Articles | Volume 60, issue 1
https://doi.org/10.5194/aab-60-27-2017
https://doi.org/10.5194/aab-60-27-2017
Original study
 | 
13 Mar 2017
Original study |  | 13 Mar 2017

SIRT1 gene polymorphisms associated with carcass traits in Luxi cattle

Guifen Liu, Hongbo Zhao, Xiuwen Tan, Haijian Cheng, Wei You, Fachun Wan, Yifan Liu, Enliang Song, and Xiaomu Liu

Abstract. SIRT1 is the gene that codes for Sirtuin 1, an NAD (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide)-dependent class III histone deacetylase. This gene plays a key role in adipose tissue and muscle development in animals. Chinese Luxi cattle (n  =  169) were selected to identify SIRT1 SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms) and investigate the relationship of these SNPs with carcass traits. Five SNPs (g.-382G  >  A, g.-274C  >  G, g.17324T  >  C, g.17379A  >  G, and g.17491G  >  A) were identified by direct sequencing. SNPs g.-382G  >  A and g.-274C  >  G were located within the promoter region of this gene. SNP g.-382G  >  A was significantly associated with dressing percentage, meat percentage, and striploin and ribeye weights, and the g.-274C  >  G polymorphism had a strong effect on carcass, tenderloin, and high rib weights in Luxi cattle. These findings will provide possible clues for the biological roles of SIRT1 underlying beef cattle carcass traits.

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Short summary
The main contribution of our paper is the identification of several SNPs of the SIRT1 gene in beef cattle and their relationships to carcass traits such as weight and meat percentage. We believe that this contribution is theoretically and practically relevant because beef cattle are bred to maximize carcass quality, but traits that lead to carcass quality are difficult to assess in vivo. We provide a method to select individuals for breeding based on genetic propensity for meat production.