Fine mapping of a QTL for ear size on porcine chromosome 5 and identification of high mobility group AT-hook 2 (HMGA2) as a positional candidate gene.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Ear size and shape are distinct conformation characteristics of pig breeds. Previously, we identified a significant quantitative trait locus (QTL) influencing ear surface on pig chromosome 5 in a White Duroc×Erhualian F2 resource population. This QTL explained more than 17% of the phenotypic variance.

Methods

Four new markers on pig chromosome 5 were genotyped across this F2 population. RT-PCR was performed to obtain expression profiles of different candidate genes in ear tissue. Standard association test, marker-assisted association test and F-drop test were applied to determine the effects of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) on ear size. Three synthetic commercial lines were also used for the association test.

Results

We refined the QTL to an 8.7-cM

SUBMITTER: Li P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3337325 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature