SNPs in the porcine <Emphasis Type="Italic">PPARGC1a</Emphasis> gene: Interbreed differences and their phenotypic effects

Due to its function, the peroxisome proliferative activated receptor-γ, coactivator-1α (PPARGC1A) gene is a candidate in the search for genes that may affect production traits in the pig. The purpose of this study was to screen for new SNPs in exon 8 of the porcine PPARGC1A gene and to test their possible association with production traits. Altogether 736 pigs representing five breeds Polish Landrace, n=242; Polish Large White, n=192; Hampshire, n=27; Duroc, 21; Pietrain, n=12) and synthetic line 990 (n=242) were scanned via SSCP assay. Four SNPs were found; two new ones: C/G (His338Gln) and G/A Thr359Thr), and two previously reported ones: C/A (Arg369Arg) and T/A Cys430Ser). The missense T/A and C/G SNPs demonstrated pronounced interbreed variability in terms of allele frequencies, including the exclusive presence of the C/G substitution in the Hampshire breed. The tested SNPs occurred in five putative haplotypes, and their frequency also differed substantially between breeds. The association of the SNPs with production traits was tested for G/A (Thr359Thr), C/A (Arg369Arg) and T/A (Cys430Ser) substitutions in Polish Large White, Polish Landrace and line 990. The analysis revealed only breed-specific associations. The T/A (Cys430Ser) SNP was related to the feed conversion ratio in the Polish Large White (P=0.02), and the silent G/A and C/A substitutions were respectively associated with abdominal fat in line 990 and backfat thickness in Polish Landrace (P=0.04). The combined effects of the substitutions were estimated as haplotype effects. Three significant contrasts between haplotypes were calculated, but the observed associations were again only breed-specific.     

Molecular characterization and expression analysis of caveolin-1 in pig tissues

Members of the caveolin family played important roles during fundamental cellular processes,such as regulation of cell morphology,migration,and gene expression in muscle cells.In this study,caveolin-1 (Cav-1),one of the caveolins,was identified from longissimus dorsi muscle of Large Yorkshire pig and Chinese indigenous Lantang pig based on the results of mRNA differential display analysis.The deduced amino acids sequence of the porcine Cav-1 contained a caveolin domain,and was very conservative among different species.The Cav-1 mRNA was widely expressed in the eight tissues in this study,including heart,liver,kidney,encephalon,spleen,lung,longissimus dorsi muscle,and back fat, and the highest expression quantity was found in back fat of the two pig breeds.The expression quantity of porcine Cav-1 in back fat and longissimus dorsi muscle of Lantang pig was significantly higher than that of Large Yorkshire(P<0.01,and P<0.05,respectively).These results suggested that the Cav-1 might be a candidate gene for carcass traits,and might provide valuable information for understanding the mechanism of caveolae signaling in fat deposition by using the animal model of pig.     

Effect of age at the beginning of the free-range fattening period on growth and carcass and fat quality in Iberian pigs

This experiment was carried out to study the influence of age at the beginning of the free-range fattening period (traditional pigs, TP, age 12 months vs. young pigs, YP, age 8 months) on the performance of Iberian pigs. During 152 days prior to the fattening period, TP and YP pigs received 1.7 and 2.6 kg feed per day, respectively. During fattening, TP pigs had a higher average daily gain (p < 0.05) than YP pigs. The proportions of PUFA and n-3 fatty acids of the outer and inner layers of subcutaneous backfat were higher in TP than in YP pigs (p < 0.05), while the proportions of C16:0 and SFA in the inner layer of subcutaneous backfat were greater in YP than in TP pigs (p < 0.05). The ratio of n-6/n-3 in subcutaneous backfat was lower in TP than in YP pigs (p < 0.05). The percentage of intramuscular fat in longissimus dorsi muscle was higher in TP than in YP pigs (p < 0.05). The relationship between the percentage of intramuscular fat in longissimus dorsi muscle and average daily gain during the free-range fattening period adjusted to a quadratic function (p < 0.05). The concentration of alpha- and gamma-tocopherol in subcutaneous backfat at slaughter was significantly higher in TP than in YP pigs (p < 0.05). It is concluded that Iberian pigs that have 8 months of age at the beginning of free-range feeding have adequate commercial quality.     

Detection of novel SNPs and mapping of the fatness QTL on pig chromosome 7q1.1-1.4 region

Many QTLs for fatness traits have been mapped on pig chromosome 7q1.1-1.4 in various pig resource populations. Eight novel markers, including seven SNPs and one insertion or deletion within BTNL1, COL21A1, PPARD, GLP1R, MDFI, GNMT, ABCC10, and PLA2G7 genes, as well as two previously reported SNPs in SLC39A7 and HMGA1 genes, were genotyped in Large White and Meishan pig breeds. Except for two SNPs in HMGA1 and ABCC10 genes, allele frequencies of the other eight markers are highly significant different between Chinese indigenous Meishan breeds and Large White pig breeds. Eight polymorphic sites were then used for linkage and QTL mapping to refine the fatness QTL in a Large White × Meishan F(2) resource population. Five chromosome-wise significant QTLs were detected, of which the QTLs for leaf fat weight, backfat thickness at 6-7th rib and rump, and mean backfat thickness were narrowed to the interval between PPARD and GLP1R genes and the QTL for backfat thickness at thorax-waist between GNMT and PLA2G7 genes on SSC7p1.1-q1.4.     

巴马香猪和杜长大猪的PDK4基因的克隆及组织表达分析

为了获得广西巴马香猪和杜长大猪丙酮酸脱氢酶激酶4 (PDK4)基因编码区序列(CDS),并研究PDK4基因在广西巴马香猪和杜长大猪不同组织中的mRNA表达差异,本研究利用基因克隆技术分别从巴马香猪和杜长大猪的背最长肌组织中提取总RNA,PCR扩增出PDK4基因CDS,并进行生物信息学分析。利用实时荧光定量PCR技术检测PDK4基因在这两品种猪不同组织中m RNA的相对表达量。结果表明:本研究分别成功克隆获得巴马香猪和杜长大猪PDK4基因CDS,长度为1 224 bp,这两品种猪的PDK4基因CDS同源性为100%,与GenBank报道的普通猪、人、鼠、马、羊的同源性分别为100%、91.0%、85.5%、92.3%、93.0%。基于PDK4基因碱基同源性构建的物种系统进化树可知,巴马猪和杜长大猪遗传距离是最近的,最远的是小鼠。两品种猪PDK4氨基酸组成中亮氨酸含量较高,占总氨基酸数的10.8%,同时发现PDK4蛋白具有较强的亲水性。巴马香猪和杜长大猪PDK4蛋白的高级结构中均包含有α螺旋、无规卷曲和延伸链。实时荧光定量PCR结果显示,巴马香猪和杜长大猪的不同组织PDK4基因表达量最高的为腹脂,最低的是脾。巴马香猪背最长肌中PDK4基因表达水平极显著高于杜长大猪,而杜长大猪的皮脂、腹脂、肝、脾以及肾中PDK4基因表达水平极显著高于巴马香猪。本试验成功克隆了巴马香猪和杜长猪的PDK4基因,并且检测了该基因在两品种猪不同组织中的基因表达水平的差异,为今后深入探讨PDK4基因在地方猪种脂质代谢和脂肪沉积方面发挥的作用奠定工作基础。     

SIM1基因第8外显子的SNP对猪背膘厚的影响

采用PCR-SSCP方法检测了约克夏、杜洛克、皮特兰、长白猪、嘉兴黑猪和金华猪6个品种共169头猪的SIM1基因外显子8的SNP及其基因型频率。结果共发现CC、CT、TT 3种基因型, 其基因型频率在国内外猪品种之间具有较大差异。其中, 国内猪种嘉兴黑猪和金华猪只存在TT基因型, 而国外猪种约克夏、杜洛克、皮特兰、长白猪则都存在3种基因型。用最小二乘法分析SNP对长白猪、约克夏猪和杜洛克猪的背膘厚的效应的结果表明, 纯合基因型个体的背膘厚大于杂合基因型个体。SIM1基因型对国外猪种背膘厚有显著效应(P< 0.05), 并且不同部位效应不同。     

Association of 3 polymorphisms in porcine troponin I genes (TNNI1 andTNNI2) with meat quality traits

The contractile protein troponin I (TnI), a constituent protein of the troponin complex located on the thin filaments of striated muscle, is involved in inhibition of calcium-induced myosin AT Pase activity (and thus contraction). TnI-slow (slow-twitch skeletal muscle isoform, named TNNI1) and TnI-fast (fast-twitch skeletal muscle isoform, named TNNI2) are muscle-fiber-type-specific proteins, and expression of their genes may affect the composition of muscle fiber, thereby influencing the meat quality traits. Thus, the TnI genes are potential candidate genes for traits related to meat quality in animals. Association of 2 SNPs (EU743939:g.5174T>C in intron 4, and EU743939:g.8350C>A in intron 7) of theTNNI1 gene and a SNP (EU696779:g.1167C>T in intron 3) of theTNNI2 gene with 11 meat quality traits were studied on 334 Large White × Meishan F₂ pigs. In theTNNI1 gene, g.5174T>C and g.8350C>A were found to be significantly associated with intramuscular fat content and meat color value of biceps femoris. The g.5174T>C also showed significant effects on meat color value and marbling score of longissimus dorsi, as well as pH of longissimus dorsi and semispinalis capitis. The g.1167C>T polymorphism in theTNNI2 gene affected significantly the pH of longissimus dorsi, meat color value of longissimus dorsi and semispinalis capitis, marbling score of longissimus dorsi, and intramuscular fat.     

Genetic polymorphisms and preliminary association analysis with production traits of the porcine <Emphasis Type="Italic">SLC27A4</Emphasis> gene

Solute carrier family 27 (fatty acid transporter), member 4 (SLC27A4) is a fatty acyl-CoA synthetase producing very long chain fatty acid-CoA for lipid metabolic pathways, suggesting that the SLC27A4 gene is a potential candidate gene for traits related to fat deposition in animals. This study was conducted to sequence the genomic region from exon 6 to 12 of porcine SLC27A4 and detect polymorphisms by comparative sequencing. In silico mapping assigned SLC27A4 gene between gene COQ4 (coenzyme Q4 homolog) and URM1 (ubiquitin related modifier 1 homolog) on pig chromosome 1q24-q2.12 where significant QTL affecting backfat depth had previously been identified. Thirty six putative sites of variation were detected, of which 31 polymorphisms including 28 SNPs and 3 indels were located in the intronic region, and 5 in the exonic regions. The g.1777G>A (EU703769) in intron 8 was confirmed by PCR-RFLP using HpaII restriction enzyme and further genotyped in four Chinese native pig breeds (Meishan, Erhualian, Tongcheng and Qingping) and three western meat-type pig breeds (Duroc, Large White and Landrace). Allele G was exclusively present in Tongcheng and Qingping pigs and predominant in the other pig populations analyzed. Significant differences of backfat at rump, body weight at birth and average daily gain on weaning between the AG and GG genotype were observed in Landrace pig population (P < 0.05).     

猪IGF2基因的遗传多态性及其遗传效应分析

采用PCR-SSCP方法检测胰岛素样生长因子2 (insulin-like growth factor 2, IGF2)基因外显子7, 8, 9的多态性, 并分析其对初生重、断奶重、6月龄重和6月龄背膘厚的遗传效应。根据猪IGF2基因的DNA序列(AY044828)设计3对引物, 结果在Ex8引物对扩增的片段上发现了多态性, 并对纯合子进行测序, 发现exon8的53位存在C→T转换, 且检测到3种基因型(AA、AB、BB)。统计结果表明, 3种基因型在各品种中的分布不一致, 长白猪与大白猪比较, 莱芜猪与大薄莲猪比较, 沂蒙黑猪和里岔黑猪比较差异不显著(P > 0.05); 其他猪种间基因型分布的差异均显著(P < 0.01)。固定效应模型分析结果表明, 初生重和6月龄背膘厚基因型间差异显著(P < 0.05), 而断奶重和6月龄重基因型间差异不显著(P > 0.05)。最小二乘分析结果表明, BB基因型个体同AA和AB基因型个体比较初生重的差异显著(P < 0.05), 3种基因型在初生重的大小排列顺序为AB > AA > BB; AA基因型个体同AB和BB基因型个体比较6月龄背膘厚的差异显著(P < 0.05), 3种基因型在6月龄背膘厚的大小排列顺序为BB > AB > AA。因此, 推测IGF2基因对个体的初生重和胴体瘦肉率存在一定的影响, 将IGF2基因应用于猪育种过程中的标记辅助选择可以加快猪的育种进程。     

Identification of three novel SNPs and association with carcass traits in porcine <Emphasis Type="Italic">TNNI1</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">TNNI2</Emphasis>

In this study, two novel SNPs (EU743939:g.5174T>C in intron 4 and EU743939:g.8350C>A in intron 7) in TNNI1 and one SNP (EU696779:g.1167C>T in intron 3) in TNNI2 were identified by PCR–RFLP (PCR restriction fragment length polymorphism) using XbaI, MspI and SmaI restriction enzyme, respectively. The allele frequencies of three novel SNPs were determined in the genetically diverse pig breeds including ten Chinese indigenous pigs and three Western commercial pig breeds. Association analysis of the SNPs with the carcass traits were conducted in a Large White × Meishan F₂ pig population. The linkage of two SNPs (g.5174T>C and g.8350C>A) in TNNI1 gene had significant effect on fat percentage. Besides these, the g.5174T>C polymorphism was also significantly associated with skin percentage (P < 0.05), shoulder fat thickness (P < 0.05) and backfat thickness between sixth and seventh ribs (P < 0.05). The significant effects of g.1167C>T polymorphism in TNNI2 gene on fat percentage (P < 0.01), lean meat percentage (P < 0.05), lion eye area (P < 0.05), thorax–waist backfat thickness (P < 0.01) and average backfat thickness (P < 0.05) were also found.     

猪ATF4基因多态性与生产性状的关联及基因表达分析

为进一步了解和认识ATF4基因的功能,揭示ATF4对猪脂肪代谢的影响,寻找与肉质性状相关联的分子标记,文章采用PCR方法扩增了ATF4基因部分序列,通过序列比对发现在翻译起始密码子ATG下游159 bp处存在A159G转换,通过PCR-AluⅠ-RFLP对大白猪、长白猪、梅山猪和通城猪进行酶切分型,发现在大白猪和长白猪中均为AA基因型,在梅山猪和通城猪中均为GG基因型。进一步对大白猪×梅山F2群体资源家系进行了酶切分型,并分析该位点的多态性与生产性状的关系。结果表明,ATF4的多态性与臀部平均膘厚存在极显著相关(P<0.01),与胸腰椎间膘厚、平均膘厚、眼肌高、眼肌面积存在显著相关(P<0.05)。采用Real-time PCR分析了ATF4基因在大白猪与梅山猪背最长肌不同发育阶段的表达模式。结果表明,ATF4基因在大白猪和梅山猪胚胎期65 d和出生后3 d中的表达水平相对都比较低,且在两品种间无明显差异;而在出生后60 d和120 d,ATF4基因在大白猪中与梅山猪均出现了上调表达,并且在梅山猪中的相对表达水平要显著高于大白猪。研究结果为进一步深入研究猪ATF4基因在脂肪代谢中的分子机理奠定了基础。     

Nucleotide sequence and polymorphism of the pig acyl coenzyme A synthetase long-chain 1 (ACSL1) gene

We have sequenced 3,013 bp of the pig acyl coenzyme A long-chain synthetase 1 (ACSL1) gene. Sequence analysis allowed us to identify three conserved elements in the predicted amino acid sequence, two of them related to the ATP/AMP signature motif and the third involved in enzyme catalysis and fatty acid substrate specificity. In addition, we have identified five C --> T and one G --> A transition polymorphisms located in exon 16 (SNPe16), exon 17 (SNPe17) and the 3' UTR (SNPa to d), which have been genotyped in 143 pigs from the Landrace, Large White, Piétrain, Iberian, and Duroc breeds.     

猪apoC3基因的遗传变异分析

目的:探究猪apoC3基因多态性,为进一步探讨其对脂肪沉积的影响和表达调控等研究提供依据。方法:选取具有不同脂肪沉积特点的3个猪种(可乐猪、贵州白香猪和大约克猪)构建品种DNA池并进行测序,结合各SNP位点测序峰高比值估算等位基因频率,并利用在线软件对不同基因型的转录结合位点及mRNA二级结构进行预测。结果:在3个猪种的apoC3基因中共发现17个SNPs(2个位于5’侧翼区;1个位于外显子3中,为同义突变;1个位于3’非翻译区,其它13个分别位于3个不同内含子中),其中C813G变异增加了一个转录因子GATA-2结合位点,G2280A变异导致mRNA二级结构最小自由能增加0.4kkal/mol。结论:不同猪种间apoC3基因SNPs位点等位基因频率差异较大,而apoC3基因编码区相对保守。     

Influence of dietary vitamin E and C supplementation on vitamin E and C content and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in different tissues of growing pigs

To investigate the influence and possible interactions of dietary vitamin E and C supplementation on vitamin content of both vitamins and oxidative stability of different pork tissues 40 Large White barrows from 25 kg to 106 kg were allocated to four different cereal based diets: Basal diet (B), dl-alpha-tocopherylacetate + 200 mg/kg (E), crystalline ascorbic acid + 300 mg/kg (C) or both vitamins (EC). At slaughtering samples of liver, spleen, heart, kidney, backfat outer layer, ham and M. tongissimus dorsi were obtained. Growth performance of the pigs and carcass characteristics were not influenced by feeding treatments. Dietary vitamin E supplementation had a significant effect on the vitamin E and alpha-tocopherol concentration in all investigated tissues. Backfat outer layer, liver, spleen, kidney and heart had higher vitamin E concentrations than ham and M. longissimus dorsi. Dietary vitamin C supplementation tended towards enhanced vitamin E levels except for ham samples. Therefore, some synergistic actions without dietary vitamin E supplementation between the two vitamins could be shown. The vitamin C concentration and TBARS were increased or at least equal in all tissues due to vitamin C supplementation. Dietary alpha-tocopherol supplementation resulted in lower TBARS in backfat outer layer (malondialdehyde 0.35 mg/kg in B vs. 0.28 mg/kg in E), but increased in heart and ham. When both vitamins were supplemented (EC) TBARS were lower in M. longissimus dorsi and backfat outer layer, equal in heart and higher in liver and ham compared to a single vitamin C supplementation. Rancimat induction time of backfat outer layer was 0.3 h higher in C compared to B and 0.17 h higher in EC than in E. Correlations between levels of both vitamins were positive for kidney (r = 0.169), M. longissimus dorsi (r = 0.499) and ham (r = 0.361) and negative for heart (r = -0.350). In liver and spleen no interaction could be found. In backfat outer layer vitamin E was positively correlated with rancimat induction time (r = 0.550) and negatively with TBARS (r = -0.202), but provided no evidence that dietary vitamin E supply led to better oxidative stability.     

Association of PPARγ2 polymorphisms with carcass and meat quality traits in a Pietrain x Jinhua F2 population

The PPARγ2 gene is a key regulator of both proliferation and preadipocyte differentiation in mammals. Herein its genotype and allele frequencies were analyzed using PCR-SSCP in eight pig breeds (N = 416). Two kinds of polymorphisms of the PPARγ2 gene were detected, including a previously reported shift SNP A177G (Met59Val) in exon 1 and a novel silent mutation G876A in exon 5. The results revealed that European pig breeds carry a higher allele A frequency at the A177G locus and a fixed GG genotype at the G876A locus. Allele A at the G876A locus was only found in Jinhua pigs. The association between haplotype (A177G/G876A) and carcass and meat quality traits was analyzed in a Pietrain x Jinhua F2 population (N = 248). The PPARγ2 gene was found to be significantly associated with backfat thickness at the shoulder (p < 0.05), 6-7(th) ribs (p < 0.01), last rib (p < 0.01), gluteus medius (p <0.05) and ham weight (p < 0.01). Significant effects of different haplotypes on ham weight and backfat thickness at the 6-7(th) ribs, last rib, and gluteus medius were also observed.     

DNA polymorphisms in bovine fatty acid synthase are associated with beef fatty acid composition

The objective of this study was to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the thioesterase (TE) domain of the bovine fatty acid synthase (FASN) gene and to evaluate the extent to which they were associated with beef fatty acid composition. The four exons in FASN that encode for the TE domain were sequenced, and three SNPs, AF285607:g.17924A>G, g.18663T>C and g.18727C>T, were identified. Purebred Angus bulls (n = 331) were classified into three genotype groups, g.17924AA (n = 121), g.17924AG (n = 168) and g.17924GG (n = 42). The g.17924A>G genotype was significantly associated with fatty acid composition of longissimus dorsi muscle of Angus bulls. Cattle with the g.17924GG genotype had lower myristic acid (C14:0; P < 0.0001), palmitic acid (C16:0, P < 0.05) and total saturated fatty acid contents (P < 0.01), greater health index (P < 0.001), oleic acid content (C18:1; P < 0.001) and total monounsaturated fatty acid concentration (P < 0.01) in the total lipids and triacylglycerols fraction than did those with the g.17924AA genotype. Because of the linkage disequilibrium between SNPs g.17924A>G and g.18663T>C, similar significant associations of fatty acid contents with the g.18663T>C genotypes were observed. In conclusion, the SNPs g.17924A>G and g.18663T>C may be used as DNA markers to select breeding stock that have a healthier fatty acid composition.     

Analysis of adiponectin gene and comparison of its expression in two different pig breeds

Adiponectin, an adipokine secreted from adipose tissue (AT), exerts beneficial pleiotropic effects on obesity-related metabolic diseases. We have analyzed the adiponectin gene (ACDC) and its expression in two genetically different breeds of pigs, lean type, large white (LW) and fat type, Casertana (CE). DNA, RNA, and protein extracts from 10 LW and 10 CE pigs were analyzed by sequence analysis, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), fast protein liquid chromatography, and northern and western blotting. Sequence analysis revealed an identity of 100% between the ACDC gene from the two breeds, but the expression of the adiponectin protein was higher in LW than in CE pigs. We identified sexual dimorphism of adiponectin in both breeds, namely a balanced distribution of the low isoforms ( approximately 50 kDa), whereas the middle isoforms ( approximately 75-150 kDa) were increased in sows. In conclusion, in this study, we demonstrate that adiponectin is produced and secreted differently in the two breeds of pig, namely adiponectin is more abundant in LW than in CE. Moreover, the visceral AT of LW expresses more adiponectin than the subcutaneous AT. This relationship is absent in CE. These observations provided the first evidence that adiponectin expression is correlated with the "fat" phenotype in pig.