Cathepsins, growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) and leptin receptor (LEPR) genes have been receiving increasing attention as potential markers for meat quality and pig performance traits. This study investigated the allele variants in four cathepsin genes (CTSB, CTSK, CTSL, CTSS), GHRH and LEPR in pure-bred Ukrainian Large White pigs and evaluated effects of the allele variants on meat quality characteristics. The study was conducted on 72 pigs. Genotyping was performed using PCR–RFLP technique. Meat quality characteristics analysed were intramuscular fat content, tenderness, total water content, ultimate pH, crude protein and ashes. A medium level of heterozygosity values was established for GHRH and LEPR genes which corresponded to very high levels of informativeness indexes. Cathepsins CTSL, CTSB and CTSK had a low level of heterozygosity, and CTSS did not segregate in this breed. Association studies established that intramuscular fat content and tenderness were affected by the allele variance in GHRH and LEPR but not by CTSB and CTSL genes. The GHRH results could be particularly relevant for the production of lean prime cuts as the A allele is associated with both, a lower meat fat content and better tenderness values, which are two attributes highly regarded by consumers. Results of this study suggest that selective breeding towards GHRH/AA genotype would be particularly useful for improving meat quality characteristics in the production systems involving lean Large White lines, which typically have less than 2 % intramuscular fat content.

Aim: Bioinformatic analysis of mutation sets in receptor-binding domain (RBD) of currently and previously circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs) and interest (VOIs) to assess their ability to bind the ACE2 receptor. Methods: In silico sequence and structure-oriented approaches were used to evaluate the impact of single and multiple mutations. Results: Mutations detected in VOCs and VOIs led to the reduction of binding free energy of the RBD–ACE2 complex, forming additional chemical bonds with ACE2, and to an increase of RBD–ACE2 complex stability. Conclusion: Mutation sets characteristic of SARS-CoV-2 variants have complex effects on the ACE2 receptor-binding affinity associated with amino acid interactions at mutation sites, as well as on the acquisition of other viral adaptive advantages.

Aim. To determine genetic characteristics of the Mirgorod pig breed by analysis of 25 SNPs of 22 genes and to conduct the associative analysis of genes MC4R (SNP c.1426 G > A), LEP (SNP g.2845 А ˃ Т), GH (BsuRI- polymorphism), CTSF (SNP g. 22 G > C) with productive traits of animals. Methods. Blood samples of pedigree Mirgorod pigs, bred at SI «Experimental farm named after Decemberists», Poltava region, were used for the studies. DNA genotyping was performed by PCR-RFLP and TaqMan. Results. Specifi c features of the breed were determined in terms of gene allele frequencies, high level of genetic variability (He – 0.326) and allelic diversity (mean number of alleles per locus – 1.96). The KPL2/m allele that causes genetic anomaly of ISTS is absent among investigated Mirgorod pigs, and the recessive RYR1 g.1843T allele, responsible for stress sensitivity of pigs, occurs at a low frequency (0.04). Unlike other breeds, a relatively high frequency of the minor allele g.15A (0.16) of CTSK and polymorphism of the LEP gene (SNP g.3996 T > C) (He – 0.455) was observed. Statistically signifi cant associations of polymorphisms have been established: MC4R (SNP c.1426 G > A) with age of gaining 100 kg, the thickness of backfat and the Eye Muscle Area, GH/BsuRI with the age of gaining 100 kg, and CTSF (SNP g. 22G > C) with Eye Muscle Area. There was a trend of statistically signifi cant differences between groups of pigs with different genotypes of LEP (SNP g.2845 А ˃ Т) and the thickness of the backfat (p = 0.09). Conclusions. It is reasonable to carry out the restoration of the gene pool of the Mirgorod pig breed, taking into account the SNPs of the studied genes and their associations with the productive traits. It is expedient to give preference to pigs with SNP genotypes с.1426 MC4R GA, MC4R AA, g. 22 CTSF CC, g.2845 LEP TT for breed reproduction.

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