Mutation of Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 5 (STAT5) Binding Sites Decreases Milk Allergen αS1-Casein Content in Goat Mammary Epithelial Cells

Chromosome-level dairy goat genome reveals the regulatory landscape of lactation

Goat milk is rich in various nutrients that are beneficial for human health. However, the genomic evolution and genetic basis underlying the nutritional value and unique flavor formation in dairy goats remain poorly understood. In the present study, we generate a chromosome-level genome assembly for dairy goats comprising 2.63 Gb with a contig N50 of 43 Mb and a scaffold N50 of 101 Mb. Genome quality comparisons revealed that the dairy goat genome has higher integrity and continuity than the published goat and sheep genomes. The identification of genes under positive selection in dairy goats highlights potential candidates to explain their high milk production. Comparative genomic analysis elucidates the adaptive evolutionary mechanisms of dairy goats such as strong disease resistance, broad adaptability, and unique milk flavor. Moreover, we demonstrate the conservation of the lactation gene network and identify new potential regulators associated with lipid metabolism. Additionally, we establish the regulatory landscape of lactation for the first time in dairy goats, revealing its unique gene regulatory characteristics. Hence, our study not only provides the first chromosome-level reference genome for dairy goat, but also offers potential research directions for dairy production and genetic improvement.

Enhancement of PPARα-Inhibited Leucine Metabolism-Stimulated β-Casein Synthesis and Fatty Acid Synthesis in Primary Bovine Mammary Epithelial Cells

Leucine, a kind of branched-chain amino acid, plays a regulatory role in the milk production of mammalian mammary glands, but its regulatory functions and underlying molecular mechanisms remain unknown. This work showed that a leucine-enriched mixture (LEUem) supplementation increased the levels of milk protein and milk fat synthesis in primary bovine mammary epithelial cells (BMECs). RNA-seq of leucine-treated BMECs indicated alterations in lipid metabolism, translation, ribosomal structure and biogenesis, and inflammatory response signaling pathways. Meanwhile, the supplementation of leucine resulted in mTOR activation and increased the expression of BCKDHA, FASN, ACC, and SCD1. Interestingly, the expression of PPARα was independently correlated with the leucine-supplemented dose. PPARα activated by WY-14643 caused significant suppression of lipogenic genes expression. Furthermore, WY-14643 attenuated leucine-induced β-casein synthesis and enhanced the level of BCKDHA expression. Moreover, promoter analysis revealed a peroxisome-proliferator-response element (PPRE) site in the bovine BCKDHA promoter, and WY-14643 promoted the recruitment of PPARα onto the BCKDHA promoter. Together, the present data indicate that leucine promotes the synthesis of β-casein and fatty acid and that PPARα-involved leucine catabolism is the key target.

The High Level of RANKL Improves IκB/p65/Cyclin D1 Expression and Decreases p-Stat5 Expression in Firm Udder of Dairy Goats

Udder traits, influencing udder health and function, are positively correlated with lactation performance. Among them, breast texture influences heritability and impacts on the milk yield of cattle; however, there is a lack of systematic research on its underlying mechanism in dairy goats in particular. Here, we showed the structure of firm udders with developed connective tissue and smaller acini per lobule during lactation and confirmed that there were lower serum levels of estradiol (E₂) and progesterone (PROG), and higher mammary expression of estrogen nuclear receptor (ER) α and progesterone receptor (PR), in dairy goats with firm udders. The results of transcriptome sequencing of the mammary gland revealed that the downstream pathway of PR, the receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) ligand (RANKL) signal, participated in the formation of firm mammary glands. During the culture of goat mammary epithelial cells (GMECs), high RANKL level additions promote the Inhibitor kappaB (IκB)/p65/Cyclin D1 expression related to cell proliferation and decrease the phosphorylated signal transduction and transcription activator 5 (Stat5) expression related to milk-protein synthesis of GMECs, which is consistent with electron microscope results showing that there are fewer lactoprotein particles in the acinar cavity of a firm mammary. Furthermore, co-culturing with adipocyte-like cells for 7 d is beneficial for the acinar structure formation of GMECs, while there is a slightly negative effect of high RANKL level on it. In conclusion, the results of this study revealed the structure of firm udders structure and confirmed the serum hormone levels and their receptor expression in the mammary glands of dairy goats with firm udders. The underlying mechanism leading to firm udders and a decrease in milk yield were explored preliminarily, which provided an important foundation for the prevention and amelioration of firm udders and improving udder health and milk yield.

Prolactin regulates RANKL expression via signal transducer and activator of transcription 5a signaling in mammary epithelial cells of dairy cows

Receptor of activated nuclear factor kappa B ligand (RANKL) is regulated by prolactin in the mammary gland. However, the intrinsic molecular mechanism is not well understood. Herein, mammary epithelial cells (MECs) of dairy cows were isolated to characterize the molecular mechanism of prolactin in vitro. We demonstrated that prolactin stimulation increased the expression of RANKL in MECs. Moreover, the expression of RANKL induced by prolactin was inhibited by the prolactin receptor or signal transducer and activator of transcription 5A (STAT5a) knockdown. Furthermore, prolactin markedly increased RANKL-Luciferase reporter activity in MECs. We identified a putative gamma-interferon activated site (GAS) in the region between residues -883 to -239 bp of the RANKL promoter. Subsequently, we found that the mutated GAS sequence failed to respond to prolactin stimulation. In addition, STAT5a knockdown markedly decreased prolactin-stimulated RANKL promoter activity. Western blot results revealed that RANKL overexpression markedly decreased the STAT5a phosphorylation level in MECs. These findings indicate that prolactin could regulate RANKL promoter activity via STAT5a, contributing to increased RANKL expression in MECs. RANKL may have a negative regulatory effect on STAT5a activity.

Association between somatotropic axis gene polymorphisms and reproductive efficiency of bovine females: a review

Abstract Reproductive characteristics directly reflect on productive performance, as they determine the number of calves born annually and the interval between generations, thereby affecting the selection intensity. This allows for the determination of the most important economic variables that directly affect the production system. The present study is a literature review of somatotropic axis gene polymorphisms that are associated with reproductive functions in heifers and cows (Bos taurus taurus and Bos taurus indicus). The following characteristics were analyzed from the various studies reviewed: number of services per pregnancy (Nº services/ pregnancy), age at first calving (AFC), calving interval (CI), and period of service calving conception interval (CCI). The research was conducted during the period from 2011 to 2021, and associations were found among all indicators of reproductive efficiency evaluated in heifers and cows, with 27 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs): 18 in GHR, 5 in IGF-I, and 4 in STAT5A. This study revealed the relationships between SNPs and the reproductive efficiency indicators and demonstrated that molecular genetic techniques enhance the animal selection process, resulting in more profitable systems that are sustainable in the long term.

Associação entre polimorfismos de genes do eixo somatotrópico e eficiência reprodutiva de fêmeas bovinas: revisão de literatura

Resumo Características reprodutivas refletem diretamente no desempenho produtivo visto que são capazes de determinar o número de bezerros nascidos anualmente, além de afetar o intervalo entre gerações e, consequentemente, a intensidade de seleção, fazendo com o que tais atributos sejam apontados como variáveis econômicas das mais importantes que afetam diretamente o sistema de produção. O presente estudo propõe realizar uma revisão de literatura de polimorfismos de genes do eixo somatotrópico associados a funções reprodutivas em novilhas e vacas (Bos taurus taurus e Bos taurus indicus), indicadas pelos índices: número de serviços por gestação (Nº serviços/gestação), idade ao primeiro parto (IPP), intervalo de partos (IP) e período de serviço, como também denominado de intervalo parto-concepção (IPC). As pesquisas encontradas durante o período de 2011 a 2021 demonstraram associações entre todos os indicadores de eficiência reprodutiva analisados de novilhas e vacas com 27 polimorfismos de nucleotídeo único (SNPs), sendo 18 em GHR, 5 em IGF-I e 4 em STAT5A. Dessa forma, este estudo mostrou relação entre os SNPs e os indicadores de eficiência reprodutiva, demonstrando que técnicas de genética molecular potencializam o processo de seleção dos animais, resultando em sistemas mais lucrativos e que se sustentam a longo prazo.