Myxovirus resistance 1 (Mx1) gene: Molecular characterization of complete coding sequence and expression profile in the endometrium of goat (Capra hircus)

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Myxovirus resistance 1 (Mx1) gene plays an important role in uterine receptivity and conceptus development by creating a strong defense mechanism in the uterine environment. However, the specific role of Mx1 gene is not yet documented in the goat. Therefore, in the present study, full-length coding sequence (CDS) of the Mx1 gene was amplified, sequenced and characterized through various Bioinformatic tools. Temporal expression profile of Mx1 mRNA and protein was also examined by quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) and western blot, respectively, in the endometrium of cyclic stage (non-pregnant), pregnancy stage I (16–24 days of gestation) and pregnancy stage II (25–40 days of gestation) of caprine (cp). A fragment of the cpMx1 gene, 2144 bp in length, was amplified from complementary DNA (cDNA) with a 1965 bp open reading frame. Coding and deduced amino acid sequences of the cpMx1 were aligned with other species and it exhibited 98.8–81.5 % identities with different species. On phylogenetic analysis, sheep and goat were found belonging to the same clade but differing from large ruminants. The cpMx1 protein possess the conserved signature motif (LPRGTGIVTR) of dynamin superfamily and the tripartite guanosine-5′-triphosphate (GTP) binding motif (GDQSSGKS, DLPG, TKPD) at the N-terminal end, and the leucine zipper motifs at the C-terminal end. Both cpMx1 mRNA and protein were found to be expressed maximally (P < 0.05) in the pregnancy stage I as compared to cyclic stage. It was concluded that the cpMx1 gene shares major structural and probably functional similarities with other species.