Delta-like 1 homolog in Capra hircus: molecular characteristics, expression pattern and phylogeny

Abstract

To research the molecular characteristics, expression pattern and phylogeny of the Delta-like 1 homolog gene (Dlk1) in goats. Dlk1 transcripts were identified in the Jianyang Da'er goats by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Phylogenetic trees were constructed by Bayesian inference and neighbor-joining methods. Quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR), western blotting and in situ hybridization were performed to analyze the expression pattern of Dlk1. Five alternatively transcripts were identified in different tissues and designated as Dlk1-AS1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. Compared with the normal transcript Dlk1-AS1, Dlk1-AS4 and Dlk1-AS5 retained the identical open reading frame (ORF) and encoded proteins with truncated epidermal-growth-factor like repeats of 121 and 83 amino acids, respectively. Using the Bayesian inference method, the consensus phylogenetic tree indicated that caprine Dlk1 had a closer relationship with bovine Dlk1 than with Dlk1 from pigs, humans and mice. qPCR revealed high expression levels of Dlk1 in the kidney (P < 0.01). However, mRNA and protein levels presented an inconsistent correlation, possibly because of post-transcriptional regulation. RNA in situ hybridization indicated that Dlk1 mRNA was localized in the interlobular bile duct and alongside the hepatocyte nuclei, in the epithelial cells of proximal and distal convoluted tubules and in the connective region between the mesothelium and myocardium in the heart. The Dlk1 gene in goats produces alternatively spliced transcripts, with specific expression and cellular localization patterns. These findings would lay the foundation for further study.

Pericardial delta like non‐canonical NOTCH ligand 1 (Dlk1) augments fibrosis in the heart through epithelial to mesenchymal transition

“…The detailed DLK1 expression pattern within the EPDC compartment agrees with previous discrete observations in which Dlk1 mRNA has been noted within the OFT endocardium, the epicardium, the atrial septum and the mesenchymal cushions during early life 17–22 . It also very much supports the notion of DLK1 marking epicardial cells derived from induced pluripotent stem cells 41,42 .…”

“…Thus, we provide strong experimental evidence of scar size measurements after MI in several distinct transgenic Dlk1 mouse strains. Although we cannot exclude any biological reason for these discrepancies, we do however note that our data extend and confirm previous notions [17][18][19][20][21][22] and recent single cell RNA sequencing data, [41][42][43] that Dlk1 is expressed solely in the peri-epicardial compartment, and not in adult cardiac fibroblasts and cardiomyocytes as suggested by Rodriguez et al 44 Despite Dlk1 −/− animals showing an abnormal heart growth and lifetime pattern, our study indicates that the cardiac phenotype of deleting Dlk1 is relatively mild, whereas abnormal high levels of Dlk1 in the heart seems devastating in agreement with human phenotypes. 35,36 Patients with high levels of Dlk1 either in the pericardium or systemically may thus be at high risk for developing comprehensive fibrosis in the heart after MI or following pericardial reactivation due to heart surgery.…”

“…The exact function and underlying mechanism of DLK1 remains unclear, although several interaction partners, including NOTCH1 and DLK11 itself, have been suggested 12–16 . While the function of Dlk1 in skeletal muscle development and regeneration is known, 7 current knowledge about the role of Dlk1 in the heart is very limited, despite its expression in pig, goat and murine hearts 17–22 . Although the expression of Dlk1 correlates to the regulation of NOTCH signalling and congenital cardiac defects, 19,21 the defined function of Dlk1 in the heart remains to be unknown.…”

Metabolic reprogramming-based characterization of circulating tumor cells in prostate cancer

“…The reasons for this phenomenon might be biological and technological. Biologically, the complicated post-transcriptional and translational regulations, such as alternative splicing [ 36 ], non-coding RNAs (miRNA and siRNA) interference [ 37 , 38 ], and translational recoding [ 39 ] could change the protein level of the transcribed mRNA. Technologically, the characteristics of current methods might decrease the accuracy of mRNA or protein quantification.…”

In ovo injection of CHIR-99021 promotes feather follicles development via activating Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway during chick embryonic period

“…The inconsistency might be explained by post-transcriptional regulation. As a result, CHIR-99021 upregulates the processing of related-genes transcription and translation, which leads to rapid translation of mRNA and increasing protein expression ( Hu et al, 2016 ; Münch and Harper, 2016 ; Golan-Lavi et al, 2017 ; Welles et al, 2021 ). The results in the 1,000 ng CHIR-99021 with upregulated CTNNB1 gene and increased β-catenin protein also support this explanation.…”