The effect of mutation at M307 in FUT1 gene on susceptibility of Escherichia coli F18 and gene expression in Sutai piglets

Escherichia coli F18 (ECF18) is a common porcine enteric pathogen. The pathogenicity of ECF18 bacteria depends on the existence of ECF18 receptor in the brush border membranes of piglet’s small intestinal mucosa. Alpha (1) fucosyltransferase gene (FUT1) has been identified as the candidate gene controlling the adhesion to ECF18 receptor. The genetic variations in the position of M307 nucleotide in open reading frame of FUT1 have been proposed as a marker for selecting resistant pigs. The piglets were divided into three groups, AA, AG and GG, according to the genotypes present at M307 of FUT1. Small intestinal epithelium cells of piglets with AA, AG and GG genotypes were selected to test the adhesion capability of the wild type E.coli expressing F18ab fimbriae, the recombinant E. coli expressing F18ac fimbriae or the recombinant E. coli secreting and surface-displaying the FedF subunit of F18ab fimbriae, respectively. Here, we examined the distribution and expression of porcine FUT1 mRNA in different tissues in Sutai pigs using real-time PCR. The results showed that piglets with AA genotype show resistance, whereas piglets with GG or AG genotypes are sensitive to the pathogenic E. coli F18 in Sutai piglets. FUT1 was expressed in all the tissues that were examined, and the gene’s expression was highest in the lungs. There was no significant difference in expression level among the three genotypes in the liver, lung, stomach and duodenum, where the gene expression was relatively high. The present analysis suggested that mutation at M307 in FUT1 gene determines susceptibility of small intestinal epithelium to E. coli F18 adhesion in Sutai piglet and the expression of FUT1 gene may be regulated by other factors or the mutation was likely to be in linkage disequilibrium with some cis-regulatory variants.