Deletion / insertion polymorphisms of the prion protein gene (PRNP) in gayal (Bos frontalis)

PRNP gene polymorphism frequencies for comparing possible vulnerability to BSE in Chinese bovine population

Among the numerous transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs), bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) is the most well-known TSEs. It is a potential Creutzfeldt-Jakob (CJD) disease mutation that can be transferred through cattle to humans. In several animals, the prion protein gene (PRNP) is recognized to take active part in TSE vulnerability or tolerance. Previous studies have found indels polymorphism in PRNP gene promoter and intron1 region linked to BSE vulnerability. It's linked with 23 bp indels polymorphism in putative promoter and 12 bp indel in intron 1 of the PRNP gene. The aim of this study was to compare the allele, genotype and haplotype frequencies of PRNP indel polymorphisms in Zhongdian Yak (Bos grunniens) (YK), Zhongdian Yellow cattle (Bos taurus) (YC) and Zhongdian Yakow (Bos primigenius taurus × Bos grunniens) (PK) with worldwide reported healthy or affected BSE cattle, in order to assess their potential resistance to BSE. A comparison of Chinese bovine populations with healthy and BSE-affected German and Swiss cattle from globally was conducted, and result indicating significant difference (p < .001) between healthy and affected cattle. Additionally, as compared to prior studies with Chinese bovine population, the significant results were found. In this study, the allelic frequency D23 finding high deletion in all analyzed Chinese bovine species, and haplotype D12-D23 exhibited a less significant inclination toward susceptibility to BSE.

Deletions in GSN gene associated with growth traits of four Chinese cattle breeds

The aim of this study was to assess the potential of 21 bp mutation in the second intron of the GSN gene as a molecular marker-assisted by exploring the effect of 21 bp mutation on growth traits in four beef cattle breeds. Gelsolin (GSN), a member of the superfamily of gel proteins, is involved in the regulation of a variety of cellular activities in the organism and plays an important function in cell motility, apoptosis, signal transduction and inflammatory responses. Gelatin can not only negatively regulate the pro-apoptotic effect of P53 protein, but also promote apoptosis by blocking the interaction between actin and deoxyribonuclease, so, the GSN gene was selected as a candidate gene in this study. In this study, a 21 bp mutation on the second intron to the GSN gene was verified in 573 individuals of Yunling (YL, n = 220), Jiaxian (JX, n = 140), Xianan (XN, n = 114) and Qinchuan (QC, n = 97) cattle breeds using Once PCR and agarose gel electrophoresis. The association analysis of polymorphisms in the GSN gene with growth traits in four breeds was revealed: in YL cattle, the heart girth and forehead size of heterozygous ID genotype were significantly higher than II genotype (P < 0.05). In JX cattle, the withers height, body length and heart girth of II and ID genotype were significantly highest than DD genotype (P < 0.01); the height at hip cross and height at sacrum of II genotype was significantly highest than DD genotype (P < 0.01), but ID genotype was significantly higher than DD genotype. In XN cattle, the abdominal girth and circumference of the cannon bone of II genotype were significantly higher than ID genotype (P < 0.05). In QC cattle, the hucklebone width of ID genotype was significantly the highest than II genotype (P < 0.01). The results suggest that GSN may be an important candidate gene and that a 21 bp mutation on the second intron to the GSN gene can be used for molecular marker-assisted selection of four beef cattle breeds.