Project description:Identification of imprinted genes expressed in adult CD3+ splenocytes Experiment Overall Design: For analysis of imprinted gene expression of uniparental-derived cells in adult recipients we chose eGFP/CD3-double positive splenocytes as a defined cell type, and first identified imprinted genes that are normally expressed in this cell type by microarray analysis of normal eGFP/CD3-double positive splenocytes from an eGFP transgenic B6129 mouse.
Project description:The water vole Arvicola terrestris (= Arvicola amphibious L.) is endemic in Europe where its outbreak generates severe economic losses for farmers. Our project aimed at deciphering the modalities of chemical communication in this species, to develop new sustainable methods for populations control. The water vole, as well as other rodents, uses specific urination sites as territorial and sex pheromone markers, the chemical and biochemical identification of which is still unknown. Lateral scent glands and urine samples were collected from wild males and females caught in the field, at different periods of the year. Volatile signals were searched in urine by SPME/GC-MS, and in lateral scent glands by solvent extraction followed by GC-MS. The volatile composition of urine was analysed for each individual and not on pooled samples, showing no significant difference between males and females. Lateral scent glands contained some volatile components (pyrazines, alcohols, terpenes), and mostly long chain fatty acid esters, again without quantitative and qualitative differences between sexes. Conversely, the urinary protein content, analysed by 1D- and 2D-electrophoresis is different, as only males secrete high levels of lipocalins, whatever the reproduction period. The proteins were identified by mass spectrometry and “de novo” analysis (Orbitrap), which provided specific information to design primers for PCR amplification of cDNA sequences. Thus, urinary proteins were characterized by direct amplification from liver RNA. The identified protein sequences are closed to those of Myodes glareolus, a closely related species of Cricetidae, and to hamster Aphrodisin.
Project description:More than 40 species of mammal have been reported to be infected naturally with Schistosoma japonicum (Chinese mainland strain) in China. The reed vole, Microtus fortis, is the only known mammalian host in which the schistosomes are unable to mature and cause significant pathogenic changes. Gene expression profiling of the 10 day old schistosomula was performed. Microarray analysis was also used to identify differences in gene expression between Schistosoma japonicum schistosomula from BALB/c mice and from Microtus fortis. 10 day old schistosomula were isolated, total RNA obtained and Agilent one colour labeling used. A custom designed Agilent microarray was used to determine what differential gene expression occurs between parasites maintained in either a permissive (mouse) or non-permissive (vole) hosts.
