CLONING AND CHARACTERIZATION OF ALLELES OF THE NATURAL OVALBUMIN GENE CREATED BY MUTATIONS IN THE INTERVENING SEQUENCES

Abstract

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the cloning and characterization of alleles of the natural ovalbumin gene created by mutations in the intervening sequences. Two allelic forms of the natural chicken ovalbumin gene have been independently cloned. These alleles differ from each other by an Eco RI restriction cleavage site in one of the seven intervening sequences within the natural ovalbumin gene. Detailed restriction mapping and sequence analysis of these cloned genotypic alleles have shown identical sequence organization and molecular structure of the interspersed structural and intervening sequences except for the particular Eco RI cleavage site. Sequencing data of the cloned DNA suggest that this Eco RI site may be created or eliminated by a single-base mutation in the intervening sequence of the ovalbumin gene. The occurrence of apparent homozygous and heterozygous allelic forms of the ovalbumin gene in individual hens and roosters within the same breed has been observed. It is found that out of 40 chickens examined, 40% of them are homozygous for the ovalbumin gene without the extra Eco RI site while 10% of them are homozygous possessing this site. It is found that the other half of the populations are heterozygous for this Eco RI site.