Cloning and expression profiles of yak lipoprotein lipase gene

The objective of this study was to reveal the sequence characteristic and expression pattern of lipoprotein lipase (LPL) gene in high altitude yaks (Bos grunniens). A full-length cDNA of LPL was cloned from yak liver by RT-PCR. The cDNA obtained was 1591 nucleotide (nt) long with a 1437 nt open reading frame encoding 478 amino acids. Yak LPL shares 99.5% nucleotide sequence similarity and 100% amino acid sequence similarity with cattle. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis showed that yak heart and adipose tissue contained significantly higher LPL mRNA level than other tissues assayed. Yak calves contained lower level of LPL mRNA in longissimus dorsi than adult yaks (p<0.01). Besides, LPL mRNA level in longissimus dorsi was markedly lower in adult yaks that in adult cattle living at low altitude region.