Lentivirus Susceptibility in Iranian and German Sheep Assessed by Determination of TMEM154 E35K
Vahid Molaee1, Vahid Otarod2, Darab Abdollahi3
1Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Ludwigstraße 21, 35390 Gießen, Germany. Vahid.Molaee@agrar.uni-giessen.de.
Abstract:
Small ruminant lentiviruses (SRLVs) cause maedi-visna disease in sheep and are prevalent in Iran and Germany. The association of the transmembrane protein 154 (TMEM154) variants with SRLV infection has been previously identified by a genome-wide association (GWAS) approach and subsequent analyses, and validated in some US, German, and Turkish sheep flocks. We aimed at evaluating these findings for the first time in Iranian, and in some more German sheep flocks/breeds. Also, we aimed at comparing the SRLV susceptibility in Iranian and German sheep based on the frequency of the TMEM154 E35 allele. About 800 blood samples were collected from 21 Iranian and German sheep flocks/breeds for different purposes: (1) The association of TMEM154 E35K with SRLV infection status was tested in four sheep breeds and found to be significant in Kermani, Merinoland, and Brown Hair. (2) The usefulness of the TMEM154 E35 frequency for predicting SRLV susceptibility was evaluated by regression analysis, combining data from this study and some already published data. Results showed a significant association between E35 frequency and SRLV prevalence. (3) SRLV susceptibility was compared based on E35 frequency in Iranian and German sheep. Altogether, findings of this study provide valuable information on SRLV susceptibility, using TMEM154 E35, in Iranian and German sheep.
Insights
Small ruminant lentiviruses (SRLVs) cause maedi-visna disease. The transmembrane protein 154 (TMEM154) E35 allele frequency predicts SRLV susceptibility in Iranian and German sheep breeds.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Virology
- Animal Genetics
Background:
- Small ruminant lentiviruses (SRLVs) are significant pathogens causing maedi-visna disease in sheep.
- Previous genome-wide association studies (GWAS) identified associations between transmembrane protein 154 (TMEM154) variants and SRLV infection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the association of TMEM154 variants with SRLV infection in Iranian and German sheep.
- To compare SRLV susceptibility between Iranian and German sheep based on TMEM154 E35 allele frequency.
Main Methods:
- Collected approximately 800 blood samples from 21 Iranian and German sheep flocks.
- Tested the association of TMEM154 E35K with SRLV infection status in four sheep breeds.
- Evaluated the predictive value of TMEM154 E35 frequency for SRLV susceptibility using regression analysis.
Main Results:
- A significant association between TMEM154 E35K and SRLV infection was found in Kermani, Merinoland, and Brown Hair sheep breeds.
- TMEM154 E35 allele frequency significantly correlated with SRLV prevalence.
- SRLV susceptibility varied between Iranian and German sheep based on E35 frequency.
Conclusions:
- The TMEM154 E35 allele is a valuable marker for assessing SRLV susceptibility in sheep.
- Findings provide insights into SRLV epidemiology and genetic resistance in Iranian and German sheep populations.
