From Desert to Medicine: A Review of Camel Genomics and Therapeutic Products

Ali, Amanat; Baby, Bincy; Vijayan, Ranjit

doi:10.3389/fgene.2019.00017

Cited by 67 publications

(57 citation statements)

References 213 publications

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“…Knowledge about the genetic characteristic and diversity of camels is improving (463)(464)(465). The size of camel genome is roughly 2 to 2.4 GB, encoding for more than 20,000 genes (452,466). Growing interest in racing camels has led to set up research centers (e.g., Camel Research Center at King Faisal University in Hofuf, Saudi Arabia, and Camel reproductive center in Dubai) aimed at improving breeding stock.…”

Section: Besides Red Meat and Milk Dromedary Camels Are A Source Of mentioning

confidence: 99%

Coxiella burnetii in Dromedary Camels (Camelus dromedarius): A Possible Threat for Humans and Livestock in North Africa and the Near and Middle East?

et al. 2020

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The "One Health" concept recognizes that human health is connected to animal health and to the ecosystems. Coxiella burnetii-induced human Q fever is one of the most widespread neglected zoonosis. The main animal reservoirs responsible for C. burnetii transmission to humans are domesticated ruminants, primarily goats, sheep, and cattle. Although studies are still too sparse to draw definitive conclusions, the most recent C. burnetii serosurvey studies conducted in herds and farms in Africa, North Africa, Arabian Peninsula, and Asia highlighted that seroprevalence was strikingly higher in dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius) than in other ruminants. The C. burnetii seroprevalence in camel herds can reach more than 60% in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Sudan, and 70 to 80% in Algeria and Chad, respectively. The highest seroprevalence was in female camels with a previous history of abortion. Moreover, C. burnetii infection was reported in ticks of the Hyalomma dromedarii and Hyalomma impeltatum species collected on camels. Even if dromedary camels represent <3% of the domesticated ruminants in the countries of the Mediterranean basin Southern coast, these animals play a major socioeconomic role for millions of people who live in the arid zones of Africa, Middle East, and Asia. In Chad and Somalia, camels account for about 7 and 21% of domesticated ruminants, respectively. To meet the growing consumers demand of camel meat and milk (>5 million tons/year of both raw and pasteurized milk according to the Food and Agriculture Organization) sustained by a rapid increase of population (growth rate: 2.26-3.76 per year in North Africa), dromedary camel breeding tends to increase from the Maghreb to the Arabic countries. Because of possible long-term persistence of C. burnetii in camel hump adipocytes, this pathogen could represent a threat for herds and breeding farms and ultimately for public health. Because this review highlights a hyperendemia of C. burnetii in dromedary camels, a proper screening of herds and breeding farms for C. burnetii is urgently needed in countries where camel breeding is on the rise. Moreover, the risk of C. burnetii transmission from camel to human should be further evaluated.

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Section: Besides Red Meat and Milk Dromedary Camels Are A Source Of mentioning

confidence: 99%

Coxiella burnetii in Dromedary Camels (Camelus dromedarius): A Possible Threat for Humans and Livestock in North Africa and the Near and Middle East?

et al. 2020

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“…Nanobodies have successfully been applied in research, e.g. for cancer therapy, as they revealed beneficial biophysical and pharmacological properties for in vivo applications (Muyldermans et al 2009; for a detailed review see Ali et al 2019). Somatic hypermutations in T-cell receptor d and c genes increase the diversity repertoire of T-cells in dromedaries.…”

Section: Immune Genesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Old World camels in a modern world – a balancing act between conservation and genetic improvement

Burger¹,

Ciani

Faye

2019

Animal Genetics

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Old World camels have served humans in cross-continental caravans, transporting people and goods, connecting different cultures and providing milk, meat, wool and draught since their domestication around 3000-6000 years ago. In a world of modern transport and fast connectivity, these beasts of burden seem to be out-dated. However, a growing demand for sustainable milk and meat production, especially in countries affected by climate change and increasing desertification, brings dromedaries (Camelus dromedarius) and Bactrian camels (Camelus bactrianus) back onstage and into the focus of animal breeders and scientists. In this review on the molecular genetics of these economically important species we give an overview about the evolutionary history, domestication and dispersal of Old World camels, whereas highlighting the need for conservation of wild two-humped camels (Camelus ferus) as an evolutionarily unique and highly endangered species. We provide cutting-edge information on the current molecular resources and on-going sequencing projects. We cannot emphasise enough the importance of balancing the need for improving camel production traits with maintaining the genetic diversity in two domestic species with specific physiological adaptation to a desert environment.

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“…However, the camel hemorphin (LVVYPWTRRF) harbors a Q>R variation [25]. Camels have unique genetic adaptations that permit it to survive severe dehydration and very harsh environmental conditions [26,27]. Importantly, camel products, including its bioactive peptides, have already been reported in the treatment of various diseases [28][29][30].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Camel Hemorphins Exhibit a More Potent Angiotensin-I Converting Enzyme Inhibitory Activity than Other Mammalian Hemorphins: An In Silico and In Vitro Study

et al. 2020

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Angiotensin-I converting enzyme (ACE) is a zinc metallopeptidase that has an important role in regulating the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS). It is also an important drug target for the management of cardiovascular diseases. Hemorphins are endogenous peptides that are produced by proteolytic cleavage of beta hemoglobin. A number of studies have reported various therapeutic activities of hemorphins. Previous reports have shown antihypertensive action of hemorphins via the inhibition of ACE. The sequence of hemorphins is highly conserved among mammals, except in camels, which harbors a unique Q>R variation in the peptide. Here, we studied the ACE inhibitory activity of camel hemorphins (LVVYPWTRRF and YPWTRRF) and non-camel hemorphins (LVVYPWTQRF and YPWTQRF). Computational methods were used to determine the most likely binding pose and binding affinity of both camel and non-camel hemorphins within the active site of ACE. Molecular dynamics simulations showed that the peptides interacted with critical residues in the active site of ACE. Notably, camel hemorphins showed higher binding affinity and sustained interactions with all three subsites of the ACE active site. An in vitro ACE inhibition assay showed that the IC50 of camel hemorphins were significantly lower than the IC50 of non-camel hemorphins.

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From Desert to Medicine: A Review of Camel Genomics and Therapeutic Products

Cited by 67 publications

References 213 publications

Coxiella burnetii in Dromedary Camels (Camelus dromedarius): A Possible Threat for Humans and Livestock in North Africa and the Near and Middle East?

Coxiella burnetii in Dromedary Camels (Camelus dromedarius): A Possible Threat for Humans and Livestock in North Africa and the Near and Middle East?

Old World camels in a modern world – a balancing act between conservation and genetic improvement

Camel Hemorphins Exhibit a More Potent Angiotensin-I Converting Enzyme Inhibitory Activity than Other Mammalian Hemorphins: An In Silico and In Vitro Study

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