NR ATMG
AU Aufiero,G.M.; Caldon,M.; Vaccari,G.; Stifter,E.; Mutinelli,F.
TI PrP genotypes of three native breeds of sheep in Bolzano Province (northern Italy)
QU International Conference - Prion 2005: Between fundamentals and society's needs - 19.10.-21.10.2005, Congress Center Düsseldorf - Poster Session: Genetics, strains and emerging problems GEN-06
PT Konferenz-Poster
AB Scrapie is a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) associated with the prion protein (PrP) that accumulates in a modified form in the central nervous system and lymphoid tissues of the affected animals. For animals exposed to infection, allelic variations at the PrP locus are associated with the risk of developing the disease. Following Commission Decision 2003/100/EC, each member state has to introduce a breeding programme to select for resistance to TSEs in its sheep breeds. However, derogations are foreseen, e.g. in case of breeds that are in danger of being lost to farmer. This work presents the results of a screening programme realised in Bolzano Province, to assess the level of genetic variation at PrP locus in selected native breeds of sheep. Sheep population consists of 45,000 heads, 15,000 male and 30,000 female, distributed on 1,255 flock. The analysis of PrP polymorphisms was performed by the allelic discrimination technique using the LightCycler apparatus (Roche) by determination of melting temperature. DNA was extracted (n=1,682) by means of High Pure PCR Template Preparation Kit (Roche). The allelic discrimination technique is based on the FRET probes assay (TIB MolBiol) and allows distinguishing between two alleles of a single polymorphism (SNP). The number of ARR/ARR genotype rams is very low (n=82, 4.9%) and never higher than 8%. In Schwarzbraunes Bergschaf sheep breed it is less than 3%. The distribution of ARR allele ranges from 12% in Schwarzbraunes Bergschaf to 21% in Tiroler Bergschaf and 32% in Villnoesser Schaf sheep breed. The most represented genotype is ARQ/ARQ in Schwarzbraunes Bergschaf and Tiroler Bergschaf respectively (n=75, 44%; n=482, 36%), while in Villnoesser Schaf is ARR/ARQ (n=42, 25%). VRQ/VRQ genotype is only 0.4%. Interestingly, ARK allele characterised by an anomalous Tm profile at codon 171 is present. ARK allele is particularly represented in Tiroler Bergschaf (6%), associated with ARQ allele (ARQ/ARK n=97, 7.2%).
AD G.M.Aufiero, M.Caldon, F.Mutinelli, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Legnaro (PD), Italy; G.Vaccari, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Dipartimento di Sicurezza Alimentare e Sanità Pubblica Veterinaria, Roma, Italy; E.Stifter, Servizio Veterinario, Provincia Autonoma di Bolzano, Italy
SP englisch
PO Deutschland