Research Article

Polymorphism in the melatonin receptor gene in buffalo populations of the Brazilian Amazon

Published: April 28, 2016
Genet. Mol. Res. 15(2): gmr7960 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4238/gmr.15027960
Cite this Article:
E.B. Machado, B.B. Souza, R.C. Guimarães, J.S.N. Azevedo, E.C. Gonçalves, H.F.L. Ribeiro, S.T.Rolim Filho, S. Filho, E.B. Machado, B.B. Souza, R.C. Guimarães, J.S.N. Azevedo, E.C. Gonçalves, H.F.L. Ribeiro, S.T.Rolim Filho, S. Filho (2016). Polymorphism in the melatonin receptor gene in buffalo populations of the Brazilian Amazon. Genet. Mol. Res. 15(2): gmr7960. https://doi.org/10.4238/gmr.15027960
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Abstract

Buffalo farming in Brazil is increasing, as is the challenge of identifying molecular markers that will improve productivity. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyze single nucleotide polymorphisms of the receptor gene for the hormone melatonin in buffaloes from northern Brazil by polymerase chain reactions (PCRs) and restriction fragment length polymorphism assays. The PCR products exhibited a cutting point for HpaI at the 318th position of the gene, indicating a transition substitution (T↔C). This substitution was synonymic, and did not alter the stability of the mRNA structure. Allelic and genotypic frequencies differed between the populations studied, and all of the populations demonstrated endogamy and were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Therefore, the HpaI restriction marker in the melatonin receptor gene cannot be used for genetic improvement, but is an excellent marker for population genetic studies.

Buffalo farming in Brazil is increasing, as is the challenge of identifying molecular markers that will improve productivity. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyze single nucleotide polymorphisms of the receptor gene for the hormone melatonin in buffaloes from northern Brazil by polymerase chain reactions (PCRs) and restriction fragment length polymorphism assays. The PCR products exhibited a cutting point for HpaI at the 318th position of the gene, indicating a transition substitution (T↔C). This substitution was synonymic, and did not alter the stability of the mRNA structure. Allelic and genotypic frequencies differed between the populations studied, and all of the populations demonstrated endogamy and were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Therefore, the HpaI restriction marker in the melatonin receptor gene cannot be used for genetic improvement, but is an excellent marker for population genetic studies.

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