Differentially expressed genes in cotyledon of ewes fed mycotoxins
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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Open Access
Differentially expressed genes in cotyledon of ewes fed mycotoxins J. L. Britt1, R. E. Noorai2 and S. K. Duckett1*
Abstract Background: Ergot alkaloids (E+) are mycotoxins produced by the endophytic fungus, Epichloë coenophiala, in tall fescue that are associated with ergotism in animals. Exposure to ergot alkaloids during gestation reduces fetal weight and placental mass in sheep. These reductions are related to vasoconstrictive effects of ergot alkaloids and potential alterations in nutrient transport to the fetus. Cotyledon samples were obtained from eight ewes that were fed E+ (n = 4; E+/E+) or E- (endophyte-free without ergot alkaloids; n = 4; E−/E-) seed during both mid (d 35 to 85) and late (d 85–133) gestation to assess differentially expressed genes associated with ergot alkaloid induced reductions in placental mass and fetal weight, and discover potential adaptive mechanisms to alter nutrient supply to fetus. Results: Ewes fed E+/E+ fescue seed during both mid and late gestation had 20% reduction in fetal body weight and 33% reduction in cotyledon mass compared to controls (E−/E-). Over 13,000 genes were identified with 110 upregulated and 33 downregulated. Four genes had a |log2FC| > 5 for ewes consuming E+/E+ treatment compared to controls: LECT2, SLC22A9, APOC3, and MBL2. REViGO revealed clusters of upregulated genes associated glucose, carbohydrates, lipid, protein, macromolecular and cellular metabolism, regulation of wound healing and response to starvation. For downregulated genes, no clusters were present, but all enriched GO terms were associated with anion and monocarboxylic acid transport. The complement and coagulation cascade and the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor signaling pathway were found to be enriched for ewes consuming E+/E+ treatment. Conclusions: Consumption of ergot alkaloids during gestation altered the cotyledonary transcriptome specifically related to macronutrient metabolism, wound healing and starvation. These results show that ergot alkaloid exposure upregulates genes involved in nutrient metabolism to supply the fetus with additional substrates in attempts to rescue fetal growth. Keywords: Sheep, Ergot alkaloid, Mycotoxin, Cotyledon, Vasoconstriction, Nutrient transport
Background Tall fescue [Lolium arundinaceum (Schreb.) Darbysh; Schedonorus phoenix (Scop.) Holub] is the primary cool season perennial grass utilized in the eastern U.S. occupying more than 14 million ha [1]. The majority of tall fescue contains an endophyte (Epichloë coenophiala), which produces ergot alkaloids (i.e. ergovaline, * Correspondence: [email protected] 1 Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, USA Full list of author information is available at the end of the article
ergovalinine, etc. [2];, mycotoxins associated with ergotism in humans and animals. The endophyte is beneficial to the plant and aids in establishment, persistence, and drought tolerance [1]; however, ingestion of ergot alkaloids by grazing li
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