Nonsynonymous Substitution Detected In Heat Stress-Associated HSPA8 gene in Artlı Sheep

Authors : Levent Mercan, Cihat Erdem Bülbül, Fatih Bilgi, Mehmet Akif Çam

Pages : 304-312

Doi:10.29278/azd.1793271

View : 45 | Download : 71

Publication Date : 2025-12-29

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Objective: Climate change lies at the core of the multifaceted global crises confronting humanity today. Sheep breeding plays a crucial role in ensuring the sustainability of global food security. Heat stress resulting from the increasing rise in global temperatures necessitates the genetic improvement of sheep breeds in terms of the genes that determine their resistance to this stress. The present study aimed to screen single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) located in the eighth exon of the HSPA8 gene, which is one of the important heat shock proteins, in Artlı and Çepni sheep populations using the Sanger sequencing method. Material and Methods: The eighth exon region of the HSPA8 gene was sequenced, and SNPs within the obtained sequences were identified using the MEGA X software. The potential effects of the detected mutations on the protein structure were modeled using the HOPE software. In addition, to assess the accuracy of the predicted protein structure, confidence scores (pLDDT) were obtained using the AlphaFold2 software. Results: Artlı sheep are traditionally known for their high resistance to low-temperature stress and harsh environmental conditions. In this study, a C>T substitution at the 210th nucleotide position of the 8th exon of the HSPA8 gene was detected in 50% of the analyzed Artlı sheep samples, resulting in the replacement of proline with leucine at amino acid position 605. Furthermore, 40% of the Artlı genotypes exhibited a G>A substitution at the 46th nucleotide position of the same exon, which was found to be heterozygous and caused a silent mutation at amino acid position 550. In contrast, all analyzed samples of the Çepni breed were found to be monomorphic with respect to the examined exon region. Conclusion: The genetic basis of adaptation to climate change is shaped not only by mutations but also by other genetic processes, such as epistatic interactions between genes and epigenetic regulatory mechanisms. Rising temperatures resulting from global climate change have led to a decline in livestock productivity. Sustainable sheep breeding depends on evaluating local breeds, such as Artlı and Çepni, as potential breeding materials. Therefore, there is a need to conduct comprehensive genetic studies on these unique genotypes and to strengthen efforts aimed at conserving local breeds.
Keywords : Adaptasyon, genetik ıslah, iklim değişikliği, koyun, SNP

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