First-Time Characterization of <i>JY-1</i>-Like Sequence in Goats

Abstract

The JY-1 protein is oocyte specific, and is associated with folliculogenesis and early embryo development, and thus influences the chance of pregnancy. It was the first protein of maternal origin to be described for a single ovulating species, namely cattle. JY-1-like sequences corresponding to 3' coding and the untranslated region have been reported in other vertebrate species. This is the first description of the partial JY-1 (exon 3 and 3'UTR) in a livestock species other than cattle and buffalo. The sequence was characterized in a panel of nine Indian goat breeds, which differ in reproductive traits (twinning percentage and age of sexual maturity). Forty three variations were recorded in the analysed region of goats JY-1 compared with cattle. Nucleotide variations in the codifying region of goats correspond to seven amino acid changes that could affect the biological function of the protein and possibly reproductive differences between goats (higher proportion of multiparous animals) and cattle (mainly uniparous). A novel single nucleotide polymorphism (C15329T) has been identified in Indian goats, which was genotyped in 272 animals from six breeds. Further studies to investigate other regions of the gene and its expression in goat female reproductive tissues would clarify the role of JY-1 in farm animal species that are not primarily uniparous. ______________________________________________________________________________________

Polymorphism of JY-1 gene is not associated with reproductive traits in goats

“…However, some variation in age at first service was seen for different fixed effect classes of season, year and genotype, which may be attributed to breeding management practices followed at the farm. We have observed earlier also that genotype distribution of this mutation did not show obvious difference between sexual precocious and the sexual latematuring goat breeds and no consistency with the high or low prolificacy goat breeds [5]. The effect of season of birth was found highly significant (p B 0.01) on age at first kidding.…”

“…Genomic DNA of Black Bengal goat was successfully amplified and amplification fragment size was consistent with the target one, which could be directly genotyped by PCR-RFLP. The only known mutation in caprine [5] JY-1 gene, C15329T, was genotyped by PCR-RFLP, where the restricted fragments were easily resolved and sized by agarose gel electrophoresis. Heterozygotes and homozygotes were unambiguously assigned from the gel profile.…”

“…Thus, the biological function of the goat protein may be altered, explaining the reproductive differences between goat (higher proportion of multiparous animals) and cattle (mainly uniparous). Further polymorphism scanning in a panel of nine Indian goat breeds, differing in reproductive traits (twinning percentage and age of sexual maturity) uncovered a novel single nucleotide polymorphism, C15329T in the caprine JY-1 [5].…”

“…In view of its biological role, JY-1 is considered as a candidate gene for reproductive traits. Thus, the only known caprine JY-1 gene polymorphism [5] (C15329T) needs to be explored for its association with reproductive traits, to develop a molecular marker that can be used as a diagnostics tool to identify high prolific animals at an early stage of life.…”

“…We have described the partial JY-1 sequence in a livestock species other than cattle and buffalo [5]. For the first time, 752 bp sequence corresponding to exon 3 and 3 0 UTR of cattle JY-1 gene (GenBank: NC_007330.5) was generated in goats (Capra hircus), and GenBank accessions were received (GenBank: KJ425413.1 and KJ425414.1).…”