Molecular characterization of cathelicidin gene in Assam hill goat

Cathelicidin antimicrobial peptides constitute a large family of endogenous peptide antibiotics with broad-spectrum activity against various microbes. RNA was extracted from bone marrow samples and reverse transcribed to cDNA. The PCR amplified product of 414 bp size cloned in Topo-TA cloning vector and confirmed by restriction enzyme digestion. Positive clones were sequenced and the nucleotide sequence of cathelicidin gene was BLAST (Basic Local Alignment Search Tool) with other published sequences. The sequence was further analyzed using DNA Star software. At nucleotide level of Assam hill goat cathelicidin gene showed 187 conserved bases with other sequences. The mature peptides of cathelicidin comprises of 11 amino acids from 127-137 and has two glycine, two arginine and one each oflysine, alanine, serine, isoleusine, leucine, phenylalanine and proline residues. Presence of proline, lysine and arginine in the mature domainmight provide more resistance to these breed to fight against diseases in comparison to other breeds. The predicted peptide of Assam hill goat cathelicidin gene is composed of 137 amino acids. Phylogenetic tree revealed a closer relationship of Yunnangoat (CATH2) with Assam hill goat cathelicidin which suggested, these might have diverged from the same ancestral gene.