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ABSTRACT. For genotyping of feline major histocompatibility complex (FLA) class II DRB, the polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) method using group-specific primers was tried. Sixty-six DRB genes were classified into 8 groups according to differences in the first 5' amino acid sequences. The group-specific primers were designed as forward ones, which were specific for 5' base sequences of genes in each group. Three to 7 appropriate restricted enzymes were selected by computer analysis for RFLP typing of the genes divided into each group. In 6 out of 9 cats, the results of DRB typed by direct sequence method agreed with results of the PCR-RFLP method using group-specific primers. In the other 3 cats, the number of genes amplified by group-specific primers was 1 or 2 more than those detected by direct sequence method. The direct sequence method in 9 cats identified 5 new FLA-DRB genes. The PCR-RFLP method using group-specific primers could divide 66 genes into 37 genes and 10 subgroups from the RFLP pattern. One to 6 genes in each cat, and a total of 203 genes and subgroups were detected in 68 domestic cats. The genes detected might be biased to the subgroup G1-1a (28.8%), DRB*0501 (10.3%), G1-2a (9.4%) and G6b (7.4%). The PCR-RFLP method using group-specific primers may be useful in typing FLA class II DRB. KEY WORDS: feline, FLA class II DRB genotyping, group-specific primer, PCR-RFLP method.J. Vet. Med. Sci. 62(12): 1283-1289, 2000 Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecules are heterodimeric glycoproteins involved in the regulation of the immune responses [21]. Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class II genes consist of various components, DR, DP, DQ and etc. [11]. However, the structure of feline MHC (FLA) class II has not been well established, and only DR genes have been detected at the present time [29]. The DRB gene which encodes the β chain of DR molecule is the most polymorphic in class II genes in humans [13], pigs [8] and dogs [3]. Polymorphism of DRB gene accumulates at the second exon, which encodes the first extracellular domain, β 1 domain of the DR β chain [10]. The type of DRB gene is associated with the result of mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) [1], percent of 1-year renal graft survival [22], as well as susceptibility to autoimmune diseases [21,25] in humans. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-sequence specific oligonucleotide probe (SSOP) method or PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) method has been used commonly to distinguish the genotypes of MHC class II [9,11]. It has also been reported that digestions of PCR products by some restriction endonucleases after the PCR for grouping of alleles by group-specific primers (modified PCR-RFLP method combined with group-specific primers) were used for genotyping of human DRB1 [16].Chronic renal failure (renal sclerosis) is one of the frequent and important diseases in feline medicine. The basic therapies for this failure are fluid therapy, and administrations of antibiotics, steroids,...

ABSTRACT. VP2 gene of a canine parvovirus (CPV) isolate from the feces of a puppy which was diagnosed to be CPV infection was analysed. The result indicated that this clinical isolate was phylogenetically close to the isolate of wild-type CPV (strain CPV-T37) prevailing in Taiwan rather than isolates from Japan. KEY WORDS: canine parvovirus, molecular analysis, VP2.

ABSTRACT. Most animal cells that are exposed to interferon (IFN) experience an increase in the activity of 2', 5'-oligoadenylate synthetas e (OAS), which is an important effector of IFN's antiviral action. OAS activity has been widely used in clinical chemistry as an indicator of IFN activity. In this study, we found that OAS activity in canine serum is 46.0 ± 40.4 nmol/dl/hr, which is 10-to 100-fold higher than in other animals such as the cat (1.9 ± 2.1), rabbit (4.0 ± 1.1), and guinea pig (0.3 ± 0.6). The canine OAS protein was detected by Western blotting using a 68M-10 monoclonal anti-murine OAS antibody, and was found to be composed of at least three distinct molecular species of p40 class OAS. Among these, the 40 and 42 kDa components were determined to be the major species in serum and fibroblast cell lines, respectively. KEY WORDS: canine, 2', 5'-oligoadenylate synthetase, serum.