Comparison of the effects explained by variations in the bovine PLAG1 and NCAPG genes on daily body weight gain, linear skeletal measurements and carcass traits in Japanese Black steers from a progeny testing program

Abstract

The c.1326T>G single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the NCAPG gene, which leads to an amino acid change of Ile442 to Met442, was previously identified as a candidate causative variation for a bovine carcass weight quantitative trait loci (QTL) on chromosome 6, which was associated with linear skeletal measurement gains and daily body weight gain at puberty. Recently, we identified the stature quantitative trait nucleotides (QTNs) in the PLAG1-CHCHD7 intergenic region as the causative variations for another carcass weight QTL on chromosome 14. This study aimed to compare the effects of the two QTL on growth and carcass traits using 768 Japanese Black steers from a progeny testing program and to determine whether a genetic interaction was present between them. The FJX_250879 SNP representing the stature QTL was associated with linear skeletal measurements and average daily body weight gain at early and late periods during adolescence. A genetic interaction between FJX_250879 and NCAPG c.1326T>G was detected only for body and rump lengths. Both were associated with increased carcass weight and Longissimus muscle area, and NCAPG c.1326T>G was also associated with reduced subcutaneous fat thickness and increased carcass yield estimate. These results will provide useful information to improve carcass weight in Japanese Black cattle.

Allele Frequency Distribution of the <i>NCAPG c</i>.1326<i>T</i>><i>G</i> SNP Associated with Growth-Related Traits in Niigata Population of Japanese Black Beef Cattle

“…These results of CWT and REA were consistent with data obtained in previous study in the Kagoshima prefecture population [7], and thus confirmed that the NCAPGc. 1326T>G SNP is a causative variation for bovine CWT [2].…”

“…The observed and expected heterozygosity values at the SNP conformed to the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium in the Niigata prefecture population. Statistically significant difference was detected between the allele frequencies obtained in the half-sib progeny steers in the Niigata prefecture population and obtained in Japanese Black cattle population of the Kagoshima prefecture [7]. The frequency of the favorable G allele of the c.1326T>G SNP in the Niigata prefecture population was lower than that of the Kagoshima prefecture population.…”

“…The frequency of the favorable G allele of the c.1326T>G SNP in the Niigata prefecture population was lower than that of the Kagoshima prefecture population. However, no statistically significant difference was detected between the allele frequencies estimated by maternal alleles in the half-sib progeny steers in the Niigata prefecture population and obtained in Japanese Black cattle population of the Kagoshima prefecture [7] (data not shown).…”

“…Statistical comparisons between the allele frequencies at the SNP in the half-sib progeny steers or estimated by maternal alleles in the progeny steers in the Niigata prefecture population and the previous date obtained in Japanese Black cattle population of the Kagoshima prefecture [7] were also performed by chi-square test. The effect of genotypes at the SNP on the predicted breeding values for the BMS, SFT, CWT, REA, RT and YE was analyzed with the model that included the SNP genotype as the fixed effect and the sire as the random effect.…”

“…The NCAPG c.1326T>G variation is present in various bovine breeds and has linkage or association with birth weight [3] [4], and withers height and body weight at adolescence [4]- [6]. Recently, Hoshiba et al [7] showed that the c.1326T>G SNP was associated with CWT and rib eye area (REA), subcutaneous fat thickness (SFT) and carcass yield estimate (YE) in Japanese Black beef cattle population in the Kagoshima prefecture, with the G allele of the SNP being associated with a high level of the CWT, REA and YE, and a low level of the SFT.…”