Molecular characterization, polymorphism and association of porcine SPATA19 gene

Spermatogenesis associated 19 (SPATA19) is an important reproduction related gene. In this study, we cloned the full-length cDNA sequence of porcine SPATA19 gene through the rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) method. The porcine SPATA19 gene encodes a protein of 154 amino acids which shares high homology with the SPATA19 of ten species: giant panda (87?%), dog (86?%), cattle (84?%), rabbit (78?%), sumatran orangutan (72?%), human (71?%), rhesus monkey (71?%), chimpanzee (70?%), mouse (71?%) and rat (69?%). The phylogenetic analysis revealed that the porcine SPATA19 gene has a closer genetic relationship with the SPATA19 gene of dog. This gene is structured in six exons and five introns as revealed by computer-assisted analysis. PCR-RFLP was established to detect the GU475012:c.515T>C substitution of porcine SPATA19 gene mRNA and association of this mutation with litter size traits was assessed in Large White (n?=?100) and Landrace (n?=?100) pig populations. Results demonstrated that this polymorphic locus was significantly associated with the litter size of all parities in Large White sows and Landrace sows. Therefore, SPATA19 gene could be an useful candidate gene in selection for increasing litter size in pigs. These data serve as a foundation for further insight into this novel porcine gene.     

Molecular Characterization,Polymorphism, and Association of Porcine GADD45G Gene

Growth arrest and DNA-damage-inducible gamma (GADD45G) is a reproduction related gene. In this study, the full-length cDNA sequence of porcine GADD45G gene was cloned through rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) method. The porcine GADD45G gene encodes a protein of 159 amino acids that shares high homology with the GADD45G of nine species: chimpanzee (97%), sumatran orangutan (97%), white-tufted-ear marmoset (97%), northern white-cheeked gibbon (97%), cattle (97%), human (97%), rhesus monkey (97%), rat (96%), and mouse (95%). This novel porcine gene was assigned to GeneID: 100152997. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the porcine GADD45G gene has a closer genetic relationship with the GADD45G gene of cattle. Computer-assisted analysis indicated that porcine GADD45G gene is structured in four exons and three introns. PCR-Rsa I-RFLP was established to detect an A/G mutation on the position of 294-bp of coding sequence and eight pig breeds display obvious genotype and allele frequency differences at this mutation locus. Association of this SNP with litter size traits was assessed in Large White (n = 100) and Landrace (n = 100) pig populations, and result demonstrated that this polymorphic locus was significantly associated with the litter size of all parities in Large White and Landrace sows (P < 0.01). Therefore, porcine GADD45G gene could be a useful candidate gene in selection for increasing the litter size. These data serve as a foundation for further insight into this novel porcine gene.     

Molecular cloning and expression analyses of a novel swine gene-ARF4

The mRNA differential display technique was performed to investigate the differences of gene expression in the longissimus muscle tissues from Meishan and Large White pigs. One novel gene that was differentially expressed was identified through semi-quantitative RT-PCR and the cDNA complete sequence was then obtained using the rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) method. The nucleotide sequence of the gene is not homologous to any of the known porcine genes. The sequence prediction analysis revealed that the open reading frame of this gene encodes a protein of 180 amino acids that contains the putative conserved domain of ADP-ribosylation factor (ARF) which has high homology with the ADP-ribosylation factor 4 (ARF4) of six species-bovine (98%), human and orangutan (96%), African clawed frog (96%), mouse and rat (98%)-so that it can be defined as swine ADP-ribosylation factor 4 (ARF4). This novel porcine gene was finally assigned to GeneID:595108. The phylogenetic tree analysis revealed that the swine ARF4 has a closer genetic relationship with the rat and mouse ARF4 than with those of human and African clawed frog. The tissue expression analysis indicated that the swine ARF4 gene is over expressed in muscle, fat, heart, spleen, liver, and ovary and moderately expressed in lung and kidney but weakly expressed in small intestine. Our experiment is the first to establish the primary foundation for further research on the swine ARF4 gene.     

A novel porcine gene,MAPKAPK3, is differentially expressed in the pituitary gland from mini-type Diannan small-ear pigs and large-type Diannan small-ear pigs

The mRNA differential display technique was performed to investigate the differences of gene expression in the pituitary gland from mini-type Diannan small-ear pigs and large-type Diannan small-ear pigs. One novel gene differentially expressed was identified through semi-quantitative RT-PCR and its cDNA complete sequence was then obtained using the rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) method. Nucleotide sequence of the gene is not homologous to any of the known porcine genes. The sequence analysis revealed that the open reading frame of this gene encodes a protein of 384 amino acids has high homology with the mitogen-activated protein kinase-activated protein kinase 3 (MAPKAPK3) of eight species-cattle (96%), horse (96%), rhesus monkey (93%), rabbit (77%), human (98%), chimpanzee (98%), mouse (94%) and rat (91%)-so that it can be defined as swine MAPKAPK3 gene. This gene was finally assigned GENE ID: 100233192. Computer assisted analysis revealed that the genomic DNA of open reading frame of the swine MAPKAPK3 gene consists of ten exons and nine introns. The phylogenetic tree analysis revealed that the swine MAPKAPK3 gene has a closer genetic relationship with the MAPKAPK3 of cattle. The tissue expression analysis indicated that the MAPKAPK3 mRNA expression levels of large-type Diannan small-ear pigs are ubiquitously increased in various tissues compared to the mini-type Diannan small-ear pigs. Our experiment suggested that the swine MAPKAPK3 gene might play an important role in the growth and development differences between mini-type Diannan small-ear pigs and large-type Diannan small-ear pigs.     

Molecular characterization, polymorphism and association of porcine MYST2 gene

MYST histone acetyltransferase 2 (MYST2) is an important reproduction related gene. In this study, we cloned the full-length cDNA sequence of porcine MYST2 gene through the rapid amplification of cDNA ends method. The porcine MYST2 gene encodes a protein of 611 amino acids which shares high homology with the MYST2 of six species: cattle (99%), rabbit (99%), human (99%), rat (99%), mouse (99%) and chicken (98%).The open reading frame of this gene is structured in 15 exons and 14 introns as revealed by computer-assisted analysis. The phylogenetic analysis revealed that the porcine MYST2 gene has a closer genetic distance with the MYST2 gene of cattle. PCR-RFLP was established to detect the GU373686:c.2872G > A substitution of porcine MYST2 gene mRNA and association of this mutation with litter size traits was assessed in Large White (n = 200) and Landrace (n = 200) pig populations. Results demonstrated that this polymorphic locus was significantly associated with the litter size of all parities in Large White sows and Landrace sows. These data serve as a foundation for further insight into this porcine gene.     

A novel porcine gene, POT1, differentially expressed in the longissimus muscle tissues from Wujin and Large White pigs

The mRNA differential display technique was performed to investigate the differences of gene expression in the longissimus muscle tissues from Wujin and Large White pigs. One novel gene differentially expressed was identified through quantitative real time PCR and the cDNA complete sequence was then obtained using the rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) method. The nucleotide sequence of the gene is not homologous to any of the known porcine genes. The sequence prediction analysis revealed that the open reading frame of this gene encodes a protein of 507 amino acids that shares high homology with the protection of telomeres 1 isoform 4 (POT1) of human (86%)-so that this gene can be defined as swine POT1 gene. This gene is structured in 12 exons and 11 introns as revealed by computer-assisted analysis. The tissue expression analysis indicated that the swine POT1 gene is differentially expressed in tissues including muscle, heart, liver, fat, kidney, lung, pancreas and spleen. Our experiment is the first to establish the primary foundation for further research on the swine POT1 gene.     

Identification of a differentially expressed gene PPP1CB between porcine Longissimus dorsi of Meishan and Large WhitexMeishan hybrids

To study the molecular basis of heterosis, suppression subtractive hybridization was used to investigate the differences in gene expression between porcine Longissimus dorsi of F1 hybrids Large WhitexMeishan and their female parents Meishan. From two specific subtractive cDNA libraries, the clones selected by reverse Northern high-density blot screening were chosen to clone full-length cDNA by rapid amplification of cDNA ends. An expression-upregulated gene for Meishan skeletal muscle, designated protein phosphatase 1, catalytic subunit, beta isoform (PPP1CB), was identified. Porcine PPP1CB contains an open reading frame encoding 327 amino acid residues with 13 and 1763 nucleotides in the 5' and 3' untranslated regions, respectively. A DNA fragment of 721 nucleotides was amplified and a mutation that creates/disrupts a restriction site for endonuclease RsaI was found. The derived amino acid sequence of PPP1CB has high homology with the PPP1CB of three species, Mus musculus (99%), human (99%) and mouse (100%). The tissue expression analysis indicated that the swine PPP1CB gene is generally expressed in most tissues. The possible role of PPP1CB and its relation to porcine heterosis are discussed.     

Molecular characterization and expression profile of a novel porcine gene differentially expressed in the muscle and backfat tissues from Chinese Meishan and Russian Large White pigs

The mRNA differential display technique was performed to investigate the differences of gene expression in the longissimus dorsi muscle and backfat tissues from Chinese Meishan and Russian Large White pigs. One novel gene that was differentially expressed was identified through semi-quantitative RT-PCR and the cDNA complete sequence was then obtained using the rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) method. The cDNA sequence of this gene is not homologous to any of the known porcine genes. The sequence prediction analysis revealed that the open reading frame of this gene encodes a protein of 402 amino acids that contains the putative conserved transposase DDE domain and further Blast analysis revealed that this protein has 100% homology with the Tn10 transposase from Oryza sativa, Serratia marcescens, and Salmonella, and therefore, this gene can be defined as the swine Tn10 transposase gene. This novel porcine gene was finally assigned to Gene ID: 100049649. The RT-PCR analysis of the tissue expression profile was carried out using the tissue cDNAs of one Meishan pig as the templates, and the result indicated that this novel swine gene is moderately expressed in fat, and weakly expressed in small intestine, liver, kidney, and spleen but almost not expressed in heart, ovary, muscle, and lung. Our experiment established the primary foundation for further research into the biological significance of swine Tn10 transposase gene.     

cDNA cloning,sequence identification and tissue expression distribution of three novel porcine genes: UCHL3, RIT1 and CCND3

The complete CDS sequences of three porcine genes: UCHL3, RIT1 and CCND3 were amplified using RT-PCR based on the sequence information of the mouse or other mammals and referenced highly homologous pig ESTs. Sequence analysis of these three genes revealed that the porcine UCHL3 gene encodes a protein of 230 amino acids and has high homology with the ubiquitin carboxyl-terminal hydrolase isozyme L3 (UCHL3) of four species-bovine (97%), human (96%), mouse (95%) and rat (94%). The porcine RIT1 gene encodes a protein of 219 amino acids and has high homology with the GTP-binding protein Rit1 (RIT1) of two species-human (97%), mouse (97%). The porcine CCND3 gene encodes a protein of 292 amino acids and has high homology with the G1/S-specific cyclin-D3 (CCND3) of four species-bovine (98%), human (97%), mouse (93%) and rat (92%). The phylogenetic tree analysis revealed that the swine UCHL3 has a closer genetic relationship with the UCHL3 of bovine, and the swine RIT1 has closer genetic relationships with the RIT1 of human, but the swine CCND3 has a closer genetic relationship with the CCND3 of bovine. The RT-PCR gene expression analysis indicated that the swine UCHL3, RIT1 and CCND3 genes were differentially expressed in tissues including small intestine, large intestine, liver, muscle, fat, lung, spleen and kidney. Our experiment established the primary foundation for further research on these three swine genes.     

Molecular characterization and expression profile of a novel porcine gene differentially expressed in the muscle and backfat tissues from Chinese Meishan and Russian Large White pigs

The mRNA differential display technique was performed to investigate the differences of gene expression in the longissimus dorsi muscle and backfat tissues from Chinese Meishan and Russian Large White pigs. One novel gene that was differentially expressed was identified through semiquantitative RT-PCR, and the cDNA complete sequence was then obtained using the rapid amplification of the cDNA ends (RACE) method. The cDNA sequence of this gene is not homologous to any of the known porcine genes. The sequence prediction analysis revealed that the open reading frame of this gene encodes a protein of 402 amino acids that contains the putative conserved transposase DDE domain, and further Blast analysis revealed that this protein has 100% homology with the Tn10 transposase from Oryza sativa, Serratia marcescens, and Salmonella, and, therefore, this gene can be defined as the swine Tn10 transposase gene. This novel porcine gene was finally assigned to Gene ID: 100049649. The RT-PCR analysis of the tissue expression profile was carried out using the tissue cDNAs of one Meishan pig as the templates, and the result indicated that this novel swine gene is moderately expressed in fat and weakly expressed in small intestine, liver, kidney, and spleen but almost not expressed in heart, ovary, muscle, and lung. Our experiment established the primary foundation for further research into the biological significance of swine Tn10 transposase gene.     

A Novel PRPF31 Mutation in a Large Chinese Family with Autosomal Dominant Retinitis Pigmentosa and Macular Degeneration

Purpose

This study was intended to identify the disease causing genes in a large Chinese family with autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa and macular degeneration.

Methods

A genome scan analysis was conducted in this family for disease gene preliminary mapping. Snapshot analysis of selected SNPs for two-point LOD score analysis for candidate gene filter. Candidate gene PRPF31 whole exons'' sequencing was executed to identify mutations.

Results

A novel nonsense mutation caused by an insertion was found in PRPF31 gene. All the 19 RP patients in 1085 family are carrying this heterozygous nonsense mutation. The nonsense mutation is in PRPF31 gene exon9 at chr19:54629961-54629961, inserting nucleotide “A” that generates the coding protein frame shift from p.307 and early termination at p.322 in the snoRNA binding domain (NOP domain).

Conclusion

This report is the first to associate PRPF31 gene''s nonsense mutation and adRP and JMD. Our findings revealed that PRPF31 can lead to different clinical phenotypes in the same family, resulting either in adRP or syndrome of adRP and JMD. We believe our identification of the novel “A” insertion mutation in exon9 at chr19:54629961-54629961 in PRPF31 can provide further genetic evidence for clinical test for adRP and JMD.