Genetic Variation in Protein Structure and Phylogenetic Relationships of West African Dwarf Sheep: An Investigative Analysis

This research aimed to ascertain the secondary and tertiary protein structure variations in the CD14 gene of the West African Dwarf sheep (Ovis aries) from Cross River and Akwa Ibom States, Nigeria. The research used forty samples (20 from each state) of West African Dwarf sheep (WAD) from farms and markets in the two States. One ml of blood was collected from each sheep through jugular venipuncture for DNA extraction. The region of CD14 of African Dwarf sheep was amplified by the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) technique using specific sets of forward and reverse primers. The percentage of alpha helix in the secondary protein structure of WAD from AKS was higher than that detected in CRS. For the extended strand, the highest percentage was recorded from AKS17 (15.85%), while the lowest was from CRS14 (14.44%). Random coils had the highest percentage in the secondary protein structure and were generally similar among the selected WAD. The folding of the tertiary protein structure was generally similar among the WAD showing a close relationship in the activities of CD14 among the sheep. There was a close relationship among the WAD from Akwa Ibom and Cross River States based on CD14 gene variation.