Diversity of the ovine DQA2 gene

Variation in the ovine DQA2 gene was investigated in approximately 2,000 sheep from six breeds. Fragments of DNA containing the ovine DQA2 exon 2 were amplified using PCR. Single-strand conformational polymorphism analysis and DNA sequence analysis were employed to detect genetic variation. Twenty-three nucleic acid sequences, encoding 22 DQA2 amino acid sequences, were identified. This increases the number of alleles identified from 10 to 23. In some cases, three or four unique sequences were isolated from individual sheep, suggesting that these DQA2 sequences may represent two loci. Phylogenetic tree analysis revealed that 5 of these 23 sequences were more closely related to cattle DQA3 or DQA4 sequences than to other sheep DQA2 sequences. These sequences clustered together and were called DQA2-like to differentiate them from other DQA2 sequences. There was no evidence of DQA5-like sequences in sheep. Information theory-based analysis indicated that some of the DQA2-like sequences had low information content at splice sites, suggesting that these alleles may have low functional activity. Allelic lineages were observed not only at the DQA2 locus, but also at the DQA2-like locus, supporting the trans-species mode of evolution of MHC genes. Comparison of the allelic sequences suggests that polymorphism seems to have arisen largely by point mutation and gene conversion, and a recent gene conversion event seems to have occurred between the DQA2 and DQA2-like loci. The high level of sequence polymorphism detected and varied number of loci demonstrate the extensive diversity of the ovine DQA2 gene.     

Allelic polymorphism in the ovine DQA1 gene

Variation in the ovine DQA1 gene was investigated by amplification of exon 2 using PCR, followed by single-strand conformational polymorphism (SSCP) analysis, cloning, and DNA sequencing. Fourteen novel SSCP patterns, representing 14 different sequences, were identified. Eight of these 14 sequences were identical to published DQA1 sequences from sheep, whereas the remaining six were novel but similar to the published DQA1 sequences from sheep and cattle. These six new sequences exhibited conserved region and variable region patterns similar to the published sheep DQA1 sequences, but were different than the published DQA2 sequences from sheep. All of these 14 putative sheep DQA1 sequences fulfilled the criteria used by the established bovine leukocyte antigens major histocompatibility complex nomenclature committee for assignment as new alleles. Comparison of the available DQA1 sequences from sheep and cattle revealed several clusters of ovine DQA1 sequences, and some sheep alleles were more similar to cattle alleles than other sheep alleles. The occurrence of trans-species polymorphism suggests the action of balancing selection at the DQA1 locus. Twenty-four percent of the nucleotide positions showed variation within exon 2, and this variation seems to have arisen largely by point mutation and gene conversion. The nonsynonymous and synonymous substitution rates were similar in both the putative antigen-binding site codons and the putative nonantigen-binding site codons. The extensive polymorphism reported in this article is consistent with polymorphism reported at the bovine DQA1 locus.     

Haplotype analysis of the DQA genes in sheep: evidence supporting recombination between the loci

The ovine class II major histocompatibility complex mediates specific immune responses to exogenous antigens in sheep. A number of ovine class II loci have been identified, and most of them appear to be polymorphic. In this study we investigated the DQA1 locus of 520 sheep and the DQA2 locus of over 40,000 sheep, finding 12 sequences and 22 sequences, respectively, using DQA1- and DQA2-specific PCR primers. Among the DQA2 sequences, 2 groups of sequences can be found: those that share homology with the DQA2 sequences from closely related species and those that cluster with bovine DQA3 and DQA4 sequences and have been called DQA2-like in sheep. The occurrence of these DQA2-like sequences was once again confirmed to correspond with the absence of detectable DQA1 sequences, suggesting that they are found at the same location as DQA1. Within the sheep studied, 37 haplotypes could be detected, 23 being haplotypes of DQA1 and DQA2 sequences and with frequencies ranging from 0.38 to 9.27%, and 14 being haplotypes of DQA2 and DQA2-like sequences and with frequencies ranging from 0.03 to 14.53%. We discovered 12 DQA1-DQA2 combinations that were derived from 5 DQA1 alleles and 4 DQA2 alleles, and 8 DQA2-DQA2-like combinations from 5 DQA2 alleles and 2 DQA2-like sequences. The frequency of occurrence of recombined DQA1-DQA2 sequences and recombined DQA2-DQA2-like sequences is similar, once again suggesting the DQA2-like sequences are found at the DQA1 locus.     

Isolation of two cDNAs encoding MHC-DQA1 and -DQA2 from the water buffalo, Bubalus bubalis

In the present study, we explored structural and functional variations and possible duplication of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-DQA gene in water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis). Two cDNA sequences, amplified from one individual water buffalo, were designated as Bubu-DQA1 (DQA*0101) and -DQA2 (DQA*2001). The percentage of nucleotide and amino acid similarity between Bubu-DQA1 and -DQA2 revealed that these sequences display more similarity to alleles of respective DQA1 and DQA2 genes from other ruminant species than to each other. The phylogenetic analysis also revealed a considerably larger genetic distance between these two genes than between homologous genes from other species. The larger genetic distance between DQA*0101 and DQA*2001, and the presence of different bovine DQA putative locus specific amino acid motifs, suggests these sequences are non-allelic. This finding is consistent with DQA gene duplication in other ruminants.     

Polymorphism of Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) gene in sheep

Bacterial and synthetic DNA containing unmethylated CpG dinucleotides in particular sequence contexts, activates the vertebrate immune system through Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9). In this study, we use PCR-single-strand conformational polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) analysis to investigate genetic variation in a key region of the ovine TLR9 gene. Three novel SSCP patterns, representing three different sequences, were identified. Either one or two different sequences were detected in individual sheep and all the sequences identified shared high homology to the TLR9 sequences from a variety of species, suggesting that these sequences represent allelic variants of the ovine TLR9 gene. Four single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were detected in the region amplified and two of them were non-synonymous substitutions that would result in amino acid changes. Variation detected here might have an impact on the structure and/or function of TLR9 and hence affect the immune response to pathogens.     

亚洲黑熊主要组织相容性复合体DQA及DRB基因外显子2多态性分析

试验旨在分析亚洲黑熊主要组织相容性复合体(major histocompatibility complex,MHC) DQA和DRB基因外显子2多态性。采用PCR扩增和克隆测序等方法对来自云南地区的40只亚洲黑熊DNA样本进行研究。结果发现,在40只亚洲黑熊样本中检测出了9个DQA外显子2等位基因和13个DRB外显子2等位基因,和大熊猫相比,亚洲黑熊在DQA和DRB基因外显子2位点上有较高的多态性。通过对推导出的氨基酸序列抗原结合位点的同义替换和非同义替换的比较,证明了DQA和DRB位点的平衡选择作用。     

Technical note: determination of alleles of the ovine PRNP gene using PCR-single-strand conformational polymorphism analysis

Susceptibility to scrapie in sheep is linked to variation at codons 136, 154, and 171 in the host prion protein gene (PRNP). A number of techniques are available for detecting these polymorphisms, but none allow for a rapid and accurate determination of genotype. Here we describe PCR coupled with single-strand conformational polymorphism (SSCP) analysis, which allows for the accurate identification of ovine PRNP alleles. A gene region including codons 136 to 171 was amplified by PCR, and the amplimers were then denatured and subjected to electrophoresis in a nondenaturing polyacrylamide gel. Nine unique SSCP patterns, representing nine different alleles of the ovine PRNP gene, could be resolved. A new polymorphism (I/T) at codon 142 also was detected. The profiles produced by SSCP allowed for the accurate differentiation of PRNP alleles and could be employed to genotype PRNP in sheep.     

Identification of Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis from sheep by PCR-restriction analysis using the RNA polymerase β-subunit gene (rpoB)

Caseous lymphadenitis, caused by Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis, has a high prevalence in many regions of the world, including Argentina and Brazil. A polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method for the identification of this microorganism was designed based on the hypervariable region of the polymorphic RNA polymerase β-subunit gene (rpoB). All available CorynebacteriumrpoB sequences were analyzed by computer-assisted restriction analysis. The rpoB PCR-RFLP pattern predicted by using endonucleases MseI and StuI clearly differentiated C. pseudotuberculosis from sixty-one other Corynebacterium species. This method was successfully applied to identify twelve wild C. pseudotuberculosis ovine isolates and one caprine isolate. It was also used to differentiate C. pseudotuberculosis from Arcanobacterium pyogenes, an ovine pathogen with similar clinical characteristics. These results indicate that this new molecular method can be used for the reliable identification of the pathogen, essential for the timely detection of infected animals and for epidemiological studies.     

Genetic analysis of the G and P genes in ungulate respiratory syncytial viruses by RNase A mismatch cleavage method

The G and P genes of bovine, ovine and caprine respiratory syncytial (RS) viruses were analyzed by RNase A one-dimensional fingerprinting, using A51908 as the reference strain. Antisense G or P RNA probes of bovine RS virus strain A 51908 were hybridized to total RNA extracted from bovine turbinate cells infected with bovine, ovine or caprine RS virus strains. The RNA:RNA heteroduplexes were digested with RNase A and the resistant products were analyzed by gel electrophoresis. Comparative analysis of the cleavage patterns revealed heterogeneity among bovine, ovine and caprine RS virus isolates. Ovine RS virus strains generated RNA cleavage patterns more distantly related to the bovine or caprine RS virus strains, particularly in the G gene. Statistical analysis of the results obtained indicated that genetic differences between bovine and ovine viruses were larger, compared with the ones among bovine strains themselves. The same analysis also revealed a close genetic relation among bovine and caprine strains. These results are discussed in terms of ungulate RS virus genetic variation and vaccine development.     

Interbreed variation of DLA-DRB1, DQA1 alleles and haplotypes in the dog.

Although 36 DLA-DRB1 and 10 DLA-DQA1 allele sequences have been published to date, no data on individual allele frequencies exists, either for specific breeds or cross breeds, and the full extent of the polymorphism at each of these loci is still not known. We have used sequence-specific oligonucleotide probing (SSOP) to characterise a series of 367 dogs for their DRB1 and DQA1 alleles. These included individual animals from over 60 different breeds, with numbers per breed ranging from 1 to 39. DLA types were generated from 218 dogs for DRB1 and from 330 dogs for DQA1, while 181 dogs were characterised for both these loci. The frequency of individual DRB1 and DQA1 alleles showed considerable interbreed variation, e.g. 83% of West Highland White Terriers were DRB1*01 as opposed to 9% of Collies. No breed had >9 of the 22 DRB1 types defined in this study; several breeds had only two DRB1 types. DLA-DQA1 showed less variation in allele numbers per breed, but also showed considerable interbreed frequency variation. Haplotype analysis revealed over 44 different DRB1/DQA1 combinations. Of these, 25 were in a number of animals, and also in an animal that was homozygous for one or both of these loci. Some DRB1 alleles could be found in combination with several different DQA1 alleles, while others were only present in one haplotypic combination. DLA allele frequency data in normal dogs will be critical for disease association studies. It may also be possible to use haplotype data to establish the genetic relationships between different dog breeds.     

Seven novel single nucleotide polymorphisms identified within river buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) lactoferrin gene

The present study aimed at identifying single-nucleotide polymorphic (SNP) sites in different coding and non-coding regions of lactoferrin gene in Indian riverine buffaloes. A total of 102 animals from six different river buffalo breeds were screened at six bubaline lactoferrin gene loci. Single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis revealed monomorphic patterns at three loci LtfE2, LtfE11, and LtfE14 while a total of eight distinct patterns were observed in the other three loci viz. LtfE5, LtfE10, and LtfE16 which correspond to respective exons and their flanking regions. Sequence analysis of different SSCP variants revealed the presence of two SNP sites within the coding (exon 16) region and five SNP sites in flanking non-coding regions (intron 4 and intron 9). Both SNPs within exon 16 were found to be synonymous. The SNPs and haplotypes identified in the present study could serve as potential markers for association with susceptibility/resistance to mastitis in buffaloes.     

Genetic relationships in Swiss sheep breeds based on microsatellite analysis

Genetic relationships between Swiss sheep breeds were estimated on the basis of microsatellite analysis. In addition to the Swiss breeds wild-type Mouflon was included in this investigation. Polymerase chain reaction amplifications of 31 ovine, bovine and caprine microsatellites were performed in a total of 307 animals representing eight populations. The average heterozygosity within each population was high in the domestic breeds (0.60–0.71) and lower in Mouflon 0.45. The average coefficient of gene differentiation G _ST over all loci was 0.17, i.e. a small part of the variability at the 31 microsatellite loci analysed must be ascribed to between-breed variability. Genetic distances between breeds were obtained, which were used to construct a phylogenetic tree. Microsatellites developed from closely related species of cattle and goat are useful for estimating genetic relationships among sheep breeds.     

马可·波罗盘羊和5种家养绵羊MHC-DRB3基因第2外显子遗传多态性分析

【目的】 分析马可·波罗盘羊MHC-DRB3基因第2外显子多态性，确定其等位基因数及核苷酸、氨基酸多态位点，以及与家养绵羊的遗传进化关系。【方法】 采用PCR-SSCP方法对39只马可·波罗盘羊、159只塔什库尔干羊、72只藏绵羊、76只宁夏滩羊、36只柯尔克孜羊和26只多浪羊MHC-DRB3基因第2外显子的等位基因进行检测，对不同绵羊品种产生的差异等位基因进行克隆及测序，并对等位基因单倍型序列进行分析；利用生物信息学在线软件分析马可·波罗盘羊MHC-DRB3基因第2外显子编码蛋白的理化性质、结构和功能。【结果】 试验共获得66个MHC-DRB3等位基因，马可·波罗盘羊、塔什库尔干羊、藏绵羊、宁夏滩羊、柯尔克孜羊和多浪羊的等位基因数分别为23、14、12、12、4和1个。马可·波罗盘羊、塔什库尔干羊、藏绵羊、宁夏滩羊和柯尔克孜羊MHC-DRB3基因第2外显子等位基因序列中的核苷酸多态位点分别为74、76、45、49和25个，表明相较于藏绵羊、宁夏滩羊和柯尔克孜羊，马可·波罗盘羊和塔什库尔干羊的多态性更高。系统发育分析表明，马可·波罗盘羊和塔什库尔干羊MHC-DRB3基因均呈两支分化；马可·波罗盘羊、塔什库尔干羊和藏绵羊MHC-DRB3基因单倍型的相似性较高。马可·波罗盘羊MHC-DRB3基因第2外显子编码产物为不稳定亲水性蛋白，二级结构主要以无规则卷曲和α-螺旋为主，其生物学作用主要在细胞质中体现。【结论】 本试验确定了马可·波罗盘羊和5种家养绵羊MHC-DRB3基因第2外显子的等位基因数及核苷酸、氨基酸多态位点，为进一步探究绵羊MHC-DRB3基因的调控机理及进化意义提供材料。     

牛羊多胎性状的分子遗传基础研究

本研究采用了RAPD、PCR RFLP、微卫星、PCR SSCP、序列分析等方法对2个牛品种(秦川牛和荷斯坦奶牛共60头)、6个中国固有绵羊品种(多胎品种小尾寒羊,双胎品种大尾寒羊,单胎品种兰州大尾羊、蒙古羊、同羊和哈萨克羊共197余只`进行了分子遗传基础研究,旨在寻找牛羊多胎性状合适的分子标记,为进一步对牛双胎基因、绵羊多胎基因的探索和高繁殖率牛羊的选育提供科学依据.     

中国美利奴羊OLA-DQB1基因exon2遗传多态性与布鲁氏菌病易感性的关联分析

本试验采用PCR-SSCP方法对148只布鲁氏菌阴性和60只布鲁氏菌阳性中国美利奴羊白细胞表面抗原DQB1(OLA-DQB1)基因exon 2单核苷酸多态性(SNPs)进行了检测,之后挑选不同等位基因进行PCR产物测序,旨在确定该基因的多态性位点,并对每个SNP位点的等位基因频率、基因型频率进行统计分析,从而分析其多态性与布鲁氏菌病易感性的相关性.测序结果表明,在270 bp的序列内共检测到43个SNPs,其中G196A位点的等位基因频率在病例组和对照组中的分布存在极显著差异(P< 0.01),其基因型频率存在显著差异(P< 0.05);C211T位点的等位基因频率在病例组和对照组中存在显著差异(P< 0.05).由此表明,OLA-DQB1基因exon 2多态性与中国美利奴羊布鲁氏菌病易感性呈显著相关.     

草原红牛及其杂交群体中微卫星DNA多态性研究

选用草原红牛及其与利木赞牛的杂交后代66头作为试验牛群体,提取血液及肝脏基因组DNA,设计8对微卫星引物进行PCR扩增,从分子水平上对草原红牛及其杂交群体8个位点的遗传多态性进行微卫星分析。结果表明,在草原红牛中,ETH225、IDVGA2、IDVGA46和IDVGA44等位基因数分别为5、4、3和4,多态信息含量(PIC)分别为0．5420、0．6736、0．5218和0．5750,这4个位点均为高度多态。而另4个位点BM2113、BM1824、IDVGA55和TGLA44等位基因数分别,2、2、2和5,多态信息含量分别为0．3698、0．3604、0．3538和0．4708,属于中度多态性位点。在杂交牛群体中,BM2113、ETH225、IDVGA2、IDVGA46、ID- VGA44、BM1824、IDVGA55和TGLA44这8个位点的等位基因数分别为4、5、4、4、5、4、4和6,多态信息含量(PIC)分别为0．6432、0．5943、0．6593、0．5794、0．7259、0．6121、0．6120和0．6204,杂合度为0．7034,均属于高度多态性位点。这些微卫星位点作为遗传标记应用于草原红牛遗传育种研究之中是可行的。     

The Correlation Analysis between Chinese Merino Sheep OLA-DQB1 Gene Exon 2 Genetic Polymorphism and Brucellosis Susceptibility

The single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of ovine lymphocyte antigen DQB1 (OLA-DQB1) gene exon 2 was amplified by PCR-SSCP method from 148 healthy and 60 infected with Brucella Chinese Merino sheep and then PCR products of different alleles were sequenced to determine the polymorphism loci of the gene.The differences in gene frequency and genotype frequency of each SNP loci were analyzed statistically to analyze its correlation with brucellosis susceptibility.The sequencing result showed that 43 SNPs were detected in 270 bp DNA sequence,the gene frequencies of G196A allele had extremely significant difference in case and control samples (P< 0.01),and its genotype frequencies presented significant difference (P< 0.05).Similarly,C211T allele was significantly different in case and control samples (P< 0.05).The results showed that the polymorphism of OLA-DQB1 gene exon 2 might be a significant association gene with brucellosis susceptibility.     

Greater sensitivity of caprine synovial membrane cells to human interferon-alpha than human or bovine cells

The sensitivity of caprine synovial membrane cells to the antiviral effects of natural and recombinant DNA-derived human interferons (HuIFN) was compared with that of human foreskin fibroblast (FS7), ovine choroid plexus, and bovine turbinate cells. Caprine cells were found to be more sensitive (P less than 0.01) to natural HuIFN-alpha than human, ovine, and bovine cells. The sensitivity of caprine cells to recombinant DNA-derived HuIFN-alpha was equivalent to that of ovine cells, but greater than human or bovine cells. The sensitivity of caprine cells to natural and recombinant DNA-derived HuIFN-beta was equivalent to human cells, but less than that of ovine cells.     

Identification and characterization of polymorphisms within the 5' flanking region, first exon and part of first intron of bovine GH gene

The aim of the present study was to identify and characterize polymorphisms within the 5′ flanking region, first exon and part of first intron of the bovine growth hormone gene among different beef cattle breeds: Nelore (n = 25), Simmental (n = 39), Simbrasil (n = 24), Simmental × Nelore (n = 30), Canchim × Nelore (n = 30) and Angus × Nelore (n = 30). Two DNA fragments (GH1, 464 bp and GH2, 453 bp) were amplified by polymerase chain reaction and then used for polymorphism identification by SSCP. Within the GH1 fragment, five polymorphisms were identified, corresponding to three different alleles: GH1.1, GH1.2 and GH1.3 (GenBank: AY662648 , AY662649 and AY662650 , respectively). These allele sequences were aligned and compared with bovine GH gene nucleotide sequence (GenBank: M57764 and AF118837 ), resulting in the identification of five insertion/deletions (INDELs) and five single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). In the GH2 fragment two alleles were identified, GH2.1 and GH2.2 (GenBank: AY662651 and AY662652 , respectively). The allele sequences were compared with GenBank sequences ( M57764 , AF007750 and AH009106 ) and three INDELs and four SNPs were identified. In conclusion, we were able to identify six new polymorphisms of the bovine GH gene (one INDEL and five SNPs), which can be used as molecular markers in genetic studies.