ASSOCIATION BETWEEN A31GSNP OF THE MYOSTATIN GENE AND SERUM LEVELS OF ALP, GOT, P AND CA IN EGYPTIAN BUFFALO (BUBALUS BUBALIS)

Abstract

Myostatin, a member of the transforming growth factor s (TGF-s) superfamily, is a negative regulator of skeletal muscle growth in mammals. The loss or inhibition of myostatin signaling dramatically increases muscle mass. This study is aimed to detect single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the myostatin (Mstn) gene and to associate measure their effect on mineral (Ca and P) and enzymatic (GOT and ALP) serum levels in high and low meat producing Egyptian buffaloes. Mstn gene was amplified by PCR and subsequently, subjected to sequence analysis to identify different allelic patterns. The nucleotide sequence analyses revealed presence of a novel A31GSNP in Mstn1 locus at nucleotide number 50 before exon2. This SNP was synonymous as it is located in the non coding sequence and so no amino acid was changed. However, the sequences of the other three loci showed 100% identity among the Egyptian buffaloes and as compare to the published sequences of buffalo (GenBank accession number, DQ091762). To identify whether A31G SNP is accompanied by change in serum levels of GOT, ALP enzymes, and Ca and Ph, the levels of these enzymes and minerals were estimated in the serum of high and low meat producing Egyptian buffaloes at age of 2 year. The serum levels of ALP, GOT, P, and Ca were significantly increased in high meat producing buffaloes as compared to low meat producing animals. The results of this study can be enable breeders to do an accurate and earlier selection of high meat producing buffaloes on a genotype basis.