Lindeberg, H. | Search bioRxiv

bioRxiv2018

Whole blood transcriptome analysis reveals footprints of cattle adaptation to sub-arctic conditions

Indigenous cattle breeds in northern Eurasia have adapted to harsh climate conditions. The local breeds are important genetic resources with cultural and historical heritages, and therefore, their preservation and genetic characterization are important. In this study, we aim to identify genes and biological processes that are important for their adaptation to the cold and harsh conditions. For this purpose, we profiled the whole-blood transcriptome of two native breeds and one commercial breed using high-throughput RNA sequencing. More than 15,000 genes were identified, of which 2, 89, and 162 genes were significantly upregulated exclusively in Northern Finncattle, Yakutian cattle and Holstein cattle, respectively. The functional classification of these significantly differentially expressed genes identified several biological processes and pathways related to signalling mechanisms, cell differentiation, and host-pathogen interactions that, in general, point towards immunity and disease resistance mechanisms. The gene expression pattern observed in Northern Finncattle was more similar to that of Yakutian cattle, despite sharing similar living conditions as the Holstein cattle included in our study. In conclusion, our study identified unique biological processes in these breeds that help them to adapt and survive in sub-arctic environments.

genetics↗

bioRxiv2016

Pulse of α-2-macroglobulin and lipocalin-1 in the pregnant uterus of European polecats (Mustela putorius) at the time of implantation

Uterine secretory proteins protect the uterus and conceptuses against infection, facilitate implantation, control cellular damage resulting from implantation, and supply embryos with nutrients. The early conceptus of the European polecat (Mustela putorius) grows and develops free in the uterus until implanting at about 12 days after mating. Using a proteomics approach we found that the proteins appearing in the uterus leading up to and including the time of implantation changed dramatically with time. Several of the proteins identified have been found in pregnant uteri of other placental mammals, such as 1-antitrypsin, serum albumin, lactoferrin, cathepsin L1, uteroferrin, and ectonucleotide pyrophosphatase. The broad-spectrum proteinase inhibitor 2-macroglobulin rose from relatively low abundance initially to dominate the protein profile by the time of implantation. Its functions may be to limit damage caused by the release of proteinases during implantation, and to control other processes around the site of implantation. Lipocalin-1 (also known as tear lipocalin) has not previously been recorded as a uterine secretion in pregnancy, and also increased substantially in concentration. If polecat lipocalin-1 has similar biochemical properties to the human form, then it may have a combined function in transporting or scavenging lipids, and antimicrobial activities. The changes in the uterine secretory proteome of Euroepan polecats may be similar in those species of mustelid that engage in embryonic diapause, but possibly only following reactivation of the embryo.

developmental biology↗