The parallel gene expression profiles of Brucella melitensis and the host have not been elaborated. In this study, I analyze and discuss the transcriptional profiles of B. melitensis invasive-associated genes, the expression profile of intracellular B. melitensis and B. melitensis-infected non-phagocytic cells in the first 12 h post-infection (PI), and the in vivo temporal global transcriptome of both B. melitensis and the infected bovine host in the first 4 h PI. The initial study found that B. melitensis at late-log phase of growth were more invasive in non-phagocytic cells than at early-log or stationary growth phase. Microarray-based studies identified 454 Brucella genes differentially expressed between the most and the least invasive growth phases. Additionally, B. melitensis strains with transposon interrupted in loci BMEII0380 (acrA) and BMEI1538 (hypothetical protein) were found to be deficient in internalization compare with the wild-type strain. A second experiment was designed with the goal of characterizing host and pathogen transcriptome in parallel. For detecting intracellular Brucella gene expression, a combined protocol consisting of a linear amplification of sense-stranded RNA biased to pathogen transcripts to the previously enriched host:pathogen RNA mixed sample, was developed. RNA samples were hybridized on human and Brucella cDNA microarrays, which analysis revealed a common down-regulation transcriptional profile at 4 h PI that was reverse at 12 h PI. The integrity of B. melitensis virB operon and the expression of host MAPK1 were confirmed as critical for early B. melitensis intracellular survival and replication in non-phagocytic cells. Finally, a temporal morphological and molecular characterization of the initial B. melitensis:bovine host interaction using a calf ileal loop model was performed. B. melitensis was isolated from intestinal Peyer’s patches as soon as 15 min and from systemic blood after 30 min postintra luminal inoculation. Microarray results revealed a common transcriptional profile in Brucella, but two different transcriptional profiles were identified in the host in the first 4 h PI. The importance of differentially expressed biological processes, pathways and individual genes in the initial Brucella pathogenesis is discussed.

The chromosomal location of endocrine genes was established, and relationships between expression of specific endocrine genes and measures of testis function in normal and poor semen quality stallions was assessed. Consensus primer sequences for glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and luteinizing hormone receptor (LHR) were used to screen the CHORI-241 equine bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) library. The identity of PCR-positive BAC clones was confirmed by sequencing. Verified BACs were mapped to horse metaphase chromosome spreads by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). The BACs containing the GR and LHR were localized by FISH to ECA 14q16-q21 and ECA15q22-q23, respectively. In addition to FISH mapping, the 5000rad horse x hamster radiation hybrid (RH) panel was screened in duplicate. Two-point linkage analysis placed GR 0 cR from LEX047, while LHR was 36.67 cR from TKY011 on ECA14 and ECA15, respectively. Total testicular parenchymal weight, mean daily sperm production (DSP) per gram parenchyma and mean apoptotic rate (406.05 ± 24.33g vs. 180.01 ± 34.41g, 15.29 ± 0.87 vs. 10.24 ± 1.10, 6.70 ± 0.88 vs. 14.25 ± 1.11, respectively) differed (P<0.05) between normal (n=8) and poor semen quality (n=5) stallions. Also, plasma estradiol and inhibin concentrations were higher (P<0.05) in normal stallions than in poor semen quality stallions. Testicular expression of estrogen receptor beta (ER beta), &#946;B inhibin, prolactin receptor (PRLR), growth hormone receptor (GHR) and insulin-like growth factor I receptor (IGF-IR) mRNAs were all lower (P<0.05) in poor semen quality stallions than in normal stallions. The BACs and primers developed in this study will facilitate future investigations of GR and LHR gene structure in the horse as well as providing a resource for physiological investigation of these two genes that are primary regulators of stress responsiveness and fertility. These data add important endocrine genes to the horse cytogenetic map. Also, important hormonal and gene expression changes have been identified in poor semen quality stallions for further investigation.

Thesis (M. Med. Sc.)--University of Hong Kong, 2009. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 77-97).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 2001. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (p. 132-140).

Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Texas at Arlington, 2008.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--West Virginia University, 2004. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains x, 201 p. : ill. (some col.). Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 185-201).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Oregon, 2000. / Typescript. Includes vita and abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 96-105). Also available for download via the World Wide Web; free to University of Oregon users.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Queensland, 2002. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Queensland, 2001. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M. Phil.)--University of Hong Kong, 2002. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 101-116).