DNA profile of dog feces as evidence to solve a homicide.

Dog fecal samples were collected at the crime scene and from the shoes of the suspect to see whether they could be linked. DNA was genotyped using a 145bp fragment containing a 60bp hotspot region of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region. Once the species origin was identified, sequences were aligned with the 23 canine haplotypes defined, showing that evidence and reference had 100% identity with haplotype 5.

A study of the association between chronic superficial keratitis and polymorphisms in the upstream regulatory regions of DLA-DRB1, DLA-DQB1 and DLA-DQA1.

Canine chronic superficial keratitis (CSK) is an inflammatory corneal disease that primarily occurs in German shepherd dogs (GSDs). Several studies support the hypothesis that CSK is an immune-mediated disease. To investigate the genetic factors associated with CSK development, the upstream regulatory regions (URRs) of the DLA-DRB, -DQA and -DQB genes were genotyped in 60 dogs, including 32 CSK animals.

Comparison of the effectiveness of microsatellites and SNP panels for genetic identification, traceability and assessment of parentage in an inbred Angus herd.

During the last decade, microsatellites (short tandem repeats or STRs) have been successfully used for animal genetic identification, traceability and paternity, although in recent year single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have been increasingly used for this purpose. An efficient SNP identification system requires a marker set with enough power to identify individuals and their parents. Genetic diagnostics generally include the analysis of related animals.

Recent patents for detecting the species of origin in animal feedstuff, and raw and processed meat products.

The value of the traceability and labeling of food is attributable to two main aspects: health safety and/or product or process certification. The identification of the species related to meat production is still a major concern for economic, religious and health reasons. Many approaches and technologies have been used for species identification in animal feedstuff and food.

Association between GNRHR, LHR and IGF1 polymorphisms and timing of puberty in male Angus cattle.

Background: In bovines, there are significant differences within and among beef breeds in the time when bulls reach puberty. Although the timing of puberty is likely to be a multigenic trait, previous studies indicate that there may also be single genes that exert major effects on the timing of puberty within the general population. Despite its economic importance, there are not many SNPs or genetic markers associated with the age of puberty in male cattle.

South American camelid illegal traffic detection by means of molecular markers.

South American camelids comprise the wild species guanaco and vicuña and their respective domestic relatives llama and alpaca. The aim of the present study was to determine by DNA analysis to which of these species belong a herd of camelids confiscated from a llama breeder but alleged to be alpacas by the prosecution, and to evaluate the usefulness of mitochondrial and autosomal DNA markers to solve judicial cases involving camelid taxa. Cytochrome b and cytochrome oxidase I mitochondrial genes and 7 STR were analyzed in 25 confiscated samples.

Characterization and validation of bovine gonadotripin releasing hormone receptor (GNRHR) polymorphisms.

Gonadotropin releasing hormone and its receptor (GNRHR) play a critical role in sexual differentiation and reproduction. Available evidence shows a strong genetic component in the timing of puberty. In bovines, there are significant differences within and among beef breeds in the time when bulls reach puberty.

Effect of consanguinity on Argentinean Angus beef DNA traceability.

Since the 1990s several authors have envisaged the use of DNA to certify meat origin. Two major parameters must be assessed before a DNA based traceability protocol can be implemented in the food chain: (i) the information content of a DNA marker set in a specific livestock breed or group of breeds; (ii) the minimum number of DNA markers needed to obtain a statistically acceptable match probability. The objective of the present work was to establish the effect of different levels of inbreeding in the matching efficiency, and the minimum number of microsatellite markers needed, in a DNA based meat traceability program, starting from an 11-microsatellite marker panel.

Association of canine juvenile generalized demodicosis with the dog leukocyte antigen system.

Demodectic mange is a well-known parasitic skin disease characterized by the presence of a larger than normal number of Demodex mites (Demodex canis) in the skin of dogs. Recent research has suggested that major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II expression is higher in the skin of dogs suffering from demodicosis than in normal ones. We have investigated whether canine Dog Leukocyte Antigen (DLA) class II alleles are associated with canine juvenile generalized demodicosis (JGD).

Development of an ELA-DRA gene typing method based on pyrosequencing technology.

The polymorphism of equine lymphocyte antigen (ELA) class II DRA gene had been detected by polymerase chain reaction-single-strand conformational polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) and reference strand-mediated conformation analysis. These methodologies allowed to identify 11 ELA-DRA exon 2 sequences, three of which are widely distributed among domestic horse breeds. Herein, we describe the development of a pyrosequencing-based method applicable to ELA-DRA typing, by screening samples from eight different horse breeds previously typed by PCR-SSCP.

Substitution of human for horse urine disproves an accusation of doping*.

In order to detect switching and/or manipulation of samples, the owner of a stallion asked our lab to perform a DNA test on a positive doping urine sample. The objective was to compare the urine DNA profile versus blood and hair DNA profiles from the same stallion. At first, 10 microsatellite markers were investigated to determine the horse identity.

Arenavirus nucleocapsid protein displays a transcriptional antitermination activity in vivo.

RNA polymerase pausing and transcriptional antitermination regulates gene activity in several systems. In arenavirus infected cells the switch from transcription to replication is subjected to a hairpin-dependent termination and requires protein synthesis to bypass this signal. The transcriptional antitermination control by Junín virus nucleocapsid protein N, has been demonstrated in vivo by infecting BHK-21 cells expressing this viral protein in the presence of translation inhibitors.

Arenavirus phylogeny: a new insight.

Arenaviridae is a worldwide distributed family, of enveloped, single stranded, RNA viruses. The arenaviruses were divided in two major groups (Old World and New World), based on serological properties and genetic data, as well as the geographic distribution. In this study the phylogenetic relationship among the members of the Arenaviridae was examined, using the reported genomic sequences.

Molecular characterization of attenuated Junin virus strains.

The Junin virus strain Candid #1 was developed as a live attenuated vaccine for Argentine haemorrhagic fever. In this paper we report the nucleotide sequences of S RNA of Candid #1 and its more virulent ancestors XJ#44 and XJ (prototype). Their relationship to Junin virus wild-type MC2 strain and other closely and distantly related arenaviruses was also examined.

Characterization of arenaviruses using a family-specific primer set for RT-PCR amplification and RFLP analysis. Its potential use for detection of uncharacterized arenaviruses.

Arenaviruses are enveloped viruses with a genome composed of two ssRNA species, designated L and S. The arenaviruses were divided in two major groups (Old World and New World), based on serological properties and genetic data, as well as geographic distribution. A sequence alignment analysis of all reported arenavirus S RNAs yielded 17 conserved regions in addition to a reported conserved region at the end of both RNAs.

[3'-Mercapto-3'-deoxythymidine-5'-triphosphate as a terminator of DNA synthesis catalyzed by RNA-dependent DNA-polymerases].

3'-Mercapto-3'-deoxy-TTP was synthesized and tested as DNA chain terminator nucleotide for calf thymus alpha DNA polymerase, E. coli DNA polymerase I (Klenow fragment), terminal deoxyribonucleotidyltransferase (Bollum enzyme) and reverse transcriptase from AMV- and HIV-I-viruses. It was shown that the compound terminates DNA chain elongation by reverse transcriptases selectively and irreversibly.