ARS | Publication request: The Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center's Porcine Immunology and Nutrition Resource Database

Submitted to: Experimental Biology
Publication Type: Abstract
Publication Acceptance Date: November 15, 2007
Publication Date: March 15, 2007
Citation: Dawson, H.D., Guidry, C.A., Vangimalla, V.R., Urban Jr, J.F. 2007. The Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center's Porcine Immunology and Nutrition Resource Database. Experimental Biology.

Technical Abstract: Several diverse genomics-based databases have developed to facilitate research with human and rodent models. Current porcine gene databases, however, lack the nutritional and immunological orientation and robust annotation to design effective molecular tools to study relevant pig models. To address this need, we initially conducted a comprehensive literature-based survey. The survey first identified genes related to nutrition that were associated with macro- and micronutrient metabolism, atherosclerosis, diabetes, and obesity. It also selected genes related to immunology and associated with allergy and asthma; chemokines, cytokines, and their receptors; dendritic, mast, and NK cells; type 1 IFN-induced proteins; inflammation; toll receptor signaling pathways; and B and T cell activation and development. The process identified 2,956 candidate genes used to select potential porcine homologues by searching multiple online sources of porcine gene information. We then cloned full or partial length sequences for 63 missing high priority target genes, and developed real time PCR assays for 1,275 high priority genes of particular interest. The database also contains comprehensive information on antibody availability and published porcine gene and protein expression data. This unique database links gene expression to gene function, identifies related gene pathways, and connects to other porcine gene databases.