Genetic variants of glucose phosphate isomerase (E.C. 5.3.1.9) in canine erythrocytes*

Genetic polymorphism of glucose phosphate isomerase (GPI) was found in the erythrocytes of dogs of six Japanese breeds by using starch gel electrophoresis. Analysis of parentage records of dogs revealed that the phenotypic variation of erythrocyte glucose phosphate isomerase was controlled by one autosomal locus with two codominant alleles, GPI^Aand GPI^B. The allele GPI^Bwas observed in the following breeds: San'in-Shiba, Shinshu-Shiba, Shikoku, Kai and Kishu, but not in Hokkaidoes and Akitas. All the dogs belonging to 25 European breeds, 5 oriental or China-origin (except Japan) breeds examined in this experiments had the genotype constitution GPI^A/GPI^A, whereas one Dalmation dog was heterozygous GPI^A/GPI^B.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">IGF-1</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">IGF-1R</Emphasis> gene polymorphisms in East Anatolian Red and South Anatolian Red cattle breeds

The aim of this study was to determine the allele and genotype frequencies of the Insulin like growth factor 1 gene (IGF-1) and Insulin like growth factor 1 receptor gene (IGF-1R) polymorphisms in East Anatolian (EAR) and South Anatolian Red cattle (SAR). Polymorphisms in both genes are claimed to affect economic parameters like body weight and subcutaneous back fat. For the study, blood samples were collected from 50 SAR and 50 EAR cattle. In both breeds, high frequencies of allele B of IGF-1, which was supposed to have positive effect on carcass traits and allele A of IGF-1R, related to milk traits, were observed. Therefore, no relationship of the polymorphisms studied with economic traits was observed, as both breeds have respectively low carcass and milk parameters. However, distribution of allele frequencies of IGF-1 and IGF-1R in SAR and EAR cattle was similar with Zebu cattle that support Bos indicus introgression to Anatolian breeds.     

Extensive MHC class II DRB3 diversity in African and European cattle

Genetic deversity at the highly polymorphic BoLA-DRB3 locus was investigated by DNA sequence analyses of 18 African cattle from two breeds representing the two subspecies of cattle, Bos primigenius indicus and Bos primigenius taurus. Yhe polymorphism was compared with that found in a sample ofd 32 European cattle from four breeds, all classified as B. p. taurus. Particularly extensive genetic diversity was found among African cattle, in which as many as 18 alleles were recognized in this small random sample of animals from two breeds. The observed similarity in allele frequency distribution between the two African populations, N'Dama and Zebu cattle, is consistent with the recent recognition of gene flow between B. p. indicus and B. P taurus cattle in Africa. A total of 30 DRB3 alleles were documented and as many as 26 of these were classified as major allelic types showing at least five amino acid substitutions compared with other major types. The observation of extensive genetic diversity at MHC loci in cattle, as well as in other farm animals, provides a compelling argument against matin-type preferences as a primary cause in maintaining major histocompatibility complex diversity, since the reproduction of these animals has been controlled by humans for many generations.The nucleotide sequence data reported in this paper have been submitted to the EMBL nucleotide sequence database and have been given the accession numbers X87641-X87670     

Genetic polymorphism of eserine resistant esterases in canine plasma*

Six plasma eserine resistant esterase phenotypes were observed in a population of 1438 dogs consisting of 38 breeds. Analysis of parentage records of the dogs examined revealed that the phenotypic variation of eserine resistant esterases was controlled by 3 codominant alleles Es^A, Es^Band Es^Cat one autosomal locus. The gene frequency of Es^Bwas high in most of the breeds examined. Allele Es^Cwas only seen in 5 Japanese native breeds, Akita, Shikoku, Hokkaido, Shinshu-Shiba and Mino-Shiba, and in a Spitz dog. Allele Es^Ahas a low frequency in Japanese breeds but a higher frequency in some of the European breeds tested.     

Behaviour of Zebu and crossbed cows in restricted suckling groups

The aim of this study was to investigate whether Zebu (Bos indicus) and crossbred (Bos indicusxBos taurus) cows differ in maternal related behaviour during restricted group suckling. The behaviours of 20 Zebu and 16 crossbred cows were recorded during two 30min sessions each day after milking when their calves were present for suckling, for a time period of 2 weeks per month for 6 months postpartum. The main activity in both breeds during the 0.5h observation sessions was suckling. However, the two breeds differed significantly in several behavioural aspects. The Zebu cows had longer total duration of suckling than the crossbred cows, per 30min session, 11.8 and 9.4min, respectively. The separate suckling bouts were longer in the Zebu cows (2.8min in Zebu and 2.3min in crossbred) and this breed also had more suckling bouts than the crossbred per session, 3.8 and 3.2, respectively. Zebu cows stayed in close contact with their calves for longer time and directed more agonistic actions against alien calves and cows than the crossbred cows.     

Effects of various metabolites on two phosphoglucomutase allozyme activities from Drosophila melanogaster

The effects of various metabolites on the two most common phosphoglucomutase allozymes (PGM^A and PGM^B) in Drosophila melanogaster have been investigated in vitro. 2,3-Diphosphoglycerate (2,3DPG) inhibited PGM^A and PGM^B to the same degree in the presence of 25 µM glucose-1,6-diphosphate (G1, 6P₂). However a higher concentration of G1,6P₂ partially reversed the inhibition of PGM^A exerted by 2,3DPG, so that in the presence of 150 µM G1,6P₂ the inhibition of PGM^A was half that of PGM^B at pH 6.0. Glycerol-3-phosphate (G3P) had no significant effect at pH 7.4 but exerted an activating effect at pH 6.0 which was more pronounced in the case of PGM^B. ATP, citrate, and fructose-1, 6-diphosphate (F1,6P₂) inhibited both PGM^A and PGM^B. The differences found in vitro between these two allozymes can have a significant impact on in vivo function and, therefore, on the maintenance of PGM polymorphism in experimental populations of D. melanogaster studied in the laboratory.     

Polymorphism of Bovine Prolactin Gene: Microsatellites,PCR–RFLP

In the samples of Russian Ayrshire and Gorbatov Red cattle breeds, distribution of frequencies of prolactin (PRL) gene alleles generated due to the presence of polymorphic RsaI site in exon 3 were studied. In the breeds, the frequencies of the Ballele of the PRLgene (with RsaI(+) site) detected by the PCR–RFLP method were 14.1 and 8.6%, respectively. In Black Pied, Ayrshire and Gorbatov Red cattle breeds, variation of the microsatellite dinucleotide repeat in the regulatory region of the gene PRLwas also studied. Gorbatov Red breed was monomorphic at the microsatellite locus with the only allele 164 bp in length. Two alleles (164 bp and 162 bp) were detected in the other breeds studied. The frequencies of 164-bp allele of the microsatellite locus were 93.7 and 90.0% in Black Pied and Ayrshire breeds, respectively. In Gorbatov Red breed of dairy type with good beef qualities and low milk-fat yield, lower level of heterozygosity for PRLgene was demonstrated compared to Ayrshire and Black Pied breeds that have high milk-fat yield. In three cattle breeds, higher mean estimate of polymorphism information content of PCR–RFLP in exon 3 (PIC = 0.21) was revealed compared with the same estimate (PIC = 0.09) for the microsatellite locus variability in the regulatory region of the PRLgene. Characteristics of allele Bdistribution of thePRLgene in the representatives of the Bovidae family are considered.     

Effect of age of calf on suckling behaviour and other behavioural activities of Zebu and crossbred calves during restricted suckling periods

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of age of calf on the behaviour of Zebu and crossbred calves during restricted suckling (RS) periods. The behaviours of 20 Zebu and 16 crossbred calves were recorded during two 30-min sessions each day after milking when the calves and their dams were brought together in a group for suckling. This was made for a time period of 2 weeks/month for 6 months postpartum.The total suckling duration was significantly longer in Zebu calves (11.8+/-0.19 min) compared to the crossbred calves (9.4+/-0.19 min), but decreased significantly in both breeds with increasing age from 1 to 6 months. The number of suckling bouts decreased from a mean of 3.8 at 1 month of age to 1.1 at 6 month (P<0.05). The duration of each suckling bout decreased significantly from a mean of 3.5+/-0.15 min at 1 month of age to 1.6+/-0.01 min at 6 months (<0.05). The frequency of crossbred calves cross-suckling (3.7%) was significantly higher than that of the Zebu calves (1.9%; P<0.05). The frequency of calves cross-suckling decreased significantly from 4.2% at 1 month of age to 2.3% at 6 months. The duration and number of bouts of cross-suckling was significantly higher in the crossbred calves (duration 0.9+/-0.06 min; bouts 3, 7) than in the Zebu calves (duration 0.5+/-0.06 min; bouts 2, 7) and decreased with increasing age of calf. The duration and number of bouts of inter-sucking was significantly higher in the crossbred calves (duration 0.6+/-0.07 min; bouts 1, 6) than in the Zebu calves (duration 0.1+/-0.04 min; bouts 0, 5) and decreased with increasing age of calf. Exploration increased in duration as the calves increased in age from 1 to 6 months (P<0.05). The duration of play increased significantly with the increase in age of calf from 1 to 6 months, and occurred mainly after nursing.     

DGAT1 K232A polymorphism in Brazilian cattle breeds

Recent reports identified DGAT1 (EC 2.3.1.20) harboring a lysine to alanine substitution (K232A) as a candidate gene with a strong effect on milk production traits. Our objective was to estimate the frequency of the DGAT1 K232A polymorphism in the main Zebu and Taurine breeds in Brazil as well as in Zebu x Taurine crossbreds as a potential QTL for marker-assisted selection. Samples of 331 animals from the main Brazilian breeds, Nellore, Guzerat, Red Sindhi, Gyr, Holstein, and Gyr x Holstein F1 were genotyped for DGAT1 K232A polymorphism (A and K alleles) using the PCR-RFLP technique. The highest frequency of the A allele was found in the Holstein sample (73%) followed by Gyr x Holstein F1 (39%). Gyr and Red Sindhi showed low frequencies of A alleles (4 and 2.5%, respectively). The A allele was not found in the Nellore and Guzerat samples. Our results could be used to guide association studies between this locus and milk traits in these breeds.     

Comparative gene frequencies of nucleoside phosphorylase from cattle of Bos taurus and Bos indicus derivation in Brazil

1. Two nucleoside phosphorylase (NP) phenotypes were detected in 844 animals from four distinct genetic groups of Bos taurus and Bos indicus derivation. 2. Bos indicus breeds like Guzerat (Kankrej), Gir, Nellore (Ongole) and Indubrazil presented an NP-H frequency of 1.00, 0.928, 0.776 and 0.754 respectively, while the Canchim breed, a Bos taurus-Bos indicus crossbred cattle (5/8 Charolais-3/8 Zebu) presented a frequency of 0.372. 3. The high frequency detected from the NP-H allele in the Bos indicus breeds strongly suggests that this enzyme is a genetic marker for cattle and that it probably has a very high frequency in all Indian breeds.     

Association of DNA polymorphisms of the growth hormone and prolactin genes with milk productivity in Yaroslavl and Black-and-White cattle

Polymorphisms of the prolactin (bPRL) and growth hormone (bGH) genes were studied comparatively in the Russian and German Black-and-White and Yaroslavl cattle breeds. Two polymorphisms were studied for each gene. In the case of the bPRL gene, the polymorphism of the 5-untranslated region was examined by microsatellite analysis and the RsaI polymorphism of exon 3, by RFLP analysis. In the case of the bGH gene, the MspI polymorphism of intron III and the AluI polymorphism of exon 5 were assessed by RFLP analysis. Differences in allele and genotype frequencies were observed both between and within breeds. The heterozygosity at the RsaI marker was low (9.4%) in the Russian Black-and-White breed; that at the microsatellite of the bPRL gene was low (3.2–24%) in all breeds examined. Homozygotes BB at the bPRL gene, which had not been reported earlier for European cattle breeds, were detected in the German Black-and-White and Yaroslavl breeds (at frequencies 0.16 and 0.13, respectively). The frequency of allele MspI(–) of the bGH gene in the Yaroslavl breed was extremely low (0.02), comparable only with that of the Holstein cattle (0.02). The heterozygosity at the AluI polymorphism was higher than at the MspI polymorphism of the bGH gene and reached 55% in the Yaroslavl breed. Genotype BB of the RsaI polymorphism of the bPRL gene tended to show a negative association with the fat content in milk. The genotypes of the AluI polymorphism of the bGH gene were associated with the fat content in milk in the Yaroslavl (F=4.56, P=0.013) and German Black-and-White (F=4.1, P=0.041) breeds: the highest fat content in milk was observed in the subsample of cows with heterozygous genotype VL.Translated from Genetika, Vol. 41, No. 2, 2005, pp. 229–236.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Khatami, Lazebny, Maksimenko, Sulimova.     

Origins and genetic diversity of New World Creole cattle: inferences from mitochondrial and Y chromosome polymorphisms

The ancestry of New World cattle was investigated through the analysis of mitochondrial and Y chromosome variation in Creoles from Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Paraguay and the United States of America. Breeds that influenced the Creoles, such as Iberian native, British and Zebu, were also studied. Creoles showed high mtDNA diversity (H = 0.984 ± 0.003) with a total of 78 haplotypes, and the European T3 matriline was the most common (72.1%). The African T1a haplogroup was detected (14.6%), as well as the ancestral African‐derived AA matriline (11.9%), which was absent in the Iberian breeds. Genetic proximity among Creoles, Iberian and Atlantic Islands breeds was inferred through their sharing of mtDNA haplotypes. Y‐haplotype diversity in Creoles was high (H = 0.779 ± 0.019), with several Y1, Y2 and Y3 haplotypes represented. Iberian patrilines in Creoles were more difficult to infer and were reflected by the presence of H3Y1 and H6Y2. Y‐haplotypes confirmed crossbreeding with British cattle, mainly of Hereford with Pampa Chaqueño and Texas Longhorn. Male‐mediated Bos indicus introgression into Creoles was found in all populations, except Argentino1 (herd book registered) and Pampa Chaqueño. The detection of the distinct H22Y3 patriline with the INRA189‐90 allele in Caracú suggests introduction of bulls directly from West Africa. Further studies of Spanish and African breeds are necessary to elucidate the origins of Creole cattle, and determine the exact source of their African lineages.     

Electromyography of pongid shoulder muscles II. Deltoid, rhomboid and "rotator cuff"

Red cell antigen, serum protein and red cell enzyme groups were determined for a series of 1,821 individuals belonging to six language families in Western New Guinea. Three of the language families represent groupings of languages spoken by people in the swampy coastal plain of south central Western New Guinea, two belong to the Central Highlands and one to the Lake Plain area near the confluence of the Idenburg and Rouffaer Rivers. The distribution of genetic markers reveals similarities with other parts of New Guinea. The A₂ allele is absent in the ABO system, the frequency of Ns in the MNS system is very high as is the R₁ (CDe) allele in the Rh system. Hp¹ frequencies are high, and the transferrin allele Tf^D 1 is present as in other parts of New Guinea. In the red cell enzyme systems several alleles were detected which are characteristic of Papuan, and in some cases other Melanesian populations: these include MDH³, PGK⁴, PGK², PGM⁹₂, PGM¹⁰₂, as well as some very restricted alleles such as Peptidase B⁶ and Pep B². Three indices of genetic distance were computed. The most striking results are the genetic closeness of the Dani and Moni populations from the Central Highlands to the Asmat on the southern coastal plain, and the relative remoteness of the Awyu from the other south coastal populations. The results are discussed in terms of recent theories on the origin and dispersal of Papuan languages.     

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) electrophoretic variants and the PvuII polymorphism in Southern African populations

Summary Southern African Bantu-speaking negroid and San populations were examined with regard to the glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) PvuII restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) showing alleles of 4kb and 1.6 kb, called Type 1 and Type 2, respectively. The standardized disequilibrium coefficient for the electrophoretic G6PD types and PvuII alleles in the Southern African population was 0.28. The molecular lesion causing the Gd^A mutation is the same in the San and Southern African negroid populations. Gd^A chromosomes are found in association with both the Type 1 and Type 2 alleles, whereas none of the 62 Gd^B chromosomes from the Southern African populations had the Type 2 allele. Five of the 44 Gd^B chromosomes studied in the American Black population had the Type 2 allele, indicating that the Gd^B allele in the two populations may have different origins. The presence of all 3 A^– deficiency mutations in the G6PD A gene, in a region where the ancestral population was thought to have predominantly G6PD B, may be explained by their origin in Africa after the divergence of the races.     

Genetic Footprints of Iberian Cattle in America 500 Years after the Arrival of Columbus

Background

American Creole cattle presumably descend from animals imported from the Iberian Peninsula during the period of colonization and settlement, through different migration routes, and may have also suffered the influence of cattle directly imported from Africa. The introduction of European cattle, which began in the 18th century, and later of Zebu from India, has threatened the survival of Creole populations, some of which have nearly disappeared or were admixed with exotic breeds. Assessment of the genetic status of Creole cattle is essential for the establishment of conservation programs of these historical resources.

Methodology/Principal Findings

We sampled 27 Creole populations, 39 Iberian, 9 European and 6 Zebu breeds. We used microsatellite markers to assess the origins of Creole cattle, and to investigate the influence of different breeds on their genetic make-up. The major ancestral contributions are from breeds of southern Spain and Portugal, in agreement with the historical ports of departure of ships sailing towards the Western Hemisphere. This Iberian contribution to Creoles may also include some African influence, given the influential role that African cattle have had in the development of Iberian breeds, but the possibility of a direct influence on Creoles of African cattle imported to America can not be discarded. In addition to the Iberian influence, the admixture with other European breeds was minor. The Creoles from tropical areas, especially those from the Caribbean, show clear signs of admixture with Zebu.

Conclusions/Significance

Nearly five centuries since cattle were first brought to the Americas, Creoles still show a strong and predominant signature of their Iberian ancestors. Creole breeds differ widely from each other, both in genetic structure and influences from other breeds. Efforts are needed to avoid their extinction or further genetic erosion, which would compromise centuries of selective adaptation to a wide range of environmental conditions.     

A Single Nucleotide Polymorphism and Sequence Analysis of CSN1S1 Gene Promoter Region in Chinese BOS Grunniens (YAK)

The aim of this study was to investigate the polymorphism of the CSN1S1 gene promoter region in 4 Chinese yak breeds, and compare the yak CSN1S1 gene promoter region sequences with other ruminants. A Polymerase Chain Reaction-Single Strand Conformation Polymorphism protocol was developed for rapid genotyping of the yak CSN1S1 gene. One hundred fifty-eight animals from 4 Chinese yak breeds were genotyped at the CSN1S1 locus using the protocol developed. A single nucleotide polymorphism of the CSN1S1 gene promoter region has been identified in all yak breeds investigated. The polymorphism consists of a single nucleotide substitution G→A at position 386 of the CSN1S1 gene promoter region, resulting in two alleles named, respectively, G₃₈₆ and A₃₈₆, based on the nucleotide at position 386. The allele G₃₈₆ was found to be more common in the animals investigated. The corresponding nucleotide sequences in GenBank of yak (having the same nucleotides as allele G₃₈₆ in this study), bovine, water buffalo, sheep, and goat had similarity of 99.68%, 99.35%, 97.42%, 95.14%, and 94.19%, respectively, with the yak allele A_386.     

Genetic variation of an acid phosphatase (Acp-2) in the laboratory rat: Possible homology with mouse AP-1 and human ACP2

A genetic locus controlling the electrophoretic mobility of an acid phosphatase in the rat (Rattus norvegicus) is described. The locus, designed Acp-2, is not expressed in erythrocytes but is expressed in all other tissues studied. The product of Acp-2 hydrolyzes a wide variety of phosphate monoesters and is inhibited by l(+)-tartaric acid. Inbred rat strains have fixed either allele Acp-2^a or allele Acp-2^b. Codominant expression is observed in the respective F₁ hybrids. Backcross progenies revealed the expected 1:1 segregation ratio. Possible loose linkage was found between the Acp-2 and the Pep-3 gene loci at a recombination frequency of 0.36±0.06.Supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (Grant Be 352/15) and by a grant from the Alexander-von-Humboldt-Stiftung (VB2-FLF).     

Generation of the HLA-B35, -B5, -B16, and B15 groups of alleles studied by intron 1 and 2 sequence analysis

 HLA-B is the most polymorphic of the major histocompatibility complex classical class I loci. This polymorphism is mainly in exons 2 and 3, which code for the molecule’s α1 and α2 domains and include the antigenic peptide binding site. Recent studies have indicated that not only exons but also the intron 2 region may be involved in the generation of certain HLA-B alleles such as B ^* 3906 and B ^* 1522. To study the degree of intron 2 participation and the mechanisms that generate polymorphism at the HLA-B locus, intron 1 and 2 sequences from the HLA-B35, -B5, -B16 and -B15 groups of alleles were obtained. A group-specific intronic polymorphism was found: namely, B ^* 5301 shows intron 1 and 2 sequences identical to those found in all B35 alleles studied. On the other hand, B ^* 5101 and B ^* 52012 show the same intron 1 and 2 sequences and their intron 1 is the same as that found in the B35 group. This suggests that B5 and B35 groups of alleles may have arisen from a common ancestor. All known B16 alleles show the same introns 1 and 2, with the exception of B ^* 39061 and B ^* 39062, and all B15 alleles also bear the same introns 1 and 2, with the exception of B ^* 1522. Variability at intron 1 is more restricted than at intron 2, and the use of intron 1 for HLA-B allele phylogenetic analysis is better for grouping alleles of a postulated common origin. In conclusion, there is a remarkable conservation of intronic sequences within related HLA-B alleles, which probably reflects a common origin and perhaps a selective force avoiding DNA changes. Intronic sequences are also potentially useful to design DNA typing strategies. Received: 11 March 1997 / Revised: 29 May 1997