Tissues Of Pigeon Research Articles

Changes in energetic metabolism and lysosomal destruction in the skeletal muscle and cardiac tissues of pigeons (Columba livia f. urbana) from urban areas of the northern Pomeranian region (Poland)

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the biochemical responses of the skeletal muscle and cardiac tissues of the urban pigeon as a bioindicator organism tested in diverse environments (Szpęgawa as a rural environment and Słupsk as an urban environment, Pomeranian Voivodeship, northern Poland), resulting in changes in the level of lipid peroxidation at the initial and final stages of this process and the activities of Krebs cycle enzymes (succinate dehydrogenase, pyruvate dehydrogenase, isocitrate dehydrogenase, and alfa-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase). Szpęgawa village was chosen due to the intensive use of the European motorway A1 with significant traffic and pollution levels. The concentration of Pb was higher in the soil and feathers of pigeons nesting in the polluted areas (Szpęgawa). Our studies have shown that the presence of lead in soil and feathers of the pigeons resulted in the activation of lipid peroxidation, destabilization and increased activity of lysosomal membranes, and activation of mitochondrial enzymes of the Krebs cycle with energy deficiency (reduction of ATP levels) in cardiac and skeletal muscle tissues simultaneously.

Molecular cloning, characterisation, and expression patterns of pigeon CCAAT/enhancer binding protein-α and -β genes

ABSTRACT 1. CCAAT/enhancer binding proteins (C/EBPs), as a family of transcription factors, consists of six functionally and structurally related proteins which share a conserved basic leucine zipper (bZIP) DNA-binding domain. The aim of this study was to clone the full-length coding sequences (CDS) of C/EBP-α and -β genes, and determine the abundance of these two genes in various tissues of white king pigeon (C. livia). 2. The complete cDNA sequences of C/EBP-α and -β genes were cloned from pigeons by using PCR combined with rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE). The sequences were bioinformatically analysed, and the tissue distribution determined by quantitative real-time RT-PCR (qRT-PCR). 3. The results showed that the full-length cDNA sequences of pigeon C/EBP-α and -β genes were 2,807bp and 1,778bp, respectively. The open reading frames of C/EBP-α (978 bp) and -β (987bp) encoded 325 amino acids and 328 amino acids, respectively. The pigeon C/EBP-α and C/EBP-β proteins were predicted to have a conserved basic leucine zipper (bZIP) domain, which is a common structure feature of the C/EBP family. Multiple sequence alignments indicated that pigeon C/EBP-α and -β shared more than 90% amino-acid identity with their corresponding homologues in other avian species. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that these two proteins were highly conserved across different species and evolutionary processes. QRT-PCR results indicated that the pigeon C/EBP-α and -β mRNA transcripts were expressed in all investigated organs. The mRNA expression levels of pigeon C/EBP-α in descending order, were in spleen, heart, liver, lung, kidney and muscle. The pigeon C/EBP-β gene had the most abundant expression in lung, followed by the kidney, with minimal expression detected in muscle. 4. This study investigated the full-length cDNA sequences, genetic characteristics and tissue distribution of pigeon C/EBP-α and -β genes and found that they may have functions in various tissues of pigeon. This provides a foundation for further study for regulatory mechanisms of these two genes in birds.

Placental telomere length decline with gestational age differs by sex and TERT, DNMT1, and DNMT3A DNA methylation

Despite increasing evidences pointing to residues of avermectin (AVM) pose toxic effects on non-target organisms in environment, but the data in pigeon is insufficient. The alteration of global DNA methylation and response of heat shock proteins (Hsps) are important for assessing the AVM toxicity in cardiac tissues of pigeon (Columba livia). To investigate the effects of AVM exposure in cardiac tissues of pigeon, we detected the expression levels of DNA methyltransferases (Dnmts), methylated DNA-binding domain protein 2 (MBD2), and Hsp 60, 70 and 90. Pigeons were exposed to feed containing AVM (0, 20, 40 and 60 mg/kg diet) for 30, 60, 90 days respectively, and cardiac tissues were collected and analyzed. We found the transcriptional levels of Dnmt1, Dnmt3a and Dnmt3b mRNA were down-regulated, but the transcriptional levels of MBD2 mRNA were up-regulated by AVM exposure in cardiac tissues of pigeon. Necrocytosis, hemorrhage, infiltration of inflammatory cells and abundant vacuoles appeared in cardiac tissues after AVM exposure. Accompanying this phenotype, the mRNA transcriptional and/or protein levels of Hsp30, Hsp60, Hsp70 and Hsp90 increased. In conclusion, these results underscored AVM exposure caused DNA methylation machinery malfunctions, and induced over-expression of Hsps to improve the protective function against cardiac injury.

Avermectin induced global DNA hypomethylation and over-expression of heat shock proteins in cardiac tissues of pigeon

Despite increasing evidences pointing to residues of avermectin (AVM) pose toxic effects on non-target organisms in environment, but the data in pigeon is insufficient. The alteration of global DNA methylation and response of heat shock proteins (Hsps) are important for assessing the AVM toxicity in cardiac tissues of pigeon (Columba livia). To investigate the effects of AVM exposure in cardiac tissues of pigeon, we detected the expression levels of DNA methyltransferases (Dnmts), methylated DNA-binding domain protein 2 (MBD2), and Hsp 60, 70 and 90. Pigeons were exposed to feed containing AVM (0, 20, 40 and 60mg/kg diet) for 30, 60, 90days respectively, and cardiac tissues were collected and analyzed. We found the transcriptional levels of Dnmt1, Dnmt3a and Dnmt3b mRNA were down-regulated, but the transcriptional levels of MBD2 mRNA were up-regulated by AVM exposure in cardiac tissues of pigeon. Necrocytosis, hemorrhage, infiltration of inflammatory cells and abundant vacuoles appeared in cardiac tissues after AVM exposure. Accompanying this phenotype, the mRNA transcriptional and/or protein levels of Hsp30, Hsp60, Hsp70 and Hsp90 increased. In conclusion, these results underscored AVM exposure caused DNA methylation machinery malfunctions, and induced over-expression of Hsps to improve the protective function against cardiac injury.

Effects of avermectin on heat shock proteins expression and histopathology in spleen tissues of pigeon

Avermectin (AVM) is the active component of some insecticidal and nematicidal product used in agriculture and veterinary medicine for the prevention of parasitic diseases. Residues of AVM in environment have toxic effects on non-target aquatic and terrestrial organisms. Heat shock proteins (Hsps) are commonly used by environmental toxicologists as biochemical markers of exposure to various chemical and other stressors. The objective of this study was to investigate whether sub-chronic AVM exposure would alter the levels of stress proteins, Hsps in the pigeon spleen after 30, 60 and 90days. Our results showed that Hsp60, Hsp70 and Hsp90, and their corresponding messenger RNA (mRNA) transcriptions (as well as Hsp30) significantly elevated, meanwhile, obviously histopathological changes were not observed in pigeons spleens after early AVM exposure. Then the expression of Hsps relatively decreased and obvious histopathological damages occurred in the spleen tissues with continued AVM exposure. So we suggest that the elevations of Hsps can be as a part of protective mechanism to reduce cellular damage, and important markers to help assess the toxicity induced by AVM. The reduction of Hsps in spleen implies that the tissues are damaged by long-term and excessive AVM exposure. Thus, the information presented in this study is believed to be helpful in supplementing data for further AVM toxicity study.

Levels of Heavy Metals in Different Tissues of Pigeon (Columba livia) of Bangladesh for Safety Assessment for Human Consumption

Heavy metal pollution was reported in commercially valuable and edible pigeon (Columba livia, Gmelin 1789) of Bangladesh. The concentrations of As, Pb, Cd, Cr, Zn, and Cu were investigated in the muscle, intestine, kidney, gizzard and liver. For this 60 C. livia were selected from five locations to assess the degree of pollution by heavy metals in pigeon. Significant differences in heavy metal concentrations were observed among different tissues, but not among the locations. The ranges of the measured concentrations (?g/g dry weight) in the tissues of C. livia were as follows: arsenic: (0.01–0.04), (0.02–0.04), (0.02–0.08), (0.02–0.04) and (0.03–0.07); lead: (0.21–0.56), (0.07–1.64), (0.62–1.97), (0.41–0.79) and (1.47–5.75); cadmium: (0.01–-0.05), (0.13–0.97), (0.53–1.85), (0.32– 0.78) and (0.22–2.41); chromium: (0.25–1.93), (1.18–5.90), (1.59–4.40), (1.15–1.65) and (1.38–8.36); zinc: (73.22–256.56), (95.62–130.75), (19.87–67.18), (108.99–124.77) and (159.80–280.76); copper: (3.44–7.64), (5.30–17.50), (8.72–16.55), (1.19–34.42) and (26.09–43.60) in the muscle, intestine, kidney, gizzard, and liver, respectively. This research showed that the liver appeared to be the main storage site of heavy metals, while the muscle had the lowest levels of the analyzed metals. The concentrations of metal in the muscles were not found to exceed the acceptable level for human consumption. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bpj.v16i1.14499 Bangladesh Pharmaceutical Journal 16(1): 81-87, 2013

Adenine and guanine nucleotide-specific succinyl-CoA synthetases in the clonal beta-cell mitochondria: implications in the beta-cell high-energy phosphate metabolism in relation to physiological insulin secretion.

Succinyl-CoA synthetase catalyses the substrate level phosphorylation of ADP or GDP. It also supplies succinyl-CoA for heme synthesis. Recently, two distinct mitochondrial succinyl-CoA synthetase activities, one specific for ATP and the other for GTP, have been characterized in various tissues of pigeon. Because of the relative importance of mitochondrial high-energy phosphate metabolism in physiological insulin secretion and the few data available on mitochondrial succinyl-CoA synthetase in the beta cell, this study examined whether ATP-specific and GTP-specific succinyl-CoA synthetase activities are localized in the clonal beta-cell mitochondria. Using the mitochondrial extracts from clonal beta [INS-1 and HIT-T15] cells, we measured the formation of succinyl-CoA from succinate, CoA and ATP or GTP. To confirm the identity of these two enzymes, individual subunits of ATP-specific and GTP-specific to succinyl-CoA synthetase were identified by Western blot analysis. Both ATP-and GTP activities of succinylCoA synthetase were observed in the mitochondrial fractions from these cells. The ratios of GTP to ATP activities of succinyl-CoA synthetase were near unity in both of the cell types studied. Using affinity-purified antisera directed specifically against individual (alpha and beta) subunits of succinyl-CoA synthetase, we also identified both ATP-specific and GTP-specific forms of succinyl-CoA synthetase in HIT and INS cell mitochondria. Furthermore, using [gamma-32P]ATP as a phosphoryl donor, we observed that the alpha subunit of succinyl-CoA synthetase undergoes autophosphorylation at a histidine residue; co-provision of exogenous succinate and CoA resulted in pronounced dephosphorylation of the phosphorylated alpha subunit of succinyl-CoA synthetase. We provide evidence for the localization of two distinct activities of succinyl-CoA synthetase in the beta cell mitochondria. Whereas it is well established that ATP is critical for the beta cell mitochondrial metabolism, we propose that GTP generated by the activation of succinylCoA synthetase could promote key functional roles in the mitochondrial metabolism leading to insulin secretion.

FATTY ACID COMPOSITION OF PLAQUE AND TISSUE LIPIDS FROM PIGEONS WITH SPONTANEOUS ATHEROSCLEROSIS.

SummaryAtherosclerotic plaque, non-diseased aorta, liver and serum were collected from 5-8 year old White Carneau pigeons fed a grain diet. Lipids extracted from these tissues were fractionated into sterol esters, glyc-erides and phospholipids. Methyl esters of the component fatty acids of these fractions were prepared and quantified by gas-liquid chromatography. Unique fatty acid patterns of sterol esters were found in each of the various tissues. There is no difference in the fatty acid compositions of glycerides from the tissues studied. Phospholipids of plaques and non-diseased aorta exhibit similar fatty acid patterns as do those of liver and serum. However, the fatty acid compositions of phospholipids of plaque and non-diseased aorta are distinctly different from those of liver and serum. There is a remarkable resemblance between the fatty acid compositions of sterol esters and phospholipids of various tissues of pigeon and man.The authors gratefully acknowledged the technical assistance of Mary Fra...