Variation in the prion protein gene (PRNP) sequence of wild deer in Great Britain and mainland Europe

• DOI: 10.1186/s13567-019-0675-6
• Publication Date: 2019-07-31T09:03:00Z
• Authors: Amy L. Robinson; Helen Williamson; Mariella E. Güere; Helene Tharaldsen; Karis Baker; Stephanie L. Smith; Sílvia Pérez-Espona; Jarmila Krojerová...; Josephine M. Pemb...; Wilfred Goldmann; Fiona Houston
• Keywords: Capreolus; Chronic wasting disease; PRNP; Cervus

Susceptibility to prion diseases is largely determined by the sequence of protein gene (PRNP), which encodes (PrP). The recent emergence chronic wasting disease (CWD) in Europe has highlighted need investigate PRNP diversity European deer species, better predict their susceptibility CWD. Here we report a large genetic survey six British including red (Cervus elaphus), sika nippon), roe (Capreolus capreolus), fallow (Dama dama), muntjac (Muntiacus reevesii), and Chinese water (Hydropotes inermis), establishes haplotype genotype frequencies. Two smaller data sets from Norway Czech Republic are also included for comparison. Overall show most variation, with non-synonymous/coding polymorphisms at codons 98, 168, 226 247, vary markedly frequency between different regions. Polymorphisms P168S I247L were only found Scottish populations, respectively. T98A was all populations except south England. Significant regional differences frequencies observed within both populations. Other species showed less particularly deer, identical sequences individuals analysed. Based on comparison North American cervids affected CWD limited experimental challenge data, these results suggest that high proportion wild Great Britain may be susceptible