Influence of single nucleotide polymorphisms in the myostatin and myogenic factor 5 muscle growth-related genes on the performance traits of Marchigiana beef cattle1

Abstract

The Marchigiana is famous for its large body size and favorable dressing percentage. A myostatin (MSTN) gene mutation (a G to T transversion) was identified in the breed. The homozygote "GG" yields a "normal" phenotype, the homozygote "TT" yields a double muscled body shape but sometimes causes survival problems, and the heterozygote genotype produces an extremely muscled body without defects. In practice, Marchigiana "TT" homozygotes are culled from reproduction, but the heterozygotes are chosen as sires. The objective of this study was to assess genes involved in Marchigiana muscle development to improve selection procedures. The effects of the MSTN and myogenic factor 5 (MYF5) genes on the growth and muscle traits in the Marchigiana breed were assessed. The effects of MSTN together with the genotype of the causative mutation (g.874G > T) and the effects of the two SNP in the promoter were studied (g.-371T > A and g.-805G > C). The SNP effects were evaluated in a comparison between the means of the several genotypes or for the average gene substitution and dominance effect. Two hundred forty-nine bullocks were evaluated using a performance test. At the beginning and end of the trial, the animals were weighed and their bodies were measured every 21 d up to 12 mo of age. In addition to these observations, morphological scores and the BLUP indices were estimated at the end of the performance test. The obtained results suggested that the MSTN g.874G > T and MYF5 SNP could be considered in the selection program of the Marchigiana breed. A MSTN g.874G > T genotyping service for the breeders could help to avoid the "TT" genotype and to select for the "GT" genotype. The "AA" MYF5 SNP genotype could also be selected for even if good muscle development yields a certain size reduction.

Themyostatingene: an overview of mechanisms of action and its relevance to livestock animals

“…Additionally, two different SNPs have been found in the promoter region—g.–371T>A and g.–805G>C (genomic numbering relative to the ATG start codon)—although Sarti et al . () reported that these substitutions may not be useful for consideration in selection criteria, because there is no correlation with productive traits or due to their homozygous genotype.…”

Polymorphism of Myostatin (MSTN) Promoter Gene and its Association with Growth and Muscling Traits in Bali Cattle

“…The lack of association between the SNPs in MSTN gene and growth traits was also found in Hanwoo cattle (Han et al, 2012). Furthermore, association of MSTN promoter gene showed no significant effect on morphological measurement as performed by Sarti et al (2014).…”

“…Mutation in MSTN gene in cattle showed different characteristics such as increasing of birth weight, higher muscling, faster growing, hyperplasia and hypertrophy in muscle (Kambadur et al, 2004). Previous research has identified MSTN gene in cattle intensively such as in Hanwoo cattle (Han et al, 2012), Qinchuan cattle (Zhang et al, 2007), Nellore cattle (Grisolia et al, 2009), Angus cattle (Gill et al, 2009), and Marchigiana cattle (Sarti et al, 2014).…”

Expression and variation of Myf5 and MyoD1 genes in different tissues of Wuzhishan pigs

“…The effects of Myf5 and MyoD1 play key roles in muscle formation. Studies of the genes were focused on the molecular structure (Guo et al, 2009), polymorphisms (Wu et al, 2013), pathology (Blum and Dynlacht, 2013), and the mechanisms or embryonic stages that associated with the expression levels in different breeds (Sarti et al, 2014). Lefaucheur and Ecolan (2005) found that in the first 75 days following birth, the total amount of skeletal muscle fiber is far less in Meishan pigs than in Large White pigs.…”