Poultry

Expression of EIF2 Family Genes under Newcastle Disease Virus Infection in Two Chicken Lines

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Abstract

Newcastle Disease Virus (NDV) causes large economic losses around the world and recent outbreaks have occurred in the US. We assessed the expression of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 (eIF2)-related genes in the spleens of two genetically different, inbred chicken lines from the Iowa State University Poultry Genetics program. Of the two lines, Fayoumis are relatively resistant and Leghorns are relatively susceptible to NDV. We found that challenged Fayoumis had lower expression of genes encoding the eIF2 and eIF2B subunits than challenged Leghorns. These differences in expression of eIF2-related genes may contribute to the differential genetic resistance of these chicken lines to NDV. Our results suggest that the eIF2 family should be the focus of further studies to define host genetic resistance to NDV. Application of information about disease-resistance mechanisms under genetic control may lead to future genetic improvements of poultry populations for resistance to Newcastle disease, or more efficacious vaccine development.

How to Cite:

Dekkers, J. C., Kaiser, M. G., Lamont, S. J., Monson, M. S., Zhou, H. & Del Vesco, A., (2019) “Expression of EIF2 Family Genes under Newcastle Disease Virus Infection in Two Chicken Lines”, Iowa State University Animal Industry Report 16(1).