Nakayama, S. M. M. | Search bioRxiv

bioRxiv2022

Estimation of the reference lead (Pb) concentration levels affecting immune cells in the blood of Black-headed Gulls (Chroicocephalus ridibundus, Laridae)

The biological effects of lead (Pb) contamination have been reported in various species. There are no restrictions on the use of Pb products, including bullets, in the areas south of Hokkaido, Japan. Local governments have announced the presence of some Pb in the soil sediments of water bodies. Previous studies have confirmed the relationship between blood Pb level (BLL) and immune cells. This study was performed with the aim of clarifying the effect of Pb contamination on immune cells. In total, 170 Black-headed Gulls (Chroicocephalus ridibundus) were captured, including a population in Tokyo Bay between November 2018 and April 2021 and a population in Mikawa Bay between January 2019 and April 2021. Linear regression analysis was performed with the white blood cell count (WBC), proportion of heterophils (Het), proportion of lymphocytes (Lym), ratio of heterophils and lymphocytes (H/L ratio), copy number of CD4 messenger RNA, and copy number of CD8 messenger RNA as the objective variables, and the BLL as the explanatory variable. The group with BLL < 1.0 g/dL had a significantly lower Het and higher Lym than that with BLL > 3.5 g/dL (P < 0.05). In addition, the group with BLL < 1.0 g/dL had a significantly lower H/L ratio than that with BLL > 3.5 g/dL. CD8 and WBC were higher in the group with the group with BLL range, from 1.0 to 3.5 g/dL than those in the group with BLL < 1.0 g/dL. This study suggests that the effect of Pb pollution on the immune cells of Black-headed Gulls is lower than some previous criteria values.

ecology↗

bioRxiv2021

Evolutionary history of mammalian UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT)1 and UGT2 families: the emergence of UGT2B subfamily in eutherians after the diversification of flowering plants

The UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) gene family is responsible for the transfer of glucuronic acid to exogenous and endogenous chemicals. Based on the highly diversified number of genes, the mammalian UGT1A and UGT2B subfamily genes are believed to be involved in the conjugation reactions of xenobiotic metabolism. However, it is speculated that the UGT2 family genes are not involved in the xenobiotic metabolism of avian species due to the less diverse number of genes. In this study, we aimed to investigate the evolutionary history of mammalian UGT1 and UGT2 family genes and determine when the diversification of UGT2B genes occurred. We also attempted to identify the main factors responsible for the diversification of UGT genes and the effect of the selection pressure on the structure of the UGT isozymes. By examining the genomic information and feeding habits of 67 species representing each mammalian family, we discovered that the UGT2B genes emerged in the Eutheria on or after Cretaceous period and that their number were higher in plant-eating mammals (herbivore or omnivore) than in carnivorous mammals. We also found that the UGT2B genes in some herbivorous mammals underwent positive selection. In contrast, the diversity of the UGT1 family genes was inherited from the common ancestor of birds and mammals. Furthermore, by predicting 3D structure of UGT enzymes, estimating selection pressure on amino acid sites, and performing molecular dynamics simulations, we showed that UGT2B and some UGT2A isozymes, which have increasing gene numbers in each mammalian species, have in common that a portion of the -helix loosens to form a hinge-like structure, that the amino acid site at which the -helix loosens is under positive selection, and that the -helix loosening increases the fluctuations of the UGT2B proteins. Thus, our findings suggest that the emergence of angiosperms (flowering plants) and the occurrence of "animal-plant warfare" influenced the evolution of this gene family involved in the xenobiotic metabolism of eutherians. Furthermore, future research investigating the marsupials and birds that do not possess UGT2B genes is required to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the metabolism of chemical substances in these species.

evolutionary biology↗