Publications in the Year: 2022

Book

Hua G, Abdel-Shafy H, Deng T, Zhou Y, Low WY.  2022.  Buffalo Genetics and Genomics.

Journal Article

Abdel-Shafy H, Deng T, Zhou Y, Low WY, Hua G.  2022.  Editorial: Buffalo Genetics and Genomics. Frontiers in Genetics. 12:820627. AbstractWebsite

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Ma X-ya, Duan A-qin, Lu X-rong, Liang S-sha, Sun P-hao, Sohel MMH, Abdel-Shafy H, Amin A, Liang A-xin, Deng T-xian.  2022.  Novel Insight into the Potential Role of Acylglycerophosphate Acyltransferases Family Members on Triacylglycerols Synthesis in Buffalo. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 23 AbstractWebsite

Acylglycerophosphate acyltransferases (AGPATs) are the rate-limiting enzymes for the de novo pathway of triacylglycerols (TAG) synthesis. Although AGPATs have been extensively explored by evolution, expression and functional studies, little is known on functional characterization of how many members of the AGPAT family are involved in TAG synthesis and their impact on the cell proliferation and apoptosis. Here, 13 AGPAT genes in buffalo were identified, of which 12 AGPAT gene pairs were orthologous between buffalo and cattle. Comparative transcriptomic analysis and real-time quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) further showed that both AGPAT1 and AGPAT6 were highly expressed in milk samples of buffalo and cattle during lactation. Knockdown of AGPAT1 or AGPAT6 significantly decreased the TAG content of buffalo mammary epithelial cells (BuMECs) and bovine mammary epithelial cells (BoMECs) by regulating lipogenic gene expression (p < 0.05). Knockdown of AGPAT1 or AGPAT6 inhibited proliferation and apoptosis of BuMECs through the expression of marker genes associated with the proliferation and apoptosis (p < 0.05). Our data confirmed that both AGPAT1 and AGPAT6 could regulate TAG synthesis and growth of mammary epithelial cells in buffalo. These findings will have important implications for understanding the role of the AGPAT gene in buffalo milk performance.
Lin Y, Sun H, Shaukat A, Deng T, Abdel-Shafy H, Che Z, Zhou Y, Hu C, Li H, Wu Q et al..  2022.  Novel Insight Into the Role of ACSL1 Gene in Milk Production Traits in Buffalo. 13 AbstractWebsite

Understanding the genetic mechanisms underlying milk production traits contribute to improving the production potential of dairy animals. Long-chain acyl-CoA synthetase 1 (ACSL1) plays a key role in fatty acid metabolism and was highly expressed in the lactating mammary gland epithelial cells (MGECs). The objectives of the present study were to detect the polymorphisms within ACSL1 in Mediterranean buffalo, the genetic effects of these mutations on milk production traits, and understand the gene regulatory effects on MGECs. A total of twelve SNPs were identified by sequencing, including nine SNPs in the intronic region and three in the exonic region. Association analysis showed that nine SNPs were associated with one or more traits. Two haplotype blocks were identified, and among these haplotypes, the individuals carrying the H2H2 haplotype in block 1 and H5H1 in block 2 were superior to those of other haplotypes in milk production traits. Immunohistological staining of ACSL1 in buffalo mammary gland tissue indicated its expression and localization in MGECs. Knockdown of ACSL1 inhibited cell growth, diminished MGEC lipid synthesis and triglyceride secretion, and downregulated CCND1, PPARγ, and FABP3 expression. The overexpression of ACSL1 promoted cell growth, enhanced the triglyceride secretion, and upregulated CCND1, PPARγ, SREBP1, and FABP3. ACSL1 was also involved in milk protein regulation as indicated by the decreased or increased β-casein concentration and CSN3 expression in the knockdown or overexpression group, respectively. In summary, our present study depicted that ACSL1 mutations were associated with buffalo milk production performance. This may be related to its positive regulation roles on MGEC growth, milk fat, and milk protein synthesis. The current study showed the potential of the ACSL1 gene as a candidate for milk production traits and provides a new understanding of the physiological mechanisms underlying milk production regulation.
Almarzook S, Abdel-Shafy H, Said Ahmed A, Reissmann M, Brockmann G.  2022.  Genetic diversity of Arabian horses using microsatellite markers. Egyptian Journal of Animal Production. 59(1):19-27. AbstractWebsite

The horse strains designation system was shaped in the 7th century in the Arabian Peninsula and spread to the neighboring oriental empires and it is still used. The aim of the present study was to investigate genetic diversity among three Arabian horse strains using twelve equine microsatellite markers. The study included 84 Arabian horses comprising Arabian horses from the major Syrian strains Hamdani, Kahlawi and Saglawi. The studied horses represented five geographical regions in Syria. To determine genetic population structure within and between the three strains, we applied different methods. The selected panel of microsatellite markers confirmed a general genetic feature of the three main strains of Syrian Arabian horses suggesting low level of population differentiation. To ascertain the results, it will be necessary to collate our findings with the historical pedigrees. Furthermore, we need a genome-wide investigation of microsatellites or an analysis of strain/breed specific SNPs across the Syrian Arabian horse populations for better insight into the genetic diversity.