Transferrin gene profiling from various species and strains of tilapia in Indonesia

Tilapia (Oreochromis sp.) is a group of fish that have the ability to live in waters that have a wide range of salinity values. Tilapia generally live in fresh waters in Indonesia. However, previous studies have shown that tilapia are able to live in brackish waters with a salinity value of 35 ppt. One of the factors that affect the tolerance ability is transferrin gene expression. There are several species of tilapia which cultivated in Indonesia, such as Oreochromis niloticus, Oreochromis aureus, and Oreochromis mossambicus. Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) also has several strains, such as GESIT, Red Nifi, Selfam, BEST, Chitra Lada, Umbulan, Putih, Nirwana, Limboto, and JICA. Transferrin gene profile from those species and variants of tilapia were not been identified. This study aims to identify transferrin gene profile from various species and strains of tilapia in Indonesia. The study was conducted using three species of tilapia and ten variants of nile tilapia. DNA samples were obtained from the caudal fin, which were extracted using Phenol Chloroform and Isoamyl Alcholol (PCI) methods. DNA samples were amplified, and then transferrin gene amplification was visualized using electrophoresis and then was sequenced. The result of this study show profile of transferrin gene from various species and variants of tilapia. The polymorphisms of the transferrin gene profile were also identified and were analyzed. The transferrin gene profile from those species and variants of tilapia will be useful for further research to develop molecular marker for transferrin gene in Indonesian tilapia.