Comparison of goat, sheep, cattle and water buffalo leptin (LEP) genes and effects of the Intron 1 microsatellite polymorphism in goats

Abstract

We report and compare the partial genomic sequence (from part of Intron 1 to part of Exon 3) of goat, sheep, cattle and water buffalo leptin (LEP) genes. Genomic DNA was obtained from leukocytes of 117 goats belonging to six breeds (Angora, Alpine, Garganica, Girgentana, Maltese and Red Syrian); 30 sheep belonging to five breeds (Altamura, Sarda, Apulian Merino, Leccese, Apennine) 50 water buffaloes and 43 Italian Friesian cattle. All the four species had a microsatellite region in Intron 1. According to the results of a population analysis, we observed 10, 5, and 2 alleles, in cattle, water buffalo and goats, respectively, in this region. No nucleotide variation was observed in sheep. The r..