Molecular characterization and novel genetic variability in leptin (obese) gene of mithun (<i>Bos frontalis</i>)

Abstract

The present study was undertaken with the objectives of sequencing, characterization and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) identification of mithun leptin gene. The mithun leptin gene (3420 bp) was sequenced, compared with other species and phylogenetic tree were constructed. Single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) showed three patterns in both exon-2 and exon-3 of the gene. Nucleotide sequences from all patterns revealed three novel SNPs. In exon-2 at 25^th codon, one SNP (AGC/TGC) with amino acid changed from serine to cysteine, and at 37th codon one silent mutation (ACA/ACG) was detected. In exon-3 at 72^nd codon, one silent mutation (CCG/CCA) was also identified. This preliminary study of existing gene variants can be used for further association studies, thereby establishing conservation of mithun germplasm.

Key words: Leptin gene, mithun, phylogeny, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs).