Tyrosinase is encoded by the Tyr (c or albino) locus and is the key enzyme in pigment biosynthesis. Loss of function of this enzyme caused by gene mutation results in albinism. Most cases of albinism are caused by mis...Tyrosinase is encoded by the Tyr (c or albino) locus and is the key enzyme in pigment biosynthesis. Loss of function of this enzyme caused by gene mutation results in albinism. Most cases of albinism are caused by missense mutations of tyrosinase. Albino mutations in Tyr have been identified in various animals, including human, mouse, rat, rabbit, cattle, cat, and ferret, but not in gerbil. We created two new gerbil strains: MON/Num/a (inbred agouti phenotype) and MON/Num/c (albino phenotype). Here, we report that four nucleotide substitutions in the Tyr gene caused two missense mutations in amino acids in the albino gerbil: a G-to-A mutation at position 204 in exon 1 caused R77H, and A-to-G at position 1392 and G-to-T at position 1393 in exon 5 caused Q473R. The substitution at position 1408 in exon 5 was silent. These missense mutations are conserved in all albino phenotypes we tested. Therefore, we suggest that these mutations are responsible for albinism in gerbil.展开更多
Mongolian gerbils had high ability to endure both high and cold temperatures.To study the mechanism of high ability for thermal adaptation,gerbils were acclimated to high temperature(30°C)for 8 weeks,and were mea...Mongolian gerbils had high ability to endure both high and cold temperatures.To study the mechanism of high ability for thermal adaptation,gerbils were acclimated to high temperature(30°C)for 8 weeks,and were measured for metabolic fea-tures,body composition as well as mitochondrial content and activities.Lipidomic techniques were used to measure changes in mitochondrial membrane,including potential mitochondrial membrane remodeling during acute thermoregulation in gerbils.Heat acclimated gerbils showed lower basal metabolic rates but no changes in adaptive non-shivering thermogenesis were detected.A significant mitochondrial membrane remodeling with increases in monounsaturated/polyunsaturated free fatty acids ratios was associated with the decrease in metabolic rate.During heat acclimation,mitochondrial cytochrome C oxidase activity was elevated in brown adipose tissue,presumably caused by the increase in membrane unsaturation.Our results indicated that mitochondrial membrane remodeling is an important mechanism during heat acclimation in Mongo-lian gerbils,to reduce the metabolic rate in general while preserving sufficient capability to respond to acute cold.Such a mechanism may allow gerbils to cooperate with wide range of daily and seasonal temperature fluctuations.展开更多
Animal immunity is usually impaired in obesity.We know little about the effect of being overweight or obese on the immune function of wild rodents.The present study is aimed to test the hypothesis that immunity is sup...Animal immunity is usually impaired in obesity.We know little about the effect of being overweight or obese on the immune function of wild rodents.The present study is aimed to test the hypothesis that immunity is suppressed in overweight Mongolian gerbils(Meriones unguiculatus).In the study,16 overweight(body mass:90.8-127.6 g)and 16 lean gerbils(body mass:60.5-77.7 g)were randomly selected from a total of 174 male gerbils(body mass range:55.8-144.7 g).Half of the overweight and lean males were injected with sterile saline;the others were immunochallenged(IC)with phytohaemagglutinin and keyhole limpet hemocyanin to assess cellular and humoral immunity,respectively.Body fat mass,wet and dry spleen mass,leukocyte counts,blood glucose levels and serum leptin levels were significantly higher in the overweight gerbils than in the lean gerbils.However,phytohemagglutinin response indicative of cellular immunity and immunoglobulin G concentrations was significantly lower in the IC overweight gerbils than in the IC lean gerbils.These results indicate that cellular and humoral immunity are impaired in the overweight gerbils.Excessive body fat mass,higher leukocyte counts and serum leptin levels imply that overweight gerbils are in a low grade inflammatory state.展开更多
Rodent pest population outbreaks occur frequently in grassland ecosystems in northern China.The Mongolian gerbil(Meriones unguiculatus)is a dominant pest rodent which is distributed across the semi-desert grasslands o...Rodent pest population outbreaks occur frequently in grassland ecosystems in northern China.The Mongolian gerbil(Meriones unguiculatus)is a dominant pest rodent which is distributed across the semi-desert grasslands of Inner Mongolia,China.In 2009,we studied the contraceptive effect of levonorgestrel-quinestrol(EP-1),concentration 50 ppm,on a wild Mongolian gerbil population.The one-off contraceptive treatment was compared with a control group using a semi-monthly live trapping method in the Ordos Semi-desert Grassland Region of Inner Mongolia.The results show that juveniles were not recruited in spring in the treatment group.Ratios of juveniles in the control and treatment groups showed significant semi-monthly differences from spring to summer(one-way ANOVA,F_(2,14)=7.53,P<0.05).Between both groups,annual fluctuations of juvenile and total population densities were significantly different respectively(F_(2,14)=4.64,P<0.05;F_(2,18)=7.72,P<0.05).The contraceptive EP-1 delayed the normal reproductive pattern of Mongolian gerbil populations.This suppressed birth rates of gerbil populations,reduced their densities,and changed their age structures.The period of EP-1 baiting should be extended but it could be an ideal method for controlling Mongolian gerbil populations during each breeding season.展开更多
文摘Tyrosinase is encoded by the Tyr (c or albino) locus and is the key enzyme in pigment biosynthesis. Loss of function of this enzyme caused by gene mutation results in albinism. Most cases of albinism are caused by missense mutations of tyrosinase. Albino mutations in Tyr have been identified in various animals, including human, mouse, rat, rabbit, cattle, cat, and ferret, but not in gerbil. We created two new gerbil strains: MON/Num/a (inbred agouti phenotype) and MON/Num/c (albino phenotype). Here, we report that four nucleotide substitutions in the Tyr gene caused two missense mutations in amino acids in the albino gerbil: a G-to-A mutation at position 204 in exon 1 caused R77H, and A-to-G at position 1392 and G-to-T at position 1393 in exon 5 caused Q473R. The substitution at position 1408 in exon 5 was silent. These missense mutations are conserved in all albino phenotypes we tested. Therefore, we suggest that these mutations are responsible for albinism in gerbil.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.32330012 and 32270508)to DHW.
文摘Mongolian gerbils had high ability to endure both high and cold temperatures.To study the mechanism of high ability for thermal adaptation,gerbils were acclimated to high temperature(30°C)for 8 weeks,and were measured for metabolic fea-tures,body composition as well as mitochondrial content and activities.Lipidomic techniques were used to measure changes in mitochondrial membrane,including potential mitochondrial membrane remodeling during acute thermoregulation in gerbils.Heat acclimated gerbils showed lower basal metabolic rates but no changes in adaptive non-shivering thermogenesis were detected.A significant mitochondrial membrane remodeling with increases in monounsaturated/polyunsaturated free fatty acids ratios was associated with the decrease in metabolic rate.During heat acclimation,mitochondrial cytochrome C oxidase activity was elevated in brown adipose tissue,presumably caused by the increase in membrane unsaturation.Our results indicated that mitochondrial membrane remodeling is an important mechanism during heat acclimation in Mongo-lian gerbils,to reduce the metabolic rate in general while preserving sufficient capability to respond to acute cold.Such a mechanism may allow gerbils to cooperate with wide range of daily and seasonal temperature fluctuations.
基金This study was supported by grants to DHW from the National Science and Technology Ministry Project(No.2007BC109103)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(30625009).
文摘Animal immunity is usually impaired in obesity.We know little about the effect of being overweight or obese on the immune function of wild rodents.The present study is aimed to test the hypothesis that immunity is suppressed in overweight Mongolian gerbils(Meriones unguiculatus).In the study,16 overweight(body mass:90.8-127.6 g)and 16 lean gerbils(body mass:60.5-77.7 g)were randomly selected from a total of 174 male gerbils(body mass range:55.8-144.7 g).Half of the overweight and lean males were injected with sterile saline;the others were immunochallenged(IC)with phytohaemagglutinin and keyhole limpet hemocyanin to assess cellular and humoral immunity,respectively.Body fat mass,wet and dry spleen mass,leukocyte counts,blood glucose levels and serum leptin levels were significantly higher in the overweight gerbils than in the lean gerbils.However,phytohemagglutinin response indicative of cellular immunity and immunoglobulin G concentrations was significantly lower in the IC overweight gerbils than in the IC lean gerbils.These results indicate that cellular and humoral immunity are impaired in the overweight gerbils.Excessive body fat mass,higher leukocyte counts and serum leptin levels imply that overweight gerbils are in a low grade inflammatory state.
基金supported by National Key Basic Research and Development Program of China(No.2007CB109105).
文摘Rodent pest population outbreaks occur frequently in grassland ecosystems in northern China.The Mongolian gerbil(Meriones unguiculatus)is a dominant pest rodent which is distributed across the semi-desert grasslands of Inner Mongolia,China.In 2009,we studied the contraceptive effect of levonorgestrel-quinestrol(EP-1),concentration 50 ppm,on a wild Mongolian gerbil population.The one-off contraceptive treatment was compared with a control group using a semi-monthly live trapping method in the Ordos Semi-desert Grassland Region of Inner Mongolia.The results show that juveniles were not recruited in spring in the treatment group.Ratios of juveniles in the control and treatment groups showed significant semi-monthly differences from spring to summer(one-way ANOVA,F_(2,14)=7.53,P<0.05).Between both groups,annual fluctuations of juvenile and total population densities were significantly different respectively(F_(2,14)=4.64,P<0.05;F_(2,18)=7.72,P<0.05).The contraceptive EP-1 delayed the normal reproductive pattern of Mongolian gerbil populations.This suppressed birth rates of gerbil populations,reduced their densities,and changed their age structures.The period of EP-1 baiting should be extended but it could be an ideal method for controlling Mongolian gerbil populations during each breeding season.
