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Copy number variations of MTHFSD gene across pig breeds and its association with litter size traits in Chinese indigenous Xiang pig
Author(s) -
Ran XueQin,
Pan Hua,
Huang ShiHui,
Liu Chang,
Niu Xi,
Li Sheng,
Wang JiaFu
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
journal of animal physiology and animal nutrition
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.651
H-Index - 56
eISSN - 1439-0396
pISSN - 0931-2439
DOI - 10.1111/jpn.12922
Subject(s) - copy number variation , biology , gene , genetics , single nucleotide polymorphism , litter , locus (genetics) , population , gene expression , gene dosage , microbiology and biotechnology , genotype , genome , demography , sociology , agronomy
Copy number variation ( CNV ) is a major proportion of genetic variation, which changes the gene structure and dosage and affects gene expression and function. To validate the presence and the function of CNV in pig, we used real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction ( qPCR ) method to validate a 496 kb CNV region comprising MTHFSD gene on chromosome 6 of Xiang pig detected by single nucleotide polymorphism ( SNP ) array. Then we investigated the distribution of the MTHFSD CNV in a total of 545 pigs in four breeds. About 46.2% and 32.7% individuals in the four pig breeds were detected to be types of loss and gain of MTHFSD locus. The relative copy numbers of MTHFSD gene showed the largest variation range (0–55 copies) in the Xiang pig population. The copy numbers of MTHFSD gene presented the positive correlations with the transcript level of MTHFSD gene in adult ovaries. Statistical analysis indicated that CNV s of MTHFSD gene was significantly changed the litter size traits of Xiang pigs, and the individuals with CNV gain showed more litter size than the CNV loss pigs. We have reasons to believe that the MTHFSD as RNA ‐binding protein play an important role in pig reproduction as a result of regulating MTHFS mRNA metabolism.