Association Analysis to Copy Number Variation (CNV) of Opn4 Gene with Growth Traits of Goats.

Lijuan Li,Hong Chen,Hua He,Qiaoting Shi,Eryao Wang,Shuyue Shi,Yongzhen Huang,Chuzhao Lei,Jiawei Xu,Peng Yang,Zijing Zhang

doi:10.3390/ani10030441

Abstract

Simple SummaryCopy number variation is a common genetic polymorphism and is mainly represented by submicroscopic levels of deletion and duplication which are caused by rearrangement of the genome. It is well known that copy number variations of genes are associated with growth traits of livestock. In this study, we detected the correlation between the copy number variation of the Opn4 gene and growth traits of Guizhou goats. We found that the copy number variation of the Opn4 gene had a significant influence on the body length and body weight of Guizhou goats. The results may provide preliminary suggestions into Guizhou goat breeding and new insights into the future of CNV as a new promising molecular marker in animal breeding.Extensive research has been carried out regarding the correlation between the growth traits of livestock and genetic polymorphisms, including single nucleotide polymorphisms and copy number variations (CNV). The purpose of this study was to analyze the CNV and its genetic effects of the Opn4 gene in 284 Guizhou goats (Guizhou black goat: n = 186, Guizhou white goat: n = 98). We used qPCR to detect the CNV of the Opn4 gene in Guizhou goats, and the classification results were correlated with the corresponding individual growth traits by SPSS software. The results showed that the Opn4 gene had a superior effect on growth traits with multiple copy variants in Guizhou black goats, and there was a significant correlation between copy number variation sites and body length traits. Contrary to the former conclusion, in Guizhou white goats, individuals with the Normal copy number type showed superior growth traits and copy number variant sites were significantly associated with body weight traits. Therefore, the CNV of the Opn4 gene can be used as a candidate molecular genetic marker to improve goat growth traits, speeding up the breeding process of goat elite varieties.

Highlights

In the past, it was thought that the mammalian visual system relied on two photoreceptors to react to light
The results of the association analysis indicated that individuals with multiple copy variants of the Opn4 gene in Guizhou black goats had superiority in growth traits, and there was a significant correlation between copy number variation sites and body length traits
In Guizhou white goats, individuals with a Normal copy number variation were superior in growth traits, and copy number variation sites were significantly associated with body weight traits

Summary

Introduction

It was thought that the mammalian visual system relied on two photoreceptors to react to light. Opn gene, is one of the major candidates for mediating nonvisual photoreceptors. Studies have found that white adipose tissue is affected by a blue-sensitive current, small fat droplets, increased fat degradation rate, and changes in hormone secretion, such as adiponectin [4]. This current is produced by the transient receptor potential canonical (TRPC) channel, which is mediated by the opsin produced by the Opn gene [4,5]. The above content suggests that the Opn gene can affect fat metabolism and sleep regulation in animals and has an important influence on the growth and development of animals. Based on our previous research, high-throughput sequencing revealed that there was a 2000-bp copy number variation (CNV) in the goat Opn gene, and the CNV marker was located in the copy number variation region of Opn gene candidate region Chr28:4401501-4403500

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