Identification of Gene Diversity of Melanocortin-4 Receptor and its Relationship with the Birth and Body Size of Beef Cattle

Abstract

Melanocortin-4 Receptor (MC4R) expressed in hypothalamus which is part of the brain that are involved in regulation of appetite, metabolism and bodyweight. This study aimed to identify the MC4R gene diversity in the second cross generation of Belgian Blue, Wagyu, and Brahman crossbred and its relationship with the body weight and size birth. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and DNA sequencing were used to identify Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP). The result of this study showed that MC4R genes was polymorphic with one SNP at 1133 C>G and included missense mutation. SNP 1133 C>G has two of allels C and G with three genotypes. Test of Hardy Weinberg equilibrium showed that the population of cattle was in equilibrium. The heterozigosity values showed that the population of cattle had a low diversity of genetics. The result of association showed that SNP 1133 C>G in MC4R Genes was not able to indicate the difference between the weight, body length, heart girth and wither’s height at birth. Based on this study, it can be concluded that the polymorphism of MC4R genes can only be used to distinguish cattle genotypes but cannot be used as the selection tools for body weight and size birth.
 Keywords: Crossbreed beef cattle, Diversity, Heterozigosity, MC4R gene, SNP.