Rabbit Genetic Resources Can Provide Several Animal Models to Explain at the Genetic Level the Diversity of Morphological and Physiological Relevant Traits

The rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) is a unique multipurpose domestic species that has relevant economic impacts in several contexts. This review is focused on rabbit genetic resources that have been mainly bred for the fixation of differentiating features (e.g., exterior traits) that have been already genetically characterized. Several naturally occurring rabbit mutants could be useful as animal models for the investigation of the biological mechanisms determining their characterizing aspects, with translational potentials. A historical overview of the origin of the domesticated rabbit populations and of their genetic differentiation into many breeds is summarized. Then, a detailed analysis of the genetic features that characterize the different breeds is reported, starting from coat color and coat structure affecting genes (MC1R, ASIP, TYR, MLPH, TYRP1, KIT, LIPH, and FGF5), determining major loci described by classical genetic studies. Mutations in these genes have implications in pigmentation features, hair growth, and related defects. Other gene mutations affecting body size or shapes (HMGA2) and other physiological disfunctions (RORB and BCO2) are also described Additional studies are needed to complete the genetic characterization of some of these loci and to investigate the large genetic variability available in fancy breeds and commercial meat and fur lines.

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Tumor invasive ability of papillary thyroid carcinomas is not conferred by acquired gene mutations

Journal of Investigative Medicine ◽

10.1136/jim-2021-001971 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. jim-2021-001971

Author(s):

Mengying Tong ◽

Shuang Li ◽

Yulong Li ◽

Ying Li ◽

Yue Feng ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cancer Cells ◽

Gene Mutations ◽

Needle Aspiration ◽

Invasive Cancer ◽

Papillary Thyroid ◽

Invasive Ability ◽

Genetic Changes ◽

Genetic Features ◽

Selection Of

Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is the most common type of thyroid cancer. The ability to predict whether a carcinoma would exhibit invasive ability in patients with PTC is important and has clinical implications for the selection of therapeutic strategies. Although several studies have focused on the genetic characterization of invasive cancer cells, the factors critical to the origination of invasive cancer cells are still unclear. This study aimed to determine whether genomic mutations contribute to the acquisition of the tumor invasion phenotype and to investigate the genetic features of invasive cancer cells in patients with PTC. We performed customized 48-gene deep exon sequencing in samples obtained from 88 patients with PTC via fine needle aspiration; the results revealed that no genetic changes were specifically associated with the tumor aggressiveness phenotype. Our results indicate that genetic mutations do not cause indolent PTCs to become invasive.

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Molecular characterization of onion (Allium cepa) using RAPD markers

Bangladesh Journal of Agricultural Research ◽

10.3329/bjar.v35i2.5894 ◽

1970 ◽

Vol 35 (2) ◽

pp. 313-322 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

M Maniruzzaman ◽

ME Haque ◽

MM Haque ◽

MA Sayem ◽

M Al-Amin

Keyword(s):

Allium Cepa ◽

Rapd Markers ◽

Random Amplified Polymorphic Dna ◽

Pcr Amplification ◽

Group Method ◽

Genetic Studies ◽

Pair Group ◽

Genetic Level ◽

Polymerase Chain

A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based approach, namely random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis was applied to l0 varieties of onion (Allium cepa) in order to assess the degree of polymorphism within the genes and to investigate if this approach was suitable for genetic studies of onion. For this study, ten cultivars of onion were evaluated for variability using a set of 15 random l0-mer primers. The polymorphisms in PCR amplification products were subjected to the unweighed pair group method for arithmetic averages (UPGMA) and plotted in a phenogram. The dendogram constructed from the similarity data showed that all the cultivars analyzed were related. Among them, 12 of the primers revealed scorable (168 bands) polymorphisms between cultivars of A. cepa and the rest did not show polymorphism in their genetic level. In this study, it was found that Bermis and India-2 were more dissimilar and on the other hand, Faridpuri and Bhati were the most similar in their genetic level. Keywords: RAPD; onion; genetic diversity; polymorphism. DOI: 10.3329/bjar.v35i2.5894Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 35(2) : 313-322, June 2010

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Envelope Glycoprotein Mutations Mediate Equine Amplification and Virulence of Epizootic Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis Virus

Journal of Virology ◽

10.1128/jvi.79.14.9128-9133.2005 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 79 (14) ◽

pp. 9128-9133 ◽

Cited By ~ 48

Author(s):

Ivorlyne P. Greene ◽

Slobodan Paessler ◽

Laura Austgen ◽

Michael Anishchenko ◽

Aaron C. Brault ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Animal Models ◽

Envelope Glycoprotein ◽

High Titer ◽

Gene Mutations ◽

Small Animal ◽

Envelope Gene ◽

Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis ◽

Genetic Studies ◽

Equine Encephalitis Virus ◽

Small Animal Models

ABSTRACT Epidemics of Venezuelan equine encephalitis (VEE) result from high-titer equine viremia of IAB and IC subtype viruses that mediate increased mosquito transmission and spillover to humans. Previous genetic studies suggest that mutations in the E2 envelope glycoprotein allow relatively viremia-incompetent, enzootic subtype ID strains to adapt for equine replication, leading to VEE emergence. To test this hypothesis directly, chimeric VEEV strains containing the genetic backbone of enzootic subtype ID strains and the partial envelope glycoprotein genes of epizootic subtype IC and IAB strains, as well as reciprocal chimeras, were used for experimental infections of horses. Insertion of envelope genes from two different, closely related enzootic subtype ID strains into the epizootic backbones resulted in attenuation, demonstrating that the epizootic envelope genes are necessary for the equine-virulent and viremia-competent phenotypes. The partial epizootic envelope genes introduced into an enzootic ID backbone were sufficient to generate the virulent, viremia-competent equine phenotype. These results indicate that a small number of envelope gene mutations can generate an equine amplification-competent, epizootic VEEV from an enzootic progenitor and underscore the limitations of small animal models for evaluating and predicting the epizootic phenotype.

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Animal Models of Ehlers–Danlos Syndromes: Phenotype, Pathogenesis, and Translational Potential

Frontiers in Genetics ◽

10.3389/fgene.2021.726474 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Robin Vroman ◽

Anne-Marie Malfait ◽

Rachel E. Miller ◽

Fransiska Malfait ◽

Delfien Syx

Keyword(s):

Animal Models ◽

Joint Hypermobility ◽

Therapeutic Interventions ◽

Connective Tissues ◽

Management Options ◽

Comprehensive Overview ◽

Adequate Treatment ◽

Naturally Occurring ◽

Made In

The Ehlers–Danlos syndromes (EDS) are a group of heritable connective tissues disorders mainly characterized by skin hyperextensibility, joint hypermobility and generalized tissue fragility. Currently, 14 EDS subtypes each with particular phenotypic features are recognized and are caused by genetic defects in 20 different genes. All of these genes are involved in the biosynthesis and/or fibrillogenesis of collagens at some level. Although great progress has been made in elucidating the molecular basis of different EDS subtypes, the pathogenic mechanisms underlying the observed phenotypes remain poorly understood, and consequentially, adequate treatment and management options for these conditions remain scarce. To date, several animal models, mainly mice and zebrafish, have been described with defects in 14 of the 20 hitherto known EDS-associated genes. These models have been instrumental in discerning the functions and roles of the corresponding proteins during development, maturation and repair and in portraying their roles during collagen biosynthesis and/or fibrillogenesis, for some even before their contribution to an EDS phenotype was elucidated. Additionally, extensive phenotypical characterization of these models has shown that they largely phenocopy their human counterparts, with recapitulation of several clinical hallmarks of the corresponding EDS subtype, including dermatological, cardiovascular, musculoskeletal and ocular features, as well as biomechanical and ultrastructural similarities in tissues. In this narrative review, we provide a comprehensive overview of animal models manifesting phenotypes that mimic EDS with a focus on engineered mouse and zebrafish models, and their relevance in past and future EDS research. Additionally, we briefly discuss domestic animals with naturally occurring EDS phenotypes. Collectively, these animal models have only started to reveal glimpses into the pathophysiological aspects associated with EDS and will undoubtably continue to play critical roles in EDS research due to their tremendous potential for pinpointing (common) signaling pathways, unveiling possible therapeutic targets and providing opportunities for preclinical therapeutic interventions.

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High Resolution Replication of Organoclay Surfaces

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s0424820100055126 ◽

1982 ◽

Vol 40 ◽

pp. 576-577

Author(s):

W. W. Barker ◽

W. E. Rigsby ◽

V. J. Hurst ◽

W. J. Humphreys

Keyword(s):

Clay Mineral ◽

Organic Molecule ◽

Organic Molecules ◽

X Ray Diffraction ◽

Xrd Pattern ◽

X Ray ◽

Naturally Occurring ◽

Silicate Layers ◽

Mineral Identification

Experimental clay mineral-organic molecule complexes long have been known and some of them have been extensively studied by X-ray diffraction methods. The organic molecules are adsorbed onto the surfaces of the clay minerals, or intercalated between the silicate layers. Natural organo-clays also are widely recognized but generally have not been well characterized. Widely used techniques for clay mineral identification involve treatment of the sample with H2 O2 or other oxidant to destroy any associated organics. This generally simplifies and intensifies the XRD pattern of the clay residue, but helps little with the characterization of the original organoclay. Adequate techniques for the direct observation of synthetic and naturally occurring organoclays are yet to be developed.

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Characterization of clinical, biochemical and adrenal hormonal effects of ATR-101, a selective ACAT1 antagonist, in dogs with naturally-occurring Cushing's syndrome

Endocrine Abstracts ◽

10.1530/endoabs.44.p13 ◽

2016 ◽

Author(s):

Stephen Hunt ◽

Michele Fritz ◽

William Schall ◽

Olivier N. Bari ◽

Rebecca Smedley ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cushing’S Syndrome ◽

Cushing's Syndrome ◽

Hormonal Effects ◽

Naturally Occurring

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Eichen im Aargau – eine besondere Verantwortung für das Fricktal | Oak in the canton of Argovia – a special responsibility for the Fricktal

Schweizerische Zeitschrift fur Forstwesen ◽

10.3188/szf.2003.0281 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 154 (7) ◽

pp. 281-288

Author(s):

Kurt Steck

Keyword(s):

Simple Model ◽

Genetic Resources ◽

Forest Stands ◽

Site Factor ◽

Naturally Occurring ◽

Ecological Aspects ◽

Endangered Population ◽

Middle Spotted Woodpecker ◽

Special Responsibility ◽

Important Site

A targeted nurturing of oak in the canton of Argovia goes against the natural development of forest stands where the dominant, naturally occurring species is beech. Because of this,afforestation with oak is both work intensive and costly and is therefore concentrated on sites where silvicultural, economical and ecological aspects have been taken into account. With the help of a simple model showing areas where, above all,oak is nurtured, comprehensively mapped forest stands were classed according to competitiveness and correlated to thermal levels, that represent an important site factor for oak. One important aspect surrounding the issue is the preservation of genetic resources and an adequate supply of appropriate seed from chosen autochthonal, indigenous oak stands. In addition,the endangered population of middle spotted woodpecker,which is tied to widespread sites of aged oak-rich deciduous stands, should be fostered. Taking ecological priorities into account a possible area to nurture oak has been demarcated in the Fricktal.

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