Single nucleotide polymorphism in growth hormone gene exon-4 and exon-5 using PCR-SSCP in Black Bengal goats - A prolific meat breed of India.

Single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) showed 7 and 5 haplotypes in caprine GH gene exon-4 and exon-5 in Black Bengal, a prolific meat breed from India. All haplotypes revealed novel sequences. In exon-4 codons 6, 36 and 54 were polymorphic. At codon 6, AA arginine (R) changed to histidine (H) and proline (P), showing 6RR, 6HH and 6PP genotypes. At codons 36 three genotypes DD, VV and DV were observed due to SNP showing changed from aspartic acid (D) to valine (V). At codon 54, AA change from arginine to tryptophan (W) and 54RR and 54WW genotypes were observed. SNPs were also observed at codon 23 (serine to threonine) and at 37 (arginine to proline) in 8% of goats. In exon-5 nucleotide substitution (G/A) at codon 10 and (A/G) at 14 respectively changed AA from glycine (K) to glutamic acid (E). Silent mutations were also observed.