Protease inhibitor system in horses: classification and detection of a new allele.
Abstract: A method of horizontal thin layer polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis at acid pH has been developed for the separation of the prealbumins in equine plasma. Using this method, it has been possible to split the S allele into two, S1 and S2, bringing the total number of prealbumin alleles in Thoroughbred horses to eight. The gene frequencies of these eight alleles in Australian Thoroughbreds are presented. All eight prealbumin types exhibit antiprotease activity and therefore, it is suggested that the name prealbumin (Pr) should be abandoned in favour of protease inhibitor (Pi) although at this stage it is not known whether this incorporates the Pi1 and Pi2 described by Junega et al. (1979).
Publication Date: 1980-01-01 PubMed ID: 7247075DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2052.1980.tb01514.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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This genetic study in horses developed a way to separate previously undifferentiated prealbumins in equine plasma via polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The process allowed the identification of a new allele, taking the total prealbumin alleles in Thoroughbred horses to eight. The researchers recommend renaming prealbumins as protease inhibitors due to their function, though they are unsure if this includes other inhibiting proteins.
Introduction to the Research
- This study focuses on a genetic analysis of the protease inhibitor system in horses.
- Protease inhibitors are proteins that help control the activities of proteases, enzymes that break down proteins and peptides. They’re essential in preventing uncontrolled protein degradation within an organism.
- The objective was to classify and detect a new allele within this system using a particular method involving gel electrophoresis.
Methodology and New Allele Identification
- The team developed a method of separation using horizontal thin layer polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis at acid pH. This process allows for the separation of proteins based on their size and charge.
- By using this method, they were able to differentiate the S allele, which was previously thought to be a single entity, into two distinct alleles: S1 and S2.
- This finding increases the total number of known prealbumin alleles in Thoroughbred horses from seven to eight.
Gene Frequencies and Protease Inhibitor Activity
- Alongside the identification of the new allele, the study also presents the gene frequencies of these eight alleles within the Australian Thoroughbred population.
- All eight of these prealbumin types were found to exhibit antiprotease activity – they inhibit protease enzymes from breaking down proteins, thus playing a protective role within the organism.
Recommended Terminology Change
- Due to the discovered anti-protease activity, the researchers suggested that “prealbumin” should be abandoned as a term. Instead, they proposed the term “protease inhibitor”, abbreviated as “Pi”.
- However, it remains unsure whether this new classification will incorporate the known Pi1 and Pi2 described by Junega et al. in 1979.
Cite This Article
APA
Pollitt CC, Bell K.
(1980).
Protease inhibitor system in horses: classification and detection of a new allele.
Anim Blood Groups Biochem Genet, 11(4), 235-244.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2052.1980.tb01514.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
MeSH Terms
- Alleles
- Animals
- Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel
- Gene Frequency
- Genes
- Horses / genetics
- Prealbumin / classification
- Prealbumin / genetics
- Protease Inhibitors / classification
- Protease Inhibitors / genetics
- Serum Albumin / genetics
Citations
This article has been cited 4 times.- Iwańczyk E, Juras R, Cholewiński G, Cothran EG. Genetic structure and phylogenetic relationships of the Polish Heavy horse. J Appl Genet 2006;47(4):353-9.
- Arthur H, Bell K, VandeBerg JL, van Oorschot RA. Plasma protease inhibitor (PI) system in the laboratory opossum, Monodelphis domestica. Biochem Genet 1996 Oct;34(9-10):389-99.
- Braend M. Genetic variation of the equine serum protease inhibitor system Pi (Pr) characterized by an enzyme binding staining technique after starch gel electrophoresis. Acta Vet Scand 1982;23(4):592-602.
- Patterson SD, Bell K, Shaw DC. The equine major plasma serpin multigene family: partial characterization including sequence of the reactive-site regions. Biochem Genet 1991 Oct;29(9-10):477-99.
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