今年3月に博士課程を修了した渡邉くんの論文がJournal of Veterinary Pharmacology and Therapeutics誌にアクセプトされました。

【Title】

Partial cloning of CYP2C23a genes and hepatic protein expression in eight representative avian species

【Abstract】

Large interspecies differences in avian xenobiotic metabolism have been revealed by microsome-based studies, but specific enzyme isoforms in different bird species have not yet been compared. We have previously shown that CYP2C23 genes are the most induced CYP isoforms in chicken liver. In the present study, we obtained partial CYP2C23a gene sequences from eight avian species (Ostrich, Blue-eared pheasant, Snow owl, Great-horned owl, Chilean flamingo, Peregrin falcon, Humboldt penguin and Black-crowned night heron) selected to cover the whole avian lineage: Paleognathae, Galloanserae, and Neoaves. Genetic analysis showed that CYP2C23 genes of Galloanserae species (chicken and blue-eared pheasant) had unique characteristics. We found some duplicated genes (CYP2C23a and 2C23b) and two missing amino acid residues in Galloanserae compared to the other two lineages. The genes have lower homology than in other avian lineages, which suggests Galloanserae-specific rapid evolutionary changes. These genetic features suggested that the Galloanserae are not the most representative avian species, considering that the Neoaves comprise more than 95% of birds. Moreover, we succeeded in synthesizing an anti-peptide polyclonal antibody against the region of CYP2C23 protein conserved in avians. However, comparative quantitation of CYP2C23 proteins in livers from six species showed that expression levels of these proteins differed no more than four-fold. Further study is needed to clarify the function of avian CYP2C23 proteins.