Distribution of H-FABP and ACSL4 gene polymorphisms and their associations with intramuscular fat content and backfat thickness in different pig populations

Genet Mol Res. 2014 Aug 28;13(3):6759-72. doi: 10.4238/2014.August.28.20.

Abstract

Here, we analyzed the distribution of H-FABP/(HinfI, MspI, and HaeIII) and ACSL4/RsaI polymorphisms, and the associations of these 4 polymorphic loci with intramuscular fat (IMF) content and backfat thickness (BFT) in Yanan, Jinhua, Duroc, Landrace, Yorkshire, and Duroc x (Landrace x Yorkshire) (DLY) pigs. H-FABP/HinfI polymorphisms were present in all the 6 populations. At the ACSL4/RsaI locus, sows had 3 genotypes, whereas boars only had haplotype A or G, in Duroc, Landrace, Yorkshire, and DLY pigs. H-FABP/(MspI and HaeIII) and ACSL4/RsaI polymorphisms were absent in Yanan and Jinhua pigs. Linkage disequilibrium analysis indicated that the 3 loci (HinfI, MspI, and HaeIII) were separated. Association analysis showed that the H-FABP/HinfI locus significantly affected IMF content in DLY (P < 0.05) and Yanan (P < 0.001) pigs. The highest IMF content was recorded in the adH haplotype of the 3 H-FABP polymorphic loci (2.59%, P < 0.05) in DLY pigs. At the ACSL4/RsaI locus, higher IMF content was recorded for sows with a GG genotype or boars with a G haplotype compared to those with an AA genotype (2.53 vs 2.10%, P < 0.05) or A haplotype (2.48 vs 1.73%, P < 0.01) in DLY pigs. Significant differences were not obtained among these 4 polymorphic loci and BFT (P > 0.05). The results indicate that H-FABP and ACSL4 genes might serve as markers to improve IMF content (but not BFT) in the pig breeding system.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adipose Tissue / metabolism*
  • Alleles
  • Animals
  • Coenzyme A Ligases / genetics*
  • Fatty Acid-Binding Proteins / genetics*
  • Female
  • Gene Frequency
  • Genetics, Population / methods
  • Genotype
  • Haplotypes
  • Linkage Disequilibrium
  • Male
  • Muscles / metabolism
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Polymorphism, Genetic*
  • Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length
  • Swine

Substances

  • Fatty Acid-Binding Proteins
  • Coenzyme A Ligases