Amplification of the p94 (n-calpain) gene of sheep and cattle

Abstract

p94 is a muscle specific member of the calpain family that undergoes rapid autolysis in vivo, and has been linked to Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 2A (LMGD2A). To ascertain whether polymorphism within or near the p94 gene was responsible for different muscle phenotypes, an investigation of intron 6 was undertaken. A polymerase chain reaction (peR) involving Expand high fidelity (EHF) polymerase was developed for amplification of the region. The amplimer was investigated by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) and PAGE analysis of EcoR1 digests. The results from the investigation suggest that there is no polymorphic variation between individuals within intron 6 of p94 but that there is a species difference between cattle and sheep.