Calpastatin (CAST) is a specific inhibiter of calpains, playing a role in meat tenderization and myogenesis. In the present study, the polymorphism of the CAST gene of Makoei sheep was investigated by polymerase chain reaction and single strand conformation polymorphism technique (PCR–SSCP). Genomic DNA was extracted from whole blood samples collected from 100 sheep. A 622 bp CAST exon 1 segment was amplified by standard PCR, using the locus specific primers. PCR products were subjected to a non-denaturing gel electrophoresis. Four SSCP patterns, representing four different genotypes, were identified. The frequencies of the observed genotypes were 0.31, 0.04, 0.63 and 0.02 for AA, BB AB and AC, respectively. Allele frequencies were 0.6313, 0.3586 and 0.01 for A, B and C, respectively. The Observed heterozygosity (Hobs) value for CAST gene was 0.4728. The chi-square test showed significant (P< 0.01) deviation from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium for this locus in Makoei sheep population.

Keywords: CAST gene, Makoei sheep, PCR, SSCP

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