Molecular cloning and transcriptional regulation of Indian peafowl (Pavo cristatus) IFN-α gene

Abstract

Interferon-α (IFN-α) resists viral infections by triggering the transcription of a diverse range of antiviral IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs). However, information about the Indian peafowl (Pavo cristatus) IFN-α (PcIFN-α) has not been reported. In this study, a PcIFN-α gene was amplified, which encoded a protein of 193 amino acids with a 26-amino acid signal peptide sharing 72.16-95.70% identity with other avians in Aves. After expression in prokaryote, PcIFN-α was analyzed for its physicochemical property and antiviral activity. Intriguingly, compared with chicken IFN-α, an effective viral infection therapeutic agent, PcIFN-α showed superior anti-VSV, NDV, and AIV activities, which were then abrogated by rabbit anti-PcIFN-α antibodies in vitro. Moreover, PcIFN-α was shown to be highly sensitive to trypsin; however, it remained stable despite changes in pH and temperature. Additionally, PcIFN-α induced the transcriptional or translational levels of Mx1 and ISG12 genes time-dependently. Overall, the present study revealed that PcIFN-α is a potential novel effective therapeutic agent in antiviral defense responses in peafowl, improving understanding of its involvement in bird antiviral defense.

A high-quality assembly reveals genomic characteristics, phylogenetic status, and causal genes for leucism plumage of Indian peafowl

“…Subsequently, Dhar et al improved the Indian peafowl genome using Illumina and Oxford Nanopore technology, and the length of scaffold N50 was determined up to 0.23 Mb [ 16 ]; however, the assembly quality still needed improvement. Additionally, previous studies of Indian peafowl were mainly focused on courtship behaviour [ 17 ], immunity [ 18 ], and productivity [ 19 , 20 ]. Some studies regarding the phylogeny of Indian peafowl have been based on the mitochondrial genome, DNA transposable factors, and partial DNA nucleotide sequences, but few reports have addressed the whole-genome level [ 20 – 22 ].…”

A high-quality assembly reveals genomic characteristics, phylogenetic status and causal genes for white feather of Indian peafowl

“…Subsequently, Dhar, et al improved peafowl genome by using Illumina and Oxford Nanopore technology (ONT), and the length of scaffold N50 was up to 0.23 Mb (Dhar et al, 2019). The previous studies of peafowl focused on courtship behaviour (Dakin, McCrossan, Hare, Montgomerie, & Amador Kane, 2016), immunity (Wang, Zhao, Liu, Shao, & Xing, 2019), and productivity (Samour, Naldo, Rahman, & Sakkir, 2010). Additionally, most researches on the phylogenetic relationship of peafowl and the Phasianidae were based on the mitochondrial genomes, DNA transposable factors, and partial DNA nucleotide sequences, and the conclusions of these researches are still controversial (J.…”

A High-Quality Assembly Reveals Genomic Characteristics, 1 Phylogenetic Status and Causal Genes for White Feather of 2 Indian Peafowl

“…Subsequently, Dhar, et al improved peafowl genome by using Illumina and Oxford Nanopore technology (ONT), and the length of scaffold N50 was up to 0.23 Mb (Dhar et al, 2019). The previous studies of peafowl focused on courtship behaviour (Dakin, McCrossan, Hare, Montgomerie, & Amador Kane, 2016), immunity (Wang, Zhao, Liu, Shao, & Xing, 2019), and productivity (Samour, Naldo, Rahman, & Sakkir, 2010). Additionally, most researches on the phylogenetic relationship of peafowl and the Phasianidae were based on the mitochondrial genomes, DNA transposable factors, and partial DNA nucleotide sequences, and the conclusions of these researches are still controversial (J.…”