Obtaining of pure transferrins D, M and R from equine serum and determination of transferrin level in relation to phenotype.

This research focuses on finding pure forms of three genetic variants of transferrin from horse serum, namely D, M, R, and determining their levels based on phenotype. The study also investigates the influence of specific gene alleles on transferrin levels.

Methodology

• The researchers used a precipitation method involving Rivanol, which is 2-ethoxy-6,9-diaminoacridine lactate, and ammonium sulphate, followed by chromatography on DEAE cellulose to purify the three genetic variants of transferrin, D, M, and R, from equine serum.

Results

• The resultant molecular mass of the transferrins D, M, R, was determined to be 80 000. Interestingly, the molecular mass was identical for all the three variants.
• However, these variants had slight differences in their amino acid composition.
• The protein level was determined in the serum of 535 two-year-old thoroughbred English horses using the method of rocket immunoelectrophoresis. This method used antibodies obtained against the three transferrins.
• The study found that the variability of protein level in horses of the same phenotype was fairly high, with a variability index of 9-15%. This suggests that there’s a significant individual variability in transferrin levels, even for horses of the same phenotype.
• The study did not observe any differences in transferrin levels that could be attributed to the sex of the horses. This indicates that transferrin levels are distributed equivalently in both male and female horses.
• Importantly, the research deduced that presence of D, F, H alleles was associated with a higher serum transferrin level, while the O and R alleles were associated with a lower transferrin level. This suggests that genetic factors at the allele level can significantly influence serum transferrin levels.