Genetic distribution of polymorphisms in the shadow of prion protein (SPRN) gene in Jeju black cattle

Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder in cattle that poses risks to public health and has economic consequences. The shadow of prion protein encoded by the shadow of prion protein (SPRN) gene affects prion disease progression. A 12-base-pair indel polymorphism in the SPRN gene has been implicated in BSE susceptibility in Polish cattle. Building upon our previous research, we aimed to investigate the SPRN gene polymorphisms in Jeju black cattle - a Korean native breed with distinct genetic features and compared them with those in Hanwoo and Korean Holstein. Our findings reveal that the Jeju black cattle SPRN gene, with only two synonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms, has lower genetic diversity than that in Hanwoo and Korean Holstein. Moreover, we contrasted the distribution of c.199_210delGCCGCGGCGGGG (67_70delAAAG) polymorphisms in the SPRN gene between BSE-infected Polish cattle and Korean cattle to assess BSE susceptibility. The results suggest that Jeju black and Korean Holstein demonstrate a higher genetic potential for BSE resistance compared to the Hanwoo breed. To the best of our knowledge, this study provides the first report of the SPRN gene in Jeju black cattle, along with a comparative analysis of SPRN gene polymorphisms across three Korean cattle breeds.