DNA markers encoding the proteins LTR, P24, GP51, POL to indicate the causative agent of bovine leukemia in PCR-RT

The aim of the present work was to increase the sensitivity and specificity of the PCR method for the diagnosis of cattle leukemia. To achieve this goal, combinations of primers and probes were developed and synthesized that are specific for Bovine Leukemia Virus (BLV) overhead gene coding for p24 capsid protein, gp 51 glycoprotein, LTR long terminal repeat, pol structural protein. The analysis of the effectiveness of PCR using the developed combinations of oligonucleotide primers for PCR-Real Time is carried out. As a result of the study, it was found that all the developed combinations of primers and probes allow using the PCR-Real Time method to identify the proviral DNA of BLV in blood samples. The primers and the probe to the LTR region of the cattle leukemia virus genome were the most effective; when using them, PCR starts earlier than other oligonucleotide combinations used (p24, gp51, pol), which significantly increases the sensitivity of the method. This study is one of the stages in creating the most effective rapid test system for the accurate detection of the causative agent of leukemia in cattle farms in Russia.