The protein composition in goat milk undergoes changes throughout the different lactation periods, displaying distinct characteristics that are influenced by the dynamic nature of protein composition and concentration during the transition from colostrum secretion to mature milk. To evaluate the dynamics of whey proteins of Saanen goats during the colostral phase and the first month of lactation, 110 milk samples from 11 healthy mammary halves of seven Saanen goats were selected through a clinical evaluation. Whey was obtained by rennet coagulation of the mammary secretion. The biuret method determined total protein concentration, and their fractions were identified by 12% dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Maximum concentrations of all protein fractions were observed in the first 12 h of lactation, reducing throughout the study. Modification of the protein predominance was also observed. The transition from colostrum secretion to milk occurred 5 or 7 d postpartum.

The aim of this study was to characterize the protein profile of ovarian follicular fluid (FF) of brown brocket deer (Mazama gouazoubira). Five adult females received an ovarian stimulation treatment and the FF was collected by laparoscopy from small/medium (≤3.5 mm) and large (>3.5 mm) follicles. Concentrations of soluble proteins in FF samples were measured and proteins were analyzed by 1-D SDS-PAGE followed by tryptic digestion and tandem mass spectrometry. Data from protein list defined after a Mascot database search were analyzed using the STRAP software tool. For the protein concentration, no significant difference (P > 0.05) was observed between small/medium and large follicles: 49.2 ± 22.8 and 56.7 ± 27.4 μg/μl, respectively. Mass spectrometry analysis identified 13 major proteins, but with no significant difference (P > 0.05) between follicle size class. This study provides insight into elucidating folliculogenesis in brown brocket deer.

The bovine whey consists of more than 200 different types of proteins, of which β-lactoglobulin, α-lactalbumin, serum albumin, immunoglobulins and lactoferrin predominate. However, their concentrations are not stable due to the existence of protein dynamics during a transition from colostrum secretion to mature milk. To evaluate the dynamics of whey proteins of Jersey cows during a colostral phase and first month of lactation and an influence of the number of lactations, 268 milk samples from 135 Jersey cows were selected through a clinical evaluation. Whey was obtained by rennet coagulation of the mammary secretion. The concentration of total proteins was determined by the biuret method and their fractions were identified by 12% dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (12% SDS-PAGE). Maximum concentrations of all protein fractions were observed in the first 12 h of lactation, reducing over the course of the study. Modification of the protein predominance was also observed. The transition from colostrum secretion to milk occurred between 24 and 72 h postpartum. There was an influence of the number of lactations on the dynamics of whey proteins, indicating that multiparous cows had better immunological and nutritional quality when compared to primiparous cows.

Triticum monococcum ssp. monococcum has useful traits for bread wheat improvement. The synthesis of Triticum turgidum–T. monococcum amphiploids is an essential step for transferring genes from T. monococcum into bread wheat. In this study, 264 wide hybridization combinations were done by crossing 60 T. turgidum lines belonging to five subspecies with 83 T. monococcum accessions. Without embryo rescue and hormone treatment, from the 10,810 florets pollinated, 1983 seeds were obtained, with a mean crossability of 18.34% (range 0–89.29%). Many hybrid seeds (90.73%, 923/1017) could germinate and produce plants. A total of 56 new amphiploids (AABBAmAm) were produced by colchicine treatment of T. turgidum × T. monococcum F1 hybrids. The chromosome constitution of amphiploids was characterized by fluorescence in situ hybridization using oligonucleotides probes with different chromosome and sub-chromosome specificities. Sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis indicated that the Glu-A1m-b, Glu-A1m-c, Glu-A1m-d and Glu-A1m-h proteins of T. monococcum were expressed in some amphiploids. Despite resistance reduction in several cases, 45 out of 56 amphiploids exhibited resistance to the current predominant Chinese stripe rust races at both the seedling and adult plant stage. These novel amphiploids provide new germplasm for the potential improvement of bread wheat quality and stripe rust resistance.

Caprine and bovine milks have a similar overall gross composition, but vary considerably in the ratios of their casein components. These differences in colloidal casein micelles could affect directly or indirectly the heat stability of caprine and bovine milks at their natural pH. In the present work, the differences in colloidal stability of caprine and bovine milk have been studied by analysing the effect of heat treatment and skimming on precipitation of proteins. Raw and heated milk samples (70 °C/5 min, 80°C/5 min and 90°C/5 min) were centrifuged at 600, 2000, and 4500 g. The amount of precipitate formed after skimming was measured and the protein composition of both precipitates and supernatants analysed using the SDS-PAGE (sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis) and densitometry. In caprine milk, the heat treatment prior to skimming had a statistically significant effect on protein precipitation. Centrifugal force had a statistically significant effect on amount of precipitate for both milks, but the amount was 2 to 4 times higher for caprine milk. When defatting the milk for electrophoresis, a centrifugal force of 600 g appeared to be the most appropriate, in order to avoid protein loss and a possible error in the interpretation of results. Results of this study could also serve as the basis for further investigations on adjusting the skimming conditions for caprine milk in industrial dairy processing environment.

The serum antibody response in golden hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus) infected with the intestinal trematode Echinostoma caproni was examined with ELISA, SDS-PAGE and Western blot, and IFAT techniques. All methods showed that the hamsters responded slowly but developed a clear positive humoral response to the infection. In most hamsters, an antibody response to infection could not be detected earlier than 11–13 weeks after infection with 6 or 25 metacercariae, and responses were weak when compared to previous results from mice infected with the same parasite. IFAT with positive hamster sera on live juvenile E. caproni showed only fluorescence at the posterior tip, which is a different pattern from that seen using sera from infected mice, indicating a different response to antigens on the juvenile parasites by these two hosts. The results are discussed in relation to the limited selfcure and development of resistance which is observed in golden hamsters infected with E. caproni.

Axes, hypocotyls and radicles excised from dry cotton seeds (Gossypium hirsutum L. cv. M-8, a double haploid) were imbibed for 24 h and compared with axial segments (excised sections of embryos below the cotyledons) of imbibed, intact seeds. Radicles of excised axes had a 7.4-fold increase in length compared with only 5.2- and 5.7-fold increases, respectively, in radicles of intact seeds and in those isolated when dry. Change in hypocotyl length was not as extensive. EM data for hypocotyl and radicle cortical cells from dry and imbibed seeds revealed a major reduction in matrix protein in protein storage vacuoles along with significant organelle development at 24 h from the start of imbibition. This occurred in parallel with a reduction in salt-extracted proteins and an increase in 2% SDS-extractable proteins. SDS-PAGE of protein from low (0.2 M NaCI) and high (1.0 M NaCI) salt extracts showed a reduction in amount of the major storage proteins (53 and 48 kDa), these bands being almost totally absent in gels of protein extracts from imbibed radicles and significantly reduced in hypocotyls, within 24 h from the start of imbibition. These results indicate that initial elongation of hypocotyls and radicles in intact seeds or of excised axes, after 24 h imbibition, involves breakdown of storage proteins in these axial parts to supply nutrients for growth, with very limited contribution from the cotyledons.

Excised axes from cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L. cv. M-8, a double haploid) were imbibed in vitro for 3,6,9,12,18 and 24 h. Data for length, fresh and dry weight and percentage water showed that excised axes undergo a triphasic pattern of growth: an initial burst, a short lag phase and then protracted rapid growth. Analysis of protein content with SDS-PAGE, and of activities of amino-, carboxy- and endopeptidases provided data indicating a direct correlation between major axis elongation growth between 12 and 24 h and enzymatic breakdown of storage proteins (especially those of 48 kDa) by carboxy- and endopeptidase. Data for axes imbibed at 30°C and 0–5°C for 12, 18 and 24 h indicated that a reduction in length and percentage moisture in the cold occurred in parallel with reductions in carboxy- and endopeptidase activities but not in ami-nopeptidase activity. The tentative conclusion is that carboxy- and endopeptidase are probably synthesized de novo in the axis during imbibition and are important in initial breakdown of storage proteins for axial elongation growth.

Protein storage vacuoles (PSVs) from radicles and cotyledons of dry cotton seeds were isolated by differential centrifugation following homogenization in glycerol. Protein complement analysis of isolated PSVs with one dimensional SDS-PAGE gels revealed similar major storage proteins, viz. 53 and 48 kDa, with differences in lower molecular mass proteins. Radicle PSVs have apparently more 35-kDa and less 22-kDa storage protein than do cotyledon PSVs. The mineral composition of whole radicles, cotyledons and isolated PSVs from radicles and cotyledons was determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy and colorimetric elemental analyses. The concentration of calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), potassium (K) and phosphate (P) was lower in isolated PSVs from radicles than from cotyledons, resulting in a marked difference in the Mg/Ca and (Mg+Ca)/K ratios in PSVs from these two sources. Analysis of radicle and cotyledon tissue from dry seeds for mineral distribution with EDX and scanning electron microscopy revealed major concentrations of Mg, K and P in PSVs. These observations indicate that PSVs in radicles are similar in protein and mineral composition to PSVs in cotyledons. PSVs in radicles have the potential function as storage organelles to provide minerals and nutrients for radicle growth during imbibition and germination.

Like most metazoan biomineralisations, the brachiopod shell is the end product of a biologically controlled calcification process. The main agent of the control is the extracellular matrix, which is secreted by the outer mantle epithelium. This matrix mediates the calcification process by allowing crystal nucleation and elongation in specific orientations and finally, by stopping crystal growth. The proteinaceous moiety of brachiopod shell matrices has been extensively studied. Less known are the post-translational modifications that occur in these matrices, in particular glycosylations. In this comparison of five species of Recent articulated brachiopods, the ratio of soluble to insoluble organic matrix varies between the species. Polydisperse macromolecular materials occur in each of these species with discrete proteins of 50 kDa in Notosaria nigricans, Calloria inconspicua and Neothyris lenticularis, 37 kDa in Terebratulina retusa and Gryphus vitreus and 20–25 kDa in N. nigricans. Protein mixtures from all five species respond differently to anionic stains (Stains-All and Alcian Blue). PAS staining results in a positive smear in C. inconspicua and T. retusa and highlights low molecular weight glycoproteins in C. inconspicua. The polysaccharide composition of the soluble matrix of T. retusa is different from the others due to high proportions of arabinose and low proportions of fucose. In all cases, polysaccharide composition of the insoluble matrix is dominated by glucose and glucosamine. Insoluble matrices have more glucose and xylose and less galactosamine and glucosamine than the corresponding soluble matrix. Relatively high amounts of glucosamine may suggest the presence of chitin in the shell matrix of rhynchonelliform brachiopods.

This study was carried out to determine ruminal dry matter (DM) and crude protein (CP) degradation characteristics of untreated, 2-, 4- and 6-min microwave-treated soya-bean meal (SBM) by using nylon bags and sodium dodecyl sulphatepolyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) techniques. Nylon bags of untreated or treated SBM were suspended into the rumen of three Holstein steers from 0 to 48 h, and data were fitted to non-linear degradation characteristics to calculate effective rumen degradation (ERD). There were significant differences (P < 0·05) for DM and CP degradation parameters between untreated and microwave-treated SBM. Microwave treatments decreased the water-soluble fraction and increased the potentially degradable fraction of CP. The degradation rate of the latter fraction decreased with these treatments. As a consequence, microwave treatments decreased (P < 0·05) ERD of CP. From densitometric scanning, SBM proteins were seen to be composed of two major components; β-conglycinin and glycinin, accounting for proportionately 0·30 and 0·40 of buffer-soluble SBM proteins, respectively. Electrophoretic analysis of untreated, 2-, 4- and 6-min microwave-treated SBM protein residues revealed that two of the subunits of β-conglycinin (α -and α) were degraded completely after 2, 4, 24 and 48 h, respectively, whereas the α subunit of this protein was more resistant to degradation. In untreated SBM, the two subunits of glycinin (acidic and basic polypeptides) were degraded in the middle of the incubation period, but in microwave-treated SBM were not degraded until 48 h of incubation. In vitro digestibility of ruminally undegraded CP of untreated and treated SBM increased (P < 0·05) with increases in rumen incubation time from 8 to 24 h. In conclusion, SBM proteins appeared to be effectively protected from ruminal degradation by a 4-min microwave treatment. SDS-PAGE results indicated that ruminally undegraded protein from untreated SBM was mainly composed of the basic subunit of glycinin, whereas that from microwave-treated SBM was composed of β-conglycinin and both basic and acidic subunits of glycinin.

—The sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) of gut supernate antigen (GS Ag) derived from partly fed Hyalomma anatolicum anatolicum Koch, 1844 (Acari: Ixodidae) adult females revealed 26 discrete potypeptide bands of molecular weight ranging from 25–208 kDa. Out of these, seven bandswere of major polypeptides with molecular weights of between 25.2 and 185.8 kDa. On immunoblotting with antisera raised in rabbits against gut supernate (crude extract), eight immunogenic polypeptides with molecular weights of between 51.7 and 185.8 were identified. The implications of these findings for the potential development of anti-tick vaccine are discussed.