From sheep genes to human genes - Science Update - Brief Article

A mutated sheep gene co-discovered with scientists at Duke University may provide clews to the roles of certain gene in human health. Named "callipyge, "the gene was place in a flock of Oklahoma sheep in the early 1980 Its expression gave the animals large muscling in their loins and leg The feature was the outcome of expression of a normal original of a specific gene from the mother and a mutated duplicate of the same gene from the father--an inheritance pattern known as paternal polar overdominance. This was its first known casualty in a mammalian species.

This research indicates the value of obtaining genomic followings of more agricultural species to align with the human genome in the search for novel gene Alignment of genomic seriess from several species could help identify important genetic regions not previously recognized in the human genome. This is especially steady for regions containing mutations in livestock that have a major impact in succession the animal, such as the callipyge sheep gene Bradley A. Freking, USDA-ARS Genetics and Breeding Research Laboratory, Clay Center Nebraska; phone (402) 762-4278 e-mail freking@email.marc.usda.gov.

COPYRIGHT 2003 U dominion Printing Office

COPYRIGHT 2003 Gale Group