Identification of differentially expressed genes in Mongolian sheep ovaries by suppression subtractive hybridization

Fecundity is an important trait in sheep. Because it is directly related to production costs and efficiency, it has great economic impact in sheep husbandry. Because Mongolian sheep are a longstanding, indigenous breed, they are genetically related to most other breeds of sheep in China. The study of genes related to reproductive traits is essential to improving the fecundity of Mongolian sheep. In the present study, suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH) was performed using forward and reverse nested primers on cDNA libraries from ovarian tissue of single-bearing (S) and biparous (B) Mongolian sheep (MS). This yielded 768 clones. The length of the inserted fragments ranged from 150 to 1000 bp. From these, dot blot hybridization followed by sequencing and homology blast search in GenBank resolved 373 differentially expressed clones, representing 185 gene sequences (homology >85% and length >200 bp), 10 expressed sequence tags (ESTs; homology >95% and length >100 bp), and 4 unknown ESTs. The analysis of the differentially expressed gene functions allowed these genes to be categorized into seven groups: cell/body or immune defense, metabolism, transportation, nucleic acid modification, cell development, signal transduction, and cell structure. Four differentially expressed genes, a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs 1 (ADAMTS1), inhibitor of DNA binding 3 (ID3), bone morphogenetic protein 6 (BMP6), and integrin beta 1 (ITGB1), were randomly selected and verified using relative quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RQ-PCR). The expression of these genes in BMS ovaries was 30.06, 11.55, 0.82, and 1.12-fold that of SMS ovaries, respectively.     

Identification and characterization of unique and common lncRNAs and mRNAs in the pituitary,ovary, and uterus of Hu sheep with different prolificacy

LncRNAs are regarded as regulators in various animal reproductive physiological processes. However, the regulation of lncRNAs in the reproductive organ development of Hu sheep with different prolificacy remains unknown. Herein, numerous tissue-unique and -common differentially expressed lncRNAs (DELs) and differentially expressed genes (DEGs), and fecundity-unique DELs and DEGs were identified among different comparison groups at horizontal and vertical levels. Moreover, the tissue-unique and -common, and fecundity-unique female reproduction-associated DEGs and DELs were screened, and the interaction networks were constructed. Furthermore, MSTRG.43442.1 was mainly present in the cytoplasm of tested cells. The key genes ADAMTS1 and DCN were mainly localized in the granulosa cells, pituitary cells and/or endometrial epithelial cells of ovary, pituitary and/or uterus. Overall, this study identified large numbers of unique and common DELs and DEGs in the female reproductive organs of Hu sheep with different prolificacy and provided new insights into understanding the regulation of Hu sheep fecundity.     

Differential expression profiling of hypothalamus genes in laying period and ceased period Huoyan geese

The hypothalamus plays a central role in controlling poultry reproductive activity. To increase our understanding of genes involved in egg laying of Huoyan geese, gene profiles in the hypothalamus of laying period and ceased period Huoyan geese were investigated using suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH) method. A total of 95 differentially expressed sequence tags (ESTs), including 46 up-regulated and 49 down-regulated sequences showed homology to known genes of the non-redundant NCBI databases. Bioinformatic analysis demonstrated that these genes were mainly involved in anatomical structure development, signal transduction, cellular nitrogen compound metabolic process, biosynthetic process, cellular protein modification process, cell differentiation, transport, cell adhesion, and reproduction. Ten ESTs were selected for further analyses by quantitative real-time RT-PCR (qRT-PCR). Whose most part of results were consistent with the SSH results. Of note, AdipoR2, Nrg1, and NCAM1, which related with secretion of GnRH and other hormones, were identified to be differentially expressed between laying period and ceased period. These findings provided a new source for mining genes related to higher laying performance of Huoyan geese, which facilitate our understanding of the reproductive biology of the goose.     

抑制消减杂交和辐射小鼠血虚模型筛选"四物汤"诱导表达的基因

应用抑制性消减杂交技术构建受辐射小鼠血虚模型在中药四物汤诱导前后消减cDNA库,并从中克隆鉴定出与四物汤药效相关基因。从受辐射小鼠四物汤诱导前后骨髓细胞中提取mRNA并合成cDNA,分别作为tester和driver进行消减杂交及抑制性PCR,将PCR产物与载体连接构建cDNA库,高效电转化大肠杆菌进行库扩增,随机挑取其中的克隆进行酶切、测序分析。成功构建了具有高消减效率的受辐射小鼠四物汤诱导前后的消减cDNA库。库挑选得到512个阳性克隆。随机挑取30个插入片段测序,生物信息学分析结果显示大部分与红细胞分化、骨髓组织修复、结构重建有密切关系,其中8个为新基因片段。应用抑制性消减杂交技术所构建的受辐射小鼠四物汤诱导前后cDNA消减库为大批量筛选、克隆四物汤药效特异性相关基因奠定了基础。并从分子水平上发现四物汤对抑制凋亡、促进骨髓组织修复和结构重建、诱导红细胞分化的基因具有调节作用,可能和四物汤补血作用有关。     

Screening of genes related to ovary development in Chinese shrimp Fenneropenaeus chinensis by suppression subtractive hybridization

The ovary of triploid shrimp Fenneropenaeus chinensis was apparently impaired compared to that of the diploid shrimp at the same age. Therefore triploid shrimp ovary is possible to be taken as a model to understand the mechanism of ovary development of shrimp compared to that of the ovary of diploid shrimp at the same age. In the present study, a suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH) technique was applied to identify differentially expressed genes in the ovary between diploid and triploid shrimp. For the forward library (RNA from the ovary of triploid shrimp as the tester), 54 genes were identified. For the reverse library (RNA from the ovary of diploid shrimp as the tester), 16 genes were identified. The identified genes encoded proteins with multiple functions, including extracellular matrix components, cytoskeleton, cell growth and death, metabolism, genetic information processing, signal transduction/transport or immunity related proteins. Eleven differentially expressed genes were selected to be confirmed in the ovaries of triploid and diploid shrimp by semi-quantitative RT-PCR. Genes encoding spermatogonial stem-cell renewal factor, cytochrome c oxidase subunits I and II, clottable protein, antimicrobial peptide and transposase showed up-regulated expressions in the ovary of triploid shrimp. Genes encoding tubulin, cellular apoptosis susceptibility protein, farnesoic acid O-methyltransferase, thrombospondin and heat shock protein 90 genes showed higher expressions in the ovary of diploid shrimp. The differential expressions of the above genes are suggested to be related to the ovary development of shrimp. It will provide a new clue to uncover the molecular mechanisms underlying the ovarian development in penaeid shrimp.     

Genome Array of Hair Follicle Genes in Lambskin with Different Patterns

Hu sheep lambskin comes from a specific breed of sheep of China. Hu sheep are considered a protected breed by the Chinese government. The hair follicles of these sheep have three types of waves, large, medium, and small. There are only few histological reports of Hu sheep lambskin, and there are no modern molecular or biological studies, so the molecular mechanisms underlying the formation of hair follicles with different patterns are not currently known. The aim of this article was to study the molecular mechanism of the formation of these types of hair follicles in Hu sheep. Histological and microscopic analysis indicated that the number of follicles with small waves was not significantly higher than the number of follicles with large waves (P>0.05). The diameters of primary and secondary small-wave follicles were significantly smaller than those of large-wave follicles (P<0.05; P<0.01). The ratio between the number primary follicles and the number of secondary follicles was significantly higher among small-wave follicles than among large-wave follicles (P<0.05). Differentially expressed genes in the skin tissue were screened using an Agilent gene chip and RT-PCR. Differential expression analysis revealed 3 groups of large waves and small waves; 1067, 2071, and 3879 differentially expressed genes; and 137 genes common to all 3 groups. Differentially expressed genes were classified using gene ontology. They were found to be mainly involved in cell differentiation, proliferation, apoptosis, growth, immune response, and ion transport. RT-PCR results of 4 differentially expressed genes were consistent with gene chip results. Combined with related literature, our results suggest that BMP7, MMP2, SNAI1, SFXN1, CDKNIC, MT3, and POU1F1 may have important effects on the formation of large-wave and small-wave hair follicles. This study may enrich knowledge of hair follicle development, and may identify the genes responsible for the formation of hair follicles with different patterns.     

血管紧张素Ⅱ诱导心肌成纤维细胞表达上调基因的分离和鉴定

为了对成年大鼠心肌成纤维细胞（cardiac fibroblasts,CF）受血管紧张素Ⅱ（angiotensin Ⅱ,AngⅡ）刺激后上调基因表达谱进行筛选及分析,以受AngⅡ刺激CF为实验方,未刺激CF为驱动方,进行抑制消减杂交（suppression subtractive hybridization,SSH）,建立消减cDNA文库。经斑点杂交筛选文库后将表达变化显著的部分阳性克隆测序及同源性分析,共获得19个上调表达的基因,分别与细胞外基质、细胞周期、胞内信号转导、细胞骨架及细胞代谢等功能相关,并克隆到7个新的基因表达序列标签（expressed sequence tags,EST）。我们的数据证实了SSH可以有效地克隆成年大鼠CF受AngⅡ刺激后上调表达基因,对这些基因的研究将有助于阐明心肌重塑的分子机制。     

肺癌消减杂交文库中共同基因的生物信息学分析及验证

抑制性消减杂交(suppression subtractive hybridization,SSH)技术因操作简单、筛选效率高、假阳性率低等优点,被广泛用于生物与医学领域．该文拟找出用SSH所建立的10个肺癌差异表达基因文库中重复出现的基因,结果显示,其中6个正向杂交文库中,出现2次的基因有41个,出现3次的基因有4个;其中4个反向杂交文库中,出现2次的基因有6个．进一步用生物信息学分析发现,这些重复出现的差异表达基因参与了多种细胞功能,如基因转录、蛋白翻译、细胞粘附、DNA修复、氧化还原反应等,并涉及多条信号通路．值得注意的是,在这些差异表达基因中,核糖体蛋白相关基因占比最多．然后,用实时定量PCR检测文库中的TIMP3、GPX3、HSP90B1、CD9等基因的表达,结果显示,SSH文库中差异表达基因的上调和下调趋势具有较好的特异性．该研究为发现肺癌相关基因提供有价值的线索．     

Transcriptome analysis of differentially expressed genes in rabbits’ ovaries by digital gene-expression profiling

Reproduction is a complex physiological process that is regulated by multiple genes and pathways. Compared with studies of common livestock, fewer studies of genes related to the fertility of rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) have been reported, and the molecular mechanism of their high productivity is still poorly understood. To identify candidate genes associated with development and prolificacy in rabbits, we analyzed gene expression differences among the ovaries of mature Californian rabbit (LC), and mature (HH) and immature Harbin white rabbit (IH) using digital gene expression technology. We detected 885 and 321 genes that were significantly differentially expressed in comparisons between HH/IH and HH/LC, respectively. The functions of the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were determined by GO classification and KEGG pathway analysis. The results suggest that most of the DEGs between the mature and immature developmental stages were predominantly associated with DNA replication, cell cycle, and progesterone-mediated oocyte maturation, and most were up-regulated in the IH group compared with the HH group. The DEGs involved in disparate fecundities between HH and LC were associated with reproduction, fructose and mannose metabolism, steroid hormone biosynthesis, and pyruvate metabolism. Our results will contribute to a better understanding of changes in the regulatory network in ovary at different developmental stages and in different fertility of rabbit.     

Suppression subtractive hybridization cloning of cDNAs of differentially expressed genes in dovetree (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Davidia involucrata</Emphasis>) bracts

A subtracted cDNA library forDavidia involucrata was constructed using suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH). mRNA isolated from young leaves was used as a “driver,” and mRNAs isolated from young bracts were used as “testers.” The differentially expressed cDNA fragments in bracts were identified by differential screening. Of the 16 clones selected randomly from the screened library, 8 were known genes found in GenBank, and 2 had no similar sequences. Northern blot analysis revealed that the expression level of P1A5 cDNAs selected randomly was dominantly expressed in bracts. This indicates that SSH can be used to clone differentially expressed cDNAs inD. involucrata bracts.     

Ribosomal protein L24 is differentially expressed in ovary and testis of the marine shrimp Marsupenaeus japonicus

In order to identify genes involved in oogenesis in shrimp, an ovarian cDNA library of Marsupenaeus japonicus was screened using a suppression-subtraction hybridization (SSH)-enriched probe. More than 20 genes were identified as differentially expressed genes between the ovary and the testis. Unexpectedly, one of these genes is a ribosomal protein that is normally considered a housekeeping gene. Northern blot shows that the shrimp ribosomal protein L24 gene (srpl24) is 0.6 kb in length. The expression level of srpl24 in the ovary is much higher than in the testis. Bioinformatics analyses show that srpl24 encodes a protein of 164 aa with a predicted molecular mass of 18.2 kDa, which is a cytoplasmic ribosomal protein. Real time PCR analyses demonstrated that the relative abundance of srpl24 mRNA in the different organs is: ovary > testis, hepatopancreas, muscle and eye. The highest expression level of srpl24 in the ovary suggests that srpl24 has an important role in oogenesis. It is the first reported rpl24 in crustaceans and is the first reported rpl24 that is differentially expressed between the ovary and the testis in animals.     

Identification of genes differentially expressed in hemocytes of Scylla paramamosain in response to lipopolysaccharide

Although the crab Scylla paramamosain has been cultured in China for a long time, little knowledge is available on how crabs respond to infection by bacteria. A forward suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH) cDNA library was constructed from their hemocytes and the up-regulated genes were identified in order to isolate differentially expressed genes in S. paramamosain in response to bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS). A total of 721 clones on the middle scale in the SSH library were sequenced. Among these genes, 271 potentially functional genes were recognized based on the BLAST searches in NCBI and were categorized into seven groups in association with different biological processes using AmiGO against the Gene Ontology database. Of the 271 genes, 269 translatable DNA sequences were predicted to be proteins, and the putative amino acid sequences were searched for conserved domains and proteins using the CD-Search service and BLASTp. Among 271 genes, 179 (66.1%) were annotated to be involved in different biological processes, while 92 genes (33.9%) were classified as an unknown-function gene group. It was noted that only 18 of the 271 genes (6.6%) had previously been reported in other crustaceans and most of the screened genes showed less similarity to known sequences based on BLASTn results, suggesting that 253 genes were found for the first time in S. paramamosain. Furthermore, two up-regulated genes screened from the SSH library were selected for full-length cDNA sequence cloning and in vivo expression study, including Sp-superoxide dismutase (Sp-Cu-ZnSOD) gene and Sp-serpin gene. The differential expression pattern of the two genes during the time course of LPS challenge was analyzed using real-time PCR. We found that both genes were significantly expressed in LPS-challenged crabs in comparison with control. Taken together, the study primarily provides the data of the up-regulated genes associated with different biological processes in S. paramamosain in response to LPS, by which the interesting genes or proteins potentially involved in the innate immune defense of S. paramamosain will be investigated in future.