Molecular characterization of the bovine <i>GHRL</i> gene (Short Communication)

Abstract

Bovine ghrelin, a 27 amino acid peptide, has been identified in oxyntic glands of the abomasum. It is an endogenous ligand for growth hormone secretagogue receptor and stimulates food intake and growth hormone secretion. The bovine GHRL gene was completely sequenced and consists of five exons and four introns. Like mouse and human GHRL genes, we found that the bovine GHRL gene also contains a first non-coding exon of 21 bp. The bovine GHRL gene codes for 116 amino acid peptide named preproghrelin which contains the ghrelin peptide and another peptide similar to obestatin. Sequence analysis revealed eight polymorphisms, which are located in the non-coding sequence of the gene.

GHRL gene-based genotyping of ovine and caprine breeds reveals highly polymorphic intronic sequences in Awassi sheep with several RNA motifs

“…Meanwhile, the only high polymorphic region was found to be restricted on the fourth intron. In consonance with our findings, it was shown that all the observed GHRL SNPs were located in intronic or in the non-coding regions as in the water buffaloes [3], cattle [20], and goats [21]. However, this study reported the highly intronic variations of the GHRL 262-bp fragment and the lack of any polymorphism in the GHRL 113-bp fragment across the ovine and caprine species.…”

Ghrelin gene polymorphism in dairy cattle

“…SNP in intron 3 of GHRL has also been analyzed on other cattle breeds and the similar frequency of the G allele was found: 0.15, 0.12, 0.03, 0.19 and 0.24 for Angus, Charolais, Holstein, Belgian Blue and Simmental cattle, respectively [4,11]. In the bovine ghrelin gene itself, eight SNPs have been detected so far.…”

“…In the bovine ghrelin gene itself, eight SNPs have been detected so far. All of them are located in the non-coding parts of the gene [4]. Also in goats, SNP in the GHRL gene was found and it is also located in the non-coding sequence [7].…”

“…Bovine GHRL gene has been localized on chromosome 22 (BTA22) and it is completely sequenced -it consists of 5 exons and 4 introns -532 bp in total [4]. There are several ways of alternative splicing of the primary transcript of ghrelin gene, which manifests itself in the possibility of producing a larger number of final products, among others, obestatin that shows anorexigenic effect [5].…”

Polymorphisms in the GHRL gene and their associations with traits of economic interest in beef cattle

“…The GHRL gene in cattle is composed of five exons and four introns, with exons 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 having lengths of 21, 134, 114, 109, and 154 bp, respectively, while the coding region contains exons 2, 3, 4 and 5 (partially) (Colinet et al, 2009). The GHRL gene is located on chromosome 22 in cattle (Wajnrajch et al, 2000) and is a candidate gene for the identification of molecular markers, because it induces food ingestion, secretion of GH, adiposity, and susceptibility to obesity (Sun et al, 2011).…”