Role of NUMTs (Nuclear mitochondrial DNA) genes in affecting disease resistance in duck against Pasteurellosis

Abstract Ducks are mostly resistant to common avian diseases, but frequent occurrence of duck pasteurellosis, commonly kown as Duck Cholera, caused by Pasteurella multocida may cause a loss. In our earlier studies, we have identified certain immune response genes of nuclear origin as well as mitochondrial genes in duck, conferring resistance against duck cholera. In our current study, we have detected certain NUMT (Nuclear mitochondrial) genes in duck with certain role in disease resistance in case of duck cholera. NUMT genes are basically nuclear genes, but they act through mitochondria. Identified NUMT genes (Thymidine phosphorylase/ endothelial cell growth factor1 gene, TFAM Transcription factor A, mitochondrial, TK2 Thymidine kinase 2) were characterized and certain important domains were identified. Differential mRNA expression profiling revealed upregulation of the genes in healthy ducks compared to that of infected ducks. Exploitation of the identified genes may lead to development of ducks resistant to duck Cholera.