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Güvendi M, Can H, Köseoğlu AE, Erkunt Alak S, Ün C. First report of a novel 108 bp deletion and five novel SNPs in PRNP gene of stray cats and in silico analysis of their possible relation with feline spongiform encephalopathy. Top Companion Anim Med 2024; 59:100859. [PMID: 38508487 DOI: 10.1016/j.tcam.2024.100859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Revised: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
Prion diseases are fatal neurodegenerative diseases affecting humans and animals. A relationship between variations in the prion gene of some species and susceptibility to prion diseases has been detected. However, variations in the prion protein of cats that have close contact with humans and their effect on prion protein are not well-known. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the variations of prion protein-encoding gene (PRNP gene) in stray cats and to evaluate variants detected in terms of genetic factors associated with susceptibility or resistance to feline spongiform encephalopathy using bioinformatics tools. For this, cat DNA samples were amplified by a PCR targeting PRNP gene and then sequenced to reveal the variations. Finally, the effects of variants on prion protein were predicted by bioinformatics tools. According to the obtained results, a novel 108 bp deletion and nine SNPs were detected. Among SNPs, five (c314A>G, c.454T>A, c.579G>C, c.642G>C and c.672G>C) were detected for the first time in this study. Bioinformatics findings showed that c.579G>C (Q193H), c.454T>A (Y152N) and c.457G>A (E153K) variants have deleterious effects on prion protein and c.579G>C (Q193H) has high amyloid propensities. This study demonstrates prion protein variants of stray cats and their deleterious effects on prion protein for the first time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mervenur Güvendi
- Ege University Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Molecular Biology Section, İzmir, Türkiye
| | - Hüseyin Can
- Ege University Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Molecular Biology Section, İzmir, Türkiye
| | - Ahmet Efe Köseoğlu
- Biruni University, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, İstanbul, Türkiye
| | - Sedef Erkunt Alak
- Ege University Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Molecular Biology Section, İzmir, Türkiye
| | - Cemal Ün
- Ege University Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Molecular Biology Section, İzmir, Türkiye.
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Köseoğlu AE, Can H, Güvendi M, Erkunt Alak S, Değirmenci Döşkaya A, Karakavuk M, Döşkaya M, Ün C. Molecular characterization of Anaplasma ovis Msp4 protein in strains isolated from ticks in Turkey: A multi-epitope synthetic vaccine antigen design against Anaplasma ovis using immunoinformatic tools. Biologicals 2024; 85:101749. [PMID: 38325003 DOI: 10.1016/j.biologicals.2024.101749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Revised: 01/07/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Tick-borne pathogens increasingly threaten animal and human health as well as cause great economic loss in the livestock industry. Among these pathogens, Anaplasma ovis causing a decrease in meat and milk yield is frequently detected in sheep in many countries including Turkey. This study aimed to reveal potential vaccine candidate epitopes in Msp4 protein using sequence data from Anaplasma ovis isolates and then to design a multi-epitope protein to be used in vaccine formulations against Anaplasma ovis. For this purpose, Msp4 gene was sequenced from Anaplasma ovis isolates (n:6) detected in ticks collected from sheep in Turkey and the sequence data was compared with previous sequences from different countries in order to detect the variations of Msp4 gene/protein. Potential vaccine candidate and diagnostic epitopes were predicted using various immunoinformatics tools. Among the discovered vaccine candidate epitopes, antigenic and conserved were selected, and then a multi-epitope protein was designed. The designed vaccine protein was tested for the assessment of TLR-2, IgG, and IFN-g responses by molecular docking and immune simulation analyses. Among the discovered epitopes, EVASEGSGVM and YQFTPEISLV epitopes with properties of high antigenicity, non-allergenicity, and non-toxicity were proposed to be used for Anaplasma ovis in further serodiagnostic and vaccine studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmet Efe Köseoğlu
- Duisburg-Essen University, Faculty of Chemistry, Department of Environmental Microbiology and Biotechnology, Essen, Germany
| | - Hüseyin Can
- Ege University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Molecular Biology Section, İzmir, Turkiye; Ege University, Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, İzmir, Turkiye; Ege University, Institute of Health Sciences, Department of Vaccine Studies, İzmir, Turkiye
| | - Mervenur Güvendi
- Ege University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Molecular Biology Section, İzmir, Turkiye
| | - Sedef Erkunt Alak
- Ege University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Molecular Biology Section, İzmir, Turkiye; Ege University, Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, İzmir, Turkiye
| | - Aysu Değirmenci Döşkaya
- Ege University, Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, İzmir, Turkiye; Ege University, Institute of Health Sciences, Department of Vaccine Studies, İzmir, Turkiye; Ege University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Parasitology, İzmir, Turkiye
| | - Muhammet Karakavuk
- Ege University, Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, İzmir, Turkiye; Ege University, Institute of Health Sciences, Department of Vaccine Studies, İzmir, Turkiye; Ege University, Odemis Vocational School, İzmir, Turkiye
| | - Mert Döşkaya
- Ege University, Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, İzmir, Turkiye; Ege University, Institute of Health Sciences, Department of Vaccine Studies, İzmir, Turkiye; Ege University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Parasitology, İzmir, Turkiye
| | - Cemal Ün
- Ege University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Molecular Biology Section, İzmir, Turkiye; Ege University, Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, İzmir, Turkiye; Ege University, Institute of Health Sciences, Department of Vaccine Studies, İzmir, Turkiye.
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Bilgen N, Güvendi M, Sezgin E, Can H, Köseoğlu AE, Erkunt Alak S, Döşkaya M, Ün C. Mitotyping of random bred cats and pure breed cats (Turkish Angora and Turkish Van) using non-repetitive mitochondrial DNA control region. Gene 2024; 892:147849. [PMID: 37776989 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2023.147849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Revised: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/02/2023]
Abstract
The Fertile Crescent appears to be the most plausible region where the domestication of cats commenced through a mutually beneficial relationship between wild cats and early agrarian societies. These domesticated cats then journeyed across the globe mirroring the paths of human migration. An examination of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region-based mitotyping suggested that a significant majority, exceeding 80%, of globally sampled random-bred and pure-bred cats could be categorized into 12 predominant mitotypes. However, the extent of mitotype diversity within random-bred cats from regions proximate to the Fertile Crescent remains inadequately explored. In light of this we aimed to investigate the mitotype diversity in random bred cats sampled from various regions across Turkey. Additionally, we sought to establish a comparison with the mitotype profiles of locally recognized pure breeds, namely the Turkish Angora and Turkish Van. To unravel their evolutionary narratives, we engaged in comprehensive population genetics analyses at both the individual and mitotype-based levels. Our study encompassed a sample size of 240 specimens, forming the basis for both mitotyping and population genetics scrutiny. Our analysis yielded the identification of nine 'universal' mitotypes (A-J), alongside an 'outlier' mitotype group I. Notably mitotypes A and D emerged as particularly prevalent in contrast to the lesser occurrence mitotypes C, G, and H. With the realm of random bred cats the structure of haplotypes exhibited remarkable diversity presenting distinctions from Turkish Angora and Van breeds. Nucleotide diversity was higher compared to previous reports from Turkey and was one of the highest among reported world cat population estimates. Intriguingly, our investigations did not unveil any pronounced instances of strong selection, population expansions or contractions within any specific population or mitotype. To conclude, our study represents a pioneering effort in uncovering the mitotype profiles and haplotype structures inherent to both random-bred and pure breed cats in Turkey. This endeavor not only broadens our understanding of the feline genetic landscape within the region but also lays the foundation for future inquiries into the evolutionary trajectories and genetic legacies of these feline populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nüket Bilgen
- Ankara University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Animal Genetics, Ankara, Türkiye
| | - Mervenur Güvendi
- Ege University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology Molecular Biology Section, İzmir, Türkiye
| | - Efe Sezgin
- İzmir Institute of Technology, Department of Food Engineering, İzmir, Türkiye
| | - Hüseyin Can
- Ege University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology Molecular Biology Section, İzmir, Türkiye
| | - Ahmet Efe Köseoğlu
- Biruni University, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, İstanbul, Türkiye
| | - Sedef Erkunt Alak
- Ege University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology Molecular Biology Section, İzmir, Türkiye
| | - Mert Döşkaya
- Ege University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Parasitology, İzmir, Türkiye
| | - Cemal Ün
- Ege University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology Molecular Biology Section, İzmir, Türkiye.
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Koçkaya ES, Can H, Yaman Y, Ün C. In silico discovery of epitopes of gag and env proteins for the development of a multi-epitope vaccine candidate against Maedi Visna Virus using reverse vaccinology approach. Biologicals 2023; 84:101715. [PMID: 37793308 DOI: 10.1016/j.biologicals.2023.101715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2023] [Revised: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Maedi Visna Virus (MVV) causes a chronic viral disease in sheep. Since there is no specific therapeutic drug that targets MVV, development of a vaccine against the MVV is inevitable. This study aimed to analyze the gag and env proteins as vaccine candidate proteins and to identify epitopes in these proteins. In addition, it was aimed to construct a multi-epitope vaccine candidate. According to the obtained results, the gag protein was detected to be more conserved and had a higher antigenicity value. Also, the number of alpha helix in the secondary structure was higher and transmembrane helices were not detected. Although many B cell and MHC-I/II epitopes were predicted, only 19 of them were detected to have the properties of antigenic, non-allergenic, non-toxic, soluble, and non-hemolytic. Of these epitopes, five were remarkable due to having the highest antigenicity value. However, the final multi-epitope vaccine was constructed with 19 epitopes. A strong affinity was shown between the final multi-epitope vaccine and TLR-2/4. In conclusion, the gag protein was a better antigen. However, both proteins had epitopes with high antigenicity value. Also, the final multi-epitope vaccine construct had a potential to be used as a peptide vaccine due to its immuno-informatics results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ecem Su Koçkaya
- Ege University Faculty of Science Department of Biology Molecular Biology Section, İzmir, Türkiye
| | - Hüseyin Can
- Ege University Faculty of Science Department of Biology Molecular Biology Section, İzmir, Türkiye
| | - Yalçın Yaman
- Siirt University Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Genetics, Siirt, Türkiye
| | - Cemal Ün
- Ege University Faculty of Science Department of Biology Molecular Biology Section, İzmir, Türkiye.
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Kenanoğlu OB, Gül A, Can H, Karakavuk M, Erkunt Alak S, Korukluoğlu G, Altaş AB, Pullukçu H, Değirmenci Döşkaya A, Karakavuk T, Gül C, Çiçek C, Taşbakan MS, Çinkooğlu A, Ün C, Gürüz AY, Avcı M, Karasulu E, Tekin Ş, Döşkaya M, Işıkgöz Taşbakan M. Importance of screening severe COVID-19 patients for IFN-λ1, IL-6 and anti-S1 IgG levels. Cytokine 2023; 171:156357. [PMID: 37690425 DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2023.156357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
Cytokine storm is an important cause of death in COVID-19 patients. A recent clinical study showed that administration of recombinant interferon lambda 1 (IFN-λ1 or IL-29) may prevent severe COVID-19. On the other hand, IL-6 has been associated as a prognostic marker of worsening for COVID-19 patients. The objective of this study is to screen IFN-λ1, IL-6 and antibody levels in consecutive serum sample sets of COVID-19 patients. A total of 365 serum samples collected from 208 hospitalized COVID-19 patients were analyzed for IFN-λ1 and IL-6 levels as well as SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies and anti-S1 IgG antibodies. Analyses of serum samples for cytokine levels showed that IFN-λ1 (>8 pg/mL) and IL-6 (>2 pg/mL) were detected in approximately 64% and 21% patients, respectively. A decrement in IFN-λ1 levels and IL-6 levels above 35 pg/mL can be sign of clinical severity and upcoming dead. An increment in IL-6 levels wasn't detected in every COVID-19 patient but a decrement in IL-6 levels was related to clinical improvement. Importantly, the detection of IFN-λ1 level together with an increase in anti-S1 IgG antibody response were observed in clinically improved patients. Screening severe COVID-19 patients for IFN-λ1, IL-6, and anti-S1 IgG antibody levels during their hospital stay especially in intensive care units may be beneficial to monitor the clinical status and management of treatment strategies. Importantly, detection of IFN-λ1 together with protective IgG antibody response can be an indication of clinical improvement in severe COVID-19 patients and these patients may be discharged from the hospital soon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olcay Buse Kenanoğlu
- Ege University Faculty of Medicine Department of Infectious Diseases, Bornova, İzmir, Türkiye
| | - Aytül Gül
- Ege University Faculty of Engineering Department of Bioengineering, Bornova, İzmir, Türkiye; Ege University Graduate School of Natural and Applied Sciences Department of Bioengineering, Bornova, İzmir, Türkiye; Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, Bornova, İzmir, Türkiye
| | - Hüseyin Can
- Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, Bornova, İzmir, Türkiye; Ege University Faculty of Science Department of Biology Molecular Biology Section, Bornova, İzmir, Türkiye
| | - Muhammet Karakavuk
- Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, Bornova, İzmir, Türkiye; Ege University Institute of Health Sciences Department of Vaccine Studies, Bornova, İzmir, Türkiye; Ege University Ödemiş Vocational School, İzmir, Türkiye
| | - Sedef Erkunt Alak
- Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, Bornova, İzmir, Türkiye; Ege University Institute of Health Sciences Department of Vaccine Studies, Bornova, İzmir, Türkiye
| | - Gülay Korukluoğlu
- Ministry of Health, General Directorate of Public Health, National Virology Reference Central Laboratory, Ankara, Türkiye
| | - Ayşe Başak Altaş
- Ministry of Health, General Directorate of Public Health, National Virology Reference Central Laboratory, Ankara, Türkiye
| | - Hüsnü Pullukçu
- Ege University Faculty of Medicine Department of Infectious Diseases, Bornova, İzmir, Türkiye
| | - Aysu Değirmenci Döşkaya
- Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, Bornova, İzmir, Türkiye; Ege University Institute of Health Sciences Department of Vaccine Studies, Bornova, İzmir, Türkiye; Ege University Faculty of Medicine Department of Parasitology, Bornova, İzmir, Türkiye
| | - Tuğba Karakavuk
- Ege University Graduate School of Natural and Applied Science Department of Biotechnology, Bornova, İzmir, Türkiye
| | - Ceren Gül
- Ege University Graduate School of Natural and Applied Science Department of Biotechnology, Bornova, İzmir, Türkiye
| | - Candan Çiçek
- Ege University Faculty of Medicine Department of Microbiology, Bornova, İzmir, Türkiye
| | - Mehmet Sezai Taşbakan
- Ege University Faculty of Medicine Department of Chest Diseases, Bornova, İzmir, Türkiye
| | - Akın Çinkooğlu
- Ege University Faculty of Medicine Department of Radiology, Bornova, İzmir, Türkiye
| | - Cemal Ün
- Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, Bornova, İzmir, Türkiye; Ege University Faculty of Science Department of Biology Molecular Biology Section, Bornova, İzmir, Türkiye
| | - Adnan Yüksel Gürüz
- Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, Bornova, İzmir, Türkiye; Ege University Institute of Health Sciences Department of Vaccine Studies, Bornova, İzmir, Türkiye; Ege University Faculty of Medicine Department of Parasitology, Bornova, İzmir, Türkiye
| | - Mahmut Avcı
- Ministry of Health, General Directorate of Public Health, National Virology Reference Central Laboratory, Ankara, Türkiye
| | - Ercüment Karasulu
- Ege University Research and Application Center of Drug Development and Pharmocokinetics, Bornova, İzmir, Türkiye
| | - Şaban Tekin
- University of Heatlh Sciences Faculty of Medicine Department of Basic Sciences, Üsküdar, İstanbul, Türkiye; TÜBİTAK Marmara Research Center, Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Kocaeli, Türkiye
| | - Mert Döşkaya
- Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, Bornova, İzmir, Türkiye; Ege University Institute of Health Sciences Department of Vaccine Studies, Bornova, İzmir, Türkiye; Ege University Faculty of Medicine Department of Parasitology, Bornova, İzmir, Türkiye.
| | - Meltem Işıkgöz Taşbakan
- Ege University Faculty of Medicine Department of Infectious Diseases, Bornova, İzmir, Türkiye
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Teferedegn EY, Can H, Erkunt Alak S, Ün C. Low frequency of protective variants at regulatory region of PRNP gene indicating the genetically high risk of BSE in Ethiopian Bos indicus and Bos taurus africanus. Anim Biotechnol 2023; 34:1931-1936. [PMID: 35400314 DOI: 10.1080/10495398.2022.2058007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
Susceptibility to classical bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) has been linked to 23 bp indel in promoter and 12 bp indel in the first intron of cattle prion protein gene. This study aimed to investigate 23/12 bp indel polymorphisms in the polymorphisms in cattle prion protein (PRNP) gene to reveal the risk of BSE in Ethiopian cattle. Also, frequency of each polymorphism was compared to the other Bos taurus and Bos indicus breeds. According to results, the insertion variant was detected at a low frequency in all of the study populations at both loci. The 23 bp insertion allele in Fogera breed was relatively lower than Borona and Arsi and the same allele at the same locus in Afar breed was higher than the rest of the breeds (0.16). Due to high linkage disequilibrium (LD) of the deletion allele in Bos taurus, the frequencies of deletion allele at 23 bp (0.84) and 12 bp (0.86) loci in Afar breed were relatively closer than the rest of the breeds. In addition, DD/DD was found as the highly frequent diplotype in all of the breeds. The low frequency of insertion alleles at 23 and 12 bp indel sites demonstrate that Ethiopian cattle have a genetically high risk for BSE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eden Yitna Teferedegn
- Department of Biology Molecular Biology Section, Faculty of Science, Ege University, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Hüseyin Can
- Department of Biology Molecular Biology Section, Faculty of Science, Ege University, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Sedef Erkunt Alak
- Department of Biology Molecular Biology Section, Faculty of Science, Ege University, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Cemal Ün
- Department of Biology Molecular Biology Section, Faculty of Science, Ege University, İzmir, Turkey
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Sürgeç E, Güvendi M, Karakavuk M, Erkunt Alak S, Değirmenci Döşkaya A, Ün C, Döşkaya M, Gürüz AY, Can H. Genotyping of Enterocytozoon bieneusi isolates detected in stray cats of İzmir, Türkiye. Parasitol Res 2023; 122:2729-2735. [PMID: 37707609 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-023-07974-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023]
Abstract
The phylum Microsporidia includes obligate intracellular parasites that can infect humans and various animals. To date, 17 different species within the phylum have been reported to infect humans. Among them, Enterocytozoon bieneusi (E. bieneusi) is one of the most frequently detected species in humans. Identification of E. bieneusi as well as its genotypes in humans and animals is important to reveal their role in transmission to each other. Cats are blamed as the source of E. bieneusi transmission to humans. In this study, we aimed to genotype 170 E. bieneusi positive samples isolated from stool of stray cats living in İzmir province of Türkiye. According to the results, 47 samples were amplified by nested PCR protocol targeting ITS region and successfully sequenced. The phylogenetic analysis showed the presence of zoonotic genotype D and type IV in stray cats, which are also frequently detected in humans. Among the E. bieneusi genotypes detected, the prevalence of type IV (93.6%; 44/47) was very high compared to genotype D. Overall, the identification of zoonotic genotypes of E. bieneusi supports that stray cats can play an important role in the transmission of E. bieneusi to humans in İzmir.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ecem Sürgeç
- Ege University Faculty of Science, Department of Biology Zoology Section, İzmir, Türkiye
| | - Mervenur Güvendi
- Ege University Faculty of Science, Department of Biology Molecular Biology Section, İzmir, Türkiye
| | - Muhammet Karakavuk
- Ege University Ödemiş Vocational School, İzmir, Türkiye
- Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, İzmir, Türkiye
| | - Sedef Erkunt Alak
- Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, İzmir, Türkiye
| | - Aysu Değirmenci Döşkaya
- Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, İzmir, Türkiye
- Ege University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Parasitology, İzmir, Türkiye
- Ege University Institute of Health Sciences, Department of Vaccine Studies, İzmir, Türkiye
| | - Cemal Ün
- Ege University Faculty of Science, Department of Biology Molecular Biology Section, İzmir, Türkiye
- Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, İzmir, Türkiye
- Ege University Institute of Health Sciences, Department of Vaccine Studies, İzmir, Türkiye
| | - Mert Döşkaya
- Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, İzmir, Türkiye
- Ege University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Parasitology, İzmir, Türkiye
- Ege University Institute of Health Sciences, Department of Vaccine Studies, İzmir, Türkiye
| | - Adnan Yüksel Gürüz
- Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, İzmir, Türkiye
- Ege University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Parasitology, İzmir, Türkiye
- Ege University Institute of Health Sciences, Department of Vaccine Studies, İzmir, Türkiye
| | - Hüseyin Can
- Ege University Faculty of Science, Department of Biology Molecular Biology Section, İzmir, Türkiye.
- Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, İzmir, Türkiye.
- Ege University Institute of Health Sciences, Department of Vaccine Studies, İzmir, Türkiye.
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Can H, Güvendi M, Sürgeç E, Köseoğlu AE, Erkunt Alak S, Karakavuk M, Gül A, Döşkaya M, Gürüz AY, Ün C, Değirmenci Döşkaya A. Genetic characterization of Bartonella henselae samples isolated from stray cats by multi-locus sequence typing. BMC Vet Res 2023; 19:195. [PMID: 37805521 PMCID: PMC10559530 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-023-03748-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bartonella henselae is one of the most commonly identified Bartonella species associated with several human diseases. Although B. henselae was detected in humans and cats in Turkey, they have not been genotyped previously. Therefore, this study aimed to genotype B. henselae samples (n = 44) isolated from stray cats using the multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) method. For this aim, eight different housekeeping markers were amplified by nested PCR and then sequenced to reveal sequence types (STs) of B. henselae samples. RESULTS Allelic profiles obtained from 40 B. henselae isolates (90.9%) were compatible with available allelic profiles in the MLST online database. However, allelic profiles obtained from the remaining 4 B. henselae isolates (9.1%) were incompatible with the database. Among B. henselae isolates with compatible allelic profiles, 5 different STs including ST1, ST5, ST9, ST35 and ST36 were identified according to the B. henselae MLST online database. ST35 was the most prevalent ST with a prevalence rate of 29.5% (13/44), followed by ST36 with a prevalence rate of 22.7% (10/44). In addition, ST5 (16%, 7/44) and ST9 (18.2%, 8/44) were also among the prevalent STs. The prevalence of ST1 was 4.5% (2/44). For B. henselae isolates with incompatible allelic profiles, we recommended a new ST called ST38. CONCLUSION The present study genotyped B. henselae samples isolated from stray cats in Turkey for the first time and ST1, ST5, ST9, ST35, and ST36 as well as a new sequence type named ST38 were identified among these B. henselae isolates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hüseyin Can
- Faculty of Science, Department of Biology Molecular Biology Section, Ege University, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Mervenur Güvendi
- Faculty of Science, Department of Biology Molecular Biology Section, Ege University, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Ecem Sürgeç
- Faculty of Science, Department of Biology Zoology Section, Ege University, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Ahmet Efe Köseoğlu
- Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Biruni University, İstanbul, Turkey
| | - Sedef Erkunt Alak
- Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Muhammet Karakavuk
- Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, İzmir, Turkey
- Ege University Ödemiş Vocational School, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Aytül Gül
- Faculty of Engineering, Department of Bioengineering, Ege University, İzmir, Turkey
- Department of Bioengineering, Ege University Graduate School of Natural and Applied Sciences, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Mert Döşkaya
- Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, İzmir, Turkey
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Parasitology, Ege University, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Adnan Yüksel Gürüz
- Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, İzmir, Turkey
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Parasitology, Ege University, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Cemal Ün
- Faculty of Science, Department of Biology Molecular Biology Section, Ege University, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Aysu Değirmenci Döşkaya
- Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, İzmir, Turkey.
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Parasitology, Ege University, İzmir, Turkey.
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9
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Değirmenci Döşkaya A, Can H, Gül A, Karakavuk T, Güvendi M, Karakavuk M, Gül C, Erkunt Alak S, Ün C, Gürüz AY, Döşkaya M. A preliminary study to develop a lateral flow assay using recombinant GRA1 protein for the diagnosis of toxoplasmosis in stray cats. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2023; 101:102057. [PMID: 37647822 DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2023.102057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2023] [Revised: 08/19/2023] [Accepted: 08/26/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoan parasite that may infect many mammals including humans. Cats are one of the main sources of infection for humans. Therefore, routine screening of cats with tests that are inexpensive, rapid, and do not require sophisticated laboratory equipment is important. In this study, a lateral flow assay (LFA) was designed to rapidly diagnose toxoplasmosis in cats. For this purpose, we selected GRA1 protein of T. gondii due to its high antigenicity in diagnostic and vaccine studies. We further analyzed the immunological properties of GRA1 protein using in silico tools. Then, we expressed and purified recombinant GRA1 (rGRA1) protein and used it during the development of LFA to detect toxoplasmosis in serum samples (n = 40) of cats. According to the results, rGRA1 protein has negative GRAVY value, high aliphatic index, alpha helix, random coil and 12 B cell epitopes. The in silico data supported the high antigenic properties of rGRA1 protein and showed that it can be a good antigen candidate for LFA. Among 30 cat positive serum samples, 27 were found positive by the LFA while seronegative sera (n = 10) were negative by the LFA. The preliminary data showed that the LFA has high sensitivity (90 %) and specificity (100 %). When we used high responsive cat sera (i.e. sera that have optical density > 0.5 with ELISA) the sensitivity value reached 100 %. These results showed that rGRA1 protein is a good candidate to develop a LFA for rapid diagnosis of toxoplasmosis in cats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aysu Değirmenci Döşkaya
- Ege University Faculty of Medicine Department of Parasitology, İzmir, Turkey; Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Hüseyin Can
- Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, İzmir, Turkey; Ege University Faculty of Science Department of Biology Molecular Biology Section, İzmir, Turkey.
| | - Aytül Gül
- Ege University Graduate School of Natural and Applied Sciences, Department of Bioengineering, İzmir, Turkey; Ege University Faculty of Engineering Department of Bioengineering, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Tuğba Karakavuk
- Ege University Graduate Faculty of Natural and Applied Science Biotechnology Program, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Mervenur Güvendi
- Ege University Faculty of Science Department of Biology Molecular Biology Section, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Muhammet Karakavuk
- Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, İzmir, Turkey; Ege University Ödemiş Vocational School, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Ceren Gül
- Ege University Graduate Faculty of Natural and Applied Science Biotechnology Program, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Sedef Erkunt Alak
- Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Cemal Ün
- Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, İzmir, Turkey; Ege University Faculty of Science Department of Biology Molecular Biology Section, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Adnan Yüksel Gürüz
- Ege University Faculty of Medicine Department of Parasitology, İzmir, Turkey; Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Mert Döşkaya
- Ege University Faculty of Medicine Department of Parasitology, İzmir, Turkey; Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, İzmir, Turkey
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10
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Koçkaya ES, Güvendi M, Köseoğlu AE, Karakavuk M, Değirmenci Döşkaya A, Erkunt Alak S, Döşkaya M, Gürüz AY, Ün C, Can H. Molecular prevalence and genetic diversity of Hepatozoon spp. in stray cats of İzmir, Türkiye. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2023; 101:102060. [PMID: 37678079 DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2023.102060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Revised: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023]
Abstract
Hepatozoon spp. are an apicomplexan protozoan parasites that infect vertebrates including mammals, marsupials, birds, reptiles, and amphibians. Among Hepatozoon species, H. canis and H. felis are causative agents of hepatozoonosis in dogs and cats, respectively and have veterinary importance. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of Hepatozoon spp. in stray cats living in İzmir and investigate genetic diversity among positive samples. To achieve this aim, the prevalence of Hepatozoon spp. 18S rRNA gene was screened by PCR in DNA samples extracted from blood samples of stray cats (n = 1012). Then, Hepatozoon-positive samples were sequenced and the generated data were used for species identification, phylogenetic and haplotype analyses. According to the results, among the samples screened, 2.37 % (24/1012) of them were found to be Hepatozoon-positive, and of these positive samples, 18 (18/24; 75 %) were successfully sequenced. BLAST and phylogenetic analyses revealed that all of these samples were H. felis. Also, phylogenetic analysis showed that H. felis samples were genotype I. Within H. felis samples isolated from cats living in different countries/regions, 9 haplotypes were detected and among these haplotypes, H-1 was found to be prevalent (n = 20 H. felis isolates). In conclusion, this study showed that the prevalence of Hepatozoon spp. was low in stray cats analyzed. Also, H. felis genotype I was predominant in comparison to other Hepatozoon species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ecem Su Koçkaya
- Ege University Faculty of Science Department of Biology Molecular Biology Section, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Mervenur Güvendi
- Ege University Faculty of Science Department of Biology Molecular Biology Section, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Ahmet Efe Köseoğlu
- Biruni University Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, İstanbul, Turkey
| | - Muhammet Karakavuk
- Ege University Ödemiş Vocational School, İzmir, Turkey; Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Aysu Değirmenci Döşkaya
- Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, İzmir, Turkey; Ege University Faculty of Medicine Department of Parasitology, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Sedef Erkunt Alak
- Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Mert Döşkaya
- Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, İzmir, Turkey; Ege University Faculty of Medicine Department of Parasitology, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Adnan Yüksel Gürüz
- Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, İzmir, Turkey; Ege University Faculty of Medicine Department of Parasitology, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Cemal Ün
- Ege University Faculty of Science Department of Biology Molecular Biology Section, İzmir, Turkey; Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Hüseyin Can
- Ege University Faculty of Science Department of Biology Molecular Biology Section, İzmir, Turkey; Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, İzmir, Turkey.
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11
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Erkunt Alak S, Can H, Değirmenci Döşkaya A, Sürgeç E, Güvendi M, Ün C, Döşkaya M, Gürüz AY, Karakavuk M. Molecular prevalence of Enterocytozoon bieneusi in stray cats of İzmir, Türkiye. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2023; 100:102037. [PMID: 37556942 DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2023.102037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Revised: 07/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023]
Abstract
The phylum Microsporidia contains obligate single celled parasites that can infect many vertebrate hosts including humans. Enterocytozoon bieneusi is considered as the most diagnosed species in humans. E. bieneusi has also been detected in many animals such as cats, dogs and cattle. Among these animals, cats are carriers of type D and IV which are the most common human pathogenic genotypes of E. bieneusi. In Türkiye, the prevalence of E. bieneusi in stray cats is not well known. Therefore, in this study, the molecular prevalence of E. bieneusi in stray cats (n = 339) was determined by Real-Time PCR targeting ribosomal DNA ITS (internal transcribed spacer) region of E. bieneusi. Initially, the analytical sensitivity of Real-Time PCR was determined by a plasmid control and then E. bieneusi DNA was investigated in fecal samples of stray cats. The results showed that the analytical sensitivity of Real-Time PCR targeting ITS region of E. bieneusi was ≤1 copy plasmid/reaction. Analysis of fecal samples revealed that the molecular prevalence of E. bieneusi was 50.15% (170/339). Overall, these results showed that the Real-Time PCR successfully detected E. bieneusi in cat's fecal samples and stray cats can be an important source for transmission of E. bieneusi to humans and other animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sedef Erkunt Alak
- Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, İzmir, Turkiye
| | - Hüseyin Can
- Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, İzmir, Turkiye; Ege University Faculty of Science, Department of Biology Molecular Biology Section, İzmir, Turkiye
| | - Aysu Değirmenci Döşkaya
- Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, İzmir, Turkiye; Ege University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Parasitology, İzmir, Turkiye; Ege University Institute of Health Sciences, Department of Vaccine Studies, İzmir, Turkiye
| | - Ecem Sürgeç
- Ege University Faculty of Science, Department of Biology Zoology Section, İzmir, Turkiye
| | - Mervenur Güvendi
- Ege University Faculty of Science, Department of Biology Molecular Biology Section, İzmir, Turkiye
| | - Cemal Ün
- Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, İzmir, Turkiye; Ege University Faculty of Science, Department of Biology Molecular Biology Section, İzmir, Turkiye
| | - Mert Döşkaya
- Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, İzmir, Turkiye; Ege University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Parasitology, İzmir, Turkiye; Ege University Institute of Health Sciences, Department of Vaccine Studies, İzmir, Turkiye
| | - Adnan Yüksel Gürüz
- Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, İzmir, Turkiye; Ege University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Parasitology, İzmir, Turkiye; Ege University Institute of Health Sciences, Department of Vaccine Studies, İzmir, Turkiye
| | - Muhammet Karakavuk
- Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, İzmir, Turkiye; Ege University Institute of Health Sciences, Department of Vaccine Studies, İzmir, Turkiye; Ege University Ödemiş Vocational School, İzmir, Turkiye.
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12
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Köseoğlu AE, Paltacı S, Can H, Giantsis IA, Güvendi M, Demir S, Döşkaya M, Ün C. Applicability evaluation of mtDNA based molecular identification in mosquito species/subspecies/biotypes collected from Thessaloniki, Greece. Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports 2023; 41:100869. [PMID: 37208079 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2023.100869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Revised: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
The genus Culex, containing many described species, plays a role as a vector for diseases of medical and veterinary importance worldwide. Among these species, Culex pipiens is one of the most widespread mosquitoes and is classified into two biological forms (biotypes), named as Culex pipiens pipiens and Culex pipiens molestus. Due to similar morphological structure between these biotypes, morphological identification is inadequate. Thus, molecular methods have been developed and are considered more reliable, some of which are based on analyses of mitochondrial DNA. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the applicability and reliability of mtDNA based molecular identification methodologies. Initially, mosquito specimens (n = 100) collected from Thessaloniki, Greece were morphologically analyzed. Then, mitochondrial cox1 sequencing and PCR-RFLP methods were used to confirm the morphological identification results as well as to discriminate species and subspecies/biotype of Culex pipiens complex. According to morphological identification results, Culex pipiens complex (n = 92), Culex modestus (n = 6) and Culex theileri (n = 2) were detected. Using mtDNA sequencing, all Culex modestus and Culex theileri samples were confirmed whereas 86 of Culex pipiens complex were detected as Culex pipiens but surprisingly the remaining six of them were detected as Culex quinquefasciatus. Among Culex pipiens specimens, PCR-RFLP detected that frequency of Culex pipiens pipiens (85%; 85/100) was very high compared to Culex pipiens molestus (1%, 1/100). In conclusion, this study shows the necessity of use of molecular methods beside morphological methods for especially specimens detected as Culex pipiens. Also, it was shown that mtDNA PCR-RFLP methodology represents a well-established alternative for Culex biotypes identification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmet Efe Köseoğlu
- Biruni University Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Satı Paltacı
- Ege University Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Molecular Biology Section, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Hüseyin Can
- Ege University Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Molecular Biology Section, İzmir, Turkey.
| | - Ioannis A Giantsis
- University of Western Macedonia Faculty of Agricultural Science, Department of Animal Science, Greece
| | - Mervenur Güvendi
- Ege University Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Molecular Biology Section, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Samiye Demir
- Ege University Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Zoology Section, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Mert Döşkaya
- Ege University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Parasitology, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Cemal Ün
- Ege University Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Molecular Biology Section, İzmir, Turkey
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13
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Yaman Y, Bay V, Sevim S, Aymaz R, Keleş M, Önaldi AT, Özüiçli M, Şenlik B, Koncagül S, Yilmaz O, Ün C. Ovine PAPPA2 gene coding variants are linked to decreased fecal egg shedding in native Turkish sheep naturally infected with gastrointestinal nematodes. Trop Anim Health Prod 2023; 55:186. [PMID: 37130990 DOI: 10.1007/s11250-023-03612-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
In this study, the association between PAPPA2 coding variants and gastrointestinal (GI) nematode fecal egg count (FEC) score in adult Turkish sheep was investigated. For this purpose, the FEC score was determined in adult sheep from six breeds: Karacabey Merino (n = 137), Kivircik (n = 116), Cine capari (n = 109), Karakacan (n = 102), Imroz (n = 73), and Chios (n = 50). Sheep were classified as shedders or non-shedders within breeds and flocks. The first group was the fecal egg shedders (> 50 per gram of feces), and the second group was the no fecal egg shedders (≤ 50 per gram of feces). The exon 1, exon 2, exon 5, exon 7, and a part of 5'UTR of the ovine PAPPA2 gene were genotyped by Sanger sequencing of these two groups. Fourteen synonymous and three non-synonymous single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were found. The non-synonymous SNPs, D109N, D391H, and L409R variants, are reported for the first time. Two haplotype blocks were constructed on exon 2 and exon 7. The specific haplotype, C391G424G449T473C515A542 on the exon 2 that carries the 391H variant, was tested against four other common haplotypes. Our results indicate that C391G424G449T473C515A542 haplotype was significantly associated with fecal egg shedding status in adult Turkish sheep (p-value, 0.044).
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Affiliation(s)
- Yalçın Yaman
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Siirt University, 56000, Siirt, Turkey
| | - Veysel Bay
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Ege University, 35100, İzmir, Turkey.
| | - Semih Sevim
- District Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry, 09800, Nazilli, Aydın, Turkey
- Department of Breeding and Genetics, Sheep Breeding and Research Institute, 10200, Bandirma, Balikesir, Turkey
| | - Ramazan Aymaz
- Department of Breeding and Genetics, Sheep Breeding and Research Institute, 10200, Bandirma, Balikesir, Turkey
| | - Murat Keleş
- Department of Breeding and Genetics, Sheep Breeding and Research Institute, 10200, Bandirma, Balikesir, Turkey
| | - A Taner Önaldi
- Bahri Dağdaş International Research Institute, 42000, Konya, Turkey
| | - Mehmet Özüiçli
- Department of Parasitology, Veterinary Faculty, Balıkesir University, 10000, Balıkesir, Turkey
| | - Bayram Şenlik
- Department of Parasitology, Veterinary Faculty, Uludag University, 16000, Bursa, Turkey
| | - Seyrani Koncagül
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Ankara University, 06000, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Onur Yilmaz
- Department of Animal Science, Agricultural Faculty, Adnan Menderes University, 09000, Aydın, Turkey
| | - Cemal Ün
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ege University, 35100, İzmir, Turkey
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14
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Sezgin E, Teferedegn EY, Ün C, Yaman Y. Correction to: Excessive replacement changes drive evolution of global sheep prion protein (PRNP) sequences. Heredity (Edinb) 2023; 130:53. [PMID: 36333596 PMCID: PMC9814589 DOI: 10.1038/s41437-022-00572-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Efe Sezgin
- grid.419609.30000 0000 9261 240XDepartment of Food Engineering, Izmir Institute of Technology, Urla, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Eden Yitna Teferedegn
- grid.8302.90000 0001 1092 2592Department of Biology, Molecular Biology Division, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey ,grid.418720.80000 0000 4319 4715Armauer Hansen research institute, Biotechnology and Bioinformatic Directorate, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Cemal Ün
- grid.8302.90000 0001 1092 2592Department of Biology, Molecular Biology Division, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Yalçın Yaman
- Department of Breeding and Genetics, Bandırma Sheep Breeding Research Institute, Bandırma, Balıkesir Turkey
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15
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Karakavuk T, Gül C, Karakavuk M, Gül A, Erkunt Alak S, Can H, Ün C, Döşkaya M, Gürüz AY, Değirmenci Döşkaya A. Biotechnological Based Recombinant Protein Vaccines Developed Against Toxoplasmosis. Turkiye Parazitol Derg 2022; 46:342-357. [DOI: 10.4274/tpd.galenos.2022.41636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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16
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Güvendi M, Can H, Köseoğlu AE, Erkunt Alak S, Kandemir Ç, Taşkın T, Sürgeç E, Demir S, Değirmenci Döşkaya A, Karakavuk M, Gül A, Döşkaya M, Gürüz AY, Ün C. Investigation of the genetic diversity and flea-borne pathogens in Ctenocephalides felis samples collected from goats in İzmir and Şanlıurfa provinces of Turkey. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2022; 90-91:101896. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2022.101896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Revised: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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17
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Yavaş C, Ün C, Çelebi E, Gezdirici A, Doğan M, İli EG, Doğan T, Özgentürk NÖ. Whole-Exome Sequencing (WES) results of 50 patients with chronic kidney diseases: a perspective of Alport syndrome. Rev Assoc Med Bras (1992) 2022; 68:1282-1287. [PMID: 36134775 PMCID: PMC9575037 DOI: 10.1590/1806-9282.20220405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 06/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) remains one of the major common health problems, and the number of people affected by the disease is progressively increasing in Turkey and worldwide. This study aimed to investigate molecular defects in Alport syndrome (AS) and other genes in patients with clinically suspected CKD using whole-exome sequencing (WES). METHODS: Patients with clinical suspicion of CKD were included in the study. Molecular genetic analyses were performed on genomic DNA by using WES. RESULTS: A total of 15 with 5 different pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants were identified in CKD patients, with a diagnostic rate of 30%. Eight variants of uncertain significance were also detected. In this study, 10 variants were described for the first time. As a result, we detected variants associated with CKD in our study population and found AS as the most common CKD after other related kidney diseases. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that in heterogeneous diseases such as CKD, WES analysis enables accurate identification of underlying molecular defects promptly. Although CKD accounts for 10–14% of all renal dysfunction, molecular genetic diagnosis is necessary for optimal long-term treatment, prognosis, and effective genetic counseling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cüneyd Yavaş
- Yildiz Technical University, Turkey; Başaksehir Çam and Sakura City Hospital, Turkey
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Tunay Doğan
- Başaksehir Çam and Sakura City Hospital, Turkey
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18
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Gül C, Karakavuk T, Karakavuk M, Can H, Değirmenci Döşkaya A, Gül A, Erkunt Alak S, Gürüz AY, Ün C, Döşkaya M. An Overview of DNA Vaccines Development Studies Against Toxoplasma gondii. Turkiye Parazitol Derg 2022; 46:253-270. [PMID: 36094131 DOI: 10.4274/tpd.galenos.2022.02486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is an obligate intracellular parasite that can infect almost all warm-blooded animals, including humans, and one-third of the global population is thought to be infected with this parasite. Infection can occur through consumption of contaminated food, contact with an infected host, or congenital transmission. While toxoplasmosis is asemptomatic in people with a healthy immune system, it can cause severe infections in people with a suppressed immune system or with immunodeficiency. In addition to causing diseases in humans, it also causes infections in livestock and may result in stillbirth and abortion in sheep and goats. There is no 100% effective medicine or vaccination against the parasite that causes major clinical symptoms and financial losses. There is a need for an effective, safe, and durable vaccine that can provide protective immunity for use in humans and animals. Vaccination studies against toxoplasmosis have gathered speed since the 1990s. Today, studies can be carried out to develop effective and safe vaccines depending on the developments in molecular biology, biotechnology, and immunology. DNA vaccines are a promising vaccine platform against toxoplasmosis because they are easy to produce, they are safe, they do not need a cold chain, and they can stimulate both humoral and cellular immune responses. This review provides an overview of the complex life cycle, pathogenesis, and epidemiology of the parasite; the immune response that develops in the host against the infection it causes; and the DNA vaccines developed against toxoplasmosis and these vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ceren Gül
- Ege Üniversitesi Fen Fakültesi, Biyoteknoloji Anabilim Dalı, İzmir, Türkiye
| | - Tuğba Karakavuk
- Ege Üniversitesi Fen Fakültesi, Biyoteknoloji Anabilim Dalı, İzmir, Türkiye
| | | | - Hüseyin Can
- Ege Üniversitesi Fen Fakültesi, Biyoloji Bölümü, Moleküler Biyoloji Anabilim Dalı, İzmir, Türkiye
| | | | - Aytül Gül
- Ege Üniversitesi Mühendislik Fakültesi, Biyomühendislik Anabilim Dalı, İzmir, Türkiye
| | - Sedef Erkunt Alak
- Ege Üniversitesi Fen Fakültesi, Biyoloji Bölümü, Moleküler Biyoloji Anabilim Dalı, İzmir, Türkiye
| | - Adnan Yüksel Gürüz
- Ege Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi, Parazitoloji Anabilim Dalı, İzmir, Türkiye
| | - Cemal Ün
- Ege Üniversitesi Fen Fakültesi, Biyoloji Bölümü, Moleküler Biyoloji Anabilim Dalı, İzmir, Türkiye
| | - Mert Döşkaya
- Ege Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi, Parazitoloji Anabilim Dalı, İzmir, Türkiye
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19
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Köseoğlu AE, Can H, Güvendi M, Karakavuk M, Manyatsi P, Erkunt Alak S, Değirmenci Döşkaya A, Gül A, Döşkaya M, Gürüz AY, Ün C. Molecular prevalence and genetic diversity of Bartonella spp. in stray cats of İzmir, Turkey. Parasit Vectors 2022; 15:305. [PMID: 36038877 PMCID: PMC9422166 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05431-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Bartonella spp. are vector-borne pathogens that cause zoonotic infections in humans. One of the most well-known of these is cat-scratch disease caused by Bartonella henselae and Bartonella clarridgeiae, with cats being the major reservoir for these two bacteria. Izmir, Turkey is home to many stray cats, but their potential role as a reservoir for the transmission of Bartonella to humans has not been investigated yet. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of Bartonella species and their genetic diversity in stray cats living in Izmir. Methods Molecular prevalence of Bartonella spp. in stray cats (n = 1012) was investigated using a PCR method targeting the 16S-23S internal transcribed spacer gene (ITS), species identification was performed by sequencing and genetic diversity was evaluated by haplotype analysis. Results Analysis of the DNA extracted from 1012 blood samples collected from stray cats revealed that 122 samples were Bartonella-positive, which is a molecular prevalence of 12.05% (122/1012; 95% confidence interval [CI] 10.1–14.2%). Among the Bartonella-positive specimens, 100 (100/122; 81.96%) were successfully sequenced, and B. henselae (45/100; 45%), B. clarridgeiae (29/100; 29%) and Bartonella koehlerae (26/100; 26%) were identified by BLAST and phylogenetic analyses. High genetic diversity was detected in B. clarridgeiae with 19 haplotypes, followed by B. henselae (14 haplotypes) and B. koehlerae (8 haplotypes). Conclusions This comprehensive study analyzing a large number of samples collected from stray cats showed that Bartonella species are an important source of infection to humans living in Izmir. In addition, high genetic diversity was detected within each Bartonella species. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13071-022-05431-3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmet Efe Köseoğlu
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Biruni University, Istanbul, Turkey.,Department of Biology Molecular Biology Section, Faculty of Science, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Hüseyin Can
- Department of Biology Molecular Biology Section, Faculty of Science, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey.
| | - Mervenur Güvendi
- Department of Biology Molecular Biology Section, Faculty of Science, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
| | | | - Pumla Manyatsi
- Department of Biology Molecular Biology Section, Faculty of Science, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Sedef Erkunt Alak
- Department of Biology Molecular Biology Section, Faculty of Science, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
| | | | - Aytül Gül
- Department of Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Mert Döşkaya
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Adnan Yüksel Gürüz
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Cemal Ün
- Department of Biology Molecular Biology Section, Faculty of Science, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
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20
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Öncü Öner T, Karakavuk M, Değirmenci Döşkaya A, Güvendi M, Gül A, Köseoğlu AE, Erkunt Alak S, Gürüz AY, Ün C, Döşkaya M, Can H. Molecular prevalence of Blastocystis sp. and subtype diversity in fecal samples collected from cattle in dairy farms in Turkey. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2022; 87:101850. [PMID: 35751914 DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2022.101850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Revised: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/17/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Close contact with infected animals is one of the main risk factors for zoonotic transmission of enteric protozoan parasite Blastocystis and thus, several animal species are being screened for the detection of the zoonotic subtypes. For this purpose, 22 fecal samples were collected from healthy cattle aged > 2 months and 39 fecal samples were also collected from cattle (aged <2 months) which are treated with TMP-SMX due to diarrhea. Later, Blastocystis sp. and subtypes were investigated by a PCR targeting the SSU rRNA gene and subsequently by sequencing. Among the 22 fecal samples collected from healthy cattle, Blastocystis was detected in 12 of them with a prevalence rate of 54.5 %. Among Blastocystis-positive samples, five different subtypes (ST3, ST5, ST10, ST12, and ST13) were detected. The predominant subtype was ST10 (allele 152) with a prevalence rate of 50 % (6/12). In the other group treated with TMP-SMX due to diarrhea, Blastocystis was detected in only one (2.56 %;1/39) fecal sample and its subtype was ST1 (allele 2). High prevalence of Blastocystis as well as predominance of ST10 (allele 152) were detected in healthy cattle. The identification of zoonotic ST1, ST3, ST5 and ST12 subtypes among the detected subtypes with a high prevalence (46.1 %; 6/13) showed the importance of cattle as a source for transmission of Blastocystis to humans. It was observed that the efficiency of TMP-SMX on the clearance of Blastocystis in cattle was very strong. Moreover, to our knowledge, this is the first study detecting Blastocystis ST13 subtype in the cattle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tülay Öncü Öner
- Manisa Celal Bayar University Faculty of Engineering Department of Bioengineering, Manisa, Turkey
| | - Muhammet Karakavuk
- Ege University Odemis Vocational School, İzmir, Turkey; Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Aysu Değirmenci Döşkaya
- Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, İzmir, Turkey; Ege University Faculty of Medicine Department of Parasitology, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Mervenur Güvendi
- Ege University Faculty of Science Department of Biology Molecular Biology Section, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Aytül Gül
- Ege University Faculty of Engineering Department of Bioengineering, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Ahmet Efe Köseoğlu
- Biruni University, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, İstanbul, Turkey
| | - Sedef Erkunt Alak
- Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, İzmir, Turkey; Ege University Faculty of Science Department of Biology Molecular Biology Section, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Adnan Yüksel Gürüz
- Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, İzmir, Turkey; Ege University Faculty of Medicine Department of Parasitology, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Cemal Ün
- Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, İzmir, Turkey; Ege University Faculty of Science Department of Biology Molecular Biology Section, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Mert Döşkaya
- Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, İzmir, Turkey; Ege University Faculty of Medicine Department of Parasitology, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Hüseyin Can
- Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, İzmir, Turkey; Ege University Faculty of Science Department of Biology Molecular Biology Section, İzmir, Turkey.
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21
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Sezgin E, Teferedegn EY, Ün C, Yaman Y. Excessive replacement changes drive evolution of global sheep prion protein (PRNP) sequences. Heredity (Edinb) 2022; 128:377-385. [PMID: 35273383 PMCID: PMC9076837 DOI: 10.1038/s41437-022-00520-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2021] [Revised: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Sheep prion protein (PRNP) is the major host genetic factor responsible for susceptibility to scrapie. We aimed to understand the evolutionary history of sheep PRNP, and primarily focused on breeds from Turkey and Ethiopia, representing genome-wise ancient sheep populations. Population molecular genetic analyses are extended to European, South Asian, and East Asian populations, and for the first time to scrapie associated haplotypes. 1178 PRNP coding region nucleotide sequences were analyzed. High levels of nucleotide diversity driven by extensive low-frequency replacement changes are observed in all populations. Interspecific analyses were conducted using mouflon and domestic goat as outgroup species. Despite an abundance of silent and replacement changes, lack of silent or replacement fixations was observed. All scrapie-associated haplotype analyses from all populations also showed extensive low-frequency replacement changes. Neutrality tests did not indicate positive (directional), balancing or strong negative selection or population contraction for any of the haplotypes in any population. A simple negative selection history driven by prion disease susceptibility is not supported by the population and haplotype based analyses. Molecular function, biological process enrichment, and protein-protein interaction analyses suggested functioning of PRNP protein in multiple pathways, and possible other functional constraint selections. In conclusion, a complex selection history favoring excessive replacement changes together with weak purifying selection possibly driven by frequency-dependent selection is driving PRNP sequence evolution. Our results is not unique only to the Turkish and Ethiopian samples, but can be generalized to global sheep populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Efe Sezgin
- Department of Food Engineering, Izmir Institute of Technology, Urla, Izmir, Turkey.
| | - Eden Yitna Teferedegn
- Department of Biology, Molecular Biology Division, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey.,Armauer Hansen research institute, Biotechnology and Bioinformatic Directorate, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Cemal Ün
- Armauer Hansen research institute, Biotechnology and Bioinformatic Directorate, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Yalçın Yaman
- Department of Breeding and Genetics, Bandırma Sheep Breeding Research Institute, Bandırma, Balıkesir, Turkey
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22
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Köseoğlu AE, Can H, Karakavuk M, Güvendi M, Değirmenci Döşkaya A, Manyatsi PB, Döşkaya M, Gürüz AY, Ün C. Molecular prevalence and subtyping of Cryptosporidium spp. in fecal samples collected from stray cats in İzmir, Turkey. BMC Vet Res 2022; 18:89. [PMID: 35255909 PMCID: PMC8898748 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-022-03190-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Cryptosporidium spp. are obligate intracellular apicomplexan parasites transmitted to humans and other animals by contaminated water, food, or direct contact. They mainly cause gastrointestinal symptoms, although subclinical infections are also common. Cats are primarily infected by host-adapted Cryptosporidium felis while C. parvum and C. muris have also been detected in some cases. In this study, the molecular prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. was investigated by screening 399 fecal samples collected from stray cats using nested PCR targeting the 18S rRNA gene for the first time in Turkey. Additionally, Cryptosporidium PCR-positive samples were genotyped by nested PCR- restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP), and subsequently, amplicons of 18S SSU rRNA were sequenced. They were further subtyped by amplification and sequencing of the gp60 gene. Results Among fecal samples screened, 12 of them (3%) were found to be Cryptosporidium-positive, and according to RFLP and sequencing of 18S rRNA gene, all positive samples were identified as C. felis. Subtyping analyses at the gp60 gene showed that C. felis isolates belonged to the XIXa subtype family, which are closely related to human subtypes of the parasite. Conclusions The results of this study are important in terms of indicating the potential role of stray cats for transmission of Cryptosporidium spp. to humans or other animals. Also, the presence of XIXa, which is the dominant subtype family of C. felis in cats and humans was shown for the first time in stray cats of İzmir, Turkey.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmet Efe Köseoğlu
- Faculty of Science Department of Biology Molecular Biology Section, Ege University, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Hüseyin Can
- Faculty of Science Department of Biology Molecular Biology Section, Ege University, İzmir, Turkey. .,Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, İzmir, Turkey.
| | - Muhammet Karakavuk
- Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, İzmir, Turkey.,Ege University Ödemiş Technical Training College, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Mervenur Güvendi
- Faculty of Science Department of Biology Molecular Biology Section, Ege University, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Aysu Değirmenci Döşkaya
- Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, İzmir, Turkey.,Faculty of Medicine Department of Parasitology, Ege University, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Pumla Bhekiwe Manyatsi
- Faculty of Science Department of Biology Molecular Biology Section, Ege University, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Mert Döşkaya
- Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, İzmir, Turkey.,Faculty of Medicine Department of Parasitology, Ege University, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Adnan Yüksel Gürüz
- Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, İzmir, Turkey.,Faculty of Medicine Department of Parasitology, Ege University, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Cemal Ün
- Faculty of Science Department of Biology Molecular Biology Section, Ege University, İzmir, Turkey.,Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, İzmir, Turkey
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23
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Can H, Aksoy Gökmen A, Döşkaya M, Erkunt Alak S, Değirmenci Döşkaya A, Karakavuk M, Köseoğlu AE, Karakavuk T, Gül C, Güvendi M, Gül A, Gürüz AY, Kaya S, Mercier A, Ün C. Development of a new serotyping ELISA for Toxoplasma gondii type II, type III and Africa 1 lineages using in silico peptide discovery methods, well categorized feline and human outbreak serum samples. BMC Infect Dis 2022; 22:110. [PMID: 35100997 PMCID: PMC8802539 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-022-07088-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Discovery of new Toxoplasma gondii serotyping epitopes is important due to reports showing the influence of genotype on the severity of toxoplasmosis. In Turkey, genotypes belonging to type II, type III and Africa 1 lineages were mainly detected. The present study focused on to find out epitopes with high discriminative capacity to serotype these genotypes using well characterized strains isolated from Turkey. METHODS To meet this objective, GRA6 and GRA7 genes were sequenced from strains belonging to the type II, III and Africa 1 lineages, and B cell epitopes inside these sequences were predicted by Bcepred and additional docking analysis was performed with B cell receptor. Based on these analyses, 22 peptides harboring lineage specific epitopes were synthesized. Then, the serotyping potency of these peptides was tested using peptide ELISA and well categorized serum samples collected from stray cats infected with genotypes of the different lineages type II (n:9), III (n:1) and Africa 1 (n:1). As a result of peptide-ELISA, a serotyping schema was constructed with peptides that show high discriminative capacity and this assay was validated by sera collected from humans after an outbreak (n:30) and mother/newborn pair sera (n:3). Later, the validated serotyping schema was used to serotype a larger group of human (n:38) and cat (n:24) sera. RESULTS Among 22 peptides, GRA6II/c, GRA7III/d, and GRA6 Africa 1/b epitopes have shown discriminative capacity. During the validation of peptide-ELISA, the serotype of toxoplasmosis outbreak and mother/newborn cases were detected to be serotype II. Moreover, the analyses in a larger group showed that serotype II was prevalent in humans and stray cats. CONCLUSIONS Overall, the results showed that the serotyping schema could be successfully used to serotype T. gondii infections caused by type II, III and Africa 1 genotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hüseyin Can
- Molecular Biology Section, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ege University, İzmir, Turkey.
- Vaccine Development, Application and Research Center, Ege University, İzmir, Turkey.
| | - Ayşegül Aksoy Gökmen
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, İzmir Katip Çelebi University, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Mert Döşkaya
- Vaccine Development, Application and Research Center, Ege University, İzmir, Turkey
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Ege University, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Sedef Erkunt Alak
- Molecular Biology Section, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ege University, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Aysu Değirmenci Döşkaya
- Vaccine Development, Application and Research Center, Ege University, İzmir, Turkey
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Ege University, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Muhammet Karakavuk
- Vaccine Development, Application and Research Center, Ege University, İzmir, Turkey
- Ege University Ödemiş Technical Training College, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Ahmet Efe Köseoğlu
- Molecular Biology Section, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ege University, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Tuğba Karakavuk
- Graduate Faculty of Natural and Applied Science Biotechnology Program, Ege University, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Ceren Gül
- Graduate Faculty of Natural and Applied Science Biotechnology Program, Ege University, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Mervenur Güvendi
- Molecular Biology Section, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ege University, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Aytül Gül
- Department of Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering, Ege University, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Adnan Yüksel Gürüz
- Vaccine Development, Application and Research Center, Ege University, İzmir, Turkey
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Ege University, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Selçuk Kaya
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, İzmir Katip Çelebi University, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Aurélien Mercier
- Centre National de Référence (CNR) Toxoplasmose/Toxoplasma Biological Resource Center (BRC), Centre Hospitalier-Universitaire Dupuytren, Limoges, France
- INSERM, Université Limoges, CHU Limoges, IRD, U1094 Neuroépidémiologie Tropicale, Institut d'Epidémiologie et de Neurologie Tropicale, GEIST, Limoges, France
| | - Cemal Ün
- Molecular Biology Section, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ege University, İzmir, Turkey
- Vaccine Development, Application and Research Center, Ege University, İzmir, Turkey
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24
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Karakavuk M, Can H, Döşkaya M, Karakavuk T, Erkunt-Alak S, Köseoğlu AE, Gül A, Ün C, Gürüz Y, Değirmenci-Döşkaya A. Cryptosporidiosis outbreak on a dairy farm: Detection of Cryptosporidium parvum as a causative agent in the water source. Pol J Vet Sci 2021; 24:323-333. [PMID: 34730310 DOI: 10.24425/pjvs.2021.137669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Diarrhea caused by parasitic agents is common in neonatal calves and leads to significant economic losses in cattle farms worldwide. Cryptosporidium spp. is one of the most frequently detected parasitic agents causing diarrhea in neonatal calves. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of Cryptosporidium spp. on a dairy farm which a has major diarrhea problem. Samples were collected from calves, cows, drinking bowls, and two different artesian water sources, as well as from the environment. All fecal samples were investigated using Kinyoun acid-fast stained slides and real-time PCR targeting the Cryptosporidium spp. COWP gene. In addition, species identification was performed by nested PCR targeting the Cryptosporidium spp. COWP gene and sequencing. Cryptosporidium spp. was detected in 11 calves (30.55%; 11/36) by real-time PCR and the cows were negative. Among real-time PCR positive samples, only five were also found positive by microscopy. Moreover, Cryptosporidium spp. was found in one of the two artesian water sources and five environmental samples by real-time PCR. Among these positive samples, eight were sequenced. According to the RFLP pattern, BLAST and, phylogenetic analyses, all sequenced samples were Cryptosporidium parvum. These findings show the importance of C. parvum as a cause of calf diarrhea on dairy farms.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Karakavuk
- Ege University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Parasitology, Bornova, İzmir, Turkey.,Ege University, Ödemiş Vocational School, Veterinary technology programs, Ödemiş, Izmir, Turkey
| | - H Can
- Ege University Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Molecular Biology Section, Bornova, İzmir, Turkey
| | - M Döşkaya
- Ege University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Parasitology, Bornova, İzmir, Turkey
| | - T Karakavuk
- Ege University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Parasitology, Bornova, İzmir, Turkey
| | - S Erkunt-Alak
- Ege University Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Molecular Biology Section, Bornova, İzmir, Turkey
| | - A E Köseoğlu
- Ege University Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Molecular Biology Section, Bornova, İzmir, Turkey
| | - A Gül
- Ege University Faculty of Engineering, Department of Bioengineering, Bornova, İzmir, Turkey
| | - C Ün
- Ege University Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Molecular Biology Section, Bornova, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Y Gürüz
- Ege University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Parasitology, Bornova, İzmir, Turkey
| | - A Değirmenci-Döşkaya
- Ege University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Parasitology, Bornova, İzmir, Turkey
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25
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Karabey M, Can H, Öner TÖ, Döşkaya M, Alak SE, Döşkaya AD, Karakavuk M, Köseoğlu AE, Ün C, Gürüz AY, Alacacıoğlu A, Pektaş B, Gül A, Kaya S, Gökmen AA. Cryptosporidium spp. during chemotherapy: a cross-sectional study of 94 patients with malignant solid tumor. Ann Saudi Med 2021; 41:293-298. [PMID: 34618605 PMCID: PMC8497003 DOI: 10.5144/0256-4947.2021.293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cryptosporidium spp. is a protozoan parasite that infects many vertebrate animals, including humans. Since Cryptosporidium spp. can cause chronic life-threatening diarrhea and severe malabsorption in immunocompromised patients, we investigated the prevalence of this parasite among patients undergoing chemotherapy for malignant solid tumors. OBJECTIVE Investigate the prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. in stool samples. DESIGN Cross-sectional. SETTING Tertiary care. PATIENTS AND METHODS Stool samples were collected from adult patients with malignant solid tumors receiving chemotherapy and diarrhea. Cryptosporidium spp. prevalence was determined using Ziehl-Neelsen staining, ELISA, and real-time PCR targeting of the COWP gene. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE The prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. in patients undergoing chemotherapy for malignant solid tumors. SAMPLE SIZE 94 RESULTS: The prevalence was 2.1% (2/94), 5.3% (5/94), and 5.3% (5/94) as detected by Ziehl-Neelsen staining, real-time PCR and ELISA, respectively. The prevalence reached 8.5% (8/94) using all results obtained from the three methods. Among eight positive stool samples, four were positive by at least two different methods (Ziehl-Neelsen staining-ELISA or ELISA-real-time PCR) whereas the remaining four were positive by either ELISA or real-time PCR. CONCLUSION These findings show the risk of cryptosporidiosis in cancer patients and the necessity to use at least two diagnostic methods during the diagnosis of cryptosporidiosis to reach more accurate and trustworthy results. LIMITATIONS Further studies with a larger sample size are recommended. CONFLICT OF INTEREST None.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehmet Karabey
- From the Department of Medical Microbiology, Izmir Katip Celebi Universitesi, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Hüseyin Can
- From the Department of Biology, Ege Universitesi, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Tülay Öncü Öner
- From the Department of Bioengineering, Manisa Celal Bayar Universitesi, Manisa, Turkey
| | - Mert Döşkaya
- From the Department of Parasitology, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
| | | | | | | | | | - Cemal Ün
- From the Department of Biology, Ege Universitesi, Izmir, Turkey
| | | | - Ahmet Alacacıoğlu
- From the Department of Medical Oncology, Izmir Katip Celebi Universitesi, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Bayram Pektaş
- From theızmir Atatürk Training and Research Hospital, Department of Microbiology,ızmir, Turkey
| | - Aytül Gül
- From the Department of Bioengineering, Ege Universitesi, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Selçuk Kaya
- From the Department of Medical Microbiology, Izmir Katip Celebi Universitesi, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Ayşegül Aksoy Gökmen
- From the Department of Medical Microbiology, Izmir Katip Celebi Universitesi, Izmir, Turkey
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26
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Karakavuk M, Can H, Gül A, Döşkaya AD, Alak SE, Ün C, Gürüz AY, Döşkaya M. GRA8 DNA vaccine formulations protect against chronic toxoplasmosis. Microb Pathog 2021; 158:105016. [PMID: 34098019 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2021.105016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 04/28/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii has a very wide host range and infects all warm-blooded animals including humans. The disease causes great economic losses both in animals and humans. Vaccination is the most effective approach to fight against toxoplasmosis however an effective vaccine has not been developed yet. In the present study, GRA8 protein of T. gondii that showed high immunogenicity in our previous microarray screening study was used to develop a DNA vaccine using pcDNA 3.3 vector for the first time. In order to increase the potency of the DNA vaccine, 10 times lower amount of GRA8 DNA vaccine was combined with molecular adjuvant CpG and formulated into a commercial liposome (pcDNA3.3-GRA8+CpG+Escort). Mice were vaccinated intramuscularly two times at three-week intervals and challenged orally with the T. gondii PRU strain tissue cysts. The humoral immune response was determined by Western Blot and ELISA. The cellular immune response was analyzed by flow cytometry, cytokine ELISA and MTT assay. Among the vaccine groups, pcDNA3.3-GRA8 and pcDNA3.3-GRA8+CpG+Escort induced strong IgG response compared to controls (P < 0.001). The IgG1 and IgG2a responses showed a balanced Th1-Th2 polarization. The ratio of CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes secreting IFN-γ increased, and significantly higher extracellular IFN-γ secretion was achieved compared to the controls (P < 0.01). The amount of tissue cysts in the group of mice vaccinated with pcDNA3.3-GRA8 decreased significantly compared to control groups (P < 0.0001). In the group vaccinated with pcDNA3.3-GRA8+CpG+Escort, the amount of tissue cysts also decreased significantly compared to PBS (P = 0.0086) and Empty plasmid+CpG+Escort (P = 0.0007) groups. This study showed for the first time that pcDNA 3.3. vector encoding GRA8 with or without CpG and Liposome can induce strong cellular and humoral immune responses and confer strong protection against mouse model of chronic toxoplasmosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammet Karakavuk
- Ege University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Parasitology, Bornova, İzmir, Turkey; Ege University, Ege University Ödemiş Vocational School, İzmir, Turkey; Ege University, Vaccine Development, Application and Research Center, Bornova, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Hüseyin Can
- Ege University, Vaccine Development, Application and Research Center, Bornova, İzmir, Turkey; Ege University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Molecular Biology Section, Bornova, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Aytül Gül
- Ege University, Vaccine Development, Application and Research Center, Bornova, İzmir, Turkey; Ege University, Faculty of Engineering, Department of Bioengineering, Bornova, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Aysu Değirmenci Döşkaya
- Ege University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Parasitology, Bornova, İzmir, Turkey; Ege University, Vaccine Development, Application and Research Center, Bornova, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Sedef Erkunt Alak
- Ege University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Molecular Biology Section, Bornova, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Cemal Ün
- Ege University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Molecular Biology Section, Bornova, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Adnan Yüksel Gürüz
- Ege University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Parasitology, Bornova, İzmir, Turkey; Ege University, Vaccine Development, Application and Research Center, Bornova, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Mert Döşkaya
- Ege University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Parasitology, Bornova, İzmir, Turkey; Ege University, Vaccine Development, Application and Research Center, Bornova, İzmir, Turkey.
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Köseoğlu AE, Can H, Güvendi M, Erkunt Alak S, Kandemir Ç, Taşkın T, Demir S, Akgül G, Değirmenci Döşkaya A, Karakavuk M, Döşkaya M, Gürüz AY, Ün C. Molecular investigation of bacterial and protozoal pathogens in ticks collected from different hosts in Turkey. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:270. [PMID: 34016174 PMCID: PMC8138928 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-04779-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 05/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The emergence of tick-borne disease is increasing because of the effects of the temperature rise driven by global warming. In Turkey, 19 pathogens transmitted by ticks to humans and animals have been reported. Based on this, this study aimed to investigate tick-borne pathogens including Hepatozoon spp., Theileria spp., Babesia spp., Anaplasma spp., Borrelia spp., and Bartonella spp. in tick samples (n = 110) collected from different hosts (dogs, cats, cattle, goats, sheep, and turtles) by molecular methods. Methods To meet this objective, ticks were identified morphologically at the genus level by microscopy; after DNA isolation, each tick sample was identified at the species level using the molecular method. Involved pathogens were then investigated by PCR method. Results Seven different tick species were identified including Rhipicephalus sanguineus, R. turanicus, R. bursa, Hyalomma marginatum, H. anatolicum, H. aegyptium, and Haemaphysalis erinacei. Among the analyzed ticks, Hepatozoon spp., Theileria spp., Babesia spp., and Anaplasma spp. were detected at rates of 6.36%, 16.3%, 1.81%, and 6.36%, respectively while Borrelia spp. and Bartonella spp. were not detected. Hepatozoon spp. was detected in R. sanguineus ticks while Theileria spp., Babesia spp., and Anaplasma spp. were detected in R. turanicus and H. marginatum. According to the results of sequence analyses applied for pathogen positive samples, Hepatozoon canis, Theileria ovis, Babesia caballi, and Anaplasma ovis were identified. Conclusion Theileria ovis and Anaplasma ovis were detected for the first time to our knowledge in H. marginatum and R. turanicus collected from Turkey, respectively. Also, B. caballi was detected for the first time to our knowledge in ticks in Turkey. ![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmet Efe Köseoğlu
- Molecular Biology Section, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Hüseyin Can
- Molecular Biology Section, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey.
| | - Mervenur Güvendi
- Molecular Biology Section, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Sedef Erkunt Alak
- Molecular Biology Section, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Çağrı Kandemir
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Turğay Taşkın
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Samiye Demir
- Zoology Section, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Gülşah Akgül
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Siirt University, Siirt, Turkey
| | | | | | - Mert Döşkaya
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Adnan Yüksel Gürüz
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Cemal Ün
- Molecular Biology Section, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
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28
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Can H, Erkunt Alak S, Köseoğlu AE, Şahar U, Bostanbaş B, Baydarlı S, Döşkaya M, Ün C. Molecular characterization of cytidine monophospho-N-acetylneuraminic acid hydroxylase (CMAH) gene and frequency of blood types in stray cats of İzmir, Turkey. BMC Genomics 2021; 22:282. [PMID: 33874895 PMCID: PMC8054402 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-021-07588-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Cytidine monophospho-n-acetylneuraminic acid hydroxylase (CMAH) gene associated with blood groups in cats encodes CMAH enzyme that converts Neu5Ac to Neu5Gc. Although variations in CMAH gene of pedigree cats have been revealed, the presence/lack of them in non-pedigree stray cats is unknown. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the variations in CMAH gene and the quantity of Neu5Ac and Neu5Gc on erythrocytes of non-pedigree stray cats (n:12) living in İzmir, Turkey. Also, the frequency of blood types was determined in 76 stray cats including 12 cats that were used for CMAH and Neu5A/Neu5Gc analysis. Results In total, 14 SNPs were detected in 5’UTR as well as in exon 2, 4, 9, 10, 11 and 12 of CMAH gene. Among these SNPs, -495 C > T in 5’UTR was detected for the first time as heterozygous in type A and AB cats, and homozygous and heterozygous in type B cats. The remaining 13 that have been detected in previous studies were also found as homozygous or heterozygous. Both Neu5Gc and Neu5Ac were detected in type A and AB cats. In type B cats, only Neu5Ac was detected. Among two type AB cats, the level of Neu5Ac was found higher in cat carrying heterozygous form (T/C) of 1392T > C. The prevalence of type B cats (67.1 %) was higher than others. Conclusions The presence of a new SNP as well as previous SNPs indicates that more variations can be found in stray cats with a more comprehensive study in the future. Also, the high prevalence of type B cats demonstrates the possible risk of neonatal isoerythrolysis among stray cats living in İzmir, Turkey.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hüseyin Can
- Faculty of Science Department of Biology Molecular Biology Section, Ege University, Bornova, 35040, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Sedef Erkunt Alak
- Faculty of Science Department of Biology Molecular Biology Section, Ege University, Bornova, 35040, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Ahmet Efe Köseoğlu
- Faculty of Science Department of Biology Molecular Biology Section, Ege University, Bornova, 35040, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Umut Şahar
- Faculty of Science Department of Biology Molecular Biology Section, Ege University, Bornova, 35040, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Berna Bostanbaş
- Department of Veterinary Affairs, Municipality of Narlıdere, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Serdar Baydarlı
- Department of Veterinary Affairs, Municipality of Narlıdere, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Mert Döşkaya
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Parasitology, Ege University, Bornova, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Cemal Ün
- Faculty of Science Department of Biology Molecular Biology Section, Ege University, Bornova, 35040, İzmir, Turkey.
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29
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Yaman Y, Aymaz R, Keleş M, Bay V, Ün C, Heaton MP. Association of TLR2 haplotypes encoding Q650 with reduced susceptibility to ovine Johne's disease in Turkish sheep. Sci Rep 2021; 11:7088. [PMID: 33782507 PMCID: PMC8007707 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-86605-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 03/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Ovine Johne’s disease (OJD) is caused by Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) and carries a potential zoonotic risk for humans. Selective breeding strategies for reduced OJD susceptibility would be welcome tools in disease eradication efforts, if available. The Toll-like receptor 2 gene (TLR2) plays an important signaling role in immune response to MAP, and missense variants are associated with mycobacterial infections in mammals. Our aim was to identify and evaluate ovine TLR2 missense variants for association with OJD in Turkish sheep. Eleven TLR2 missense variants and 17 haplotype configurations were identified in genomic sequences of 221 sheep from 61 globally-distributed breeds. The five most frequent haplotypes were tested for OJD association in 102 matched pairs of infected and uninfected ewes identified in 2257 Turkish sheep. Ewes with one or two copies of TLR2 haplotypes encoding glutamine (Q) at position 650 (Q650) in the Tir domain were 6.6-fold more likely to be uninfected compared to ewes with arginine (R650) at that position (CI95 = 2.6 to 16.9, p-value = 3.7 × 10–6). The protective TLR2 Q650 allele was present in at least 25% of breeds tested and thus may facilitate selective breeding for sheep with reduced susceptibility to OJD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yalçın Yaman
- Department of Biometry and Genetics, Sheep Breeding and Research Institute, 10200, Bandırma, Balıkesir, Turkey.
| | - Ramazan Aymaz
- Department of Biometry and Genetics, Sheep Breeding and Research Institute, 10200, Bandırma, Balıkesir, Turkey
| | - Murat Keleş
- Department of Biometry and Genetics, Sheep Breeding and Research Institute, 10200, Bandırma, Balıkesir, Turkey
| | - Veysel Bay
- Department of Biometry and Genetics, Sheep Breeding and Research Institute, 10200, Bandırma, Balıkesir, Turkey
| | - Cemal Ün
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ege University, 35000, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Michael P Heaton
- USDA, ARS, U.S. Meat Animal Research Center, Clay Center, NE, 68933, USA
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30
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Can H, Köseoğlu AE, Erkunt Alak S, Güvendi M, Döşkaya M, Karakavuk M, Gürüz AY, Ün C. In silico discovery of antigenic proteins and epitopes of SARS-CoV-2 for the development of a vaccine or a diagnostic approach for COVID-19. Sci Rep 2020; 10:22387. [PMID: 33372181 PMCID: PMC7769971 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-79645-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2020] [Accepted: 12/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
In the genome of SARS-CoV-2, the 5′-terminus encodes a polyprotein, which is further cleaved into 15 non-structural proteins whereas the 3′ terminus encodes four structural proteins and eight accessory proteins. Among these 27 proteins, the present study aimed to discover likely antigenic proteins and epitopes to be used for the development of a vaccine or serodiagnostic assay using an in silico approach. For this purpose, after the full genome analysis of SARS-CoV-2 Wuhan isolate and variant proteins that are detected frequently, surface proteins including spike, envelope, and membrane proteins as well as proteins with signal peptide were determined as probable vaccine candidates whereas the remaining were considered as possible antigens to be used during the development of serodiagnostic assays. According to results obtained, among 27 proteins, 26 of them were predicted as probable antigen. In 26 proteins, spike protein was selected as the best vaccine candidate because of having a signal peptide, negative GRAVY value, one transmembrane helix, moderate aliphatic index, a big molecular weight, a long-estimated half-life, beta wrap motifs as well as having stable, soluble and non-allergic features. In addition, orf7a, orf8, and nsp-10 proteins with signal peptide were considered as potential vaccine candidates. Nucleocapsid protein and a highly antigenic GGDGKMKD epitope were identified as ideal antigens to be used in the development of serodiagnostic assays. Moreover, considering MHC-I alleles, highly antigenic KLNDLCFTNV and ITLCFTLKRK epitopes can be used to develop an epitope-based peptide vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hüseyin Can
- Department of Biology Molecular Biology Section, Faculty of Science, Ege University, Bornova, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Ahmet Efe Köseoğlu
- Department of Biology Molecular Biology Section, Faculty of Science, Ege University, Bornova, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Sedef Erkunt Alak
- Department of Biology Molecular Biology Section, Faculty of Science, Ege University, Bornova, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Mervenur Güvendi
- Department of Biology Molecular Biology Section, Faculty of Science, Ege University, Bornova, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Mert Döşkaya
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Ege University, Bornova, İzmir, Turkey
| | | | - Adnan Yüksel Gürüz
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Ege University, Bornova, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Cemal Ün
- Department of Biology Molecular Biology Section, Faculty of Science, Ege University, Bornova, İzmir, Turkey.
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31
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Yaman Y, Şenlik B, Özüiçli M, Keleş M, Aymaz R, Bay V, Hatipoğlu E, Koncagül S, Öner Y, Ün C. Detecting fecal egg count (FEC) for gastrointestinal nematodes of adult Turkish sheep with different scrapie related PRNP haplotypes. Anim Biotechnol 2020; 32:381-387. [PMID: 33356831 DOI: 10.1080/10495398.2020.1862136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Scrapie is a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy caused by prions and leads to neurodegeneration in the Central Nervous System (CNS) of sheep and goats. Genetic resistance/susceptibility to scrapie is well studied and it is known that the variations of 136th, 154th and 171st codons at the ovine PRNP gene have a major effect on the development of the disease. Many studies demonstrated that selection for PRNP genotypes has not influenced other performance traits, nevertheless, there is a knowledge gap about the possible link between the PRNP gene and the status of the other important diseases that affect the sheep population worldwide. In the present study, we tested whether there is an association between scrapie-related PRNP genotypes and fecal egg count (FEC) of gastrointestinal nematodes in seven adult Turkish sheep breeds. For this purpose, FEC scores of studied sheep (n = 253) were determined and the same animals were genotyped for the PRNP gene. Finally, an association analysis was performed for scrapie resistant (ARR), susceptible (VRQ), and wild-type (ARQ) haplotypes. Based on our statistical analysis, it is concluded that PRNP genotypes have no positive or negative effect on the FEC scores of adult sheep.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yalçın Yaman
- Department of Biometry and Genetics, Sheep Breeding and Research Institute, Bandirma, Turkey
| | - Bayram Şenlik
- Veterinary Faculty, Department of Parasitology, Uludag University, Bursa, Turkey
| | - Mehmet Özüiçli
- Veterinary Faculty, Department of Parasitology, Uludag University, Bursa, Turkey
| | - Murat Keleş
- Department of Biometry and Genetics, Sheep Breeding and Research Institute, Bandirma, Turkey
| | - Ramazan Aymaz
- Department of Biometry and Genetics, Sheep Breeding and Research Institute, Bandirma, Turkey
| | - Veysel Bay
- Department of Biometry and Genetics, Sheep Breeding and Research Institute, Bandirma, Turkey
| | - Ecem Hatipoğlu
- Department of Biometry and Genetics, Sheep Breeding and Research Institute, Bandirma, Turkey
| | - Seyrani Koncagül
- Agricultural Faculty, Departments of Animal Science, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Yasemin Öner
- Agricultural Faculty, Department of Biometry and Genetics, Uludag University, Bursa, Turkey
| | - Cemal Ün
- Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Ege University, İzmir, Turkey
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32
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Demir S, Erkunt Alak S, Köseoğlu AE, Ün C, Nalçacı M, Can H. Molecular investigation of Rickettsia spp. and Francisella tularensis in ticks from three provinces of Turkey. Exp Appl Acarol 2020; 81:239-253. [PMID: 32394036 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-020-00498-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2019] [Accepted: 05/05/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Ticks are obligate hematophagous ectoparasites as well as mechanical and biological vectors of a wide variety of microbial pathogens. To date, 19 tick-borne diseases have been reported from Turkey. In this study, ticks collected from Aydın, İzmir and Şanlıurfa provinces of Turkey were identified using morphological and molecular methods. After the presence of bacterial DNA was checked, Rickettsia spp. and Francisella tularensis were investigated in bacterial DNA-positive tick specimens by PCR. Furthermore, amplicons belonging to tick specimens and positive bacterial samples were sequenced and processed for BLAST, alignment and phylogenetic analysis. As a result, seven tick species were identified: Rhipicephalus sanguineus, Rh. bursa, Rh. turanicus, Hyalomma marginatum, Hy. aegyptium, Hy. anatolicum and Haemaphysalis erinacei. Fifty-five tick specimens tested positive for bacterial DNA and among them, rickettsial DNA was found in five ticks (infection rate = 9.1%) belonging to Hy. marginatum, Hy. aegyptium, Rh. bursa and Rh. turanicus. Of the five Rickettsia-positive ticks, three contained Rickettsia aeschlimannii, one Ri. massiliae and one an unidentified Rickettsia sp. No Francisella tularensis DNA was detected. Sequence analysis of the ompB gene indicated two novel single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in two different Ri. aeschlimannii strains and two novel SNPs as well as a novel insertion (GACGGT) were found in Rickettsia sp. This study indicated the presence of polymorphic Rickettsia species in ticks from Turkey.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samiye Demir
- Zoology Section, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ege University, Bornova, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Sedef Erkunt Alak
- Molecular Biology Section, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ege University, Bornova, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Ahmet Efe Köseoğlu
- Molecular Biology Section, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ege University, Bornova, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Cemal Ün
- Molecular Biology Section, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ege University, Bornova, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Muhammed Nalçacı
- Zoology Section, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ege University, Bornova, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Hüseyin Can
- Molecular Biology Section, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ege University, Bornova, İzmir, Turkey.
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33
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Erkunt Alak S, Köseoğlu AE, Kandemir Ç, Taşkın T, Demir S, Döşkaya M, Ün C, Can H. High frequency of knockdown resistance mutations in the para gene of cat flea (Ctenocephalides felis) samples collected from goats. Parasitol Res 2020; 119:2067-2073. [PMID: 32468188 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-020-06714-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2020] [Accepted: 05/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Fleas are ectoparasites of mammals and birds. In livestock such as sheep and goat, flea bites cause many clinical signs. Several types of insecticides including pyrethroids are used to struggle against fleas. The widespread use of these insecticides causes an increase in the number of resistant individuals in flea populations. T929V and L1014F mutations corresponding to pyrethroid resistance have been found in the para gene of cat fleas. We aimed to investigate T929V and L1014F mutations in flea samples (n:162) collected from goats in seven different farms where cypermethrin, a synthetic pyrethroid, had been used intensively. To achieve this aim, collected flea samples were morphologically identified under a stereo microscope and DNA isolation was conducted by HotSHOT method. Later, a bi-PASA targeting the para gene was applied to identify both mutations in corresponding samples. According to the results obtained, all fleas were Ctenocephalides felis. Frequencies of T929V and L1014F mutations in fleas were 92.6% (150/162) and 95.7% (155/162), respectively. In conclusion, the frequency of mutations related to pyrethroid resistance was very high in the fleas collected from all the farms and it was thought that the high frequency of these mutations can be attributed to intensive use of pyrethroids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sedef Erkunt Alak
- Molecular Biology Section, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ege University, 35040, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Ahmet Efe Köseoğlu
- Molecular Biology Section, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ege University, 35040, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Çağrı Kandemir
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Ege University, 35040, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Turğay Taşkın
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Ege University, 35040, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Samiye Demir
- Zoology Section, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ege University, 35040, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Mert Döşkaya
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Ege University, 35100, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Cemal Ün
- Molecular Biology Section, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ege University, 35040, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Hüseyin Can
- Molecular Biology Section, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ege University, 35040, İzmir, Turkey.
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34
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Teferedegn EY, Yaman Y, Ün C. Novel Variations in Native Ethiopian Goat breeds PRNP Gene and Their Potential Effect on Prion Protein Stability. Sci Rep 2020; 10:6953. [PMID: 32332800 PMCID: PMC7181617 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-63874-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2019] [Accepted: 04/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Scrapie is a lethal neurodegenerative disease of sheep and goats caused by the misfolding of the prion protein. Variants such as M142, D145, S146, H154, Q211, and K222 were experimentally found to increase resistance or extend scrapie incubation period in goats. We aimed to identify polymorphisms in the Afar and Arsi-Bale goat breeds of Ethiopia and computationally assess the effect of variants on prion protein stability. In the present study, four non-synonymous novel polymorphisms G67S, W68R, G69D, and R159H in the first octapeptide repeat and the highly conserved C-terminus globular domain of goat PrP were detected. The resistant genotype, S146, was detected in >50% of the present population. The current study population showed a genetic diversity in Ethiopian goat breeds. In the insilico analysis, the R68 variant was predicted to increase stability while S67, D69, and H159 decrease the stability of prion protein. The new variants in the octapeptide repeat motif were predicted to decrease amyloidogenicity but H159 increased the hotspot sequence amyloidogenic propensity. These novel variants could be the source of conformational flexibility that may trigger the gain or loss of function by prion protein. Further experimental study is required to depict the actual effects of variants on prion protein stability.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yalçın Yaman
- Department of Biometry and Genetics, Bandırma Sheep Research Institute, Bandırma, Balıkesir, Turkey
| | - Cemal Ün
- Ege University, Department of Biology, Molecular Biology Division, Izmir, Turkey.
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35
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Sürgeç E, Can H, Döşkaya M, Karakavuk M, Atalay Şahar E, Değirmenci Döşkaya A, Pullukçu H, Taşbakan M, Sezai Taşbakan M, Akyol D, Yargucu Zihni F, Ün C, Yüksel Gürüz A, Demir S. Genotyping of Pneumocystis jirovecii isolates obtained from clinical samples by multilocus sequencing: a molecular epidemiology study conducted in Turkey. Arch Microbiol 2020; 202:1647-1652. [PMID: 32274557 DOI: 10.1007/s00203-020-01874-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2020] [Revised: 03/20/2020] [Accepted: 04/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Pneumocystis jirovecii is an opportunistic respiratory pathogen causing Pneumocystis pneumonia (PcP) in immunocompromised patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the genetic diversity of P. jirovecii isolates (n: 84) obtained from PcP patients using multilocus sequencing method based on mt26S, SOD, and CYB loci. Among the 84 clinical samples that were positive for P. jirovecii DNA, 31 (36.90%) of them were genotyped using at least one locus. Of the 31 clinical samples, 26 of them were successfully genotyped using all loci whereas three samples were genotyped using either mt26S/CYB loci or mt26S/SOD loci. Additionally, there were two more clinical samples that were genotyped using CYB or SOD locus. Using mt26S locus, genotypes 2, 3, 7, and 8 were detected. Frequencies of genotype 7 and 8 were higher and both of them were found in 11 (n: 29; 37.93%) clinical samples. Using SOD locus, SOD 1, 2, and 4 genotypes were detected. SOD 1 was the predominant genotype (20/28; 71.42%). During the analyses of CYB locus, CYB 1, 2, 5, 6, and 7 as well as a new CYB genotype were detected. CYB 1 (16/29; 55.17%) and 2 (10/29; 34.48%) were the predominant genotypes. Overall, according to the multilocus sequencing results E, F, M, N, P, and V multilocus genotypes were detected among the PcP patients. In addition, SOD 1 was the predominant genotype and CYB had a more polymorphic locus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ecem Sürgeç
- Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Zoology Section, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Hüseyin Can
- Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Molecular Biology Section, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Mert Döşkaya
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Parasitology, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
| | | | - Esra Atalay Şahar
- Faculty of Engineering, Department of Biotechnology, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Aysu Değirmenci Döşkaya
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Parasitology, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey.,Faculty of Medicine, Blood Bank, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Hüsnü Pullukçu
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Meltem Taşbakan
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
| | | | - Deniz Akyol
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Figen Yargucu Zihni
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Rheumatology, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Cemal Ün
- Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Molecular Biology Section, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Adnan Yüksel Gürüz
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Parasitology, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Samiye Demir
- Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Zoology Section, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey.
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Yaman Y, Keleş M, Aymaz R, Sevim S, Sezenler T, Önaldı AT, Kaptan C, Başkurt A, Koncagül S, Öner Y, Öztürk EE, İriadam M, Ün C, Heaton MP. Association of TMEM154 variants with visna/maedi virus infection in Turkish sheep. Small Rumin Res 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.smallrumres.2019.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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Uslupehlivan M, Deveci R, Ün C. In silico investigation of the prion protein glycosylation profiles in relation to scrapie disease resistance in domestic sheep (Ovis aries). Mol Cell Probes 2018; 42:1-9. [PMID: 30261281 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcp.2018.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2018] [Revised: 09/07/2018] [Accepted: 09/23/2018] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
The prion protein is a membrane-bound glycoprotein which consists mainly α-helix structure. In contrast, the infectious prion protein shows the beta-sheet structure. The prion-associated diseases are all lethal neurodegenerative abnormalities, called transmissible spongiform encephalopathies. Scrapie is the most common type of these illnesses affecting sheep, goats, and moufflon. The VRQ, AHQ, ARR and N146S polymorphisms in the sheep prion gene have been found to be associated with resistance to scrapie disease. So far, the relationship of polymorphisms to three-dimensional protein structures, post-translational modifications, and scrapie resistance has not been studied. In this study, the potential N- and O-glycosylation positions of sheep prion protein polymorphisms were analyzed, the secondary and three-dimensional protein structure models were predicted, three-dimensional glycoprotein models were constructed and the role of glycosylation positions in protein interactions was investigated. Here, we found that protein secondary and three-dimensional structures vary among polymorphisms. Moreover, we found wild-type prion and all polymorphic variants show N-glycosylation at Asn184 and Asn200 positions, while O-glycosylation profiles are variant-specific. We also found that structural changes among prion polymorphisms leads to the formation of variant spesific O-glycosylation profiles and these positions are associated with protein interactions. Based on these findings, we suggest that O-glycosylation may be effective on resistance/susceptibility of sheep prion polymorphisms to scrapie disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammet Uslupehlivan
- Ege University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Molecular Biology Section, Izmir, Turkey.
| | - Remziye Deveci
- Ege University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Molecular Biology Section, Izmir, Turkey.
| | - Cemal Ün
- Ege University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Molecular Biology Section, Izmir, Turkey.
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Yaman Y, Ün C. Nucleotide and octapeptide-repeat variations of the prion protein coding gene (PRNP) in Anatolian, Murrah, and crossbred water buffaloes. Trop Anim Health Prod 2017; 50:573-579. [PMID: 29147935 DOI: 10.1007/s11250-017-1471-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2017] [Accepted: 11/08/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Resistance to bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) that is significantly associated with insertion/deletion (indel) polymorphisms at two loci (putative promoter and intron 1) on the prion protein gene (PRNP) in cattle has been well documented. Studies suggest that the insertion alleles are related to BSE resistance. Until recently, BSE has never been reported in water buffaloes (unlike cattle). Previous studies have demonstrated that the PRNP gene in water buffalo consists mostly of insertion alleles at both loci; nevertheless, whether or not water buffaloes are genetically resistant to BSE and the role of indel polymorphisms in their resistance status is not clear. We examined the coding region of PRNP to determine the nucleotide and octapeptide-repeat (octarepeats) variations of Anatolian, Murrah and Murrah × Anatolian (M × A) water buffaloes. Three synonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) at positions 126, 234, and 285, and a non-synonymous SNP at position 322 (G108S) were detected. Triplet G/A/T base substitutions were observed at position 126 and two additional genotypes, T/A and T/G, at this position were determined. We also found six octarepeats that indicated the presence of the wild-type PRNP6 allele in the coding region. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of the T/A and T/G genotypes in water buffaloes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yalçın Yaman
- Department of Biometry and Genetics, Sheep Research Institute, Çanakkale road, 7.km, 10220, Bandirma, Balikesir, Turkey.
| | - Cemal Ün
- Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Ege University, 35040, İzmir, Turkey
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Can H, Döşkaya M, Ajzenberg D, Özdemir HG, Caner A, İz SG, Döşkaya AD, Atalay E, Çetinkaya Ç, Ürgen S, Karaçalı S, Ün C, Dardé ML, Gürüz Y. Genetic characterization of Toxoplasma gondii isolates and toxoplasmosis seroprevalence in stray cats of İzmir, Turkey. PLoS One 2014; 9:e104930. [PMID: 25127360 PMCID: PMC4134241 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0104930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2014] [Accepted: 07/16/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Currently, some Toxoplasma gondii genotypes are being associated with serious clinical presentations. A recent report showing the Africa 1 genotype in two local congenital toxoplasmosis cases acquired in Turkey formed the basis of this study because atypical Africa 1 genotype is most frequently detected in animals and patients from sub-Saharan Africa. Since stray cats are considered as the linkage between wild life and urban life in T. gondii transmission, the present study aimed to isolate and characterize T. gondii strains circulating in stray cats of İzmir (Western Turkey). A secondary objective was to determine toxoplasmosis seroprevalence in this cat population. Tissues obtained from 100 deceased stray cats were bioassayed and isolated strains were genotyped using 15 microsatellite markers. In addition, toxoplasmosis seroprevalence was analyzed in 1121 cat sera collected from several large veterinary clinics in İzmir. Among the 22 isolates, 19 were Type II (86.3%), two were Type III (9%) and one was Africa 1 genotype (4.5%). The overall seropositivity rates in cats were 42-48% and 33.4-34.4% according to IFA and ELISA, respectively. Seroprevalence in deceased cats was significantly higher than in healthy cats (P = 0.0033). Finding both the major clonal Type II lineage together with the Type III lineage also found in Middle East, and an atypical genotype, Africa 1 appears consistent with the specific geographic location of Turkey between three continents and raises the possibility of transportation of these strains between continents through trade routes or long distance migratory birds. In addition, the first large study of toxoplasma seroprevalence in a stray cat population was also reported. The relatively high seropositivity rates and the variety of T. gondii genotypes confirm the local stray cat population as a risk factor for human toxoplasmosis in İzmir.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hüseyin Can
- Department of Molecular Biology, Ege University Faculty of Sciences, Bornova/İzmir, Turkey
| | - Mert Döşkaya
- Department of Parasitology, Ege University Medical School, Bornova/İzmir, Turkey
- * E-mail:
| | - Daniel Ajzenberg
- Centre National de Référence (CNR) Toxoplasmose/Toxoplasma Biological Resource Center (BRC), Centre Hospitalier-Universitaire Dupuytren, Limoges, France and INSERM UMR 1094, Neuroépidémiologie Tropicale, Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université de Limoges, Limoges, France
| | | | - Ayşe Caner
- Department of Parasitology, Ege University Medical School, Bornova/İzmir, Turkey
| | - Sultan Gülce İz
- Department of Bioengineering, Ege University Faculty of Engineering, Bornova/İzmir, Turkey
| | | | - Esra Atalay
- Department of Molecular Biology, Ege University Faculty of Sciences, Bornova/İzmir, Turkey
| | | | - Saygun Ürgen
- Department of Veterinary Affairs, Municipality of İzmir, Turkey
| | - Sabire Karaçalı
- Department of Molecular Biology, Ege University Faculty of Sciences, Bornova/İzmir, Turkey
| | - Cemal Ün
- Department of Molecular Biology, Ege University Faculty of Sciences, Bornova/İzmir, Turkey
| | - Marie-Laure Dardé
- Centre National de Référence (CNR) Toxoplasmose/Toxoplasma Biological Resource Center (BRC), Centre Hospitalier-Universitaire Dupuytren, Limoges, France and INSERM UMR 1094, Neuroépidémiologie Tropicale, Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université de Limoges, Limoges, France
| | - Yüksel Gürüz
- Department of Parasitology, Ege University Medical School, Bornova/İzmir, Turkey
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Frootan F, Nikbakht G, Özgentürk NÖ, Ün C. Prion Protein Coding Gene (PRNP) Variability in Sheep from Turkey and Iran. Biochem Genet 2011; 50:277-84. [DOI: 10.1007/s10528-011-9470-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2010] [Accepted: 08/29/2011] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Oztabak K, Ozkan E, Soysal I, Paya I, Ün C. Detection of prion gene promoter and intron1indelpolymorphisms in Anatolian water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis). J Anim Breed Genet 2009; 126:463-7. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0388.2009.00821.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
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Ün C, Oztabak K, Özdemir N, Tesfaye D, Mengi A, Schellander K. Detection of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy-Related Prion Protein Gene Promoter Polymorphisms in Local Turkish Cattle. Biochem Genet 2008; 46:820-7. [DOI: 10.1007/s10528-008-9196-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2008] [Accepted: 07/15/2008] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Jonas E, Schreinemachers HJ, Kleinwächter T, Ün C, Oltmanns I, Tetzlaff S, Jennen D, Tesfaye D, Ponsuksili S, Murani E, Juengst H, Tholen E, Schellander K, Wimmers K. QTL for the heritable inverted teat defect in pigs. Mamm Genome 2008; 19:127-38. [DOI: 10.1007/s00335-007-9086-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2007] [Accepted: 11/28/2007] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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