Journal of Animal Research: v.5 n.2, p. 325-328. June 2015

DOI Number: 10.5958/2277-940X.2015.00056.X

Polymorphism in Exon-40 of FASN Gene in Lesser known Buffalo breeds of India

Vikas Vohra 1* , Manoj Kumar 2 , A. Chopra 2 , S.K. Niranjan 1 , A.K. Mishra 1 and R.S. Kataria 1

1 ICAR-National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources, Karnal (Haryana), INDIA

2 ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal (Haryana), INDIA

*Corresponding author: V Vohra; Email: vohravikas@gmail.com

Received: 06 September, 2014

Accepted: 02 June, 2015

ABSTRACT

Present study was aimed to discover the single nucleotide variation present in exon 40 region of the Fatty Acid Synthase

(FASN ) gene. FASN plays a central role in de novo lipogenesis in mammals and variation in this enzyme may affect economic

traits including fatty acid composition of buffalo milk. A total of 80 DNA samples in two riverine buffalo breeds namely,

Gojri and Chhattisgarhi were screened using Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP). FASN gene was found to be

polymorphic with an adenine to guanine transition. Three types of genotypes, viz. AA, AG and GG were observed in the studied

breeds. Allele A was found to be more frequent than G allele. All the genotypes showed almost the same frequency across the

breeds, indicating that there is absence of selection for FASN gene in lesser known buffalo breeds of India. The study will augment

the information available and can be applied in future studies to determine the role of bovine FASN gene as a candidate gene

marker for a milk-fat content.

Keywords: Buffalo, FASN gene, PCR-RFLP, Milk fat synthesis, Gojri, Chhattisgarhi.

Buffalo contributes about 57% of the total milk produced

activated precursors by two carbon units (Smith, 1994).

in India. Buffalo milk is commercially more viable in

Mammalian FASN is not only an essential metabolic

Indian market than cow milk, for the manufacture of fat-

enzyme in fatty acid synthesis during the adult stage, but it

based milk products, such as butter, ghee and milk powders

alsoplaysanimportantroleduringembryonicdevelopment

because of its lower water content and higher fat content

(Chirala et al ., 2003). This cytosolic enzyme catalyses

(Vohra and Chakravarty, 2011). Higher fat in milk makes

the formation of palmitate from acetyl-coenzyme A and

buffalo a preferred dairy animal. Genetic or marker based

malonyl- coenzyme A in the presence of NADPH. Hence,

selection followed with appropriate breeding methods for

because FASN plays a central role in de novo lipogenesis

higher milk fat can facilitate genetic selection in different

in mammals (Wakil et al ., 1983), it is a candidate gene

buffalo breed improvement programmes in India.

for fat content in milk animals. The studies on the bovine

Bovine fatty acid synthase gene (FASN) was mapped to

FASN gene structure have revealed occurrence of several

chromosome 19 (BTA19) at q22 band (Roy et al ., 2001).

single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) linked to the fat

Several QTLs linked to fat content in milk have been

content and fatty acids composition in milk (Roy et al .,

described within the aforementioned chromosome (Taylor

2006). Morris et al . (2007) identified a QTL on the bovine

et al. , 1998; Biochard et al ., 2003). FASN is a complex

chromosome 19 (BTA19) containing fatty acid synthase

homodimeric enzyme that catalyses the formation of fatty

gene and identified FASN gene as a potential candidate

acids of 16 carbon atoms in length from acetyl-CoA and

gene for some milk production quality traits. However,

malonyl-CoA in the presence of NADPH (Chakravarty

scanty literature is available regarding the status of genetic

et al ., 2004). This synthesis involves a conserved set

variations in FASN gene in river buffaloes. Therefore, it

of chemical reactions for the cyclic step elongation of

is imperative to explore the genetic variations among the

different buffalo populations in our country.