The Relationship of Pulmonary Artery Copper Concentrations and Genes Involved in Copper Homeostasis in Cattle, Swine, and Goats

Abstract

Liver and pulmonary artery tissue from 5 Angus cross bred steers, 6 goats, and 6 pigs were collected at a commercial abattoir to examine the relationship of pulmonary artery copper (Cu) concentrations and genes involved in copper homeostasis. Liver and pulmonary artery samples were collected at the time of harvest and snap frozen. Liver and pulmonary artery Cu concentrations were determined via flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry and gene expression was determined via real time PCR. Liver Cu concentrations (mg Cu/kg DM±SE) were higher (p<0.01) in cows (396.4±109.1) and goats (181.4±37.0) than in pigs (19.2±3.5). All liver Cu concentrations were within normal ranges and considered adequate for each species. Liver Cu concentration was more variable in cows and goats compared to pig liver Cu concentrations. Pulmonary artery β-hydroxylproline was higher (p<0.01) in cow and pig than goat. Real Time PCR revealed that goat liver atp7a was positively correlated (r2 = 0.92; p<0.01) to liver Cu concentrations while cow and pig atp7a was not correlated to liver Cu concentration. In the pig, liver atp7a concentration was positively correlated to atp7b (r2 = 0.66; p<0.05). Pulmonary artery Cu concentration was highest in cows (14.9±4.7), intermediate in pigs (8.9±3.3), and lowest in goats (3.9±1.1). Goat pulmonary artery Cu concentration was not correlated to ctr1 concentration, however, atp7a concentration was positively correlated with ctr1 (r2 = 0.90; p<0.01). In cow pulmonary artery, loxl1 concentration was positively correlated to eln mRNA concentration (r2 = 0.91; p<0.02). Pulmonary artery CTR1 protein concentration was positively correlated to pulmonary artery Cu (r2 = 0.85; p = 0.03) concentration while negatively correlated to liver Cu (r2 = −0.79; p<0.04). Pulmonary artery Cu concentration was not correlated to concentration of Cu homeostatic genes in the pig. These data indicate that genes involved in Cu homeostasis (ctr1, atp7A, atp7B, loxl1 and eln) are differently regulated in different species.

Expression of cardiac copper chaperone encoding genes and their correlation with cardiac function parameters in goats

“…There is a shortage of data in ruminants regarding the effect of CuD on cardiac Cu regulation genes. Nevertheless, our results were consistent with previously reported data in other species (Dermauw et al 2014, Getz et al 2011, Han et al 2009, Han et al 2012, Hepburn et al 2009. Simmental cattle, a highly susceptible breed to CuD, showed reduced mRNA expression of COX17, CTr1, and ATP7A in duodenal tissue, placenta, and liver compared with the non-de cient breed (Fry 2011, Fry et al 2013.…”

“…The correlation between Cu concentration and the investigated genes in the cardiac tissues revealed no signi cant correlation. A variable correlation between pulmonary artery Cu concentration and mRNA expression of Cu regulating genes was also observed in goats, cattle, and pigs (Dermauw et al 2014, Han et al 2012 in which the authors suggested that these genes are regulated differently among species.…”

Genome-Wide Association Analysis Reveals Novel Loci Related with Visual Score Traits in Nellore Cattle Raised in Pasture–Based Systems

“…The LOXL1 is fundamental for the crosslinking between collagen and elastin, ensuring the elasticity of the extracellular matrix in organs where the gene is expressed [ 122 , 123 ]. The influence of LOXL1 was described on copper concentrations in the liver and pulmonary artery of swine through the establishment of elastic fibers, which may be related to the adipogenesis of subcutaneous preadipocytes linked to ontogenetic pathways [ 124 ].…”

In situ and in vitro estimation of mineral release from common feedstuffs fed to cattle

“…Mineral homoeostasis is controlled mainly by absorption mechanisms (Field 1981) and may help explain these differences. However, current understanding of the mechanisms for mineral absorption in beef cattle are limited (Spears 2003; Han et al 2012).…”