The Experts below are selected from a list of 297 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform

Edward M. Dzialowski - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Manipulating plasma thyroid hormone levels at hatching alters development of endothermy and ventilation in Pekin Duck (Anas platyrhynchos domestica).
    The Journal of experimental biology, 2020
    Co-Authors: Tushar S. Sirsat, Edward M. Dzialowski
    Abstract:

    At hatching in precocial birds, there are rapid physiological and metabolic phenotypic changes associated with attaining endothermy. During the transition to ex ovo life, thyroid hormone levels naturally increase, peaking at hatching, and then decline. To better understand the role of the natural increase in thyroid hormone at hatching in regulating the developmental trajectory of the Pekin Duck's endothermic phenotype, we examined development of O2 consumption (V̇ O2 ) and ventilation (frequency, tidal volume and minute ventilation) while inhibiting the developmental increase in thyroid hormones that occurs at hatching via administration of the thyroid-peroxidase inhibitor methimazole (MMI) or accelerating the developmental increase via triiodothyronine (T3) supplementation. Animals were dosed only on day 24 of a 28-day incubation period and studied on incubation day 25, during external pipping (EP) and 1 day post-hatching (dph). On day 25, there was an increase in V̇ O2  in the hyperthyroid treatment compared with the other two treatments. During the EP stage, there was a significant effect of thyroid status on V̇ O2 , with hyperthyroid V̇ O2  being highest and hypothyroid V̇ O2  the lowest. By 1 dph, the supplemented T3 and control animals had similar V̇ O2  responses to cooling with comparable thermal neutral zones followed by increased V̇ O2 Hypothyroid 1 dph hatchlings had a lower resting V̇ O2  that did not increase to the same extent as the supplemented T3 and control animals during cooling. During EP, inhibiting the rise in T3 resulted in embryos with lower ventilation frequency and tidal volume than control and supplemented T3 embryos. At 1 dph, ventilation frequency of all animals increased during cooling, but tidal volume only increased in supplemented T3 and control hatchlings. Our data support the role of the late incubation increase in T3 in regulating the systemic development of endothermic metabolic capacity and associated control of ventilation occurring at hatching of the Pekin Duck.

  • Manipulating plasma thyroid hormone levels at hatching alters development of endothermy and ventilation in Pekin Duck (Anas platyrhynchos domestica).
    The Journal of Experimental Biology, 2020
    Co-Authors: Tushar S. Sirsat, Edward M. Dzialowski
    Abstract:

    At hatching in precocial birds, there are rapid physiological and metabolic phenotypic changes associated with attaining endothermy. During the transition to ex ovo life, thyroid hormone levels naturally increase, peaking at hatching, and then declining. To better understand the role of the natural increase in thyroid hormone at hatching in regulating the developmental trajectory of the Pekin Duck9s endothermic phenotype, we examined development of O2 consumption (Vo2) and ventilation (frequency, tidal volume, and minute ventilation) while inhibiting the developmental increase in thyroid hormones that occurs at hatching via administration of the thyroid-peroxidase inhibitor methimazole (MMI) or accelerating the developmental increase via triiodothyronine (T3) supplementation. Animals were dosed only on day 24 of a 28-day incubation period and studied on incubation day 25, during external pipping (EP), and 1-day post hatching (dph). On day 25, there was an increase in Vo2 in the hyperthyroid treatment compared with the other two treatments. During the EP stage, there was a significant effect of thyroid status on Vo2 with hyperthyroid Vo2 being highest and hypothyroid lowest. By 1dph, the supplemented T3 and control animals had similar Vo2 responses to cooling with comparable thermal neutral zones followed by increased Vo2. Hypothyroid 1dph hatchlings had a lower resting Vo2 that did not increase to the same extent as the supplemented T3 and control animals during cooling. During EP, inhibiting the rise in T3 resulted in embryos with lower ventilation frequency and tidal volume than control and supplemented T3 embryos. At 1dph, ventilation frequency of all animals increased during cooling, but tidal volume only increased in supplemented T3 and control hatchlings. Our data supports the role of the late incubation increase in T3 in regulating the systemic development of endothermic metabolic capacity and associated control of ventilation occurring at hatching of the Pekin Duck.

  • Thyroid hormone manipulation influences development of cardiovascular regulation in embryonic Pekin Duck, Anas platyrhynchos domestica.
    Journal of comparative physiology. B Biochemical systemic and environmental physiology, 2018
    Co-Authors: Tushar S. Sirsat, Dane A. Crossley, Janna Crossley, Edward M. Dzialowski
    Abstract:

    Thyroid hormones are key regulators of avian metabolism and may play a significant role in development at hatching. To better understand the role of thyroid hormones in avian development, we examined autonomic control of heart rate and blood pressure while manipulating thyroid hormone levels in the late stage embryonic Pekin Duck (Anas platyrhynchos domestica). Thyroid hormone levels were manipulated on day 24 of a 28-day incubation period with the thyroperoxidase inhibitor methimazole (MMI), triiodothyronine (T3), or saline. On day 25 of incubation, autonomic tone on cardiovascular function was studied by injections of cholinergic and adrenergic receptor antagonists. Embryos from all treatment groups expressed a cholinergic and β-adrenergic tone on heart rate at this age. Cholinergic blockade with atropine produced a larger change in heart rate in the hyperthyroid animals compared with euthyroid animals. In response to β-adrenergic blockade, hyperthyroid conditions produced a larger decrease in heart rate compared with euthyroid animals, with no change in mean arterial blood pressure. In response to α-adrenergic blockade, mean arterial blood pressure decreased in the euthyroid animals and more developed hyperthyroid animals. Collectively, the data indicate that elevated levels of T3 can influence maturation of cholinergic and adrenergic receptor-mediated cardiovascular regulation in developing Pekin Ducks near the end of incubation.

Tushar S. Sirsat - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Manipulating plasma thyroid hormone levels at hatching alters development of endothermy and ventilation in Pekin Duck (Anas platyrhynchos domestica).
    The Journal of experimental biology, 2020
    Co-Authors: Tushar S. Sirsat, Edward M. Dzialowski
    Abstract:

    At hatching in precocial birds, there are rapid physiological and metabolic phenotypic changes associated with attaining endothermy. During the transition to ex ovo life, thyroid hormone levels naturally increase, peaking at hatching, and then decline. To better understand the role of the natural increase in thyroid hormone at hatching in regulating the developmental trajectory of the Pekin Duck's endothermic phenotype, we examined development of O2 consumption (V̇ O2 ) and ventilation (frequency, tidal volume and minute ventilation) while inhibiting the developmental increase in thyroid hormones that occurs at hatching via administration of the thyroid-peroxidase inhibitor methimazole (MMI) or accelerating the developmental increase via triiodothyronine (T3) supplementation. Animals were dosed only on day 24 of a 28-day incubation period and studied on incubation day 25, during external pipping (EP) and 1 day post-hatching (dph). On day 25, there was an increase in V̇ O2  in the hyperthyroid treatment compared with the other two treatments. During the EP stage, there was a significant effect of thyroid status on V̇ O2 , with hyperthyroid V̇ O2  being highest and hypothyroid V̇ O2  the lowest. By 1 dph, the supplemented T3 and control animals had similar V̇ O2  responses to cooling with comparable thermal neutral zones followed by increased V̇ O2 Hypothyroid 1 dph hatchlings had a lower resting V̇ O2  that did not increase to the same extent as the supplemented T3 and control animals during cooling. During EP, inhibiting the rise in T3 resulted in embryos with lower ventilation frequency and tidal volume than control and supplemented T3 embryos. At 1 dph, ventilation frequency of all animals increased during cooling, but tidal volume only increased in supplemented T3 and control hatchlings. Our data support the role of the late incubation increase in T3 in regulating the systemic development of endothermic metabolic capacity and associated control of ventilation occurring at hatching of the Pekin Duck.

  • Manipulating plasma thyroid hormone levels at hatching alters development of endothermy and ventilation in Pekin Duck (Anas platyrhynchos domestica).
    The Journal of Experimental Biology, 2020
    Co-Authors: Tushar S. Sirsat, Edward M. Dzialowski
    Abstract:

    At hatching in precocial birds, there are rapid physiological and metabolic phenotypic changes associated with attaining endothermy. During the transition to ex ovo life, thyroid hormone levels naturally increase, peaking at hatching, and then declining. To better understand the role of the natural increase in thyroid hormone at hatching in regulating the developmental trajectory of the Pekin Duck9s endothermic phenotype, we examined development of O2 consumption (Vo2) and ventilation (frequency, tidal volume, and minute ventilation) while inhibiting the developmental increase in thyroid hormones that occurs at hatching via administration of the thyroid-peroxidase inhibitor methimazole (MMI) or accelerating the developmental increase via triiodothyronine (T3) supplementation. Animals were dosed only on day 24 of a 28-day incubation period and studied on incubation day 25, during external pipping (EP), and 1-day post hatching (dph). On day 25, there was an increase in Vo2 in the hyperthyroid treatment compared with the other two treatments. During the EP stage, there was a significant effect of thyroid status on Vo2 with hyperthyroid Vo2 being highest and hypothyroid lowest. By 1dph, the supplemented T3 and control animals had similar Vo2 responses to cooling with comparable thermal neutral zones followed by increased Vo2. Hypothyroid 1dph hatchlings had a lower resting Vo2 that did not increase to the same extent as the supplemented T3 and control animals during cooling. During EP, inhibiting the rise in T3 resulted in embryos with lower ventilation frequency and tidal volume than control and supplemented T3 embryos. At 1dph, ventilation frequency of all animals increased during cooling, but tidal volume only increased in supplemented T3 and control hatchlings. Our data supports the role of the late incubation increase in T3 in regulating the systemic development of endothermic metabolic capacity and associated control of ventilation occurring at hatching of the Pekin Duck.

  • Thyroid hormone manipulation influences development of cardiovascular regulation in embryonic Pekin Duck, Anas platyrhynchos domestica.
    Journal of comparative physiology. B Biochemical systemic and environmental physiology, 2018
    Co-Authors: Tushar S. Sirsat, Dane A. Crossley, Janna Crossley, Edward M. Dzialowski
    Abstract:

    Thyroid hormones are key regulators of avian metabolism and may play a significant role in development at hatching. To better understand the role of thyroid hormones in avian development, we examined autonomic control of heart rate and blood pressure while manipulating thyroid hormone levels in the late stage embryonic Pekin Duck (Anas platyrhynchos domestica). Thyroid hormone levels were manipulated on day 24 of a 28-day incubation period with the thyroperoxidase inhibitor methimazole (MMI), triiodothyronine (T3), or saline. On day 25 of incubation, autonomic tone on cardiovascular function was studied by injections of cholinergic and adrenergic receptor antagonists. Embryos from all treatment groups expressed a cholinergic and β-adrenergic tone on heart rate at this age. Cholinergic blockade with atropine produced a larger change in heart rate in the hyperthyroid animals compared with euthyroid animals. In response to β-adrenergic blockade, hyperthyroid conditions produced a larger decrease in heart rate compared with euthyroid animals, with no change in mean arterial blood pressure. In response to α-adrenergic blockade, mean arterial blood pressure decreased in the euthyroid animals and more developed hyperthyroid animals. Collectively, the data indicate that elevated levels of T3 can influence maturation of cholinergic and adrenergic receptor-mediated cardiovascular regulation in developing Pekin Ducks near the end of incubation.

Wei Huang - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Gene expression profiling in Pekin Duck embryonic breast muscle.
    PLOS ONE, 2017
    Co-Authors: Tieshan Xu, Lihong Gu, Ya-ge Zhang, Wei Huang, Yun-sheng Zhang, Guang Rong, Kyle M. Schachtschneider
    Abstract:

    : Lean-type Pekin Duck is a breed gained through long-term selection and great effort has been exerted to understand the mechanisms underlying increased muscle yields. However, the genes involved in Pekin Duck embryonic breast muscle development have not been explored to date. In this study, we investigated gene expression profiles in Pekin Duck embryonic breast muscle at hatched day 13 (E13), E19, and E27 using RNA-seq. In total, we produced 519,312,178 raw reads resulting in 497,348,158 high-quality reads after filtering. The mapping, distribution of reads along annotated genes, and consistency across replicates demonstrates the high quality of the RNA-seq data used in this study, allowing us to continue with the downstream analysis. Significantly fewer differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified between E13 and E19 (203 DEGs) compared to E27 and E19 (2,797 DEGs). Many DEGs highly expressed in E19 are involved in metabolic processes and cell division. KEGG analysis showed many pathways associated with fat development were significantly enriched for DEGs highly expressed in E27. These results provide a basis for the further investigation of the mechanisms involved in Pekin Duck embryonic breast muscle development.

  • Identification and Profiling of MicroRNAs in the Embryonic Breast Muscle of Pekin Duck
    2016
    Co-Authors: Wei Huang, Ming Xie, Shiduo Sun, Shuisheng Hou
    Abstract:

    MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate gene expression by fully or partially binding to complementary sequences and play important roles in skeletal muscle development. However, the roles of miRNAs in embryonic breast muscle of Duck are unclear. In this study, we analyzed the miRNAs profiling in embryonic breast muscle of Pekin Duck at E13 (the 13th day of hatching), E19, and E27 by high-throughput sequencing. A total of 382 miRNAs including 359 preciously identified miRNAs 23 novel miRNA candidates were obtained. The nucleotide bias analysis of identified miRNAs showed that the miRNAs in Pekin Duck was high conserved. The expression of identified miRNAs were significantly different between E13 and E19 as well as between E27 and E19. Fifteen identified miRNAs validated using stem-loop qRT-PCR can be divided into three groups: those with peak expression at E19, those with minimal expression at E19, and those with continuous increase from E11 to E27. Considering that E19 is the fastest growth stage of embryonic Pekin Duck breast muscle, these three groups of miRNAs might be the potential promoters, the potential inhibitors, and the potential sustainer for breast muscle growth. Among the 23 novel miRNAs, novel-miRNA-8 and novel-miRNA-14 had maximal expression at some stages. The stem-loop qRT-PCR analysis of the two novel miRNAs and their two targets (MAP2K1 and PPARa) showed that the expression of novel-mir-8 and PPARa reached the lowest points at E19, while that of novel-mir-14 and MAP2K1 peaked at E19, suggesting novel-miRNA-8 and novel-miRNA-14 may be a potential inhibitor and a potential promoter for embryonic breast muscle development o

  • identification of differentially expressed genes in breast muscle and skin fat of postnatal Pekin Duck
    PLOS ONE, 2014
    Co-Authors: Tieshan Xu, Lihong Gu, Kyle M. Schachtschneider, Wei Huang
    Abstract:

    Lean-type Pekin Duck is a commercial breed that has been obtained through long-term selection. Investigation of the differentially expressed genes in breast muscle and skin fat at different developmental stages will contribute to a comprehensive understanding of the potential mechanisms underlying the lean-type Pekin Duck phenotype. In the present study, RNA-seq was performed on breast muscle and skin fat at 2-, 4- and 6-weeks of age. More than 89% of the annotated Duck genes were covered by our RNA-seq dataset. Thousands of differentially expressed genes, including many important genes involved in the regulation of muscle development and fat deposition, were detected through comparison of the expression levels in the muscle and skin fat of the same time point, or the same tissue at different time points. KEGG pathway analysis showed that the differentially expressed genes clustered significantly in many muscle development and fat deposition related pathways such as MAPK signaling pathway, PPAR signaling pathway, Calcium signaling pathway, Fat digestion and absorption, and TGF-beta signaling pathway. The results presented here could provide a basis for further investigation of the mechanisms involved in muscle development and fat deposition in Pekin Duck.

  • Identification and Profiling of MicroRNAs in the Embryonic Breast Muscle of Pekin Duck
    PLOS ONE, 2014
    Co-Authors: Lihong Gu, Tieshan Xu, Wei Huang
    Abstract:

    MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate gene expression by fully or partially binding to complementary sequences and play important roles in skeletal muscle development. However, the roles of miRNAs in embryonic breast muscle of Duck are unclear. In this study, we analyzed the miRNAs profiling in embryonic breast muscle of Pekin Duck at E13 (the 13th day of hatching), E19, and E27 by high-throughput sequencing. A total of 382 miRNAs including 359 preciously identified miRNAs 23 novel miRNA candidates were obtained. The nucleotide bias analysis of identified miRNAs showed that the miRNAs in Pekin Duck was high conserved. The expression of identified miRNAs were significantly different between E13 and E19 as well as between E27 and E19. Fifteen identified miRNAs validated using stem-loop qRT-PCR can be divided into three groups: those with peak expression at E19, those with minimal expression at E19, and those with continuous increase from E11 to E27. Considering that E19 is the fastest growth stage of embryonic Pekin Duck breast muscle, these three groups of miRNAs might be the potential promoters, the potential inhibitors, and the potential sustainer for breast muscle growth. Among the 23 novel miRNAs, novel-miRNA-8 and novel-miRNA-14 had maximal expression at some stages. The stem-loop qRT-PCR analysis of the two novel miRNAs and their two targets (MAP2K1 and PPARα) showed that the expression of novel-mir-8 and PPARα reached the lowest points at E19, while that of novel-mir-14 and MAP2K1 peaked at E19, suggesting novel-miRNA-8 and novel-miRNA-14 may be a potential inhibitor and a potential promoter for embryonic breast muscle development of Duck. In summary, these results not only provided an overall insight into the miRNAs landscape in embryonic breast muscle of Duck, but also a basis for the further investigation of the miRNAs roles in Duck skeletal muscle development.

  • Identification and characterization of genes related to the development of breast muscles in Pekin Duck.
    Molecular Biology Reports, 2012
    Co-Authors: Tieshan Xu, X H Zhang, Wei Huang, Baoguo Ye, Hanlin Zhou
    Abstract:

    Pekin Duck is world-famous for its fast growth, but its breast muscle development is later and breast muscle content is lower compared with other muscular Ducks. Therefore, it is very important to discover the genetic mechanism between breast muscle development and relative gene expression in Pekin Duck. In current study, the genes which have relationships with breast muscle development were identified by suppression subtractive hybridization. A total of 403 positive clones were sequenced and 257 unigenes were obtained. The expression of 23 genes were analyzed in the breast muscle of 2-, 4-, 6-, 8- week old Pekin Ducks. The results showed that unknown clone A233, C83 and C99 showed descending tendency as age increased; KBTBD10, HSPA8, MYL1, ZFP622, MARCH4, Nexilin, FABP4 and MUSTN1 had high expression levels at 6 weeks old; WAC, NT5C3, HSP90AA1, MRPL33, KLF6, TSNAX, CDC42EP3, HSPA4, TRAK1, NR2F2, HAUS1 and IGF1 had high expression levels at 8 weeks and showed ascending tendency as age increased. Expression of these 23 genes were also analyzed in breast muscle, leg muscle, heart, kidney, liver, muscular stomach and sebum cutaneum in 4–8-week old Pekin Duck and results showed that most of these genes had high expression in breast muscle, leg muscle and heart.

Tieshan Xu - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Gene expression profiling in Pekin Duck embryonic breast muscle.
    PLOS ONE, 2017
    Co-Authors: Tieshan Xu, Lihong Gu, Ya-ge Zhang, Wei Huang, Yun-sheng Zhang, Guang Rong, Kyle M. Schachtschneider
    Abstract:

    : Lean-type Pekin Duck is a breed gained through long-term selection and great effort has been exerted to understand the mechanisms underlying increased muscle yields. However, the genes involved in Pekin Duck embryonic breast muscle development have not been explored to date. In this study, we investigated gene expression profiles in Pekin Duck embryonic breast muscle at hatched day 13 (E13), E19, and E27 using RNA-seq. In total, we produced 519,312,178 raw reads resulting in 497,348,158 high-quality reads after filtering. The mapping, distribution of reads along annotated genes, and consistency across replicates demonstrates the high quality of the RNA-seq data used in this study, allowing us to continue with the downstream analysis. Significantly fewer differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified between E13 and E19 (203 DEGs) compared to E27 and E19 (2,797 DEGs). Many DEGs highly expressed in E19 are involved in metabolic processes and cell division. KEGG analysis showed many pathways associated with fat development were significantly enriched for DEGs highly expressed in E27. These results provide a basis for the further investigation of the mechanisms involved in Pekin Duck embryonic breast muscle development.

  • identification of differentially expressed genes in breast muscle and skin fat of postnatal Pekin Duck
    PLOS ONE, 2014
    Co-Authors: Tieshan Xu, Lihong Gu, Kyle M. Schachtschneider, Wei Huang
    Abstract:

    Lean-type Pekin Duck is a commercial breed that has been obtained through long-term selection. Investigation of the differentially expressed genes in breast muscle and skin fat at different developmental stages will contribute to a comprehensive understanding of the potential mechanisms underlying the lean-type Pekin Duck phenotype. In the present study, RNA-seq was performed on breast muscle and skin fat at 2-, 4- and 6-weeks of age. More than 89% of the annotated Duck genes were covered by our RNA-seq dataset. Thousands of differentially expressed genes, including many important genes involved in the regulation of muscle development and fat deposition, were detected through comparison of the expression levels in the muscle and skin fat of the same time point, or the same tissue at different time points. KEGG pathway analysis showed that the differentially expressed genes clustered significantly in many muscle development and fat deposition related pathways such as MAPK signaling pathway, PPAR signaling pathway, Calcium signaling pathway, Fat digestion and absorption, and TGF-beta signaling pathway. The results presented here could provide a basis for further investigation of the mechanisms involved in muscle development and fat deposition in Pekin Duck.

  • Identification and Profiling of MicroRNAs in the Embryonic Breast Muscle of Pekin Duck
    PLOS ONE, 2014
    Co-Authors: Lihong Gu, Tieshan Xu, Wei Huang
    Abstract:

    MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate gene expression by fully or partially binding to complementary sequences and play important roles in skeletal muscle development. However, the roles of miRNAs in embryonic breast muscle of Duck are unclear. In this study, we analyzed the miRNAs profiling in embryonic breast muscle of Pekin Duck at E13 (the 13th day of hatching), E19, and E27 by high-throughput sequencing. A total of 382 miRNAs including 359 preciously identified miRNAs 23 novel miRNA candidates were obtained. The nucleotide bias analysis of identified miRNAs showed that the miRNAs in Pekin Duck was high conserved. The expression of identified miRNAs were significantly different between E13 and E19 as well as between E27 and E19. Fifteen identified miRNAs validated using stem-loop qRT-PCR can be divided into three groups: those with peak expression at E19, those with minimal expression at E19, and those with continuous increase from E11 to E27. Considering that E19 is the fastest growth stage of embryonic Pekin Duck breast muscle, these three groups of miRNAs might be the potential promoters, the potential inhibitors, and the potential sustainer for breast muscle growth. Among the 23 novel miRNAs, novel-miRNA-8 and novel-miRNA-14 had maximal expression at some stages. The stem-loop qRT-PCR analysis of the two novel miRNAs and their two targets (MAP2K1 and PPARα) showed that the expression of novel-mir-8 and PPARα reached the lowest points at E19, while that of novel-mir-14 and MAP2K1 peaked at E19, suggesting novel-miRNA-8 and novel-miRNA-14 may be a potential inhibitor and a potential promoter for embryonic breast muscle development of Duck. In summary, these results not only provided an overall insight into the miRNAs landscape in embryonic breast muscle of Duck, but also a basis for the further investigation of the miRNAs roles in Duck skeletal muscle development.

  • Identification and characterization of genes related to the development of breast muscles in Pekin Duck.
    Molecular Biology Reports, 2012
    Co-Authors: Tieshan Xu, X H Zhang, Wei Huang, Baoguo Ye, Hanlin Zhou
    Abstract:

    Pekin Duck is world-famous for its fast growth, but its breast muscle development is later and breast muscle content is lower compared with other muscular Ducks. Therefore, it is very important to discover the genetic mechanism between breast muscle development and relative gene expression in Pekin Duck. In current study, the genes which have relationships with breast muscle development were identified by suppression subtractive hybridization. A total of 403 positive clones were sequenced and 257 unigenes were obtained. The expression of 23 genes were analyzed in the breast muscle of 2-, 4-, 6-, 8- week old Pekin Ducks. The results showed that unknown clone A233, C83 and C99 showed descending tendency as age increased; KBTBD10, HSPA8, MYL1, ZFP622, MARCH4, Nexilin, FABP4 and MUSTN1 had high expression levels at 6 weeks old; WAC, NT5C3, HSP90AA1, MRPL33, KLF6, TSNAX, CDC42EP3, HSPA4, TRAK1, NR2F2, HAUS1 and IGF1 had high expression levels at 8 weeks and showed ascending tendency as age increased. Expression of these 23 genes were also analyzed in breast muscle, leg muscle, heart, kidney, liver, muscular stomach and sebum cutaneum in 4–8-week old Pekin Duck and results showed that most of these genes had high expression in breast muscle, leg muscle and heart.

Lihong Gu - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Gene expression profiling in Pekin Duck embryonic breast muscle.
    PLOS ONE, 2017
    Co-Authors: Tieshan Xu, Lihong Gu, Ya-ge Zhang, Wei Huang, Yun-sheng Zhang, Guang Rong, Kyle M. Schachtschneider
    Abstract:

    : Lean-type Pekin Duck is a breed gained through long-term selection and great effort has been exerted to understand the mechanisms underlying increased muscle yields. However, the genes involved in Pekin Duck embryonic breast muscle development have not been explored to date. In this study, we investigated gene expression profiles in Pekin Duck embryonic breast muscle at hatched day 13 (E13), E19, and E27 using RNA-seq. In total, we produced 519,312,178 raw reads resulting in 497,348,158 high-quality reads after filtering. The mapping, distribution of reads along annotated genes, and consistency across replicates demonstrates the high quality of the RNA-seq data used in this study, allowing us to continue with the downstream analysis. Significantly fewer differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified between E13 and E19 (203 DEGs) compared to E27 and E19 (2,797 DEGs). Many DEGs highly expressed in E19 are involved in metabolic processes and cell division. KEGG analysis showed many pathways associated with fat development were significantly enriched for DEGs highly expressed in E27. These results provide a basis for the further investigation of the mechanisms involved in Pekin Duck embryonic breast muscle development.

  • identification of differentially expressed genes in breast muscle and skin fat of postnatal Pekin Duck
    PLOS ONE, 2014
    Co-Authors: Tieshan Xu, Lihong Gu, Kyle M. Schachtschneider, Wei Huang
    Abstract:

    Lean-type Pekin Duck is a commercial breed that has been obtained through long-term selection. Investigation of the differentially expressed genes in breast muscle and skin fat at different developmental stages will contribute to a comprehensive understanding of the potential mechanisms underlying the lean-type Pekin Duck phenotype. In the present study, RNA-seq was performed on breast muscle and skin fat at 2-, 4- and 6-weeks of age. More than 89% of the annotated Duck genes were covered by our RNA-seq dataset. Thousands of differentially expressed genes, including many important genes involved in the regulation of muscle development and fat deposition, were detected through comparison of the expression levels in the muscle and skin fat of the same time point, or the same tissue at different time points. KEGG pathway analysis showed that the differentially expressed genes clustered significantly in many muscle development and fat deposition related pathways such as MAPK signaling pathway, PPAR signaling pathway, Calcium signaling pathway, Fat digestion and absorption, and TGF-beta signaling pathway. The results presented here could provide a basis for further investigation of the mechanisms involved in muscle development and fat deposition in Pekin Duck.

  • Identification and Profiling of MicroRNAs in the Embryonic Breast Muscle of Pekin Duck
    PLOS ONE, 2014
    Co-Authors: Lihong Gu, Tieshan Xu, Wei Huang
    Abstract:

    MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate gene expression by fully or partially binding to complementary sequences and play important roles in skeletal muscle development. However, the roles of miRNAs in embryonic breast muscle of Duck are unclear. In this study, we analyzed the miRNAs profiling in embryonic breast muscle of Pekin Duck at E13 (the 13th day of hatching), E19, and E27 by high-throughput sequencing. A total of 382 miRNAs including 359 preciously identified miRNAs 23 novel miRNA candidates were obtained. The nucleotide bias analysis of identified miRNAs showed that the miRNAs in Pekin Duck was high conserved. The expression of identified miRNAs were significantly different between E13 and E19 as well as between E27 and E19. Fifteen identified miRNAs validated using stem-loop qRT-PCR can be divided into three groups: those with peak expression at E19, those with minimal expression at E19, and those with continuous increase from E11 to E27. Considering that E19 is the fastest growth stage of embryonic Pekin Duck breast muscle, these three groups of miRNAs might be the potential promoters, the potential inhibitors, and the potential sustainer for breast muscle growth. Among the 23 novel miRNAs, novel-miRNA-8 and novel-miRNA-14 had maximal expression at some stages. The stem-loop qRT-PCR analysis of the two novel miRNAs and their two targets (MAP2K1 and PPARα) showed that the expression of novel-mir-8 and PPARα reached the lowest points at E19, while that of novel-mir-14 and MAP2K1 peaked at E19, suggesting novel-miRNA-8 and novel-miRNA-14 may be a potential inhibitor and a potential promoter for embryonic breast muscle development of Duck. In summary, these results not only provided an overall insight into the miRNAs landscape in embryonic breast muscle of Duck, but also a basis for the further investigation of the miRNAs roles in Duck skeletal muscle development.

  • Characterization of myostatin gene (MSTN) of Pekin Duck and the association of its polymorphism with breast muscle traits.
    Genetics and Molecular Research, 2013
    Co-Authors: T.s. Xu, Lihong Gu, X H Zhang, B.g. Ye
    Abstract:

    : Myostatin, encoded by the MSTN gene, is a negative regulator of muscle growth, and its expression level in muscle tissue is closely correlated with muscle growth and satellite cell proliferation. To identify the characteristics of the Pekin Duck MSTN gene and the relationship between its polymorphism and breast muscle traits in Pekin Duck, cDNA cloning and analysis and the expression pattern in breast muscle development and polymorphism were performed using molecular cloning, quantitative real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction, and molecular marker technology. The results showed that a 1320-bp sequence, including a 93-bp 5'-UTR, 1128-bp CDS, and 99- bp 3'-UTR, was obtained, and two alternative splicing isoforms were detected. The alternative splicing isoforms encoded 375- and 251-amino acid residues. The amino acid sequence of Pekin Duck MSTN was similar to other vertebrates and exhibited the highest similarity to chicken. The expression pattern of MSTN in breast muscle tissue showed a tendency to increase, except for a slight decrease at 6 weeks. Three single nucleotide polymorphisms were found in the Pekin Duck MSTN gene by cDNA sequencing from different individuals. The T129C had significant association with breast muscle thickness, and the T952C had significant association with the fossilia ossis mastodi length. This study reveals the molecular characteristics of the Pekin Duck MSTN gene and the relationship of its polymorphism with breast muscle traits in Pekin Duck. Therefore, it can provide some useful basic understanding of MSTN functions.