Comparative Response of the Hepatic Transcriptomes of Domesticated and Wild Turkey to Aflatoxin B1

Authors

Kent M. Reed, University of MinnesotaFollow
Kristelle M. Mendoza, University of MinnesotaFollow
Juan E. Abrahante, University of Minnesota
Roger A. Coulombe, Utah State UniversityFollow

Document Type

Article

Journal/Book Title/Conference

Toxins

Volume

10

Issue

42

Publisher

MDPI

Publication Date

1-13-2018

First Page

1

Last Page

24

Abstract

The food-borne mycotoxin aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁) poses a significant risk to poultry, which are highly susceptible to its hepatotoxic effects. Domesticated turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) are especially sensitive, whereas wild turkeys (M.g. silvestris) are more resistant. AFB₁ toxicity entails bioactivation by hepatic cytochrome P450s to the electrophilic exo-AFB₁-8,9-epoxide (AFBO). Domesticated turkeys lack functional hepatic GST-mediated detoxification of AFBO, and this is largely responsible for the differences in resistance between turkey types. This study was designed to characterize transcriptional changes induced in turkey livers by AFB₁ , and to contrast the response of domesticated (susceptible) and wild (more resistant) birds. Gene expression responses to AFB₁ were examined using RNA-sequencing. Statistically significant differences in gene expression were observed among treatment groups and between turkey types. Expression analysis identified 4621 genes with significant differential expression (DE) in AFB₁ -treated birds compared to controls. Characterization of DE transcripts revealed genes dis-regulated in response to toxic insult with significant association of Phase I and Phase II genes and others important in cellular regulation, modulation of apoptosis, and inflammatory responses. Constitutive expression of GSTA3 was significantly higher in wild birds and was significantly higher in AFB₁-treated birds when compared to controls for both genetic groups. This pattern was also observed by qRT-PCR in other wild and domesticated turkey strains. Results of this study emphasize the differential response of these genetically distinct birds, and identify genes and pathways that are differentially altered in aflatoxicosis.

Recommended Citation

Reed, Kent M.; Mendoza, Kristelle M.; Abrahante, Juan E.; and Coulombe, Roger A., "Comparative Response of the Hepatic Transcriptomes of Domesticated and Wild Turkey to Aflatoxin B1" (2018). Animal, Dairy, and Veterinary Science Faculty Publications. Paper 1311.
https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/advs_facpub/1311