Proteomic analysis of the follicular fluid of Tianzhu white yak during diestrus

Comparative proteomic analysis of spleen reveals key immune-related proteins in the yak (Bos grunniens) at different growth stages

Spleen plays an indispensable role in the immune system as the largest lymphatic organ in the body. The spleens of yaks at three developmental stages (1 day fetal yak, 15 months juvenile yak and 5 years old adult yak) were sampled and the Tandem mass tag (TMT) quantification method was employed in spleen proteomic analysis. The results showed that 6576 proteins and 529 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were identified in the yak spleens at three growth stages. Gene ontology (GO) analysis of DEPs indicated that DEPs were enriched in Oxygen transport, Actin filament movement, DNA replication, Cell cycle process, and Cell macromolecule biosynthesis process, which was conducive to high altitude breathing, protein synthesis and organ growth in yaks. These were indispensable for yak spleen growth and cell metabolism, high altitude adaptation. Those DEPs were further analyzed based on Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) pathways, which principally participated in Th1 and Th2 cell differentiation, NF-kappa B signaling pathway, Phagosome, and Glutathione metabolism. Those pathways were associated with some animal life activities in defense against microbial antigens, indicating that with age, the immune function of the yak's spleen continued to increase. Hemoglobin, Tumor necrosis factor receptor associated factor 1 (TRAF1), T cell receptor (TCR), Macrophage receptor, Fc receptors (FcR), and Gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) of DEPs played roles in immune function in yak spleen directly or indirectly. The dynamic changes of Toll like receptor 2 (TLR2), TRAF1 and Heat shock protein 27 (HSP27 or HSPB1) detected by Immunohistochemistry were consistent with those obtained from TMT proteomic. In conclusion, this study provides extensive and functional analyses of the spleen proteome at three developmental stages and will offer a new insight into key proteins involved in the immune function of yak spleen.

Domestic animal proteomics in the 21st century: A global retrospective and viewpoint analysis

Animal production and health are of significant economic importance, particularly regarding the world food supply. Animal and veterinary sciences have evolved immensely in the past six decades, particularly in genetics, nutrition, housing, management and health. To address major challenges such as those posed by climate change or metabolic disorders, it is of utmost importance to use state-of-the-art research tools. Proteomics and the other post-genomic tools (transcriptomics or metabolomics) are among them. Proteomics has experienced a considerable development over the last decades. This brought developments to different scientific fields. The use and adoption of proteomics tools in animal and veterinary sciences has some limitations (database availability or access to proteomics platforms and funding). As a result, proteomics' use by animal science researchers varies across the globe. In this viewpoint article, we focus on the developments of domestic animal proteomics over the last decade in different regions of the globe and how the researchers have coped with such challenges. In the second part of the article, we provide examples of funding, educational and laboratory establishment initiatives designed to foster the development of (animal-based) proteomics. International scientific collaboration is a definitive and key feature in the development and advancement of domestic animal proteomics. SIGNIFICANCE: Animal production and health are very important for food supply worldwide particularly as a source of proteinaceous foods. Animal and veterinary sciences have evolved immensely in the last decades. In order to address the major contemporary challenges facing animal and veterinary sciences, it is of utmost importance to use state-of-the-art research tools such as Proteomics and other Omics. Herein, we focus on the major developments in domestic animal proteomics worldwide during the last decade and how different regions of the world have used the technology in this specific research field. We address also major international efforts aiming to increase the research output in this area and highlight the importance of international cooperation to address specific problems inherent to domestic animal proteomics.