miR-204-5p and miR-211 Synergistically Downregulate the αS1-Casein Content and Contribute to the Lower Allergy of Goat Milk

α_S1-Casein (encoded by the CSN1S1 gene) is associated with higher rates of allergy than other milk protein components for humans. microRNAs (miRNAs) as small noncoding RNA molecules regulate gene expression and influence diverse biological processes. However, little is known about the regulation of milk protein synthesis by miRNAs in ruminants. In this study, we aim to investigate the regulatory roles of miR-204 family members (miR-204-5p and miR-211) on α_S1-casein in goat mammary epithelial cells (GMEC). Here, we observed that the CSN1S1 mRNA level is upregulated, while miR-204-5p and miR-211 (miR-204-5p/-211) abundance is downregulated during peak lactation compared with middle lactation of dairy goats. We found that miR-204-5p/-211 synergistically inhibit α_S1-casein expression via directly binding to the 3'-untranslated region (3'UTR) of CSN1S1 in GMEC. miR-204-5p/-211 increase β-casein mRNA (CSN2) and protein abundance, as well as the signal transducer and activator of transcription 5a (STAT5a) activity. Further, miR-204-5p/-211 enhance β-casein expression via the CSN1S1-STAT5a signaling axis and promote β-casein transcription by activating the STAT5 response element located in the CSN2 promoter. In conclusion, miR-204-5p/-211 regulate α_S1-casein and β-casein synthesis via targeting CSN1S1 in GMEC, which provide the strategy for manipulating miR-204 family members to reduce milk allergy potential and improve ruminant milk quality for human consumption.

Epidermal Growth Factor Stimulates Fatty Acid Synthesis Mainly via PLC-γ1/Akt Signaling Pathway in Dairy Goat Mammary Epithelial Cells

Simple Summary

Goat milk contains an abundance of fatty acids which are benefit to human health. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) is a small peptide which could positively regulate the growth, development and differentiation of the mammary gland during lactation. However, little information is available about EGF in regulating lipid metabolism in the mammary gland. This study investigated the effects of EGF on the triglyceride (TG) synthesis, lipogenic genes expression and the downstream signal protein levels in goat mammary epithelial cells (GMECs). Our findings indicated EGF might be beneficial to improve milk fat synthesis of dairy goats.

Abstract

EGF acts as a ligand of the EGF receptor (EGFR) to activate the EGFR-mediated signaling pathways and is involved in the regulation of cell physiology. However, the roles of EGFR mediated signaling pathways in the regulation of lipid metabolism in goat mammary epithelial cells (GMECs) are poorly understood. To evaluate the impact of EGF on GMECs, the triglyceride (TG) content and lipid droplet were detected, using TG assay and immunofluorescence. Further, expression of lipogenic genes, the protein kinase B (Akt), phospholipase C-γ1 (PLC-γ1) and extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK)1/2 signaling pathways were measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot, respectively. The results showed that the mRNA expression of EGFR gene was significantly upregulated in lactating goat mammary gland tissues compared to non-lactation period (p < 0.05). TG contents in EGF-treated GMECs were significantly increased (p < 0.05), and an increase of lipid droplets was also detected. In vitro studies demonstrated that the mRNA levels of lipogenesis-related FASN, ACC, SCD1, LXRa, LXRb and SP1 genes were positively correlated to the mRNA level of EGFR gene shown by gene overexpression and silencing (p < 0.05). The phosphorylations of Akt, ERK1/2 and PLC-γ1 in GMECs were greatly upregulated in the presence of EGF, and specific inhibitors were capable of blocking the phosphorylation of Akt, ERK1/2 and PLC-γ1. Compared with EGF-treated GMECs, the mRNA levels of FASN, ACC and SCD1 were significantly decreased in GMECs co-treated with PLC-γ1 and Akt inhibitor and EGF (p < 0.05), and TG content was also dropped significantly. These observations implied that EGFR plays an important role in regulating de novo fatty acid synthesis in GMECs, mainly mediated by Akt and PLC-γ1 signaling pathways.

Acyl-CoA synthetase short-chain family member 2 (ACSS2) is regulated by SREBP-1 and plays a role in fatty acid synthesis in caprine mammary epithelial cells

Sterol regulatory element binding protein 1 (SREBP-1) is well-known as the master regulator of lipogenesis in rodents. Acyl-CoA synthetase short-chain family member 2 (ACSS2) plays a key role in lipogenesis by synthesizing acetyl-CoA from acetate for lipogenesis. ATP citrate lyase (ACLY) catalyzes the conversion of citrate and coenzyme A to acetyl-CoA, hence, it is also important for lipogenesis. Although ACSS2 function in cancer cells has been elucidated, its essentiality in ruminant mammary lipogenesis is unknown. Furthermore, ACSS2 gene promoter and its regulatory mechanisms have not known. Expression of ACSS2 was high in lipid synthesizing tissues, and its expression increased during lactation compared with non-lactating period. Simultaneous knockdown of both ACSS2 and ACLY by siRNA in primary goat mammary epithelial cells decreased (p < 0.05) the mRNA abundance of genes associated with de novo fatty acid synthesis (FASN, ACACA, SCD1) and triacylglycerol (TAG) synthesis (DGAT1, DGAT2, GPAM, and AGPAT6). Genes responsible for lipid droplet formation and secretion (PLIN2 and PLIN3) and fatty acid oxidation (ATGL, HSL, ACOX, and CPT1A) all decreased (p < 0.05) after ACSS2 and ACLY knockdown. Total cellular TAG content and lipid droplet formation also decreased. Use of a luciferase reporter assay revealed a direct regulation of ACSS2 by SREBP-1. Furthermore, SREBP-1 interacted with an SRE (SREBP response element) spanning at -475 to -483 bp on the ACSS2 promoter. Taken together, our results revealed a novel pathway that SREBP-1 may regulate fatty acid and TAG synthesis by regulating the expression of ACSS2.

Antibody humanization by redesign of complementarity-determining region residues proximate to the acceptor framework

Antibodies are key components of the adaptive immune system and are well-established protein therapeutic agents. Typically high-affinity antibodies are obtained by immunization of rodent species that need to be humanized to reduce their immunogenicity. The complementarity-determining regions (CDRs) contain the residues in a defined loop structure that confer antigen binding, which must be retained in the humanized antibody. To design a humanized antibody, we graft the mature murine CDRs onto a germline human acceptor framework. Structural defects due to mismatches at the graft interface can be fixed by mutating some framework residues to murine, or by mutating some residues on the CDRs' backside to human or to a de novo designed sequence. The first approach, framework redesign, can yield an antibody with binding better than the CDR graft and one equivalent to the mature murine, and reduced immunogenicity. The second approach, CDR redesign, is presented here as a new approach, yielding an antibody with binding better than the CDR graft, and immunogenicity potentially less than that from framework redesign. Application of both approaches to the humanization of anti-α4 integrin antibody HP1/2 is presented and the concept of the hybrid humanization approach that retains "difficult to match" murine framework amino acids and uses de novo CDR design to minimize murine amino acid content and reduce cell-mediated cytotoxicity liabilities is discussed.