Analysis of <i>BMP2</i> gene polymorphism of bone morphogenetic protein-2 in reindeer
Authors: Krutikova A. A. , Peglivanyan G. K. 
Published: January 2024

The BMP2 gene of reindeer was study by Sanger sequencing. The BMP2 gene is involved in the formation of bone tissue and skeletal muscle in mammals. The BMP2 gene is associated with an increase in height, size, and body weight in productive animals. For the first time, the nucleotidesequence of the coding and regulatory regions of the BMP2 gene was determined in populations of wild and domestic reindeer.As a result, a segment of the reindeer BMP2 candidate gene was sequence, including the first untranslated and second exons. Loci with low (exon1) and high (exon2) degree of polymorphism identified.Single nucleotide mismatches with the reference genome (white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus texanus) genome) identified, which can be used for phylogenetic analysis of the evolution of orthologue genes, as well as for genetic identification of species. Twelve polymorphic loci of two types were identified: in/del and SNP. The most significant substitutions were also determined in accordance with the change in the amino acid composition of the protein and the chemical properties of the replaced amino acids. Calculations were made of the occurrence of genotypes and alleles according to the identified variants of genetic polymorphism in the analyzed populations of reindeer (Nenets and Evenk breeds, wild reindeer).The object of research was wild and domestic reindeer on the farms of the Taimyr Peninsula and Evenkia. The material for the study was DNA isolated by the classical phenol method from the blood of domestic reindeer of two breeds - Nenets (n=20) and Evenki (n=20), as well as from tissue samples of wild reindeer (n=20).The aim of the study was to search for and select potential variants of genetic polymorphism in the BMP2 gene as molecular genetic markers that can be recommend for use in the practice of reindeer breeding to increase meat productivity.For the first time, the nucleotide sequence of significant regions of the reindeer BMP2 gene was determined. The polymorphic loci in the BMP2 gene identified as a result of the studies had differences in the frequency of occurrence of alleles of mutant and wild types in the studied samples of domestic reindeer of the Nenets and Evenk breeds, as well as in the sample of wild reindeer. Differences in occurrence indicate the effect of selection factors on the region of the BMP2 gene. The revealed genetic variability of the studied region in reindeer breeds contrasting in productivity is a preliminary confirmation of the influence of genetic polymorphism in the BMP2 gene on the variability of phenotypes in terms of height and weight indicators. Indicators of growth and live weight are key to the formation of the meat productivity of reindeer. The results of studies of the effect of BMP2 gene polymorphism on growth and weight parameters in other animal species suggest that some of the identified variants of genetic polymorphism in the studied region of the BMP2 gene may turn out to be casual mutations that can affect the formation of quantitative traits in domestic reindeer.