Molecular characterization of Bu-1 and TLR2 gene in Haringhata Black chicken

Haringhata Black is the only registered indigenous poultry genetic resource of West Bengal till date. Molecular characterization of HB revealed that Bu-1 to be highly glycoylated transmembrane protein unlike mammalian Bu-1, whereas TLR2 of HB chicken was observed to be rich in Leucine rich repeat. HB chicken was observed to be genetically close to chicken of Japan, while distant to chicken breed of UK and Chicago. Avian species wise evolution study indicates genetic closeness of HB chicken with turkey. Differential mRNA expression profile for the immune response genes (TLR2, TLR4 and Bu1 gene) were studied for HB chicken with respect to other chicken breed and poultry birds, which reveals that HB chicken were better in terms of B cell mediated immunity and hence better response to vaccination. Hence HB chicken is one of the best poultry genetic resources to be reared under backyard system where biosecurity measures are almost lacking.

Mutation in Cytochrome B gene causes debility and adverse effects on health of sheep

Cytochrome B is the mitochondrial protein, which functions as part of the electron transport chain and is the main subunit of transmembrane cytochrome bc1 and b6f complexes affecting energy metabolism through oxidative phosphorylation. The present study was conducted to study the effect of mutation of Cytochrome B gene on the health condition of sheep, which the first report of association of mitochondrial gene with disease traits in livestock species. Non-synonymous substitutions (F33 L and D171N) and Indel mutations were observed for Cytochrome B gene, leading to a truncated protein, where anemia, malfunctioning of most of the vital organs as liver, kidney and mineral status was observed and debility with exercise intolerance and cardiomyopathy in extreme cases were depicted. These findings were confirmed by bioinformatics analysis, haematological and biochemical data analysis, and other phenotypical physiological data pertaining to different vital organs. The molecular mechanism of cytochrome B mutation was that the mutant variant interferes with the site of heme binding (iron containing) domain and calcium binding essential for electron transport chain. Mutation at amino acid site 33 is located within transmembrane helix A, a hydrophobic environment at the Qi site and close to heme binding domain, and mutation effects these domain and diseases occur. Thermodynamic stability was also observed to decrease in mutant variant. Sheep Cytochrome B being genetically more similar to the human, it may be used as a model for studying human diseases related to cytochrome B defects. Future prospect of the study includes the therapeutic application of recombinant protein, gene therapy and marker-assisted selection of disease-resistant livestock.

Influence of supplementation of tropical plant feed additives on in vitro rumen fermentation and methanogenesis

Tropical plants rich in secondary metabolites have the potential to modulate rumen fermentation for more efficient food production with reduced environmental impact. In the present study after extensive screening, three tropical tree leaves (Bahunia variegata, Psidium guajava and Cannabis indica) and three herbs (Cinnamomum zeylanicum, Trachyspermum ammi and Cinnamomum tamala) were selected to evaluate their effect on buffalo rumen fermentation. Total gas production, substrate degradability, volatile fatty acid pattern and enzyme activities were not affected by any of the plants tested in this study. However, methane production was lowered (P ≤ 0.05) due to inclusion of P. guajava leaves. Anti-methanogenic/anti-protozoal metabolites present in tropical plants seem to be better extracted by ethanol solvent and accordingly the best performing plant i.e. different levels of P. guajava extract was used for further evaluation. Both the methane inhibition and defaunating action of ethanol extract of P. guajava were found to be dose dependent. In conclusion, leaves of P. guajava appear to be a promising plant feed additive for decreasing methane production without affecting feed degradability in the rumen.

Molecular Characterization and SNP Detection of CD14 Gene of Crossbred Cattle

CD14 is an important molecule for innate immunity that can act against a wide range of pathogens. The present paper has characterized CD14 gene of crossbred (CB) cattle (Bos indicus×Bos taurus). Cloning and sequence analysis of CD14 cDNA revealed 1119 nucleotide long open reading frame encoding 373 amino acids protein and 20 amino acids signal peptide. CB cattle CD14 gene exhibited a high percentage of nucleotide identity (59.3–98.1%) with the corresponding mammalian homologs. Cattle and buffalo appear to have diverged from a common ancestor in phylogenetic analysis. 25 SNPs with 17 amino acid changes were newly reported and the site for mutational hot-spot was detected in CB cattle CD14 gene. Non-synonymous substitutions exceeding synonymous substitutions indicate the evolution of this protein through positive selection among domestic animals. Predicted protein structures obtained from deduced amino acid sequence indicated CB cattle CD14 molecule to be a receptor with horse shoe-shaped structure. The sites for LPS binding, LPS signalling, leucine-rich repeats, putative N-linked glycosylation, O-linked glycosylation, glycosyl phosphatidyl inositol anchor, disulphide bridges, alpha helix, beta strand, leucine rich nuclear export signal, leucine zipper and domain linker were predicted. Most of leucine and cysteine residues remain conserved across the species.

Effect of plant extracts on methanogenesis and microbial profile of the rumen of buffalo: a brief overview

Plants rich in secondary metabolites (saponins, tannins, essential oils, etc.) have antimicrobial activity which can be exploited for selective inhibition of a particular group of microbes in the rumen. We have screened a large number of plant extracts for their potential to inhibit methanogenesis and ciliate protozoa in an in vitro gas production test using buffalo rumen liquor as the inoculum. Out of 93 plant extracts tested, 11 inhibited in vitro methanogenesis to the extent of 25–50% and nine plant extracts inhibited methanogenesis more than 50%. Among 20 extracts exhibiting antimethanogenic activity, nine were ethanol extracts, 10 were methanol extracts and only one was a water extract. Some of these plant extracts inhibited ciliate protozoa as tested by microscopic examination and 14C-labelled radioisotopic technique, but the protozoa inhibition was not correlated with methane inhibition, indicating that the methanogens sensitive to plant secondary metabolites may or may not be having any symbiotic relationship with ciliate protozoa. Methane inhibition was accompanied by a drastic fall in the number of methanogens as determined by real time PCR. Plants that appeared to have some potential as feed additives to control methanogenesis by the ruminants are: (i) seed pulp of Sapindus mukorossi (rich in saponins) and Terminalia chebula (rich in tannins); (ii) leaves of Populus deltoides, Mangifera indica and Psidium guajava (rich in tannins and essential oils); and (iii) flower buds of Syzygium aromaticum and bulb of Allium sativum (rich in essential oils). Some of the plants reported in literature exhibiting antimethanogenic activity include Equisetum arvense, Lotus corniculatus, Rheum palmatum, Salvia officinalis, Sapindus saponaria, Uncaria gambir and Yucca schidigera.