Tarina A. Dugger and Michelle M. Corley: Poster Abstract

11/11/2010

Tarina A. Dugger and Michelle M. Corley: Poster Abstract

Analysis of an Apolipoprotein-A Gene in Cardiomyopathic Turkeys

Tarina A. Dugger* and Michelle M. Corley
College of Agricultural, Environmental and Natural Sciences
Tuskegee University
Tuskegee, AL 36088

Apolipoprotein-A is a major constituent of high-density lipoproteins (HDL), which aid in the regulation of high cholesterol levels in the blood and peripheral tissues. If this process is defective, cholesterol molecules can accumulate in arteries, result in arterial blockage, thereby leading to a cardiac event (heart attack). The turkey cardiomyopathic heart resembles that of humans in gross and microscopic morphology. Therefore analysis of genes implicated in turkey cardiovascular disease may be beneficial to both poultry and human health. Heart tissue from cardiomyopathic turkeys was used to identify an apoA gene and its possible involvement in cardiovascular disease. The role of this gene as it relates to turkey cardiomyopathy has not been investigated. To isolate this gene, total RNA was isolated from cardiomyopathic heart tissue samples and purified. Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) was performed using primers designed from the chicken apoA-1 gene. The RT-PCR product was visualized via agarose gel electrophoresis (1.5% w/0.5ug/ml ethidium bromide). The expected 519 bp RT-PCR product was observed, indicating successful amplification of the apoA gene from cardiomyopathic turkey heart tissue. The RT-PCR product was isolated from the agarose gel (Suprec-01) and purified to exercise transformation. Transformation was successful which led to sequencing of the apoA gene. Identification and analysis of the turkey apoA gene will lead to further knowledge of the etiology of turkey cardiomyopathy.