
Variants in GBP1 and GBP5 associated with PRRS resistance in Uruguayan Creole pigs / Montenegro et al. ________________________
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INTRODUCTION
The porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) is a 
viral disease that causes reproductive and respiratory complications 
in pigs (Sus scrofa ferus), signicantly impacting animal welfare and 
resulting in considerable economic losses globally within the swine 
industry. Reproductive consequences include spontaneous abortions 
in females, premature births, and a decline in the quality of semen 
from boars. Meanwhile, respiratory issues reduce the growth rate of 
pigs throughout the fattening stage [1, 2].
The causative agent of this disease is the PRRS virus (PRRSV), 
which is a single–stranded positive–sense RNA virus belonging to 
the Betaarterivirus genus and the Arteriviridae family. This virus is 
classied into two genotypes: PRRSV–1 (European) and PRRSV–2 
(North American) [3, 4].
Transmission of PRRSV can occur through direct or indirect 
contact, primarily via respiratory or oral routes, penetrating mucous 
membranes or even percutaneously. The virus can be transmitted 
airborne, during mating or insemination, through ingestion, contact, or 
inoculation [5]. During gestation, the virus has the ability to cross the 
placental barrier and infect embryos, potentially leading to the most 
severe clinical manifestation of the disease at the end of gestation. 
This is characterized by abortions, premature births, mummication, 
and the birth of weak and congenitally infected piglets, leading to 
high mortality before weaning [6].
PRRSV control involves several key aspects, including early 
diagnosis, continuous monitoring, implementation of biosecurity 
measures, and proper herd management and vaccination [5]. 
Currently, there is no fully effective vaccine against PRRSV due to 
the virus’s genetic and antigenic variations, as well as its ability to 
evade the host immune response. Therefore, it is crucial to explore 
alternative control strategies, with genetic improvement of pigs 
being one option [7, 8]. In this regard, different pig breeds exhibit 
varying levels of resistance to PRRSV, emphasizing the importance 
of studying genetic factors to enhance pig resistance to this disease. 
Such efforts would contribute to animal welfare and mitigate the 
associated economic losses [4, 9].
Through genome–wide association studies, a quantitative trait 
locus (QTL) has been identied on chromosome 4 (SSC4), associated 
with host resistance to PRRSV, weight gain, and viral load [10]. Within 
the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) identied in this region, 
rs80800372 (known as WUR) occurs in the GBP1 gene, and rs340943904 
in the GBP5 gene [11, 12]. Since the identication of this QTL, the 
effect of the WUR variant has been associated with increased weight 
and viral load following PRRS infection [10]. Additionally, it has been 
linked to the host response to PRRSV infection, PRRS vaccination, and 
coinfection with PRRSV and porcine circovirus type 2b [13]. Subsequent 
research by Koltes et al. [12] revealed that the candidate gene is the 
one encoding guanylate–binding protein 5 (GBP5), located in the region 
surrounding WUR.
The rs80800372 variant in GBP1 corresponds to an A/G mutation in 
the 3’ untranslated region (3’UTR), with G being the favorable allele, 
while rs340943904 in GBP5 is a G/T variant at a splice site, with the 
T allele being favorable [14].
PRRS was rst identied in the late 1980s in North America and 
Europe [15]. In South America, PRRSV has been reported in Bolivia, 
Chile, Colombia, Peru, Venezuela, Ecuador and Uruguay [16]. In Uruguay, 
the rst detection of the virus was carried out by Ramos et al. [17], 
identifying the circulation of PRRSV type 2. This study included a 
retrospective serological analysis suggesting that the virus may have 
been present in the country since 2011.
Pig production in Uruguay, while economically less signicant, 
plays a crucial role in supporting low–income producers [18]. In this 
context, local zoogenetic resources become more important due 
to their better adaptation to local conditions and their production 
capacity with lower requirements. These animals are commonly 
utilized in small–scale traditional subsistence systems, playing a 
fundamental role in ensuring food security [19]. In Uruguay, the Pampa 
Rocha breed represents the only creole pig breed [20]. These pigs 
stand out for the qualities of their females, including characteristics 
such as prolicacy, ability to consume pastures, milk production, and 
productive longevity [21]. However, the current number of animals of 
this breed is unknown, posing a risk to their conservation.
To date, no studies have been conducted in Uruguay evaluating the 
genetic resistance/susceptibility to PRRSV in Pampa Rocha creole 
pigs. Based on this gap, the objective is to determine the genotypes 
for the variants rs80800372 (in GBP1) and rs340943904 (in GBP5) 
in this local pig breed in Uruguay. This preliminary investigation is 
relevant for enhancing the understanding of the genetic variability 
present in Pampa Rocha pigs and contributing to their conservation.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Twenty DNA samples from pigs were utilized in this study, including 
14 Pampa Rocha, three Pampa Rocha–Duroc hybrids, one Large White, 
one Duroc, and one Pietrain. These samples are part of the DNA bank 
at the Academic Unit of Animal Genetics and Improvement within 
the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the University of the Republic 
(Udelar) in Montevideo, Uruguay. These animals come from a rescue 
center for the conservation of the breed.
Genotypes were determined using the end–point PCR technique, 
followed by Sanger sequencing [22]. Specic primers were designed 
using the Primer BLAST tool [23].
Amplication was performed using a Multigene II equipment (Labnet 
International, Inc. USA). TABLE I provides details of the primers used and 
the amplication conditions for the regions containing both variants.
The amplification results were analyzed using agarose gel 
electrophoresis (1% agarose gel stained with Goodview Nucleic Acid 
Stain) in 1× TBE buffer. Electrophoresis was conducted using an HU13 
MIDI Horizontal Gel electrophoresis system (Scie–plas, Great Britain) 
and a POWER PAC 3000 power supply (Bio–Rad, USA). The resulting 
bands were visualized under UV light using a BIOSENS SC805–BIOTOP 
instrument (Shanghai Bio–Tech Co. Ltd. China). Amplicon sequencing 
was performed in a sequencer ABI 3500 (Thermosher, USA) by the 
company Genexa (Montevideo, Uruguay). Sequence analysis and 
determination of genotypes for the studied variants were carried 
out through alignment using the BioEdit program [24]. Reference 
sequences for porcine GBP1 and GBP5 genes were retrieved from the 
Ensembl database (ensembl.org). Allelic and genotypic frequencies, as 
well as the calculation of Fis values according to Weir and Cockerham 
[25], were determined using the GENETIX V 4.05 program [26]. The 
Hardy–Weinberg exact test was performed for each locus using the 
Genepop version 4.7.5 web tool [27, 28]. Finally, linkage disequilibrium 
between the variants was determined according to Black and Krafsur 
[29] in the GENETIX V 4.05 program [26].