title: Caprine PRNP polymorphisms at codons 171, 211, 222 and 240 in a Greek herd and their association with classical scrapie.
abstract: The association between PRNP variation and scrapie incidence was investigated in a highly affected Greek goat herd. Four mutations were identified at codons 171Q/R, 211R/Q, 222Q/K and 240P/S. Lysine at codon 222 was found to be associated with the protection from natural scrapie (P=0.0111). Glutamine at codon 211 was observed in eight animals, all of them being scrapie-negative, indicating a possible protective role of this polymorphism although statistical analysis failed to support it (P=0.1074). A positive association (P=0.0457) between scrapie-affected goats and the wild-type Q(171)R(211)Q(222)S(240) allele is presented for the first time. In addition, a novel R(171)RQS allele, which is identical to the A(136)R(154)R(171) allele that has been associated with resistance to classical scrapie in sheep, was observed in low frequency. Resistant alleles that include K(222) and Q(211) are absent or rare in sheep and can provide the basis for the development of a feasible breeding programme for scrapie eradication in goats.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Ilias G
authors.initials: IG
authors.lastname: Bouzalas
authors.forename: Chrysostomos I
authors.initials: CI
authors.lastname: Dovas
authors.forename: Georgios
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Banos
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Papanastasopoulou
authors.forename: Spyridon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kritas
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Oevermann
authors.forename: Dimitra
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Papakostaki
authors.forename: Chatzinasiou
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Evangelia
authors.forename: Orestis
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Papadopoulos
authors.forename: Torsten
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Seuberlich
authors.forename: Georgios
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Koptopoulos
mesh_terms: D019943:Amino Acid Substitution / Q000235:genetics; D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology; D005787:Gene Frequency; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D015511:Goat Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics*; D006041:Goats; D006115:Greece; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D015994:Incidence; D020125:Mutation, Missense; D014066:Palatine Tonsil / Q000473:pathology; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D011328:Prions / Q000235:genetics*; D012608:Scrapie / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D011328:Prions