Identification of polymorphisms and genetic diversity studies of interferon regulatory factor 3(IRF3) gene in Muturu,White Fulani and N'Dama cattle.

Interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3) is one of the strongest positional candidate genes implicated in a host of health-related phenotypes such as general disease resistance. The study was carried out to genetically characterize IRF3 gene in, N'Dama, Muturu and White Fulani cattle. DNA was extracted from the blood samples using the Zymo-spin extraction kit. ARLEQUIN 2.0001 software was used to estimate the basic population genetic statistics while DnaSP version 5.10.01 was used to estimate genetic diversity indices and test for deviation from neutrality. A total of 18 and 29 Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were observed using codon code aligner in exons 1-2 and 5-6 of the IRF3 gene respectively in the three cattle breeds after polymerase chain reaction and sequencing. In exons 1-2, the Muturu (MU) possessed the highest value of SNPs (16) and genetic diversity indices, while the N'Dama (ND) possessed the least (1). In exons 5-6, the highest value of SNPs (14) was observed in the White Fulani and the genetic diversity indices was also high while the Muturu had the least. Analysis of molecular variation (AMOVA) carried out for the loci under consideration revealed a higher level of variation among populations than within populations. It was therefore concluded that the IRF3 gene had many polymorphisms and was highly diversified in Nigerian cattle breeds.