A g.-1256 A>C in the promoter region of CAPN1 is associated with semen quality traits in Chinese Holstein bulls.
The micromolar calcium-activated neutral protease gene (CAPN1) is a physiological candidate gene for sperm motility. However, the molecular mechanisms involved in regulating the expression of the CAPN1 gene in bulls remain unknown. In this study, we investigated the expression pattern of CAPN1 in testis, epididymis, and sperm at the RNA and protein levels by qRT-PCR, western blot, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence assay. Results revealed that the expression of CAPN1 levels was higher in the sperm head compared with that in other tissues. Moreover, we identified a novel single-nucleotide polymorphism (g.-1256 A>C, ss 1917715340) in the noncanonical core promoter of the CAPN1 gene between base g.-1306 and g.-1012. Additionally, we observed greater sperm motility in bulls with the genotype CC than in those with the genotype AA (P<0.01), indicating that different genotypes were associated with the bovine semen trait. Furthermore, a higher fluorescence intensity of the C allele than that of the A allele at g. -1256 A>C was revealed by transient transfection in MLTC-1 cells and luciferase report assay. Finally, CAPN1 was highly expressed in the spermatozoa with the CC genotype compared with that with the AA genotype by qRT-PCR. This study is the first report on genetic variant g.-1256 A>C in the promoter region of CAPN1 gene association with the semen quality of Chinese Holstein bulls by influencing its expression. g.-1256 A>C can be a functional molecular marker in cattle breeding.
Dairy Cattle Research CenterShandong Academy of Agricultural Science, Jinan, People's Republic of China College of Life ScienceShandong Normal University, Jinan, People's Republic of China.
Xiaohui
X
Cui
Dairy Cattle Research CenterShandong Academy of Agricultural Science, Jinan, People's Republic of China.
Yan
Y
Sun
Dairy Cattle Research CenterShandong Academy of Agricultural Science, Jinan, People's Republic of China wangxiuge86@126.com yinmiao@sdnu.edu.cn wangcf1967@163.com.
Xiuge
X
Wang
Dairy Cattle Research CenterShandong Academy of Agricultural Science, Jinan, People's Republic of China.
Chunhong
C
Yang
Dairy Cattle Research CenterShandong Academy of Agricultural Science, Jinan, People's Republic of China.
Zhihua
Z
Ju
Dairy Cattle Research CenterShandong Academy of Agricultural Science, Jinan, People's Republic of China.
Qiang
Q
Jiang
Dairy Cattle Research CenterShandong Academy of Agricultural Science, Jinan, People's Republic of China.
Yan
Y
Zhang
Dairy Cattle Research CenterShandong Academy of Agricultural Science, Jinan, People's Republic of China.
Jinming
J
Huang
Dairy Cattle Research CenterShandong Academy of Agricultural Science, Jinan, People's Republic of China.
Jifeng
J
Zhong
College of Life ScienceShandong Normal University, Jinan, People's Republic of China wangxiuge86@126.com yinmiao@sdnu.edu.cn wangcf1967@163.com.
Miao
M
Yin
Dairy Cattle Research CenterShandong Academy of Agricultural Science, Jinan, People's Republic of China wangxiuge86@126.com yinmiao@sdnu.edu.cn wangcf1967@163.com.
Changfa
C
Wang
D000818:Animals; D002154:Calpain / Q000235:genetics*; D002417:Cattle; D004822:Epididymis / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D010641:Phenotype; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide / Q000235:genetics*; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D019655:Quantitative Trait, Heritable; D012661:Semen / Q000737:chemistry*; D055101:Semen Analysis; D013081:Sperm Motility; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000378:metabolism; D013737:Testis / Q000378:metabolism
D002154:Calpain