Selected Grantee Publications
- Clear All
- 5 results found
- Other Animal Models
- 2022
- 2020
Canine Reference Genome Accuracy Impacts Variant Calling: Lessons Learned from Investigating Embryonic Lethal Variant
Kinsey et al., Animal Genetics. 2022.
https://www.doi.org/10.1111/age.13241
With increasingly affordable whole-genome sequencing, hundreds of canine genomes now can be analyzed for embryonic lethal mutations. Investigators examined whole-genome sequence data from 675 dogs of both sexes to investigate for variants with missing homozygosity and high predicted impact. They identified 45 likely embryonic lethal mutations in 32 genes but found that all but one of those were labeled incorrectly and were artifacts associated with a widely utilized canine reference genome. This effect is a major obstacle to studies focusing on loci with high heterozygosity. The investigators propose that by using newer, multiple reference genomes, researchers could reduce artifacts and identify variants more accurately. Supported by ORIP (K01OD027051, K01OD019912).
Promoting Validation and Cross-Phylogenetic Integration in Model Organism Research
Cheng et al., Disease Models & Mechanisms. 2022.
https://www.doi.org/10.1242/dmm.049600
Model organisms are essential for biomedical research and therapeutic development, but translation of such research to the clinic is low. The authors summarized discussions from an NIH virtual workshop series, titled “Validation of Animal Models and Tools for Biomedical Research,” held from 2020 to 2021. They described challenges and opportunities for developing and integrating tools and resources and provided suggestions for improving the rigor, validation, reproducibility, and translatability of model organism research. Supported by ORIP (R01OD011116, R24OD031447, R03OD030597, R24OD018559, R24OD017870, R24OD026591, R24OD022005, U42OD026645, U42OD012210, U54OD030165, UM1OD023221, P51OD011107), NIAMS, NIDDK, NIGMS, NHGRI, and NINDS.
American Alligators Are Capable of West Nile Virus Amplification, Mosquito Infection and Transmission
Byas et al., Virology. 2022.
https://www.doi.org/10.1016/j.virol.2022.01.009
West Nile virus (WNV) overwintering is poorly understood and likely multifactorial. Interest in alligators as a potential amplifying host arose when it was shown that they develop viremias theoretically sufficient to infect mosquitoes. Researchers examined potential ways in which alligators may contribute to the natural ecology of WNV. They experimentally demonstrated that alligators are capable of WNV amplification with subsequent mosquito infection and transmission capability, that WNV-infected mosquitoes readily infect alligators, and that water can serve as a source of infection for alligators but does not easily serve as an intermediate means for transmission between birds and alligators. These findings indicate potential mechanisms for maintenance of WNV outside of the primary bird–mosquito transmission cycle. Supported by ORIP (T32OD010437) and NIAID.
Expression, Activity, and Regulation of Phosphorylating Enzymes in Tissues and Cells Relevant to HIV-1 Sexual Transmission
Hu et al., AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses. 2022.
https://www.doi.org/10.1089/AID.2020.0250
Phosphorylating enzymes (PEs) are critical for activating nucleoside/nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors (e.g., tenofovir [TFV]), but limited information is available about the expression of PEs in the female genital tract and colon tissue. Investigators compared the mRNA expression of seven PEs involved in metabolism of TFV in cervicovaginal and colon tissues. This work involved human, pigtailed macaque, and rabbit tissues; human cervicovaginal epithelial cell lines; T cell lines; and primary CD4+ T cells. Taken together, this study suggests that TFV activation differs among immune cells and local tissues under varying conditions. Additionally, the variability of PE expression levels found across species provides critical information to assist with the interpretation of data obtained using these animal models. Supported by ORIP (P51OD010425) and NIAID.
Biological Activities of a New Crotamine-like Peptide from Crotalus oreganus helleri on C2C12 and CHO Cell Lines, and Ultrastructural Changes on Motor Endplate and Striated Muscle
Salazar et al., Toxicon. 2020.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33065200/
Crotamine and crotamine-like peptides are non-enzymatic polypeptides found in high concentration in the Crotalus genus venom. Helleramine was isolated and purified from the venom of the rattlesnake, Crotalus oreganus helleri. Purified helleramine increased intracellular Ca2+ in Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cell line, inhibited cell viability of C2C12 (immortalized skeletal myoblast) and promoted early apoptosis and cell death. Skeletal muscle harvested from mice 24 hours after helleramine injection showed contracted myofibrils and profound vacuolization, with loss of plasmatic and basal membrane integrity. The effects of helleramine provide evidence of myotoxic activities of crotamine-like peptides and their possible role in crotalid envenoming. Supported by ORIP (P40OD010960).