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This Article Full Text (PDF) All Versions of this Article: jas.2008-1456v1 87/8/2475    most recent Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Marques, E. Articles by Moore, S. S Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Marques, E. Articles by Moore, S. S

Polymorphisms in positional candidate genes on BTA14 and BTA26 affect carcass quality in beef cattle

^* Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2P5, Canada ^# Igenity Livestock Production Business Unit, Merial Ltd.

stephen.moore{at}ualberta.ca

Abstract

Several studies have reported the presence of meat quality QTL on bovine chromosome 14 (BTA14) and 26 (BTA26), with no specific genes being conclusively linked as their cause. The aim of this study was to identify polymorphisms in genes known to affect lipid metabolism in other species and to assess their association with carcass traits. Two genes located on bovine chromosome 14 (BTA14): 2, 4 dienoyl CoA reductase 1 (DECR1) and core binding factor alpha domain 2 (CBFA2T1) have been previously evaluated in other species and found to contain polymorphisms influencing lipid metabolism. A gene on BTA26, fibroblast growth factor 8 (FGF8), has in recent studies been linked to several QTL affecting obesity in mice, indicating its potential for regulating adiposity in other species. Sequencing analysis identified 9 polymorphisms in DECR1, 4 in CBFA2T1, and 4 in FGF8. Multiple sequence alignment of DECR1 among cattle, human, and mice showed that 4 of these mutations lie in conserved regions across these species. Using 464 Angus, Charolais, and crossbred animals produced associations with ultrasound marbling score (CBFA2T1, P = 0.019), ultrasound backfat (DECR1, P = 0.012), carcass backfat (FGF8, P = 0.004), and lean meat yield (FGF8, P = 0.005). Quantitative trait loci analysis including a set of previously genotyped markers on BTA14 and 1 DECR1 polymorphism resulted in several significant QTL peaks: ultrasound backfat (UBF) at 91 cM, lean meat yield (LMY) at 86 cM, carcass gradefat (GRFAT) at 15 cM, and yield grade (YGRADE) at 87 cM, all at the P < 0.05 level. Using DECR1as a genetic covariate removed the UBF QTL, indicating that this SNP was contributing to the variation observed in UBF. A similar analysis was performed on BTA26 using 1 of the FGF8 polymorphisms. Results showed significant peaks for: LMY at 2 cM and for YGRADE at 25 cM, both at P < 0.01, and for CBF at 25 cM (P < 0.05). Removal of FGF8 SNP in further analysis resulted in the disappearance of the CBF QTL. These results suggest that polymorphisms discovered in DECR1, CBFA2T1, and FGF8 may play a role in the lipid metabolism pathway affecting meat quality traits in beef cattle. However, further studies are needed to confirm that these polymorphisms are responsible for the differences observed in meat quality in beef cattle.

Key Words: Bos taurus • BTA14 • BTA26 • CBFA2T1 • DECR1 • FGF8