Polymorphism of HSP-70 Gene in Extensively Reared Indigenous Goat Breeds

Heat shock protein (HSP) 70 gene is a member of the HSPs sub-family. When animals are subjected to thermal stress, they act as molecular chaperones, providing cellular protection, immune response, protein synthesis, protein folding and unfolding, protection proteins from cellular stress, inhibitory apoptosis and adaptation. Genetic variation is strongly associated with heat stress responses, including variants of heat shock proteins (HSPs), which are required for thermoregulation and stress resistance. Heat shock proteins are highly conserved proteins that are expressed during stress and play an important role in adaptation to environmental stress. The current study was carried out to assess the adaptive capability of different goat breeds (Capra hircus), namely West African Dwarf and Red Sokoto goats, during the peak dry winter. For this purpose, specific primers were used to test the targeted gene (HSP70). PCR, RFLP, and agarose gel electrophoresis were used to determine the expression of the HSP70 gene. Allele frequencies were calculated using gene counting, and the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium was determined using the Chi-square test. According to this study, the expression of the HSP70 gene was almost identical in RS and WAD goats, implying that RS and WAD goats had the highest genetic similarity (0.9996) and the lowest genetic distance (0.0004). HSP70 may be a potential molecular biomarker in the future for the selection of climate resilient animals.