Assignment of the growth hormone receptor gene to bovine chromosome 20 using linkage analysis and somatic cell mapping

A polymorphism was identified in the bovine growth hormone receptor ( GHR ) gene by digesting polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products with the restriction enzyme Alul. Two alleles were segregating in cattle of Bos indicus descent, but one allele appears to be fixed in Bos taurus cattle. GHR was localized to bovine chromosome 20 using bovine-rodent hybrid cell lines and linkage analysis.     

Nucleotide Sequence and Variation of IGF2 Gene Exon 6 in Bos Taurus and Bos Indicus Cattle

The major assumption of this study is that polymorphism of a gene could be used to investigate its allele-specific expression as well as its methylation and imprinting status. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyze the polymorphism of the coding region of the bovine IGF2 gene and to determine the sequence of its gene exon 6 in Bos taurus and Bos indicus cattle. A single nucleotide “C” deletion/insertion polymorphism was found in both cattle subspecies and a G/T transversion (RFLP-MboII) in the Bos indicus IGF2 gene. A 407-bp fragment of bovine IGF2 exon 6 was sequenced and the sequences (including variable nucleotides) were deposited in the GenBank database. A comparative analysis was performed for this fragment from different species; 99.5% identity was found between Bos taurus and Bos indicus cattle.     

Nucleotide sequence and variation of IGF2 gene exon 6 in Bos taurus and Bos indicus cattle

The major assumption of this study is that polymorphism of a gene could be used to investigate its allele-specific expression as well as its methylation and imprinting status. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyze the polymorphism of the coding region of the bovine IGF2 gene and to determine the sequence of its gene exon 6 in Bos taurus and Bos indicus cattle. A single nucleotide "C" deletion/insertion polymorphism was found in both cattle subspecies and a G/T transversion (RFLP-MboII) in the Bos indicus IGF2 gene. A 407-bp fragment of bovine IGF2 exon 6 was sequenced and the sequences (including variable nucleotides) were deposited in the GenBank database. A comparative analysis was performed for this fragment from different species; 99.5% identity was found between Bos taurus and Bos indicus cattle.     

Candidate gene analysis of GH1 for effects on growth and carcass composition of cattle

We present an approach to evaluate the support for candidate genes as quantitative trait loci (QTLs) within the context of genome-wide map-based cloning strategies. To establish candidacy, a bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) clone containing a putative candidate gene is physically assigned to an anchored linkage map to localise the gone relative to an identified QTL effect. Microsatellite loci derived from BAC clones containing an established candidate gone are integrated into the linkage map facilitating the evaluation by interval analysis of the statistical support for QTL identity. Permutation analysis is employed to determine experiment-wise statistical support. The approach is illustrated for the growth hormone 1 ( GH1 ) gene and growth and carcass phenotypes in cattle. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primers which amplify a 441 bp fragment of GH1 were used to systematically screen a bovine BAC library comprising 60 000 clones and with a 95% probability of containing a single copy sequence. The presence of GH1 in BAC-110R2C3 was confirmed by sequence analysis of the PCR product from this clone and by the physical assignment of BAC110R2C3 to bovine chromosome 19 (BTA19) band 22 by fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH). Microsatellite KHGH1 was isolated from BAC110R2C3 and scored in 529 reciprocal backcross and F₂ fullsib progeny from 41 resource families derived from Angus ( Bos taurus ) and Brahman ( Bos indicus ). The microsatellite KHGH1 was incorporated into a framework genetic map of BTA19 comprising 12 microsatellite loci, the erythrocyte antigen T and a GH1-TaqI restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). Interval analysis localised effects of taurus vs. indicus alleles on subcutaneous fat and the percentage of ether extractable fat from the longissimus dorsi muscle to the region of BTA19 harbouring GH1 .     

Classification of the southern African sanga and East African shorthorned zebu

Humped African cattle, which are differentiated into zebu and sanga types, have traditionally been classified as Bos indicus . This paper discusses existing evidence and presents new evidence supporting the classification of southern African sangas as Bos taurus and East African zebus as ' taurindicus '. Classification is based on karyotype, frequencies of DNA markers and protein polymorphisms. The Boran, an East African zebu, has an acrocentric Y chromosome typical of Bos indicus . The southern African sanga breeds have a submetacentric Y chromosome typical of Bos taurus . Frequencies of four DNA markers support the hypothesis that the Tuli, a southern African sanga, had taurine ancestors and the Boran had both taurine and indicine ancestors. Frequencies for several protein polymorphisms strongly suggest that southern African sangas have more in common with taurine than with indicine breeds, while East African zebus are an admixture of African taurine and Asian indicine breeds.     

Independent mitochondrial origin and historical genetic differentiation in North Eastern Asian cattle

In order to clarify the origin and genetic diversity of cattle in North Eastern Asia, this study examined mitochondrial displacement loop sequence variation and frequencies of Bos taurus and Bos indicus Y chromosome haplotypes in Japanese, Mongolian, and Korean native cattle. In mitochondrial analyses, 20% of Mongolian cattle carried B. indicus mitochondrial haplotypes, but Japanese and Korean cattle carried only B. taurus haplotypes. In contrast, all samples revealed B. taurus Y chromosome haplotypes. This may be due to the import of zebu and other cattle during the Mongol Empire era with subsequent crossing with native taurine cattle. B. taurus mtDNA sequences fall into several geographically distributed haplogroups and one of these, termed here T4, is described in each of the test samples, but has not been observed in Near Eastern, European or African cattle. This may have been locally domesticated from an East Eurasian strain of Bos primigenius.     

Cloning and characterization of the bovine testicular PH-20 hyaluronidase core domain

The core nucleotide sequence of bovine (Bos taurus) testicular PH-20 hyaluronidase was cloned using one step RT-PCR. The 5' and 3' regions were cloned separately and a sequence overlap of 124 bp facilitated the fusion of these two fragments by overlapping PCR, resulting in a concatenated sequence of 1422 bp. This nucleotide sequence and its deduced amino acid sequence were compared to homologous sequences from eight other mammal species. The bovine sequences were most similar to those of the pig, Sus scrofa (swine Spam1: 79.1% nucleotide and 70.1% amino acid similarity) and least similar to sequences from the Norway rat, Rattus norvegicus (murine Spam1: 61% nucleotide and 53.3% amino acid similarity). A phylogenetic analysis joined the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) sequence as sister to the bull-pig pair. Twelve cysteine residues were conserved among all nine aligned amino acid sequences and five proposed glycosylation sites have been identified. The feasibility of developing an effective, low-cost bovine PH-20 expression system is discussed in light of these new data.     

Importance of sperm genotype (indicus versus taurus) for fertility and embryonic development at elevated temperatures

Heat stress has negative effects on bovine reproduction, particularly for European breeds (Bos taurus taurus) that are less thermotolerant than zebu cattle (Bos taurus indicus). Here, the evidence that spermatozoa and oocyte both contribute to early embryonic resistance to heat shock is demonstrated. In addition, the use of reproductive biotechnologies to improve bovine thermotolerance, are outlined by comparing data from taurus, indicus and crossbred genotypes.     

务川黑牛mtDNA遗传变异及起源进化分析

目的:测定务川黑牛mtDNA D-loop区全序列,以了解其遗传背景。方法:采用PCR直接测序方法测定务川黑牛mtD-NA D-loop区全序列。结果:32个个体D-loop区的全序列中,四种碱基A、T、C和G含量分别为:33.1%、28.4%、25.0%和13.5%,A+T平均含量61.5%。经过序列比对,共检测到57个变异位点,占所测mtDNA序列总长的6.26%,其中转换54个,颠换3个;产生17种单倍型,其中6种是普通牛单倍型,11种是瘤牛单倍型;平均核苷酸差异为22.623,单倍型多样度0.901±0.039,核苷酸多样度0.0249±0.00147。结论:务川黑牛这一品种遗传多样性非常丰富,据此构建的NJ进化树显示务川黑牛含有普通牛和瘤牛的血统。     

从细胞色素b基因全序列探讨大额牛的分子系统发生

大额牛是一种半野生半家养的珍稀牛种, 有关其起源和系统地位一直存在争议。通过PCR扩增、测序等步骤共获得了11头大额牛细胞色素b(Cyt b)基因全序列(1 140 bp)。应用分析软件, 对大额牛11条Cyt b序列进行了分析, 并结合GenBank中牛属动物6个近缘种的同源序列, 以亚洲水牛(Bubalus bubalis)为外群, 分别采用邻接法(NJ)和最大简约法(MP)构建了牛属动物分子系统发育树。序列分析结果表明, 11条大额牛Cyt b序列1 140位点中, 共发现95个变异位点(占分析位点总数的8.33 %), 定义了6种单倍型, 表明大额牛群体的Cyt b基因遗传多态性比较丰富。构建的NJ和MP分子系统树均显示, 大额牛研究群体明显分为3支, 第1支与普通牛(Bos taurus)相聚, 第2支与瘤牛(Bos indicus)相聚, 第3支与印度野牛(Bos gaurus)相聚。系统发育分析表明, 大额牛很可能是印度野牛的家养型或驯化种, 我国大额牛群体可能曾受到其他牛种血缘的入侵。     

雷琼牛GH基因第五外显子遗传多样性及其分化

对16头雷琼牛GH基因第5外显子序列进行分析,发现了1个变异位点,定义了2种单倍型。引用巴州牦牛2个个体GH基因同源区序列并结合GenBank中牛属普通牛、其它瘤牛和牦牛3个种群与水牛1个远缘种GH基因同源区序列,分别采用邻接（NJ）法和最大简约（MP）法构建分子系统发育树,得到基本一致的拓扑结构,结果显示GH基因的分化早于雷琼牛（瘤牛）、其它瘤牛、普通牛、牦牛和水牛的分化,瘤牛物种内存在多型,同时证实了GH基因第5外显子区有着较高的突变率。     

Complete mitochondrial genomes of Bos taurus and Bos indicus provide new insights into intra-species variation, taxonomy and domestication

The taurine and zebuine cattle breeds comprise the majority of the world cattle population but their taxonomic status is still controversial. The two forms of cattle are currently classified as Bos taurus and Bos indicus species and are differentiated primarily by the presence or absence of a hump. However, these two species hybridize readily, producing fully fertile offspring. We have determined and analyzed complete B. taurus and B. indicus mitochondrial genome sequences to investigate the extent of sequence divergences and to study their taxonomic status by molecular dating. The sequences encompassed 16,338 and 16,339 nucleotides, respectively, and differed at 237 positions. Estimated divergence times indicated that the two cattle lineages separated 1.7-2.0 million years ago. Combined phylogenetic analyses of 18 new and 130 previously reported extant B. taurus and B. indicus control region sequences with data from 32 archaeological specimens of the extinct wild aurochs (Bos primigenius) identified four major maternal lineages. B. primigenius haplotypes were present in all but the B. indicus lineage, and one B. taurus sequence clustered with B. primigenius P haplotypes that were not previously linked with domestic cattle. The B. indicus cluster and a recently reported new B. primigenius haplotype that represents a new lineage were approximately equidistant from the B. taurus cluster. These data suggest domestications from several differentiated populations of B. primigenius and a subspecies status for taurine (B. primigenius taurus) and zebuine (B. primigenius indicus) cattle.     

Bovine gene polymorphisms related to fat deposition and meat tenderness

Leptin, thyroglobulin and diacylglycerol O-acyltransferase play important roles in fat metabolism. Fat deposition has an influence on meat quality and consumers' choice. The aim of this study was to determine allele and genotype frequencies of polymorphisms of the bovine genes, which encode leptin (LEP), thyroglobulin (TG) and diacylglycerol O-acyltransferase (DGAT1). A further objective was to establish the effects of these polymorphisms on meat characteristics. We genotyped 147 animals belonging to the Nelore (Bos indicus), Canchim (5/8 Bos taurus + 3/8 Bos indicus), Rubia Gallega X Nelore (1/2 Bos taurus + 1/2 Bos indicus), Brangus Three-way cross (9/16 Bos taurus + 7/16 Bos indicus) and Braunvieh Three-way cross (3/4 Bos taurus + 1/4 Bos indicus) breeds. Backfat thickness, total lipids, marbling score, ribeye area and shear force were fitted, using the General Linear Model (GLM) procedure of the SAS software. The least square means of genotypes and genetic groups were compared using Tukey's test. Allele frequencies vary among the genetic groups, depending on Bos indicus versus Bos taurus influence. The LEP polymorphism segregates in pure Bos indicus Nelore animals, which is a new finding. The T allele of TG is fixed in Nelore, and DGAT1 segregates in all groups, but the frequency of allele A is lower in Nelore animals. The results showed no association between the genotypes and traits studied, but a genetic group effect on these traits was found. So, the genetic background remains relevant for fat deposition and meat tenderness, but the gene markers developed for Bos taurus may be insufficient for Bos indicus.     

Estimates of heterosis for in vitro embryo production using reciprocal crosses in cattle

In vitro embryo production and exploitation of heterosis are two methods of increasing productivity and accelerating genetic progress in many cattle production systems. However, it is not known if heterosis exists in bovine embryos produced in vitro. Tests for heterosis in in vitro embryo production were conducted in two experiments using reciprocal crosses. In the first, gametes from Bos taurus and Bos indicus were used; in the second, gametes from dairy and beef breeds of Bos taurus were used. In each experiment, both parental groups were used as sperm and oocyte donors, producing crossbred and purebred embryos. Oocytes obtained from abattoir-derived ovaries underwent in vitro maturation and in vitro fertilization with frozen semen. Embryos were cultured to blastocyst stage and observed. In the first experiment, higher (P < 0.05) rates of blastocyst formation were found for Bos taurus both as sires and as dams. Approximately 36% of the purebred Bos taurus oocytes and 21% of the purebred Bos indicus oocytes developed to blastocyst. Crosses averaged 16% resulting in a heterosis estimate of 45%. Ovaries from Bos indicus cows had more harvestable oocytes than did those from Bos taurus cows (P < 0.05). No evidence for heterosis was found for crosses within Bos taurus. Oocytes from beef cows had a higher rate of blastocyst formation than did those from dairy cows (30 vs. 24%, P < 0.05). These seemingly disparate results concerning heterosis were discussed in light of the period of genetic isolation of the parental populations in the two experiments.     

中国黄牛mtDNA D-loop遗传多样性及起源

黄牛自古以来就是我国一个重要的畜种,其经济、文化价值很高。我国是世界上黄牛品种资源最丰富的国家之一。据《中国牛品种志》介绍,把一些地区同种异名的黄牛品种合并以后,尚有28个地方黄牛品种,按照其地理分布区域分为北方黄牛、中原黄牛和南方黄牛三大类型(邱怀,1986)。如果把中国地方黄牛品种分得更细,则有49个固有品种(常洪,1995)。关于中国黄牛的起源,历来有不同的观点。一般认为,中国黄牛是多元起源的,但究竟起源于哪几个牛种,观点不一(陈宏等,1993;于汝梁等,1993;Yu et al.,1999;陈幼春,1990)。主要的观点有:(1)中国黄牛主要起源于…     

Comparative analysis of GDF 8 (myostatin) in Bos indicus and Bos taurus.

We report the myostatin gene sequence of Bos indicus cattle in comparison to Bos taurus. B. indicus genomic sequence was obtained by overlapping PCR amplification of genomic DNA. Exon splice sites were confirmed by mRNA sequencing. There were 5 exonic single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) only one of which was a non-synonymous mutation that resulted in a serine to asparagine (S214N) amino acid substitution. The B. indicus gene has two insertions of 16 and 12 bases in the first intron. In addition, SNPs in the 3' UTR and intronic regions are also reported.     

Mapping of repetitive bovine DNA sequences on cattle Y chromosomes.

Three male-specific PCR products of the sequences BC1.2, lambda ES6.0, and BRY.1 were used as probes for Southern blot analyses. Each of these probes generated a complex male-specific band pattern, which showed some quantitative variations among bulls. Hybridization patterns obtained with the BC1.2 and lambda ES6.0 PCR products were interrelated. Chromosomal locations of these repeats were determined by hybridizing the tritiated PCR products in situ to male metaphase spreads. The BC1.2 and lambda ES6.0 PCR products hybridized to Yp13-->p12, whereas the BRY.1 PCR product hybridized over the entire Y chromosome. In addition, the BC1.2 and lambda ES6.0 PCR products hybridized to the distal half of the acrocentric Y chromosome of Bos indicus, indicating that the short arm of the B. taurus Y chromosome is homologous with the telomeric end of the B. indicus Y and supporting the notion that the Y chromosomes of these two species differ by a pericentric inversion.     

以Cytb基因部分序列分析大额牛系统地位及其种群现状

对12头大额牛Cytb基因部分序列447bp进行分析,共发现33个变异位点,定义了4种单倍型;结合GenBank中牛属普通牛、瘤牛、牦牛和印度褐牛4个近缘种的Cytb基因同源区序列进行分析,以水牛作为外群,分别采用邻接(NJ)法和最大简约(MP)法构建分子系统发育树,得到基本一致的拓扑结构,结果表明大额牛是独立于普通牛、瘤牛和印度褐牛之外的Bos属的一个独立的种。同时还指出目前我国有相当比例的大额牛受到外来物种的入侵,我国的大额牛保护工作正面临非常严峻的考验。