Chronological Expression of PITX2 and SIX1 Genes and the Association between Their Polymorphisms and Chicken Meat Quality Traits

Abstract

Meat quality is closely related to the development of skeletal muscle, in which PITX2 and SIX1 genes play important regulatory roles. The present study firstly provided the data of chronological expression files of PITX2 and SIX1 genes in the post-hatching pectoral muscle and analyzed the association of their polymorphisms with the meat quality traits of Wuliang Mountain Black-bone (WLMB) chickens. The results showed that both PITX2 and SIX1 genes were weakly expressed in the second and third weeks, and then increased significantly from the third week to the fourth week. Furthermore, there was a significant positive correlation between the expression levels of the two genes. Twelve and one SNPs were detected in the chicken PITX2 and SIX1 genes, respectively, of which four SNPs (g.9830C > T, g.10073C > T, g.13335G > A, g.13726A > G) of the PITX2 gene and one SNP (g.564G > A) of the SIX1 gene were significantly associated with chicken meat quality traits. For the PITX2 gene, chickens with the CT genotype of g.9830C > T showed the highest meat color L*, shear force (SF), pH, and the lowest electrical conductivity (EC), and drip loss (DL) (p < 0.05 or p < 0.01); chickens with the CC genotype of g.10073C > T had the lowest L*, pH, and the highest DL (p < 0.01). For the SIX1 gene, chickens with the GG genotype of g.564G > A had the highest (p < 0.05) SF and pH. Furthermore, pH had a significant correlation with all the other meat quality traits. The current study could contribute to the research of regulatory mechanisms of meat quality and lay the foundation for improving meat quality based on marker-assisted selection in chickens.

Association of Novel C319T Variant of PITX2 Gene 3’UTR Region With Reproductive Performance in Awassi Sheep

“… 20 Recently, 4 SNPs (g.9830C > T, g.13335G > A, g.10073 C > T, g.13726A > G) of the PITX2 gene showed significant association with chicken meat quality. 13 However, the literature about PITX2 variation in Awassi sheep is rare.…”

“… 11 PITX2 , also known as RIEG , influences hematopoiesis, differentiation, and organogenesis. 12 , 13 PITX2 expression results in the expression of all genes in our asymmetry marker panel, including ERα , which may contribute to sexual differentiation. Paired-like homeodomain transcription factor 2 also controls the bone morphogenetic protein 7 (BMP7) gene, which is present in the left gonad at the beginning of its development.…”

G0S2 Gene Polymorphism and Its Relationship with Carcass Traits in Chicken

“…g.102G > A was significantly associated with shank diameter at 63 days. g.197G > A was significantly associated with shank diameter at 49 days, the crude protein content of leg muscle, and other traits [ 23 ]. The two sites, g.102G > A and g.255G > A, are the same as the coding region in this study.…”

Transcriptome analysis reveals the differentially expressed genes associated with growth in Guangxi Partridge chickens

“…Paired-like homeodomain transcription factor 2 (PITX2) and paired-like homeodomain transcription factor 1 (PITX1) are important transcription factors, which were highly expressed in skeletal muscle and modulate skeletal muscle development and organ morphogenesis [42][43][44]. Multiple studies have shown that PITX2 was correlated signi cantly with the growth traits and meat quality of chickens, pigs, cattle, sheep, and other animals [44][45][46][47][48][49][50]. Mice with overexpressed PITX1 exhibited decreased body weight, muscle mass, muscle strength, and atrophic muscle bers [51].…”