• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제26권5호
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• pp.609-624
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• 2013

The objective of this study was to get a comprehensive understanding of how genes in chicken shell gland modulate eggshell strength at the early stage of active calcification. Four 32-week old of purebred Xianju hens with consistent high or low shell breakage strength were grouped into two pairs. Using Affymetrix Chicken Array, a whole-transcriptome analysis was performed on hen's shell gland at 9 h post oviposition. Gene ontology enrichment analysis for differentially expressed (DE) transcripts was performed using the web-based GOEAST, and the validation of DE-transcripts was tested by qRT-PCR. 1,195 DE-transcripts, corresponding to 941 unique genes were identified in hens with strong eggshell compared to weak shell hens. According to gene ontology annotations, there are 77 DE-transcripts encoding ion transporters and secreted extracellular matrix proteins, and at least 26 DE-transcripts related to carbohydrate metabolism or post-translation glycosylation modification; furthermore, there are 88 signaling DE-transcripts. GO term enrichment analysis suggests that some DE-transcripts mediate reproductive hormones or neurotransmitters to affect eggshell quality through a complex suite of biophysical processes. These results reveal some candidate genes involved with eggshell strength at the early stage of active calcification which may facilitate our understanding of regulating mechanisms of eggshell quality.

• 한국가금학회지
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• 제44권1호
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• pp.19-28
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• 2017

계란의 난각은 닭의 자궁에서 형성되는 복잡하고 고도화된 다층 석회화 구조이다. 본 연구는 닭의 산란연령에 따른 자궁내막조직의 변화 양상과 난각 형성에 관여하는 주요 유전자들의 발현 양상을 고찰하였다. 난각 형성과 관련하여 난각 단백질과 관련한 OCX-32, OCX-36, OC-17, OC-116 유전자와 난각 이온과 관련한 CALB1, SPP1, SCNN1G, ATP2A2, CA2, CALM1 유전자를 분석대상으로 하였다. 자궁내막조직의 현미경적 관찰 결과, 연령이 증가함에 따라, 자궁 섬모상피세포의 탈락 및 세포의 위축과 섬유화 진행양상이 심화되었다. 그러나 연령 증가에 따른 혈중 이온성분의 농도차이는 없었다. 자궁내막 상피세포의 텔로미어 함량 분석 결과, 산란연령이 증가함에 따라 텔로미어 함유율이 감소됨을 확인하였다. 대부분의 난각 형성 관련 유전자의 발현량은 산란연령에 따라 유의한 변화를 나타내었다. 일부 난각 단백질 관련 유전자의 발현량은 산란연령이 증가함에 따라 증가양상을 보였으나, 이들 유전자들 간의 상호 관련성은 유의한 관계를 보이지 않았다. 난각 형성 이온 관련 유전자인 ATP2A2, SCNN1G, CA2, CALM1 유전자 간에는 상호 밀접한 관련이 있는 것으로 나타났다. 또한 난각 단백질 관련 OCX-32 및 OCX-36 유전자는 대부분의 이온 관련 유전자들과 높은 정의 상관을 보였다. 따라서 OCX-32, OCX-36, CALB-1, ATP2A2, SCNN1G, CA2 및 CALM1유전자들이 난각 형성에 상호 협력하거나 또는 독립적으로 작용한다. 결론적으로 산란연령이 증가함에 따라 자궁내막세포의 손상이 일어나지만, 그럼에도 불구하고 정상적인 난각을 형성할 수 있는 이유는 난각 단백질 및 난각 형성 이온 관련 일부 유전자들이 발현을 조절하여 난각 형성의 항상성 유지하기 때문인 것으로 사료된다.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제62권1호
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• pp.98-116
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• 2024

Epigenetic writers including DNA and histone lysine methyltransferases (DNMT and HKMT, respectively) play an initiative role in the differentiation and development of eukaryotic organisms through the spatiotemporal regulation of functional gene expressions. However, the epigenetic mechanisms have long been suspected in helminth parasites lacking the major DNA methyltransferases DNMT1 and DNMT3a/3b. Very little information on the evolutionary status of the epigenetic tools and their role in regulating chromosomal genes is currently available in the parasitic trematodes. We previously suggested the probable role of a DNMT2-like protein (CsDNMT2) as a genuine epigenetic writer in a trematode parasite Clonorchis sinensis. Here, we analyzed the phylogeny of HKMT subfamily members in the liver fluke and other platyhelminth species. The platyhelminth genomes examined conserved genes for the most of SET domain-containing HKMT and Disruptor of Telomeric Silencing 1 subfamilies, while some genes were expanded specifically in certain platyhelminth genomes. Related to the high gene dosages for HKMT activities covering differential but somewhat overlapping substrate specificities, variously methylated histones were recognized throughout the tissues/organs of C. sinensis adults. The temporal expressions of genes involved in eggshell formation were gradually decreased to their lowest levels proportionally to aging, whereas those of some epigenetic tool genes were re-boosted in the later adult stages of the parasite. Furthermore, these expression levels were significantly affected by treatment with DNMT and HKMT inhibitors. Our data strongly suggest that methylated histones are potent epigenetic markers that modulate the spatiotemporal expressions of C. sinensis genes, especially those involved in sexual reproduction.