Novel polymorphisms of SIX4 gene and their association with body measurement traits in Qinchuan cattle.
Sine oculis homeobox homolog 4 (SIX4) gene belongs to the sine oculis/SIX gene family, which includes six members in vertebrates. SIX4 gene plays a crucial role in skeletal myogenesis, and its genetic variations or deficiency may cause hypopituitarism, suggesting that SIX4 gene is a potential candidate gene affecting body measurement traits (BMTs) in animals. Herein, the objectives of this study were to identify genetic polymorphisms of bovine SIX4 gene and to analyze potential association between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and body measurement traits in Qinchuan cattle. In the present study, we investigated polymorphisms of SIX4 gene in 426 Qinchuan cattle using DNA sequencing and polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphisms. Three novel SNPs were identified within bovine SIX4 gene. Associations between body measurement traits and SIX4 gene polymorphisms were investigated, and significant statistical associations were found between polymorphisms of these three SNPs and body measurement traits (P<0.05). Hence, based on results obtained from this study, we conjectured that SIX4 gene may have potential effects on body measurement traits in Qinchuan cattle population and could be used for marker-assisted selection.
College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A & F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, PR China.
Guoqing
G
Wang
College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A & F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, PR China.
Song
S
Zhang
College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A & F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, PR China.
Shengjuan
S
Wei
College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A & F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, PR China.
Yaran
Y
Zhang
College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A & F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, PR China.
Yaokun
Y
Li
College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A & F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, PR China.
Changzhen
C
Fu
College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A & F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, PR China; National Beef Cattle Improvement Center of Northwest A & F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, PR China.
Chunping
C
Zhao
College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A & F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, PR China; National Beef Cattle Improvement Center of Northwest A & F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, PR China. Electronic address: zanlinsen@163.com.
Linsen
L
Zan
D000818:Animals; D001837:Body Weights and Measures; D002417:Cattle; D005787:Gene Frequency; D056726:Genetic Association Studies; D005819:Genetic Markers; D014644:Genetic Variation; D006239:Haplotypes; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D024510:Muscle Development / Q000235:genetics*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000662:veterinary; D012150:Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D019655:Quantitative Trait, Heritable; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA / Q000662:veterinary*; D015534:Trans-Activators / Q000235:genetics
D005819:Genetic Markers; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; D015534:Trans-Activators
Body measurement trait; Qinchuan cattle; SIX4; SNP