Transcriptome expression profiling of fur color formation in domestic rabbits using Solexa sequencing.

Fur color is an important, genetically determined characteristic of domestic rabbits, and rabbit furs are of great economic value. To investigate the molecular genetics associated with fur color determination in domestic rabbits, we used Solexa-sequencing technology to probe gene expression in dorsal skin tissues sampled from full-sibling Rex rabbits of different colors. The number of expressed genes in each sample was approximately 14,700. Among the top 30 genes and transcription factors with the highest reads per kilobase per million values, the elongation factor-alpha 1 gene was highly expressed in all samples, as were genes of the ribosomal protein and keratin gene families. Compared with the chinchilla (C) Rex rabbit control sample, the numbers of genes in the black (B) and white (W) rabbit samples were 1809 and 460, respectively, and the number of common differentially expressed genes was 257. Clustering analysis of these 257 genes revealed that 32 were up-regulated in sample B and down-regulated in sample W. Of these 32 genes, we identified some that are related to fur formation, including Tyrosinase-related protein 1 (TYRP1) and Tyrosinase (TYR), as well as genes with unknown functions. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to verify the expression patterns of those genes. The findings are expected to provide reference for the further study of fur color formation in rabbits.

Screening of differentially-expressed genes in the muscles of rabbit breeds with expression profile chip.

The molecular mechanism underlying muscle development in rabbits is not well-understood. In the current study, differentially-expressed genes were scanned using an expression profile chip in New Zealand white rabbits (introduced breed) and Fujian yellow rabbits (local breed), and some of the genes were tested using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. The amplification results were consistent with the microarray data. Fourteen and 13 genes involved in muscle development were identified in the dorsal longissimus and leg muscles, respectively. Myh6, Myh7, Myh7b, Myo5b, Tnnc1, Tpm3, and Acta2 were scanned in the longissimus and leg muscles. Thus, these genes may be involved in muscle fiber formation and muscle development in rabbits. This study provides a theoretical basis for improving meat quality, as well as for the future development and utilization of local meat rabbit breeds.

Severe Outbreak of Rust Caused by Coleosporium pulsatillae Detected on Pulsatilla spp. in China.

Windflower (Pulsatilla spp.) is a perennial medicinal plant in the Ranunculaceae with high economic value as well as medicinal value in China. It is a commonly used Chinese herbal medicine. In 2007, two species, Pulsatilla koreana Nakai and P. chinensis Regel, were observed with severe rust symptoms at three locations (Shenyang City, Benxi City, and Fushun County) in Liaoning, China. The diseased area was estimated to be more than 500 ha and the yield was reduced by 30% on average with up to 65% yield losses in some fields. Since its first record in 2007, the disease has been recorded every year in parts of China. A survey of all cultivated fields in August 2011 revealed that 90% of the Pulsatilla plants were heavily infected with rust. Early symptoms on the adaxial leaf surfaces were small, circular, yellow spots that later enlarged, coalesced, and developed necrotic centers. On the abaxial side, numerous yellow rust uredinia were visible. Urediniospores are globose or ellipsoidal, sometimes angular in shape, with a yellowish content, and measured 22.6 to 39.4 × 15.2 to 23.9 µm. Spore walls were coarsely verrucose when examined by light and scanning electron microscopy. Telia and teliospores were observed in mid-August. Hypophyllous telia often formed around uredinial clusters. Telia were 0.3 to 1.1 mm wide and erumpent with numerous teliospores in a compact layer. Teliospores were clavate, oblong to ellipsoidal, 60.2 to 120.8 × 12.1 to 24.4 µm, gelatinous, and one celled. Teliospores were four celled with the division of the protoplast into an internal four-celled basidium. Pathogenicity tests included inoculation of young P. koreana plants by spraying a urediniospore suspension (30,000 spores/ml of deionized water). Inoculated plants were incubated at 25°C for 48 h, and typical rust symptoms and uredinia developed in 10 to 15 days. On the basis of symptomatology, the host, and morphology of uredinial and telia, the fungus was identified as Coleosporium pulsatillae (Str.) Lév (2). The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region was amplified using ITS1-F and ITS4-B primers (3), and an amplified product of 817 bp, specific for the species C. pulsatillae, was obtained. The sequence was deposited in GenBank (Accession No. JQ029765). Although this pathogen has been mentioned as part of a fungal species survey from China, it was not fully described (4). This pathogen has been reported on Anemone chinensis in Austria, Sibiria (2), and Korea (1). It has not been reported from anywhere else in China. To our knowledge, this is the first fully described record and most severe outbreak of C. pulsatillae on windflower. References: (1) W. D. Cho and H. D. Shin. List of Plant Diseases in Korea. Korean Society of Plant Pathology, Seoul, Korea, 2004. (2) J. B. De-Toni. Sylloge Fungorum 7:754, 1888. (3) M. Gardes et al. Mol. Ecol. 2:113, 1993. (4) F. L. Tai. Sylloge Fungorum Sinicorum. Science Press, Beijing, 1979.

[Effect of gamma-interferon on the fibroblasts in hypertrophic scars].

OBJECTIVE: To study the influence and mechanism of gamma-IFN on fibroblasts in hypertrophic scars(HTS). METHODS: The cultured fibroblastic cells were isolated from the hypertrophic scars of 10 patients. The fibroblasts were divided into two groups, one group was treated with gamma-IFN (100 U/ml, 5 days) and the other without gamma-IFN as control. The proliferative activity in both groups was investigated and compared by blood cytometer, the proportion of myofibroblast (MFB) and the ratio of apoptosis were examined and analysed between two groups by flow cytometry using alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) as marker. RESULTS: The proliferative activity was downregulated with gamma-IFN. In gamma-IFN treated group, the differentiation of MFB were reduced and the decreasing ratio was 3.2% at the 2nd day and up to 10.5% at the 8th day, then it reduced gradually. The apoptosic ratio is 17.7% in gamma-IFN treated group, and is 10.9% in control group. The difference was statistically significant. CONCLUSION: gamma-IFN could downregulate the proliferation of fibroblasts, decrease the differentiation of MFB and induce the apoptosis. It has beneficial effect in the treatment of hypertrophic scars(HTS).