Characterization of a porcine variable number tandem repeat sequence specific for the glucosephosphate isomerase locus

A variable number of tandem repeat from a porcine glucosephosphate isomerase intron has been isolated and sequenced. The repeat has a unit size of 39 bp, is highly conserved and is present in at least 14 copies. Flanking sequences show a sequence periodicity of 53-54 bp and some sequence homology to the 39 bp repeat. A considerable part of the genomic DNA has been lost during subcloning and is considered to be deletion prone or refractory to propagation in E. coli. The tandem repeat is locus specific and detects at least six alleles in BamHI digested porcine DNA. No homology to other tandem repeat sequences has been found.

DNA sequence of the skeletal muscle calcium release channel cDNA and verification of the Arg615----Cys615 mutation, associated with porcine malignant hyperthermia, in Norwegian landrace pigs

Porcine calcium release channel (CRC) cDNA from skeletal muscle has been cloned and sequenced. The deduced amino acid sequence showed 97% identity to the corresponding rabbit and human sequences. Using oligonucleotide primers based on the nucleotide sequence, CRC cDNA fragments from seven pigs representing HALNN, HALNn and HALnn genotypes have been amplified. Sequencing and restriction digestion of the amplified cDNA confirm that the reported C----T mutation, which gives rise to Arg615----Cys615 change in the calcium release channel, is associated with the halothane sensitive allele in Norwegian Landrace pigs. The mutation may alter the reactivity of a neighbouring serine residue which is potentially phosphorylated.

Isolation and sequencing of porcine lipoprotein lipase cDNA and its use in multiallelic restriction fragment length polymorphism detection

Porcine lipoprotein lipase (LPL) cDNA has been cloned and sequenced. The deduced amino acid sequence shows a high degree of identity to LPL from other species, and contains the Ser/His/Asp triade characteristic of serine proteases and esterases. A repetitive element is present in the 3'-untranslated region of the cDNA. A partial cDNA covering the coding region of LPL detects three restriction fragment length polymorphisms with HindIII. This represents the first marker assigned to porcine chromosome 14.

Isolation, characterization and chromosomal assignment of a partial cDNA for porcine 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase

A partial cDNA for 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (PGD, EC 1.1.1.44) was isolated from a porcine liver cDNA library using a rat PGD cDNA. The identity of the PGD cDNA was confirmed by DNA sequencing and comparison of the amino acid sequence with the corresponding ovine sequence. The PGD cDNA was assigned to 6q2.5-2.7 by in situ hybridization.

Characterization of a porcine glucosephosphate isomerase-processed pseudogene at chromosome 1q1.6-1.7

A porcine glucosephosphate isomerase-processed pseudogene has been isolated and sequenced. The pseudogene has several base substitutions as well as an insertion and deletions, and is 83% homologous to the corresponding cDNA. It contains an intervening sequence of 565 bp, is truncated at the 3' end, and is flanked by direct repeats of seven nucleotides. Fluorescent in situ hybridization to porcine metaphase chromosomes localized the processed pseudogene to Chromosome (Chr) 1q1.6-1.7. A (GT)14(AT)15 microsatellite was detected close to the processed pseudogene.

Porcine SINEs: characterization and use in species-specific amplification

A porcine repetitive DNA sequence has been isolated from an intron of the glucose phosphate isomerase gene. The copy number of this and related sequences was estimated to be approximately 10(5) copies per genome. The sequence possesses all the characteristics of short interspersed elements (SINEs) described in other mammals: The repeat is 300 bp in length, has an poly(A)stretch, and contains insertion duplication sites. Homology to seven other porcine sequences, which also have the characteristics of SINEs, has been demonstrated. Primer oligonucleotides, based on conserved regions in the SINE sequences, have been synthesized. Using these primers, PCR-mediated specific amplification of porcine sequences was demonstrated from pig x mouse and pig x hamster hybrid cell lines. Cloning and sequencing of some amplified porcine sequences verify that the sites of priming are SINE sequences.

Assignment of the porcine calcium release channel gene, a candidate for the malignant hyperthermia locus, to the 6p11----q21 segment of chromosome 6

Several studies point to the possibility that malignant hyperthermia (MH) in pigs is caused by a defect in the calcium release channel (CRC) of skeletal muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum. The locus for MH is closely linked to the glucosephosphate isomerase (GPI) locus, near the centromere of chromosome 6. We demonstrate synteny of the genes for CRC and GPI using somatic cell hybrid lines, and assign the CRC gene to chromosome 6p11----q21 by in situ hybridization.

Plasma tocopherol levels and vitamin E/beta-lipoprotein relationships during pregnancy and in cord blood

Plasma tocopherol, beta-lipoprotein concentrations, and tocopherol/beta-lipoprotein ratios were studied during 40 normal pregnancies. The levels in 36 cord blood samples from the newborn of these pregnancies and in 25 normal nonpregnant women were also determined. In agreement with earlier studies plasma tocopherol levels rose gradually and significantly during pregnancy, while the levels in cord blood were much lower. Beta-lipoprotein concentrations showed similar changes as for tocopherol, rendering the tocopherol/beta-lipoprotein ration unchanged during gestation. The ratios in cord blood and in nonpregnant women were similar to those of pregnant women. A significant positive correlation (r=0.84, p less than 0.001) was found between tocopherol and beta-lipoprotein concentrations. The results indicate that the increased plasma tocopherol levels during pregnancy and the low levels in cord blood result from differences in plasma transport capacity.