ARS | Publication request: Development of an assay to determine single nucleotide polymorphisms in the prion gene for the genetic diagnosis of relative susceptibility to classical scrapie in sheep

Submitted to: Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: September 16, 2006
Publication Date: April 3, 2007
Citation: Johnson, M.L., Evoniuk, J.M., Stoltenow, C.L., Orourke, K.I., Redmer, D.A. 2007. Development of an assay to determine single nucleotide polymorphisms in the prion gene for the genetic diagnosis of relative susceptibility to classical scrapie in sheep. Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation. 19:73-77.

Interpretive Summary: Scrapie is a fatal disease of sheep, endemic in most sheep growing areas of North America. A joint federal, state, and industry eradication program includes the use of genetic selection for sheep with relatively resistant genotypes following a scrapie outbreak. Accurate, inexpensive assays for the genetic sites associated with resistance will contribute to the eradication effort. In this study, an inexpensive assay was developed using a panel of 70 samples and then applied to a large panel of 935 samples. The study demonstrated that the assay was accurate, easy to perform, and useful for both research and disease control programs.

Technical Abstract: Susceptibility to scrapie, a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy, is associated with polymorphisms in the PRNP gene, which encodes the normal precursor PrP-c. In the study, the authors report a reliable, inexpensive assay for the polymorphisms at codons 136 and 171, the sites associated with scrapie susceptibility in US sheep. The assay was evaluated on 935 samples. The assay was shown to be accurate, easy to perform, and useful in the study and prevention of scrapie in sheep.