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Association of single nucleotide polymorphism in melatonin receptor 1A gene with egg production traits in Yangzhou geese
Author(s) -
Alsiddig M. A.,
Yu S. G.,
Pan Z. X.,
Widaa H.,
Badri T. M.,
Chen J.,
Liu H. L.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
animal genetics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.756
H-Index - 81
eISSN - 1365-2052
pISSN - 0268-9146
DOI - 10.1111/age.12517
Subject(s) - biology , single nucleotide polymorphism , genetics , gene , polymorphism (computer science) , melatonin receptor , snp , genotype , receptor
Summary In the present study the melatonin receptor 1A gene ( MTNR 1A ) was proposed to be a candidate gene for egg production in Yangzhou geese. A total of 210 goose blood samples were collected to investigate the association of the MTNR 1A gene with the number of eggs produced. Using a direct sequencing method, a single nucleotide polymorphism ( SNP ; g.177G>C) was detected in the 5ʹ regulatory region of the MTNR 1A gene (Genbank ss1985399687). Two alleles (G and C) and three genotypes were identified. Association analysis results showed that the g.177G>C SNP significantly affected the level of egg production within a 34‐week egg‐laying period ( P < 0.05). Furthermore, the geese with the GG genotype produced significantly more eggs compared to the geese with the CC genotype. Quantitative real‐time PCR analysis showed that the MTNR 1A gene was highly expressed in small intestine, granulosa cell and ovary compared to other examined tissues. In addition, the mRNA expression level of MTNR 1A in ovary indicated that significantly higher expression levels were recorded for geese with the GG genotype compared to those with the CC genotype. Moreover, a luciferase reporter assay showed that the CC genotype had significantly lower promoter activity than did GG . These results suggest that the identified SNP in the MTNR 1A gene may influence the number of eggs produced and mRNA expression levels in Yangzhou geese and could be considered as a useful molecular marker in goose selection and improvement, especially for egg production.