Profiling of the yak skeletal muscle tissue gene expression and comparison with the domestic cattle by genome array

The Occurrence and Meta-Analysis of Investigations on Sarcocystis Infection among Ruminants (Ruminantia) in Mainland China

Sarcocystis is a zoonotic pathogen that threatens public health and the quality of food safety. To determine the Sarcocystis spp. prevalence in ruminants (Ruminantia) in China, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis. Data were collected from English databases (PubMed and Web of Science) and Chinese databases (Chinese Web of knowledge (CNKI), Database for Chinese Technical Periodicals (VIP) and Wan Fang databases). A total of 20,301 ruminants from 54 publications were evaluated. The pooled prevalence of Sarcocystis spp. among ruminants in mainland China was 65% (95% CI: 57-72%). Our results indicate that sarcocystosis is prevalent in ruminants, which show significant geographical differences. Therefore, it there is a need for continuous monitoring of infections of Sarcocystis spp. in ruminants to reduce the threat to human health and economic losses to the animal industry.

Integrated proteomic, phosphoproteomic, and N-glycoproteomic analyses of the longissimus thoracis of yaks

Yaks (Bos mutus) live in the Qinghai–Tibet plateau. The quality of yak meat is unique due to its genetic and physiological characteristics. Identification of the proteome of yak muscle could help to reveal its meat-quality properties. The common proteome, phosphoproteome, and N-glycoproteome of yak longissimus thoracis (YLT) were analyzed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry-based shotgun analysis. A total of 1812 common proteins, 1303 phosphoproteins (3918 phosphorylation sites), and 204 N-glycoproteins (285 N-glycosylation sites) were identified in YLT. The common proteins in YLT were involved mainly in myofibril structure and energy metabolism; phosphoproteins were associated primarily with myofibril organization, regulation of energy metabolism, and signaling; N-glycoproteins were engaged mainly in extracellular-matrix organization, cellular immunity, and organismal homeostasis. We reported, for the first time, the “panorama” of the YLT proteome, specifically the N-glycoproteome of YLT. Our results provide essential information for understanding post mortem physiology (rigor mortis and aging) and the quality of yak meat.

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A total of 2650 proteins were identified in yak longissimus thoracis.

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Common proteins were involved mainly in myofibril structure and energy metabolism.

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Phosphoproteins were associated with myofibrils, energy metabolism, and signaling.

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N-glycoproteins were engaged mainly in ECM organization, immunity, and homeostasis.

Whole-genome analysis identifying candidate genes of altitude adaptive ecological thresholds in yak populations

The domestic yak (Bos grunniens) is an iconic symbol of animal husbandry on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Long-term domestication and natural selection have led to a wide distribution of yak, forming many ecological populations to adapt to the local ecological environment. High altitude is closely related to oxygen density, and it is an important environmental ecological factor for biological survival and livestock production. The aim of the present study was to perform a preliminary analysis to identify the candidate genes of altitude distribution adapted ecological thresholds in yak using next-generation sequence technology. A total of 15,762,829 SNPs were obtained from 29 yaks with high- and low-altitude distribution by genome-wide sequencing. According to the results of the selective sweep analysis with FST and ZHp, 21 candidate genes were identified. 14 genes (serine/threonine protein kinase TNNI3K, TEN1, DYM, ITPR1, ZC4H2, KNTC1, ADGRB3, CLYBL, TANGO6, ASCC3, KLHL3, PDE4D, DEPDC1B and AGBL4) were grouped into 32 Gene Ontology terms, and four genes (RPS6KA6, ITPR1, GNAO1 and PDE4D) annotated in 35 pathways, including seven environmental information processing and one environmental adaptation. Therefore, the novel candidate genes found in the current study do not only support new theories about high-altitude adaptation, but also further explain the molecular mechanisms of altitude adaptation threshold in yaks.

The Breed and Sex Effect on the Carcass Size Performance and Meat Quality of Yak in Different Muscles

The carcass size performances and the meat quality of Gannan and Sibu yak were determined using M. supraspinatus (SU), M. longissimus thoracis (LT) and M.quadriceps femoris (QF). It is found that Sibu yak had significantly higher carcass weight (CW) than Gannan yak with difference of nearly 40 kg, as well as significantly higher eye muscle area (EMA), carcass thorax depth (CTD), round perimeter (RP), etc. The carcass performances of steer yak were significantly higher than heifer yak except meat thickness at round (MTR) (p<0.05). The results show that both yak breed and gender had significant effects on carcass performances. It could be seen that the variation of carcass size performances from breeds is as large as from gender (50.22% and 46.25% of total variation, respectively) through principal component analysis (PCA). Sibu yak had significantly higher L*, b*, WBSF, cooking loss and Fat content, while Gannan yak had significantly higher a*, press loss, protein content and moisture (p<0.05). Yak gender and muscle had insignificant effects on meat colour and water holding capacity (p>0.05). The variation of meat quality of yak from breed is up to 59.46% of total variation according to PCA. It is shown that the difference between breeds, for Gannan yak and Sibu yak, plays an important role in carcass size performance and meat quality.

High-altitude ancestry and hypoxia acclimation have distinct effects on exercise capacity and muscle phenotype in deer mice

The hypoxic and cold environment at high altitudes requires that small mammals sustain high rates of O2 transport for exercise and thermogenesis while facing a diminished O2 availability. We used laboratory-born and -raised deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) from highland and lowland populations to determine the interactive effects of ancestry and hypoxia acclimation on exercise performance. Maximal O₂consumption (V̇o(2max)) during exercise in hypoxia increased after hypoxia acclimation (equivalent to the hypoxia at ∼4,300 m elevation for 6-8 wk) and was consistently greater in highlanders than in lowlanders. V̇o(2max) during exercise in normoxia was not affected by ancestry or acclimation. Highlanders also had consistently greater capillarity, oxidative fiber density, and maximal activities of oxidative enzymes (cytochrome c oxidase and citrate synthase) in the gastrocnemius muscle, lower lactate dehydrogenase activity in the gastrocnemius, and greater cytochrome c oxidase activity in the diaphragm. Hypoxia acclimation did not affect any of these muscle traits. The unique gastrocnemius phenotype of highlanders was associated with higher mRNA and protein abundances of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ). Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGFA) transcript abundance was lower in highlanders, and hypoxia acclimation reduced the expression of numerous genes that regulate angiogenesis and energy metabolism, in contrast to the observed population differences in muscle phenotype. Lowlanders exhibited greater increases in blood hemoglobin content, hematocrit, and wet lung mass (but not dry lung mass) than highlanders after hypoxia acclimation. Genotypic adaptation to high altitude, therefore, improves exercise performance in hypoxia by mechanisms that are at least partially distinct from those underlying hypoxia acclimation.