Resumen de Influencia de los diferentes alelos del codon 222 del gen PRNP en la susceptibilidad a la encefalopatía espongiforme bovina en cabras
J.L. Pitarch, J. Langeveld, A. Bossers, B. Marín, F. Barillet, F. Bouvier, Eva Monleón Moscardó, R. Bolea, Marta Monzón Garcés, Carlos Alfonso Hedman Altamirano, R. Hernandez, M.C. Garza, O. Andreoletti, J.J Badiola, Cristina Acin Tresaco
The purpose of this study is to identify the role that different genotypes of PRNP gene could play in the susceptibility or resistance to BSE in goats. An experimental work has been carried out to define if the allele 222K of PRNP gene confers resistance against BSE, inoculating it intracerebrally to homozygous KK goats for codon 222, to homozygous QQ goats, and to heterozygous QK goats. All animals homozygous QQ have had signs compatible with BSE, and four of them have been slaughtered. Clinical signs have appeared about 15 months post-inoculation, and were common to all animals: weight loss, abnormal behavior, head tremors, head twisting, ataxia and hypermetria. The evolution of the illness was fast, and the animals were slaughtered barely a month later. Genotype of PRNP gene in goats has demonstrated an effect on the resistance to clinical BSE development. Those animals homozygous QQ for codon 222 have demonstrated more susceptibility to the disease than those homozygous KK or heterozygous QK. Future results will provide data for the possible establishment of a breeding program in goats as a tool for control of TSEs in this species and the management of the risk of introducing BSE into the food chain.
