MSTN gene polymorphism in livestock animals

Abstract

Myostatin, also known as GDF8 (growth differentiation factor 8), belongs to one of the biggest groups of proteins, called transforming growth factors (TGF-β). The protein regulates embryonic development and maintains homeostasis of full-grown individuals. When the process of maturation is over, GDF8 becomes a negative regulator of skeletal muscle growth. The physiological role of myostatin is to prevent overgrowth of muscle tissue in various stages of organism development. It also inhibits the regeneration of skeletal muscles by weakening activation and proliferation of satellite cells and the migration of macrophages and myoblasts to the site of injury. Several mutations within the sequence of MSTN have been described; they may affect the activity of the protein in the tissues, and hence the level of the functional characteristics of the animals, which determine the value of breeding animals. Understanding the impact of individual mutations in the gene encoding the protein is particularly important in relation to production traits of livestock.

Analysis of polymorphisms in the equine MSTN gene in Polish populations of horse breeds

“…It has been demonstrated that increased levels of myostatin is due to upregulation of the muscle-specific E3 ligases, Atrogin-1 and muscle ring finger protein 1 (MuRF1) through Smad 3 mediated up regulation of Atrogin-1 and forkhead box O1 (Lokireddy et al, 2011). Genetics variants in MSTN gene among different species influenced many economically important traits (Stefaniuk et al, 2014b). Numerous studies performed on horses have shown that mutations in MSTN gene locus are associated with racing phenotypes influencing racing performance in Thoroughbred horses (Hill et al, 2010b), muscle fiber proportions (Petersen et al, 2013) and morphological traits in heavy horses (Dall'Olio et al, 2012).…”

Polymorphism of the Myostatin (MSTN) Gene in Landes and Kielecka Geese Breeds

“…In the case of poultry, mutations in the MSTN gene were identified in chickens selected for meatiness (3556T>C; 3581T>A) and egg-laying performance (3360T>C; 3412A>G; 3533A>G; 3624A>T; 3656A>G) [32]. Zhang et al [33] suggested that the mutation G2283A, detected in MSTN exon 1, has the potential as a genetic marker for body weight traits in the Bian chicken.…”

Identification of c.*1232g>a polymorphism in the MSTN gene in meat sheep breeds in Poland

“…However, the effects caused by the loss of myostatin function are not as drastic as changes occurring in some cattle breeds [Kijas et al 2007]. The high polymorphism of the MSTN gene is proved by 28 polymorphisms that have already been described in sheep [Stefaniuk et al 2014].…”

“…Myostatin is encoded by the MSTN gene , growth differentiation factor 8 (GDF-8), which belongs to the family of transforming growth factors-β. After completion of the maturation process, myostatin acts as a negative regulator of skeletal muscle growth in transverse striated muscle [Stefaniuk et al 2014]. The decrease in myostatin level as well as the inhibition of its activity significantly increases body weight and accelerates growth of muscle tissue [Dominique and Gérard 2006].…”