Expression and contribution of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor to the melanin deposition in Liancheng white ducks

The present study investigates the expression of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor(MITF) and its contribution to the melanin deposition in Liancheng white ducks.Nested PCR was used to clone the MITF gene sequence from the skin tissue of female Liancheng white ducks.Ultraviolet spectrophotometry was used to detect the melanin deposition.MITF mRNA expression and melanin deposition in different tissues and organs were detected and their correlation was analyzed.The MITF gene(GenBank number: MG516570) was 1 323 bp in length,contains a complete CDS region(34-1 323 bp) and codes 429 amino acids with 100% homology to the MITF of Anas platyrhynchos and over 95% homology to those of Gallus gallus and Coturnix japonica.Genetic evolution analysis reveals a close relationship of Liancheng white ducks with A.platyrhynchos,and also to lesser extents with Anser cygnoides,silky fowl and G.gallus,as well as Sus scrofa,Ovis aries and other mammals.Real-time quantitative PCR(qPCR) analysis demonstrated that MITF was expressed in skin,gizzard,liver,kidney and muscle,and of these tissues,its expression was the highest in the skin tissue(skin>gizzard>liver>kidney>muscle).Ultraviolet spectrophotometry showed that melanin deposition was positively correlated with the MITF expression level in these five tissues and organs(P<0.05).Together,these results demonstrated a tissue-specific pattern of MITF expression and a positive correlation between MITF expression and melanin deposition,indicating that MITF expression may contribute to the melanin deposition in Liancheng white ducks.

Identification and Antibacterial Activity Study of a Terrestrial Strain of Brevibacterium aureus 431

This study isolated and purified strain 431 from an animal probiotic product.Through staining and microscopic examination,colony morphology analysis,biochemical reaction tests,and 16S rDNA sequence alignment,the strain was identified and named Brevibacterium aureus 431.The study focused on the production of biosurfactants by strain 431,and antibacterial activity tests were conducted on the strain and its secondary metabolites.The results showed that strain 431 exhibited no resistance to 10 commonly used drugs,and its concentrated secondary metabolites were highly sensitive to the indicator bacterium Escherichia coli.Oral administration of strain 431 to BALB/c mice resulted in normal mental state,diet,and bowel movements,with no signs of illness or death,indicating that strain 431 is highly safe and non-pathogenic to mice.The study suggests that Brevibacterium aureus 431 has significant research value as a new source of actinomycetes and that its secondary metabolites have potential application value in the development of antibacterial drugs.