SNPs in AKIRIN2, TTN, EDG1 and MYBPC1 genes are associated with growth-related traits in Chinese Qinchuan cattle

Abstract Growth performances are the main breeding objectives in Chinese beef cattle. The objective of this study was to confirm genetic effects of the c.*188G > A SNP in AKIRIN2, the g.231054C > T SNP in TTN, the g.1471620G > T SNP in EDG1, and the g.70014208A > G SNP in MYBPC1 gene on growth-related traits in Chinese Qinchuan cattle, as well as to compare the frequencies of the well-characterized alleles of these SNPs among six Chinese cattle populations, three Japanese cattle populations, two European cattle populations and one Korean cattle breed. In this study, a total of 655 cattle samples were genotyped using MassARRAY and PCR-RFLP. Association analysis indicated that the four SNPs have effects one to six indexes of growth-related traits including body length, wither height, hip height, hip width, rump length, chest depth and chest circumference in Chinese Qinchuan cattle (P < 0.05 to P < 0.001). The well-characterized A (c.*188G > A), T (g.231054C > T) and T (g.1471620G > T) alleles in Japanese Black cattle were significantly higher than Chinese cattle breeds, on the contrary, the G allele (g.70014208A > G) was markedly higher in Chinese cattle breeds than other cattle breeds. These results suggest that the four SNPs might be useful as a molecular marker for growth-related traits in Chinese Qinchuan cattle.