Single Nucleotide Polymorphism of LDLR Gene as Atherogenesis Markers on Macaca fascicularis and Macaca nemestrina

Abstract

Long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis) and pig-tailed macaques (M. nemestrina) are non-human primate species that most commonly used as animal model in the study of atherosclerosis.  Genetic variation in the low density lipoprotein receptor gene (LDLR) has been associated with normal variations in plasma lipid profile and the risk of coronary heart disease (CAD) in humans. In this study, the screening of nucleotide polymorphisms on LDLR genes as molecular markers of atherogenesis in M. fascicularis and M. nemestrina was performed. The LDLR gene of exon region 6 is amplified with a specific primers. The nucleotide sequences of the amplicons is determined by the sequencing technique and the results were bioinformatic analyzed. Analysis of exon 6 region LDLR gene in M. fascicularis and M. nemestrina revealed no SNP in this exon. Based on the alignment results, the entire sample has a type of haplotype I. The type of haplotype owned by the six animals is related to the hyper-repons. Both of this species are a potential species for animals model in the study of atherosclerotic disease. The use of exon 6 as a genetic marker of M. fascicularis and M. nemestrina on a fat cholesterol diet makes the animal selection of hypo- from hyper-responder are more efficient.