Comparative genomic identification and expression profiling of a novel ?-defensin gene cluster in the equine reproductive tract.
Abstract: ?-defensins are small cationic proteins with potent immunoregulatory and antimicrobial activity. The number of genes encoding these peptides varies significantly between and within species but they have not been extensively characterised in the horse. Here, we describe a systematic search of the Equus caballus genome that identified a cluster of novel ?-defensin genes on Chromosome 22, which is homologous to a cluster on bovine Chromosome 13. Close genomic matches were found for orthologs of 13 of the bovine genes, which were named equine ?-defensins (eBD) 115, eBD116, eBD117, eBD119, eBD120, eBD122a, eBD123, eBD124, eBD125, eBD126, eBD127, eBD129 and eBD132. As expression of the homologous cluster in cattle was limited to the reproductive tract, tissue sections were obtained from the testis, caput, corpus and cauda epididymis and the vas deferens of three stallions and from the ovary, oviduct, uterine horn, uterus, cervix and vagina of three mares. Using a quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction approach, each of the novel ?-defensin genes showed distinct region-specific patterns of expression. Preferential expression in the caput epididymis of these novel defensins in the stallion and in the oviduct in the mare suggests a possible role in immunoprotection of the equine reproductive tract or in fertility.
Publication Date: 2015-04-30 PubMed ID: 25924226DOI: 10.1071/RD14345Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The study investigates a new cluster of ?-defensin genes in horses, discovering their potential role in the reproductive system and offering insight into their impact on fertility and immune protection in the species.
Research Objective and Methods
- The objective of this research was to analyze the Equus caballus (horse) genome to identify the presence of a novel ?-defensin gene cluster, following the discovery of a similar gene cluster in bovines (cattle).
- The research team conducted a systematic search of the equine genome, specifically focusing on Chromosome 22 due to its homology with bovine Chromosome 13, where the bovine ?-defensin gene cluster is located.
- The presence and potential physiological role of these genes in the equine reproductive system was investigated through tissue samples from various parts of the reproductive tract. The tissues were sourced from three stallions and three mares.
Key Findings
- Through the systematic genomic search, the researchers identified a new cluster of ?-defensin genes. These genes were found to have close orthologs with or are analogous to 13 of the bovine ?-defensin genes.
- The newly identified genes in the horse, referred to as equine ?-defensins (eBD), demonstrated varying patterns of region-specific expression in the reproductive tract – with distinct expression observed in different parts of the equine reproductive system.
- Certain genes, like eBD 115, eBD116, eBD117, eBD119, eBD120, eBD122a, eBD123, eBD124, eBD125, eBD126, eBD127, eBD129, and eBD132, showed preferential expression in the caput epididymis in stallions and the oviduct in mares. This suggests that these ?-defensin genes might play a vital role in immunoprotection of the equine reproductive tract or potentially influence equine fertility.
Implications
- This research advances our understanding of the equine genome, particularly with respect to the complex role of ?-defensins in the immune system and fertility.
- The identification of these new ?-defensin genes could pave the way for further studies exploring their expression and functional role in other species as well, enhancing our knowledge about the genetic basis for reproductive health and fertility.
Cite This Article
APA
Johnson GP, Lloyd AT, O'Farrelly C, Meade KG, Fair S.
(2015).
Comparative genomic identification and expression profiling of a novel ?-defensin gene cluster in the equine reproductive tract.
Reprod Fertil Dev.
https://doi.org/10.1071/RD14345 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
Citations
This article has been cited 7 times.- Hisey EA, Martins BC, Donnelly CG, Cassano JM, Katzman SA, Murphy CJ, Thomasy SM, Leonard BC. Identification of putative orthologs of clinically relevant antimicrobial peptides in the equine ocular surface and amniotic membrane.. Vet Ophthalmol 2023 Apr;26 Suppl 1(Suppl 1):125-133.
- Solanki S, Kashyap P, Ali SA, Kumar V, Vats A, Pukhrambam M, Kumar R, De S, Datta TK. Analysis of amplification and association polymorphisms in the bovine beta-defensin 129 (BBD129) gene revealed its function in bull fertility.. Sci Rep 2022 Nov 9;12(1):19042.
- Crociati M, Capomaccio S, Mandara MT, Stradaioli G, Sylla L, Monaci M, Cappelli K. Different expression of Defensin-B gene in the endometrium of mares of different age during the breeding season.. BMC Vet Res 2019 Dec 21;15(1):465.
- Batra V, Maheshwarappa A, Dagar K, Kumar S, Soni A, Kumaresan A, Kumar R, Datta TK. Unusual interplay of contrasting selective pressures on β-defensin genes implicated in male fertility of the Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis).. BMC Evol Biol 2019 Nov 26;19(1):214.
- Meade KG, O'Farrelly C. β-Defensins: Farming the Microbiome for Homeostasis and Health.. Front Immunol 2018;9:3072.
- Hall TJ, McQuillan C, Finlay EK, O'Farrelly C, Fair S, Meade KG. Comparative genomic identification and validation of β-defensin genes in the Ovis aries genome.. BMC Genomics 2017 Apr 4;18(1):278.
- Fernandez-Fuertes B, Narciandi F, O'Farrelly C, Kelly AK, Fair S, Meade KG, Lonergan P. Cauda Epididymis-Specific Beta-Defensin 126 Promotes Sperm Motility but Not Fertilizing Ability in Cattle.. Biol Reprod 2016 Dec;95(6):122.
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