New genetic polymorphisms in Indian goat BMPR1B gene

Abstract

Studies on the genetics of prolificacy in small ruminants have highlighted the importance of BMPR1B (bone morphogenetic protein receptor IB) gene in affecting ovulation rate and litter size. Most of the research on BMPR1B gene has revolved around screening sheep and goats for the presence of FecB mutation (A746G) that is associated with hyperprolific phenotype in many breeds around the world. In the present study, an attempt was made to detect polymorphism in the promoter and exonic regions (exon1, 2 and 6 to 9) of BMPR1B gene in 8 indigenous goat breeds (Barbari, Beetal, Black Bengal, Malabari, Jakhrana, Osmanabadi, Sirohi and Ganjam) varying in prolificacy and geographic distribution. Targeted DNA fragments (2612 bp) were obtained through PCR and DNA sequencing methods. BMPR1B promoter region was amplified in two fragments and a 1032 bp length contig was generated for the first time for goats. Two novel SNPs T(-242)C and G(–623)A were identified in the promoter region of caprine BMPR1B gene by sequence alignment. Hundred variations were observed between cattle and goat promoter sequence. The variations did not change or affect any transcription binding sites in promoter of BMPR1B gene. Sequence analysis revealed absence of any polymorphism including the FecB mutation in exonic regions of all the investigated breeds of Indian goats. This is the first report of identification of mutation in regulatory region of BMPR1B gene, which may be helpful for better understanding of the role played by this gene in reproduction of the goat.