Genetic predisposition for productive life is associated with functional inactivation of a AP2-binding site in the promoter of the stress protein 70.1-encoding gene in cattle

M Schwerin,S Grupe,H Sanftleben

doi:10.5194/aab-46-177-2003

M Schwerin, S Grupe + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.5194/aab-46-177-2003

Copy DOI

Abstract

Abstract. The complex pattern of action for cell viability makes the heat shock protein (HSP) loci to potential candidate genes for stress susceptibility. In the bovine hsp70.1 gene a functional AP2 box variant affecting a significant decrease of cellular stress response, was described. To monitor the distribution of this promoter variant in phenotypically different populations a diagnostic PCR-RFLP assay was developed. As an indicator for individual stress susceptibility the phenotypic trait "productive life" was measured based on the assumption that animals having longer "productive life" might be superior in coping with stress during lifetime. Association of the observed promoter variant with the estimated breeding value "productive life time" was studied in a Holstein sire population and a granddaughter design. Our observations suggest that this polymorphism affects productive life in cattle. Animals with a normal AP2 box are characterised by an increased stress tolerance concluded from their prolonged productive life. These results are supported by the observed different distribution of the hsp70.1 promoter variant in cows of different lactation numbers and degree of selection. Frequency of the mutant hsp70.1-AP2 box allele is significantly lower in cows selected as dams of sires and in cows with an increased lactation number. Additionally, cows with a mutant hsp70.1-AP2 box variant exhibited an increased hazard for culling.

Highlights

During the last 5 decades, genetic improvements have tremendously increased the economic efficiency of many domestic animals, mainly due to the consequent application of the principles and means of quantitative genetics and statistics
Frequency of the mutant hsp70.1-AP2 box allele is significantly lower in cows selected as sire dams and in cows with an increased lactation number
Inactivated hsp70.1-AP2 box variant is associated with a reduced productive life in cattle Association of the bovine hsp70.1 promoter variants was studied in a Holstein sire population and a granddaughter design respectively

Summary

Introduction

During the last 5 decades, genetic improvements have tremendously increased the economic efficiency of many domestic animals, mainly due to the consequent application of the principles and means of quantitative genetics and statistics Despite those dramatic improvements concerning some of the economically important traits in several species of domestic animals, several limitations of traditional breeding methods are becoming more and more apparent concerning traits that are difficult to measure, appear late during ontogenesis, are genetically negatively correlated with other economically important traits or have a low heretability. In cattle breeds two polymorphisms were detected in the bovine hsp70.1 promoter sequence of which one altered the AP2 box at position –130 (SCHWERIN et al, 2001) This potential cis-acting element was shown to interact with the purified transcription factor AP2.

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion