A. Knoll

Polymorphisms in equine immune response genes and their associations with infections.

Polymorphic markers identified in the horse genes encoding the interleukin 12 p40 subunit, interferon γ, tumor necrosis factor receptor 1, and inducible nitric oxide synthase were identified and tested, along with additional markers, for associations with two important horse infections: Rhodococcus equi and Lawsonia intracellularis. Eight immune response-related and 14 microsatellite loci covering 12 out of 31 equine autosomes were used for the association analysis. Markers located on horse Chromosomes Eca10 and 15 were significantly associated with the presence of high numbers of R. equi in transtracheal aspirates. Significant associations of markers located on Eca9, 15, and 21 with fecal shedding of Lawsonia intracellularis were found. Marginal associations with tumor necrosis factor α, interferon γ, and other genes suggested that variations in immune response-related genes could underlie the phenotypic variation observed.

Verification of reference genes for relative quantification of gene expression by real-time reverse transcription PCR in the pig

The aim of this study was to develop a set of reliable reference genes for quantification of mRNA expression in the pig. The mRNA expression stability in pig tissues was studied for 4 genes:EEF1A1, GAPDH, HPRT1 andTOP2B. The level of expression was characterized byCt values for each gene and each tissue. By using the geNorm algorithm, the stability of the reference genes was determined in the diaphragm, heart, kidney, liver, lungs, longissimus muscle, and spleen. On the basis of this information, suitable reference genes can be selected for mRNA expression studies in relevant pig tissues.

Revision of Central European taxa of Festuca ser. Psammophilae Pawlus: morphometrical, karyological and AFLP analysis

The taxonomic status of Central European taxa Festuca pallens s.l., F. psammophila, F. polesica, and F. vaginata was revised using the multivariate morphological analysis of well karyologically documented plants, and AFLP analysis. Six species were recognised: F. pallens Host (relict rocky habitats; diploid); F. csikhegyensis Simonk. (base-rich rocks; tetraploid); F. psammophila (Čelak.) Fritsch (acidic sands) with two subspecies, F. p. subsp. psammophila (E Germany, Poland, Bohemia) and F. p. subsp. dominii (Krajina) P. Šmarda (SW Moravia, NE Austria, SW Slovakia, C and E Poland); F. vaginata Willd. (base-rich sands mainly in the Pannonian Lowland); F. polesica Zapał. (seaside and inland sand dunes); and F. pseudovaginata Penksza (base-rich sands in the Pannonian Lowland). Identification key and distribution maps as well as informations about type specimens, exsiccata collections, synonyms, and hybrids are provided. Evolutionary relationships with the assumed putative ancestor F. pallens and the rather isolated position of F. polesica are discussed.

Four genes located on a SSC2 meat quality QTL region are associated with different meat quality traits in Landrace × Chinese‐European crossbred population

Several quantitative trait loci (QTL) for different meat quality traits have been localized on the q arm of porcine chromosome 2 at position 55-78 cM. Association analyses were performed in a commercial Landrace × Chinese-European (LCE) crossbred population (n = 446) slaughtered at approximately 127 kg and an average age of 198 days with records for performance (growth, fat and meat accretion) and meat quality [intramuscular fat (IMF), Minolta L*, Minolta a*, Minolta b* and pH at 45 m]. Polymorphisms within positional candidate genes cloned from homologous regions on human chromosome 19, ubiquitin-like 5 (UBL5- AM950288:g.566G>A), resistin (RETN- AM157180:g.1473A>G causing substitution p.Ala36Thr), insulin receptor (INSR- AM950289:g.589T>C) and complement factor D (adipsin) (CFD- AM950287:g. 306C>T) were located at positions 62.1, 64.0, 68.0 and 70.7 cM respectively on the current USDA USMARC map of porcine chromosome 2 and had the following allele frequencies in the LCE: UBL5 566G - 0.57; RETN 1473G - 0.84; INSR 589C - 0.70; and CFD 306C - 0.73. The effects of alleles within the candidate genes on the recorded traits were estimated using an animal model. Significant effects (P < 0.05) were found for pH(45) in m. semimembranosus (m. sm.) (UBL5), IMF (RETN) and Minolta L* (RETN, CFD). Differences between phenotypic means of homozygotes at UBL5, RETN and either RETN or CFD explained 0.34 SD for pH(45) in m. sm., 0.47 SD for IMF and 0.68 SD for Minolta L* respectively. Suggestive effects (P < 0.10) on IMF (UBL5, CFD), Minolta a* (INSR, CFD) and Minolta b* (INSR) were also observed. Our results support the localization of further QTL for meat quality traits in this region and suggest that there are several genes affecting different meat quality traits.

MBL1 genotypes in wild boar populations from Sweden, Austria, the Czech Republic, and Japan.

The single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) G949T in the mannose‐binding lectin ( MBL ) 1 gene has been associated with low MBL‐A concentration in serum and detected at different frequencies in various European pig populations. However, the origin of this SNP is not known. Part of the MBL1 gene was sequenced in 12 wild boar/Large White crossbred pigs from the second backcross (BC 2) generation in a family material originating from two wild boar x Large White intercrosses. Also, MBL‐A serum concentration was measured in the entire BC 2 generation (n = 45). Furthermore, the genotypes of 68 wild boars from Sweden, Austria, the Czech Republic, and Japan were determined in regard to five previously described SNPs in MBL1 . The T allele of G949T was present among the BC 2 animals. MBL‐A serum concentration in the BC 2 animals showed a bimodal distribution, with one‐third of the animals at levels between 0.7 and 1.6 μg mL−1 and the remaining pigs at levels around 13 μg mL−1. There was a co‐variation between the presence of the T allele and low MBL‐A concentration in serum. The genotyping of the wild boars revealed differences between populations. The T allele of G949T was not detected in the Austrian and Japanese samples and is thus unlikely to be an original feature of wild boars. In contrast, it was present at high frequency (0.35) among the Swedish wild boars, probably representing a founder effect. Five MBL1 haplotypes were resolved. Only two of these were present among the Japanese wild boars compared to four in each of the European populations. This difference may reflect differences in selection pressure and population history.

SNaPshot Minisequencing and a Panel of Candidate Genes for Complex Routine Testing of Meat Performance Traits in Pigs

The aim of the study was to introduce a convenient method for identification of differences among individual animals in genes supposed to influence meat performance in pigs. The set of seven candidate genes (IGF2, FOS, MC4R, DGAT1, MYF4, MYF, and MC3R) was used. To determine the genotypes, multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and minisequencing using SNaPshot system (Applied Biosystems; Forster City, CA, USA) were applied. The efficiency of this gene panel for routine testing in pigs was verified in the Black Pied Přeštice pig breed by the statistical general linear model. The results showed that both the method and the gene panel are convenient for meat quality testing and offer reproducible results.

Wild boars from Sweden, Austria, the Czech Republic and Japan possess intact mannose-binding lectin 2 (MBL2) genes

The two‐nucleotide deletion recently detected in the mannose‐binding lectin 2 gene in purebred and crossbred domestic pigs was not found among 68 wild boars representing 4 populations from Europe and Asia. This suggests that the deletion is a result of breeding and/or genetic drift/bottle necks.