Investigation of two candidate genes for meat quality traits in a quantitative trait locus region on SSC6: the porcine short heterodimer partner and heart fatty acid binding protein genes.

A highly significant quantitative trait locus (QTL) on pig chromosome 6, affecting intramuscular fat (IMF), has previously been detected by our group and others. Two genes of positional and biological interest, the small heterodimer partner (SHP; NR0B2) and the heart fatty acid binding protein (FABP3; H-FABP), were investigated for meat quality traits and IMF respectively. SHP was partially sequenced (GenBank: DQ002896 and DQ002897) and mapped to the QTL region on porcine chromosome 6, affecting IMF. The map shows no recombination between SHP and FABP3, which was previously mapped to the same QTL region. Twelve single nucleotide polymorphisms were detected in the sequenced region of SHP gene. Haplotype information was used to investigate association between genetic variation and different meat quality traits. SHP haplotype combinations were found to have significant effect on connective tissue. However, further studies are needed to evaluate this possible association more effectively. The FABP3 is involved in fatty acid transport and has been studied as a candidate gene for IMF by several research groups. In our study, FABP3 genotypes were confirmed to be significantly associated with IMF in pigs. The average content of IMF in our population was 1.6%, which may indicate that the FABP3 polymorphism explains as much as 30-35% of the variation in IMF in our pig cross-population.

Arnyasi M ，Grindflek E ，Jávor A ，Lien S ... -  《JOURNAL OF ANIMAL BREEDING AND GENETICS》

Intramuscular fat content and genetic variants at fatty acid-binding protein loci in Austrian pigs.

Intramuscular fat is an important meat quality trait in pig production. Previously, genetic variants of the heart fatty acid-binding protein (H-FABP) gene and the adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein (A-FABP) gene were suggested to be associated with intramuscular fat content. The objective of this investigation was to study these associations in the three most important Austrian breeding populations (Piétrain, Large White, and Landrace). Restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of the H-FABP gene revealed a new MspI polymorphic site and genetic variation in all three breeds. Microsatellite analysis of the A-FABP locus showed up to nine different microsatellite alleles segregating. In Austrian breeds, no significant influence of the A-FABP and H-FABP gene polymorphisms on intramuscular fat could be detected. We also evaluated possible associations between the genetic variations at the H-FABP and A-FABP loci and other growth and carcass traits (average daily gain, feed conversion ratio, lean meat content, pH values, meat color, and drip loss). With regard to the extent of the effects, these genetic markers cannot be recommended for selection on growth and carcass traits in Austrian breeding populations.

Nechtelberger D ，Pires V ，Söolknet J ，Stur ，Brem G ，Mueller M ，Mueller S ... -  《JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE》

Association of A-FABP gene polymorphism in intron 1 with meat quality traits in Junmu No. 1 white swine.

This study was designed to investigate the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in intron 1 of the gene A-FABP in 127 Junmu No. 1 white swine using PCR-SSCP. The association between the polymorphism and meat quality traits was also studied. The cloning and sequencing results indicated that the polymorphism of intron 1 was due to a point mutation in position 3481bp of A-FABP, giving 3 genotypes (CC, CD and DD). Association analysis indicated that the polymorphism had a significant effect on marbling (P<0.05). Genotype DD had higher marbling than CD and CC, but the difference between CD and CC was no significant. Polymorphism had a highly significant effect on intramuscular fat (IMF) content (P<0.01). DD was higher than CD, which was higher than CC. No significant conclusions can be drawn regarding other traits. Immunoblot analysis of A-FABP levels was carried out on 3 different genotype individuals. Expression was markedly reduced in DD compared with genotype CC. Thus A-FABP may be a candidate gene or a quantitative trait locus-linked gene associated with meat quality traits.

Gao Y ，Zhang YH ，Zhang S ，Li F ，Wang S ，Dai L ，Jiang H ，Xiao S ，Liu D ，Sun B ，Zhao Z ，Zhang JB ... -  《-》

Adipocyte fatty-acid binding protein is closely associated to the porcine FAT1 locus on chromosome 4.

Mercadé A ，Pérez-Enciso M ，Varona L ，Alves E ，Noguera JL ，Sánchez A ，Folch JM ... -  《-》

Association of the heart fatty acid-binding protein (FABP3) gene with milk traits in Manchega breed sheep.

Calvo JH ，Marcos S ，Jurado JJ ，Serrano M ... -  《ANIMAL GENETICS》