朊蛋白(Prion protein, PrP)是近年来被确认的引起人畜共患病的新型病原体, 也是目前证明的具有自我复制和传播能力的蛋白质。PrP在多种动物体内表达并具有重要生理作用, 其空间结构改变被认为是可传播性海绵状脑病(Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies, TSEs)的根源, 研究发现朊蛋白编码基因(PRNP)遗传多样性与绵羊对瘙痒病的抗病性具有显著相关性。文章主要介绍了绵羊PRNP遗传多样性与痒病抗病性的关系以及PRNP遗传多样性对繁殖力和其他主要生产性能的影响等方面的研究成果, 旨在为绵羊抗病育种研究提供理论参考。

Prion protein (PrP) is a pathogeny identified in recent years, which infects both mankind and other mammals. It has been proved that PrP is a sole protein able to duplicate and propagate with itself. PrP can express in many tissues and has important physiological functions in many species of animals. The conformation change of PrP is the origin of trans-missible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs). It has been proved that the sheep genetic diversity of prion protein gene (PRNP) is significantly associated with the resistance to scrapie. In this review, the evidence of association between poly-morphisms of PRNP and resistance or susceptibility to scrapie and its effects on reproduction and performance traits were focused. The aim is to provide theory guidance for sheep breeding resistant to disease.