COMPARATIVE FISH-MAPPING OF THE PRION PROTEIN GENE (PRNP) ON CATTLE, RIVER BUFFALO, SHEEP AND GOAT CHROMOSOMES

Comparative FISH-mapping of the prion protein gene (PRNP) was performe d on cattle (BTA), river buffalo (BBU), sheep (OAR) and goat (CHI) chr omosomes using a PCR-product as a probe and R-banding. PRNP was mapped to BTA13q17, BBU14q15, OAR13q15 and CHI13q15 according to standard no menclatures. These chromosomes and bands were homoeologous among the f our species, confirming the high degree of gene and chromosome banding conservation among bovids. Furthermore, the assignment of PRNP to riv er buffalo and goat chromosomes allowed us to indirectly assign the bo vine syntenic group U11 to specific chromosomes, since it is the first in situ localization on BBU14 and CHI13.