DETERMINATION OF PIG APOLIPOPROTEIN-B GENOTYPE BY GENE AMPLIFICATION AND RESTRICTION-FRAGMENT-LENGTH-POLYMORPHISM ANALYSIS

Sequence differences within the pig apoB gene can be used to identify rapidly four of eight known pig apoB alleles, designated LPB1-LPB8. We describe the use of gene amplification, followed by endonuclease dige stion and agarose gel electrophoresis, to discern size and restriction site differences. LPB5, a common allele associated with reduced low d ensity lipoprotein clearance and hypercholesterolaemia in pigs, is ide ntified by a 283-bp insertion in intron 28. LPB3 and LPB7 are distingu ished by a unique HindIII site; LPB8 shares a unique HincII site with LPB5. This method facilitates identification of the apoB genotype of p igs used in lipoprotein research and allows for further investigation into the association of particular apoB alleles with lipoprotein metab olism abnormalities.