Correlations between SNP of <I>LALBA</I> gene and economic traits in Inner Mongolian white cashmere goat

Abstract

PCR-SSCP and DNA sequencing methods were conducted to detect single nucleotide polymorphism of alpha-lactalbumin (LALBA) gene in 452 Inner Mongolian white cashmere goats (IMWC). Correlations between SNP of goat LALBA gene and economic traits, e.g., cashmere yield, cashmere thickness, length and weight, were analyzed. The SSCP in P2 primer locus, which was caused by the point mutation M63868:g.1897T>C in the exon 3 of LALBA gene was detected. At this locus, the genotype TT and allele T were predominant in the IMWC population, which agreed with Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Moreover, there was a significant correlation between polymorphism of goat M63868:g.1897 locus and cashmere yield of IMWC (P=0.017). The individuals with genotype TC had more cashmere yield than those with geontype TT. Hence, genotype TC of LALBA gene can be used as a molecular marker for breeding superior cashmere yield in goat marker-assisted selection.