Nramp1 is essential for the innate response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from Gram-negative bacteria. Common mutations in Nramp1 have been associated with several human and mice disease-related phenotypes. As the pig industry faces a unique array of related pathogens, it is anticipated that the genotype of swine Nramp1 could be relevant for future strategies aimed at improving genetic resistance to infectious diseases. We investigated the promoter of Nramp1 in details. Several putative binding sites described in the human and murine promoter of Nramp1 genes have also been identified in the 5'flanking region of poNramp1.

Additionnally, we describe an inventory of naturally occurring variation in a portion of the porcine Nramp1 promoter segregating in a panel of 23 animals belonging to commercial and autochtonous breeds. Variants were tested in vitro for a possible role in changing the promoter's activity in response to LPS after cloning in pGL3-prom vector, cell transfection, and a dual-luciferase reporter assay protocol. At least two of the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were associated with quantitative differences in promoter activity