Genetic variation, association analysis, and expression pattern of SMAD3 gene in Chinese cattle

Abstract

SMAD3, a member of SMAD transcription factors, plays a key role in transforming growth factorbeta (TGF-β) signalling pathway and regulation of muscle growth. However, there was no strong evidence of association between SMAD3 polymorphisms and body traits in animals. In this study, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in SMAD3 gene were detected in four Chinese cattle breeds (Qinchuan, Jiaxian, Nanyang, and Caoyuan) by using DNA pool sequencing and PCR-RFLP, and their effects on gene expression and growth traits were evaluated in Qinchuan cattle. The results showed that four novel SNPs (NC_007308.5 c.-2017A>G, g.101664C>G, g.105829A>G, and g.114523A>G) in promoter, intron 3, and intron 5 were found in four cattle breeds. NC_007308.5 c.-2017A>G and g.114523A>G were significantly (P < 0.05) associated with SMAD3 gene expression. Furthermore, the four SNPs were strikingly (P < 0.05) associated with rump length, chest girth, and body weight in two-year-old Qinchuan cattle. Our results provided the evidence that SNPs in SMAD3 were associated with cattle traits, which showed the possibility that the four SNPs could be novel molecular markers for beef cattle breeding and genetics.

Associations between gene polymorphisms, breeding values, and glucose tolerance test parameters in German Holstein sires

“…The sires with the AA/AA genotype (AA coding for lysine) had high EBVs for fat percentage and Therefore, the EBV for protein yield was higher in sires with GC/GC genotype due to their high EBV for milk yield. DGAT1 is considered to be one of the most important major genes influencing fat percentage, but also other genes are in focus in which significant effects have been found (Pasandideh et al 2015;Shi et al 2016). In this paper, the impact of other polymorphisms on the breeding values was non-significant (P > 0.05) in most cases except for GHR polymorphism and milk fat yield, and OLR1 polymorphism and protein yield (P < 0.05).…”

Identification and Expression Characterization of the Smad3 Gene and SNPs Associated with Growth Traits in the Hard Clam (Meretrix meretrix)

“…However, there are few reports on the relationship between SNPs of Smad3 and growth traits. In mammals, the SNP of Smad3 has previously been identified as a candidate growth-related gene in chicken and cattle [7]. In shellfish, a growth-related SNP site was found in the exon region of Smad3 in A. farreri, and the growth traits of GG individuals were significantly higher than those of GT individuals [18].…”

“…Smad3, one of R-Smads, is an important intracellular signaling effector for the TGF/activin signaling pathway. It has been identified and characterized in a wide range of species ranging from worms to mammals [4][5][6][7][8], and plays a critical role in cell proliferation and differentiation [9], embryonic development [10], tissue homeostasis and growth, fibrosis [11], bone formation [12] and rebuilding [13], disease treatment [14,15], and wound healing [16] in vertebrates. Smad3 has been identified and analyzed in the pearl oyster Pinctada fucata [17], chlamys Azumapecten farreri [18], and blood clam Tegillarca granosa [19], showing that Smad3 has the highest expression level in the mantle.…”