The Distribution Characteristics of a 19-bp Indel of the PLAG1 Gene in Chinese Cattle.

Zihui Zhou,Zhenyu Lai,Kaixing Qu,Ruihua Dang,Yutang Jia,Jianyong Liu,Bizhi Huang,Fei Wu,Chuzhao Lei,Shipeng Li,Jiawen Hou

doi:10.3390/ani9121082

Abstract

Simple SummaryGrowth traits are important quantitative traits for cattle performance, which influences herd productivity. Previous studies demonstrated that a 19-bp indel in pleomorphic adenoma gene 1 (PLAG1) is associated with bovine growth traits. In our studies, the distribution of the 19-bp indel of PLAG1 gene among 37 Chinese cattle breeds and the association between this indel and growth traits of Yunling cattle were explored. As a result, we found that the average body height of various Chinese cattle breeds showed an increasing trend from south to north of China, which was consistent with the distribution trend of the 19-bp indel in cattle at different geographic latitudes. Moreover, this indel was verified to be significantly associated with the growth traits of Yunling cattle. Our results showed that the 19-bp indel in PLAG1 strongly influences body size in Chinese cattle.Pleomorphic adenoma gene 1 (PLAG1) belongs to the PLAG family of zinc finger transcription factors. In cattle, a 19-bp insertion/deletion (indel) was identified in intron 1 of the PLAG1 gene (GenBank Accession No. AC_000171.1). Researches showed that the indel is polymorphic in Chinese cattle breeds such as Qinchuan cattle, Pinan cattle, Xianan cattle, and Jiaxian red cattle, and correlation analysis showed that the polymorphism is related to the height of these cattle breeds. Chinese cattle breeds show a difference in height related to geographical distribution. We investigated the distribution of the 19-bp indel polymorphism in 37 cattle breeds, including 1354 individuals. The results showed that there were three genotypes and two alleles (W, 366 bp; D, 347 bp). From northern cattle to southern cattle, the frequency of W allele gradually decreased, while the frequency of D allele showed an opposite trend, which was consistent with the distribution of cattle breeds of different height in China. Therefore, the polymorphism of this indel may be related to the regional distribution of cattle breeds in China. In addition, we chose Yunling cattle with a mixed genetic background to study the genetic effects of the 19-bp indel on body size traits. Statistical analysis showed that PLAG1 was significantly associated with the body height, cross height, and chest circumference of Yunling cattle (p < 0.05). This study provides new evidence that the 19-bp indel of the PLAG1 gene is a highly effective trait marker that can be used as a candidate molecular marker for cattle breeding.

Highlights

As a kind of livestock with important economic value, cattle play an indispensable role in animal husbandry
According to the primer of the Pleomorphic adenoma gene 1 (PLAG1) gene designed by Sangon Biotech, the length of the PCR
The results showed that the polymorphism of the PLAG1 gene 19-bp indel in Yunling cattle was significantly correlated with its body size, indicating that the gene locus had a strong population genetic effect

Summary

Introduction

As a kind of livestock with important economic value, cattle play an indispensable role in animal husbandry. Cattle in China are divided into central cattle (Qinchuan cattle, Nanyang cattle, Luxi cattle, Jinnan cattle, etc.), northern cattle (Mongolian cattle, Yanbian cattle, and Kazakh cattle), and southern cattle (Ji’an cattle, Jinjiang cattle, Wannan cattle, Weining cattle, etc.) [1]. There are significant differences in the body height traits of cattle breeds in different regions. The application of molecular marker polymorphisms and other techniques can provide a basis for the classification of Chinese cattle and the screening of body height traits [2]. Pleomorphic adenoma gene 1 (PLAG1) is involved in cell proliferation by directly regulating a wide array of target genes, including a number of growth factors such as IGF2 [3]. Genetic studies found that PLAG1 regulates cell apoptosis and gap 1 (G1)

Results

Discussion

Conclusion