Abstract
The swine leukocyte antigens (SLAs) are the multigene families related to immune responses. Little is known about the effect of the DRA gene on diarrheal disease. This study reported the genetic diversity of the DRA gene in exons 1, 3 and 4 in 290 Chinese Yantai black pigs. No variation was identified in exon 3. In exon 1, three genotypes and two alleles were identified, generated by two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). In exon 4, there were eight genotypes and five alleles containing seven SNPs were detected with four SNPs being novel SNPs. The low polymorphism found in swine DRA is consistent with the concept that the DRA gene is highly conserved among all mammalian species. Statistical analyses indicated that the genotypes of exon 1 were not significantly associated with piglet diarrhea (p > 0.05); however, genotypes C4C4 (1.80 ± 0.33) and A4E4 (1.66 ± 0.25) of exon 4 were significantly susceptible to diarrhea (p < 0.01). These indicate that the particular genotypes of the DRA gene are susceptible to diarrheal disease, which provides valuable information for disease-resistance breeding in swine.
Highlights
IntroductionThe swine major histocompatibility complex (MHC) is a large multigene family that encodes the cell surface membrane-bound glycoproteins known as swine leukocyte antigen (SLA) molecules [1,2]
The swine major histocompatibility complex (MHC) is a large multigene family that encodes the cell surface membrane-bound glycoproteins known as swine leukocyte antigen (SLA) molecules [1,2].SLA molecules play a vital role both in acquired immune response to various infectious agents and vaccinations, and in reproductive performance and production traits [1]
We investigated the genetic diversities of DQA and of DRA loci and reported their association with piglet diarrhea in introduced pig breeds (Large White, Landrace and Duroc) and Chinese native breeds (Bamei, Juema, and Gansu black pig) [17,18,19,20,21]
Summary
The swine major histocompatibility complex (MHC) is a large multigene family that encodes the cell surface membrane-bound glycoproteins known as swine leukocyte antigen (SLA) molecules [1,2]. We investigated the genetic diversities of DQA and of DRA loci and reported their association with piglet diarrhea in introduced pig breeds (Large White, Landrace and Duroc) and Chinese native breeds (Bamei, Juema, and Gansu black pig) [17,18,19,20,21]. We have previously identified variation in exon 2 of DRA in Yantai black pigs and reported its association with diarrhea [20]. Identification of SNPs in the DRA gene will enrich the knowledge on SLA diversity and facilitate the selection of potential candidate genes associated with piglet diarrhea, which will be eventually applied to cultivate a highly diarrhea-resistant breed in the swine industry
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