Expression screen by enzyme-linked immunofiltration assay designed for high-throughput purification of affinity-tagged proteins

High-throughput purification of affinity-tagged fusion proteins is currently one of the fastest developing areas of molecular proteomics. A prerequisite for success in protein purification is sufficient soluble protein expression of the target protein in a heterologous host. Hence, a fast and quantitative evaluation of the soluble-protein levels in an expression system is one of the key steps in the entire process. Here we describe a high-throughput expression screen for affinity-tagged fusion proteins based on an enzyme linked immunofiltration assay (ELIFA). An aliquot of a crude Escherichia coli extract containing the analyte, an affinity-tagged protein, is adsorbed onto the membrane. Subsequent binding of specific antibodies followed by binding of a secondary antibody horseradish peroxidase (HRP) complex then allows quantitative evaluation of the analyte using tetramethylbenzidine as the substrate for HRP. The method is accurate and quantitative, as shown by comparison with results from western blotting and an enzymatic glutathione S-transferase (GST) assay. Furthermore, it is a far more rapid assay and less cumbersome than western blotting, lending itself more readily to high-throughput analysis. It can be used at the expression level (cell lysates) or during the subsequent purification steps to monitor yield of specific protein.     

Polymorphism of dopamine receptor D4 exon I corresponding region in chicken

In stockbreeding, there are indications that behavioral traits of livestock have an effect on breeding and production. If the variation in individual behavior is related to that in neurotransmitter-related genes such as in humans, it would be possible to breed pedigrees composed of individuals having behavioral traits that are useful to production and breeding using selection based on genotypes. In this study, we investigated the exon I region of dopamine receptor D4 (DRD4), in which variation is related to psychiatric disorder in humans, in major poultry species namely Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica), chicken (Gallus gallus), ring-necked pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) and helmeted guinea fowl (Numida meleagris). Furthermore, we investigated Japanese cormorant (Phalacrocorax capillatus) and Japanese jungle crow (Corvus macrorhynchos) as an out-group. In these species of birds, the repeat of proline was identified in the region corresponding to the human polymorphic region. The repeat number was 9 in Japanese quail, ring-necked pheasant and Japanese cormorant; 12 in helmeted guinea fowl; and 3 in Japanese jungle crow. However, no polymorphism was found in these species. In contrast, polymorphism was observed in chicken and two alleles with 8 and 9 repeats were identified. Although 9 repeats (allele 9) were predominant in most chicken breeds, Black Minorca had only 8 repeats (allele 8). Intra-breed polymorphism was found in 6 out of 12 breeds, and two alleles (alleles 8 and 9) were detected in these breeds. This polymorphism, which is the first to be reported on a neurotransmitter-related gene in birds, would contribute significant information for elucidation of differences in behavioral traits in chicken breeds.     

Diversity and evolution of the highly polymorphic tandem repeat LEI0258 in the chicken MHC-B region

The chicken major histocompatibility complex (MHC) is located on the microchromosome 16 and is described as the most variable region in the genome. The genes of the MHC play a central role in the immune system. Particularly, genes encoding proteins involved in the antigen presentation to T cells. Therefore, describing the genetic polymorphism of this region is crucial in understanding host–pathogen interactions. The tandem repeat LEI0258 is located within the core area of the B region of the chicken MHC (MHC-B region) and its genotypes correlate with serology. This marker was used to provide a picture of the worldwide diversity of the chicken MHC-B region and to categorize chicken MHC haplotypes. More than 1,600 animals from 80 different populations or lines of chickens from Africa, Asia, and Europe, including wild fowl species, were genotyped at the LEI0258 locus. Fifty novel alleles were described after sequencing. The resulting 79 alleles were classified into 12 clusters, based on the SNPs and indels found within the sequences flanking the repeats. Furthermore, hypotheses were formulated on the evolutionary dynamics of the region. This study constitutes the largest variability report for the chicken MHC and establishes a framework for future diversity or association studies.     

Detection of lyssavirus antigen and antibody levels among apparently healthy and suspected rabid dogs in South-Eastern Nigeria

Objectives

Domestic dogs are the main reservoir of rabies virus (RABV) infection in Nigeria, thus surveillance of rabies in dog populations is crucial in order to understand the patterns of spread of infection and ultimately devise an appropriate rabies control strategy. This study determined the presence of lyssavirus antigen in brain tissues and anti-rabies antibodies in sera of apparently healthy and suspected-rabid dogs slaughtered for human consumption at local markets in South-Eastern Nigeria.

Results

Our findings demonstrated that 8.3% (n?=?23) of brain tissues were lyssavirus positive and 2.5% (n?=?25) of sera had rabies antibody levels as percentage blocking of 70% and above correlating with a cut-off value?≥?0.5 IU/mL in the fluorescent antibody neutralization test. There was an inverse correlation between lyssavirus positivity and rabies antibody levels confirming that infected individuals most often do not develop virus neutralizing antibodies to the disease. The low percentage of rabies antibodies in this dog population suggests a susceptible population at high risk to RABV infection. These findings highlight a huge challenge to national rabies programs and subsequent elimination of the disease from Nigeria, considering that majority of dogs are confined to rural communal areas, where parenteral dog vaccination is not routinely undertaken.