Application of Temperature-Gradient Gel Electrophoresis for Detection of Prion Protein Gene Polymorphisms in Polish Świniarka Sheep

A decade of using small-to-medium throughput allele discrimination assay to determine prion protein gene ( Prnp) genotypes in sheep in Slovenia

Sheep with valine (V) at codon 136 and glutamine (Q) at codon 171 of the prion protein gene ( Prnp) are highly susceptible to classical scrapie, whereas phenylalanine (F) at codon 141 and histidine (H) at codon 154 play a major role in the susceptibility to atypical scrapie. A TaqMan real-time PCR assay was developed to determine Prnp alleles at codons 136, 141, 154, and 171 and used in classical scrapie eradication and breeding programs adopted in Slovenia. The frequency of the most resistant genotypes ARR/ARR and ARR/ARQ increased significantly in tested animals ( n = 35,138) from 6.7 and 27.1% of the tested sheep in 2006 to 12.1 and 32.4%, respectively, in 2015. Frequencies of more susceptible genotypes ARQ/ARQ and ARQ/VRQ decreased significantly from 36.4 and 3.5% in 2006 to 31.1 and 1.8%, respectively, in 2015. The most susceptible genotype VRQ/VRQ was detected in <0.5% of tested sheep. Frequencies of alleles AFRQ and AHQ affecting the susceptibility to atypical scrapie did not change significantly. The developed assay was suitable for genotyping on a small-to-medium throughput scale and was successfully used in classical scrapie eradication, as well as for the selection of classical scrapie-resistant sheep within breeding programs in Slovenia.

Ovine reference materials and assays for prion genetic testing

Background

Genetic predisposition to scrapie in sheep is associated with several variations in the peptide sequence of the prion protein gene (PRNP). DNA-based tests for scoring PRNP codons are essential tools for eradicating scrapie and for evaluating rare alleles for increased resistance to disease. In addition to those associated with scrapie, there are dozens more PRNP polymorphisms that may occur in various flocks. If not accounted for, these sites may cause base-pair mismatching with oligonucleotides used in DNA testing. Thus, the fidelity of scrapie genetic testing is enhanced by knowing the position and frequency of PRNP polymorphisms in targeted flocks.

Results

An adaptive DNA sequencing strategy was developed to determine the 771 bp PRNP coding sequence for any sheep and thereby produce a consensus sequence for targeted flocks. The strategy initially accounted for 43 known polymorphisms and facilitates the detection of unknown polymorphisms through an overlapping amplicon design. The strategy was applied to 953 sheep DNAs from multiple breeds in U.S. populations. The samples included two sets of reference sheep: one set for standardizing PRNP genetic testing and another set for discovering polymorphisms, estimating allele frequencies, and determining haplotype phase. DNA sequencing revealed 16 previously unreported polymorphisms, including a L237P variant on the F₁₄₁ haplotype. Two mass spectrometry multiplex assays were developed to score five codons of interest in U.S. sheep: 112, 136, 141, 154, and 171. Reference tissues, DNA, trace files, and genotypes from this project are publicly available for use without restriction.

Conclusion

Identifying ovine PRNP polymorphisms in targeted flocks is critical for designing efficient scrapie genetic testing systems. Together with reference DNA panels, this information facilitates training, certification, and development of new tests and knowledge that may expedite the eradication of sheep scrapie.