Comparative proteomic analysis of pituitary glands from Huoyan geese between pre-laying and laying periods using an iTRAQ-based approach

• Published in: PloS one 2017-09, Vol.12 (9), p.e0185253-e0185253
• Main Authors: Luan, Xinhong, Cao, Zhongzan, Xing, Zhe, Liu, Mei, Gao, Ming, Meng, Bo, Fan, Ruiming
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Abundance; Animal sciences; Animals; Aquatic birds; Avian Proteins - genetics; Avian Proteins - metabolism; Biological samples; Biology and life sciences; Blotting, Western; China; Chromatography; Chromogranin A - genetics; Chromogranin A - metabolism; Computational Biology; Conservation; Down-Regulation; Egg laying; Endocrinology; Evolution & development; Female; Geese; Geese - genetics; Geese - metabolism; Gene Ontology; Genetic aspects; Genomes; Glands; Gonadotropin-releasing hormone; Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate Receptors - genetics; Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate Receptors - metabolism; Laboratories; Localization; Mass spectrometry; Medicine and Health Sciences; Oviposition - genetics; Oviposition - physiology; Physiological aspects; Pituitary; Pituitary gland; Pituitary Gland - metabolism; Poultry; Prolactin; Prolactin - genetics; Prolactin - metabolism; Protein Array Analysis; Proteins; Proteome - genetics; Proteome - metabolism; Proteomics; Research and Analysis Methods; Rodents; Scientific imaging; Secretion; Signal transduction; Signaling; Studies; Tissues; Up-Regulation; Veterinary medicine; Western blotting; Zoology; Zoonoses
• ISSN: 1932-6203; 1932-6203
• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0185253

In this study, we performed a comprehensive evaluation of the proteomic profile of the pituitary gland of the Huoyan goose during the laying period compared to the pre-laying period using an iTRAQ-based approach. Protein samples were prepared from pituitary gland tissues of nine pre-laying period and nine laying period geese. Then the protein samples from three randomly selected geese within each period were pooled in equal amounts to generate one biological sample pool. We identified 684 differentially expressed proteins, including 418 up-regulated and 266 down-regulated proteins. GO annotation and KEGG pathway analyses of these proteins were conducted. Some of these proteins were found to be associated with hormone and neurotransmitter secretion and transport, neuropeptide signalling and GnRH signalling pathways, among others. Subsequently, the modification of the abundance of three proteins (prolactin, chromogranin-A and ITPR3) was verified using western blotting. Our results will provide a new source for mining genes and gene products related to the egg-laying performance of Huoyan geese, and may provide important information for the conservation and utilization of local goose breeds.