Identification of single-nucleotide polymorphisms of the prion protein gene in sika deer (Cervus nippon laiouanus)

Polymorphisms of the prion protein gene (PRNP) havebeen detected in several cervid species. In order toconfirm the genetic variations, this study examined theDNA sequences of the PRNP obtained from 33 captivesika deer (Cervus nippon laiouanus) in Korea. A total ofthree single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at codons100, 136 and 226 in the PRNP of the sika deer wereidentified. The polymorphic site located at codon 100 hasnot been reported. The SNPs detected at codons 100 and226 induced amino acid substitutions. The SNP at codon136 was a silent mutation that does not induce any aminoacid change. The genotype and allele frequencies weredetermined for each of the SNPs.