Tripartite-motif family members in the White Pekin duck (Anas platyrhynchos) modulate antiviral gene expression

• Author / Creator

  Blaine, Alysson H.

• Wild waterfowl, including mallard ducks, are the natural reservoir of avian influenza A virus and are resistant to highly pathogenic strains. This is primarily due to the robust innate immune response of ducks. Shortly after exposure to both highly pathogenic (A/Viet Nam/1203/04 (H5N1)) and low pathogenic (A/mallard/BC/500/05 (H5N2)) avian influenza, many immune genes are upregulated including members of the diverse tripartite-motif (TRIM) family. TRIM proteins have species-specific antiviral roles in a variety of viral infections. I have identified a contig of TRIM genes located adjacent to the MHC locus in the White Pekin duck (Anas platyrhynchos) genome. A duplication of the TRIM27.1 gene (TRIM27.1a and TRIM27.1b) has occurred. Using quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) I determined that both TRIM27.1a and TRIM27.1b are upregulated 34- and 5-fold, respectively, at 1 day post-infection with VN1203. In a co-transfection experiment I determined that TRIM27.1a and TRIM27.1b have opposite effects on expression, decreasing and increasing transcription of antiviral genes, respectively.

• Subjects / Keywords

  • TRIMs
  • Innate immune modulation
  • Anas platyrhynchos
  • Tripartite-motif family

• Graduation date

  Fall 2013

• Type of Item

  Thesis

• Degree

  Master of Science

• DOI

  https://doi.org/10.7939/R3M32NJ7N

• License

  This thesis is made available by the University of Alberta Libraries with permission of the copyright owner solely for non-commercial purposes. This thesis, or any portion thereof, may not otherwise be copied or reproduced without the written consent of the copyright owner, except to the extent permitted by Canadian copyright law.