Examining Genetic Differences in Farm Raised Pacific White Shrimp

Genomic DNA was extracted from ten shrimp of the Pacific white shrimp or Litopenaeus vannamei species and used to find single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the Alpha-amylase (_-AMY) and the Cathepsin-L (CTSL) genes. This study lays the groundwork for future research to examine the association of genetic markers and the growth rate of farm raised pacific white shrimp

Cell-free prediction of protein expression costs for growing cells

Translating heterologous proteins places significant burden on host cells, consuming expression resources leading to slower cell growth and productivity. Yet predicting the cost of protein production for any given gene is a major challenge, as multiple processes and factors combine to determine translation efficiency. To enable prediction of the cost of gene expression in bacteria, we describe here a standard cell-free lysate assay that provides a relative measure of resource consumption when a protein coding sequence is expressed. These lysate measurements can then be used with a computational model of translation to predict the in vivo burden placed on growing E. coli cells for a variety of proteins of different functions and lengths. Using this approach, we can predict the burden of expressing multigene operons of different designs and differentiate between the fraction of burden related to gene expression compared to action of a metabolic pathway

Cloning of the complete gene for pig PIT-1 and analysis of PIT-1 protein function

We have cloned and sequenced the complete proteincoding region of the pig PIT-1 gene. The pig PIT-1 gene is highly similar to the PIT-1 gene in other species (human, rodent, cattle). We also found some alternative forms of the pig PIT-1 gene. We have analyzed the protein function of the pig PIT-1 genes and one of its alternative forms; D3PIT-1. The functional studies showed that the pig PIT-1 protein can function normally at growth hormone (GH) and prolactin (PRL), whereas the pig D3PIT-1 protein cannot. These results imply that the pig PIT-1 gene is important in pig growth through regulation of GH and PRL gene expression, whereas its alternative forms might play different roles on PIT-1 target genes

Mapping Genes for Fatness and Growth on Pig Chromosome 13: A Search in the Region Close to the Pig PIT1 Gene

Previous research has shown that the PIT1 gene in several pig populations and the chromosomal region near PIT1 in some pig populations has been significantly associated with fatness and growth on pig chromosome 13. To confirm these previous results and to clarify the role of the PIT1 gene in controlling pig fatness and growth, this research project was focused on studying the chromosomal region close to the PIT1 gene. The ISU Chinese x U.S. pig families were used and the traits analyzed were birth weight, 21-day weight, 42-day weight, longissimus muscle area, backfat thickness at several locations, meat color, marbling and firmness on the carcass, and growth rate for selected time periods. The total number of F2 pigs used ranged from 241 to 330. Significant evidence of a genetic marker for first rib backfat thickness was detected approximately 20 centimorgans (cM) from the PIT1 gene. Evidence of a genetic marker for birth weight was detected at the estimated PIT1 position. These results confirmed the previous published research on pig chromosome 13 for the birth weight but suggest that other genes in the region may be partly responsible for the earlier results on the backfat thickness

Association of PITl Polymorphisms with Growth and Carcass Traits in Pigs

PIT1, a member of the POU-domain family of genes, is a positive regulatory factor of growth hormone, prolactin, and thyrotroph-stimulating hormone beta in several mammals. Therefore, PIT1 was chosen as a candidate gene to investigate its association with growth and carcass traits in pigs. The five Iowa State University reference/resource three-generation families consisting of crosses of Meishan x Duroc, Meishan x Hampshire, Meishan x Landrace, Minzhu x Hampshire, and Minzhu x Landrace were used. The three PIT1 polymorphisms were based on two RFLP using a PIT1 POU-domain cDNA probe and the restriction enzymes BamHI and MspI and a PCR/RFLP using RsaI. Birth, 21-d, and 42-d weights, average daily gain, several backfat measurements, longissimus muscle area, muscle color, marbling, and firmness scores were evaluated for their association with the three PIT1 polymorphisms. Mixed-animal-model analyses were used with the informative family data in which the PIT1 polymorphisms were segregating. Results from mixed-model analyses revealed that pigs with the MspI CC genotype (P \u3c .01) were associated with heavier birth weight (.12 kg) than DD genotype pigs. The MspI CC genotype pigs were also significantly associated with greater average backfat (.41 cm, P \u3c .01), greater first-rib backfat (.45 cm, P \u3c .01), greater last-rib backfat (.32 cm, P \u3c .07), and greater last lumbar backfat (.46 cm, P \u3c .10) than the DD genotype pigs. The CC genotype represents primarily Chinese alleles and may be useful for future genetic improvement in synthetic lines involving Chinese and American pigs.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS

Validity and equivalence of the SF-12v2 Health Survey for a Chinese Population

Poster Session 3: no. 124/1264Conference Theme: Integrating HRQOL in Health Care Policy, Research, and Practic

Genetic Control of Immune Response to Pseudorabies and Atrophic Rhinitis Vaccines: I. Heterosis, General Combining Ability and Relationship to Growth and Backfat

Data from 988 pigs from 119 litters farrowed in two seasons of a three-breed diallel crossbreeding experiment were analyzed to estimate general combining abilities of breeds and heterosis for humoral immune response to pseudorabies virus and atrophic rhinitis vaccines. Twenty purebred boars and 85 sows of the Duroc, Landrace and Yorkshire breeds were mated to provide the nine breed-of-sire and breed-of-dam combinations. Immune response was measured after vaccination. A modified-live pseudorabies virus (PR) vaccine was administered to piglets at 28 d of age and response measured as log2 serum neutralization titers at 56 d. An inactivated B. bronchiseptica bacterin was administered at 28, 42 and 112 d. Antibody levels were measured relative to positive and negative controls at 28, 56 and 119 d by using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The results of this study showed that ranking by breed of sire and breed of dam did not differ for general combining ability, and no evidence of significant heterosis for any immune responses was observed. Higher immune response at 56 d to B. bronchiseptica vaccine was associated with lower weaning weight (r = −.09, P\u3c.01). Correlations of days to 100 kg with 56-d and 119-d B. bronchiseptica antibody levels were .15 (P\u3c.01) and .12 (P\u3c.01). The relationship between humoral immune response to PR vaccine and growth traits was similar to that observed for B. bronchiseptica vaccine. Immune response to both antigens was not associated with backfat thickness. Further research using more specifically defined antigens and homogeneous populations of animals is needed to examine nonadditive gene action on the humoral immune response in swine

Genetic Control of Immune Response to Pseudorabies and Atrophic Rhinitis Vaccines: II: Comparison of Additive Direct and Maternal Genetic Effects

Data from 52 litters farrowed in two seasons of a cross-fostering experiment were analyzed to estimate variances and covariances for additive direct and maternal genetic effects on immune response to pseudorabies virus and B. bronchiseptica vaccine. Twenty purebred boars and 44 sows of the Duroc, Landrace and Yorkshire breeds were used. Immune response was measured after vaccine challenge. A modified-live pseudorabies (PR) vaccine was administered to piglets at 28 d of age; response was measured by log, serum neutralization titers at 56 d. An inactivated B. bronchiseptica bacterin was administered at 28, 42 and 112 d. Antibody levels were measured relative to positive and negative controls at 28, 56 and 119 d by using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results from this study for heritability were .18 ± .09 for PR titer and .15 ± .07 and .52 ± .15 for 56- and 119-d ELISA values, respectively. The variability due to nurse environment (maternal genetic variance and common environmental variance) as a percentage of phenotypic variance was 11.1% for PR titers and 29.6 and 8.8% for 56- and 119-d ELISA values, respectively. The heritabilities estimated in this study indicate that, if improved immune response to vaccines is desired, selection may be useful. However, the importance of maternal environment would make early selections less accurate than selections based on immune response measured later in life

The Prolactin Receptor Gene is Associated with Increased Litter Size In Pigs

The prolactin receptor gene was investigated as a candidate gene for reproduction traits in five PIC lines consisting of Large White (2), Landrace, Duroc, and Large White/Meishan origin. Least squares means for total number born (TNB) and number born alive (NBA) were calculated for each genotype in addition to an analysis of additive and dominance effects by line. The PRLR gene was significantly associated with TNB and/or NBA in three of the lines tested. The effect was greater than one pig for NBA in one line, although the effect clearly varied depending on the background genetics of the line. Additional data is needed to confirm the significant effects seen in these three lines. However, the effects observed to date suggest that this gene test has the potential to be a powerful tool when used in conjunction with traditional selection methods for some lines