EVIDENCE OF MOLECULAR HETEROGENEITY FOR GENERALIZED GLYCOGENOSIS BETWEEN AND WITHIN BREEDS OF CATTLE

Northern analyses revealed normal levels of acidic alpha-glucosidase m RNA in cultured fibroblasts from a Shorthorn calf affected with glycag enosis but a gross deficiency in an affected Brahman calf. Analyses of acidic alpha-glucosidase activity, relative to that of other lysosoma l enzymes, in blood mononuclear cells revealed greater variation withi n and between Brahman herds than Shorthorn herds. A Msp1 restriction f ragment length polymorphism associated with glycogenosis in Brahmans w as not found in Shorthorns. These results are considered in relation t o molecular heterogeneity for AAG deficiency in cattle and its implica tions far disease control programs.