A multi-omics database of buffaloes from Yangtze valley reveals diversity of water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis).

Asian water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) is the fundamental livestock resource for local rural populations and holds a promising prospect of their milk and meat. Xuyi mountain (XYM) and Haizi (HZ) buffaloes from Yangtze valley comprises of species diversity of Asian water buffaloes. Current multi-omics enables identification of causal genes and elucidation of genetic regulatory mechanisms underlying complex traits in buffaloes.

miR-27a-3p relieves heat stress-induced mitochondrial damage and aberrant milk protein synthesis through MEK/ERK pathway in BMECs.

With global warming, heat stress has become a primary factor that compromises the health and milk quality of dairy cows. Here, we investigated the function and underlying regulatory mechanism of miR-27a-3p in bovine mammary epithelial cells (BMECs) under heat-stress conditions. The current study showed that miR-27a-3p could prevent heat stress-induced BMEC oxidative stress and mitochondrial damage by regulating the balance between mitochondrial fission and fusion processes.

SIRT4 Expression Ameliorates the Detrimental Effect of Heat Stress via AMPK/mTOR Signaling Pathway in BMECs.

Sirtuin 4 (SIRT4), a member of the SIRT family, has been reported to be a key factor involved in antioxidant defense in mitochondria. This study aimed to explore the potential molecular mechanism via which SIRT4 regulates heat stress-induced oxidative stress and lactoprotein synthesis in bovine mammary epithelial cells (BMECs). Our results showed that SIRT4 was significantly decreased in heat stressed mammary tissue.

Bta-miR-6531 Regulates Calcium Influx in Bovine Leydig Cells and Is Associated with Sperm Motility.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play key roles in sperm as the regulatory factors involved in fertility and subsequent early embryonic development. Bta-miR-6531 is specifically a highly enriched miRNA in low-motility sperms in previous study. To investigate the mechanism of bta-miR-6531, 508 shared target genes of bta-miR-6531 were predicted using two miRNA target databases (TargetScan7 and miRWalk).

Optimization of bovine embryonic fibroblast feeder layer prepared by Mitomycin C.

Feeder cells play important roles in In-vitro culture of stem cells. However, the preparation protocol of feeder cells produced by bovine embryonic fibroblast cells (bEFs) is still lack. In this study, the preparation of bEF-feeder by Mitomycin C was optimized with different concentrations and treatment time.

Next-generation biological control: the need for integrating genetics and genomics.

Biological control is widely successful at controlling pests, but effective biocontrol agents are now more difficult to import from countries of origin due to more restrictive international trade laws (the Nagoya Protocol). Coupled with increasing demand, the efficacy of existing and new biocontrol agents needs to be improved with genetic and genomic approaches. Although they have been underutilised in the past, application of genetic and genomic techniques is becoming more feasible from both technological and economic perspectives.

Quantitative genetics of wing morphology in the parasitoid wasp Nasonia vitripennis: hosts increase sibling similarity.

The central aim of evolutionary biology is to understand patterns of genetic variation between species and within populations. To quantify the genetic variation underlying intraspecific differences, estimating quantitative genetic parameters of traits is essential. In Pterygota, wing morphology is an important trait affecting flight ability.