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Assessing Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy Species Barriers with an In Vitro Prion Protein Conversion Assay
Published on: March 10, 2015
Prion protein gene (PRNP) polymorphisms in native Chinese cattle.
Hui Zhao1, Xiao-Yan Wang, Wei Zou
1Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bioresource, Yunnan University, Kunming, China.
Genome
|February 9, 2010
Summary
Genetic variations in the bovine prion protein gene (PRNP) influence susceptibility to bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE). Chinese cattle show low frequencies of specific PRNP alleles linked to BSE, with notable differences in one indel polymorphism between affected and healthy animals.
Area of Science:
- Genetics and Genomics
- Veterinary Medicine
- Neurodegenerative Diseases
Background:
- Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease in cattle.
- Polymorphisms in the bovine prion protein gene (PRNP) are associated with BSE susceptibility.
- Understanding PRNP genetic diversity in cattle populations is crucial for disease control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the frequency distribution of PRNP gene polymorphisms in native Chinese cattle.
- To identify PRNP sequence variants and their association with BSE susceptibility.
- To compare PRNP genetic profiles between BSE-affected and healthy Chinese cattle.
Main Methods:
- Genotyping of 349 native Chinese cattle for PRNP insertion/deletion (indel) polymorphisms.
- Sequence analysis of the PRNP coding region in 50 cattle samples.
- Statistical analysis of genotype, allele, and haplotype frequencies.
Main Results:
- Low frequencies of the 12-bp deletion allele and the 23-bp deletion / 12-bp deletion haplotype were found in southern Chinese cattle.
- A significant difference in the 12-bp indel polymorphism was observed between BSE-affected and healthy Chinese cattle.
- Fourteen single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified in the PRNP coding region, three resulting in amino acid changes (K3T, P54S, S154N).
Conclusions:
- The PRNP genetic profile of Chinese cattle may confer a lower susceptibility to certain BSE strains.
- The 12-bp indel polymorphism in PRNP shows potential as a marker for BSE susceptibility in Chinese cattle.
- The E211K substitution, linked to atypical BSE, was not detected in the studied Chinese cattle population.
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