1
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Peel E, Hogg C, Belov K. Characterisation of defensins across the marsupial family tree. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2024:105207. [PMID: 38797458 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2024.105207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2024] [Revised: 05/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Defensins are antimicrobial peptides involved in innate immunity, and gene number differs amongst eutherian mammals. Few studies have investigated defensins in marsupials, despite their potential involvement in immunological protection of altricial young. Here we use recently sequenced marsupial genomes and transcriptomes to annotate defensins in nine species across the marsupial family tree. We characterised 35 alpha and 286 beta defensins; gene number differed between species, although Dasyuromorphs had the largest repertoire. Defensins were encoded in three gene clusters within the genome, syntenic to eutherians, and were expressed in the pouch and mammary gland. Marsupial beta defensins were closely related to eutherians, however marsupial alpha defensins were more divergent. We identified marsupial orthologs of human DEFB3 and 6, and several marsupial-specific beta defensin lineages which may have novel functions. Marsupial predicted mature peptides were highly variable in length and sequence composition. We propose candidate peptides for future testing to elucidate the function of marsupial defensins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Peel
- School of life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia 2006; Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science.
| | - Carolyn Hogg
- School of life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia 2006; Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science.
| | - Katherine Belov
- School of life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia 2006; Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science.
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2
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Plaisir CA, King WJ, Forsyth DM, Festa-Bianchet M. Effects of rainfall, forage biomass, and population density, on survival and growth of juvenile kangaroos. J Mammal 2022. [DOI: 10.1093/jmammal/gyab132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
A central goal of ecology is to understand how environmental variation affects populations. Long-term studies of marked individuals can quantify the effects of environmental variation on key life-history traits. We monitored the survival and growth of 336 individually marked juvenile eastern grey kangaroos (Macropus giganteus), a large herbivore living in a seasonal but unpredictable environment. During our 12-year study, the population experienced substantial variation in rainfall, forage biomass, and density. We used structural equation modeling to determine how variation in temperature and rainfall affected juvenile survival and growth through its effect on forage biomass and population density. Independently of population density, forage biomass had strong positive effects on survival from 10 to 21 months. At low population density, forage biomass also had a positive effect on skeletal growth to 26 months. Increasing maternal body condition improved rearing success for daughters but not for sons. High population density reduced skeletal growth to 26 months for both sexes. Rainfall had an increasingly positive effect on forage biomass at high temperatures, indicating a seasonal effect on food availability. Our study reveals interacting effects of environmental variation on juvenile survival and growth for a large mammal with a conservative reproductive strategy that experiences substantial stochasticity in food availability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles-Alexandre Plaisir
- Département de Biologie, Université de Sherbrooke, 2500, Boulevard de l’Université, Sherbrooke, QC J1K 2R1, Canada
| | - Wendy J King
- Département de Biologie, Université de Sherbrooke, 2500, Boulevard de l’Université, Sherbrooke, QC J1K 2R1, Canada
- Research School of Biology, Australian National University, 134, Linnaeus Way, Acton, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - David M Forsyth
- Vertebrate Pest Research Unit, NSW Department of Primary Industries, 1447 Forest Road, Orange, NSW 2800, Australia
- School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Marco Festa-Bianchet
- Département de Biologie, Université de Sherbrooke, 2500, Boulevard de l’Université, Sherbrooke, QC J1K 2R1, Canada
- Research School of Biology, Australian National University, 134, Linnaeus Way, Acton, ACT 2601, Australia
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3
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Sawyer L. β-Lactoglobulin and Glycodelin: Two Sides of the Same Coin? Front Physiol 2021; 12:678080. [PMID: 34093238 PMCID: PMC8173191 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.678080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2021] [Accepted: 04/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The two lipocalins, β-lactoglobulin (βLg) and glycodelin (Gd), are possibly the most closely related members of the large and widely distributed lipocalin family, yet their functions appear to be substantially different. Indeed, the function of β-lactoglobulin, a major component of ruminant milk, is still unclear although neonatal nutrition is clearly important. On the other hand, glycodelin has several specific functions in reproduction conferred through distinct, tissue specific glycosylation of the polypeptide backbone. It is also associated with some cancer outcomes. The glycodelin gene, PAEP, reflecting one of its names, progestagen-associated endometrial protein, is expressed in many though not all primates, but the name has now also been adopted for the β-lactoglobulin gene (HGNC, www.genenames.org). After a general overview of the two proteins in the context of the lipocalin family, this review considers the properties of each in the light of their physiological functional significance, supplementing earlier reviews to include studies from the past decade. While the biological function of glycodelin is reasonably well defined, that of β-lactoglobulin remains elusive.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsay Sawyer
- School of Biological Sciences, IQB3, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
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4
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Deakin JE, Potter S. Marsupial chromosomics: bridging the gap between genomes and chromosomes. Reprod Fertil Dev 2020; 31:1189-1202. [PMID: 30630589 DOI: 10.1071/rd18201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2018] [Accepted: 12/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Marsupials have unique features that make them particularly interesting to study, and sequencing of marsupial genomes is helping to understand their evolution. A decade ago, it was a huge feat to sequence the first marsupial genome. Now, the advances in sequencing technology have made the sequencing of many more marsupial genomes possible. However, the DNA sequence is only one component of the structures it is packaged into: chromosomes. Knowing the arrangement of the DNA sequence on each chromosome is essential for a genome assembly to be used to its full potential. The importance of combining sequence information with cytogenetics has previously been demonstrated for rapidly evolving regions of the genome, such as the sex chromosomes, as well as for reconstructing the ancestral marsupial karyotype and understanding the chromosome rearrangements involved in the Tasmanian devil facial tumour disease. Despite the recent advances in sequencing technology assisting in genome assembly, physical anchoring of the sequence to chromosomes is required to achieve a chromosome-level assembly. Once chromosome-level assemblies are achieved for more marsupials, we will be able to investigate changes in the packaging and interactions between chromosomes to gain an understanding of the role genome architecture has played during marsupial evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janine E Deakin
- Institute for Applied Ecology, University of Canberra, Bruce, ACT 2617, Australia
| | - Sally Potter
- Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Acton, ACT 2601, Australia
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5
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Osthoff G, Madende M, Hugo A, Butler HJB. Milk evolution with emphasis on the Atlantogenata. AFRICAN ZOOLOGY 2020. [DOI: 10.1080/15627020.2020.1798281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Gernot Osthoff
- Department of Microbial, Biochemical and Food Biotechnology, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
| | - Moses Madende
- Department of Microbial, Biochemical and Food Biotechnology, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
| | - Arnold Hugo
- Department of Microbial, Biochemical and Food Biotechnology, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
| | - Hendrik JB Butler
- Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
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6
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Stannard HJ, Miller RD, Old JM. Marsupial and monotreme milk-a review of its nutrient and immune properties. PeerJ 2020; 8:e9335. [PMID: 32612884 PMCID: PMC7319036 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.9335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2020] [Accepted: 05/20/2020] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
All mammals are characterized by the ability of females to produce milk. Marsupial (metatherian) and monotreme (prototherian) young are born in a highly altricial state and rely on their mother’s milk for the first part of their life. Here we review the role and importance of milk in marsupial and monotreme development. Milk is the primary source of sustenance for young marsupials and monotremes and its composition varies at different stages of development. We applied nutritional geometry techniques to a limited number of species with values available to analyze changes in macronutrient composition of milk at different stages. Macronutrient energy composition of marsupial milk varies between species and changes concentration during the course of lactation. As well as nourishment, marsupial and monotreme milk supplies growth and immune factors. Neonates are unable to mount a specific immune response shortly after birth and therefore rely on immunoglobulins, immunological cells and other immunologically important molecules transferred through milk. Milk is also essential to the development of the maternal-young bond and is achieved through feedback systems and odor preferences in eutherian mammals. However, we have much to learn about the role of milk in marsupial and monotreme mother-young bonding. Further research is warranted in gaining a better understanding of the role of milk as a source of nutrition, developmental factors and immunity, in a broader range of marsupial species, and monotremes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hayley J Stannard
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW, Australia
| | - Robert D Miller
- Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Julie M Old
- School of Science, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, Australia
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7
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dos Santos ÍGD, de Oliveira Mendes TA, Silva GAB, Reis AMS, Monteiro-Vitorello CB, Schaker PDC, Herai RH, Fabotti ABC, Coutinho LL, Jorge EC. Didelphis albiventris: an overview of unprecedented transcriptome sequencing of the white-eared opossum. BMC Genomics 2019; 20:866. [PMID: 31730444 PMCID: PMC6858782 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-019-6240-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2019] [Accepted: 10/29/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The white-eared opossum (Didelphis albiventris) is widely distributed throughout Brazil and South America. It has been used as an animal model for studying different scientific questions ranging from the restoration of degraded green areas to medical aspects of Chagas disease, leishmaniasis and resistance against snake venom. As a marsupial, D. albiventris can also contribute to the understanding of the molecular mechanisms that govern the different stages of organogenesis. Opossum joeys are born after only 13 days, and the final stages of organogenesis occur when the neonates are inside the pouch, depending on lactation. As neither the genome of this opossum species nor its transcriptome has been completely sequenced, the use of D. albiventris as an animal model is limited. In this work, we sequenced the D. albiventris transcriptome by RNA-seq to obtain the first catalogue of differentially expressed (DE) genes and gene ontology (GO) annotations during the neonatal stages of marsupial development. RESULTS The D. albiventris transcriptome was obtained from whole neonates harvested at birth (P0), at 5 days of age (P5) and at 10 days of age (P10). The de novo assembly of these transcripts generated 85,338 transcripts. Approximately 30% of these transcripts could be mapped against the amino acid sequences of M. domestica, the evolutionarily closest relative of D. albiventris to be sequenced thus far. Among the expressed transcripts, 2077 were found to be DE between P0 and P5, 13,780 between P0 and P10, and 1453 between P5 and P10. The enriched GO terms were mainly related to the immune system, blood tissue development and differentiation, vision, hearing, digestion, the CNS and limb development. CONCLUSIONS The elucidation of opossum transcriptomes provides an out-group for better understanding the distinct characteristics associated with the evolution of mammalian species. This study provides the first transcriptome sequences and catalogue of genes for a marsupial species at different neonatal stages, allowing the study of the mechanisms involved in organogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Íria Gabriela Dias dos Santos
- Departamento de Morfologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais Brazil
| | | | - Gerluza Aparecida Borges Silva
- Departamento de Morfologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais Brazil
| | - Amanda Maria Sena Reis
- Departamento de Morfologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais Brazil
| | | | - Patricia Dayane Carvalho Schaker
- Departamento de Genética, Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz, Universidade de São Paulo, Piracicaba, São Paulo Brazil
| | - Roberto Hirochi Herai
- Graduate Program in Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná (PUCPR), Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil
| | | | - Luiz Lehmann Coutinho
- Departamento de Zootecnia, Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz, Universidade de São Paulo, Piracicaba, São Paulo Brazil
| | - Erika Cristina Jorge
- Departamento de Morfologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais Brazil
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8
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Smith KK, Keyte AL. Adaptations of the Marsupial Newborn: Birth as an Extreme Environment. Anat Rec (Hoboken) 2019; 303:235-249. [DOI: 10.1002/ar.24049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2018] [Revised: 05/07/2018] [Accepted: 05/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Anna L. Keyte
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics of LanguageRockefeller University New York New York
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9
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Sharp JA, Wanyonyi S, Modepalli V, Watt A, Kuruppath S, Hinds LA, Kumar A, Abud HE, Lefevre C, Nicholas KR. The tammar wallaby: A marsupial model to examine the timed delivery and role of bioactives in milk. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2017; 244:164-177. [PMID: 27528357 PMCID: PMC6408724 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2016.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2016] [Revised: 07/29/2016] [Accepted: 08/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
It is now clear that milk has multiple functions; it provides the most appropriate nutrition for growth of the newborn, it delivers a range of bioactives with the potential to stimulate development of the young, it has the capacity to remodel the mammary gland (stimulate growth or signal cell death) and finally milk can provide protection from infection and inflammation when the mammary gland is susceptible to these challenges. There is increasing evidence to support studies using an Australian marsupial, the tammar wallaby (Macropus eugenii), as an interesting and unique model to study milk bioactives. Reproduction in the tammar wallaby is characterized by a short gestation, birth of immature young and a long lactation. All the major milk constituents change substantially and progressively during lactation and these changes have been shown to regulate growth and development of the tammar pouch young and to have roles in mammary gland biology. This review will focus on recent reports examining the control of lactation in the tammar wallaby and the timed delivery of milk bioactivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie A Sharp
- Institute for Frontier Materials, Deakin University, Geelong 3216, Australia; Cancer Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton 3800, Victoria, Australia.
| | - Stephen Wanyonyi
- School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong 3216, Australia; Institute for Agriculture and the Environment, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, QLD 4350, Australia
| | | | - Ashalyn Watt
- Institute for Frontier Materials, Deakin University, Geelong 3216, Australia
| | | | - Lyn A Hinds
- CSIRO Health and Biosecurity, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Amit Kumar
- School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong 3216, Australia; PeterMac Callum Cancer Research Institute, East Melbourne 3002, Victoria, Australia
| | - Helen E Abud
- Cancer Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton 3800, Victoria, Australia
| | - Christophe Lefevre
- School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong 3216, Australia; Division of Bioinformatics, Walter and Eliza Hall Medical Research Institute, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia; PeterMac Callum Cancer Research Institute, East Melbourne 3002, Victoria, Australia; Department of Medical Biology (WEHI), The University of Melbourne, Melbourne 3000, Victoria, Australia
| | - Kevin R Nicholas
- Cancer Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton 3800, Victoria, Australia
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10
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Cheng Y, Belov K. Antimicrobial Protection of Marsupial Pouch Young. Front Microbiol 2017; 8:354. [PMID: 28326070 PMCID: PMC5339227 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.00354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2016] [Accepted: 02/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Marsupials diverged from eutherian mammals about 148 million years ago and represent a unique lineage of mammals with distinctive morphological and reproductive characteristics. Marsupials have significantly shorter gestation periods than eutherians. Pregnancy typically ranges from 15 to 35 days, with young being born at a very early developmental stage and lacking differentiated lymphoid tissues and mature effector cells. Recent microbiome studies of the marsupial pouch revealed that marsupial young can face intense microbial challenges after birth, as the pouch contains a broad range of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Antimicrobials are believed to play a significant role in the immune protection of marsupial newborns during their pouch life. The skin of the post-reproductive pouch secretes antimicrobial lysozyme and dermcidin, which may contribute to the decreased density of certain bacteria in the pouch. A range of antimicrobial agents, such as immunoglobulins, lysozyme, transferrin, and cathelicidins, have been identified in marsupial milk. Antimicrobial assays have revealed that marsupial cathelicidins have broad-spectrum activity against a variety of bacteria and fungi, including several multi-drug resistant strains. In this article, we will review the action mechanisms of these antimicrobial compounds and discuss how they protect marsupial newborns from potentially pathogenic bacteria inside the pouch. We will also discuss the potential of marsupial antimicrobial compounds as a source of novel antibiotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanyuan Cheng
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney NSW, Australia
| | - Katherine Belov
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney NSW, Australia
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11
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Characterisation of the immune compounds in koala milk using a combined transcriptomic and proteomic approach. Sci Rep 2016; 6:35011. [PMID: 27713568 PMCID: PMC5054531 DOI: 10.1038/srep35011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2016] [Accepted: 09/16/2016] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Production of milk is a key characteristic of mammals, but the features of lactation vary greatly between monotreme, marsupial and eutherian mammals. Marsupials have a short gestation followed by a long lactation period, and milk constituents vary greatly across lactation. Marsupials are born immunologically naïve and rely on their mother’s milk for immunological protection. Koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) are an iconic Australian species that are increasingly threatened by disease. Here we use a mammary transcriptome, two milk proteomes and the koala genome to comprehensively characterise the protein components of koala milk across lactation, with a focus on immune constituents. The most abundant proteins were well-characterised milk proteins, including β-lactoglobulin and lactotransferrin. In the mammary transcriptome, 851 immune transcripts were expressed, including immunoglobulins and complement components. We identified many abundant antimicrobial peptides, as well as novel proteins with potential antimicrobial roles. We discovered that marsupial VELP is an ortholog of eutherian Glycam1, and likely has an antimicrobial function in milk. We also identified highly-abundant koala endogenous-retrovirus sequences, identifying a potential transmission route from mother to young. Characterising the immune components of milk is key to understanding protection of marsupial young, and the novel immune compounds identified may have applications in clinical research.
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12
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Osorio JS, Lohakare J, Bionaz M. Biosynthesis of milk fat, protein, and lactose: roles of transcriptional and posttranscriptional regulation. Physiol Genomics 2016; 48:231-56. [DOI: 10.1152/physiolgenomics.00016.2015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The demand for high-quality milk is increasing worldwide. The efficiency of milk synthesis can be improved by taking advantage of the accumulated knowledge of the transcriptional and posttranscriptional regulation of genes coding for proteins involved in the synthesis of fat, protein, and lactose in the mammary gland. Research in this area is relatively new, but data accumulated in the last 10 years provide a relatively clear picture. Milk fat synthesis appears to be regulated, at least in bovines, by an interactive network between SREBP1, PPARγ, and LXRα, with a potential role for other transcription factors, such as Spot14, ChREBP, and Sp1. Milk protein synthesis is highly regulated by insulin, amino acids, and amino acid transporters via transcriptional and posttranscriptional routes, with the insulin-mTOR pathway playing a central role. The transcriptional regulation of lactose synthesis is still poorly understood, but it is clear that glucose transporters play an important role. They can also cooperatively interact with amino acid transporters and the mTOR pathway. Recent data indicate the possibility of nutrigenomic interventions to increase milk fat synthesis by feeding long-chain fatty acids and milk protein synthesis by feeding amino acids. We propose a transcriptional network model to account for all available findings. This model encompasses a complex network of proteins that control milk synthesis with a cross talk between milk fat, protein, and lactose regulation, with mTOR functioning as a central hub.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jayant Lohakare
- Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon; and
- Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, South Korea
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13
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Hewavisenti RV, Morris KM, O'Meally D, Cheng Y, Papenfuss AT, Belov K. The identification of immune genes in the milk transcriptome of the Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii). PeerJ 2016; 4:e1569. [PMID: 26793426 PMCID: PMC4715465 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.1569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2015] [Accepted: 12/15/2015] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii) pouch young, like other marsupials, are born underdeveloped and immunologically naïve, and are unable to mount an adaptive immune response. The mother’s milk provides nutrients for growth and development as well as providing passive immunity. To better understand immune response in this endangered species, we set out to characterise the genes involved in passive immunity by sequencing and annotating the transcriptome of a devil milk sample collected during mid-lactation. At mid-lactation we expect the young to have heightened immune responses, as they have emerged from the pouch, encountering new pathogens. A total of 233,660 transcripts were identified, including approximately 17,827 unique protein-coding genes and 846 immune genes. The most highly expressed transcripts were dominated by milk protein genes such as those encoding early lactation protein, late lactation proteins, α-lactalbumin, α-casein and β-casein. There were numerous highly expressed immune genes including lysozyme, whey acidic protein, ferritin and major histocompatibility complex I and II. Genes encoding immunoglobulins, antimicrobial peptides, chemokines and immune cell receptors were also identified. The array of immune genes identified in this study reflects the importance of the milk in providing immune protection to Tasmanian devil young and provides the first insight into Tasmanian devil milk.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Katrina M Morris
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney , Sydney , Australia
| | - Denis O'Meally
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney , Sydney , Australia
| | - Yuanyuan Cheng
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney , Sydney , Australia
| | - Anthony T Papenfuss
- Bioinformatics Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute for Medical Research, Parkville, Australia; Bioinformatics and Cancer Genomics, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, East Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Katherine Belov
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney , Sydney , Australia
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14
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Zhang L, Boeren S, Hageman JA, van Hooijdonk T, Vervoort J, Hettinga K. Perspective on calf and mammary gland development through changes in the bovine milk proteome over a complete lactation. J Dairy Sci 2015; 98:5362-73. [DOI: 10.3168/jds.2015-9342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2015] [Accepted: 04/26/2015] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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15
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Vander Jagt CJ, Whitley JC, Cocks BG, Goddard ME. Gene expression in the mammary gland of the tammar wallaby during the lactation cycle reveals conserved mechanisms regulating mammalian lactation. Reprod Fertil Dev 2015; 28:RD14210. [PMID: 25701950 DOI: 10.1071/rd14210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2014] [Accepted: 12/21/2014] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The tammar wallaby (Macropus eugenii), an Australian marsupial, has evolved a different lactation strategy compared with eutherian mammals, making it a valuable comparative model for lactation studies. The tammar mammary gland was investigated for changes in gene expression during key stages of the lactation cycle using microarrays. Differentially regulated genes were identified, annotated and subsequent gene ontologies, pathways and molecular networks analysed. Major milk-protein gene expression changes during lactation were in accord with changes in milk-protein secretion. However, other gene expression changes included changes in genes affecting mRNA stability, hormone and cytokine signalling and genes for transport and metabolism of amino acids and lipids. Some genes with large changes in expression have poorly known roles in lactation. For instance, SIM2 was upregulated at lactation initiation and may inhibit proliferation and involution of mammary epithelial cells, while FUT8 was upregulated in Phase 3 of lactation and may support the large increase in milk volume that occurs at this point in the lactation cycle. This pattern of regulation has not previously been reported and suggests that these genes may play a crucial regulatory role in marsupial milk production and are likely to play a related role in other mammals.
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16
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A novel highly divergent protein family identified from a viviparous insect by RNA-seq analysis: a potential target for tsetse fly-specific abortifacients. PLoS Genet 2014; 10:e1003874. [PMID: 24763277 PMCID: PMC3998918 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1003874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2013] [Accepted: 08/28/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
In tsetse flies, nutrients for intrauterine larval development are synthesized by the modified accessory gland (milk gland) and provided in mother's milk during lactation. Interference with at least two milk proteins has been shown to extend larval development and reduce fecundity. The goal of this study was to perform a comprehensive characterization of tsetse milk proteins using lactation-specific transcriptome/milk proteome analyses and to define functional role(s) for the milk proteins during lactation. Differential analysis of RNA-seq data from lactating and dry (non-lactating) females revealed enrichment of transcripts coding for protein synthesis machinery, lipid metabolism and secretory proteins during lactation. Among the genes induced during lactation were those encoding the previously identified milk proteins (milk gland proteins 1-3, transferrin and acid sphingomyelinase 1) and seven new genes (mgp4-10). The genes encoding mgp2-10 are organized on a 40 kb syntenic block in the tsetse genome, have similar exon-intron arrangements, and share regions of amino acid sequence similarity. Expression of mgp2-10 is female-specific and high during milk secretion. While knockdown of a single mgp failed to reduce fecundity, simultaneous knockdown of multiple variants reduced milk protein levels and lowered fecundity. The genomic localization, gene structure similarities, and functional redundancy of MGP2-10 suggest that they constitute a novel highly divergent protein family. Our data indicates that MGP2-10 function both as the primary amino acid resource for the developing larva and in the maintenance of milk homeostasis, similar to the function of the mammalian casein family of milk proteins. This study underscores the dynamic nature of the lactation cycle and identifies a novel family of lactation-specific proteins, unique to Glossina sp., that are essential to larval development. The specificity of MGP2-10 to tsetse and their critical role during lactation suggests that these proteins may be an excellent target for tsetse-specific population control approaches.
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Michalkova V, Benoit JB, Attardo GM, Medlock J, Aksoy S. Amelioration of reproduction-associated oxidative stress in a viviparous insect is critical to prevent reproductive senescence. PLoS One 2014; 9:e87554. [PMID: 24763119 PMCID: PMC3998933 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0087554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2013] [Accepted: 12/20/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Impact of reproductive processes upon female health has yielded conflicting results; particularly in relation to the role of reproduction-associated stress. We used the viviparous tsetse fly to determine if lactation, birth and involution lead to damage from oxidative stress (OS) that impairs subsequent reproductive cycles. Tsetse females carry an intrauterine larva to full term at each pregnancy cycle, and lactate to nourish them with milk secretions produced by the accessory gland ( = milk gland) organ. Unlike most K-strategists, tsetse females lack an apparent period of reproductive senescence allowing the production of 8-10 progeny over their entire life span. In a lactating female, over 47% of the maternal transcriptome is associated with the generation of milk proteins. The resulting single larval offspring weighs as much as the mother at birth. In studying this process we noted an increase in specific antioxidant enzyme (AOE) transcripts and enzymatic activity at critical times during lactation, birth and involution in the milk gland/fat body organ and the uterus. Suppression of superoxide dismutase (sod) decreased fecundity in subsequent reproductive cycles in young mothers and nearly abolished fecundity in geriatric females. Loss of fecundity was in part due to the inability of the mother to produce adequate milk to support larval growth. Longevity was also impaired after sod knockdown. Generation of OS in virgin females through exogenous treatment with hydrogen peroxide at times corresponding to pregnancy intervals reduced survival, which was exacerbated by sod knockdown. AOE expression may prevent oxidative damage associated with the generation of nutrients by the milk gland, parturition and milk gland breakdown. Our results indicate that prevention of OS is essential for females to meet the growing nutritional demands of juveniles during pregnancy and to repair the damage that occurs at birth. This process is particularly important for females to remain fecund during the latter portion of their lifetime.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronika Michalkova
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, United State of America
- Section of Molecular and Applied Zoology, Institute of Zoology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Joshua B. Benoit
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, United State of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Geoffrey M. Attardo
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, United State of America
| | - Jan Medlock
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, United States of America
| | - Serap Aksoy
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, United State of America
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Wanyonyi SS, Lefevre C, Sharp JA, Nicholas KR. The extracellular matrix locally regulates asynchronous concurrent lactation in tammar wallaby (Macropus eugenii). Matrix Biol 2013; 32:342-51. [PMID: 23665481 DOI: 10.1016/j.matbio.2013.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2012] [Revised: 01/21/2013] [Accepted: 02/05/2013] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Asynchronous concurrent lactation (ACL) is an extreme lactation strategy in macropod marsupials including the tammar wallaby, that may hold the key to understanding local control of mammary epithelial cell function. Marsupials have a short gestation and a long lactation consisting of three phases; P2A, P2B and P3, representing early, mid and late lactation respectively and characterised by profound changes in milk composition. A lactating tammar is able to concurrently produce phase 2A and 3 milk from adjacent glands in order to feed a young newborn and an older sibling at heel. Physiological effectors of ACL remain unknown and in this study the extracellular matrix (ECM) is investigated for its role in switching mammary phenotypes between phases of tammar wallaby lactation. Using the level of expression of the genes for the phase specific markers tELP, tWAP, and tLLP-B representing phases 2A, 2B and 3 respectively we show for the first time that tammar wallaby mammary epithelial cells (WallMECs) extracted from P2B acquire P3 phenotype when cultured on P3 ECM. Similarly P2A cells acquire P2B phenotype when cultured on P2B ECM. We further demonstrate that changes in phase phenotype correlate with phase-specific changes in ECM composition. This study shows that progressive changes in ECM composition in individual mammary glands provide a local regulatory mechanism for milk protein gene expression thereby enabling the mammary glands to lactate independently.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen S Wanyonyi
- Centre for Biotechnology, Chemistry and Systems Biology, BioDeakin, Deakin University, 75 Pigdons Rd., 3217 VIC, Australia.
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19
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Kuruppath S, Bisana S, Sharp JA, Lefevre C, Kumar S, Nicholas KR. Monotremes and marsupials: comparative models to better understand the function of milk. J Biosci 2013; 37:581-8. [PMID: 22922184 DOI: 10.1007/s12038-012-9247-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Sanjana Kuruppath
- Centre for Biotechnology, Chemistry and Systems Biology, Deakin University, Geelong 3217 VIC, Australia.
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20
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Pharo EA, De Leo AA, Renfree MB, Thomson PC, Lefèvre CM, Nicholas KR. The mammary gland-specific marsupial ELP and eutherian CTI share a common ancestral gene. BMC Evol Biol 2012; 12:80. [PMID: 22681678 PMCID: PMC3426482 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2148-12-80] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2011] [Accepted: 06/08/2012] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The marsupial early lactation protein (ELP) gene is expressed in the mammary gland and the protein is secreted into milk during early lactation (Phase 2A). Mature ELP shares approximately 55.4% similarity with the colostrum-specific bovine colostrum trypsin inhibitor (CTI) protein. Although ELP and CTI both have a single bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor (BPTI)-Kunitz domain and are secreted only during the early lactation phases, their evolutionary history is yet to be investigated. RESULTS Tammar ELP was isolated from a genomic library and the fat-tailed dunnart and Southern koala ELP genes cloned from genomic DNA. The tammar ELP gene was expressed only in the mammary gland during late pregnancy (Phase 1) and early lactation (Phase 2A). The opossum and fat-tailed dunnart ELP and cow CTI transcripts were cloned from RNA isolated from the mammary gland and dog CTI from cells in colostrum. The putative mature ELP and CTI peptides shared 44.6%-62.2% similarity. In silico analyses identified the ELP and CTI genes in the other species examined and provided compelling evidence that they evolved from a common ancestral gene. In addition, whilst the eutherian CTI gene was conserved in the Laurasiatherian orders Carnivora and Cetartiodactyla, it had become a pseudogene in others. These data suggest that bovine CTI may be the ancestral gene of the Artiodactyla-specific, rapidly evolving chromosome 13 pancreatic trypsin inhibitor (PTI), spleen trypsin inhibitor (STI) and the five placenta-specific trophoblast Kunitz domain protein (TKDP1-5) genes. CONCLUSIONS Marsupial ELP and eutherian CTI evolved from an ancestral therian mammal gene before the divergence of marsupials and eutherians between 130 and 160 million years ago. The retention of the ELP gene in marsupials suggests that this early lactation-specific milk protein may have an important role in the immunologically naïve young of these species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth A Pharo
- Department of Zoology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, 3010, Australia.
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21
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Watt AP, Sharp JA, Lefevre C, Nicholas KR. WFDC2 is differentially expressed in the mammary gland of the tammar wallaby and provides immune protection to the mammary gland and the developing pouch young. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2012; 36:584-590. [PMID: 22024352 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2011.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2011] [Revised: 09/13/2011] [Accepted: 10/02/2011] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
WAP four disulfide core domain 2 (WFDC2) is a four disulfide core (4-DSC) protein secreted in the milk of the tammar wallaby. It is comprised of two 4-DSC domains assigned domain III at the NH2-terminal end and domain II at the COOH-terminal end. The WFDC2 gene was expressed only during pregnancy, early lactation, towards the end of lactation and involution. The WFDC2 protein showed antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella enterica and Pseudomonas aeruginosa and this activity resided with domain II. There was no antibacterial activity detected against Enterococcus faecalis. The observed expression pattern of tammar WFDC2 and its antibacterial activity suggests a role to either reduce mastitis in the mammary gland caused by S. aureus or to protect the gut of the young at a time when it is not immune-competent. The latter effect could be achieved without disturbing the balance of commensal gut flora such as E. faecalis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashalyn P Watt
- Institute for Technology Research and Innovation, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, Victoria 3217, Australia.
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22
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Deakin JE. Marsupial genome sequences: providing insight into evolution and disease. SCIENTIFICA 2012; 2012:543176. [PMID: 24278712 PMCID: PMC3820666 DOI: 10.6064/2012/543176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2012] [Accepted: 09/26/2012] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Marsupials (metatherians), with their position in vertebrate phylogeny and their unique biological features, have been studied for many years by a dedicated group of researchers, but it has only been since the sequencing of the first marsupial genome that their value has been more widely recognised. We now have genome sequences for three distantly related marsupial species (the grey short-tailed opossum, the tammar wallaby, and Tasmanian devil), with the promise of many more genomes to be sequenced in the near future, making this a particularly exciting time in marsupial genomics. The emergence of a transmissible cancer, which is obliterating the Tasmanian devil population, has increased the importance of obtaining and analysing marsupial genome sequence for understanding such diseases as well as for conservation efforts. In addition, these genome sequences have facilitated studies aimed at answering questions regarding gene and genome evolution and provided insight into the evolution of epigenetic mechanisms. Here I highlight the major advances in our understanding of evolution and disease, facilitated by marsupial genome projects, and speculate on the future contributions to be made by such sequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janine E. Deakin
- Division of Evolution, Ecology and Genetics, Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 0200, Australia
- *Janine E. Deakin:
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23
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Renfree MB, Papenfuss AT, Deakin JE, Lindsay J, Heider T, Belov K, Rens W, Waters PD, Pharo EA, Shaw G, Wong ESW, Lefèvre CM, Nicholas KR, Kuroki Y, Wakefield MJ, Zenger KR, Wang C, Ferguson-Smith M, Nicholas FW, Hickford D, Yu H, Short KR, Siddle HV, Frankenberg SR, Chew KY, Menzies BR, Stringer JM, Suzuki S, Hore TA, Delbridge ML, Mohammadi A, Schneider NY, Hu Y, O'Hara W, Al Nadaf S, Wu C, Feng ZP, Cocks BG, Wang J, Flicek P, Searle SMJ, Fairley S, Beal K, Herrero J, Carone DM, Suzuki Y, Sugano S, Toyoda A, Sakaki Y, Kondo S, Nishida Y, Tatsumoto S, Mandiou I, Hsu A, McColl KA, Lansdell B, Weinstock G, Kuczek E, McGrath A, Wilson P, Men A, Hazar-Rethinam M, Hall A, Davis J, Wood D, Williams S, Sundaravadanam Y, Muzny DM, Jhangiani SN, Lewis LR, Morgan MB, Okwuonu GO, Ruiz SJ, Santibanez J, Nazareth L, Cree A, Fowler G, Kovar CL, Dinh HH, Joshi V, Jing C, Lara F, Thornton R, Chen L, Deng J, Liu Y, Shen JY, Song XZ, Edson J, Troon C, Thomas D, Stephens A, Yapa L, Levchenko T, Gibbs RA, Cooper DW, Speed TP, Fujiyama A, M Graves JA, O'Neill RJ, Pask AJ, Forrest SM, Worley KC. Genome sequence of an Australian kangaroo, Macropus eugenii, provides insight into the evolution of mammalian reproduction and development. Genome Biol 2011; 12:R81. [PMID: 21854559 PMCID: PMC3277949 DOI: 10.1186/gb-2011-12-8-r81] [Citation(s) in RCA: 147] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2011] [Revised: 07/22/2011] [Accepted: 08/19/2011] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND We present the genome sequence of the tammar wallaby, Macropus eugenii, which is a member of the kangaroo family and the first representative of the iconic hopping mammals that symbolize Australia to be sequenced. The tammar has many unusual biological characteristics, including the longest period of embryonic diapause of any mammal, extremely synchronized seasonal breeding and prolonged and sophisticated lactation within a well-defined pouch. Like other marsupials, it gives birth to highly altricial young, and has a small number of very large chromosomes, making it a valuable model for genomics, reproduction and development. RESULTS The genome has been sequenced to 2 × coverage using Sanger sequencing, enhanced with additional next generation sequencing and the integration of extensive physical and linkage maps to build the genome assembly. We also sequenced the tammar transcriptome across many tissues and developmental time points. Our analyses of these data shed light on mammalian reproduction, development and genome evolution: there is innovation in reproductive and lactational genes, rapid evolution of germ cell genes, and incomplete, locus-specific X inactivation. We also observe novel retrotransposons and a highly rearranged major histocompatibility complex, with many class I genes located outside the complex. Novel microRNAs in the tammar HOX clusters uncover new potential mammalian HOX regulatory elements. CONCLUSIONS Analyses of these resources enhance our understanding of marsupial gene evolution, identify marsupial-specific conserved non-coding elements and critical genes across a range of biological systems, including reproduction, development and immunity, and provide new insight into marsupial and mammalian biology and genome evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marilyn B Renfree
- The Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Kangaroo Genomics, Australia
- Department of Zoology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Anthony T Papenfuss
- The Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Kangaroo Genomics, Australia
- Bioinformatics Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Janine E Deakin
- The Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Kangaroo Genomics, Australia
- Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 0200, Australia
| | - James Lindsay
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Center for Applied Genetics and Technology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA
| | - Thomas Heider
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Center for Applied Genetics and Technology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA
| | - Katherine Belov
- The Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Kangaroo Genomics, Australia
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Willem Rens
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Madingley Rd, Cambridge, CB3 0ES, UK
| | - Paul D Waters
- The Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Kangaroo Genomics, Australia
- Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 0200, Australia
| | - Elizabeth A Pharo
- Department of Zoology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Geoff Shaw
- The Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Kangaroo Genomics, Australia
- Department of Zoology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Emily SW Wong
- The Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Kangaroo Genomics, Australia
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Christophe M Lefèvre
- Institute for Technology Research and Innovation, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, 3214, Australia
| | - Kevin R Nicholas
- Institute for Technology Research and Innovation, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, 3214, Australia
| | - Yoko Kuroki
- RIKEN Institute, 1-7-22 Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 230-0045, Japan
| | - Matthew J Wakefield
- The Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Kangaroo Genomics, Australia
- Bioinformatics Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Kyall R Zenger
- The Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Kangaroo Genomics, Australia
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
- School of Marine and Tropical Biology, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland 4811, Australia
| | - Chenwei Wang
- The Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Kangaroo Genomics, Australia
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Malcolm Ferguson-Smith
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Madingley Rd, Cambridge, CB3 0ES, UK
| | - Frank W Nicholas
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Danielle Hickford
- The Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Kangaroo Genomics, Australia
- Department of Zoology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Hongshi Yu
- The Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Kangaroo Genomics, Australia
- Department of Zoology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Kirsty R Short
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Hannah V Siddle
- The Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Kangaroo Genomics, Australia
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Stephen R Frankenberg
- The Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Kangaroo Genomics, Australia
- Department of Zoology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Keng Yih Chew
- The Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Kangaroo Genomics, Australia
- Department of Zoology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Brandon R Menzies
- The Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Kangaroo Genomics, Australia
- Department of Zoology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Alfred-Kowalke-Str. 17, Berlin 10315, Germany
| | - Jessica M Stringer
- The Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Kangaroo Genomics, Australia
- Department of Zoology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Shunsuke Suzuki
- The Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Kangaroo Genomics, Australia
- Department of Zoology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Timothy A Hore
- The Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Kangaroo Genomics, Australia
- Laboratory of Developmental Genetics and Imprinting, The Babraham Institute, Cambridge, CB22 3AT, UK
| | - Margaret L Delbridge
- The Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Kangaroo Genomics, Australia
- Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 0200, Australia
| | - Amir Mohammadi
- The Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Kangaroo Genomics, Australia
- Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 0200, Australia
| | - Nanette Y Schneider
- The Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Kangaroo Genomics, Australia
- Department of Zoology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
- Department of Molecular Genetics, German Institute of Human Nutrition, Potsdam-Rehbruecke, Arthur-Scheunert-Allee 114-116, 14558 Nuthetal, Germany
| | - Yanqiu Hu
- The Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Kangaroo Genomics, Australia
- Department of Zoology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - William O'Hara
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Center for Applied Genetics and Technology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA
| | - Shafagh Al Nadaf
- The Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Kangaroo Genomics, Australia
- Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 0200, Australia
| | - Chen Wu
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Zhi-Ping Feng
- Bioinformatics Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Benjamin G Cocks
- Biosciences Research Division, Department of Primary Industries, Victoria, 1 Park Drive, Bundoora 3083, Australia
| | - Jianghui Wang
- Biosciences Research Division, Department of Primary Industries, Victoria, 1 Park Drive, Bundoora 3083, Australia
| | - Paul Flicek
- European Bioinformatics Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, CB10 1SD, UK
| | - Stephen MJ Searle
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, CB10 1SD, UK
| | - Susan Fairley
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, CB10 1SD, UK
| | - Kathryn Beal
- European Bioinformatics Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, CB10 1SD, UK
| | - Javier Herrero
- European Bioinformatics Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, CB10 1SD, UK
| | - Dawn M Carone
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Center for Applied Genetics and Technology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA
| | - Yutaka Suzuki
- Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Chiba 277-8560, Japan
| | - Sumio Sugano
- Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Chiba 277-8560, Japan
| | - Atsushi Toyoda
- National Institute of Genetics, Mishima, Shizuoka 411-8540, Japan
| | - Yoshiyuki Sakaki
- RIKEN Institute, 1-7-22 Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 230-0045, Japan
| | - Shinji Kondo
- RIKEN Institute, 1-7-22 Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 230-0045, Japan
| | - Yuichiro Nishida
- RIKEN Institute, 1-7-22 Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 230-0045, Japan
| | - Shoji Tatsumoto
- RIKEN Institute, 1-7-22 Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 230-0045, Japan
| | - Ion Mandiou
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA
| | - Arthur Hsu
- Bioinformatics Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Kaighin A McColl
- Bioinformatics Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Benjamin Lansdell
- Bioinformatics Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - George Weinstock
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Department of Molecular and Human Genetics Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Elizabeth Kuczek
- The Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Kangaroo Genomics, Australia
- Australian Genome Research Facility, Melbourne, Victoria, 3052 and the University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
- Westmead Institute for Cancer Research, University of Sydney, Westmead, New South Wales 2145, Australia
| | - Annette McGrath
- Australian Genome Research Facility, Melbourne, Victoria, 3052 and the University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Peter Wilson
- Australian Genome Research Facility, Melbourne, Victoria, 3052 and the University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Artem Men
- Australian Genome Research Facility, Melbourne, Victoria, 3052 and the University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Mehlika Hazar-Rethinam
- Australian Genome Research Facility, Melbourne, Victoria, 3052 and the University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Allison Hall
- Australian Genome Research Facility, Melbourne, Victoria, 3052 and the University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - John Davis
- Australian Genome Research Facility, Melbourne, Victoria, 3052 and the University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - David Wood
- Australian Genome Research Facility, Melbourne, Victoria, 3052 and the University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Sarah Williams
- Australian Genome Research Facility, Melbourne, Victoria, 3052 and the University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Yogi Sundaravadanam
- Australian Genome Research Facility, Melbourne, Victoria, 3052 and the University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Donna M Muzny
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Department of Molecular and Human Genetics Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Shalini N Jhangiani
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Department of Molecular and Human Genetics Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Lora R Lewis
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Department of Molecular and Human Genetics Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Margaret B Morgan
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Department of Molecular and Human Genetics Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Geoffrey O Okwuonu
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Department of Molecular and Human Genetics Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - San Juana Ruiz
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Department of Molecular and Human Genetics Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Jireh Santibanez
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Department of Molecular and Human Genetics Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Lynne Nazareth
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Department of Molecular and Human Genetics Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Andrew Cree
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Department of Molecular and Human Genetics Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Gerald Fowler
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Department of Molecular and Human Genetics Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Christie L Kovar
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Department of Molecular and Human Genetics Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Huyen H Dinh
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Department of Molecular and Human Genetics Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Vandita Joshi
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Department of Molecular and Human Genetics Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Chyn Jing
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Department of Molecular and Human Genetics Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Fremiet Lara
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Department of Molecular and Human Genetics Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Rebecca Thornton
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Department of Molecular and Human Genetics Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Lei Chen
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Department of Molecular and Human Genetics Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Jixin Deng
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Department of Molecular and Human Genetics Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Yue Liu
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Department of Molecular and Human Genetics Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Joshua Y Shen
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Department of Molecular and Human Genetics Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Xing-Zhi Song
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Department of Molecular and Human Genetics Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Janette Edson
- Australian Genome Research Facility, Melbourne, Victoria, 3052 and the University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Carmen Troon
- Australian Genome Research Facility, Melbourne, Victoria, 3052 and the University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Daniel Thomas
- Australian Genome Research Facility, Melbourne, Victoria, 3052 and the University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Amber Stephens
- Australian Genome Research Facility, Melbourne, Victoria, 3052 and the University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Lankesha Yapa
- Australian Genome Research Facility, Melbourne, Victoria, 3052 and the University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Tanya Levchenko
- Australian Genome Research Facility, Melbourne, Victoria, 3052 and the University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Richard A Gibbs
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Department of Molecular and Human Genetics Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Desmond W Cooper
- The Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Kangaroo Genomics, Australia
- Department of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Terence P Speed
- The Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Kangaroo Genomics, Australia
- Bioinformatics Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Asao Fujiyama
- National Institute of Genetics, Mishima, Shizuoka 411-8540, Japan
- National Institute of Informatics, 2-1-2 Hitotsubashi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-8430, Japan
| | - Jennifer A M Graves
- The Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Kangaroo Genomics, Australia
- Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 0200, Australia
| | - Rachel J O'Neill
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Center for Applied Genetics and Technology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA
| | - Andrew J Pask
- The Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Kangaroo Genomics, Australia
- Department of Zoology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Center for Applied Genetics and Technology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA
| | - Susan M Forrest
- The Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Kangaroo Genomics, Australia
- Australian Genome Research Facility, Melbourne, Victoria, 3052 and the University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Kim C Worley
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Department of Molecular and Human Genetics Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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Tammar wallaby mammary cathelicidins are differentially expressed during lactation and exhibit antimicrobial and cell proliferative activity. Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 2011; 160:431-9. [PMID: 21824524 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2011.07.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2011] [Revised: 07/21/2011] [Accepted: 07/21/2011] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Cathelicidins secreted in milk may be central to autocrine feedback in the mammary gland for optimal development in addition to conferring innate immunity to both the mammary gland and the neonate. This study exploits the unique reproductive strategy of the tammar wallaby (Macropus eugenii) model to analyse differential splicing of cathelicidin genes and to evaluate the bactericidal activity and effect of the protein on mammary epithelial cell proliferation. Two linear peptides, Con73 and Con218, derived from the heterogeneous carboxyl end of cathelicidin transcripts, MaeuCath1 and MaeuCath7 respectively, were evaluated for antimicrobial activity. Both Con73 and Con218 significantly inhibited the growth of Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aureginosa, Enterococcus faecalis and Salmonella enterica. In addition both MaeuCath1 and MaeuCath7 stimulated proliferation of primary tammar wallaby mammary epithelial cells (WallMEC). Lactation-phase specific alternate spliced transcripts were determined for MaeuCath1 showing utilisation of both antimicrobial and proliferative functions are required by the mammary gland and the suckled young. The study has shown for the first time that temporal regulation of milk cathelicidins may be crucial in antimicrobial protection of the mammary gland and suckled young and mammary cell proliferation.
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25
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Khalil E, Digby MR, Thomson PC, Lefèvre C, Mailer SL, Pooley C, Nicholas KR. Acute involution in the tammar wallaby: identification of genes and putative novel milk proteins implicated in mammary gland function. Genomics 2011; 97:372-8. [PMID: 21419215 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygeno.2011.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2010] [Revised: 02/22/2011] [Accepted: 03/08/2011] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Marsupials provide a suitable alternative model to studying mammary gland involution. They have evolved a different reproductive strategy from eutherians, giving birth to an altricial young and secreting milk that changes in composition during lactation. In this study, we used a marsupial-specific EST microarray to identify 47 up-regulated genes during mammary gland involution in the tammar wallaby (Macropus eugenii). These include the pro-apoptotic tumour necrosis factor receptor superfamily 21 (TNFRSF21) gene, whose expression in the mammary gland has not previously been reported. Genes encoding putative novel milk proteins which may protect the mammary gland from infection were also found to be up-regulated, such as amiloride binding protein 1 (ABP1), complement component 1QB (C1QB), complement component 4A (C4A) and colony stimulating factor 2 receptor β (CSF2Rβ). Our results show that the marsupial reproductive strategy was successfully exploited to identify genes and putative novel milk proteins implicated in mammary gland involution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elie Khalil
- Cooperative Research Center for Innovative Dairy Products, Department of Zoology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
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26
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Kawasaki K, Lafont AG, Sire JY. The Evolution of Milk Casein Genes from Tooth Genes before the Origin of Mammals. Mol Biol Evol 2011; 28:2053-61. [DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msr020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
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27
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Lefèvre CM, Sharp JA, Nicholas KR. Evolution of lactation: ancient origin and extreme adaptations of the lactation system. Annu Rev Genomics Hum Genet 2010; 11:219-38. [PMID: 20565255 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-genom-082509-141806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Lactation, an important characteristic of mammalian reproduction, has evolved by exploiting a diversity of strategies across mammals. Comparative genomics and transcriptomics experiments have now allowed a more in-depth analysis of the molecular evolution of lactation. Milk cell and mammary gland genomic studies have started to reveal conserved milk proteins and other components of the lactation system of monotreme, marsupial, and eutherian lineages. These analyses confirm the ancient origin of the lactation system and provide useful insight into the function of specific milk proteins in the control of lactation. These studies also illuminate the role of milk in the regulation of growth and development of the young beyond simple nutritive aspects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christophe M Lefèvre
- Institute for Technology Research and Innovation, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, VIC 3217, Australia.
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28
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Mladinic M, Lefèvre C, Del Bel E, Nicholls J, Digby M. Developmental changes of gene expression after spinal cord injury in neonatal opossums. Brain Res 2010; 1363:20-39. [PMID: 20849836 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2010.09.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2010] [Accepted: 09/07/2010] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Changes in gene expression have been measured 24h after injury to mammalian spinal cords that can and cannot regenerate. In opossums there is a critical period of development when regeneration stops being possible: at 9 days postnatal cervical spinal cords regenerate, at 12 days they do not. By the use of marsupial cDNA microarrays, we detected 158 genes that respond differentially to injury at the two ages critical for regeneration. For selected candidates additional measurements were made by real-time PCR and sites of their expression were shown by immunostaining. Candidate genes have been classified so as to select those that promote or prevent regeneration. Up-regulated by injury at 8 days and/or down-regulated by injury at 13 days were genes known to promote growth, such as Mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 1 or transcription factor TCF7L2. By contrast, at 13 days, up-regulation occurred of inhibitory molecules, including annexins, ephrins, and genes related to apoptosis and neurodegenerative diseases. Certain genes such as calmodulin 1 and NOGO, changed expression similarly in animals that could and could not regenerate without any additional changes in response to injury. These findings confirmed and extended changes of gene expression found in earlier screens on 9 and 12 ay preparations without lesions and provide a comprehensive list of genes that serve as a basis for testing how identified molecules, singly or in combination, promote and prevent central nervous system regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miranda Mladinic
- SISSA, Department of Neurobiology, Via Bonomea 265, 34136 Trieste, Italy.
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29
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Menzies KK, Lefèvre C, Sharp JA, Macmillan KL, Sheehy PA, Nicholas KR. A novel approach identified the FOLR1 gene, a putative regulator of milk protein synthesis. Mamm Genome 2009; 20:498-503. [DOI: 10.1007/s00335-009-9207-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2009] [Accepted: 07/01/2009] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
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30
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Joss JL, Molloy MP, Hinds L, Deane E. A longitudinal study of the protein components of marsupial milk from birth to weaning in the tammar wallaby (Macropus eugenii). DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2009; 33:152-161. [PMID: 18778730 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2008.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2008] [Revised: 07/18/2008] [Accepted: 08/01/2008] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
The major milk whey proteins of the tammar wallaby (Macropus eugenii) have been identified over the total period of lactation using proteomic analysis techniques comprising two-dimensional electrophoresis, comparative image analysis, matrix assisted laser desorption ionisation mass spectrometry (MALDI MS), de novo peptide sequencing and cross species protein matching. Samples were collected at the periods coinciding with major milestones of immunological development in the developing marsupial and in the four phases of milk production, specifically, Days 0, 5 (Phase 1); 27, 68 (Phase 2A); 137, 174 (Phase 2B) and 250 (Phase 3). Major changes in the protein content of marsupial milk whey correlated with the changing needs of the pouch young for stages in growth and development. We have shown that the levels of milk whey proteins vary with the developmental stage of the young animal, with a high number of proteins detected in early and late milk compared with the middle phases of lactation. Over 41 proteins were confidently identified, of which most had known roles in immunological protection. Proteins providing immunological protection across the lactation period included transferrin, beta2 microglobulin, haptoglobulin and a 78kDa glucose regulated protein. Immunoglobulin IgJ linker chain and a known antimicrobial cathelicidin, were only detected for the first 100-137 days, after which time Complement B factor was found to be present (Phase 2B). The changes which correlated with development and growth in the pouch young were reflected by the presence of proteins such as an alpha-fetoprotein like protein and clusterin found in early milk (Phase 1-2A) and two unknown proteins which were apparent in very early mammary gland secretions. This is the first comprehensive proteomic study of the major whey proteins of a marsupial across the entire period of lactation and provides fundamental data on proteins secreted by the mammary gland during key stages of immunological development of the young animal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janice L Joss
- Department of Biological Science, Division of Environmental and Life Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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31
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Abstract
The sequencing of the platypus genome has spurred investigations into the characterisation of the monotreme immune response. As the most divergent of extant mammals, the characterisation of the monotreme immune repertoire allows us to trace the evolutionary history of immunity in mammals and provide insights into the immune gene complement of ancestral mammals. The immune system of monotremes has remained largely uncharacterised due to the lack of specific immunological reagents and limited access to animals for experimentation. Early immunological studies focussed on the anatomy and physiology of the lymphoid system in the platypus. More recent molecular studies have focussed on characterisation of individual immunoglobulin, T-cell receptor and MHC genes in both the platypus and short-beaked echidna. Here, we review the published literature on the monotreme immune gene repertoire and provide new data generated from genome analysis on cytokines, Fc receptors and immunoglobulins. We present an overview of key gene families responsible for innate and adaptive immunity including the cathelicidins, defensins, T-cell receptors and the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) Class I and Class II antigens. We comment on the usefulness of these sequences for future studies into immunity, health and disease in monotremes.
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Lefèvre CM, Sharp JA, Nicholas KR. Characterisation of monotreme caseins reveals lineage-specific expansion of an ancestral casein locus in mammals. Reprod Fertil Dev 2009; 21:1015-27. [DOI: 10.1071/rd09083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2009] [Accepted: 09/15/2009] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Using a milk-cell cDNA sequencing approach we characterised milk-protein sequences from two monotreme species, platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) and echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus) and found a full set of caseins and casein variants. The genomic organisation of the platypus casein locus is compared with other mammalian genomes, including the marsupial opossum and several eutherians. Physical linkage of casein genes has been seen in the casein loci of all mammalian genomes examined and we confirm that this is also observed in platypus. However, we show that a recent duplication of β-casein occurred in the monotreme lineage, as opposed to more ancient duplications of α-casein in the eutherian lineage, while marsupials possess only single copies of α- and β-caseins. Despite this variability, the close proximity of the main α- and β-casein genes in an inverted tail–tail orientation and the relative orientation of the more distant kappa-casein genes are similar in all mammalian genome sequences so far available. Overall, the conservation of the genomic organisation of the caseins indicates the early, pre-monotreme development of the fundamental role of caseins during lactation. In contrast, the lineage-specific gene duplications that have occurred within the casein locus of monotremes and eutherians but not marsupials, which may have lost part of the ancestral casein locus, emphasises the independent selection on milk provision strategies to the young, most likely linked to different developmental strategies. The monotremes therefore provide insight into the ancestral drivers for lactation and how these have adapted in different lineages.
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Daly KA, Mailer SL, Digby MR, Lefévre C, Thomson P, Deane E, Nicholas KR, Williamson P. Molecular analysis of tammar (Macropus eugenii) mammary epithelial cells stimulated with lipopolysaccharide and lipoteichoic acid. Vet Immunol Immunopathol 2008; 129:36-48. [PMID: 19157568 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetimm.2008.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2008] [Revised: 11/25/2008] [Accepted: 12/01/2008] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
The immunological function of the metatherian mammary gland plays a crucial part in neonatal survival of the marsupial young. Marsupial pouch young do not develop adult like immune responses until just prior to leaving the pouch. The immune components of the maternal milk secretions are important during this vulnerable early post-partum period. In addition, infection of the mammary gland has not been recognized in metatherians, despite the ready availability of pathogens in the pouch. Regardless of which, little is known about the immunobiology of the mammary gland and the immune responses of mammary epithelial cells in metatherians. In this study, a molecular approach was utilized to examine the response of tammar (Macropus eugenii) mammary epithelial cells to Escherichia coli derived lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and Staphylococcus aureus derived lipoteichoic acid (LTA). Using custom-made cDNA microarrays, candidate genes were identified in the transciptome, which were involved in antigen presentation, inflammation, cell growth and proliferation, cellular damage and apoptosis. Quantification of mRNA expression of several of these candidate genes, along with seven other genes (TLR4, CD14, TNF-alpha, cathelicidin, PRDX1, IL-5 and ABCG2) associated with innate immunity in LPS and LTA challenged mammary epithelial cells and leukocytes, was assessed for up to 24 h. Differences in genes associated with cellular damage and pro-inflammatory cytokine production were seen between stimulated mammary epithelial cells and leukocytes. LTA challenge tended to result in lower level induction of pro-inflammatory cytokines, increased PRDX1 mRNA levels, suggesting increased oxidative stress, and increased CD14 expression, but in a non-TLR4-dependent manner. The use of functional genomic tools in the tammar identified differences in the response of tammar mammary epithelial cells (MEC) and leukocytes to challenge with LPS and LTA, and validates the utility of the approach. The results of this study are consistent with a model in which tammar mammary epithelial cells have the capacity to elicit a complex and robust immune response to pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kerry A Daly
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, B19, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
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Daly KA, Lefévre C, Nicholas K, Deane E, Williamson P. CD14 and TLR4 are expressed early in tammar (Macropus eugenii) neonate development. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2008; 211:1344-51. [PMID: 18375859 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.012013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Marsupials are born in a relatively underdeveloped state and develop during a period of intensive maturation in the postnatal period. During this period, the young marsupial lacks a competent immune system, but manages to survive despite the potential of exposure to environmental pathogens. Passive immune transfer via the milk is one well-recognised strategy to compensate the neonate, but there also may be innate immune mechanisms in place. In this study, CD14 and Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), integral molecular components of pathogen recognition, were identified and characterised for the first time in a marsupial, the tammar wallaby (Macropus eugenii). Functional motifs of tammar CD14 and the toll/interleukin receptor (TIR) domain of TLR4 were highly conserved. The lipopolysaccharide (LPS) binding residues and the TLR4 interaction site of CD14 were conserved in all marsupials. The TIR signalling domain had 84% identity within marsupials and 77% with eutherians. Stimulation of adult tammar leukocytes resulted in the induction of a biphasic pattern of CD14 and TLR4 expression, and coincided with increased production of the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-alpha. Differential patterns of expression of CD14 and TLR4 were observed in tammar pouch young early in development, suggesting that early maturation of the innate immune system in these animals may have developed as an immune survival strategy to protect the marsupial neonate from exposure to microbial pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kerry A Daly
- Centre for Advanced Technologies in Animal Genetics and Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
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35
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Daly KA, Digby MR, Lefévre C, Nicholas KR, Deane EM, Williamson P. Identification, characterization and expression of cathelicidin in the pouch young of tammar wallaby (Macropus eugenii). Comp Biochem Physiol B Biochem Mol Biol 2008; 149:524-33. [PMID: 18248751 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpb.2007.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2007] [Revised: 12/09/2007] [Accepted: 12/09/2007] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides, such as cathelicidin, are an evolutionarily old defense system. However they have more complex actions than just simply their antimicrobial effects, including immunoregulation and interaction with the adaptive immune system. In this study we have characterized several novel cathelicidin-like peptides from the tammar wallaby (Macropus eugenii). The tammar cathelicidin-like (MaeuCath) mRNA were isolated based on the conservation of the cathelin-like amino terminus. Mature MaeuCath peptides were positively charged with hydrophobic carboxyl tails, features that are fundamental for antimicrobial function. MaeuCath1 was induced in tammar leukocytes in response to pathogen-associated molecular patterns from both gram positive and negative bacteria. In addition, we also examined the expression of MaeuCath1 in the primary and secondary lymphoid organs of the tammar neonate throughout early pouch life. The results from this study demonstrate the importance that MaeuCath1 may play in innate defense of the marsupial young, especially in the mucosal organs. Such expression of antimicrobial peptides may form part of the immune strategies of marsupials for neonatal survival during their post-partum development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kerry A Daly
- Centre for Advanced Technologies in Animal Genetics and Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
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36
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Sharp JA, Mailer SL, Thomson PC, Lefèvre C, Nicholas KR. Identification and transcript analysis of a novel wallaby (Macropus eugenii) basal-like breast cancer cell line. Mol Cancer 2008; 7:1. [PMID: 18179684 PMCID: PMC2263075 DOI: 10.1186/1476-4598-7-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2007] [Accepted: 01/07/2008] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background A wide variety of animal models have been used to study human breast cancer. Murine, feline and canine mammary tumor cell lines have been studied for several decades and have been shown to have numerous aspects in common with human breast cancer. It is clear that new comparative approaches to study cancer etiology are likely to be productive. Results A continuous line of breast carcinoma cells (WalBC) was established from a primary breast cancer that spontaneously arose in a female tammar wallaby (Macropus eugenii). The primary tumor was 1.5 cm3 and although large, did not appear to invade the stroma and lacked vimentin expression. The WalBC cell line was cultured from the primary tumor and passaged for 22 months. WalBC cells displayed an epithelial morphology when grown on plastic, were not EGF responsive, stained strongly for cyto-keratin and negatively for vimentin. WalBC cells were shown to be non-invasive within a Matrigel invasion assay and failed to produce tumors following transplantation into nude mice. Gene expression profiling of WalBC cells was performed using a cDNA microarray of nearly 10,000 mammary gland cDNA clones and compared to normal primary mammary cells and profiles of human breast cancer. Seventy-six genes were down-regulated and sixty-six genes were up-regulated in WalBC cells when compared to primary mammary cells. WalBC cells exhibited expression of known markers of basal invasive human breast cancers as well as increased KRT17, KRT 14 and KRT 19, DSP, s100A4, NDRG-1, ANXA1, TK1 and AQP3 gene expression and decreased gene expression of TIMP3, VIM and TAGLN. New targets for breast cancer treatment were identified such as ZONAB, PACSIN3, MRP8 and SUMO1 which have human homologues. Conclusion This study demonstrates how novel models of breast cancer can provide new fundamental clues regarding cancer etiology which may lead to new human treatments and therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie A Sharp
- CRC for Innovative Dairy Products, Department of Zoology, University of Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia.
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