Lion (Panthera leo) and cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) IFN-γ sequences

Cloning and sequencing of the full length lion and cheetah interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) transcript will enable the expression of the recombinant cytokine, to be used for production of monoclonal antibodies and to set up lion and cheetah-specific IFN-γ ELISAs. These are relevant in blood-based diagnosis of bovine tuberculosis, an important threat to lions in the Kruger National Park. Alignment of nucleotide and amino acid sequences of lion and cheetah and that of domestic cats showed homologies of 97–100%.