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Zhu F, Yin ZT, Zhao QS, Sun YX, Jie YC, Smith J, Yang YZ, Burt DW, Hincke M, Zhang ZD, Yuan MD, Kaufman J, Sun CJ, Li JY, Shao LW, Yang N, Hou ZC. A chromosome-level genome assembly for the Silkie chicken resolves complete sequences for key chicken metabolic, reproductive, and immunity genes. Commun Biol 2023; 6:1233. [PMID: 38057566 PMCID: PMC10700341 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-05619-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023] Open
Abstract
A set of high-quality pan-genomes would help identify important genes that are still hidden/incomplete in bird reference genomes. In an attempt to address these issues, we have assembled a de novo chromosome-level reference genome of the Silkie (Gallus gallus domesticus), which is an important avian model for unique traits, like fibromelanosis, with unclear genetic foundation. This Silkie genome includes the complete genomic sequences of well-known, but unresolved, evolutionarily, endocrinologically, and immunologically important genes, including leptin, ovocleidin-17, and tumor-necrosis factor-α. The gap-less and manually annotated MHC (major histocompatibility complex) region possesses 38 recently identified genes, with differentially regulated genes recovered in response to pathogen challenges. We also provide whole-genome methylation and genetic variation maps, and resolve a complex genetic region that may contribute to fibromelanosis in these animals. Finally, we experimentally show leptin binding to the identified leptin receptor in chicken, confirming an active leptin ligand-receptor system. The Silkie genome assembly not only provides a rich data resource for avian genome studies, but also lays a foundation for further functional validation of resolved genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Zhu
- National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding and Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, MARA; College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, No. 2 Yuanmingyuan West Rd, 100193, Beijing, China
| | - Zhong-Tao Yin
- National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding and Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, MARA; College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, No. 2 Yuanmingyuan West Rd, 100193, Beijing, China
| | - Qiang-Sen Zhao
- National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding and Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, MARA; College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, No. 2 Yuanmingyuan West Rd, 100193, Beijing, China
| | - Yun-Xiao Sun
- National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding and Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, MARA; College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, No. 2 Yuanmingyuan West Rd, 100193, Beijing, China
| | - Yu-Chen Jie
- National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding and Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, MARA; College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, No. 2 Yuanmingyuan West Rd, 100193, Beijing, China
| | - Jacqueline Smith
- The Roslin Institute & R(D)SVS, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian, EH25 9RG, UK
| | - Yu-Ze Yang
- Beijing General Station of Animal Husbandry, 100101, Beijing, China
| | - David W Burt
- The Roslin Institute & R(D)SVS, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian, EH25 9RG, UK
- The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Maxwell Hincke
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Department of Innovation in Medical Education, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, 451 Smyth Road, Ottawa, KIH 8M5, Canada
| | - Zi-Ding Zhang
- College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, 100193, Beijing, China
| | - Meng-Di Yuan
- College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, 100193, Beijing, China
| | - Jim Kaufman
- Institute for Immunology and Infection Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH9 3FL, UK
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1QP, UK
| | - Cong-Jiao Sun
- National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding and Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, MARA; College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, No. 2 Yuanmingyuan West Rd, 100193, Beijing, China
| | - Jun-Ying Li
- National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding and Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, MARA; College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, No. 2 Yuanmingyuan West Rd, 100193, Beijing, China
| | - Li-Wa Shao
- National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding and Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, MARA; College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, No. 2 Yuanmingyuan West Rd, 100193, Beijing, China.
| | - Ning Yang
- National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding and Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, MARA; College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, No. 2 Yuanmingyuan West Rd, 100193, Beijing, China.
| | - Zhuo-Cheng Hou
- National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding and Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, MARA; College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, No. 2 Yuanmingyuan West Rd, 100193, Beijing, China.
- Sanya Institute of China Agricultural University, Beijing, China.
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Avian Expression Patterns and Genomic Mapping Implicate Leptin in Digestion and TNF in Immunity, Suggesting That Their Interacting Adipokine Role Has Been Acquired Only in Mammals. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20184489. [PMID: 31514326 PMCID: PMC6770569 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20184489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2019] [Revised: 08/29/2019] [Accepted: 09/06/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
In mammals, leptin and tumor-necrosis factor (TNF) are prominent interacting adipokines mediating appetite control and insulin sensitivity. While TNF pleiotropically functions in immune defense and cell survival, leptin is largely confined to signaling energy stores in adipocytes. Knowledge about the function of avian leptin and TNF is limited and they are absent or lowly expressed in adipose, respectively. Employing radiation-hybrid mapping and FISH-TSA, we mapped TNF and its syntenic genes to chicken chromosome 16 within the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) region. This mapping position suggests that avian TNF has a role in regulating immune response. To test its possible interaction with leptin within the immune system and beyond, we compared the transcription patterns of TNF, leptin and their cognate receptors obtained by meta-analysis of GenBank RNA-seq data. While expression of leptin and its receptor (LEPR) were detected in the brain and digestive tract, TNF and its receptor mRNAs were primarily found in viral-infected and LPS-treated leukocytes. We confirmed leptin expression in the duodenum by immunohistochemistry staining. Altogether, we suggest that whereas leptin and TNF interact as adipokines in mammals, in birds, they have distinct roles. Thus, the interaction between leptin and TNF may be unique to mammals.
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