ANNUAL REPORT - Department of Biotechnology

uffalo UTMP cDNA exhibited 94.5, 88 and 88.6%
homology with cattle, sheep and goat respectively.
Genomic sequence (>4 kb) of buffalo ghrelin gene
was characterized and this is the first report in any
non-human species. One of the 12 variants of buffalo
interferon-tau (IFNT) was expressed in prokaryotic
system. The identity of the recombinant buffalo
interferon-tau protein was confirmed using western
blot analysis. Expression profile of osteopontin
(OPN) gene in uterine tissues of buffalo during
different reproductive phases has also been
analyzed using Real-time PCR.
Molecular characterization of Satellite Tagged
Transcribing Sequences (STTS) in buffalo genome
was studied at NII, New Delhi. A total of 43 known and
novel genes have been accessed showing
differential expression employing minisatellite
associated amplification (MASA) with cDNA from
different tissues of buffalo. Characterization of two
species of BamHI repeat showed that only one is
localized in the centromeric regions of all the
chromosomes whereas the other one remained
confined to the centromeric regions of acrocentric
chromosomes. Isolation of 2973 bp full length c-kit
cDNA from testis and other tissues showed specific
nucleotide changes resulting in novel truncated
peptides. Phylogenetic analysis of these sequences
showed unique tyrosine kinase domain in buffalo.
Highest expression of c-kit in testis and its mRNA
transcripts in sperm substantiate its predominant role
in spermatogenesis besides other pleiotropic
functions.
Characterization and mapping of selected genes
known to control immune response in water buffaloes
was done at IVRI, Izatnagar. Polymorphism studies
of ITGB2 (CD18), BuLA-DRB3 and TCR-Zeta
(CD3Z) genes known for their immunity were
carried out in 152 Murrah and Bhadawari buffaloes by
PCR-RFLP. Polymorphism in ITGB2 gene was
reported in the 570 bp region of gene with Msp I RE
digestion which revealed two genomic patterns.
The genotypic frequency was observed to be 0.909
and 0.091 for AA and BB genotype respectively
whereas AB genotype could not be found.
DBT Annual Report 2006-07
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Consequently, the gene frequency for A and B allele
was calculated as 0.907 and 0.093 respectively.
Monomorphic pattern was reported in BuLA-DRB3
and TCR-Zeta genes with different REs.
At NBAGR, Karnal, identification of single nucleotide
polymorphisms (SNPs) in quantitative trait loci was
studied for diversity analysis of buffaloes.
Quantitative trait loci for milk traits in cattle were
selected for designing the primers for amplification
of regions of selected genes in buffaloes. The
primers were subjected to a panel of buffalo samples
(drawn from 6 different breeds) for amplification and
SNP studies. A total of 32 of the selected 36 genes
were amplified in buffaloes and sequenced for
detection of SNPs.
Animal Nutrition:
A multicentric program on Animal nutrition was
initiated during the current year and projects were
supported on various aspects viz. to study genetic
manipulation of rumen microbial ecosystem for
improving productivity and protecting environment,
Identification of genes for better feed conversion of
agro-byproducts (lignin, oil cakes, oil meals,
cellulose etc.), microbial feed additives (Probiotics)
for enrichment of feed quality, use of fibrolytic
enzymes in feed to improve digestibility and nutritive
value and genetically modified silage bacteria.
Effect of growth factors in augmenting reproductive
efficiency in local and crossbred pigs of Assam was
studied at College of Veterinary Science, Guwahati.
Lactobacilli strain, isolated from the fecal samples of
healthy piglets, were characterized and found to
have antimicrobial activity against enteric pathogens.
Further studies on Lactobacilli as probiotics
application with feed is in progress.
Molecular techniques for identification of meats of
different animal species were developed at
GBPUAT, Pantnagar. A simplex PCR technique was
optimized for the identification of sheep, goat, cattle,
pig, horse and chicken. This technique was found to
be of immense value for the detection of adulterated
raw meat samples. An attempt was also made to