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Polymorphisms of DKK1 Gene and Its Association with Body Measurement and Meat Quality Traits in Qinchuan Cattle

GAO Jian-bin1, ZAN Lin-sen1,2*,YANG Ning1, LI Yao-kun1, HUANGFU Yi-fan1, HAO Rui-jie1, MA Xiang-hui1, FU Chang-zhen1, JIANG Bi-jie1, CHENG Gong1,2   

  1. (1.College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China;2.National Beef Cattle Improvement Center, Yangling 712100, China)
  • Received:2012-06-30 Online:2013-03-23 Published:2013-03-23

Abstract:

The aim of the study was to research polymorphism of DKK1 gene and its association with body measurement and meat quality traits in Qinchuan cattle. 447 Qinchuan heifers from 18- to 24-month-old under similar feeding conditions were randomly selected, DNA samples were directly sequenced and the polymorphisms of DKK1 gene was analyzed by PCR-SSCP technology. Least squares fitting linear model of SPSS16.0 program were used to analyze the relationship between the different genotypes and body measurement and meat quality traits. Five SNPs had been detected in DKK1 gene including G523A in intron1, A999G and A1169G in intron2, C1858T in intron3 and A2355G in exon4,which was missense mutation with replacement of Arginine by Cystein at 247th amino acid. The result of PCR-SSCP analysis showed that G523A and A2355G showed only two genotypes, whereas A999G, A1169G and C1858T showed three genotypes. χ2 test showed G523A, A1169G and A2355G were not in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (P<0.01), whereas A999G and C1858T were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (P>0.05) in Qinchuan cattle populations. Association analysis of polymorphisms of DKK1 gene with body measurement and meat quality traits showed that the genotypes of different mutations in DKK1 gene were significantly related to body length, withers height, hip height, rump length, pin bone width and backfat thickness, lion muscle area, intramuscular fatty content(P<0.05 or P<0.01). It indicated that SNPs of the DKK1 gene may be closely associated with some body measurement and meat quality traits, and could be an major candidate gene for new strain breeding of Qinchuan cattle.

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