A Functional SNP in the Promoter Region of Ovine IDO2 Associated With Melatonin Levels via Affecting Transcription Activity by CLOCK.

Identification of novel loci regulating circulating melatonin and its causal relationship with hypertension

Findings reveal novel genetic contributors to melatonin regulation and establish their putative causal relationship with hypertension.

In silico analysis of the promoter region of prolactin gene in cattle to understand its gene regulation

Prolactin (PRL) is a key endocrine regulator of lactation, mammary gland growth, and systemic metabolic homeostasis in cattle. The transcriptional architecture of bovine PRL regulation remains incompletely characterized, despite its physiological importance. In this study we used an in silico TSS, CpG island, and TFBS profiling approach to analyze the ~5 kb upstream regulatory region of the Bos taurus PRL gene. By employing Neural Network Promoter Prediction under stringent criteria, we identified three highly reliable TSSs located at -4478, -2123, and -517 base pairs relative to the translational start codon, indicating a multi-TSS promoter complex that facilitates alternative transcript initiation. Canonical CpG islands were absent, consistent with tissue-specific, fine-tuned transcriptional control. TFBS analysis revealed a densely populated, hierarchically organized promoter enriched for pituitary-specific POU1F1 motifs, hormone-responsive ESRRA and RARA elements, signal-dependent STAT5 and AP-1 sites, and developmental transcription factors such as NANOG, HOXD9, and FOXI3. High-affinity TFBS clusters, including cis-regulatory modules of activators and repressors (like PRDM1) suggest combinatorial control and dynamic transcriptional responsiveness. These findings give mechanistic insights into the transcriptional complexity of bovine PRL locus and built an essential resource base on functional genomics studies to enhance efficiency of lactation and endocrine resilience in cattle.

Integrated Analysis of CRY1 Gene Expression and InDel Polymorphism Reveals Associations with Ovarian Morphological Traits in Chinese Holstein Dairy Cattle

Clock genes, such as cryptochrome 1 (CRY1), exhibit rhythmic expression in the reproductive organs. This gene is a key component of the circadian clock and is involved in various physiological processes, including reproduction, suggesting that it may be linked to ovarian activity via neuroendocrine pathways. However, the association between CRY1 variants and ovarian traits in dairy cows is unclear. In this study we used qRT-PCR to assay the mRNA expression of this gene, and found that CRY1 expression was highest in oocytes in several tissues; subsequently, we found that CRY1 expression was highest in the ovary in Chinese Holstein dairy cattle, followed by muscle and spleen tissues (p < 0.01). Next, we identified a six bp insertion/deletion (indel) locus within the CRY1 gene in Chinese Holstein dairy cattle. Only two genotypes were detected: II (n = 854, 83.7%) and ID (n = 166, 16.3%). Association analysis revealed that the identified indel was significantly associated with dominant follicle and corpus albicans diameters (p < 0.05) during metestrus. Specifically, individuals with the ID genotype exhibited smaller dominant follicles and corpus albicans than those with the II genotype. Our preliminary findings suggest that CRY1 is associated with specific ovarian morphological traits and may serve as a basis for further investigation of its potential role in bovine reproductive function.

CLOCK rs1801260 and MTNR1B rs10830963 Polymorphisms Modulate the Association between Cholesterol Levels and Circadian Rhythms in Arctic Residents

Molecular Characterization, Signaling Activity, and Expression Profiles of a Novel Prolactin Splice Variant (PRL-S) in Zhedong White Geese Across Reproductive States

Intense broodiness restricts egg production in Zhedong White Geese, with prolactin (PRL) being a key regulator. This study aimed to elucidate the role of PRL gene alternative splice variants in regulating broodiness in Zhedong White Geese. A total of 20 Zhedong White Geese at 400 days of age were selected and divided into two groups of 10 based on their physiological states: the laying period and the brooding period. Through bioinformatics and molecular biology approaches, PRL-L and PRL-S were identified and characterized. The results showed that PRL-S lacked a signal peptide and the first 57 amino acids at the N-terminus, leading to the disappearance of its first α-helix structure. Functional validation demonstrated that the recombinant PRL-S protein, prepared using a prokaryotic expression system, possessed physiological activity, including receptor binding and the activation of downstream signaling pathways. Furthermore, Real-time PCR and Western blot analyses revealed that the expression of both splice variants in the hypothalamic–pituitary–ovarian axis exhibited significant spatiotemporal specificity and was closely associated with reproductive states. This study revealed the molecular characteristics, in vitro functional activity, and expression patterns of PRL-S, providing new insights into the regulatory mechanisms of PRL.

Association of a Pre-miR-1453 Polymorphism with Growth Traits and Serum Biochemical Parameters in an F2 Chicken Population

Target gene prediction and enrichment analysis indicated that pre-miR-1453 may participate in the regulation of chicken growth and serum biochemical parameters through pathways related to neuron development, cytoskeletal dynamics, and energy metabolism.