1. Pilot project for the investigation of the PrP gene of Cyprus goats Dr. Penelope Papasavva-Stylianou (DVM, PhD) Veterinary Services of Cyprus

2. Aim Confirm the results of preliminary study (Papasavva-Stylianou et al., The Veterinary Journal, In Press) where polymorphisms at codon 146 of PrP gene shown an association with resistance or susceptibility to natural scrapie  Amino acid Polymorphisms at codon 146 Asn Susceptibility Asp Resistance Ser Resistance Asn=asparagine Asp=aspartic acid Ser=serine

3. Materials 250 histologically positive 250 histologically negative (herd, and whenever this was possible, age, breed and sex matched with positive) 250 healthy control (herd, and whenever this was possible, age, breed and sex matched with positive)

4. Methods  DNA sequencing of the coding region of PrP gene (Agrobiogen, Germany)

5. Results: Codon 146 amino acids Number of samples with at codon 146 amino acid: Aspartic acid (D)Serine (S)Asparagine (N) NDDDNSSSNN Histologically TSE + suspects, rapid test + 30 20 213 Histologically TSE + suspects, rapid test - 003028 Histologically TSE - suspects, rapid test - 263 2192 Healthy controls 211262167

6. Frequencies

7. Conclusions  The amino acids serine (S) and aspartic acid (D) at codon 146 (ND and NS) found only in three and two positive animals respectively, shown an association with resistance against scrapie in the goats of Cyprus  The amino acid asparagine (N) at codon 146 shown an association with susceptibility in natural scrapie

8. 2 nd year’s plan  PrP genotyping (SNP analysis or DNA sequencing) Positive cases (Histologically and by rapid test)=500 Breed survey (Damascus, French Alpine, Macheras Local, Local, Saanen)=500 “Nuclei” units (About 15 entire scrapie-free herds()=10,000

9. Thank you for your attention