Analysis of DNA polymorphism within Rattus argentiventer (Robinson & Kloss) population in Pinang Tunggal paddy field, Pulau Pinang

The purpose of this study is to categorise the trapped rice field rat, Rattus argentiventer in Pinang Tunggal paddy field into their respective haplotype groups and to investigate if mutation occurs in the VKORC1 gene of Rattus argentiventer that was exposed to anticoagulant rodenticide. The study also aims to determine the warfarin residue level in the liver of the rat samples. Prior to haplotype analysis, the DNA of the captured rodents was extracted and the HVR1 of mitochondrial DNA was amplified. Furthermore, Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP) analysis was used in order to investigate the mutation of VKORC1 gene. The rats’ livers were also being used to analyse the residue level of warfarin intake using the High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). The results showed that two haplotype groups among the 58 samples were detected and no mutation was found in the entire trapped rodent. The results also demonstrated that the amount of warfarin level in the liver was at 1.421 min of retention time. This is relatively low in concentration, which in turn assured that there was no mutation detected in the earlier RFLP analysis. In conclusion, low haplotype numbers and no mutation of VKORC1 gene was detected in the trapped Rattus argentiventer. Implication of this research is that it prepares as a reference for future studies on molecular profile of Rattus argentiventer in Pinang Tunggal paddy field, Pulau Pinang.