No abstract

Background The sex chromosomes of birds are designated Z and W. The male is homogamous (ZZ), and the female is heterogamous (ZW). The chicken W chromosome is a degenerate version of the Z chromosome and harbors only 28 protein-coding genes. We studied the expression pattern of the W chromosome gene MIER3 (showing differential expression during gonadogenesis) in chicken embryonic gonads and its potential role in gonadal development. Results The W copy of MIER3 (MIER3-W) showed a gonad-baised expression in chicken embryonic tissues which was different with its Z copy. The conbined expression of MIER3 mRNA and protein were correlated with the gonadal phenotype, being higher in female gonads than in male gonads or female-to-male sex reversed gonads. Chicken MIER3 protein was highly expressed in the nucleus, with relatively lower expression in the cytoplasm. Overexpression of MIER3-W in male gonad cells suggested its effcet on GnRH signaling pathway (potentially through EGR1 and αGSU), cell proliferation and cell apoptosis. However, at the in vivo level, MIER3 overexpression did not change the sex phenotype of chicken embryos. Conclusions MIER3 expression was associated with the gonadal phenotype. It affected multiple signaling pathways and inhibited cell apoptosis. MIER3 may promote female gonadal development by regulating EGR1 and αGSU genes; however, it does not determine the sex differentiation of gonads. These findings enrich our knowledge of chicken W chromosome genes and support a more systematic and in-depth understanding of sex determination and gonadal development in chickens.

The national spirit, as the full expression of a nation's inner mentality, is an important guarantee for achieving national rejuvenation. Therefore, the promotion of national spirit is a necessary path for the new era. Historically speaking, the national spirit in modern times has gone through stages of initial construction, formation and then development. In terms of values, the promotion of national spirit is of great significance in promoting the development of the Chinese nation, maintaining the unity of all ethnic groups and preserving national independence. In terms of the practical path, the promotion of the national spirit requires not only a clear definition of the connotation and carrier of the national spirit, but also the mobilisation of the youth and the widening of the communication channels of the new media to achieve it.

Goose fatty liver is a specific type of nonalcoholic fatty liver that is protected from harmful effects associated with severe steatosis. Our previous findings suggest that suppression of the complement C5 may be relevant, but the mechanism is unclear. Therefore, in this study, we first verified the expression pattern of complement genes (including C5) during goose fatty liver formation and then determined the liver fat content and fatty acid composition by high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), followed by selecting the differential metabolites to treat HepG2, goose and mouse primary hepatocytes, aiming to explore the mechanism of C5 and inflammation suppression in goose fatty liver. The data confirmed the suppression of complement genes (including C5) in goose fatty livers. Moreover, fat content was significantly higher in fatty liver versus normal ones, with oleic acid and palmitic acid dominantly accounting for the difference. In line with this, high concentration of palmitate led to down regulation of C5 expression in goose primary hepatocytes whereas upregulation in mouse primary hepatocytes and HepG2 cells. In conclusion, regulation on C5 expression by fatty liver related factors including high level of palmitic acid may contribute to the protection of goose liver from severe hepatic steatosis.

The sex chromosomes of birds are designated Z and W. The male is homogamous (ZZ), and the female is heterogamous (ZW). The chicken W chromosome is a degenerate version of the Z chromosome and harbors only 28 protein-coding genes. We studied the expression pattern of the W chromosome gene MIER3 (showing differential expression during gonadogenesis) in chicken embryonic gonads and its potential role in gonadal development. The W copy of MIER3 (MIER3–W) shows a gonad-biased expression in chicken embryonic tissues which was different from its Z copy. The overall expression of MIER3–W and MIER3–Z mRNA and protein is correlated with the gonadal phenotype being higher in female gonads than in male gonads or female-to-male sex-reversed gonads. Chicken MIER3 protein is highly expressed in the nucleus, with relatively lower expression in the cytoplasm. Overexpression of MIER3–W in male gonad cells suggested its effect on the GnRH signaling pathway, cell proliferation, and cell apoptosis. MIER3 expression is associated with the gonadal phenotype. MIER3 may promote female gonadal development by regulating EGR1 and αGSU genes. These findings enrich our knowledge of chicken W chromosome genes and support a more systematic and in-depth understanding of gonadal development in chickens.