Arginine promotes seed energy metabolism,increasing wheat seed germination at low temperature

Low temperatures during germination inhibit seed growth,lead to small and weak seedlings,and significantly reduce the wheat yield.Alleviating the adverse effects of low temperature on wheat seed germination is highly important for achieving high and stable wheat yields.In this study,Tongmai 6(insensitive)and Zhengmai 113(sensitive),which have different low-temperature sensitivities during germination were treated with low temperature during germination.The transcriptome,metabolome and physiological data revealed that low temperature decreased the germination rate,downregulated the expression of a large number of genes involved in regulating glycometabolism,and inhibited carbon,nitrogen(especially amino acids)and energy metabolism in the seeds.Arginine content increased at low temperature,and its increase in the low-temperature-tolerant variety was significantly greater than that in the sensitive variety.Arginine priming experiment showed that treatment with an appropriate concentration of arginine improved the seed germination rate.The conversion of starch to soluble sugar significantly increased under exogenous arginine conditions,the content of key metabolites in energy metabolism increased,and the utilization of ATP in the seeds increased.Taken together,arginine priming increased seed germination at low temperature by relieving inhibition of seed carbon and nitrogen metabolism and improving seed energy metabolism.

Protein arginine methyltransferase-6 regulates heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein-F expression and is a potential target for the treatment of neuropathic pain

Protein arginine methyltransferase-6 participates in a range of biological functions,particularly RNA processing,transcription,chromatin remodeling,and endosomal trafficking.However,it remains unclear whether protein arginine methyl transferase-6 modifies neuropathic pain and,if so,what the mechanisms of this effect.In this study,protein arginine methyltransferase-6 expression levels and its effect on neuropathic pain were investigated in the spared nerve injury model,chronic constriction injury model and bone cancer pain model,using immunohistochemistry,western blotting,immunoprecipitation,and label-free proteomic analysis.The results showed that protein arginine methyltransferase-6 mostly co-localized withβ-tubulinⅢin the dorsal root ganglion,and that its expression decreased following spared nerve injury,chronic constriction injury and bone cancer pain.In addition,PRMT6 knockout(Prmt6~(-/-))mice exhibited pain hypersensitivity.Furthermore,the development of spared nerve injury-induced hypersensitivity to mechanical pain was attenuated by blocking the decrease in protein arginine methyltransferase-6 expression.Moreover,when protein arginine methyltransferase-6 expression was downregulated in the dorsal root ganglion in mice without spared nerve injury,increased levels of phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinases were observed in the ipsilateral dorsal horn,and the response to mechanical stimuli was enhanced.Mechanistically,protein arginine methyltransferase-6 appeared to contribute to spared nerve injury-induced neuropathic pain by regulating the expression of heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein-F.Additionally,protein arginine methyltransfe rase-6-mediated modulation of hete rogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein-F expression required amino atids 319 to 388,but not classical H3R2 methylation.These findings indicated that protein arginine methyltransferase-6 is a potential therapeutic target fo r the treatment of peripheral neuro pathic pain.

4-Hydroxy-2-Oxoglutaric Acid,A KeyMetabolite Involved in Trypsin-Regulation of Arginine Metabolism in Hylocereus undatus during Storage

Trypsin,a novel superoxide scavenger,significantly enhances the storage quality of Hylocereus undatus(H.undatus).To elucidate the preservation mechanism of trypsin on H.undatus,a widely targeted metabolomic analysis,and transcriptomics analysis were conducted.Firstly,a total of 453 metabolites were identified,with organic acids and their derivatives constituting the largest proportion(25%).Amino acids and their metabolites,prominent among organic acids,were further analyzed.Among them,73 metabolites were associated with amino acids,and 37 exhibited significant differences.The most enriched Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)pathway was arginine biosynthesis(map00220),with polyamine metabolites showing the most pronounced differences,particularly spermine(FC=1.7594).Compared with the control group,4-hydroxy-2-oxoglutaric acid was significantly upregulated(FC=2.117)in the process of spermine biosynthesis.Furthermore,the results of Gene Ontology(GO)and KEGG enrichment analysis of the H.undatus transcriptome profile revealed that trypsin treatment led to 187 differentially expressed genes associated with arginine.Both GO and KEGG analyses exhibited significant enrichment in the spermine biosynthetic process(GO:0006597)(map:00220)within the arginine biosynthesis pathway.Moreover,most enzymes and metabolites within the spermine biosynthesis pathway in H.undatus were upregulated.The results of the PPI network highlighted that ADC,SPDS,and SAMDC,among others,were pivotal proteins involved in trypsin-regulated arginine metabolism and spermine synthesis.This study revealed that trypsin could significantly delay postharvest senescence of H.undatus at room temperature.This effect might be attributed to trypsin triggering the synthesis of 4-hydroxy-2-oxoglutaric acid in the fruit peel,thereby promoting the biosynthesis of spermine and other polyamines.

Protein arginine methyltransferase 6 is a novel substrate of protein arginine methyltransferase 1

BACKGROUND Post-translational modifications play key roles in various biological processes.Protein arginine methyltransferases(PRMTs)transfer the methyl group to specific arginine residues.Both PRMT1 and PRMT6 have emerges as crucial factors in the development and progression of multiple cancer types.We posit that PRMT1 and PRMT6 might interplay directly or in-directly in multiple ways accounting for shared disease phenotypes.AIM To investigate the mechanism of the interaction between PRMT1 and PRMT6.METHODS Gel electrophoresis autoradiography was performed to test the methyltranferase activity of PRMTs and characterize the kinetics parameters of PRMTs.Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometryanalysis was performed to detect the PRMT6 methylation sites.RESULTS In this study we investigated the interaction between PRMT1 and PRMT6,and PRMT6 was shown to be a novel substrate of PRMT1.We identified specific arginine residues of PRMT6 that are methylated by PRMT1,with R106 being the major methylation site.Combined biochemical and cellular data showed that PRMT1 downregulates the enzymatic activity of PRMT6 in histone H3 methylation.CONCLUSION PRMT6 is methylated by PRMT1 and R106 is a major methylation site induced by PRMT1.PRMT1 methylation suppresses the activity of PRMT6.

Effects of arginine replacement with L-citrulline on the arginine/nitric oxide metabolism in chickens:An animal model without urea cycle

Background This study examined the efficacy of L-citrulline supplementation on the arginine/nitric oxide metabolism,and intestinal functions of broilers during arginine deficiency.A total of 288 day-old Arbor Acre broilers were randomly assigned to either an arginine deficient basal diet(NC diet),NC diet+0.50%L-arginine(PC diet),or NC diet+0.50%L-citrulline(NCL diet).Production performance was recorded,and at 21 days old,chickens were euthanized for tissue collection.Results The dietary treatments did not affect the growth performance of broilers(P>0.05),although NC diet increased the plasma alanine aminotransferase,urate,and several amino acids,except arginine(P<0.05).In contrast,NCL diet elevated the arginine and ornithine concentration higher than NC diet,and it increased the plasma citrulline greater than the PC diet(P<0.05).The nitric oxide concentration in the kidney and liver tissues,along with the plasma and liver e NOS activities were promoted by NCL diet higher than PC diet(P<0.05).In the liver,the activities of arginase 1,ASS,and ASL,as well as,the gene expression of i NOS and OTC were induced by PC diet greater than NC diet(P<0.05).In the kidney,the arginase 1,ASS and ASL enzymes were also increased by PC diet significantly higher than the NC and NCL diets.Comparatively,the kidney had higher abundance of n NOS,ASS,ARG2,and OTC genes than the liver tissue(P<0.05).In addition,NCL diet upregulated(P<0.05)the m RNA expression of intestinal nutrient transporters(EAAT3 and PEPT1),tight junction proteins(Claudin 1 and Occludin),and intestinal mucosal defense(MUC2 and p Ig R).The intestinal morphology revealed that both PC and NCL diets improved(P<0.05)the ileal VH/CD ratio and the jejunal VH and VH/CD ratio compared to the NC fed broilers.Conclusion This study revealed that NCL diet supported arginine metabolism,nitric oxide synthesis,and promoted the intestinal function of broilers.Thus,L-citrulline may serve as a partial arginine replacement in broiler’s diet without detrimental impacts on the performance,arginine metabolism and gut health of chickens.

Dietary supplementation with 0.4%L-arginine between days 14 and 30 of gestation enhances NO and polyamine syntheses and water transport in porcine placentae

Background:Most embryonic loss in pigs occurs before d 30 of gestation.Dietary supplementation with L-arginine(Arg) during early gestation can enhance the survival and development of conceptuses(embryo/fetus and its extraembryonic membranes) in gilts.However,the underlying mechanisms remain largely unknown.Methods:Between d 14 and 30 of gestation,each gilt was fed daily 2 kg of a corn-and soybean-meal based diet(12% crude protein) supplemented with either 0.4% Arg(as Arg-HCl) or an isonitrogenous amount of L-alanine(Control).There were 10 gilts per treatment group.On d 30 of gestation,gilts were fed either Arg-HCl or L-alanine 30 min before they were hysterectomized,followed by the collection of placentae,embryos,fetal membranes,and fetal fluids.Amniotic and allantoic fluids were analyzed for nitrite and nitrate [NOx;stable oxidation products of nitric oxide(NO)],polyamines,and amino acids.Placentae were analyzed for syntheses of NO and polyamines,water and amino acid transport,concentrations of amino acid-related metabolites,and the expression of angiogenic factors and aquaporins(AQPs).Results:Compared to the control group,Arg supplementation increased(P < 0.05) the number of viable fetuses by 1.9 per litter,the number and diameter of placental blood vessels(+ 25.9% and + 17.0% respectively),embryonic survival(+ 18.5%),total placental weight(+ 36.5%),the total weight of viable fetuses(+ 33.5%),fetal crown-to-rump length(+ 4.7%),and total allantoic and amniotic fluid volumes(+ 44.6% and + 75.5% respectively).Compared to control gilts,Arg supplementation increased(P < 0.05) placental activities of GTP cyclohydrolase-1(+ 33.1%) and ornithine decarboxylase(+ 29.3%);placental syntheses of NO(+ 26.2%) and polyamines(+ 28.9%);placental concentrations of NOx(+ 22.5%),tetrahydrobiopterin(+ 21.1%),polyamines(+ 20.4%),c AMP(+ 27.7%),and c GMP(+ 24.7%);total amounts of NOx(+ 61.7% to + 96.8%),polyamines(+ 60.7% to + 88.7%),amino acids(+ 39% to + 118%),glucose(+ 60.5% to + 62.6%),and fructose(+ 41.4% to + 57.0%) in fetal fluids;and the placental transport of water(+ 33.9%),Arg(+ 78.4%),glutamine(+ 89.9%),and glycine(+ 89.6%).Furthermore,Arg supplementation increased(P < 0.05) placental m RNA levels for angiogenic factors [VEGFA120(+ 117%),VEGFR1(+ 445%),VEGFR2(+ 373%),PGF(+ 197%),and GCH1(+ 126%)] and AQPs [AQP1(+ 280%),AQP3(+ 137%),AQP5(+ 172%),AQP8(+ 165%),and AQP9(+ 127%)].Conclusion:Supplementing 0.4% Arg to a conventional diet for gilts between d 14 and d 30 of gestation enhanced placental NO and polyamine syntheses,angiogenesis,and water and amino acid transport to improve conceptus development and survival.

Feeding broiler chickens with arginine above recommended levels:effects on growth performance,metabolism,and intestinal microbiota

Background Arginine is an essential amino acid for chickens and feeding diets with arginine beyond the recommended levels has been shown to influence the growth performance of broiler chickens in a positive way.Nonetheless,further research is required to understand how arginine supplementation above the widely adopted dosages affects metabolism and intestinal health of broilers.Therefore,this study was designed to assess the effects of arginine supplementation(i.e.,total arginine to total lysine ratio of 1.20 instead of 1.06-1.08 recommended by the breeding company) on growth performance of broiler chickens and to explore its impacts on the hepatic and blood metabolic profiles,as well as on the intestinal microbiota.For this purpose,630 one-day-old male Ross 308 broiler chicks were assigned to 2 treatments(7 replicates each) fed a control diet or a crystalline L-arginine-supplemented diet for 49 d.Results Compared to control birds,those supplemented with arginine performed significantly better exhibiting greater final body weight at D49(3778 vs.3937 g;P < 0.001),higher growth rate(76.15 vs.79.46 g of body weight gained daily;P < 0.001),and lower cumulative feed conversion ratio(1.808 vs.1.732;P < 0.05).Plasma concentrations of arginine,betaine,histidine,and creatine were greater in supplemented birds than in their control counterparts,as were those of creatine,leucine and other essential amino acids at the hepatic level.In contrast,leucine concentration was lower in the caecal content of supplemented birds.Reduced alpha diversity and relative abundance of Firmicutes and Proteobacteria(specifically Escherichia coli),as well as increased abundance of Bacteroidetes and Lactobacillus salivarius were found in the caecal content of supplemented birds.Conclusions The improvement in growth performance corroborates the advantages of supplementing arginine in broiler nutrition.It can be hypothesized that the performance enhancement found in this study is associated with the increased availability of arginine,betaine,histidine,and creatine in plasma and the liver,as well as to the ability of extra dietary arginine to potentially ameliorate intestinal conditions and microbiota of supplemented birds.However,the latter promising property,along with other research questions raised by this study,deserve further investigations.

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt-placement increases arginine/asymmetric dimethylarginine ratio in cirrhotic patients

AIM:To analyze the change of dimethylarginine plasma levels in cirrhotic patients receiving transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt(TIPS).METHODS:To determine arginine,asymmetric dimethylarginine(ADMA),symmetric dimethylarginine(SDMA),and nitric oxide(NO) plasma levels,blood samples were collected from the superior cava,hepatic,and portal vein just before,directly after,and 3 mo after TIPS-placement.RESULTS:A significant increase in the arginine/ADMA ratio after TIPS placement was shown.Moreover,TIPS placement enhanced renal function and thereby decreased systemic SDMA levels.In patients with renal dysfunction before TIPS placement,both the arginine/ADMA ratio and creatinine clearance rate increased significantly,while this was not the case in patients with normal renal function before TIPS placement.Hepatic function did not change significantly after TIPS placement and no significant decline in ADMA plasma levels was measured.CONCLUSION:The increase of the arginine/ADMA ratio after TIPS placement suggests an increase in intracellular NO bioavailability.In addition,this study suggests that TIPS placement does not alter dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase(DDAH) activity and confirms the major role of the liver as an ADMA clearing organ.

Arginine functionalized hydroxyapatite nanoparticles and its bioactivity for gene delivery

In order to further improve the transfection efficiency of hydroxyapatite nanoparticle （HAp）, arginine functionalized hydroxyapatite （HAp/Arg） was synthesized by hydrothermal synthesis. The morphology, crystallite size and zeta potential of the HAp/Arg were characterized by transmission electron microscopy （TEM）, atomic force microscopy （AFM） and zeta potential analyzer. The loading and protecting properties of HAp/Arg to DNA were tested by electrophoresis. Its cytotoxicity was also measured in Hela cells and HAEC cells by MTT and LDH, and its transfection efficiency was examined by fluorescence microscope and flow cytometry. The results reveal that HAp/Arg is short rod-like and nano single crystal, the mean diameter is 50-90 nm and zeta potential is 35.8 mV at pH 7.4. HAp/Arg to DNA can be condensed by electrostatic effect and protect DNA against degradation in DNase I, and shows high transfection efficiency without cytotoxicity. These results suggest that HAp/Arg can be a promising alternative as a novel gene delivery system.

Synthesis and characterization of arginine-modified and europium-doped hydroxyapatite nanoparticle and its cell viability

The arginine-modified and europium-doped hydroxyapatite nanoparticles（HAP-Eu） were synthesized by hydrothermal synthesis.The prepared nanoparticles were characterized by transmission electron microscopy（TEM）,X-ray diffractometry（XRD）,Fourier transform infrared（FTIR） and zeta potential analyzer.The cell viability of HAP-Eu was tested by image flow cytometry.The results indicated that HAP-Eu is short column shapes and its size is approximately 100 nm,its zeta potential is about 30.10 mV at pH of 7.5,and shows no cytotoxicity in human epithelial cells and endothelial cells.

Proteomic-Level Responses of Early-Weaned Piglets to Dietary Arginine Supplementation

Dietary arginine supplementation enhances the immune status and protein synthesis in early-weaned pigs. However, the underlying mechanisms remain largely unknown. To investigate how arginine affects the expression of key proteins that regulate growth and nutrient transport of jejunum, a total of 12 healthy piglets （21 day-old, similar body weight, Landrace x Yorkshire） delivered by four sows were randomly divided into two groups. Piglets in the test group were reared with feed supplemented L-arginine at a concentration of 6.0 g/kg, while piglets in the control group were fed with feed supplemented L-alanine at a concentration of 12.3 g/kg （isonitrogenous control）. After 7 d, jejunum mucosae was collected and analyzed with the 2-D PAGE MS technology. Compared with the control pigs, arginine decreased the levels of proteins that regulate the protein syn- thesis, intermediary metabolism and tissue growth （ similar to anterior gradient 2 homolog, cyclophilin_ABHJike, hypothetical protein FLJ39502 and tetratrioopeptide repeat domain 16, similar to KIAA0156, mitechondrial ATP synthase, hydrion transporting F1 complex, beta subunit and alpha-tu- bulin ubiquitous isoform 19, prolyl 4-hydroxylase, beta subunit precursor）. In addition, arginine increased the levels of proteins that are involved in proteolysis and immune response （ PGAM1, T cell receptor beta variable 20, membrane steroid binding protein, similar to myomesin-1, and chain A, structure of pig muscle Pgk complexed with MgATP）. Therefore, arginine influences the immune response and protein synthesis mechanisms as well as improves eady weaned stress syndrome of piglets.

The role of L-arginine metabolism in neurocritical care patients

Nitric oxide is an important mediator of vascular autoregulation and is involved in pathophysiological changes after acute neurological disorders.Nitric oxide is generated by nitric oxide synthases from the amino acid L-arginine.L-arginine can also serve as a substrate for arginases or lead to the generation of dimethylarginines,asymmetric dimethylarginine,and symmetric dimethylarginine,by methylation.Asymmetric dimethylarginine is an endogenous inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase and can lead to endothelial dysfunction.This review discusses the role of L-arginine metabolism in patients suffering from acute and critical neurological disorders often requiring neuro-intensive care treatment.Conditions addressed in this review include intracerebral hemorrhage,aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage,and traumatic brain injury.Recent therapeutic advances in the field are described including current randomized controlled trials for traumatic brain injuries and hemorrhagic stroke.

Screening of Substrates of Protein Arginine Methyltransferase 1 in Glioma

Objective To screen the asymmetric dimethyl arginines (ADMA)-containing proteins which could combine with protein arginine methyltransferase 1 (PRMT1). Methods Western blot was adopted to identify the expression of PRMT1 and the proteins with ADMA in glioma cell lines and normal brain tissues, and then to detect the changes of ADMA level after knock-down of PRMT1 with RNAi transfection in U87MG cells. Co-Immunoprecipitation (Co-IP), western blot, and sliver staining were employed to screen the candidate binding proteins of PRMT1. Then liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was used to identify the binding proteins of PRMT1. Results The expression of PRMT1 and some levels of ADMA were higher in glioma cell lines than in normal brain tissues. After knocking down PRMT1, some ADMA levels were found declined. After screening the binding proteins of PRMT1 with Co-IP and LC-MS/MS, 26 candidate binding proteins were identified. Among them, 6 candidate proteins had higher ions scores (>38) and bioinformation analysis predicted that SEC23-IP, ANKHD1-EIF4EBP3 protein, and 1-phosphatidylinositol-3-phosphate 5-kinase isoform 2 had possible methylated aginine sites. Conclusions The high expression of PRMT1 in glioma may induce the change of ADMA levels. Altogether 26 candidate proteins were identified, which contain ADMA and specifically bind with PRMT1.

Determination of Asymmetric Dimethylarginine and Symmetric Dimethylarginine in Biological Samples of Mice Using LC/MS/MS

Herein, we present a novel method of asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) and symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) determination within biological samples using protein precipitation and LC/MS/MS. Chromatographic separation of ADMA and SDMA was successfully performed using a silica column with optimized elution, or mobile phase, of 10 mM ammonium acetate buffer H2O/methanol/acetonitrile (20/30/45, v/v) at pH 4. The calibration ranges were 0.50 – 50.0 μg●mL-1, and good linearities were obtained for all compounds ( γ > 0.99). The intra- and inter-assay accuracies with recoveries and precisions at three concentration levels (i.e. 1.00, 5.00 and 25.0 μg●mL-1) were better than 86.9% and 7.36%, respectively. The analytical performance of the method was evaluated by determination of compounds in plasma, urine and tissues from male BALBc/J mice. For the first time, we were able to characterize the distribution of ADMA, SDMA and ADMA/SDMA in plasma, urine, brain, heart, kidneys, liver, lungs, pancreas and spleen. Additionally, we demonstrated that the ADMA/SDMA ratio in the brain was approximately 10-fold lower than all the other biological samples. Only 10 μL of plasma, 1 μL of urine and about 25 mg of tissues were required. These results suggest that the developed methodology was useful in ADMA and SDMA determination within biological samples.

Activity and Stability of Arginine Deiminase for Producing L-citrulline

A novel Enterococcus faecalis strain designated N J402 was found with high activity of arginine deiminase （ADI）. The optimum condition for catalytic activity was determined in terms of temperature （about 40℃）, thermostability （available 37℃） and pH （6-7）. The effects of substrate and product concentration were studied. The effects of various metal ions added in reaction mixtures on the biocatalyst were investigated and ADI of N J402 was found to exhibit Co^2＋ dependence, different from previous reports. Surfactant, cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide, was one of the most important keys for producing L-citrulline. The enzyme in resting cells possessed the quality of high stability for reuse.

Effects of L-arginine on preeclampsia risks and maternal and neonatal outcomes:A systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective:To summarize whether the supplementation of L-arginine in pregnant women helps in management of preeclampsia and its impact on maternal and neonatal outcomes.Methods:Studies conducted from the past 17 years(1999 to 2016).were referred from database like Cochrane Central Registry of Controlled Trials(CENTRAL),Scopus,Google Scholar and PubMed.Out of 134 studies,7 studies were included.L-arginine versus placebo was considered for quantitative analysis.Modified Cochrane data extraction form was used to collect the data.The risk of bias was assessed using Cochrane’s risk of bias assessment tool in RevMan 5.4 and the summary of findings was determined using GradePro software.Results:L-arginine showed a significant reduction of preeclampsia[odds ratio(OR)0.38;95%confidence interval(CI)0.25,0.58)].There was a significant reduction in systolic blood pressure[mean difference(MD)-2.47;95%CI-4.53,-0.42]and diastolic blood pressure(MD-0.97;95%CI-3.83,1.89).The effects of L-arginine on secondary outcomes like maternal gestational age,latency,neonatal weight,and appearance,pulse,grimace,activity,respiration(APGAR)score at 1st and 5th minute were not statistically significant.Conclusions:L-arginine supplementation is effective in lowering systolic and diastolic blood pressure of preeclamptic patients.However,it has no noticeable effects on maternal and neonatal outcomes.

Potential role of N-carbamoyl glutamate in biosynthesis of arginine and its significance in production of ruminant animals

Arginine （ARG） exerts many beneficial effects on animal body and enhanced angiogenesis, lactogenesis, which finally leads to the improvement in nitrogen （N） metabolism, reproduction, lactation, immunity and growth. Unfortunately, unprotected ARG will be degraded in the rumen and its price is high, thus feeding rumen-protected ARG seems to be uneconomical. Alternatively, N-carbamoyl glutamate （NCG） is structural analogue of N-acetyl glutamate, cofactor of cabamoyl phosphate synthetasel, is lower in rumen degradation compared to ARG. Additionally, rumen epithelial and duodenal cells have potentially utilized the NCG for ureagenesis. Supplementation of NCG to high yielding dairy cows increased plasma concentration of ARG and nitric oxide, decreased the plasma ammonia N and improved lactation performance and N utilization. Supplementation of NCG enhanced pregnancy rates in rats, improved litter size and fetal survival rate, thereby improved the reproductive performance of sows. Oral NCG supplementation increases plasma ARG and somatotropin levels, and increased growth rate and muscle protein synthesis in nursing piglets. The NCG is potential a relatively cheaper source of feed additive to offer vital compensation over oral administration of ARG, resulting in improved ruminant animal health and production. In this article, we reviewed the mechanism of AfiG biosynthesis by NCG and their significance in growth, reproduction, milk production and N utilization in ruminant animals.

Dietary arginine supplementation in multiparous sows during lactation improves the weight gain of suckling piglets

This study investigated the effects of dietary arginine （Arg） supplementation, just during lactation, on sow and litter per- formance, plasma concentrations of metabolites and hormones, and milk yield and composition in multiparous sows. Thirty-one sows were randomly assigned to 3 dietary treatments supplemented with 0.0 （control, n=10）, 0.5% （n=10）, or 1.0% （n=11） L-Arg-HCI, respectively. Experimental diets were provided to the sows from d 3 to 21 of lactation. Plasma and milk samples were collected at d 14 and 21 of lactation. The average daily gain （ADG） of piglets from sows fed diets supplemented with 0.5 or 1.0% L-Arg-HCI at d 3 to 14 of lactation, were higher than that of controls （P〈0.05）. Maternal supplementation with 1.0% L-Arg-HCI also increased ADG of piglets between d 3 and 21 of lactation than that of the controls （P〈0.05）. There was no significant effect of supplementation on average daily feed intake （ADFI）, body weight loss, and backfat thickness loss of lactating sows. Supplementation with 0.5 or 1.0% L-Arg-HCI had a trend towards increasing milk yields and milk fat contents （0.05〈P〈0.10）; milk protein and lactose were unchanged. Supplementation with 1.0% L-Arg- HCI increased plasma concentrations of prolactin and insulin in sows at d 14 and 21 of lactation, and plasma concentrations of non-esterified fatty acid （NEFA）, insulin-like growth factor-1 （IGF-1）, and nitric oxide （NO） in sows at d 21 of lactation, when compared to the controls （P〈0.05）. Supplementation with 1.0% L-Arg-HCI increased IGF-1 and spermine in milk at d 14 of lactation, relative to the controls （P〈0.05）. Plasma Arg concentrations at d 14 and 21 of lactation, as well as plasma NO level and milk IGF-1 at d 21 of lactation, were increased, while plasma urea nitrogen （PUN） concentration at d 14 and 21 of lactation was decreased, by supplementation with 0.5 or 1.0% L-Arg-HCI when compared to the controls （P〈0.05）. Collectively, dietary supplementation of multiparous sows with Arg, just during lactation, is beneficial for enhancing litter weight gain but the complete mechanism remains to be determined and may involve in the maternal endocrine changes and milk polyamines contents.

Diffusion Coefficients of l-Lysine Hydrochloride and l-Arginine Hydrochloride in Their Aqueous Solutions at 25℃

The diffusion coefficients of l-lysine hydrochloride and I-arginine hydrochloride in their aqueous solutions at 25℃ were determined by the metallic diaphragm cell method which is characterized by accuracy, promptness and convenience. Meanwhile, the densities and viscosities of the solutions were also determined. Based on all these data a semi-empirical model for correlating the diffusion coefficients of solid organic salts in their aqueous solutions at 25℃ was proposed. The fitting result of this model is comparatively satisfactory. Compared to a former model, Gordon Model, this model can avoid a number of difficulties and arduous work.

Functional roles of ornithine decarboxylase and arginine decarboxylase during the peri-implantation period of pregnancy in sheep

Background: Polyamines stimulate DNA transcription and m RNA translation for protein synthesis in trophectoderm cells, as well as proliferation and migration of cells; therefore, they are essential for development and survival of conceptuses(embryo/fetus and placenta). The ovine conceptus produces polyamines via classical and non-classical pathways. In the classical pathway, arginine(Arg) is transformed into ornithine, which is then decarboxylated by ornithine decarboxylase(ODC1) to produce putrescine which is the substrate for the production of spermidine and spermine. In the non-classical pathway, Arg is converted to agmatine(Agm) by arginine decarboxylase(ADC), and Agm is converted to putrescine by agmatinase(AGMAT).Methods: Morpholino antisense oligonucleotides(MAOs) were designed and synthesized to inhibit translational initiation of the m RNAs for ODC1 and ADC, in ovine conceptuses.Results: The morphologies of MAO control, MAO-ODC1, and MAO-ADC conceptuses were normal. Double knockdown of ODC1 and ADC(MAO-ODC1:ADC) resulted in two phenotypes of conceptuses; 33% of conceptuses appeared to be morphological y and functional y normal(phenotype a) and 67% of the conceptuses presented an abnormal morphology and functionality(phenotype b). Furthermore, MAO-ODC1:ADC(a) conceptuses had greater tissue concentrations of Agm,putrescine, and spermidine than MAO control conceptuses, while MAO-ODC1:ADC(b) conceptuses only had greater tissue concentrations of Agm. Uterine flushes from ewes with MAO-ODC1:ADC(a) had greater amounts of arginine, aspartate, tyrosine, citrulline, lysine, phenylalanine, isoleucine, leucine, and glutamine, while uterine flushes of ewes with MAO-ODC1:ADC(b) conceptuses had lower amount of putrescine, spermidine, spermine, alanine, aspartate,glutamine, tyrosine, phenylalanine, isoleucine, leucine, and lysine.Conclusions: The double-knockdown of translation of ODC1 and ADC m RNAs was most detrimental to conceptus development and their production of interferon tau(IFNT). Agm, polyamines, amino acids, and adequate secretion of IFNT are critical for establishment and maintenance of pregnancy during the peri-implantation period of gestation in sheep.