Polymorphisms in the promoter region of myostatin gene are associated with carcass traits in pigs

• Published in: Journal of animal breeding and genetics (1986) 2014-04, Vol.131 (2), p.116-122
• Main Authors: Tu, P.‐A, Lo, L.‐L, Chen, Y.‐C, Hsu, C.‐C, Shiau, J.‐W, Lin, E.‐C, Lin, R.‐S, Wang, P.‐H
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: adult development; alleles; Animals; average daily gain; carcass characteristics; Carcass trait; Duroc; embryogenesis; genotype; genotyping; Genotyping Techniques; Hogs; homeostasis; landraces; lean meat; marker assisted selection; meat; meat production; myostatin; Myostatin (MSTN) gene; Myostatin - genetics; Phenotype; Polymorphism; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; Population genetics; porcine; profits and margins; promoter regions; Promoter Regions, Genetic - genetics; single nucleotide polymorphism; skeletal muscle; Species Specificity; swine; Swine - anatomy & histology; Swine - genetics
• ISSN: 0931-2668; 1439-0388
• DOI: 10.1111/jbg.12053

Higher average daily gain, more lean meat yield and less fat yield of porcine carcass increase selling profits for animal producers. Myostatin (MSTN), previously called GDF8, is a member of transforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β) superfamily. It is a negative regulator for both embryonic development and adult homeostasis of skeletal muscle. In this study, the genotypes of the previously described SNPs MSTN g.435G>A and g.447A>G SNPs in 66 Duroc pigs, 33 Landrace pigs, 180 Duroc × Landrace (DL) pigs and 155 Duroc × Yorkshire × Landrace (DYL) pigs were determined by Taqman SNP Genotyping Assays. For Duroc and Landrace pigs, MSTN g.435GG/g.447AA individual had greater backfat thickness (p < 0.05) than g.435AA/g.447GG individual, whereas MSTN g.435AA/g.447GG had greater meat (p < 0.05) and meat percentage (p < 0.05) than g.435GA/g.447AG individual. For DL and DYL pigs, the MSTN g.435GG/g.447AA animals were greater in backfat at ultrasound 10th rib (p < 0.05) and carcass 10th rib (p < 0.01) than g.435AA/g.447GG individual. The MSTN g.435AA/g.447GG individual also had higher values than g.435GG/g.447AA for anterior‐end meat (p < 0.05), posterior‐end meat (p < 0.01), total meat weight (p < 0.01) and meat percentage (p < 0.01). This study confirmed evidence that MSTN g.435G>A and g.447A>G affected carcass traits in pigs. The effects of the mutated alleles were additive with the maximal effects resulting from two copies of the mutated allele. Selection for MSTN g.435A/g.447G allele is expected to increase muscle of limb and total meat production and decrease backfat thickness.