberty when they were castrated. Serial faecal samples were collected until the age of 10 weeks for testosterone (T) measurement. The kittens achieved puberty without either age (236.5 ± 19.7 vs. 221.7 ± 23.7 days) or body weight (3.05 ± 0.15 vs. 2.78 ± 0.28 kg, P > 0.05) differences between ACY and PL, respectively. Acyline suppressed faecal T concentrations for 3 weeks (P < 0.01). From the fourth week on, both groups had low concentrations up to the end of the follow-up period (P > 0.05). Histological assessment of the testes showed that ACY cats presented a reduced height of the epithelium (P < 0.01) due to the diminished number of germinal cells accompanied by an enlarged luminal area (P < 0.01) with cellular debris (P < 0.01). The immunostaining of P450c17 also appeared partially diminished in ACY testes.

scholarly journals Current Approaches and Emerging Directions in HER2-resistant Breast Cancer

2014 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. BCBCR.S9453 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adam M. Brufsky
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Growth Factor ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Mammalian Target Of Rapamycin ◽  
Growth Factor Receptor ◽  
Initial Response ◽  
Her2 Overexpression ◽  
Breast Cancers ◽  
Intrinsic Resistance ◽  
Her2 Positive

Human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2) is overexpressed in up to 30% of breast cancers; HER2 overexpression is indicative of poor prognosis. Trastuzumab, an anti-HER2 monoclonal antibody, has led to improved outcomes in patients with HER2-positive breast cancer, including improved overall survival in adjuvant and first-line settings. However, a large proportion of patients with breast cancer have intrinsic resistance to HER2-targeted therapies, and nearly all become resistant to therapy after initial response. Elucidation of underlying mechanisms contributing to HER2 resistance has led to development of novel therapeutic strategies, including those targeting HER2 and downstream pathways, heat shock protein 90, telomerase, and vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitors. Numerous clinical trials are ongoing or completed, including phase 3 data for the mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitor everolimus in patients with HER2-resistant breast cancer. This review considers the molecular mechanisms associated with HER2 resistance and evaluates the evidence for use of evolving strategies in patients with HER2-resistant breast cancer.

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