Project description:The aim of the study was to identify genes which are differentially expressed in the peripheral blood nuclear cells of two breeds of cattle (Holstein-Friesian and Polish Red) and cervine in different points in their physiological states (dry-off period, peak of lactation) RNA from peripheral blood nuclear cells taken from cattle and cervine in peak lactation and dry period were hybridized to Agilent two color microarrays with a common reference. There were four Holstein-Friesian cattle, four Polish Red cattle and four deer investigated. The whole blood was drawn in two time point from each animal – during dry period and peak lactation. This means that there were six research groups (Holstein-Friesian cattle in dry period and Holstein-Friesian cattle in peak lactation; Polish Red cattle in dry period and Polish Red cattle in peak lactation; Deer in dry period and Deer in peak lactation). Using Gene Spring Software (one-way ANOVA and Tukey's HSD Post-hoc test) three lists of differentially expressed transcripts were obtained: a list of 576 transcripts which differ deer in dry period and in peak lactation, a list of 437 transcripts which differ Holstein-Friesian cattle in dry period and in peak lactation and a list of 158 transcripts which differ Polish Red cattle in dry period and in peak lactation.
Project description:Here we show the potential of proteins preserved in Pleistocene eggshell for addressing a longstanding controversy in human and evolution: the identity of the extinct bird that laid the eggs which were exploited by Australia’s first inhabitants. The eggs had been originally attributed to the iconic extinct flightless Genyornis newtoni, and subsequently dated to before 50 ±5 ka by Miller et al. (2016). This was taken to represent the extinction date for this endemic megafaunal species and thus implied a role of humans in its demise. A contrasting hypothesis, according to which the eggshell was laid by a large megapode (mound-builder), would therefore acquit humans of their responsibility in the extinction of Genyornis. Ancient protein sequences were reconstructed and used to assess the evolutionary proximity of the undetermined eggshell to extant birds, rejecting the megapode hypothesis. Ancient DNA could not be retrieved from these highly degraded samples, but morphometric data supported the attribution of the eggshell to Genyornis. When used in triangulation to address well-defined hypotheses, palaeoproteomics is a precious tool for reconstructing the evolutionary history of extinct and extant species. Here we show that the identification of Genyornis eggshell implies a more nuanced understanding of the modes of interactions between humans and their environment.
Project description:Studies of the gene expression profiles associated with the postnatal late growth, development and aging of skeletal muscle are lacking in sika deer. To understand the molecular mechanisms of the growth and development of sika deer skeletal muscle, we used de novo RNA-seq analyses to determine the differential expression of unigenes from skeletal muscle tissues at 1, 3, 5, and 10-year-old in sika deer. A total of 51716 unigenes were identified based on four mRNA libraries. 2044 unigenes were differentially expressed between adolescence and juvenile sika deer, 1946 unigenes were differentially expressed between adult and adolescence sika deer, and 2209 unigenes were differentially expressed between aged and adult sika deer. GO and KEGG analyses showed that DE unigenes were mainly related to energy and substance metabolism, processes that are closely associate with growth, development and aging of skeletal muscle. We also constructed mRNA-mRNA interaction networks related to growth, development and aging of skeletal muscle. The results showed that Myh1, Myh2, Myh7, ACTN3 etc. may play important roles in muscle growth and development, and WWP1, DEK, UCP3, FUS etc. may have key roles in muscle aging. In this study, we determined the dynamic unigenes transcriptome in muscle tissue for the first time in sika deer. The age-dependent unigenes identified will offer insights into the molecular mechanism underlying muscle development, growth and maintenance and also provide valuable information for sika deer genetic breeding.
Project description:Studies of the miRNA expression profiles associated with the postnatal late growth, development and aging of skeletal muscle are lacking in sika deer. To understand the molecular mechanisms of the growth and development of sika deer skeletal muscle, we used de novo RNA-seq analyses to determine the differential expression of miRNAs from skeletal muscle tissues at 1, 3, 5, and 10-year-old in sika deer. A total of 171 known miRNAs and 60 novel miRNAs were identified based on four small RNA libraries. 11 miRNAs were differentially expressed between adolescence and juvenile sika deer, 4 miRNAs were differentially expressed between adult and adolescence sika deer, and 1 miRNAs were differentially expressed between aged and adult sika deer. GO and KEGG analyses showed that miRNA were mainly related to energy and substance metabolism, processes that are closely associate with growth, development and aging of skeletal muscle. We also constructed mRNA-mRNA and miRNA-mRNA interaction networks related to growth, development and aging of skeletal muscle. The results showed that miR-133a, miR-133c, miR-192, miR-151-3p etc. may play important roles in muscle growth and development, and miR-17-5p, miR-378b, miR-199a-5p, miR-7 etc. may have key roles in muscle aging. In this study, we determined the dynamic miRNA in muscle tissue for the first time in sika deer. The age-dependent miRNAs identified will offer insights into the molecular mechanism underlying muscle development, growth and maintenance and also provide valuable information for sika deer genetic breeding.
Project description:To elucidate the complex physiological process of the growth, development and immunity response of Sika Deer, this study evaluated the changes of miRNA profiles in the four developmental stages (juvenile, adolescence, adult and aged) of ten tissue (adrenal, antler, brain, heart, kidney, lung, liver, skeletal muscle, spleen and testes). The results showed that a total of 306 known miRNAs and 143 novel miRNAs were obtained. Many miRNAs displayed organ-specificity and age-specificity. The largest number of miRNAs were enriched in the brain, some of which were shared only between the brain and adrenal. These miRNAs were involved in maintaining specific functions within the brain and adrenal. Additionally, the adolescence-adult transition of Sika Deer was a crucial stage in its life cycle. In conclusion, our study provided abundant data support for the current research Sika Deer. It also contributes to understand the role of miRNAs play in regulating the growth, development and immunity response of Sika Deer.
Project description:An Infinium microarray platform (GPL28271, HorvathMammalMethylChip40) was used to generate DNA methylation data from blood samples of roe deer n=94 blood samples
Project description:We present the analysis of an osseous finger ring from an early Neolithic context in Denmark. To characterise the artefact and identify the raw material used for its manufacture, we performed micro-computed tomography (Micro CT) scanning, zooarchaeology by mass spectrometry (ZooMS) peptide mass fingerprinting, as well as protein sequencing by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). We found that the ring was made from long bone or antler due to the presence of osteons (Haversian canals). Subsequent ZooMS analysis of the collagen present indicated that it was made from either elk (Alces alces) or red deer (Cervus elaphus) material. We then used LC-MS/MS analysis to refine our species identification, confirming that the ring was made from red deer, and to examine other proteins present. This study demonstrates the potential of ancient proteomics for species identification of prehistoric artefacts made from osseous material.