Chromosomal localization and detection of DNA polymorphisms in the bovine polymeric immunoglobulin receptor gene

Polymeric immunoglobulin receptor (PIGR) mediates transcellular transport of secretory antibodies in glandular and mucosal epithelial cells. By use of a bovine‐rodent somatic cell hybrid panel the bovine PIGR locus has been assigned to syntenic group U1. Using in situ hybridization, PIGR was localized to bovine chromosome 16, segment q13, thus confirming the recent assignment of syntenic group U1 to this chromosome. Two common restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) with the enzymes Bam HI and MspI were detected using the PIGR cDNA as probe. Direct PCR sequencing of a segment in the PIGR coding region (nucleotides 162–413) from 13 bulls of Norwegian Cattle revealed single nucleotide exchanges at two positions. An efficient PCR‐RFLP method for detection of these mutations was developed.