Journal of Applied Biosciences (J. Appl. Biosci.) [ISSN 1997 - 5902]
Volume 6: 150 - 157. Published June 2008.
Expression of different isoforms of Cathelicidin-4 transcripts in river Buffalo mRNA
Ahlam A. Abou Mossallam
Cell Biology Department, Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Division, National Research Center, El Behoose Street, P.O. Box 12622, Dokki, Egypt.
Corresponding author email: ahlammasry@yahoo.com; Tel.: 002-027605691; Fax: 002-023370931
ABSTRACT
Objective: Mature cathelicidin peptides show inhibitory activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial species, certain fungi, parasites or enveloped viruses. The function of cathelicidins is not limited to antimicrobial killing, but extends to other aspects of immunity and tissue repair. In the present study RNAs from different tissues of buffalo were extracted, reverse transcribed and amplified using specific pair of primer designed from published cathelicidin-4 cDNA sequences of Bos taurus.
Methodology and results: An amplified product of 247 bp was obtained in cDNA of lung whereas an amplified product of 349 bp was obtained in cDNA of mammary gland, ovary, colon, testis, intestine and trachea tissues. No reaction was found in tongue, muscle, liver and blood. The amplified fragments obtained from lung and trachea cDNA were chosen for sequencing. NCBI alignment revealed that an amplified product of buffalo lung does not have intron I sequence or other copy of the forward primer. The cDNA of buffalo trachea includes intron I sequence and possess a copy of the forward primer. The results indicate that native buffalo expressed different cathelicidin-4 transcripts (spliced and unspliced forms) which may be used to produce different functional proteins.
Conclusion and application of findings: Native buffalo could express cathelicidin-4 gene more efficiently than Egyptian native and Frisian crossbred cattle. Native; Frisian crossbred cattle and buffalo retained intron -1 (unspliced form) in their CATH4 mRNA and thus they could express cathelicidin-4 gene more efficiently than Bos taurus or Bubalus bubalis reared abroad. This cathelicidin-4 may be a good candidate antibiotic for preventing disease outbreaks in domestic livestock and a starting point for the development of novel synthetic antimicrobial agents for use on these animals.
Key words: antimicrobial peptides, Cathelicidin-4, buffalo, spliced and unspliced forms
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