Transcriptomic profiling of proteases and antiproteases in the liver of sexually mature hens in relation to vitellogenesis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Most egg yolk precursors are synthesized by the liver, secreted into the blood and transferred into oocytes, to provide nutrients and bioactive molecules for the avian embryo. Three hundred and sixteen distinct proteins have been identified in egg yolk. These include 37 proteases and antiproteases, which are likely to play a role in the formation of the yolk (vitellogenesis), as regulators of protein metabolism. We used a transcriptomic approach to define the protease and antiprotease genes specifically expressed in the hen liver in relation to vitellogenesis by comparing sexually mature and pre-laying chickens showing different steroid milieu.

Results

Using a 20 K chicken oligoarray, a total of 582 genes were shown to be over-expressed in the liver of sexually ma

SUBMITTER: Bourin M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3495648 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature