A Candidate Single Nucleotide Polymorphism in the 3' Untranslated Region of Stearoyl-CoA Desaturase Gene for Fatness Quality and the Gene Expression in Berkshire Pigs

• Published in: Animal bioscience Vol. 28; no. 2; pp. 151 - 157
• Main Authors: Lim, Kyu-Sang, Kim, Jun-Mo, Lee, Eun-A, Choe, Jee-Hwan, Hong, Ki-Chang
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Korea (South) Asian - Australasian Association of Animal Production Societies 01.02.2015; Asian-Australasian Association of Animal Production Societies (AAAP) and Korean Society of Animal Science and Technology (KSAST); Asian-Australasian Association of Animal Production Societies; 아세아·태평양축산학회
• Subjects: Berkshire; Fatness Quality; Gene Expression; Genetic aspects; Genetic research; Health aspects; Obesity; Physiological aspects; Polymorphism; Single nucleotide polymorphisms; Stearoyl-CoA Desaturase; Swine; Zoological research; 축산학; South Korea; Stearoyl-CoA Desaturase [SCD]; Gene Expression; Berkshire; Fatness Quality; Polymorphism
• ISSN: 1011-2367; 2765-0189; 1976-5517; 2765-0235
• DOI: 10.5713/ajas.14.0529

Fatness qualities in pigs measured by the amount of fat deposition and composition of fatty acids (FAs) in pork have considerable effect on current breeding goals. The stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD) gene plays a crucial role in the conversion of saturated FAs into monounsaturated FAs (MUFAs), and hence, is among the candidate genes responsible for pig fatness traits. Here, we identified a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP, c.*2041T>C) in the 3' untranslated region by direct sequencing focused on coding and regulatory regions of porcine SCD. According to the association analysis using a hundred of Berkshire pigs, the SNP was significantly associated with FA composition (MUFAs and polyunsaturated FAs [PUFAs]), polyunsaturated to saturated (P:S) FA ratio, n-6:n-3 FA ratio, and extent of fat deposition such as intramuscular fat and marbling (p<0.05). In addition, the SNP showed a significant effect on the SCD mRNA expression levels (p = 0.041). Based on our results, we suggest that the SCD c.*2041T>C SNP plays a role in the gene regulation and affects the fatness qualities in Berkshire pigs.