A porcine gene, PBK, differentially expressed in the longissimus muscle from Meishan and Large White pig

Abstract

An investigation of differences in gene expression in the longissimus muscle of Meishan and Large White pigs was undertaken, using the mRNA display technique. A fragment of one differentially expressed gene was isolated and sequenced, whereupon the complete cDNA sequence was then obtained by using the rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE). The nucleotide sequence of the gene is not related to any known porcine gene. Sequence analysis revealed that the open reading frame of this gene encodes a protein with 322 amino acids, thus displaying high sequence identity with the PDZ binding kinase (PBK) of eleven other animal species – dog, horse, cattle, human, chimpanzee, crab-eating macaque, rhesus monkey, rat, mouse, gray short-tailed opossum and platypus, so it can be defined as the porcine PBK gene. This gene was finally assigned GeneID:100141310. Phylogenetic tree analysis revealed that the swine PBK gene has a closer genetic relationship with the PBK gene of platypus. Gene expression analysis of eight tissues of a Meishan x Large White cross showed that the porcine PBK gene is differentially expressed in various tissues. Our experiment established the primary foundation for further research on this gene.

Molecular cloning, sequence characteristics, and tissue expression analysis of the SLC35D3 gene in lean, obese and mini-type pigs

“…Chinese local pig breeds, such as the Meishan and the Bama pig, compare with western pig breeds, often possess valuable traits, such as disease resistance, good meat quality, high fertility, good maternal qualities, and the ability to adapt to harsh conditions, but slow growth rate [1]. European pig breeds, such as the Yorkshire, Landrace, and Duroc, are noted for their lean meat content and fast growth rate, but the litter size is poor, meat quality is not as good as local pig breeds [2].…”