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.     

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.     

中国美利奴羊内皮型一氧化氮合酶基因3个外显子多态性的PCR-SSCP鉴定

本试验旨在研究中国美利奴羊内皮型一氧化氮合酶（endothelial nitric oxide synthase,eNOS）基因第7、13、14外显子上的单核苷酸多态性（SNPs）和单氨基酸多态性（SAPs）。利用生物信息学方法对人、小鼠和中国美利奴羊eNOS基因上的第7、13、14外显子进行了相似性比较,并对GenBank SNP数据库上已公布的人和小鼠eNOS基因外显子多态性进行了统计分析,然后采用PCR-SSCP方法对120只中国美利奴羊eNOS基因的这3个外显子的扩增片段进行分析,通过分析发现在120只中国美利奴羊这3个外显子上并没有SNPs位点,说明中国美利奴羊eNOS基因上的这3个外显子区域相对保守。     

Subpopulations of equine blood lymphocytes expressing regulatory T cell markers

Several distinct T lymphocyte subpopulations with immunoregulatory activity have been described in a number of mammalian species. This study performed a phenotypic analysis of cells expressing regulatory T cell (Treg) markers in the peripheral blood of a cohort of 18 horses aged 6 months to 23 years, using antibodies to both intracellular and cell surface markers, including Forkhead box P3 (FOXP3), CD4, CD8, CD25, interferon gamma (IFNγ) and interleukin 10 (IL-10). In peripheral blood, a mean of 2.2 ± 0.2% CD4+ and 0.5 ± 0.1% CD8+ lymphocytes expressed FOXP3. The mean percentage of CD4+FOXP3+ cells was found to be significantly decreased in horses 15 years and older (1.5%) as compared to horses 6 years and younger (2.7%), but did not differ between females and males and ponies and horses. Activation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells by pokeweed mitogen resulted in induction of CD25 and FOXP3 expression by CD4+ cells, with peak expression noted after 48 and 72 h in culture respectively. Activated CD4+FOXP3+ cells expressed IFNγ (35% of FOXP3+ cells) or IL-10 (9% FOXP3+ cells). Cell sorting was performed to determine FOXP3 expression by CD4(+)CD25(-), CD4(+)CD25(dim) and CD4(+)CD25(high) subpopulations. Immediately following sorting, the percentage of CD4+FOXP3+ cells was higher within the CD4(+)CD25(high) population (22.7-26.3%) compared with the CD4(+)CD25(dim) (17% cells) but was similar within the CD4(+)CD25(dim) and CD4(+)CD25(high) cells after resting in IL-2 (9-14%). Fewer than 2% of cells in the CD4(+)CD25(-) population expressed FOXP3. These results demonstrate heterogeneity in equine lymphocyte subsets that express molecules associated with regulatory T cells. CD4+FOXP3+ cells are likely to represent natural Tregs, with CD4+FOXP3+IL-10+ cells representing either activated natural Tregs or inducible Tregs, and CD4+FOXP3+IFNγ+ cells likely to represent activated Th1 cells.     

Development of a simple typing method for the ovine Toll-like receptor 4 gene

Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) recognizes lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from Gram-negative bacteria, as well as a number of other ligands. Genetic variation in the TLR gene has been associated with altered immune responses to pathogens and results in variation in disease susceptibility. The objective of this work was to develop a simple and rapid genotyping system for ovine TLR4 and of a sensitivity that would allow detection of allelic variation in this gene. While variation in exon 3 of the ovine TLR4 gene has been described previously, we describe here an improved genotyping method. This method could not only reveal the four alleles that have been reported previously, but also revealed a further three new alleles of this gene in a population of 1670 New Zealand sheep. This improved genotyping method will be useful in understanding innate immune responses in individual sheep and could also be a useful tool for large-scale immune studies in sheep production systems.     

绵羊瘦素受体基因部分序列测定及其变异位点分析

试验旨在检测绵羊瘦素受体(leptin receptor,LEPR)基因序列突变位点,为进一步分析LEPR基因多态性与绵羊生长性状的关系奠定基础。选用美利奴羊与阿华西羊杂交群体作为试验材料,利用RT-PCR、测序等方法测定了4只绵羊的LEPR基因cDNA部分序列及内含子7序列,同时利用PCR-RFLP分析两个位点在群体(229只)中的多态性。测定出LEPR基因cDNA序列长2608 bp(包含外显子2-16完整序列及外显子1和17的部分序列)和LEPR第7内含子序列全长160 bp,共发现5个核苷酸变异位点,第2外显子中2个(T240C和A279G),第10、14外显子中各1个(A1683G,T2373C),内含子7中1个(1285+A73G),外显子中的4个变异位点均未引起编码氨基酸的改变。在研究群体中,A279G与A1683G中A的频率分别为0.415、0.467,后者处于非平衡状态,GG和AA是主要的单倍型。不同物种间序列一致性分值均比较高,但LEPR mRNA区序列一致性比内含子高,基于LEPR mRNA序列构建的系统发育树更符合实际情况,且可靠性值更高。结果表明,绵羊LEPR基因的保守性较强,突变形式主要是转换,A279G和A1683G可能是突变热点。     

Polymorphism of the DQA2 gene in goats

Variation in the caprine DQA2 gene was investigated using PCR-single-strand conformational polymorphism (SSCP) and DNA sequencing. Eleven DQA2 alleles were defined by SSCP patterns from 23 goats. All the caprine alleles shared high sequence homology to ovine DQA2 sequences, and exhibited a pattern of polymorphism similar to DQA2 alleles from sheep and cattle but different from caprine DQA1 sequences. Thirty-eight AA positions in the alpha1 domain of caprine DQA2 molecules were polymorphic, and a high degree of polymorphism was observed in the putative antigen-binding region, with 74% of the positions being polymorphic. Phylogenetic analysis of caprine, ovine, and bovine DQA sequences revealed that the caprine DQA2 sequences identified here grouped with ovine DQA2, bovine DQA2, DQA3, and DQA4 sequences but are separate from the group of caprine DQA1 alleles. Nine of the caprine DQA2 sequences were more similar to ovine DQA2 alleles, whereas the remaining two were more closely related to ovine DQA2-like and bovine DQA3 alleles. This finding suggests that the caprine DQA2 sequences may represent two loci, which probably arose by either gene duplication or gene conversion events. Allelic lineages were evident for both DQA2 and DQA2-like loci, supporting the trans-species mode of evolution of major histocompatibilitly complex genes. The high level of polymorphism and similarity between caprine and ovine DQA2 alleles suggests that the DQA2 gene may play an important role in immune responses to shared pathogens.     

Identification of two allelic forms of ovine CD4 exhibiting a Ser183/Pro183 polymorphism in the coding sequence of domain 3

The ovine CD4 cDNA sequence from four sheep sources (Australian Merino, Indonesian Thin Tail, Canadian cross bred, Prealpes du sud) predicts a protein of 455 residues with position 130 in the V2 domain exhibiting a W instead of C suggesting that, like the white whale, dog and cat sequences, sheep CD4 contains only two disulphide bonds. The sequence shows 73% amino acid identity and 83% nucleotide identity to a CD4 sequence from the white whale and significant identity to a partial sequence (314 residues) of bovine CD4 (87% amino acid identity, 93% nucleotide identity). Phylogenetic analysis showed that the ovine CD4 sequence forms a clade with the pig, white whale, dolphin, dog and cat CD4. Two forms of ovine CD4 were identified which differ by a single base pair (T/C) in their cDNA sequence at position 622. This polymorphism is also present in sheep genomic DNA in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, suggesting that at least two alleles of CD4 exist in the ovine genome with no selection for a particular allele. This polymorphism changes the first codon position of amino acid 183 and results in a Pro/Ser substitution in the N-terminal region of domain 3 of the CD4 protein.     

Comparative study of the plasma globulin level, CD21(-) B-cell counts and FOXP3 mRNA expression level in CD4(+) T-cells for different clinical stages of feline immunodeficiency virus infected cats

Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) infection leads to hypergammaglobulinemia through mechanisms that remain poorly understood. We investigated changes in plasma globulin level, B cells, and T cells with progression of the clinical stage of FIV-infected cats. We classified FIV-infected cats into the stage of Asymptomatic carrier (AC) and AIDS-related complex (ARC) based on the clinical symptoms, and measured the plasma globulin level, the CD4(+) T-cell counts, and analyzed surface markers of B cells. We investigated the relationship between the plasma globulin level and regulatory T cells (Tregs) using the Forkhead box P3 (FOXP3) mRNA expression level. In FIV-infected cats, the plasma globulin level and the surface immunoglobulin (sIg)(+) CD21(-) B-cell counts were increased, whereas the CD4(+) T-cell counts were decreased compared with specific-pathogen free (SPF) cats. The mRNA expression of Blimp-1 (master gene of plasma cells) was increased in peripheral blood, and the FOXP3 mRNA expression level was decreased in CD4(+) T-cells. These immunological changes were marked in the ARC stage. These data indicate that the decrease of Tregs and the increase of plasma cells lead to hypergammaglobulinemia.     

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.     

4个绵羊品种Leptin基因部分片段的SNPs多态性与生长发育性状的相关性分析

利用PCR-SSCP技术对萨福克、陶赛特、得克塞尔及滩羊4个绵羊品种358个个体Leptin基因等2、3外显子进行多态性分析,共检测到7个SNPs,其中新发现5个SNPs。测序结果表明,在外显子2上无突变。内含子2上存在A99G、G115A、C150T、C171T位点。外显子3上,存在G271A;C316A;G387T位点。外显子3上的SNPs使编码的氨基酸发生变化。统计分析表明A99G、C150T和A99G＋C150T位点与生长发育性状存在相关性。在A99G位点,Aa基因型初生质量、日增质量、体高、胸围和尻宽指标上均高于AA基因型,初生质量、日增质量和体高指标差异显著（P〈0．05）,胸围和尻宽指标差异极显著（P〈0．01）。C150T和A99G＋C150T位点结果一致,突变基因型日增重、体高、体长、胸围和尻宽指标均高于野生基因型,差异显著（P〈0．05）。     

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.     

Detection of polymorphism in AgB1 gene from sheep, cattle and human isolates of echinococcus granulosus by SSCP

Antigen B (AgB) is a major protein produced by the metacestode cyst of Echinococcus granulosus, the causative agent of cystic hydatid disease. E. granulosus AgB is a gene family of at least five gene loci (B1-B5), each one consisting of several minor variants. We used PCR-SSCP followed by DNA sequencing to evaluate sequence variation and polymorphism of AgB1 in 99 isolates which the 43 were from cattle, 25 of sheep and 31 of human. All samples were analyzed with 12S rRNA-PCR for the strain detection and all of were identified as G1-G3 cluster (E. granulosus sensu stricto). The 16 human, 35 cattle and 25 sheep isolates were yielded the 102 bp band by PCR and these samples were tested by SSCP. As results of the SSCP, different band profiles were detected one each of cattle and human isolates while the other 74 isolates showed same band patterns. The DNA sequence analysis was performed for these two isolates and the other selected 4 isolates and polymorphism was confirmed.     

DHPLC和PCR-SSCP两种方法筛查基因变异的比较

SNP(Single nucleotide polymorphism)被认为是揭示遗传变异最理想的遗传标记,广泛应用于疾病相关的基因筛查、动植物经济性状遗传标记、群体遗传进化等。目前,筛查SNP的方法很多,文章旨在比较DHPLC(Denaturing high performance liquid chromatography)和PCR-SSCP(Polymerase chain reaction-single stranded conformational polymorphism)两种方法在筛查同一基因片段变异的效果,为筛查基因突变的方法提供选择依据。以绵羊孕酮受体基因(PGR)第4外显子为突变筛查对象,以DHPLC和PCR-SSCP两种方法筛查基因变异,以直接测序作为标准,对比分析两种方法在检出率、准确率、经济性和自动化程度等方面的优劣。结果表明:在对391份藏绵羊血液样品的PGR基因进行分析后,SSCP法检出率100%,而DHPLC法检出率仅83.63%;DHPLC法准确率97.25%,高于SSCP法的94.37%;同时操作性和自动化方面DHPLC法要优于SSCP法,但其检测成本比SSCP法高20倍左右;SSCP法应用的广泛性比DHPLC高许多,其中在畜牧和动物医学这两门学科中应用最多,而DHPLC法在人类医学研究中的应用较多。结论:DHPLC法适合运用于基因突变率低和已完全测出基因序列的物种,具有准确率高、操作简单和自动化程度高等优点;SSCP法对基因序列是否已知及突变率高低无要求,具有检出率高、成本低等优点,此法在动物育种领域中应用更为广泛。     

绵羊雌激素受体基因外显子4多态性分析

根据GenBank发表的人、鸡、大鼠雌激素受体(estrogen receptor,ESR)基因外显子4的序列设计1对引物,采用PCR SSCP技术分析ESR基因外显子4在高繁殖力绵羊品种（小尾寒羊和湖羊）和低繁殖力绵羊品种（特克塞尔、中国美利奴、考力代和杜泊）中的单核苷酸多态性,同时研究该基因对小尾寒羊高繁殖力的影响。结果表明,ESR基因的此对引物扩增片段在所检测的6个绵羊品种中均不存在PCR SSCP多态性,说明所检测的ESR基因外显子4序列比较保守,该区域可能不是影响绵羊高繁殖力的功能结构域。     

Genetic variation in the 5′UTR of the KRT2.13 gene of sheep

KRT2.13 is a type II keratin wool intermediate filament (IF) protein. Extensive variation was revealed in the 5′ untranslated region (UTR) of the ovine KRT2.13 gene (KRT2.13) using polymerase chain reaction – single strand conformational polymorphism (PCR‐SSCP) analysis. Nine unique PCR‐SSCP patterns were obtained with individual sheep having either one (homozygous), or a combination of two (heterozygous) of these patterns. Seven of the amplicons that produced the apparently homozygous patterns were successfully sequenced (GenBank FJ217670 – FJ217676), revealing eight single nucleotide insertions, 10 single nucleotide substitutions, a nucleotide deletion and a 16 nucleotide insertion that occurred in only one of the sequences. The seven sequences showed between 85% and 95% homology to the previously identified KRT2.13 sequence (GenBank X72379). This study emphasizes the power of PCR‐SSCP analysis in genotyping, as this extensive variation was found in only 100 sheep, of a variety of breeds. Since variation in the 5′UTR of genes may affect their expression, this genetic variation needs to be further studied to establish its role if any, in influencing gene expression and consequently wool traits.     

UCP1基因变异与绵羊生长及胴体性状的关联分析

试验旨在探讨解耦联蛋白1（UCP1）基因核苷酸变异对绵羊生长性状的性别差异和胴体性状的影响，以期能够筛选出可以提升绵羊生长及胴体性状的核苷酸变异，为提高绵羊相关重要经济性状的分子遗传标记提供材料。以9个绵羊品种为研究对象，用PCR-SSCP方法检测不同性别绵羊中UCP1基因内含子5区和外显子6区变异。利用Minitab 16.0软件中一般线性模型分析内含子5区等位基因与不同性别绵羊生长性状、公羔胴体性状的关联性。结果显示，绵羊UCP1基因内含子5区和外显子6区共检测到8个核苷酸变异，其中位点c.910 G/A突变导致p.Ala304Thr氨基酸变异。生长性状关联分析结果表明，内含子5区等位基因对绵羊生长性状的影响存在性别特异性，母羔中携带等位基因A₁的群体较缺失群体具有较低的初生重（P<0.05），公羔中携带等位基因C₁的群体较缺失群体具有较高的断尾重（P<0.05），未发现其他等位基因与羔羊的生长性状存在性别特异性。胴体性状关联分析结果表明，携带等位基因A₁的群体具有较低后腿瘦肉量、腰部瘦肉量和较高的肩部瘦肉比例（P<0.05），携带等位基因C₁的群体具有较低的后腿瘦肉比例（P<0.05），其他胴体性状均没有发现与等位基因存在显著相关，基因型分析结果与等位基因分析结果一致。结果提示，UCP1基因对绵羊的生长性状影响具有性别特异性，且携带等位基因A₁的公羔群体具有较低的胴体生产性状，为提高公羔胴体生产性能提供了理论依据。     

4个绵羊品种Leptin基因部分片段的SNPs分析

利用PCR-SSCP技术对萨福克、道塞特、特克塞尔及滩羊4个绵羊品种358个个体Leptin基因2、3外显子进行多态性分析,共检测到7个SNPs,其中新发现5个SNPs。测序结果表明,在外显子2上无突变。内含子2上存在99位碱基由A突变为G;115位碱基由G突变为A;150位碱基由C突变为T;171位碱基由C突变为T。外显子3上,存在271位碱基由G突变为A,使编码的Arg转变为Gln;316位碱基由C突变为A,使编码的Pro转变为Gln;387位碱基由G突变为T,使编码的Val转变为Leu。