Plant & Animal Genomes XV Conference

January 13-17, 2007
Town & Country Convention Center
San Diego, CA

Discovering Genes Associated With Whirling Disease Resistance Using Microarray Analysis

Melinda R. Baerwald , Ronald P. Hedrick , Bernie May

  University of California, Davis One Shields Ave Davis, CA 95616 USA

The pathogen causing whirling disease in salmonids, Myxobolus cerebralis, is persistent and spreading in hatcheries and natural waters of the western USA. While a limited degree of resistance has been found in a few of the US rainbow trout strains, most of the native strains are extremely susceptible and have a high percentage of post-infection mortality. A European hatchery strain (Hofer) has evolved a high degree of resistance and was imported to the USA for selective breeding and experimental studies. In an effort to better understand the immune response of rainbow trout combating this disease, microarray analysis was used to examine global gene expression differences between resistant and susceptible rainbow trout strains in response to whirling disease infection. Specifically, we examined gene expression patterns in both blood and skin tissues using three microarray platforms from University of Victoria (GRASP 16k array), Oregon State University, and Michigan State University. We have discovered several candidate genes that may provide insight into the genetic factors underlying resistance of rainbow trout to whirling disease.