Characterization, expression profiles, intracellular distribution and association analysis of porcine PNAS-4 gene with production traits.

BACKGROUND:In a previous screen to identify differentially expressed genes associated with embryonic development, the porcine gene had been found. Considering differentially expressed genes in early stages of muscle development are potential candidate genes to improve meat quality and production efficiency, we determined how porcine duanyu1535S-4 gene regulates meat production. Therefore, this gene has been sequenced, expression analyzed and associated with meat production traits. RESULTS:We cloned the full-length cDNA of porcine duanyu1535S-4 gene encoding a protein of 194 amino acids which was expressed in the Golgi complex. This gene was mapped to chromosome 10, q11-16, in a region of conserved synteny with human chromosome 1 where the human homologous gene was localized. revealed that duanyu1535S-4 mRNA was widely expressed with highest expression levels in skeletal muscle followed by lymph, liver and other tissues, and showed a down-regulated expression pattern during prenatal development while a up-regulated expression pattern after weaning. Association analysis revealed that allele C of SNP A1813C was prevalent in Chinese indigenous breeds whereas A was dominant allele in Landrace and Large White, and the pigs with homozygous CC had a higher fat content than those of the pigs with other genotypes (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION:Porcine duanyu1535S-4 protein tagged with green fluorescent protein accumulated in the Golgi complex, and its mRNA showed a widespread expression across many tissues and organs in pigs. It may be an important factor affecting the meat production efficiency, because its down-regulated expression pattern during early embryogenesis suggests involvement in increase of muscle fiber number. In addition, the SNP A1813C associated with fat traits might be a genetic marker for molecular-assisted selection in animal breeding.

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