Genome-wide association study and pathway analysis for carcass fatness in Nellore cattle measured by ultrasound

R Martins; L F Brito; P C Machado; L F B Pinto; M R Silva; F S Schenkel; V B Pedrosa

doi:10.1111/age.13129

Genome-wide association study and pathway analysis for carcass fatness in Nellore cattle measured by ultrasound

Anim Genet. 2021 Oct;52(5):730-733. doi: 10.1111/age.13129. Epub 2021 Aug 9.

Authors

R Martins¹, L F Brito², P C Machado¹, L F B Pinto³, M R Silva⁴, F S Schenkel⁵, V B Pedrosa¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Animal Sciences, State University of Ponta Grossa, Ponta Grossa, PR, 84030-900, Brazil.
² Department of Animal Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA.
³ Department of Animal Sciences, Federal University of Bahia, Av. Adhemar de Barros s/n, Ondina, Salvador, BA, 40170-115, Brazil.
⁴ Melhore Animal and Katayama Agropecuaria Lda, Guarapes, SP, 16700-000, Brazil.
⁵ Animal and Poultry Science Department, Centre for Genetic Improvement of Livestock, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road East, Guelph, ON, Canada.

PMID: 34370325
DOI: 10.1111/age.13129

Abstract

Identifying genes or genomic regions influencing carcass-quality traits such as fatness (FTN) is essential to optimize the genetic selection processes in beef cattle. The aim of this study was to identify genomic regions associated with FTN in Nellore cattle as well as to elucidate the metabolic pathways related to the phenotypic expression. Ultrasound-based measurements of FTN were collected in 11 750 animals, with 39 903 animals in the pedigree file. Additionally, 1440 animals were genotyped using the GGP-indicus 35K SNP panel, which contained 33 623 SNPs after quality control. Twenty genes related to FTN were found on 11 chromosomes, explaining 12.96% of the total additive genetic variance. Gene ontology revealed seven genes: NR1L2, PKD2, GSK3β, EXT1, RAD51B, SORCS1 and DPH6, associated with important processes related to FTN. In addition, novel candidate genes (MAATS1, LYPD1, CDK5RAP2, RAD51B, c13H2Oorf96 and TRAPPC11) were detected and could provide further knowledge to uncover genetic regions associated to carcass fatness in beef cattle.

Keywords: biological pathways; candidate genes; carcass quality; fat deposition; single-step GWAS.

MeSH terms

Adiposity / genetics*
Animals
Brazil
Cattle / genetics*
Gene Ontology
Genetic Association Studies / veterinary
Genotype
Metabolic Networks and Pathways / genetics
Phenotype
Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
Red Meat / analysis*
Ultrasonography

Abstract

MeSH terms

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