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A functional variant in the 5′‐flanking region of the chicken serotonin transporter gene is associated with increased body weight and locomotor activity
Author(s) -
Phivan Loc,
Holtz Marlis,
Kjaer Joergen B.,
Phi Valerie D.,
Zimmermann Katrin
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
journal of neurochemistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.75
H-Index - 229
eISSN - 1471-4159
pISSN - 0022-3042
DOI - 10.1111/jnc.12799
Subject(s) - microbiology and biotechnology , chloramphenicol acetyltransferase , gene , biology , 5' flanking region , genotype , reporter gene , genetics , dna , serotonin transporter , base pair , gene expression , promoter
In this study, we identified a polymorphism in the 5′‐flanking region of the chicken serotonin transporter (5‐ HTT ) gene. Sequencing analysis revealed that in comparison with the wild‐type variant (W), a deleted variant (D) is generated by deletion of four nucleotides (5′‐ AATT ‐3′) and a single nucleotide change (A→T). Using a polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis system, we found that the 360‐bp DNA fragment containing the W variant with the wild‐type sequence 5′‐ AATTAATT ‐3′ shows intrinsic DNA curvature while the 356‐bp fragment containing the D variant lacking the four base pairs AATT is not curved. Quantitative real‐time RT ‐ PCR and ELISA demonstrated that the expression of 5‐ HTT in D/D chickens was higher than that in W/W and W/D chickens. In addition, transient transfection experiments with chloramphenicol acetyltransferase reporter gene constructs revealed increased 5‐ HTT promoter activity mediated by the D variant and a silencer activity of the W variant. Interestingly, females and males with D/D genotype showed significant greater increase in body weight from 6 weeks and 16 weeks of age, respectively, and higher body mass index. Moreover, we found that D/D chickens of both genders were physically more active than W/W and W/D chickens.We identified a polymorphism in the 5'‐flanking region of the chicken serotonin transporter (5‐HTT) gene. The expression of 5‐HTT in D/D chickens was higher than that in W/W and W/D chickens. D/D females showed significant greater increase in body weight from 6 weeks of age, higher body mass index and higher content of intra‐abdominal fat. The presence of D/D alleles resulted in increase in physical activity.