Premium
Effect of an exon 1 mutation in the myostatin gene on the growth traits of the Bian chicken
Author(s) -
Zhang G. X.,
Zhao X. H.,
Wang J. Y.,
Ding F. X.,
Zhang L.
Publication year - 2012
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/j.1365-2052.2011.02274.x
Subject(s) - biology , myostatin , exon , genetics , gene , mutation , phenotype
Summary Myostatin ( MSTN ), or growth and differentiation factor 8 ( GDF8 ), is a member of the transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β superfamily. This family functions as a negative regulator of skeletal muscle development and growth in mammals. Single‐nucleotide polymorphisms in exon 1 of the Bian chicken myostatin gene were detected by polymerase chain reaction‐restriction fragment length polymorphism. A mutation (c.234G>A) in exon 1 was found. Female Bian chickens of genotypes AA and GA had significantly higher body weights than those of genotype GG ( P < 0.05 or P < 0.01) from 6 to 18 weeks of age. These results suggested that the mutation c.234G>A in exon 1 could be used as a genetic marker for Bian chicken growth traits.