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Title: Development of SNP assays to determine genetic resistance to ALV-A in chickens

Author
item XIE, QINGMEI - Michigan State University
item CHANG, SHUANG - Michigan State University
item Zhang, Huanmin

Submitted to: Poultry Science Association Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/11/2012
Publication Date: 7/9/2012
Citation: Xie, Q., Chang, S., Zhang, H. 2012. Development of SNP assays to determine genetic resistance to ALV-A in chickens. Meeting abstract. Poultry Science Association Annual Meeting, July 9-12, 2012, Athens Georgia.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Avian leukosis virus (ALV) is an oncogenic retrovirus. Six subgroups of ALV, namely, A, B, C, D, E, and J were found in chickens. ALV subgroup A causes tumors primarily in egg-layer type of chickens; ALV is controlled by eradication schemes. ALV-A infection of chicken is mediated by a cellular host receptor encoded by the tumor virus A (TVA) gene. Two DNA polymorphisms reportedly alter the structure and function of the receptor. The wild type of TVA allele, TVA*S, encoded receptors permit ALV-A infection of chickens. The TVA with a single C to G base mutation, designated as TVA*R1, encodes a dysfunctional receptor, which fails to mediate virus entry of infection. The TVA with a 4-base insertion, designated as TVA*R2, also encodes a non-functional receptor. We developed PCR-RFLP and Pyrosequencing assays that can be used to quickly assess DNA samples to determine the TVA genotypes of chickens. DNA samples from line 6 (susceptible to ALV-A), line 7 (resistant to ALV-A), and several other lines (segregating for resistance and susceptibility to ALV-A) of chickens were SNP-typed using the two assays, which were previously challenged with RSV (RAV-1) in wing-web. The TVA genotypes of the tested chickens were in good agreement with the tumor status observed. It is anticipated that these two assays should be instrumental in genetic improvement for ALV resistance in chickens by selection.