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Wu H, Hoare BL, Handley TNG, Akhter Hossain M, Bathgate RAD. Development of a synthetic relaxin-3/INSL5 chimeric peptide ligand for NanoBiT complementation binding assays. Biochem Pharmacol 2024; 224:116238. [PMID: 38677442 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2024.116238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2024] [Revised: 04/09/2024] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024]
Abstract
INSL5 and relaxin-3 are relaxin family peptides with important roles in gut and brain function, respectively. They mediate their actions through the class A GPCRs RXFP4 and RXFP3. RXFP4 has been proposed to be a therapeutic target for colon motility disorders whereas RXFP3 targeting could be effective for neurological conditions such as anxiety. Validation of these targets has been limited by the lack of specific ligands and the availability of robust ligand-binding assays for their development. In this study, we have utilized NanoBiT complementation to develop a SmBiT-conjugated tracer for use with LgBiT-fused RXFP3 and RXFP4. The low affinity between LgBiT:SmBiT should result in a low non-specific luminescence signal and enable the quantification of binding without the tedious separation of non-bound ligands. We used solid-phase peptide synthesis to produce a SmBiT-labelled RXFP3/4 agonist, R3/I5, where SmBiT was conjugated to the B-chain N-terminus via a PEG12 linker. Both SmBiT-R3/I5 and R3/I5 were synthesized and purified in high purity and yield. Stable HEK293T cell lines expressing LgBiT-RXFP3 and LgBiT-RXFP4 were produced and demonstrated normal signaling in response to the synthetic R3/I5 peptide. Binding was first characterized in whole-cell binding kinetic assays validating that the SmBiT-R3/I5 bound to both cell lines with nanomolar affinity with minimal non-specific binding without bound and free SmBiT-R3/I5 separation. We then optimized membrane binding assays, demonstrating easy and robust analysis of both saturation and competition binding from frozen membranes. These assays therefore provide an appropriate rigorous binding assay for the high-throughput analysis of RXFP3 and RXFP4 ligands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongkang Wu
- The Florey, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | | | | | - Mohammed Akhter Hossain
- The Florey, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; School of Chemistry, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
| | - Ross A D Bathgate
- The Florey, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
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2
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Chen Z, Wen D, Zhang Y, Chen J, Pan F, Zhang W, Zhou S, Wang F, Mu R. Pituitary transcriptome profile from laying period to incubation period of Changshun green-shell laying hens. BMC Genomics 2024; 25:309. [PMID: 38528494 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-024-10233-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Incubation behaviour, an instinct for natural breeding in poultry, is strictly controlled by the central nervous system and multiple neuroendocrine hormones and neurotransmitters, and is closely associated with the cessation of egg laying. Therefore, it is essential for the commercial poultry industry to clarify the molecular regulation mechanism of incubation behaviour. Here, we used high-throughput sequencing technology to examine the pituitary transcriptome of Changshun green-shell laying hen, a local breed from Guizhou province, China, with strong broodiness, in two reproductive stages, including egg-laying phase (LP) and incubation phase (BP). We also analyze the differences in gene expression during the transition from egg-laying to incubation, and identify critical pathways and candidate genes involved in controlling the incubation behaviour in the pituitary. RESULTS In this study, we demonstrated that a total of 2089 differently expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in the pituitary, including 842 up-regulated and 1247 down-regulated genes. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis revealed that steroid biosynthesis pathway and neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction were significantly enriched based on DEGs commonly identified in pituitary. Further analysis revealed that SRC, ITGB4, ITGB3, PIK3R3 and DRD2 may play crucial roles in the regulation of incubation behaviour. CONCLUSIONS We identified 2089 DEGs and the key signaling pathways which may be closely correlated with incubation in Changshun green-shell laying hens, and clarified the molecular regulation mechanism of incubation behaviour. Our results indicate the complexity and variety of differences in reproductive behaviour of different chicken breeds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi Chen
- College of Biological Science and Agriculture, Qiannan Normal University for Nationalities, 558000, Duyun, China.
- Qiannan Key Laboratory of Applied Biotechnology for Livestock and Poultry, 558000, Duyun, China.
| | - Di Wen
- College of Biological Science and Agriculture, Qiannan Normal University for Nationalities, 558000, Duyun, China.
| | - Yan Zhang
- College of Biological Science and Agriculture, Qiannan Normal University for Nationalities, 558000, Duyun, China
| | - Jiaying Chen
- College of Biological Science and Agriculture, Qiannan Normal University for Nationalities, 558000, Duyun, China
| | - Fengqian Pan
- College of Biological Science and Agriculture, Qiannan Normal University for Nationalities, 558000, Duyun, China
| | - Wen Zhang
- College of Biological Science and Agriculture, Qiannan Normal University for Nationalities, 558000, Duyun, China
| | - Shuangshuang Zhou
- College of Biological Science and Agriculture, Qiannan Normal University for Nationalities, 558000, Duyun, China
| | - Fen Wang
- College of Biological Science and Agriculture, Qiannan Normal University for Nationalities, 558000, Duyun, China
| | - Ren Mu
- College of Biological Science and Agriculture, Qiannan Normal University for Nationalities, 558000, Duyun, China.
- Qiannan Key Laboratory of Applied Biotechnology for Livestock and Poultry, 558000, Duyun, China.
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Wong LLL, Scott DJ, Hossain MA, Kaas Q, Rosengren KJ, Bathgate RAD. Distinct but overlapping binding sites of agonist and antagonist at the relaxin family peptide 3 (RXFP3) receptor. J Biol Chem 2018; 293:15777-15789. [PMID: 30131340 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra118.002645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2018] [Revised: 08/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The relaxin-3 neuropeptide activates the relaxin family peptide 3 (RXFP3) receptor to modulate stress, appetite, and cognition. RXFP3 shows promise as a target for treating neurological disorders, but realization of its clinical potential requires development of smaller RXFP3-specific drugs that can penetrate the blood-brain barrier. Designing such drugs is challenging and requires structural knowledge of agonist- and antagonist-binding modes. Here, we used structure-activity data for relaxin-3 and a peptide RXFP3 antagonist termed R3 B1-22R to guide receptor mutagenesis and develop models of their binding modes. RXFP3 residues were alanine-substituted individually and in combination and tested in cell-based binding and functional assays to refine models of agonist and antagonist binding to active- and inactive-state homology models of RXFP3, respectively. These models suggested that both agonists and antagonists interact with RXFP3 via similar residues in their B-chain central helix. The models further suggested that the B-chain Trp27 inserts into the binding pocket of RXFP3 and interacts with Trp138 and Lys271, the latter through a salt bridge with the C-terminal carboxyl group of Trp27 in relaxin-3. R3 B1-22R, which does not contain Trp27, used a non-native Arg23 residue to form cation-π and salt-bridge interactions with Trp138 and Glu141 in RXFP3, explaining a key contribution of Arg23 to affinity. Overall, relaxin-3 and R3 B1-22R appear to share similar binding residues but may differ in binding modes, leading to active and inactive RXFP3 conformational states, respectively. These mechanistic insights may assist structure-based drug design of smaller relaxin-3 mimetics to manage neurological disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Daniel James Scott
- From the Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and
| | - Mohammed Akhter Hossain
- From the Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health.,School of Chemistry, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia and
| | | | - K Johan Rosengren
- Faculty of Medicine, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Ross A D Bathgate
- From the Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, .,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and
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4
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Mello CV, Lovell PV. Avian genomics lends insights into endocrine function in birds. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2018; 256:123-129. [PMID: 28596079 PMCID: PMC5749246 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2017.05.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2017] [Revised: 05/23/2017] [Accepted: 05/30/2017] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
The genomics era has brought along the completed sequencing of a large number of bird genomes that cover a broad range of the avian phylogenetic tree (>30 orders), leading to major novel insights into avian biology and evolution. Among recent findings, the discovery that birds lack a large number of protein coding genes that are organized in highly conserved syntenic clusters in other vertebrates is very intriguing, given the physiological importance of many of these genes. A considerable number of them play prominent endocrine roles, suggesting that birds evolved compensatory genetic or physiological mechanisms that allowed them to survive and thrive in spite of these losses. While further studies are needed to establish the exact extent of avian gene losses, these findings point to birds as potentially highly relevant model organisms for exploring the genetic basis and possible therapeutic approaches for a wide range of endocrine functions and disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- C V Mello
- Dept. Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health & Science University, L470, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Rd., Portland, OR 97239, United States.
| | - P V Lovell
- Dept. Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health & Science University, L470, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Rd., Portland, OR 97239, United States.
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5
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Hanafy S, Sabry JH, Akl EM, Elethy RA, Mostafa T. Serum relaxin-3 hormone relationship to male delayed puberty. Andrologia 2017; 50. [PMID: 28786126 DOI: 10.1111/and.12882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/28/2017] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Puberty is the transitional period between childhood and adulthood, a process encompassing morphological, physiological and behavioural development to attain full reproductive capability. This study aimed to assess serum relaxin-3 hormone relationship with male delayed puberty. Sixty males were investigated as two equal groups: males with delayed puberty and healthy matched males as controls. They were subjected to history taking, clinical examination and estimation of serum FSH, LH, testosterone, relaxin-3 hormonal levels. The results showed that the secondary sexual characters in the patients group were at Tanner stages 1-2 and in the healthy controls at Tanner stages 3-5. The mean BMI in the patients group was significantly increased, whereas the mean levels of the span, testicular volume, serum LH, FSH, testosterone as well as relaxin-3 hormonal levels were significantly decreased compared with the healthy controls. Serum relaxin-3 levels showed significant positive correlation with the age, testis volume, span, Tanner stages, serum testosterone, FSH, LH hormones. In addition, serum relaxin-3 levels showed significant negative correlation with BMI. It is concluded that serum level of relaxin-3 hormone is an important mediator in the pathophysiological process of normal puberty being significantly decreased in males with delayed puberty.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Hanafy
- Dermatology, Venereology and Andrology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Benha University, Benha, Egypt
| | - J H Sabry
- Clinical and Chemical Pathology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Benha University, Benha, Egypt
| | - E M Akl
- Dermatology, Venereology and Andrology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Benha University, Benha, Egypt
| | - R A Elethy
- Dermatology, Venereology and Andrology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Benha University, Benha, Egypt
| | - T Mostafa
- Department of Andrology, Sexology & STIs, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
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Müller MP, Rothammer S, Seichter D, Russ I, Hinrichs D, Tetens J, Thaller G, Medugorac I. Genome-wide mapping of 10 calving and fertility traits in Holstein dairy cattle with special regard to chromosome 18. J Dairy Sci 2017; 100:1987-2006. [PMID: 28109604 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2016-11506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2016] [Accepted: 11/20/2016] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Over the last decades, a dramatic decrease in reproductive performance has been observed in Holstein cattle and fertility problems have become the most common reason for a cow to leave the herd. The premature removal of animals with high breeding values results in both economic and breeding losses. For efficient future Holstein breeding, the identification of loci associated with low fertility is of major interest and thus constitutes the aim of this study. To reach this aim, a genome-wide combined linkage disequilibrium and linkage analysis (cLDLA) was conducted using data on the following 10 calving and fertility traits in the form of estimated breeding values: days from first service to conception of heifers and cows, nonreturn rate on d 56 of heifers and cows, days from calving to first insemination, days open, paternal and maternal calving ease, paternal and maternal stillbirth. The animal data set contained 2,527 daughter-proven Holstein bulls from Germany that were genotyped with Illumina's BovineSNP50 BeadChip (Illumina Inc., San Diego, CA). For the cLDLA, 41,635 sliding windows of 40 adjacent single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) were used. At each window midpoint, a variance component analysis was executed using ASReml. The underlying mixed linear model included random quantitative trait locus (QTL) and polygenic effects. We identified 50 genome-wide significant QTL. The most significant peak was detected for direct calving ease at 59,179,424 bp on chromosome 18 (BTA18). Next, a mixed-linear model association (MLMA) analysis was conducted. A comparison of the cLDLA and MLMA results with special regard to BTA18 showed that the genome-wide most significant SNP from the MLMA was associated with the same trait and located on the same chromosome at 57,589,121 bp (i.e., about 1.5 Mb apart from the cLDLA peak). The results of 5 different cLDLA and 2 MLMA models, which included the fixed effects of either SNP or haplotypes, suggested that the cLDLA method outperformed the MLMA in accuracy and precision. The haplotype-based cLDLA method allowed for a more precise mapping and the definition of ancestral and derived QTL alleles, both of which are essential for the detection of underlying quantitative trait nucleotides.
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Affiliation(s)
- M-P Müller
- Tierzuchtforschung e.V. München, Senator-Gerauer-Str. 23, 85586 Poing, Germany; Chair of Animal Genetics and Husbandry, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Munich, Veterinärstr. 13, 80539 Munich, Germany
| | - S Rothammer
- Chair of Animal Genetics and Husbandry, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Munich, Veterinärstr. 13, 80539 Munich, Germany
| | - D Seichter
- Tierzuchtforschung e.V. München, Senator-Gerauer-Str. 23, 85586 Poing, Germany
| | - I Russ
- Tierzuchtforschung e.V. München, Senator-Gerauer-Str. 23, 85586 Poing, Germany
| | - D Hinrichs
- Institute of Animal Breeding and Husbandry, Christian-Albrechts-University, Olshausenstr. 40, 24098 Kiel, Germany
| | - J Tetens
- Institute of Animal Breeding and Husbandry, Christian-Albrechts-University, Olshausenstr. 40, 24098 Kiel, Germany
| | - G Thaller
- Tierzuchtforschung e.V. München, Senator-Gerauer-Str. 23, 85586 Poing, Germany; Institute of Animal Breeding and Husbandry, Christian-Albrechts-University, Olshausenstr. 40, 24098 Kiel, Germany
| | - I Medugorac
- Chair of Animal Genetics and Husbandry, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Munich, Veterinärstr. 13, 80539 Munich, Germany.
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7
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Lenglos C, Calvez J, Timofeeva E. Sex-specific effects of relaxin-3 on food intake and brain expression of corticotropin-releasing factor in rats. Endocrinology 2015; 156:523-33. [PMID: 25406021 DOI: 10.1210/en.2014-1743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
This study compared the effects of relaxin-3 (RLN3) on food intake, plasma corticosterone, and the expression of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) in male and female rats. RLN3 was injected into the lateral ventricle at 25, 200, and 800 pmol concentrations. RLN3 at 25 pmol increased food intake (grams) at 30 and 60 minutes after injection in female but not male rats. Female rats also showed higher increase in relative to body weight (BW) food intake (mg/g BW) for all RLN3 concentrations at 30 minutes and for 800 pmol of RLN3 at 60 minutes. Moreover, RLN3 at 800 pmol significantly increased 24-hour BW gain in female but not male rats. At 60 minutes after administration, 800 pmol of RLN3 produced a significant increase in plasma corticosterone and in the expression of CRF and c-fos mRNAs in the parvocellular paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus (PVN) in male but not female rats. The levels of c-fos mRNA in the magnocellular PVN were increased by RLN3 but did not differ between the sexes. Conversely, expression of CRF mRNA in the medial preoptic area was increased in female rats but was not sensitive to 800 pmol of RLN3. In the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, 800 pmol of RLN3 significantly increased CRF mRNA expression in female but not male rats. Therefore, female rats showed more sensitivity and stronger food intake increase in response to RLN3. The differential effects of RLN3 on CRF expression in the PVN and bed nucleus of the stria terminalis may contribute to the sex-specific difference in the behavioral response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christophe Lenglos
- Faculté de Médecine, Département de Psychiatrie et de Neurosciences, Centre de Recherche de l'Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec, Université Laval, Québec, Canada G1V 0A6
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8
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Kristensson L, Mayer G, Ploj K, Wetterlund M, Arlbrandt S, Björquist A, Wissing BM, Castaldo M, Larsson N. Partial agonist activity of R3(BΔ23-27)R/I5 at RXFP3--investigation of in vivo and in vitro pharmacology. Eur J Pharmacol 2015; 747:123-31. [PMID: 25496752 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2014.11.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2014] [Revised: 11/05/2014] [Accepted: 11/27/2014] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Relaxin family peptide receptor 3 (RXFP3) is a G-protein coupled receptor mainly expressed in the brain and involved in appetite regulation. Previous studies in lean Wistar rats during the light phase have shown that the chimeric peptide R3(BΔ23-27)R/I5 suppresses food intake stimulated by an RXFP3 agonist, but has no effect on food intake when administered alone. We wanted to further investigate if R3(BΔ23-27)R/I5 on its own is able to antagonize the basal tone of the relaxin-3/RXFP3 system and therefore characterized the pharmacology of R3(BΔ23-27)R/I5 in vivo and in vitro. R3(BΔ23-27)R/I5 was intracerebroventricularly (ICV) injected in diet induced obese (DIO) Wistar rats and food intake was automatically measured during the dark phase when feeding drive is high. In our hands, R3(BΔ23-27)R/I5 alone did not have a significant effect on food intake during 24h following administration. Consistent with previous results, relaxin-3 stimulated food intake in satiated lean rats. R3(BΔ23-27)R/I5 was characterized in vitro using [(35)S]-GTPγS binding and cAMP assays, both assessing Gαi-protein mediated signalling, and dynamic mass redistribution (DMR) assays capturing the integrated cell response. R3(BΔ23-27)R/I5 showed partial agonist activity in all three functional assays. Thus, since R3(BΔ23-27)R/I5 displays partial RXFP3 agonist properties in vitro, further in vivo studies including additional tool compounds are needed to address if antagonizing relaxin-3/RXFP3 basal tone is a therapeutically relevant mechanism to regulate food intake and body weight.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisbeth Kristensson
- Discovery Sciences, AstraZeneca R&D Mölndal, Pepparedsleden 3, S-431 83 Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Gaëll Mayer
- Respiratory, Inflammatory and Autoimmune iMED, AstraZeneca R&D Mölndal, Pepparedsleden 3, S-431 83 Mölndal, Sweden; Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases iMED, AstraZeneca R&D Mölndal, Pepparedsleden 3, S-431 83 Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Karolina Ploj
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases iMED, AstraZeneca R&D Mölndal, Pepparedsleden 3, S-431 83 Mölndal, Sweden; DSM Laboratory Animal Science, AstraZeneca R&D Mölndal, Pepparedsleden 3, S-431 83 Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Martina Wetterlund
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases iMED, AstraZeneca R&D Mölndal, Pepparedsleden 3, S-431 83 Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Susanne Arlbrandt
- Respiratory, Inflammatory and Autoimmune iMED, AstraZeneca R&D Mölndal, Pepparedsleden 3, S-431 83 Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Anna Björquist
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases iMED, AstraZeneca R&D Mölndal, Pepparedsleden 3, S-431 83 Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Britt-Marie Wissing
- Respiratory, Inflammatory and Autoimmune iMED, AstraZeneca R&D Mölndal, Pepparedsleden 3, S-431 83 Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Marie Castaldo
- Discovery Sciences, AstraZeneca R&D Mölndal, Pepparedsleden 3, S-431 83 Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Niklas Larsson
- Discovery Sciences, AstraZeneca R&D Mölndal, Pepparedsleden 3, S-431 83 Mölndal, Sweden.
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Ma X, Han S, Zhang W, Fan YJ, Liu MN, Liu AY, Liu BR. Protection of cultured human hepatocytes from hydrogen peroxide‑induced apoptosis by relaxin‑3. Mol Med Rep 2014; 11:1228-34. [PMID: 25370004 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2014.2842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2014] [Accepted: 10/01/2014] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous studies have suggested that hepatocyte apoptosis may be a fundamental underlying mechanism of liver injury and diseases, such as liver fibrosis. Relaxin‑3 has been reported to have anti‑fibrotic actions in the heart and to attenuate isoproterenol‑induced myocardial injury; however, the beneficial role of relaxin‑3 on hepatocyte apoptosis remains to be elucidated. The aim of the present study was to explore the role and possible mechanisms of relaxin‑3 through hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)‑induced apoptosis in primary human hepatocytes. Cells were treated with relaxin‑3 and then cell viability, morphological features, the presence of cleaved caspases as well as the levels of endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) protein markers and autophagy markers were evaluated. The H2O2 group showed significantly decreased cell viability, increased apoptosis as well as upregulation of caspases (cleaved caspase‑3, ‑8 and ‑9) and ERS protein markers compared with those of the control group. However, cells treated with relaxin‑3 (10 ng/ml) demonstrated improved cell viability, reduced apoptosis and decreased expression of cleaved caspases and ERS markers. However, the expression of autophagy markers remained unchanged following H2O2‑induced apoptosis and relaxin‑3 treatment. In conclusion, relaxin‑3 was shown to protect hepatocytes from H2O2‑induced apoptosis via downregulation of cleaved caspase‑8 and ‑9, as well as inhibition of the ERS pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Ma
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150086, P.R. China
| | - Su Han
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, The Heilongjiang Key Laboratory of Immunity and Infection, Pathogenic Biology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150086, P.R. China
| | - Wei Zhang
- Center for Endemic Disease Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150081, P.R. China
| | - Yu-Jing Fan
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150086, P.R. China
| | - Ming-Na Liu
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150086, P.R. China
| | - Ai-Yun Liu
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150086, P.R. China
| | - Bing-Rong Liu
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150086, P.R. China
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10
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Meadows KL, Byrnes EM. Sex- and age-specific differences in relaxin family peptide receptor expression within the hippocampus and amygdala in rats. Neuroscience 2014; 284:337-348. [PMID: 25313002 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2014.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2014] [Revised: 09/04/2014] [Accepted: 10/03/2014] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Relaxin is an essential pregnancy-related hormone with broad peripheral effects mediated by activation of relaxin-like family peptide 1 receptors (RXFP1). More recent studies suggest an additional role for relaxin as a neuropeptide, with RXFP1 receptors expressed in numerous brain regions. Neurons in an area of the brainstem known as the nucleus incertus (NI) produce relaxin 3 (RLN3), the most recently identified neuropeptide in the relaxin family. RLN3 has been shown to activate both RXFP1 and relaxin-like family peptide receptor 3 (RXFP3) receptor subtypes. Studies suggest wide-ranging neuromodulatory effects of both RXFP1 and RXFP3 activation, although to date the majority of studies have been conducted in young males. In the current study, we examined potential sex- and age-related changes in RLN3 gene expression in the NI as well as RXFP1 and RXFP3 gene expression in the dorsal hippocampus (HI), ventral hippocampus (vHI) and amygdala (AMYG) using young adult (9-12weeks) and middle-aged (9-12months) male and female rats. In addition, regional changes in RXFP1 and RXFP3 protein expression were examined in the CA1, CA2/CA3 and dentate gyrus (DG) as well as within basolateral (BLA), central (CeA), and medial (MeA) amygdaloid nuclei. In the NI, RLN3 showed an age-related decrease in males. In the HI, only the RXFP3 receptor showed an age-related change in gene expression, however, both receptor subtypes showed age-related changes in protein expression that were region specific. Additionally, while gene and protein expression of both receptors increased with age in AMYG, these effects were both region- and sex-specific. Finally, overall males displayed a greater number of cells that express the RXFP3 protein in all of the amygdaloid nuclei examined. Cognitive and emotional processes regulated by activity within the HI and AMYG are modulated by both sex and age. The vast majority of studies exploring the influence of sex on age-related changes in the HI and AMYG have focused on sex hormones, with few studies examining the role of neuropeptides. The current findings suggest that changes in relaxin family peptides may contribute to the significant sex differences observed in these brain regions as a function of aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- K L Meadows
- Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, 200 Westboro Road, Grafton, MA 01536, United States.
| | - E M Byrnes
- Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, 200 Westboro Road, Grafton, MA 01536, United States.
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11
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Ganella DE, Ma S, Gundlach AL. Relaxin-3/RXFP3 Signaling and Neuroendocrine Function - A Perspective on Extrinsic Hypothalamic Control. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2013; 4:128. [PMID: 24065955 PMCID: PMC3776160 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2013.00128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2013] [Accepted: 09/02/2013] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Complex neural circuits within the hypothalamus that govern essential autonomic processes and associated behaviors signal using amino acid and monoamine transmitters and a variety of neuropeptide (hormone) modulators, often via G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) and associated cellular pathways. Relaxin-3 is a recently identified neuropeptide that is highly conserved throughout evolution. Neurons expressing relaxin-3 are located in the brainstem, but broadly innervate the entire limbic system including the hypothalamus. Extensive anatomical data in rodents and non-human primate, and recent regulatory and functional data, suggest relaxin-3 signaling via its cognate GPCR, RXFP3, has a broad range of effects on neuroendocrine function associated with stress responses, feeding and metabolism, motivation and reward, and possibly sexual behavior and reproduction. Therefore, this article aims to highlight the growing appreciation of the relaxin-3/RXFP3 system as an important "extrinsic" regulator of the neuroendocrine axis by reviewing its neuroanatomy and its putative roles in arousal-, stress-, and feeding-related behaviors and links to associated neural substrates and signaling networks. Current evidence identifies RXFP3 as a potential therapeutic target for treatment of neuroendocrine disorders and related behavioral dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Despina E. Ganella
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Sherie Ma
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Andrew L. Gundlach
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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Cernaro V, Lacquaniti A, Lupica R, Buemi A, Trimboli D, Giorgianni G, Bolignano D, Buemi M. Relaxin: new pathophysiological aspects and pharmacological perspectives for an old protein. Med Res Rev 2013; 34:77-105. [PMID: 23401142 DOI: 10.1002/med.21277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Human relaxin-2 (hereafter simply defined as "relaxin") is a 6-kDa peptidic hormone best known for the physiological role played during pregnancy in the growth and differentiation of the reproductive tract and in the renal and systemic hemodynamic changes. This factor can also be involved in the pathophysiology of arterial hypertension and heart failure, in the molecular pathways of fibrosis and cancer, and in angiogenesis and bone remodeling. It belongs to the relaxin peptide family, whose members comprehensively exert numerous effects through interaction with different types of receptors, classified as relaxin family peptide (RXFP) receptors (RXFP1, RXFP2, RXFP3, RXFP4). Research looks toward the in-depth examination and complete understanding of relaxin in its various pleiotropic actions. The intent is to evaluate the likelihood of employing this substance for therapeutic purposes, for instance in diseases where a deficit could be part of the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms, also avoiding any adverse effect. Relaxin is already being considered as a promising drug, especially in acute heart failure. A careful study of the different RXFPs and their receptors and the comprehension of all biological activities of these hormones will probably provide new drugs with a potential wide range of therapeutic applications in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Cernaro
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria, 1, 98100, Italy
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13
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Ryan PJ, Büchler E, Shabanpoor F, Hossain MA, Wade JD, Lawrence AJ, Gundlach AL. Central relaxin-3 receptor (RXFP3) activation decreases anxiety- and depressive-like behaviours in the rat. Behav Brain Res 2013; 244:142-51. [PMID: 23380674 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2013.01.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2012] [Revised: 01/22/2013] [Accepted: 01/27/2013] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Relaxin-3 is a recently discovered neuropeptide and the results of earlier anatomical and pharmacological studies suggest it plays a physiological role in modulating functions such as arousal, learning and memory, food intake and neuroendocrine homeostasis. Relaxin-3 is also postulated to modulate affective behaviour, based on high densities of the relaxin-3 G-protein coupled receptor (RXFP3) in brain areas involved in stress and mood/anxiety, including the central amygdala, bed nucleus of the stria terminalis and hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN); and strong activation of relaxin-3 neurons by stressors, via activation of corticotropin-releasing factor receptor-1 (CRF1). This study assessed the effect of central administration of a newly developed RXFP3-selective agonist, on anxiety- and depressive-like behaviour in rats. Adult, male Sprague-Dawley rats administered 5 μg [R3A(11-24,C15→A)B] (referred to as RXFP3-A2), intracerebroventricularly, demonstrated decreased anxiety-like behaviour in the light-dark box and elevated plus maze, but not in the open field. Notably, in the repeat forced swim test, central RXFP3-A2 administration decreased immobility in rats that had been subjected to the 'stress' of former exposure to the anxiety tests, but not in experimentally naïve rats. These data implicate relaxin-3/RXFP3 signalling in the modulation of effects of acute (anxiety) and cumulative (depression) neurogenic stressors on behaviour; and suggest a potential for RXFP3 agonists as anxiolytic and anti-depressant agents. In addition, our results demonstrate that exposure of adult Sprague-Dawley rats to tests of anxiety-like behaviour (∼10-14 days prior) can significantly increase immobility time in the repeat forced swim test.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip J Ryan
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Alvarez-Jaimes L, Sutton SW, Nepomuceno D, Motley ST, Cik M, Stocking E, Shoblock J, Bonaventure P. In vitro pharmacological characterization of RXFP3 allosterism: an example of probe dependency. PLoS One 2012; 7:e30792. [PMID: 22347403 PMCID: PMC3274524 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0030792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2011] [Accepted: 12/29/2011] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent findings suggest that the relaxin-3 neural network may represent a new ascending arousal pathway able to modulate a range of neural circuits including those affecting circadian rhythm and sleep/wake states, spatial and emotional memory, motivation and reward, the response to stress, and feeding and metabolism. Therefore, the relaxin-3 receptor (RXFP3) is a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of various CNS diseases. Here we describe a novel selective RXFP3 receptor positive allosteric modulator (PAM), 3-[3,5-Bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-1-(3,4-dichlorobenzyl)-1-[2-(5-methoxy-1H-indol-3-yl)ethyl]urea (135PAM1). Calcium mobilization and cAMP accumulation assays in cell lines expressing the cloned human RXFP3 receptor show the compound does not directly activate RXFP3 receptor but increases functional responses to amidated relaxin-3 or R3/I5, a chimera of the INSL5 A chain and the Relaxin-3 B chain. 135PAM1 increases calcium mobilization in the presence of relaxin-3(NH2) and R3/I5(NH2) with pEC50 values of 6.54 (6.46 to 6.64) and 6.07 (5.94 to 6.20), respectively. In the cAMP accumulation assay, 135PAM1 inhibits the CRE response to forskolin with a pIC50 of 6.12 (5.98 to 6.27) in the presence of a probe (10 nM) concentration of relaxin-3(NH2). 135PAM1 does not compete for binding with the orthosteric radioligand, [(125)I] R3I5 (amide), in membranes prepared from cells expressing the cloned human RXFP3 receptor. 135PAM1 is selective for RXFP3 over RXFP4, which also responds to relaxin-3. However, when using the free acid (native) form of relaxin-3 or R3/I5, 135PAM1 doesn't activate RXFP3 indicating that the compound's effect is probe dependent. Thus one can exchange the entire A-chain of the probe peptide while retaining PAM activity, but the state of the probe's c-terminus is crucial to allosteric activity of the PAM. These data demonstrate the existence of an allosteric site for modulation of this GPCR as well as the subtlety of changes in probe molecules that can affect allosteric modulation of RXFP3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lily Alvarez-Jaimes
- Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson, San Diego, California, United States of America
| | - Steven W. Sutton
- Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson, San Diego, California, United States of America
| | - Diane Nepomuceno
- Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson, San Diego, California, United States of America
| | - S. Timothy Motley
- Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson, San Diego, California, United States of America
| | - Miroslav Cik
- Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson, San Diego, California, United States of America
| | - Emily Stocking
- Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson, San Diego, California, United States of America
| | - James Shoblock
- Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson, San Diego, California, United States of America
| | - Pascal Bonaventure
- Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson, San Diego, California, United States of America
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Smith CM, Ryan PJ, Hosken IT, Ma S, Gundlach AL. Relaxin-3 systems in the brain—The first 10 years. J Chem Neuroanat 2011; 42:262-75. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jchemneu.2011.05.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2011] [Revised: 05/24/2011] [Accepted: 05/29/2011] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
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Kong RCK, Shilling PJ, Lobb DK, Gooley PR, Bathgate RAD. Membrane receptors: structure and function of the relaxin family peptide receptors. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2010; 320:1-15. [PMID: 20138959 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2010.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2009] [Revised: 12/14/2009] [Accepted: 02/02/2010] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
The receptors for members of the relaxin peptide family have only recently been discovered and are G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). Relaxin and insulin-like peptide 3 (INSL3) interact with the leucine-rich-repeat-containing GPCRs (LGRs) LGR7 and LGR8, respectively. These receptors show closest similarity to the glycoprotein hormone receptors and contain large ectodomains with 10 leucine-rich repeats (LRRs) but are unique members of the LGR family (class C) as they have an LDL class A (LDLa) module at their N-terminus. In contrast, relaxin-3 and INSL5 interact with another class of type I GPCRs which lack a large ectodomain, the peptide receptors GPCR135 and GPCR142, respectively. These receptors are now classified as relaxin family peptide (RXFP) receptors, RXFP1 (LGR7), RXFP2 (LGR8), RXFP3 (GPCR135) and RXFP4 (GPCR142). This review outlines the identification of the peptides and receptors, their expression profiles and physiological roles and the functional interactions of the peptides with their unique receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roy C K Kong
- Florey Neuroscience Institutes, University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
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Delfino KR, Southey BR, Sweedler JV, Rodriguez-Zas SL. Genome-wide census and expression profiling of chicken neuropeptide and prohormone convertase genes. Neuropeptides 2010; 44:31-44. [PMID: 20006904 PMCID: PMC2814002 DOI: 10.1016/j.npep.2009.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2009] [Revised: 11/04/2009] [Accepted: 11/05/2009] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Neuropeptides regulate cell-cell signaling and influence many biological processes in vertebrates, including development, growth, and reproduction. The complex processing of neuropeptides from prohormone proteins by prohormone convertases, combined with the evolutionary distance between the chicken and mammalian species that have experienced extensive neuropeptide research, has led to the empirical confirmation of only 18 chicken prohormone proteins. To expand our knowledge of the neuropeptide and prohormone convertase gene complement, we performed an exhaustive survey of the chicken genomic, EST, and proteomic databases using a list of 95 neuropeptide and 7 prohormone convertase genes known in other species. Analysis of the EST resources and 22 microarray studies offered a comprehensive portrait of gene expression across multiple conditions. Five neuropeptide genes (apelin, cocaine-and amphetamine-regulated transcript protein, insulin-like 5, neuropeptide S, and neuropeptide B) previously unknown in chicken were identified and 62 genes were confirmed. Although most neuropeptide gene families known in human are present in chicken, there are several gene not present in the chicken. Conversely, several chicken neuropeptide genes are absent from mammalian species, including C-RF amide, c-type natriuretic peptide 1 precursor, and renal natriuretic peptide. The prohormone convertases, with one exception, were found in the chicken genome. Bioinformatic models used to predict prohormone cleavages confirm that the processing of prohormone proteins into neuropeptides is similar between species. Neuropeptide genes are most frequently expressed in the brain and head, followed by the ovary and small intestine. Microarray analyses revealed that the expression of adrenomedullin, chromogranin-A, augurin, neuromedin-U, platelet-derived growth factor A and D, proenkephalin, relaxin-3, prepronociceptin, and insulin-like growth factor I was most susceptible (P-value<0.005) to changes in developmental stage, gender, and genetic line among other conditions studied. Our complete survey and characterization facilitates understanding of neuropeptides genes in the chicken, an animal of importance to biomedical and agricultural research.
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Affiliation(s)
- K. R. Delfino
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois, Urbana IL, USA
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois, Urbana IL, USA
| | - B. R. Southey
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois, Urbana IL, USA
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois, Urbana IL, USA
| | - J. V. Sweedler
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois, Urbana IL, USA
| | - S. L. Rodriguez-Zas
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois, Urbana IL, USA
- Corresponding author: , 1207 W Gregory Dr, Urbana, IL 61801, Phone 217-333-8810 Fax: 217-333-8286
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