Sox andZfx genes in giant panda

By using PCR cloning techniques, the DNA sequences of the HMG box regions of sixSox genes (pSox) and the zinc finger domains of twoZfz genes (pZfx) in the giant panda were identified. The giant pandaSox genes fell into two subfamilies,SOX-S1 andSOX-S2. ThepSox andpZfx genes of the giant panda were highly homologous to the corresponding genes in mammals and revealed close substitution rates to those in the primates.     

Sox and Zfx genes in giant panda

By using PCR cloning techniques, the DNA sequences of the HMG box regions of sixSox genes (pSox) and the zinc finger domains of twoZfz genes (pZfx) in the giant panda were identified. The giant pandaSox genes fell into two subfamilies,SOX-S1 andSOX-S2. ThepSox andpZfx genes of the giant panda were highly homologous to the corresponding genes in mammals and revealed close substitution rates to those in the primates. Project supported by the Fok Ying Tung Education Foundation, the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 39770392) and Wuhan Chenguang Plan.     

Effects of active immunization against porcine Sox6 on meat quality and myosin heavy chain isoform expression in growing-finishing pigs

A feeding trial for 91 days was conducted to investigate effects of active immunization against porcine Sox6 (pSox6) on meat quality and myosin heavy chain (MyHC) isoform expression in growing-finishing pigs. Twenty-four castrated Duroc?×?Landrace?×?Yarkshire pigs were randomly divided into three groups: (1) Control group; (2) 1?mg/head pSox6 active immunity group; (3) 4?mg/head pSox6 active immunity group (4?mg/head group). The results showed that pigs in 4?mg/head group had a greater a* (Redness) and a higher marbling score, while no significant effect was observed in L* (Lightness), b* (Yellowness), intramuscular fat and cooking loss. Muscle succinic dehydrogenase activity in pSox6 active immunization groups was significantly increased, and muscle lactate dehydrogenase activity was significantly reduced. Meanwhile, active immunization against pSox6 upregulated the mRNA expression of MyHC I, while no effect was observed on the mRNA expressions of MyHC IIa, MyHC IIx, MyHC IIb. In addition, pigs in the 4?mg/head group exhibited lower Sox6 mRNA level and higher MyHC I protein level, while no significant influence was observed on MyHC IIb protein level. Together, our data imply that active immunization against pSox6 could improve the pork quality and promote the MyHC I expression in growing-finishing pigs.     

Mice null for sox18 are viable and display a mild coat defect

We have previously shown that Sox18 is expressed in developing vascular endothelium and hair follicles during mouse embryogenesis and that point mutations in Sox18 are the underlying cause of cardiovascular and hair follicle defects in ragged (Ra) mice. Here we describe the analysis of Sox18(-/-) mice produced by gene targeting. Despite the profound defects seen in Ra mice, Sox18(-/-) mice have no obvious cardiovascular defects and only a mild coat defect with a reduced proportion of zigzag hairs. A reduction in the amount of pheomelanin pigmentation in hair shafts was also observed; later-forming hair follicles showed a reduced subapical pheomelanin band, giving Sox18(-/-) mice a slightly darker appearance than Sox18(+/+) and Sox18(+/-) siblings. Sox18(-/-) mice are viable and fertile and show no difference in the ability to thrive relative to littermates. Because of the mild effect of the mutation on the phenotype of Sox18(-/-) mice, we conclude that the semidominant nature of the Ra mutations is due to a trans-dominant negative effect mediated by the mutant SOX18 proteins rather than haploinsufficiency as has been observed for other SOX genes. Due to the similarity of SOX18 to other subgroup F SOX proteins, SOX7 and -17, and the overlap in expression of these genes, functional redundancy amongst these SOX proteins could also account for the mild phenotype of Sox18(-/-) mice.     

扬子鳄4个Sox基因保守区的克隆及序列分析

参考人SRY基因HMG－box的保守区序列,设计一对简并引物,用PCR扩增了扬子鳄Sox基因的HMG－box,并对PCR产物进行了亚克隆和测序。结果在雌雄个体中均筛选到4个不同的Sox基因,无性别差异。其序列与人相应的SOX基因保守区编码序列的相似性分别为91％、96％、100％、96％,分别命名为AS－Sox1,ASSox2,ASSox11,ASSox22。与其他动物相关的Sox/SOX基因的聚类分析结果表明,扬子鳄Sox基因编码的氨基酸序列与进化位置各异的其他动物的Sox/SOX基因编码的氨基酸序列存在高度的同源性,显示出Sox基因在系统进化上的高度保守性。     

赤链蛇Sox基因的克隆及序列分析

参照人SRY基因HMG-box保守区的序列,设计一对兼并引物,采用PCR技术扩增了赤链蛇的Sox基因,并对扩增产物进行了克隆和测序,结果在雌雄个体中共筛选出三个Sox基因,其中有一个为雌雄共有,显示出性别差异性;三个Sox基因编码的氨基酸序列与人相应SOX3,SOX4,SOX22基因的相似性分别为96%,98%,96%。显示出Sox基因在进化上的高度保守性,本文为赤链蛇的性别决定机制研究提供了分子资料。     

Sequencing,annotation and comparative analysis of nine BACs of giant panda (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Ailuropoda melanoleuca</Emphasis>)

A 10-fold BAC library for giant panda was constructed and nine BACs were selected to generate finish sequences. These BACs could be used as a validation resource for the de novo assembly accuracy of the whole genome shotgun sequencing reads of giant panda newly generated by the Illumina GA sequencing technology. Complete sanger sequencing, assembly, annotation and comparative analysis were carried out on the selected BACs of a joint length 878 kb. Homologue search and de novo prediction methods were used to annotate genes and repeats. Twelve protein coding genes were predicted, seven of which could be functionally annotated. The seven genes have an average gene size of about 41 kb, an average coding size of about 1.2 kb and an average exon number of 6 per gene. Besides, seven tRNA genes were found. About 27 percent of the BAC sequence is composed of repeats. A phylogenetic tree was constructed using neighbor-join algorithm across five species, including giant panda, human, dog, cat and mouse, which reconfirms dog as the most related species to giant panda. Our results provide detailed sequence and structure information for new genes and repeats of giant panda, which will be helpful for further studies on the giant panda.     

Four members of the Sox gene family in channel catfish

The homologous sequences of human or mouse SOX1, SOX4 and SOX11 , and one novel Sox gene (named Ccf-SoxN ) were identified in the genome of channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus . Identification of these genes is a potential step in understanding development regulations including sex determination in channel catfish.     

基于线粒体12S对中国两大山系大熊猫西氏贝蛔虫种群遗传多样性的分析

大熊猫是中国特有的珍稀濒危物种,而西氏贝蛔虫是大熊猫体内最为常见的肠道寄生虫,对野生和圈养大熊猫危害极大。考虑到大熊猫因分布区域的差异而形成了不同的亚种以及寄生虫与宿主间广泛的协同进化关系,西氏贝蛔虫是否也存在与大熊猫相适应的亚种分化一直是野生动物学家极其关注和热议的话题。为此,本文选择中国两大山系（岷山和邛崃）大熊猫种群体内共计34株西氏贝蛔虫虫体样本进行种群遗传多态性研究。利用PCR技术扩增出了岷山（14株）和邛崃（20株）西氏贝蛔虫的线粒体12S基因全序列并对其做了遗传多样性分析。结果表明：（1）34个样本包含9个单倍型,呈现出一个高单倍性多样性和低核苷酸多样性的特点;（2）负的Tajima's D和Fu's Fs中性检验值及“多峰型”的种群歧点分布图暗示种群不久前曾经历过突增长的现象;（3）低的种群间的分化系数和高的基因流表明两个地理种群间未形成显著的遗传分化;（4）系统发育树和单倍型网络图表明两山系种群分布无区域特异性。因此,岷山和邛崃山系的大熊猫体内的西氏贝蛔虫种群遗传变异性较低,分化不明显。该发现不仅暗示了西氏贝蛔虫与其宿主（大熊猫）的进化不同步,而且还为不同区域大熊猫西氏贝蛔虫病的监控提供了理论依据。