The first report of enzymatic transglycosylation catalyzed by family GH84 N-acetyl-β-d-glucosaminidase using a sugar oxazoline derivative as a glycosyl donor.

O-Glycosylated N-acetyl-β-d-glucosamine-selective N-acetyl-β-d-glucosaminidase (O-GlcNAcase), belonging to glycoside hydrolase family 84 (GH84), is known as a retaining glycosidase with the possibility of enzymatic transglycosylation. However, no enzymatic transglycosylation catalyzed by GH84 O-GlcNAcase has been reported. Here, enzymatic transglycosylation catalyzed by GH84 O-GlcNAcase was first reported.

Mapping of Calf Death in Japanese Black Cattle.

Weak calf syndrome (WCS) is a major cause of calf death in Japanese Black cattle. Among IARS disorders, the isoleucyl-tRNA synthetase c.235G>C mutation has been identified as one of the causes of WCS.

Genome-wide identification of copy number variation using high-density single-nucleotide polymorphism array in Japanese Black cattle.

Background: Copy number variation (CNV) is an important source of genetic variability associated with phenotypic variation and disease susceptibility. Comprehensive genome-wide CNV maps provide valuable information for genetic and functional studies. To identify CNV in Japanese Black cattle, we performed a genome-wide autosomal screen using genomic data from 1,481 animals analyzed with the Illumina Bovine High-Density (HD) BeadChip Array (735,293 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with an average marker interval of 3.

Non-synonymous FGD3 Variant as Positional Candidate for Disproportional Tall Stature Accounting for a Carcass Weight QTL (CW-3) and Skeletal Dysplasia in Japanese Black Cattle.

Recessive skeletal dysplasia, characterized by joint- and/or hip bone-enlargement, was mapped within the critical region for a major quantitative trait locus (QTL) influencing carcass weight; previously named CW-3 in Japanese Black cattle. The risk allele was on the same chromosome as the Q allele that increases carcass weight. Phenotypic characterization revealed that the risk allele causes disproportional tall stature and bone size that increases carcass weight in heterozygous individuals but causes disproportionately narrow chest width in homozygotes.

Effects of single nucleotide polymorphism marker density on degree of genetic variance explained and genomic evaluation for carcass traits in Japanese Black beef cattle.

Background: Japanese Black cattle are a beef breed whose meat is well known to excel in meat quality, especially in marbling, and whose effective population size is relatively low in Japan. Unlike dairy cattle, the accuracy of genomic evaluation (GE) for carcass traits in beef cattle, including this breed, has been poorly studied. For carcass weight and marbling score in the breed, as well as the extent of whole genome linkage disequilibrium (LD), the effects of equally-spaced single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) density on genomic relationship matrix (G matrix), genetic variance explained and GE were investigated using the genotype data of about 40,000 SNPs and two statistical models.

Estimation of variance components for carcass traits in Japanese Black cattle using 50K SNP genotype data.

Genomic selection using high-density single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotype data may accelerate genetic improvements in livestock animals. In this study, we attempted to estimate the variance components of six carcass traits in fattened Japanese Black steers using SNP genotype data. Six hundred and seventy-three steers were genotyped using an Illumina Bovine SNP50 BeadChip and phenotyped for cold carcass weight, ribeye area, rib thickness, subcutaneous fat thickness, estimated yield percent and marbling score.

Application of highly differentiated SNPs between Japanese Black and Holstein to a breed assignment test between Japanese Black and F(1) (Japanese Black x Holstein) and Holstein.

Two taurine breeds, Japanese Black and Holstein, established from geographically distant origins and selected for different uses, beef and dairy, were extensively genotyped using a genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) chip with more than 1000 animals of each breed. The genetic structure was examined by principal component analysis, in which the first principal component clearly separated the two breeds and explained more than 15% of the variance. Highly differentiated SNPs were detected throughout the genome, some of which were clustered within small regions on BTA4 (79.

Genome-wide association study identified three major QTL for carcass weight including the PLAG1-CHCHD7 QTN for stature in Japanese Black cattle.

Background: Significant quantitative trait loci (QTL) for carcass weight were previously mapped on several chromosomes in Japanese Black half-sib families. Two QTL, CW-1 and CW-2, were narrowed down to 1.1-Mb and 591-kb regions, respectively.

Ionotropic glutamate receptor AMPA 1 is associated with ovulation rate.

Ionotropic glutamate receptors mediate most excitatory neurotransmission in the central nervous system by opening ion channels upon the binding of glutamate. Despite the essential roles of glutamate in the control of reproduction and anterior pituitary hormone secretion, there is a limited understanding of how glutamate receptors control ovulation. Here we reveal the function of the ionotropic glutamate receptor AMPA-1 (GRIA1) in ovulation.