Project Number: 5438-32000-031-01
Project Type: Nonfunded Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: Mar 01, 2012
End Date: Feb 28, 2017

Objective:
Develop an efficient high-throughput genotyping test for accurately determining which ovine TMEM154 protein variants are encoded on an animal’s genomic DNA. This information predicts the relative susceptibility of sheep to ovine lentivirus infection. These infections are the cause of ovine progressive pneumonia (OPP) in the U.S. and visna/maedi around the world. The purpose of this assay development is to provide a commercially available test for sheep producers and researchers to use. Results describing the assay design features, performance, and interpretation will be submitted to a suitable journal for peer review.

Approach:
Assay for six single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and two deletions will be designed from ovine DNA sequence information derived from more than 6,000 sheep of multiple breeds. These assays will be developed for a matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) platform and/or other platforms like qPCR, depending on unique attributes of the ovine TMEM154 gene sequence. The accuracy and robust nature of the assays will be evaluated on control DNA samples that have been previously sequenced to determine their genotype.