Expression analysis of global gene response to chronic heat exposure in broiler chickens (Gallus gallus) reveals new reactive genes

Abstract

The process of heat regulation is complex and the exact molecular mechanism is not fully understood. To investigate the global gene response to chronic heat exposure, a breast muscle cDNA library and a liver tissue cDNA library from Silkie fowl were constructed and analyzed in bioinformatics. A total of 8,935 nonredundant EST were identified from and used for gene expression analysis. Microarray assay revealed that in breast muscle of broiler chickens (Gallus gallus), 110 genes changed expression levels after 3 wk of cycling heat stress. Ubiquitin B (UBB); ubiquitin C (UBC); tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 3-interacting Jun amino-terminal kinase activating modulator (TRAF3IP3); eukaryotic translation initiation factor 3, subunit 6 (EIF3S6); poly(A) binding protein, cytoplasmic 1 (PABPC1); and F-box only protein 11 (FBXO11) were the only genes that have been reported to be involved in heat regulation; the majority of the other genes were shown to be related for the first time. The finding of new heat-reactive genes [mitogen-activated protein kinase activating protein PM20/PM21; suppressors of cytokine signaling (SOCS) box-containing protein 2 (ASB2); ubiquitin-specific proteinase 45 (USP45); and TRK-fused gene (TFG)] suggests that the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways as well as the ubiquitin-proteasome pathways and the nuclear factor κB pathways play important roles in heat regulation. This study provides new information on the regulation of heat stress, though the mechanism is far from being understood. Further in-depth research on the newly discovered heat-reactive genes is required to fully understand their molecular functions in thermoregulation.

Scientific report updating the EFSA opinions on the welfare of broilers and broiler breeders

“…Heat stress in broilers impairs performance, induces intestinal injury and decreases macrophage activity, thereby reducing immune responsiveness (Quinteiro-Filho et al, 2010). Li et al (2011) showed that heat stress in broilers results in changes in gene expression. They found that 110 genes changed in gene expression after three weeks of heat stress, revealing genetic pathways involved in heat tolerance.…”

Effects of high ambient temperature on plasma metabolomic profiles in chicks

“…Transcriptomic studies have previously been conducted in the liver (Li et al 2011), breast muscle (Li et al 2011), testis and hypothalamus (Sun et al 2015). technologies have been employed to obtain a comprehensive understanding of the changes in heat-exposed chickens.…”

“…technologies have been employed to obtain a comprehensive understanding of the changes in heat-exposed chickens. Transcriptomic studies have previously been conducted in the liver (Li et al 2011), breast muscle (Li et al 2011), testis and hypothalamus (Sun et al 2015). Proteomic studies have been previously conducted in the breast and thigh muscles (Napper et al 2015), testis (Wang et al 2014), and gut microbiota .…”

Acute phase protein mRNA expressions and enhancement of antioxidant defense system in Black-meated Silkie Fowls supplemented with clove (Eugenia caryophyllus) extracts under the influence of chronic heat stress

“…Similarly, Fulop [24] indicated that during the acute phase response, increase synthesis of APPs in the liver is measured by an increased transcription of APPs mRNA and elevation of their serum concentrations. In a recent study by Li et al [25] using a breast muscle and a liver tissue cDNA library from Silkie fowl by measuring the global gene response to chronic heat stress, found a new heat-reactive genes such as mitogen-activated protein kinase that play a significant role in heat regulation.…”