Table 4 Selected candidate genes for mastitis resistance

CTLA4

Cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4

2: 204,777,523–204,784,522

Inhibitory receptor acting as a major negative regulator of T-cell responses [66].

ICOS

Inducible T-cell co-stimulator

2: 204,851,429–204,873,693

Enhances all basic T-cell responses to a foreign antigen, namely proliferation, lymphokine secretion, the upregulation of molecules that mediate cell-cell interactions, and antibody secretion by B-cells [67].

IDH1

Isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (NADP+), Soluble

2:209,236,699–209,259,307

Isocitrate dehydrogenases catalyse the oxidative decarboxylation of isocitrate to 2-oxoglutarate; IDH1 also indirectly participates in mitigating oxidative damage and in the regulation of glucose-induced insulin secretion [68].

SOCS2

Suppressor of cytokine signalling 2

3:129,720,516–129,722,508

A member of the suppressor of cytokine signalling (SOCS) family. SOCS family members are cytokine-inducible negative regulators of cytokine receptor signalling via the Janus kinase/signal transducer and activation of transcription pathway (the JAK/STAT pathway) [69]. The protein encoded by this gene interacts with the cytoplasmic domain of insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF1R) and is thought to be involved in the regulation of IGF1R mediated cell signalling [70].

PLXNC1

Plexin C1

3:130,271,380–130,424,374

This gene encodes a member of the plexin family. Plexins are transmembrane receptors for semaphorins, a large family of proteins that regulate axon guidance, cell motility and migration, and the immune response [71].

CHD1

Chromodomain-helicase-DNA-binding protein 1

5:95,366,866–95,559,633

This gene encodes a protein that has been implicated in the regulation of transcription [72].

C6

Complement component 6

16:33,267,815–33,338,265

Constituents of the membrane attack complex, which plays a key role in the innate and adaptive immune response by forming pores in the plasma membrane of target cells [73].

C7

Complement component 7

16:33,481,056–33,542,035

C9

Complement component 9

16:35,014,734–35,075,088

PTGER4

Prostaglandin E receptor 4

16:33,690,480–33,707,155

This receptor can activate T-cell factor signalling, mediate PGE2 induced expression of early growth response 1 (EGR1), regulate the level and stability of cyclooxygenase-2 mRNA, and lead to the phosphorylation of glycogen synthase kinase-3 [74].

DAB2

Dab, mitogen-responsive phosphoprotein, homolog 2

16:34,976,596–34,998,498

Adapter protein that functions as a clathrin-associated sorting protein, required for the clathrin-mediated endocytosis of selected cargo proteins. Mediates the activation of transforming growth factor beta (TFG-beta)-stimulated c-Jun N-terminal kinases. May inhibit the canonical Wnt/beta-catenin signalling pathway. Plays a role in the colony stimulating factor 1 (CSF-1) signal transduction pathway. May also act as a tumour suppressor [75,76,77].

FYB

FYN-binding protein

16:35,170,143–35,269,324

The protein encoded by this gene is an adapter for the FYN protein and lymphocyte cytosolic protein 2 signalling cascades in T-cells. The encoded protein is involved in platelet activation and controls the expression of interleukin-2; it may also play a role in linking T-cell signalling to remodelling of the actin cytoskeleton [78].

OSMR

Oncostatin M receptor

16:35,426,282–35,474,718

Oncostatin M is a secreted cytokine involved in homeostasis and in diseases involving chronic inflammation. It is a member of the gp130 family of cytokines that have pleiotropic functions in differentiation and cell proliferation, as well as being involved in hematopoietic, immunologic, and inflammatory networks [79].

CARD6

Caspase Recruitment Domain

16:33,567,396–33,580,406

CARD6 encodes a microtubule-associated protein that has been shown to interact with receptor-interacting protein kinases and to positively modulate signal transduction pathways converging on activation of the inducible transcription factor nuclear factor kB (NF-kB). It has a role in facilitating apoptosis [80, 81].