Single nucleotide polymorphism analysis on melanocortin receptor 1 (<Emphasis Type="Italic">MC1R</Emphasis>) of Chinese native pig

Melanocortin receptor 1 (MC1R) gene, one of the important candidate genes for coat color trait, was used to analyze the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in Chinese native pig breeds by PCR-single strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP). The study had also taken 3 imported pig breeds as control. The results showed that the three mutations G284A, T309C and T364C found in Chinese native pigs were consistent to the mutation found in the European Large Black individuals. However, 68CC or C492T and G728A were only found in the imported individuals, which were obviously different from the Chinese native pigs. Accordingly, we presumed that the coat colors of Chinese native pigs belonged to dominant black color system, which was completely distinct to that of imported pig breeds. Thus it was implied thatMC1R gene was not the principal factor affecting the coat color differences of Chinese native pig breeds, but could be used to trace the molecular evolution of pig breeds.     

白色基因座(I)在中国地方猪种毛色遗传中的作用研究

通过利用PCR—RFLP和PCR—SSCP技术对中国地方猪种KIT基因内含子17、18的序列进行多态性分析。结果表明：内含子17上的替换突变(G→A)发生于毛色为白色的个体——白色五指山猪、大白猪、长白猪上,其基因型(AB型)频率分别为1、1和0．8;其他中国地方猪种的此基因型频率均为0。内含子18上的缺失突变(AGTT)也同样发生在上述3个猪种的白色个体中,其基因型(AA型)频率分别为1、1和0．93;而且同样在其他的地方品种中其基因型频率均为0。这充分证明KIT基因对于猪的白毛色有重要的调控作用,而且I基因座对于其他的经典遗传基因座有上位作用。另一方面,中国地方猪种荣昌猪虽然在表型上与引入猪种大白猪、长白猪相似(白毛色),但是在KIT基因上发生的突变完全不同,推测它们分别属于不同的毛色遗传体系。     

Chinese white Rongchang pig does not have the dominant white allele of KIT but has the dominant black allele of MC1R

The mast/stem cell growth factor receptor (KIT) and melanocortin receptor 1 (MC1R) mutations are responsible for coat color phenotypes in domestic pigs. Rongchang is a Chinese indigenous pig breed with a white coat color phenotype. To investigate the genetic variability of the KIT and MC1R genes and their possible association with the coat color phenotype in this breed, a gene duplication and splice mutation of KIT were diagnosed in a sample of 93 unrelated Rongchang animals. The results show that Rongchang pigs have a single copy of KIT without the splice mutation at the first nucleotide of intron 17, indicating that the dominant white I allele of KIT is not responsible for their white phenotype. The KIT mRNA and MC1R coding sequences were also determined in this breed. Three putative amino acid substitutions were found in the KIT gene between Rongchang and Western white pigs, their association with the Rongchang white phenotype remains unknown. For the MC1R gene, Rongchang pigs were demonstrated to have the same dominant black allele (E(D1)) as other Chinese breeds, supporting the previous conclusion that Chinese and Western pigs have independent domestication origin. We also clarified that the Rongchang white phenotype was recessive to nonwhite color phenotypes. Our results provide a good starting point for the identification of the mutations underlying the white coat color in Rongchang pigs.     

犬MC1R基因T105A基因座多态性及 与毛色性状相关性的研究The

为了检测犬MC1R基因T105A基因座的多态性,并分析该多态性与犬毛色表型的相关性,抽取111只外科手术学实验用杂种犬血液并提取DNA,记录毛色表型。采用PCR-RFLP技术,对MC1R基因T105A基因座进行基因多态性分析,并对该基因座DNA进行克隆测序;用二元变量相关分析的统计学方法分析基因座多态性与毛色性状之间的相关性。经PCR-RFLP分析结果表明,T105A基因座序列具有多态性,表现为A、B二个等位基因和AA、AB及BB 3种基因型。A、B等位基因频率分别为72.97%和27.03%,基因杂合度（H）为0.39。基因型AA频率为55.86%,BB为9.91%,AB为34.23%。对T105A多态性片段DNA克隆测序后发现,MC1R基因在编码第105位氨基酸的密码子第一个碱基存在由G到A的单碱基突变,该突变导致第105位氨基酸发生由丙氨酸向苏氨酸的改变。统计分析结果表明MC1R基因T105A基因座的多态性与毛色性状不存在显著的相关性,这可能是由于外科手术学实验用犬是杂种犬,其遗传背景不同所致,尚须在纯种犬群体中进一步研究MC1R基因对毛色的影响。 Abstract: In order to detect the polymorphism of T105A in MC1R gene in dogs and to analyze the relationship between the genetic polymorphisms and phenotypes of dog coat color, the blood samples of 111 cross-breed dogs were taken and their genomic DNAs were extracted. The phenotypes of dog coat color were recorded. The T105A locus of MC1R gene in the canine was detected through the technology of PCR-RFLP. Furthermore, the polymorphic fragments at T105A were sequenced. The relationships between the polymorphism of T105A and coat color trait were analyzed by the statistical methods of bivarate correlation analysis. By the method of PCR-RFLP, the T105A polymorphism was found with two alleles A and B and three genotypes AA, AB and BB. The frequencies of two alleles were 72.97% and 27.03%, respectively. The heterozygosity of T105A locus was 0.39. The frequencies of three genotypes were 55.86%, 34.23% and 9.91%, respectively. According to the results of sequencing, one base change from G to A at the position 105 was found at T105A locus and it altered amino acid at the position 105 from alanine to threonine. According to the statistical analysis, no significant association between the polymorphism of MC1R gene and the coat color was found and the result may be due to the differences of genetic background. Further research on MC1R gene should be done in pure breed dogs.     

Melanocortin receptor 1 (MC1R) mutations and coat color in pigs.

The melanocortin receptor 1 (MC1R) plays a central role in regulation of eumelanin (black/brown) and phaeomelanin (red/yellow) synthesis within the mammalian melanocyte and is encoded by the classical Extension (E) coat color locus. Sequence analysis of MC1R from seven porcine breeds revealed a total of four allelic variants corresponding to five different E alleles. The European wild boar possessed a unique MC1R allele that we believe is required for the expression of a wild-type coat color. Two different MC1R alleles were associated with the dominant black color in pigs. MC1R*2 was found in European Large Black and Chinese Meishan pigs and exhibited two missense mutations compared with the wild-type sequence. Comparative data strongly suggest that one of these, L99P, may form a constitutively active receptor. MC1R*3 was associated with the black color in the Hampshire breed and involved a single missense mutation D121N. This same MC1R variant was also associated with EP, which results in black spots on a white or red background. Two different missense mutations were identified in recessive red (e/e) animals. One of these, A240T, occurs at a highly conserved position, making it a strong candidate for disruption of receptor function.     

Detection of hybrids between wild boars (Sus scrofa scrofa) and domestic pigs (Sus scrofa f. domestica) in Greece,using the PCR-RFLP method on melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R) mutations

The melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R) regulates melanogenesis in mammals within the mammalian melanocyte and the hair follicle. Common variations (polymorphisms) in the MC1R gene are associated with normal differences in skin and hair colour. So far, a unique MC1R allele (E+) has been identified in European wild boar (Sus scrofa scrofa), associated with the wild-type coat colour (variable shades of brown) that is not found in any of the domestic breeds. In addition, a series of alleles found in pigs, some of which observed only in particular breeds, have been proposed as markers in breed traceability systems. The current study is an attempt to detect possible hybrids between wild boars and domestic pig breeds as well as to identify races of pig that are not purebred. For this purpose, wild boars were analysed against Large White pigs, applying the PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) method. A high percentage (16.7%) of hybrids was detected within a breeding station compared with the percentage of hybrids within the populations of free-ranging wild boar (5.0%). These results should be taken into consideration for future restocking operations to avoid the chance of outbreeding depression, which is more intense when local populations are introgressed by gene pools from domesticated, usually inbred, animals.     

猪a1-岩藻糖转移酶基因(FUT1)在26个中外猪种中的遗传变异研究

肠毒素大肠杆菌F18(ECF18)是引起仔猪断奶后水肿和腹泻病的主要病原菌,a1—岩藻糖转移酶基因(FUT1)是ECF18侵染猪小肠的受体蛋白候选基因。通过采用PCR—RFLP方法检测了5个西方商业猪种以及21个中国地方猪种(群)1458个个体在FUT1基因开放阅读框架的307核苷酸位点的G-A点突变(M307^G-A)遗传变异。结果表明：5个外来猪种以及中国地方猪种中的临高猪在该FUT1基因位点存在多态性,其他中国地方猪种均表现为极端的单态分布,只有易感的GG基因型,没有多态性。由此提示：1)如果猪FUT1 M307^G-A点突变是决定猪小肠上ECF18受体表达与否的关键因素,则绝大部分中国地方猪种均不具备抵抗ECF18的遗传基础,这除了表明ECF18抗性基因有可能起源于西方猪种外,同时也表明对中国地方猪种中在这个位点惟一存在多态性的海南临高猪的品种资源保存具有非常重要的意义。2)一般而言,在中国的养猪生产实践中,中国地方猪种的仔猪抗水肿与腹泻病能力普遍强于外来猪种,研究的结果提示有必要对中国地方猪种所具备的上述遗传抗性做更深入的研究,寻找、定位其相应的QTL或／和抗性基因。     

H-FABP、MC4R、ADD1基因多态性在3个猪群中分布及其与肌内脂肪和背膘的相关研究

具有不同遗传特性的猪种具有不同的肉质性状。尤其是地方品种和引进品种间在肉质性状存在极大的差异。在已有的研究中H-FABP,MC4R,ADD1基因同肌内脂肪或背膘相关。利用梅山猪、苏太猪和杜×长×大猪为试验动物,研究上述3个基因的多态性分布和多态性同肌内脂肪和背膘的相关性。结果表明：3个基因的多态性分布在不同猪种间存在极显著的差异,这种差异可能是肌内脂肪（IMF）或背膘（BF）不同的主要原因之一。连锁分析表明：H-FABP和ADD1基因多态性同IMF有显著的相关,但是同BF没有显著的相关;MC4R基因的多态性同IMF和BF都有显著相关性。说明：H-FABP和ADD1基因多态性有可能应用到提高IMF,同时不影响BF的育种实践中。      

犬MC1R基因R306ter与毛色性状相关性研究

目的　分析犬MC1R基因中R30 6ter位点多态性与犬毛色表型的相关性 ,为遗传育种 ,培育出更加优良的实验用犬奠定基础。方法　采用PCR SSCP技术 ,对MC1R基因R30 6ter位点进行基因多态性检测 ,分析位点多态性与毛色性状之间的相关性 ,并对该位点进行克隆测序。结果　PCR SSCP分析结果表明 ,R30 6ter位点序列具有多态性 ,表现为C、D二个等位基因和CC、CD及DD三种基因型。对R30 6ter多态性片段克隆测序发现 ,MC1R基因在编码第 30 6位氨基酸的密码子处存在一个由CGA到TGA的终止突变。结论　经统计分析结果表明在杂种犬中MC1R基因多态性与毛色性状不存在显著的相关性 ,这可能是由于外科手术学教学用犬是杂种犬 ,其遗传背景不同所致。由于MC1R基因的R30 6ter位点内存在碱基变异 ,因此在杂种犬中表现出明显的PCR SSCP多态性     

Variation of 423G>T in the Agouti Gene Exon 4 in Indigenous Chinese Goat Breeds

The Agouti gene plays an important role in pigment synthesis in domestic animals. A transversion of 423G>T recognized by BanII was found after a fragment (178 bp) of the goat Agouti gene exon 4 was amplified and sequenced. To investigate its genetic effect and diversity, 677 individuals from 12 indigenous Chinese goat breeds and one imported goat breed from South Africa (Boer goat) were analyzed by PCR-RFLP. Two alleles, T and G, and three genotypes, TT, TG, and GG, were detected. Allele T had a higher frequency in most goat breeds and, combined with the coat color phenotype, is believed to be responsible for the black phenotype or to be linked with the causative site in the goat. The results also indicate that the 423G>T transversion showed lower genetic diversity in goat breeds with black coat color in China. Genetic differentiation among the 13 goat populations was 0.2023. The clustering of populations based on the 423G>T site was basically consistent with the variation of coat color.     

Single nucleotide polymorphism analysis of exons 3 and 4 of IGF-1 gene in pigs

The IGF-1 gene has been implicated as a candidate gene for the regulation of pig growth traits. We analyzed exons 3 and 4 of IGF-1 gene polymorphisms of the Banna mini-pig (28), the Tibetan mini-pig (30), the Junmu pig (55), and L. Yorkshire species (50) using PCR-SSCP. Three genotypes in exon 3 and 6 genotypes in exon 4 were observed, among which, one single nucleotide polymorphism, G201A, on exon 3 and two single nucleotide polymorphisms, A440G and T455C, on exon 4 were found. Statistical analysis of genotype frequencies revealed that the A allele was dominant in the large pig at the G201A locus (PIC = 0.20-0.34), and the AT alleles were dominant in the large pig at the A440G and T455C loci (PIC = 0.30-0.60). The genotype distribution between the various groups was significantly different (P< 0.01), with the highest heterozygosity seen in Junmu pigs at 0.223 and the lowest seen in L. Yorkshire at 0.098. The genetic distance of the Junmu pig from the L. Yorkshire is the smallest, the distance from the Tibetan miniature pigs is larger, and the distance from the Banna mini-pig is the largest. The IGF-1 gene polymorphism and heterozygosity results from various pig breeds indicate that IGF-1 is substantially polymorphic with significant difference of the polymorphic distribution and expression levels among various pig breeds. This information provides a theoretical basis for the genetic background of miniature pigs but also provides means to breed improved pig varieties.     

Genetic Variation and Association of Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein-3 with Performance in Swine

Genetic variation of insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 was analyzed in 17 pig breeds (14 native Chinese and 3 European). Using PCR-single strand conformation polymorphism, we found a polymorphism in intron 2, and this SNP was the combined mutation of G897T-G903A-C911T. The Chinese breeds carried a higher TAT/TAT genotype frequency (over 50%), except for Bamei (22%), Yujiang Black (0.0%), and Erhualian (10.0%); the European breeds had a higher GGC/GGC genotype frequency (Large White 1.67%, Landrace 13.89%, Duroc 0.0%). The allelic frequency of TAT in Chinese breeds was over 50%, except for Yujiang Black (12.5%); the allelic frequency of GGC was over 50% in all European breeds. The effect of genotype on 43 performance traits was investigated in one population (Lantang × Landrace). Pigs with the TAT/TAT genotype had higher B-point and C-point back-fat thickness than pigs with the GGC/GGC genotype. The TAT/TAT pigs also scored higher in meat color than the GGC/GGC pigs. These results implied that IGFBP-3 may affect meat quality and carcass traits.     

Assessment of genetic diversity of Korean native pig (Sus scrofa) using AFLP markers

In order to assess the genetic diversity and genetic relationships among the six commercial pig breeds including the Korean native pig, we performed an amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) analysis. Applying the three EcoRI/TagI primer combinations to 54 individual pig samples out of six breeds, a total of 186 AFLP bands were generated, 67 (36%) of which were identified as polymorphic bands. From these polymorphic bands, the three estimates (percentage of polymorphic loci, Neis heterozygosity and Shannon index) of genetic diversity, G(ST) estimates, Neis unbiased genetic distance and two indices of genetic similarity were calculated. From all the calculations of genetic diversity, the lowest genetic diversity was exhibited in the Korean native pig, and the highest in the Chinese Yanbian pig. Given the mean G(ST) value (G(ST) = 0.390) across all pigs examined, levels of apparent breed subdivision were considerable. A UPGMA tree of individuals based on Jaccards similarity index showed that the Korean native pig formed a distinct cluster from the other five pigs. In addition, the tree displayed that all the individuals except for six individuals were grouped into their breeds. Principal component analysis based on the binary data matrix of either presence or absence confirmed the distinctness of the Korean native pig from the other pigs. Our results indicate that the Korean native pig has a low level of genetic diversity and is distinct from the five pig breeds, confirming the results from previous microsatellite data. The findings also suggest that AFLP analysis may be a valuable tool for revealing genetic relationships and genetic diversity among different pig breeds.     

Characterization of the effect of Melanocortin 1 Receptor,a member of the hair color genetic locus,in alpaca (Lama pacos) fleece color differentiation

Little is known about the inheritance and influence of the fleece color gene Melanocortin 1 Receptor (MC1R). Melanocortin 1 Receptor (MC1R) is a well-known gene responsible for red versus black fleece pigmentation and is hypothesized to be a candidate gene for variation in alpaca coloration patterns. Inheritance of red versus black pigmentation in the context of genetic mutation is well understood in many domesticated mammals. We characterized the MC1R gene in a population of multi-colored alpacas in order to better understand its effect on coat color in the alpaca. Our characterization of the alpaca MC1R gene revealed 11 mutations. Of these one is a 4 bp deletion, four are silent mutations and six are single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that alter the amino acid sequence (T28V, M87V, S126G, T128I, S196F, R301C). No mutation correlated completely with fleece color in alpacas at the MC1R locus. This may be due to the epistatic relationship of MC1R with other coat color genes especially agouti signaling protein (ASIP).     

猪a1-岩藻糖转移酶基因(FUT1)M857位点遗传变异分析

肠毒素大肠杆菌 (ETEC) F18是引起仔猪断奶后水肿和腹泻病的主要病原菌, a-1岩藻糖转移酶(FUT1)基因是ECEC F18侵染猪小肠的受体蛋白基因。利用PCR-RFLP方法检测了1个野猪以及20个中外家猪猪种(群)共696个个体在FUT1基因开放阅读框架的857核苷酸位点的遗传变异, 结果表明: 在所有猪种中, 均未检测到抗性的AA型纯合子, 在外来猪种杜洛克和约克夏、国内猪种临高猪和杂交猪种中检测到AG型杂合子, 外来猪种中的皮特兰、长白猪以及除临高猪外的所有国内猪种和野猪均表现为极端的单态分布, 只有易感的GG基因型。研究结果提示, 中国地方猪种不具备抵抗ETEC F18大肠杆菌的遗传基础, 与外来猪种确实存在差异, 这种差异可能与各自不同的起源有关, ETEC F18抗性基因可能起源于欧洲野猪; 并推测猪种的生长速度与ETEC F18大肠杆菌病的发生具有密切的关系。     

Isolation and characteristics of the melanocortin 1 receptor gene (MC1R) in the Chinese yakow (Bos grunniens×Bos taurus)

The Chinese yakow is the offspring of yak (Bos grunniens) and Yellow cattle (Bos taurus). The melanocortin 1receptor gene (MC1R) plays a crucial role in determining coat colour of mammals. To investigate the relationship of polymorphism of the MC1R with coat colour in the Chinese yakow, the coding sequence (CDS) and the flanking region of MC1R were sequenced from 84 Chinese yakow samples and compared with the sequences of the MC1R from other bovid species. A fragment of 1134 base pair (bp) sequences including the full CDS (954bp) and parts of the 5'- and 3'-untranslated regions (162 and 18bp, respectively) of the Chineseyakow MC1R were obtained. A total of 13 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) including 4 SNPs (T-129C, A-127C, C-106T, G-1A) in the 5'-untranslated region and 9 SNPs (C201T, T206C, C340A, C375T, T663C, G714C, C870T, G871A and T890C) in the CDS were identified, revealing high genetic variability. Four novel SNPs including T206C, G714C, C870T and T890C, which have not been reported previously in bovid species, were retrieved. Within 9 coding SNPs, C201T, C375T, T663C and C870T were silent mutations, while T206C, C340A, G714C, G871A and T890C were mis-sense mutations, corresponding to amino acid changes p.L69P, p.Q114K, p.K238N, p.A291N and p.I297T, respectively. Amino acid sequences alignment showed a more than 96% similarity with other ruminates. However, three classical bovine MC1R loci the E(D), E(+) and e were not retrieved in the Chinese yakow, indicating other genes or factors could be involved in affecting coat colour in this species.     

Screening and scanning of single nucleotide polymorphisms in the pig melanocortin 1 receptor gene (MC1R) by pyrosequencing.

The increasing interest in the discovery and characterization of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) emphasis the need for high-throughput and cost effective scoring methods. Pyrosequencing is a novel method for screening SNPs. In this study we examine breed specific SNPs in the pig melanocortin 1 receptor gene (MC1R), some causing coat color phenotypes. A total of fifteen pigs representing eight breeds and crosses were analyzed by pyrosequencing. In addition to nine previously known SNPs, we also detected one new missense mutation by pyrosequencing. We here show that the SNPs were readily scored using standard reaction conditions. Insertions as well as substitutions were unambiguously detected and all genotypes were resolved in terms of homo- and heterozygozity.     

Genetic structure and domestication footprints of the tusk,coat color,and ear morphology in East Chinese pigs

The domestication and artificial selection of wild boars have led to dramatic morphological and behavioral changes, especially in East Chinese (ECN) pigs. Here, we provide insights into the population structure and current genetic diversity of representative ECN pig breeds. We identify a 500-kb region containing six tooth development-relevant genes with almost completely different haplotypes between ECN pigs and Chinese wild boars or European domestic pigs. Notably, the c.195A>G missense mutation in exon 2 of AMBN may cause alterations in its protein structure associated with tusk degradation in ECN pigs. In addition, ESR1 may play an important role in the reproductive performance of ECN pigs. A major haplotype of the large lop ear-related MSRB3 gene and eight alleles in the deafness-related GRM7 gene may affect ear morphology and hearing in ECN pigs. Interestingly, we find that the two-end black (TEB) coat color in Jinhua pigs is most likely caused by EDNRB with genetic mechanisms different from other Chinese TEB pigs. This study identifies key loci that may be artificially selected in Chinese native pigs related to the tusk, coat color, and ear morphology, thus providing new insights into the genetic mechanisms of domesticated pigs.