The aim of this study was to investigate the association and expression of HNF1A gene as a candidate gene for meat and carcass quality traits in pigs. Statistical analysis revealed that the g.8260 A>G polymorphism significantly associated with pH 24(H), meat percentage and muscle area in the F₂ Duroc × Pietrain (DuPi, n=313) and with pH 24(L), fat area and backfat thickness in the Pietrain (Pi, n=110) population. HNF1A mRNA and protein expressions were higher (p<0.05) in animals with the low post-mortem muscle pH 24(L). The promoter methylation profiling suggested that methylation was not involved on HNF1A expression regulation (p>0.05) in animal with divergent muscle pH. In conclusion, polymorphism in porcine HNF1A gene could be used as a candidate marker to improve the meat and carcass quality traits, with the consideration of breed-specific effect.
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