Identification and genetic effect of haplotypes in the promoter region of porcine myostatin gene

Abstract

Myostatin plays a pivotal role in controlling skeletal muscle mass in mammals. Polymorphisms in its promoter region likely impact on transcription and production traits. In this study, haplotypes involving three polymorphic sites in the promoter region of the porcine myostatin gene, namely at sites 435, 447 and 879, were identified and their effect on production traits, gene expression as well as on skeletal muscle traits were analysed. Four haplotypes were revealed and the linkage disequilibrium and evolutionary relationship were assessed. The results revealed that haplotypes A, B and C are predominant in Yorkshire and Landrace, Duroc and two Chinese indigenous pig breeds (Laiwu and Dapulian) respectively. The genotypes are associated with body weight on day 21 (BW21), average daily gain from birth to day 21 (ADG1) and average daily gain from day 21 to day 70 (ADG2) (P < 0.05) in Duroc pigs. The activity of haplotype A (pGL3-A) is significantly higher than other constructs in driving reporter gene transcription (P < 0.01). As compared with CC animals, the myostatin mRNA level in BC animals is relatively lower in both semimembranosus (SM) and semitendinosus (ST) skeletal muscles, and the difference was significant in the SM muscle (P < 0.01). Moreover, the mRNA levels of MyHCI, MyHCIIa, MyHCIIb and MyHCIIx and the muscle fibre diameter and density were also compared between BC and CC animals.

Polymorphisms in the promoter region ofmyostatingene are associated with carcass traits in pigs

“…; Liu et al . ) demonstrated that these two SNPs in Duroc, Yorkshire, Landrace were in linkage disequilibrium (p < 0.05) as measured by chi‐squared tests. Our previous results shown that MSTN 435AA/447AG, 435GA/447AA and 435AA/447AA appeared in Duroc (Tu et al .…”

“…; Liu et al . ); Chinese Meishan pigs have no linkage disequilibrium in these two SNPs. Meishan pigs were all fixed as AA homozygotes for both the MSTN g.435G>A and g.447A>G mutations (Tu et al .…”

Promoter polymorphisms in genes involved in porcine myogenesis influence their transcriptional activity

“…Stinckens et al [24] reported a very high allele frequency of A447G in the Pietrain pig breed, for the SNP located at site 447 (A447G); while SNPs G435A and T879A were found to be associated with early growth traits in Duroc pigs and strong linkage disequilibrium exists between them [24]. Liu et al [34] analysed the associations of this haplotype with birth weight and early growth. A favourable effect on body weight was found for the allele carrying G 435 -A 447 -T 879 [34].…”

“…Liu et al [34] analysed the associations of this haplotype with birth weight and early growth. A favourable effect on body weight was found for the allele carrying G 435 -A 447 -T 879 [34]. The expression of porcine myostatin gene was investigated by qRT-PCR [25,26] and by functional activity of reporter gene [34].…”

“…A favourable effect on body weight was found for the allele carrying G 435 -A 447 -T 879 [34]. The expression of porcine myostatin gene was investigated by qRT-PCR [25,26] and by functional activity of reporter gene [34]. Liu and collaborators found a favourable effect on body weight to work of the allele carrying A 447 , and that the myostatin expression was different between breeds.…”