FHF-2 in the Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo)

A cDNA clone homologous to the fibroblast growth factor homologous factor (FHF-2) was isolated and sequenced from the turkey (Meleagris gallopavo). The DNA sequence of the turkey was almost identical to that of the chicken (99% similarity) differing at only 8 of 770 nucleotides in the coding region resulting in a single amino acid difference between these poultry species. The 3'UTR of the turkey FHF-2 gene was 445 nucleotides in length and included an imperfect CT microsatellite (ms) repeat. The sequence of the 3'UTR was amplified from genomic DNA of the chicken and found to be highly conserved differing at only three nucleotides when compared to the turkey. Length of the CT repeat was indifferent in a sample of 52 turkeys (monomorphic) however, the number of CT repeats was greater in the turkey than in the chicken. No inter-individual polymorphism was detected in multiple sequences of the 3'UTR of the FHF-2 gene in the turkey. Based on comparison of the turkey and chicken sequences, the mutation. rate for coding and associated non-coding (3'UTR) regions of FHF-2 are approximately equal.