Analysis of coding DNA sequence of GDF9 gene in Indian goats for prolificacy associated markers

Abstract

The present study was undertaken to characterize complete coding DNA sequence of one of fecundity genes: GDF9 (Growth differentiation factor 9), in a panel of 6 breeds of indigenous goats with different prolificacy. Nine nucleotide differences were identified between sheep (AF078545) and goats in exon 1 and flanking region and 9 transitions were seen in exon 2. Three non-synonymous SNPs (C818T, A959C and G1189A) were detected in exon 2 of indigenous goat breeds. One of the SNPs (A959C) identified in present study has been associated with high prolificacy in exotic goats. These SNPs were different from the 4 mutations (FecG^H, FecG^E, FecTT and G1) associated with fecundity in sheep. GDF9 coding DNA sequence of Indian goat was 99% similar to exotic goat as well as sheep, whereas it depicted 97% homology with Bos taurus. In silico translation of obtained coding DNA sequence of GDF9 gene in indigenous goats revealed a sequence of 454 amino acids with 1 change between Indian goat and exotic goat, 5 amino acid changes between Indian goat and sheep and 21 changes between Indian goat and cattle.