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Published on: February 22, 2016
Transcriptome analysis identifies pathways associated with enhanced maternal performance in QSi5 mice
Palaniappan Ramanathan1, Ian C Martin, Margaret Gardiner-Garden
1Centre for Advanced Technologies in Animal Genetics and Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia. palaniap@vetsci.usyd.edu.au
BMC Genomics
|April 30, 2008
Summary
The QSi5 mouse strain exhibits superior maternal performance due to enhanced mammary gland development, driven by Wnt, MAPK, and tight junction signaling pathways. Favorable imprinted gene expression also contributes to their high fecundity and successful weaning.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive biology
- Mammalian genetics
- Developmental biology
Background:
- The QSi5 inbred mouse strain was developed for high fecundity and short inter-litter intervals.
- This strain demonstrates superior maternal performance, successfully weaning more offspring than other inbred strains.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the molecular and developmental factors contributing to the high maternal performance of the QSi5 mouse strain.
- To compare mammary gland development and gene expression profiles between QSi5 and CBA mouse strains.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of pup weight gain and mammary gland morphometrics between QSi5 and CBA mice.
- Transcriptome profiling and pathway analysis (Gene Ontology) of mammary glands from both strains.
- Examination of differentially expressed imprinted genes related to growth and development.
Main Results:
- QSi5 mice showed significantly higher pup weight gain and mammary gland ductal side branching compared to CBA mice.
- Enriched gene expression in QSi5 mice involved Wnt, MAPK, and tight junction signaling pathways, crucial for mammary gland development.
- Differential expression of imprinted genes (Peg3, Plagl1, Grb10, Igf2r) favored neonatal growth in QSi5 mice.
Conclusions:
- The superior maternal performance of QSi5 mice is attributed to the synergistic action of Wnt, MAPK, and tight junction pathways in mammary gland development and milk secretion.
- Favorable expression patterns of specific imprinted genes further contribute to the enhanced reproductive success observed in the QSi5 strain.
