Abstract: The coding product of ACBP gene is an important transport protein for long chain acyl coenzyme A esters in cells. Recently, it is found that this gene is closely related to lactation traits in common dairy cows, but it is rarely reported in water buffalo. The purpose of this study is to explore the sequence and gene expression characteristics of buffalo ACBP gene in order to reveal its function. The coding region of ACBP gene of Binglangjiang buffalo was cloned by RT-PCR method, and the gene was then subjected to analysis of functional bioinformatics and gene expression profiling. The sequence of complete coding region of ACBP gene in Binglangjiang buffalo was 264 bp in length which encoded a protein composed of 87 amino acid residues. This protein had a ACBP functional domain and contained 4 phosphorylated sites. It had no signal peptide and transmembrane region and was a hydrophilic protein located in the cell. The homology analysis of ACBP protein showed that Binglangjiang buffalo and the species of bovine subfamily were clustered together, which revealed the functional similarity of their ACBP gene.In the 13 tissues assayed, buffalo ACBP gene was highly expressed in the rumen, brain, heart during lactating stage and this gene was highly expressed in the rumen, heart, spleen during non-lactating stage. In addtition, ACBP gene was expressed in mammary gland, small intestine and liver during lactating stage, however it was not expressed in those tissues during non-lactating stage.The ACBP of buffalo and other species had similar amino acid composition and structural characteristics, which might participate in the transport of long chain acyl coenzyme A esters and plays an important role in the synthesis of milk fat.

Key words: Binglangjiang buffalo, ACBP gene, Bioinformatics analysis, Physicochemical properties, Gene expression profile

CLC Number: 

• Q78

• S823