Expression of The Transient Receptor Potential Channel 4 (TRPC4) Gene in Goats Naturally Exposed to Haemonchus contortus Infection

Expulsion of gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) requires gut contractions and glycoprotein hyper-secretion for detachment from the gut wall. The Transient receptor potential cation channels (TRPC) facilitates contraction of smooth muscle. A mutation in the TRPC4 of mice significantly reduces contraction and motility of the intestine. Thus far, the correlation between TRPC4 and GIN infection has not been evaluated in goats or any other species. This study evaluated gene expression of TRPC4 in Haemonchus contortus exposed resistant goats. Goats that were naturally susceptible and resistant to Haemonchus contortus were sacrificed and intestinal tissues collected. From conserved regions of human, mouse, rat, and bovine TRPC4 gene alignments, oligonucleotide primers were generated using CLC Main Workbench bioinformatics software. The RT-PCR and quantitative real time pcr were performed using total RNA extracted from intestinal tissues. The expected 388bp cDNA product was amplified and sequenced. The goat TRPC4 showed 88 and 87% homology to rat and mouse and 98%, 92%, 91% and 90% homology to the bovine, horse, pig and human TRPC4 genes, respectively. The TRPC4 expression increased (P<0.05) in naturally susceptible goats. There were breed and gender effects (P<0.05) on TRPC4 expression. A strong (P<0.05) correlation was evident when the variables TRPC4 gene expression, clinical anemia, and parasite load were compared in goats. These data indicate that TRPC4 may aid in elucidation of the mechanism of action of the TRPC genes involved in gastrointestinal contraction and motility and their link to GIN infection.