Association of polymorphisms in lipid and energy metabolism-related genes with fattening performance in Simmental cattle.

Lipid and energy metabolism are major constituents of mammal growth and thus fattening performance of cattle. This study was designed to evaluate the effects of polymorphisms in lipid and energy metabolism-related genes including oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor 1 (OLR1), lactoferrin (LTF), stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD), beta-lactoglobulin (LGB), thyroglobulin (TG), annexin A9 (ANXA9), myogenic factor 5 (MYF5), protein kinase AMP-activated non-catalytic subunit gamma 3 (PRKAG3), and pituitary-specific transcriptional factor 1 (PIT1), on fattening performance in Simmental cattle. A total of 72 purebred Simmental bulls with a similar initial age and weight were fattened on the same farm for 10 months. Association analysis was performed using linear mixed models. The OLR1 marker was significantly associated with the final weight (FW), hot carcass weight (HCW), chilled carcass weight (CCW), dressing percentage (DP), and total weight gain (TWG). SCD affected the FW, TWG, and average daily live weight gain (ADWG). The present results clearly demonstrated the significant impact of the TG marker on fattening performance. It was highly significantly associated with the FW, HCW, CCW, and TWG. The SCD × TG and the OLR1 × TG interactions had remarkable effects on the traits analyzed. The GACC and CCCC haplotypes of the SCD × TG and OLR1 × TG, respectively, were found to be powerful markers for fattening performance in Simmentals. Novel associations in this study may be useful for further genetic evaluations to improve beef cattle breeding.

Comprehensive assessment of candidate genes associated with fattening performance in Holstein-Friesian bulls.

The objective of this study was to determine the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in selected candidate genes with fattening performance traits in a commercial cattle herd. Fifteen SNPs in 12 candidate genes (LEP, FABP4, DGAT1, TG, IGF1, IGF1R, MYF5, LGB, CAPN1, CAST, GHR, and OLR1) were evaluated in 296 purebred Holstein-Friesian bulls using PCR-RFLP (polymerase chain reaction - restriction fragment length polymorphism). Associations between each segregating SNP and genetic merit for fattening performance were quantified using linear mixed models. Traits included in the study were fattening period, final weight, dry matter intake, feed conversion rate, and average daily weight gain. Apart from the general determination of the above-mentioned traits, each trait was evaluated based on the fattening periods between five selected target body weights (W1  =  100 kg, W2  =  200 kg, W3  =  300 kg, W4  =  400 kg, W5  =  450 kg). All markers with the exception of CAPN1 530, IGF1R, TG, and DGAT1 were associated with at least one of the traits. Furthermore, novel associations were observed for LEP  × â€¯GHR, IGF1  × â€¯LEP, FABP4 3691  × â€¯FABP4 2834, and FAP4 3533  × â€¯LEP interactions. The results of this study confirm some previously reported associations. Moreover, novel associations have been identified, which may be incorporated into breeding programs to improve fattening performance.

Paclitaxel resistance and the role of miRNAs in prostate cancer cell lines.

PURPOSE: To investigate the expression profiles of 86 miRNAs in paclitaxel-resistant prostate cancer cell lines and to identify the genes that have a role in the development of drug resistance. METHODS: Three prostate cancer cell lines, androgen-dependent VCaP, androgen-independent PC-3 and DU-145, were used to obtain paclitaxel-resistant cells by progressively increasing the concentration of paclitaxel in the culture medium. Viability assays with 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium and sulforhodamine B were used to assess the cell resistance level and cytotoxic effects of paclitaxel treatment. Total RNA was isolated from both prostate cancer cell lines and their resistant versions, and cDNA samples were reverse transcribed from total RNA. Selected target genes of miRNAs that showed differences in expression and were estimated to be effective on drug resistance mechanism were analyzed with western blot analysis. RESULTS: Expression study of 86 miRNAs by RT-PCR demonstrated that several of the miRNAs were expressed at different levels in paclitaxel-resistant cells compared to wild-type cells. Moreover, the expression profiles of these miRNAs varied among different prostate cancer cell line types, with 13 miRNAs being up-regulated in the resistant cells. Among these, miR-200b-3p, miR-34b-3p and miR-375 exhibited a marked up-regulation. Further, miR-100-5p showed a prominent increase in paclitaxel-resistant VCaP-R and DU145-R cells. Western blot and RT-PCR studies showed that only the LARP1 and CCND1 genes were over-expressed up to 2-5 times in all paclitaxel-resistant cell lines compared to the other investigated genes. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, the three paclitaxel-resistant prostate cancer cell lines examined showed remarkably different miRNA expression profiles.

Association of B7-H4 gene polymorphisms in urothelial bladder cancer.

BACKGROUND/AIM: We aimed to study polymorphisms of the B7-H4 gene in order to evaluate a possible association in urothelial carcinoma, as it is highly expressed in cancer tissues. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study B7-H4 gene rs10754339, rs10801935, and rs3738414 SNPs were studied by PCR-RFLP method in paraffin-embedded tumor specimens from 62 urothelial carcinoma patients and in a control group including 30 patients without bladder cancer. RESULTS: We detected that the rs10754339 polymorphism was more frequent in the cancer patients when compared with the control group (P < 0.05). Only the rs3738414 polymorphism showed a statistically significant difference in frequency between pathologic diagnostic groups. CONCLUSION: The rs10754339 AA genotype distribution was found to have a higher frequency whereas the rs3738414 AG genotype distribution was lower in the bladder cancer group (P < 0.05). None of the genotype distributions showed a significant difference from the control group for the rs10801935 polymorphism. We conclude that B7-H4 has the potential to be a useful prognostic marker in urothelial carcinoma.

The effects of short-term recombinant bovine somatotropin treatment on fattening performance, carcass composition and visceral organ weights in karayaka lambs in Turkey.

Recombinant bovine somatotropin (bST) was administered s.c. to lambs for 6 weeks to evaluate its effects on fattening performance, carcass composition and visceral organ weights. Twenty male Karayaka lambs were injected with 250 mg bST every two weeks. Body weight, live weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion rate were not affected by treatment. Head, feet, skin, liver, spleen, kidneys, filled and empty gastrointestinal tract, penis, testis, pelvic fat and internal fat weights were similar for the two groups. Lung weight increased by 17.4% (P<0.01) and weight of heart decreased 22.7% (P<0.05) in bST treated lambs. The only carcass characteristics that were affected by bST administration were limb muscle which increased from 1331 g to 1417 g (P<0.05), loin fat which decreased from 275 g to 174 g (P<0.01), shoulder fat which decreased from 26 g to 13 g (P<0.01) and total fat/final weight percentage which decreased from 9.8% to 7.6% (P<0.05). The results of this study show that prolonged release formulation of bST treatment reduces fat tissue, but does not significantly affect fattening performance or weights of visceral organs, muscle and bone.