Genetic variability of the prion protein gene in Indonesian goat breeds.

Scrapie is a naturally occurring transmissible spongiform encephalopathy in sheep and goats. Resistance or susceptibility of small ruminants to classical scrapie is influenced by polymorphisms in the prion protein gene (PRNP). PRNP variability in Indonesian indigenous goat breeds has not been investigated so far and therefore was the goal of this study. Sanger sequencing of the PRNP gene coding region in 72 goats of the seven Indonesian breeds Kacang, Gembrong, Samosir, Kejobong, Benggala, Jawarandu, and Peranakan Etawah revealed three amino acid substitutions, namely W102G, H143R, and S240P. Some silent mutations were also found at codons 42 (a/g), 138 (c/t), and 179 (g/t). The PRNP alleles K222 and D/S146 known to have significant protective effects on resistance to classical scrapie in goats were not detected. The allele R143, which may have a moderate protective effect, had a frequency of 12% among the analyzed Indonesian goat breeds. While R143 was missing in Kacang and Benggala, its frequency was highest in the breed Gembrong (32%). No scrapie cases have been reported in Indonesia until now. However, in the case that selection for protective PRNP variants would become a breeding goal, the analyzed breeds will not be very useful resources. Other goat breeds which are present in the country should be investigated regarding resistance to scrapie, too.

Selection signatures and formation of the Samosir goat breed through the cultures of the Batak Toba Tribe in Samosir Island, Indonesia.

Background and Aim: The Samosir goat has a high cultural value and is a source of germplasm in Indonesia. This study aimed to reveal the history and selection signatures of the Samosir goat. Materials and Methods: A total of 25 goats were divided into seven subpopulations of Indonesian goat breeds. Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) from blood samples was isolated with the use of the gSYNC™ DNA Mini Kit (Geneaid, Taipei, Taiwan). Cytb gene amplification was performed by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method, and the PCR products were sequenced. A phylogenetic tree was constructed by the neighbor-joining method using MEGA 11 software. A questionnaire was used to collect information related to the history and breeding practices of the Samosir goat on Samosir Island. Results: Samosir goats are divided into four groups based on their coat color: Completely white, white with brown spots, white with black spots, and white with brown and black spots. The body form of the Samosir goat is similar to that of the Kacang goat. The space below a traditional Toba Batak house is used as a goat pen. The genetic difference between the Samosir goat and the Kacang goat based on the Cytb gene was approximately 0.1%. Conclusion: Phylogenetic analysis between Samosir goats and other indigenous Indonesian goats revealed that Samosir goats form a single clade, with a very close genetic distance from other local goats, such as the Kacang goat. The Toba Batak culture on Samosir Island has significantly influenced the selection and formation of the Samosir goat breed.

Genetic variation and phylogenetic analysis of Indonesian indigenous catfish (baung fish) based on mitochondrial 12S rRNA gene.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Baung fish is an essential commodity in Indonesia; however, few studies have explored the genetic diversity of Indonesian catfish. Thus, this study aimed to analyze the genetic variation and phylogenetic relationships among Indonesian catfish based on the mitochondrial 12S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In total, 28 catfish were collected from nine rivers in seven provinces and from the Indian Ocean. Catfish genomes were obtained from epaxial and hepaxial muscle samples. The mitochondrial 12S rRNA gene was amplified by polymerase chain reaction using a pair of primers (Baung12SF and Baung12SR). The 12S rRNA sequences were analyzed using MEGA X to determine genetic variation and phylogenetic relationships. RESULTS: In total, 178 variation sites in the 12S rRNA gene were substituted among Indonesian catfish. The genetic distance between all Indonesian catfish samples was 0.1-16.0%. The closest genetic distance was between MP and PM catfish, whereas the farthest genetic distances were between BF and EM and PD and EM. For the entire population, based on mean diversity calculations, the number of base substitutions per site was 0.08. CONCLUSION: Indonesian catfish were divided into four clades based on the 12S rRNA gene. The catfish MP, KR, PM, MS, BB, and KS were grouped with Hemibagrus nemurus, the catfish EM was grouped with Mystus vittatus, the catfish BSBJ was grouped with Pangasius pangasius, and the catfish PD and BF were grouped with Netuma thalassina.

Genetic characterization and phylogenetic study of Indonesian cuscuses from Maluku and Papua Island based on 16S rRNA gene.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Indonesian cuscuses are now becoming scarce because of the reduction of habitat and poaching. Further, molecular characterization of Indonesian cuscuses is still very lacking. This study aimed to determine genetic markers and phylogenetic relationships of Indonesian cuscuses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study used 21 cuscuses caught from two provinces and 16 islands: 13 from Maluku and eight from Papua. Cuscus samples were taken by biopsy following ethics guidelines for animals. The genome isolation was done using gSYNC DNA Mini Kit (Geneaid Biotech Ltd., Taiwan). The 16S rRNA gene was amplified by primers (16SKUSAF and 16SKUSAR), and the polymerase chain reaction product obtained was 1875 base pair (bp). The analysis of genetic characterization and the phylogenetic relationship was performed usingMEGA version X software (https://www.megasoftware.net/). RESULTS: 16S rRNA gene sequencing attained 1598 bp for all samples. Based on the 16S rRNA nucleotide sequences, cuscuses from Papua and Maluku belong to the genus Phalanger and Spilocuscus. Phalanger spp. and Spilocuscus spp. from Papua can be distinguished from Phalanger and Spilocuscus from Maluku, except Spilocuscus from Ternate has a very close relationship with cuscus from Sentani, Papua. CONCLUSION: Indonesian cuscuses were derived into two clades based on 16S rRNA gene sequence, one group to genus Phalanger and another group to Spilocuscus.

Genetic variation and phylogenetic analysis of Indonesian indigenous catfish based on mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit III gene.

AIM: This study aimed to analyze the genetic variation and phylogenetic reconstruction of Indonesian indigenous catfish using mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit III sequences. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 19 samples of catfish were collected from seven rivers (Elo [EM], Progo [PM], Kampar [KR], Musi [MP], Mahakam [MS], Kapuas [KS], and Bengawan Solo [BSBJ]) in five different geographical locations in Indonesia. The genome was isolated from the tissue. Mitochondrial DNA cytochrome oxidase subunit III was amplified using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with CO3F and CO3R primers. The PCR products were sequenced and continued to analyze genetic variation and phylogenetic relationship using MEGA version 7.0 software. RESULTS: Cytochrome c oxidase (COX)-III gene sequencing obtained 784 nucleotides encoding 261 amino acids. Sequenced COX-III gene fragments were aligned along with other catfish from Genbank using ClustalW program and genetic diversity among species was analyzed using the MEGA Version 7.0 software. Among all samples, there were substitution mutations at 78 nucleotide sites, and there were 14 variations in amino acids. Catfish from PM, KR, MP, and KS had the same amino acids as Hemibagrus nemurus (KJ573466.1), while EM catfish had eight different amino acids and catfishBSBJhad 12 different amino acids. CONCLUSION: Indonesian catfish divided into four clades. BBSJ Catfish were grouped with Pangasianodon gigas, EM catfish were grouped with Mystus rhegma, and KS catfish were grouped with Hemibagrus spilopterus, while catfish MS, KR, PM, andMP were grouped with H. nemurus.