Effects of bovine SMO gene polymorphisms on the body measurement and meat quality traits of Qinchuan cattle

Abstract

ABSTRACT. Beef cattle breeding programs focus on improving important economic traits, including growth rates, and meat quantity and quality. Molecular marker-assisted selection based on genetic variation represents a potential method for breeding genetically improved livestock with better economic traits. Smoothened (SMO) protein is a signal transducer that contributes to the regulation of both osteogenesis and adipogenesis through the hedgehog pathway. In this study, we detected polymorphisms in the bovine SMO gene of Qinchuan cattle, and we analyzed their associations with body measurement traits (BMTs) and meat quality traits (MQTs). Using DNA sequencing and polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism, 3 novel single nucleotide polymorphisms were identified in the SMO gene of 562 cattle: 1 G > C mutation on exon 9 (G21234C) and 2 C > T mutations on exon 11 (C22424T and C22481T). Association analysis showed that polymorphisms on both the G21234C and C22424T loci significantly affected certain BMTs and MQTs (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), whereas those on the C22481T locus did not (P > 0.05). Therefore, the SMO gene could be used as a candidate gene to alter BMTs and MQTs in Qinchuan cattle or for marker-assisted selection to breed cattle with superior BMTs and MQTs.

Polymorphisms of FST gene and their association with wool quality traits in Chinese Merino sheep

“…This phenomenon may be explained by the three possible reasons. First, the number of specific genotypes (AG of SNP2 and CC of SNP3) was too small probable due to genetic drift [24]. Second, the economically favorable traits (such as low average wool fiber diameter) have been artificially selected and SNPs 2 and 3 as the beneficial SNPs or in linkage equilibrium with the beneficial SNPs might have been accumulated [25].…”

Structural Characterization and Association of Ovine Dickkopf-1 Gene with Wool Production and Quality Traits in Chinese Merino

“…In the present study, a total of 11 SNPs were identified in ovine DKK1 genomic region. From these 11 identified SNPs, six SNPs (SNPs2 to 5, 10, 11) were not in the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, which may be explained by the following reasons: (1) the alleles may be the predominant alleles during genetic evolution, thus being more conserved and more common than other alleles in this population [ 35 ]; (2) The number of sheep examined in each strain was not large enough that genetic drift makes a significant force [ 36 ]; (3) The alleles may be tightly linked with an advantageous allele; (4) The economically favorable traits were artificially selected [ 35 ].…”

An Investigation of Polymorphism in &lt;i&gt;SMO&lt;/i&gt; and &lt;i&gt;LMF&lt;/i&gt;1 Genes and Their Association with Body Size in White Fulani and Muturu Cattle Breeds

“…When incubated with the restriction enzyme, Sau96I, to detect the G > C mutation observed at the 21,234 bp-locus in Qinchuan cattle, the PCR product produced three banding patterns representing CC, GC, and GG ( Figure 1 and Figure 2). Commensurate with the result of [7], the CC is represented by one fragment (163 bp), GG by two fragments (64 and 99 bp), and GC by three fragments (64, 99 and 163 bp).…”

“…The two SNP-C22424T and C22481T-reported by Zhang et al [7] that caused synonymous substitution of glycine and histidine, respectively, were identified. The software allowed identification of homozygous and heterozygous genotype carriers.…”

“…The hypothesis of SMO gene polymorphism affecting economically important traits in cattle was first tested by [7]. Using PCR-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP), Zhang et al [7] detected three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) on the SMO genes of 562 Qinchuan cattle and association studies further revealed that two out of the three polymorphic sites (G21234C and C22424T) are significantly associated with body measurement and meat quality traits. In 2015, [6] also conducted a study that confirmed the hypothesis that variation in bovine SMO gene influences body size in cattle.…”