The PCR-SSCP and DNA sequencing methods detecting genetic mutations of EGLN1 gene in different sheep breeds

In this study, genetic mutations of EGLN1 gene within four exons and intro-exon boundary regions were analyzed using PCR-SSCP and DNA sequencing methods representing different sheep breeds of high-altitude and low-altitude types. Only two SNPs located in intron 4 were detected among the screened regions and no species-specific SNP was found. The EGLN1 SNPs were found to be significantly different between the high-altitude and low-altitude sheep breeds revealing that genetic variations of EGLN1 gene may be related to high altitude adaption.