Effects of SNPs and alternative splicing within HGF gene on its expression patterns in Qinchuan cattle

• Published in: Journal of animal science and biotechnology 2015-12, Vol.7 (2), p.134-140, Article 55
• Main Authors: Cai, Hanfang, Zhou, Yang, Jia, Wenchao, Zhang, Bowen, Lan, Xianyong, Lei, Chuzhao, Fang, Xintang, Chen, Hong
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Amino acids; Cattle; F基因; Gene expression; Genotype & phenotype; HGF; Kinases; Musculoskeletal system; Mutation; Proteins; SNP; Thermal cycling; 剪接位点; 实时荧光定量PCR; 秦川牛; 肝细胞生长因子; 表达模式
• ISSN: 1674-9782; 2049-1891; 2049-1891
• DOI: 10.1186/s40104-015-0059-3

Background： Identification of genetic variants, including SNPs（Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms）, CNVs（Copy Number Variations） and alternative splicing, within functional genes has received increasing attention in animal science research. HGF（Hepatocyte Growth Factor） is a very important growth factor that works as a mitogen or a morphogen during tissue growth, development and regeneration. However, to date, the functions of genetic variants within the bovine HGF gene, particularly their effects on m RNA expression, have not been determined well.Results： The present study aimed to perform association analysis between genetic variants and m RNA expression for the bovine HGF gene in Qinchuan cattle using various strategies, including PCR-RFLP（Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism）, q PCR（Quantitative Real-time quantitative PCR）, TA cloning, DNA sequencing and bioinformatics analysis. A total of five SNPs were identified and only SV1 locus significantly affected HGF m RNA expression in fetal skeletal muscle（P 〈 0.05）. Heterozygous genotype individuals showed significantly higher HGF expression（P 〈 0.05）, which was significantly greater in the ＂CTCCAGGGTT＂ combined genotype than that in the＂CCCCGGGGTT＂ combined genotype（P 〈 0.05）. In addition, two alternative splicing variations, HGF-W and HGF-M,were identified, which resulted from alternative 3′ splice sites of exon 5, and HGF-W showed higher m RNA levels than HGF-M in all tissues.Conclusion： In summary, genetic variations within the HGF gene affected m RNA expression. These findings provide new insight into the molecular characteristics and functions of bovine HGF.