Polymorphism, Genetic Effect, and Association with Egg-Laying Performance of Chahua Chickens Matrix Metalloproteinases 13 Promoter

Yanli Du; Changwei Cao; Yong Liu; Xiannian Zi; Yang He; Hongmei Shi; Jinbo Zhao; Changrong Ge; Kun Wang

doi:10.3390/genes14071352

Polymorphism, Genetic Effect, and Association with Egg-Laying Performance of Chahua Chickens Matrix Metalloproteinases 13 Promoter

Genes (Basel). 2023 Jun 27;14(7):1352. doi: 10.3390/genes14071352.

Authors

Yanli Du^{1

2}, Changwei Cao³, Yong Liu¹, Xiannian Zi¹, Yang He¹, Hongmei Shi¹, Jinbo Zhao¹, Changrong Ge¹, Kun Wang¹

Affiliations

¹ Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feed, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China.
² College of Agronomy and Life Sciences, Kunming University, Kunming 650200, China.
³ Department of Food Science and Engineering, College of Biological Sciences, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming 650201, China.

Abstract

Matrix metalloproteinases are a group of proteases involved in the regulation of ovarian follicular development and ovulation. Among the different MMPs, MMP13 is known to play an important role in reproduction. Therefore, this study aimed to screen the molecular genetic markers of the MMP13 gene that affect the egg-laying performance of Chahua chickens. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing were performed in the 5' regulation region of the MMP13 gene to detect loci significantly related to the egg-laying performance of Chahua chickens. A double fluorescence reporting system, quantitative reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR), and Western blotting were used to study whether gene expression was regulated by identified sites, providing a theoretical basis to improve egg production in Chahua chickens. The results revealed six single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs; A-1887T, T-1889C, A-1890T, T-2252C, T-2329C, and C-2360A) in the promoter region of the MMP13 gene. Further analysis revealed that hens with T^-1890-C^-1889-T^-1887/T^-1890-C^-1889-T^-1887 (mutant type, MT) had an earlier age at first egg (AFE) than hens with A^-1890-T^-1889-A^-1887/A^-1890-T^-1889-A^-1887 (wild type, WT; p < 0.05). RT-qPCR showed that the relative expression level of the MMP13 gene in the ovarian tissues of individuals with the mutation was higher than that of individuals with the wild gene (p < 0.05). Western blot results confirmed higher levels of the MMP13 protein in MT ovaries compared to those in WT ovaries. Thus, this study suggests that mutation sites on the MMP13 promoter may affect gene expression. In conclusion, the MMP13 gene in Chahua chickens may be significant for egg-laying performance, and the polymorphism in its promoter region could be used as a molecular marker to improve egg-laying performance.

Keywords: Chahua chickens; MMP13; SNPs; age at first egg; ovary.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Animals
Chickens* / genetics
Female
Matrix Metalloproteinase 13 / genetics
Oviposition* / genetics
Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
Promoter Regions, Genetic

Substances

Matrix Metalloproteinase 13

Grants and funding

This work was financially supported by the Major Science and Technology Project of Yunnan Science and Technology Plan Project [2016ZA008], the Project of the National Science Foundation of China [U1702232, 31572359, 31560618], Training Funds for Yunling Scholars and Leading Technical Personnel of Yunling Industry, Yunnan Basic Research Special Youth Project [202301AU070138], Kunming University Talent Introduction Project [XJ20230012].