Characterisation and expression profile of the bovine cathelicidin gene repertoire in mammary tissue
Citation:
Whelehan, CJ, Barry-Reidy, A, Meade, KG, Eckersall, PD, Chapwanya, A, Narciandi, F, Lloyd, AT, O'Farrelly, C, Characterisation and expression profile of the bovine cathelicidin gene repertoire in mammary tissue, BMC GENOMICS, 15, 2014, 128-Download Item:
Abstract:
Background
Cathelicidins comprise a major group of host-defence peptides. Conserved across a wide range of species, they have several functions related to host defence. Only one cathelicidin has been found in humans but several cathelicidin genes occur in the bovine genome. We propose that these molecules may have a protective role against mastitis. The aim of this study was to characterise the cathelicidin gene-cluster in the bovine genome and to identify sites of expression in the bovine mammary gland.
Results
Bioinformatic analysis of the bovine genome (BosTau7) revealed seven protein-coding cathelicidin genes, CATHL1-7, including two identical copies of CATHL4, as well as three additional putative cathelicidin genes, all clustered on the long arm of chromosome 22. Six of the seven protein-coding genes were expressed in leukocytes extracted from milk of high somatic cell count (SCC) cows. CATHL5 was expressed across several sites in the mammary gland, but did not increase in response to Staphylococcus aureus infection.
Conclusions
Here, we characterise the bovine cathelicidin gene cluster and reconcile inconsistencies in the datasets of previous studies. Constitutive cathelicidin expression in the mammary gland suggests a possible role for these host defence peptides its protection.
Sponsor
Grant Number
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (DAFF)
SF 06-340
Author's Homepage:
http://people.tcd.ie/ofarreclDescription:
PUBLISHED
Author: O'FARRELLY, CLIONA
Type of material:
Journal ArticleCollections
Series/Report no:
BMC GENOMICS15
Availability:
Full text availableKeywords:
Tissue expression, Locus, Gene cluster, Hidden Markov Model (HMM), CathelicidinDOI:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1471-2164-15-128Metadata
Show full item recordLicences: