DNA TYPING BY TELOMERASE REVERSE GENE TRANSCRIPTASE (TERT)

The length of the telomeric DNA and polymorphism of the TERT (Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase) gene can be the basis for the development of molecular genetic markers for the productive traits of agricultural animals, in particular pigs. 
The purpose of the work was to analyze the databases of the primary structure of the pig TERT gene, to determine single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), to develop a DNA system for animal typing based on the TERT gene. 
Samples of biomaterials (blood, bristles) for DNA typing were selected from the leading farms of Ukraine in groups of 4 breeds of pigs and hybrid animals. Isolation of DNA from biomaterial was carried out using the Chelex 100 reagent. Genotyping of animals by the telomerase locus was carried out on the basis of standard methods of polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). The alignment of nucleotide sequences during the analysis of the primary structure of the TERT gene was carried out using the MegaX software and the Blast service. Design of the structure of oligonucleotide primers for PCR was carried out using the computer program Primer3Plus. 
During the development of the method of pigs genotyping according to TERT gene, a database analysis was carried out regarding the primary structure of the gene, a region of the gene with a significant number of SNPs was identified, and oligonucleotide primers were designed for PCR amplification of this region of the gene. The study presents the conditions of amplification of the TERT gene fragment, its cleavage by restriction endonuclease RsaI at the location of SNP rs698799571, electrophoresis of the obtained restriction DNA fragments in an 8% polyacrylamide gel, and the genotypes of the animals are also determined. The developed DNA typing technique for the TERT gene was used to analyze its polymorphism in groups of 4 purebred pigs and a group of hybrid anjmals. Monomorphic homozygous TERTAA genotype was present in purebred pigs. The polymorphism of the TERT gene by SNP rs698799571 was detected in a group of pigs of the final Irish hybrid (LW x L) x Maxgro (TERTAT genotype). 
Considering the fact that studies on the telomerase gene and determination of the TERT polymorphism for SNP rs698799571 in pigs have not yet been conducted in Ukraine, the developed technique of DNA typing by the telomerase gene has a perspective for further determination of the distribution of alleles and genotypes in domestic and imported breeds, as well as in marker-associated selection.