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Yang L, Liu M, Zhu Y, Li Y, Pan T, Li E, Wu X. Candidate Regulatory Genes for Hindlimb Development in the Embryos of the Chinese Alligator ( Alligator sinensis). Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:3126. [PMID: 37835732 PMCID: PMC10571561 DOI: 10.3390/ani13193126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Crocodilians, which are a kind of animal secondary adaptation to an aquatic environment, their hindlimb can provide the power needed to engage in various life activities, even in low-oxygen water environments. The development of limbs is an important aspect of animal growth and development, as it is closely linked to body movement, support, heat production, and other critical functions. For the Chinese alligator, the hindlimb is one of the main sources of power, and its development and differentiation will directly influence the survival ability in the wild. Furthermore, a better understanding of the hindlimb developmental process will provide data support for the comparative evolutionary and functional genomics of crocodilians. In this study, the expression levels of genes related to hindlimb development in the Chinese alligator embryos during fetal development (on days 29, 35, 41, and 46) were investigated through transcriptome analysis. A total of 1675 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) at different stages were identified by using limma software. These DEGs were then analyzed using weighted correlation network analysis (WGCNA), and 4 gene expression modules and 20 hub genes were identified that were associated with the development of hindlimbs in the Chinese alligator at different periods. The results of GO enrichment and hub gene expression showed that the hindlimb development of the Chinese alligator embryos involves the development of the embryonic structure, nervous system, and hindlimb muscle in the early stage (H29) and the development of metabolic capacity occurs in the later stage (H46). Additionally, the enrichment results showed that the AMPK signaling pathway, calcium signaling pathway, HIF-1 signaling pathway, and neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction are involved in the development of the hindlimb of the Chinese alligator. Among these, the HIF-1 signaling pathway and neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction may be related to the adaptation of Chinese alligators to low-oxygen environments. Additionally, five DEGs (CAV1, IRS2, LDHA, LDB3, and MYL3) were randomly selected for qRT-PCR to verify the transcriptome results. It is expected that further research on these genes will help us to better understand the process of embryonic hindlimb development in the Chinese alligator.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liuyang Yang
- College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu 241000, China; (L.Y.); (M.L.); (Y.Z.); (Y.L.); (T.P.)
- Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Conservation and Exploitation of Biological Resources, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu 241000, China
| | - Mengqin Liu
- College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu 241000, China; (L.Y.); (M.L.); (Y.Z.); (Y.L.); (T.P.)
- Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Conservation and Exploitation of Biological Resources, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu 241000, China
| | - Yunzhen Zhu
- College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu 241000, China; (L.Y.); (M.L.); (Y.Z.); (Y.L.); (T.P.)
- Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Conservation and Exploitation of Biological Resources, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu 241000, China
| | - Yanan Li
- College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu 241000, China; (L.Y.); (M.L.); (Y.Z.); (Y.L.); (T.P.)
- Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Conservation and Exploitation of Biological Resources, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu 241000, China
| | - Tao Pan
- College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu 241000, China; (L.Y.); (M.L.); (Y.Z.); (Y.L.); (T.P.)
- Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Conservation and Exploitation of Biological Resources, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu 241000, China
| | - En Li
- College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu 241000, China; (L.Y.); (M.L.); (Y.Z.); (Y.L.); (T.P.)
- Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Conservation and Exploitation of Biological Resources, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu 241000, China
| | - Xiaobing Wu
- College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu 241000, China; (L.Y.); (M.L.); (Y.Z.); (Y.L.); (T.P.)
- Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Conservation and Exploitation of Biological Resources, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu 241000, China
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Sexual Dimorphism of the Gut Microbiota in the Chinese Alligator and Its Convergence in the Wild Environment. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232012140. [PMID: 36292992 PMCID: PMC9603114 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232012140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2022] [Revised: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The gut microbiota forms a complex microecosystem in vertebrates and is affected by various factors. As a key intrinsic factor, sex has a persistent impact on the formation and development of gut microbiota. Few studies have analyzed sexual dimorphism of gut microbiota, particularly in wild animals. We used 16S rRNA gene sequencing to analyze the gut microbiota of juvenile and adult Chinese alligators, and untargeted metabolomics to study serum metabolomes of adult alligators. We observed significant sexual differences in the community diversity in juvenile, but not adult, alligators. In terms of taxonomic composition, the phylum Fusobacteriota and genus Cetobacterium were highly abundant in adult alligators, similar to those present in carnivorous fishes, whereas the gut microbiota composition in juvenile alligators resembled that in terrestrial reptiles, indicating that adults are affected by their wild aquatic environment and lack sex dimorphism in gut microbiota. The correlation analysis revealed that the gut microbiota of adults was also affected by cyanobacteria in the external environment, and this effect was sex-biased and mediated by sex hormones. Overall, this study reveals sexual differences in the gut microbiota of crocodilians and their convergence in the external environment, while also providing insights into host–microbiota interactions in wildlife.
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Yu FJ, Zeng CJ, Zhang Y, Wang CD, Xiong TY, Fang SG, Zhang HM. Establishment and Cryopreservation of a Giant Panda Skeletal Muscle-Derived Cell Line. Biopreserv Biobank 2015; 13:195-9. [DOI: 10.1089/bio.2014.0073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Fang-Jian Yu
- College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Chang-Jun Zeng
- Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an, Sichuan Province, China
- Key Laboratory for Natural Resources Protection and Sustainable Utilization of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Cheng-Dong Wang
- China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda, Wolong, China
| | - Tie-Yi Xiong
- Sichuan Province Natural Resources Science Academy, Chengdu, China
- Key Laboratory for Natural Resources Protection and Sustainable Utilization of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, China
| | - Sheng-Guo Fang
- College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - He-Min Zhang
- China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda, Wolong, China
- Key Laboratory for Natural Resources Protection and Sustainable Utilization of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, China
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Mastromonaco GF, González-Grajales LA, Filice M, Comizzoli P. Somatic cells, stem cells, and induced pluripotent stem cells: how do they now contribute to conservation? ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2014; 753:385-427. [PMID: 25091918 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-0820-2_16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
More than a decade has now passed since the birth of the first endangered species produced from an adult somatic cell reprogrammed by somatic cell nuclear transfer. At that time, advances made in domestic and laboratory animal species provided the necessary foundation for attempting cutting-edge technologies on threatened and endangered species. In addition to nuclear transfer, spermatogonial stem cell transplantation and induction of pluripotent stem cells have also been explored. Although many basic scientific questions have been answered and more than 30 wild species have been investigated, very few successes have been reported. The majority of studies document numerous obstacles that still need to be overcome to produce viable gametes or embryos for healthy offspring production. This chapter provides an overview of somatic cell and stem cell technologies in different taxa (mammals, fishes, birds, reptiles and amphibians) and evaluates the potential and impact of these approaches for animal species conservation.
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Fang S, Zhu Y. Special Topic on Conservation Biology of Endangered Wildlife pushes conservation studies. CHINESE SCIENCE BULLETIN-CHINESE 2012. [DOI: 10.1007/s11434-012-9905-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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