Genotypic distribution of MSTN gene polymorphisms involved in racing performance in Camelus dromedarius

Abstract

Camel racing is one of the popular sports around the world and is growing rapidly especially in Gulf countries. Camel has adapted itself to harsh and draught climate of desert. ?his quality of camel makes it the best choice in racing industry. Pakistani breed Dromedarius camels are as good as Omani and Sudanese camel breeds in their racing potential. Myostatin (Growth differentiation factor 8) is a protein coded by MSTN gene. Polymorphism in MSTN play a significant role in growth of muscle, increasing fast glycolysis Type IIB muscle fiber, forming tubular aggregates in type IIB fiber by increasing the body strength and racing ability. This gene is also responsible for double muscle phenotype in bovines. In present study, Marecha and Brela camel breeds of Pakistan were studied for genomic characterization of MSTN gene. Blood samples were collected from the healthy animals between the age group of 2-4 years. Genomic DNA was extracted, amplified by using specific sets of primers, purified and sequenced by Sanger?s dideoxy chain termination method. No single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were found in the exon-3 of MSTN of Marecha & Brela, which shows that the gene is highly conserved among species while phylogenetic data of the dromedarius MSTN gene showed highest similarity with Bos taurus and least similarity with Gallus gallus. Genes that are similar to the camel MSTN are myostatin of Homo sapiens, Pan troglodytes, Bos taurus, Canis lupus, Rattus norvegicus. The significance of this study was to identify the genetic potential of Pakistani camel for racing that will help in the socioeconomic uplift of the local community. It will also help the camel breeders to select the best breed of camel & enhance their genetic potential by using least operating cost. That will in turn provide opportunity to the camel breeders to produce the best breed that will be selected by the trainers for racing that will provide another source of income for the local community and Pakistan?s camels will also be used in the racing industry.