Crested gibbon (Hylobates [Nomascus]) identification using noninvasively obtained DNA

The development of captive breeding programs for the crested gibbons (Hylobates [Nomascus]) of Indochina is hindered by the difficulty of sorting individuals into their correct species and subspecies groups. We describe taxon-specific DNA sequence variation in a 252-base pair region of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene, which can be used to identify individuals of the three taxa of crested gibbon commonly found in Western zoos. These molecular genetic markers can be amplified from plucked hair and will permit the identification of morphologically similar females and crested gibbons of either sex of unknown origin. Noninvasive genotyping of captive animals will facilitate the genetic management of these critically endangered primates. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Canine 5S rRNA: nucleotide sequence and chromosomal assignment of its gene cluster in four canid species

The purpose of this study was to determine the nucleotide sequence of canine 5S rRNA and use this information to develop a molecular probe to assign the gene locus to chromosomes of the dog and three other related canid species using fluorescence in situ hybridization. The nucleotide sequence of canine liver 5S rRNA is 120 base pairs long and identical to the 5S rRNA nucleotide sequence of all other mammalian species investigated so far. A single 5S rRNA gene cluster was localized pericentromerically on chromosomes of four canid species: dog 4q1.3, red fox 4q1.3, blue fox 3q1.3 and Chinese raccoon dog 8q1.3. Chromosome arms carrying the 5S rRNA gene cluster showed striking similarities in their QFQ banding patterns, suggesting high conservation of these chromosome arms among the four species studied. The chromosomal assignments of 5S rRNA genes are among the first gene mapping results for the blue fox and the Chinese raccoon dog, and are in accordance with published data on comparative chromosome maps from human, dog, red fox, blue fox and raccoon dogs.     

Allelic heterogeneity of FGF5 mutations causes the long‐hair phenotype in dogs

Hitherto, the only known mutant gene leading to the long‐hair phenotype in mammals is the fibroblast growth factor 5 (FGF5). In many dog breeds, the previously discovered FGF5:p.Cys95Phe mutation appeared completely concordant with the long‐hair phenotype, but for some breeds, the long‐hair phenotype could not be resolved. First, we studied the role of the FGF5:p.Cys95Phe and FGF5:g.145_150dupACCAGC mutations in 268 dogs descending from 27 breeds and seven wolves. As these mutations did not explain all the long‐hair phenotypes, all exons and their neighbouring regions of FGF5 were re‐sequenced. We detected three novel mutations in the coding sequence and one novel non‐coding splice‐site mutation in FGF5 associated with the long‐hair phenotype. The FGF5:p.Ala193Val polymorphism was perfectly consistent with long hair in Akitas and probably in Siberian huskies, too. Dogs of the long‐hair breed Samoyed were either homozygous or compound heterozygous for the FGF5:p.Ala193Val or the FGF5:p.Cys95Phe polymorphisms respectively. The two newly detected polymorphisms FGF5:c.559_560dupGG and FGF5:g.8193T>A and the known mutation FGF5:p.Cys95Phe explained the long‐hair phenotype of all Afghan hounds analysed. An FGF5:c.556_571del16 mutation was found in one longhaired Eurasier. All long‐hair‐associated mutations follow a recessive mode of inheritance, and allelic heterogeneity was a common finding in breeds other than Akita.     

Inheritance of colour and coat in the Belgian Shepherd dog

The several colours and coats of the Belgian Shepherd dog are shown to be due primary to combinations of the following genes: dominant black (A ^s ), dominant yellow (A ^y ), chinchilla (ch), long hair (l) and wire hair (Wh). The gene for black and tan (a ^t ) is or has been present in the breed. All of the dominant yellow dogs exhibit a black facial mask and extensive suffusion of black guard hairs on the body.     

A comparative analysis of MC4R gene sequence, polymorphism, and chromosomal localization in Chinese raccoon dog and Arctic fox

Numerous mutations of the human melanocortin receptor type 4 (MC4R) gene are responsible for monogenic obesity, and some of them appear to be associated with predisposition or resistance to polygenic obesity. Thus, this gene is considered a functional candidate for fat tissue accumulation and body weight in domestic mammals. The aim of the study was comparative analysis of chromosome localization, nucleotide sequence, and polymorphism of the MC4R gene in two farmed species of the Canidae family, namely the Chinese raccoon dog (Nycterutes procyonoides procyonoides) and the arctic fox (Alopex lagopus). The whole coding sequence, including fragments of 3'UTR and 5'UTR, shows 89% similarity between the arctic fox (1276 bp) and Chinese raccoon dog (1213 bp). Altogether, 30 farmed Chinese raccoon dogs and 30 farmed arctic foxes were searched for polymorphisms. In the Chinese raccoon dog, only one silent substitution in the coding sequence was identified; whereas in the arctic fox, four InDels and two single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the 5'UTR and six silent SNPs in the exon were found. The studied gene was mapped by FISH to the Chinese raccoon dog chromosome 9 (NPP9q1.2) and arctic fox chromosome 24 (ALA24q1.2-1.3). The obtained results are discussed in terms of genome evolution of species belonging to the family Canidae and their potential use in animal breeding.     

The zebrafish dog-eared mutation disrupts eya1, a gene required for cell survival and differentiation in the inner ear and lateral line

To understand the molecular basis of sensory organ development and disease, we have cloned and characterized the zebrafish mutation dog-eared (dog) that is defective in formation of the inner ear and lateral line sensory systems. The dog locus encodes the eyes absent-1 (eya1) gene and single point mutations were found in three independent dog alleles, each prematurely truncating the expressed protein within the Eya domain. Moreover, morpholino-mediated knockdown of eya1 gene function phenocopies the dog-eared mutation. In zebrafish, the eya1 gene is widely expressed in placode-derived sensory organs during embryogenesis but Eya1 function appears to be primarily required for survival of sensory hair cells in the developing ear and lateral line neuromasts. Increased levels of apoptosis occur in the migrating primordia of the posterior lateral line in dog embryos and as well as in regions of the developing otocyst that are mainly fated to give rise to sensory cells of the cristae. Importantly, mutation of the EYA1 or EYA4 gene causes hereditary syndromic deafness in humans. Determination of eya gene function during zebrafish organogenesis will facilitate understanding the molecular etiology of human vestibular and hearing disorders.     

用组合模型综合比较的方法分析气候变化对朱鹮潜在生境的影响

气候变化的不确定性和物种与环境关系的不确定性使气候变化生物学的研究充满变数。为了降低不确定性,人们开始用组合模型综合比较的方法研究物种对气候变化的响应。以朱鹮(Nipponia nippon)为研究对象,介绍组合模型综合比较方法的特点。朱鹮曾经高度濒危,目前种群大小在迅速恢复中;然而其分布区依旧狭小,气候变化可能是朱鹮面临的新威胁。应用BIOMOD模型中的9种模型,选择了每年的最低温和最高温、温度的季节性变异、每年的总降水量和降水的季节性变异共5个气候因子,依据WorldClim气候数据的CGCM2气候模型的A2a排放情形,计算了朱鹮当前(1950—2000年)的适宜生境和2020年、2050年、2080年3个阶段的潜在生境范围。结果表明朱鹮潜在生境将逐渐北移,生境中心脱离现在的保护区。因此,制定朱鹮的长期保护策略是必要的。9个模型在预测结果上、变量权重上和拟合优度的指标上都有差异,反映了模型本身的不确定性。气候变化的生物学效应比较复杂,应用多个模型进行综合比较,可以尽可能地减少模型所导致的误差。     

Adding value to a recalcitrant and problematic waste: the use of dog hair for fungal keratinolytic protease production

Abstract

The demand for keratinolytic proteases has increased in recent years, in view of their applications in the feed, detergent, fertilizer, leather and textile industries. Recently, studies have focussed on exploration of new and inexpensive carbon sources for their production. Among keratin wastes, dog hair presents no utility and is an environmental concern. In this study, we evaluate the feasibility of using white and melanized dog hair (WDH and MDH, respectively) as alternative substrates for protease production by a Fusarium oxysporum strain. The effects of dog hair concentration, cultivation period, and medium pH on alkaline protease production were investigated using a central composite rotary design (CCRD) and response surface methodology (RSM). The optimization process increased protease activity 14.85- and 7.19-fold, using WDH and MDH, respectively. The alkaline proteases produced from WDH and MDH showed distinct biochemical characteristics. To our knowledge, this is the first report on biotechnological use of this problematic, waste residue. Our results open new avenues for conversion of dog hair into other valuable products, especially feed or fertilizer.     

Molecular Cloning and Biochemical Analysis of Tyrosinase from the Crested Ibis in China

The crested ibis, one of the most endangered birds in the world, could benefit from research into its genetic diversity as a tool for conservation in the future. Tyrosinase is thought to play a major role in the production of common yellow to black melanins in birds. We have cloned and sequenced four exons of the crested ibis tyrosinase gene and discovered that the amino acid sequence has high similarity to zebra finch tyrosinase (93?%), followed by chicken (91?%) and quail (91?%). Some functional and structural domains in the crested ibis tyrosinase coding area were found to be conserved during evolution. Nine sequence variants were found in the partial coding sequence, one in exon 1 and eight in exon 4. Sequence variant 1 (SV1) shows intermediate polymorphism (0.25?<?PIC?<?0.5), and further study is needed to determine whether it can be used as a potential molecular marker in crested ibis artificial breeding programs.     

Association of MC3R gene polymorphisms with body weight in the red fox and comparative gene organization in four canids

There are five genes encoding melanocortin receptors. Among canids, the genes have mainly been studied in the dog (MC1R, MC2R and MC4R). The MC4R gene has also been analysed in the red fox. In this report, we present a study of chromosome localization, comparative sequence analysis and polymorphism of the MC3R gene in the dog, red fox, arctic fox and Chinese raccoon dog. The gene was localized by FISH to the following chromosome: 24q24‐25 in the dog, 14p16 in the red fox, 18q13 in the arctic fox and NPP4p15 in the Chinese raccoon dog. A high identity level of the MC3R gene sequences was observed among the species, ranging from 96.0% (red fox – Chinese raccoon dog) to 99.5% (red fox – arctic fox). Altogether, eight polymorphic sites were found in the red fox, six in the Chinese raccoon dog and two in the dog, while the arctic fox appeared to be monomorphic. In addition, association of several polymorphisms with body weight was analysed in red foxes (the number of genotyped animals ranged from 319 to 379). Two polymorphisms in the red fox, i.e. a silent substitution c.957A>C and c.*185C>T in the 3′‐flanking sequence, showed a significant association (P < 0.01) with body weight.     

Genetic variation at hair length candidate genes in elephants and the extinct woolly mammoth

Background  

Like humans, the living elephants are unusual among mammals in being sparsely covered with hair. Relative to extant elephants, the extinct woolly mammoth, Mammuthus primigenius, had a dense hair cover and extremely long hair, which likely were adaptations to its subarctic habitat. The fibroblast growth factor 5 (FGF5) gene affects hair length in a diverse set of mammalian species. Mutations in FGF5 lead to recessive long hair phenotypes in mice, dogs, and cats; and the gene has been implicated in hair length variation in rabbits. Thus, FGF5 represents a leading candidate gene for the phenotypic differences in hair length notable between extant elephants and the woolly mammoth. We therefore sequenced the three exons (except for the 3' UTR) and a portion of the promoter of FGF5 from the living elephantid species (Asian, African savanna and African forest elephants) and, using protocols for ancient DNA, from a woolly mammoth.     

Molecular and therapeutic characterization of anti-ectodysplasin A receptor (EDAR) agonist monoclonal antibodies

The TNF family ligand ectodysplasin A (EDA) and its receptor EDAR are required for proper development of skin appendages such as hair, teeth, and eccrine sweat glands. Loss of function mutations in the Eda gene cause X-linked hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia (XLHED), a condition that can be ameliorated in mice and dogs by timely administration of recombinant EDA. In this study, several agonist anti-EDAR monoclonal antibodies were generated that cross-react with the extracellular domains of human, dog, rat, mouse, and chicken EDAR. Their half-life in adult mice was about 11 days. They induced tail hair and sweat gland formation when administered to newborn EDA-deficient Tabby mice, with an EC(50) of 0.1 to 0.7 mg/kg. Divalency was necessary and sufficient for this therapeutic activity. Only some antibodies were also agonists in an in vitro surrogate activity assay based on the activation of the apoptotic Fas pathway. Activity in this assay correlated with small dissociation constants. When administered in utero in mice or at birth in dogs, agonist antibodies reverted several ectodermal dysplasia features, including tooth morphology. These antibodies are therefore predicted to efficiently trigger EDAR signaling in many vertebrate species and will be particularly suited for long term treatments.     

Effects of Cover on Loud Trill-Call and Soft Seet-Call Use in the Crested tit Parus Cristatus

Predation is one of the main factors responsible for winter mortality in small birds. Contact vocalizations of crested tits ( Parus cristatus ) can be divided into two categories: long- and short-range communication calls. The long-range calls are loud, frequency-modulated trills, which are well suited for acoustic communication over long distances. The short-range calls, in contrast, are soft, high-pitched tones, which are strongly attenuated as they radiate through the environment. As the predation cost in this species is mostly associated with the use of loud calls, we investigated whether crested tits adjust the use of loud trill-calls and of soft seet-calls to changes in habitat safety. We arranged two feeding sites that differed with respect to predicted safety, and observed the utterance of loud trill-calls and soft seet-calls. Calling rates of the loud trill-calls were highest when male crested tits foraged at the safe site. The loud trill-calls were given significantly less often while visiting risky feeders placed just a few metres away from the safe sites. The soft seet-calls were uttered both at risky and safe feeders at similar rates. This study suggests that the long-range part of contact communication in crested tits is strongly affected by the level of perceived predation risk. In accordance with the data on hearing ability of predators, dominant male crested tits decrease their exposure to predation in risky habitats by choosing a less risky type of communication with high-pitched sounds.     

The site of the action of the angora-Y gene and its interaction with the fuzzy-Y gene in the mouse

The site of action of the goY mutant gene was determined in the aggregation chimaeras C57BL-goY/goY----DBA (+/+). Chimerism was detected by mosaicism of coat pigmentation and electrophoretic pattern of glucose phosphate isomerase. In 28-day-old chimaeras the regions of light-brown coat alternated black coat, stripes of short hairs alternated those of long hairs. These stripes of different length and width extended from spine in lateral-ventral direction. The hairs plucked from long hairs stripes had a similar length that those of goY/goY mice of same age, but the hairs plucked from short hair stripes corresponded to the hair length of +/+ mice. These data show that the goY gene acts in epidermal cells of hair follicles and its expression is autonomous. It has been established that in double homozygotes goY/goYfzY/fzY both mutant genes are expressed: the considerable increase of hair length as compared to norm--the effect of the goY gene and curly coat--the effect of the fzY gene. In goY/goYfzY/fzY mice during the formation of G1 guard hairs the incomplete expression of the goY gene is observed that is due to the suppression of hair growth by the fzY mutant gene. The fzY gene does not suppress the growth of G2 hairs and therefore the full expression of the goY gene occurs in goY/goYfzY/fzY adult mice.     

Reviewing population studies for forensic purposes: Dog?mitochondrial DNA

The identification of dog hair through mtDNA analysis has become increasingly important in the last 15 years, as it can provide associative evidence connecting victims and suspects. The evidential value of an mtDNA match between dog hair and its potential donor is determined by the random match probability of the haplotype. This probability is based on the haplotype’s population frequency estimate. Consequently, implementing a population study representative of the population relevant to the forensic case is vital to the correct evaluation of the evidence. This paper reviews numerous published dog mtDNA studies and shows that many of these studies vary widely in sampling strategies and data quality. Therefore, several features influencing the representativeness of a population sample are discussed. Moreover, recommendations are provided on how to set up a dog mtDNA population study and how to decide whether or not to include published data. This review emphasizes the need for improved dog mtDNA population data for forensic purposes, including targeting the entire mitochondrial genome. In particular, the creation of a publicly available database of qualitative dog mtDNA population studies would improve the genetic analysis of dog traces in forensic casework.     

Fructans in crested wheatgrass leaves

Crested wheatgrass is an important cool-season grass that has become naturalized in many semiarid regions of the western U.S. It provides ground cover and reduces soil erosion caused by water and wind. Additionally, crested wheatgrass produces important forage for livestock and wildlife on 6 to 8 million hectars of western rangeland. It is well adapted to semiarid cold desert regions because of its cool temperature growth and drought tolerance. Understanding the biosynthesis of fructans in crested wheatgrass is important because of their likely role in both cool temperature growth and drought tolerance. Recent research described a major gene (6-SFT) in crested wheatgrass that is involved in fructan biosynthesis. 1-kestotriose, the major DP3 fructan in crested wheatgrass, serves as the substrate for the two major DP4 fructans, 1&6-kestotetraose and 1,1-kestotetraose. The three major DP5 fructans are 1&6,1-kestopentaose, 1,1&6-kestopentaose and 1,1,1-kestopentaose. The major DP6 fructan is 1&6, 1&6-kestohexaose. We postulate that 1&6,1&6-kestohexaose is synthesized from the addition of a fructose to 1&6, 1-kestopentaose. This paper provides structures of the various DP 3, 4, 5 and 6 fructan types produced by crested wheatgrass and provides suggested biosynthetic pathways for all major fructan linkage types present.     

The long and the short of it: evidence that FGF5 is a major determinant of canine 'hair'-itability

Hair length in dogs has been known for many years to be primarily controlled by a limited number of genes, but none of the genes have been identified. One of these genes produces a recessively inherited long-haired phenotype that has been thought to explain the bulk of hair-length variation among many breeds. Sequence analysis of the FGF5 gene in short and long-haired corgis resulted in the identification of two coding region differences: a duplication in a relatively non-conserved region of the gene and a missense mutation, resulting in the substitution of Phe for Cys, in a highly conserved region. Genotyping of 218 dogs from three breeds fixed for long hair, eight breeds fixed for short hair and five breeds in which long hair is segregating provided evidence that the missense mutation is associated with the hair-length differences among these breeds.     

Two candidate genes (FTO and INSIG2) for fat accumulation in four canids: chromosome mapping, gene polymorphisms and association studies of body and skin weight of red foxes

Fat accumulation is a polygenic trait which has a significant impact on human health and animal production. Obesity is also an increasingly serious problem in dog breeding. The FTO and INSIG2 are considered as candidate genes associated with predisposition for human obesity. In this report we present a comparative genomic analysis of these 2 genes in 4 species belonging to the family Canidae - the dog and 3 species which are kept in captivity for fur production, i.e. red fox, arctic fox and Chinese raccoon dog. We cytogenetically mapped these 2 loci by FISH and compared the entire coding sequence of INSIG2 and a fragment of the coding sequence of FTO. The FTO gene was assigned to the following chromosomes: CFA2q25 (dog), VVU2q21 (red fox), ALA8q25 (arctic fox) and NPP10q24-25 (Chinese raccoon dog), while the INSIG2 was mapped to CFA19q17, VVU5p14, ALA24q15 and NPP9q22, respectively. Altogether, 29 SNPs were identified (16 in INSIG2 and 13 in FTO) and among them 2 were missense substitutions in the dog (23C/T, Thr>Met in the FTO gene and 40C/A, Arg>Ser in INSIG2). The distribution of these 2 SNPs was studied in 14 dog breeds. Two synonymous SNPs, one in the FTO gene (-28T>C in the 5'-flanking region) and one in the INSIG2 (10175C>T in intron 2), were used for the association studies in red foxes (n = 390) and suggestive evidence was observed for their association with body weight (FTO, p < 0.08) and weight of raw skin (INSIG2, p < 0.05). These associations indicate that both genes are potential candidates for growth or adipose tissue accumulation in canids. We also suggest that the 2 missense substitutions found in dogs should be studied in terms of genetic predisposition to obesity.     

Eight polymorphic microsatellite loci for the critically endangered crested ibis,Nipponia nippon (Ciconiiformes: Threskiornithidae)

The Chinese crested ibis, Nipponia nippon, is a critically endangered bird. The current population of this species has developed from four wild individuals rediscovered in 1981. Given its conservation status, there is considerable interest in assessing the genetic diversity and individual relatedness in this species. For this purpose, a set of eight polymorphic di‐ or trinucleotide microsatellite loci was developed for the crested ibis. The expected heterozygosity at these loci ranges from 0.01 to 0.50, with less than four alleles being observed at individual loci, a reflection of the serious population bottleneck experienced by this species.