Xianyong Lan

Northwest A & F University, Yangling, Shaanxi Sheng, China

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Publications (44)86.99 Total impact

  • Article: mRNA expression pattern and association study with growth traits of bovine vaspin gene.
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    ABSTRACT: Visceral adipose tissue-derived serine protease inhibitor (vaspin) is an interesting novel adipocytokine with insulin-sensitizing effects. Some studies have suggested that vaspin could play an important role in the development of obesity and metabolic disorders. However, the tissue expression patterns in cattle and impact of vaspin gene variants on the growth traits has not been determined yet. Herein, we firstly investigated the tissue expression patterns of vaspin gene in new born and adult cattle. The results showed that vaspin was ubiquitously expressed in most tissues and strongly expressed in the heart, skeletal muscle and fat. Then, genetic variants within bovine vaspin gene were screened in 1235 individuals from five Chinese indigenous cattle breeds. Two novel mutations in coding region (NW_001494061: g.1124477 G>A and g.1118561 T>C) of bovine vaspin gene were identified using MspI PCR-RFLP and HhaI ACRS PCR-RFLP detection. Association analysis revealed both two mutations were significantly associated with bodyweight and chest girth at 24 months in cattle (P < 0.05). Therefore, the MspI and HhaI genetic variants of bovine vaspin gene were recommended as DNA markers related to growth traits through marker-assisted selection for genetics and breeding in cattle.
    Molecular Biology Reports 05/2013; · 2.93 Impact Factor
  • Article: SNPs of bovine HGF gene and their association with growth traits in Nanyang cattle.
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    ABSTRACT: Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is one of the multifunctional cell factors that regulates cellular proliferation, motility and morphogenesis in mammalians. And its medical research has deep significance. In this paper, polymorphisms of HGF gene were investigated in 1433 health and irrelated Chinese cattle by PCR-RFLP and DNA sequencing approach. Ten novel Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified, which included one missense mutation, g.72801G>A in the coding region, and the others in the intron. Association analysis between four of them, g.288T>C, g.72801G>A, g.77172G>T, and g.77408T>G, and growth traits in Nanyang, were performed. The results indicated that SNPs within bovine HGF gene were significantly associated with growth traits. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the genetic background of Caoyuan Red cattle was different from the others in the tested breeds. The findings will provide a background for application of bovine HGF gene in the selection program in Chinese cattle.
    Research in Veterinary Science 04/2013; · 1.65 Impact Factor
  • Article: Haplotypes and effects on growth traits of bovine Wnt7a gene in Chinese Qinchuan cattle.
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    ABSTRACT: Wnt7a is a member of the WNT gene family, which encodes secreted signaling proteins and responds to many biological processes. Specifically Wnt7a influences satellite stem cells and regulates the regenerative potential of the muscle. However, similar researches about the bovine Wnt7a gene are lacking. Therefore, in this study, polymorphisms of the bovine Wnt7a gene were detected in 488 individuals from Chinese Qinchuan cattle by DNA pooling, forced PCR-RFLP, and DNA sequencing methods. 3 novel SNPs were identified, two SNPs (g.T4926C and g.A21943G) were in the intron and the rest one was (g.C63777T) in the exon. Five haplotypes involved in these three variant sites in the Wnt7a gene were identified and their effects on growth traits were analyzed. The results revealed that haplotype 1 had the highest haplotype frequencies and was highly significantly associated with body height (P<0.01), body weight (P<0.05), chest width (P<0.05) and height at hip cross (P<0.01) respectively.
    Gene 04/2013; · 2.34 Impact Factor
  • Article: Identification and profiling of conserved and novel microRNAs from Chinese Qinchuan bovine longissimus thoracis.
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    ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a family of ~22 nucleotide small RNA molecules that regulate gene expression by fully or partially binding to their complementary sequences. Recently, a large number of miRNAs and their expression patterns have been identified in various species. However, to date no miRNAs have been reported to modulate muscle development in beef cattle. RESULTS: Total RNAs from the Chinese Qinchuan bovine longissimus thoracis at fetal and adult stages were used to construct small RNA libraries for Solexa SBS technology sequencing. A total of 15,454,182 clean reads were obtained from the fetal bovine library and 13,558,164 clean reads from the adult bovine library. In total, 521 miRNAs including 104 novel miRNA candidates were identified. Furthermore, the nucleotide bias, base edit and family of the known miRNAs were also analyzed. Based on stem-loop qPCR, 25 high-read miRNAs were detected, and the results showed that bta-miRNA-206, miRNA-1, miRNA-133, miRNAn12, and miRNAn17 were highly expressed in muscle-related tissue or organs, suggesting that these miRNAs may play a role in the development of bovine muscle tissues. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirmed the authenticity of 417 known miRNAs, discovered 104 novel miRNAs in bos taurus, and identified five muscle-specific miRNAs. The identification of novel miRNAs significantly expanded the repertoire of bovine miRNAs and could contribute to further studies on the muscle development of cattle.
    BMC Genomics 01/2013; 14(1):42. · 4.07 Impact Factor
  • Article: Haplotypes of bovine FoxO1 gene sequence variants and association with growth traits in Qinchuan cattle.
    Journal of Genetics 01/2013; 92(1):e8-e14. · 1.09 Impact Factor
  • Article: Integrating haplotypes and single genetic variability effects of the Pax7 gene on growth traits in two cattle breeds.
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    ABSTRACT: The paired box 7 (Pax7) gene encoding for the transcription factor can regulate the conversion of stem cells into myogenic cells and participate in the development and regeneration of skeletal muscle. The aims of this study were to detect variations of the Pax7 gene by DNA pool sequencing and aCRS-RFLP methods in 1441 cattle from five breeds and to investigate their associations with growth traits in Nanyang and Chinese red steppe cattle. Altogether, three novel single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified in the last intron of the Pax7 gene: NC_007300: ss1 (g. G103688A), ss2 (g. T103735C), and ss3 (g. A103764T). Genotypes and the referring haplotype frequencies showed a high similarity trend among five breeds, and the G, T, and A allele frequencies of the three loci were always superior when separate or in combination. Association analysis of the single SNPs and haplotype combinations revealed that the T allele of ss2 and ss3 loci and the haplotype H(2)H(2) (GG-TT-TT) showed significant effects on growth traits such as body height, body mass, and chest girth in cattle at early stages (6 and 12 months old) (P < 0.05). The results showed that Pax7 gene variations and their corresponding genotypes may be considered as molecular markers for economic traits in cattle breeding.
    Genome 01/2013; 56(1):9-15. · 1.65 Impact Factor
  • Article: SNPs identification in FBXO32 gene and their associations with growth traits in cattle.
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    ABSTRACT: The F-box protein 32 (FBXO32), also known as Atrogin-1, is one of the four subunits of the ubiquitin protein ligase complex. FBXO32 has been previously shown to be involved in regulation of initiation and development of muscle mass. In the present study, we investigated the polymorphism of FBXO32 gene in 1, 313 cattle from seven bovine breeds using DNA sequencing, polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and PCR-based amplification-created restriction site (PCR-ACRS) methods. Four novel single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified within bovine FBXO32, and were deposited in the GenBank database. The association studies between these four SNPs and growth traits were performed in NanYang cattle. Notably, the SNPs ss411628932 and ss411628936 were shown to be significantly associated with body length of 24-month-old NanYang cattle. Based on the above four SNPs, 16 haplotypes were identified. The main haplotype was AATA, which occurred at a frequency of more than 40%. Additionally, phylogenetic analysis showed that geographical distance was essential to gene flow among seven cattle breeds. Indigenous bovine breeds displayed genetic difference in comparison to hybrid bovine breeds that have foreign origins. We herein describe for the first time a comprehensive study on the variability of bovine FBXO32 gene that is predictive of genetic potential for body length phenotype.
    Gene 12/2012; · 2.34 Impact Factor
  • Article: Exploring polymorphisms and potential application roles of the bovine Nfix gene in breeding.
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    ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to detect mutations of the nuclear factor I/X (Nfix) gene and examine the association of its polymorphisms with growth traits in cattle. Six sequence variants (SVs) including five single-nucleotide mutations and an indel with multiple alleles were detected, among which four polymorphisms within the Nfix gene were identified in 1159 individuals of five cattle breeds by sequencing and forced PCR-RFLP methods. The results of haplotype analysis showed 14 haplotypes within the breeds. Three haplotypes were shared by the five cattle breeds. Hap1 (ACAI) was extremely predominant in all test populations, which suggested that individuals with Hap1 (ACAI) were more adapted to the steppe environment. Association analysis in Nanyang cattle showed that two SVs of the Nfix gene were significantly associated with growth traits at different ages. In addition, the locations of the SVs showed that the 3' terminal of the bovine Nfix gene was unstable. Combining this instability with its characteristic of multiple alternative splicing, we conjectured that some SVs might have a relationship with the formation of the splices through which growth traits are modulated. This study will provide useful information for the selection and detection of multiple forms of alternative splicing of the bovine Nfix gene.
    Genome 12/2012; 55(12):845-51. · 1.65 Impact Factor
  • Article: Haplotype combination of the bovine INSIG1 gene sequence variants and association with growth traits in Nanyang cattle.
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    ABSTRACT: The insulin-induced gene 1 (INSIG1) gene encodes a protein that blocks proteolytic activation of sterol regulatory element binding proteins, which are transcription factors that activate genes that regulate cholesterol, fatty acid, and glucose metabolism. However, similar research for the bovine INSIG1 gene is lacking. Therefore, in this study, polymorphisms of the bovine INSIG1 gene were detected in 643 individuals from four cattle breeds by DNA pooling, forced PCR-RFLP, PCR-SSCP, and DNA sequencing methods. Only 10 novel SNPs were identified, which included four mutations in the coding region and the others in the introns. In Nanyang individuals, seven common haplotypes were identified based on four coding region SNPs. The haplotype GACT, with a frequency of 75.4%, was the most prevalent haplotypes and SNPs formed two linkage disequilibrium blocks with strong multi-allelic D' (D' = 1). Additionally, association analysis between mutations of the bovine INSIG1 gene and growth traits in Nanyang cattle at 6, 12, 18, and 24 months old was performed, and the results indicated that the polymorphisms were not significantly associated with body mass.
    Genome 05/2012; 55(6):429-36. · 1.65 Impact Factor
  • Article: SNPs in the coding region of bovine MGAT2 gene are associated with body weight and weight gain
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    ABSTRACT: Monoacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 (MGAT2), as a candidate gene for quantitative traits, relates to dietary fat uptake, lipids synthesis and storage, which plays a major role in the absorption of dietary fat by catalyzing the resynthesis of triacylglycerol in enterocytes. In this study, based on DNA pool sequencing and PCR-RFLP methods, polymorphisms of the MGAT2 gene were detected in 1145 Chinese indigenous cattle. The results revealed two novel mutations located on exon 1 and exon 5 (NM_001099136.1:m.84G>T and 756A>G). Hence, we described the HaeIII forced PCR-RFLP method in exon1 and a MluI PCR-RFLP method in exon5 to detect them. In addition, the associations of these polymorphisms with growth traits were evaluated in Nanyang cattle. The results showed that only HaeIII locus was associated with body weight and average daily gain aged 6 months, and individuals with genotype TT showed significantly higher body weight and average daily gain than those with genotype GG. KeywordsCattle–Growth traits– MGAT2 Gene–PCR-RFLP–SNP association
    Genes & genomics 04/2012; 33(3):267-272. · 0.44 Impact Factor
  • Article: Polymorphisms in BMP-2 gene and their associations with growth traits in goats
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    ABSTRACT: BMPs plays an important role in skeletal development. In this study, PCR-SSCP and DNA sequencing methods were employed to screen the genetic variation of caprine BMP-2 gene in 299 goats from three breeds (Boer goat, Chinese Xuhuai white goat and Chinese Haimen goat). Three fragments of BMP-2 gene were investigated, only 3′ flanking region of BMP-2 gene showed polymorphism. The alignment between nucleotide sequences of AY714781.1 in GenBank and the sequencing results of three PCR products with different patterns revealed that there was one mutation (AY714781.1: g.A172G) in 3′ flanking region of BMP-2 gene, which constructed three genotypes (AA, AB, BB). The frequencies of allele A and genotype AA were dominant in all three breeds. Frequency of allele B in Haimen goat breed was significantly lower than that of the other two breeds. The genotype distributions were in good agreement with Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (P>0.05) in each breed. The PIC (Polymorphism Information Content) values in three populations were 0.3261, 0.2558, 0.1663 for Boer goat, Xuhuai White goat and Haimen goat respectively. It was indicated that individuals of Boer goats with genotype BB were significantly higher than those of individuals with genotype AA in body trunk index (P<0.01). No polymorphism was detected in the exon3. KeywordsBMP-2 gene-Goat-Growth traits
    Genes & genomics 04/2012; 32(1):29-35. · 0.44 Impact Factor
  • Article: The polymorphisms of bovine PCSK1 gene and their associations with growth traits
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    ABSTRACT: Proprotein convertase 1 (PCSK1) is an endopeptidase involved in proteolytic processing of peptide hormone precursors in granules of the regulated secretory pathway of endocrine cells and mutations in PCSK1 gene are thought to cause obesity. In the present study, based on PCR-SSCP and DNA sequencing methods, polymorphisms of the PCSK1 gene were detected in 858 individuals from five breeds (Nanyang cattle, Qinchuan cattle, Jiaxian cattle, Luxi cattle and Chinese Holstein). The results showed that only P8 locus showed polymorphisms and 3 synonymous SNPs of PCSK1 gene were identified. Additionally, significant statistical difference was found in bovine birth weight and diplotype MM were 7.35% higher than diplotype XY. KeywordsCattle–Growth traits–Mutation– PCSK1 gene–SSCP
    Genes & genomics 04/2012; 33(1):57-63. · 0.44 Impact Factor
  • Article: Haplotype combinations of AdPLA gene polymorphisms associate with growth traits in Chinese cattle.
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    ABSTRACT: Ablation of AdPLA in mice could prevent obesity, which implicated AdPLA was a new candidate gene for growth traits. In this study, we screened the polymorphisms of AdPLA gene and revealed three novel SNPs (NC_007330.4:g.43638506 C>T, 43658457 T>C and 43661404 T>C) by DNA sequencing and forced PCR-RFLP methods in 1340 individuals from six breeds. A preliminary single SNP-traits association analysis demonstrated that CC genotype was significantly higher than TT genotype at two growth traits in P6-EcoRII locus (P < 0.05). Moreover, the P8-FbaI locus had a significant association with some growth traits, individuals with TT genotype were higher than CC genotype (P < 0.05). A further analysis confirmed that these two SNPs were in linkage disequilibrium, and haplotype H2, both advantage allelic in P6-EcoRII and P8-FbaI loci, was better than the others for bovine growth traits, which was consistent with single SNP-traits association results. Therefore, this study not only proved that these SNPs were in association with bovine growth traits, but also contributed to evaluate them as genetic markers in bovine genetics and breeding and had potential application in breeding programs.
    Molecular Biology Reports 02/2012; 39(6):7069-76. · 2.93 Impact Factor
  • Article: Comparative Transcriptome Profiling of Dairy Goat MicroRNAs from Dry Period and Peak Lactation Mammary Gland Tissues.
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    ABSTRACT: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNA molecules that serve as important post-transcriptional gene expression regulators by targeting messenger RNAs for post-transcriptional endonucleolytic cleavage or translational inhibition. miRNAs play important roles in many biological processes. Extensive high-throughput sequencing studies of miRNAs have been performed in several animal models. However, little is known about the diversity of these regulatory RNAs in goat (Capra hircus), which is one of the most important agricultural animals and the oldest domesticated species raised worldwide. Goats have long been used for their milk, meat, hair (including cashmere), and skins throughout much of the world. In this study, two small RNA libraries were constructed based on dry period and peak lactation dairy goat mammary gland tissues and sequenced using the Illumina-Solexa high-throughput sequencing technology. A total of 346 conserved and 95 novel miRNAs were identified in the dairy goat. miRNAs expression was confirmed by qRT-PCR in nine tissues and in the mammary gland during different stages of lactation. In addition, several candidate miRNAs that may be involved in mammary gland development and lactation were found by comparing the miRNA expression profiles in different tissues and developmental stages of the mammary gland. This study reveals the first miRNAs profile related to the biology of the mammary gland in the dairy goat. The characterization of these miRNAs could contribute to a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms of lactation physiology and mammary gland development in the dairy goat.
    PLoS ONE 01/2012; 7(12):e52388. · 4.09 Impact Factor
  • Article: Haplotype combination of the caprine PC1 gene sequence variants and association with growth traits in Chinese Haimen breed.
    Journal of Genetics 01/2012; 91(1):e54-9. · 1.09 Impact Factor
  • Article: Exploring polymorphisms and associations of the bovine MOGAT3 gene with growth traits.
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    ABSTRACT: Monoacylglycerol acyltransferase (MGAT3, also known as MOGAT3) catalyzes the synthesis of diacylglycerol (DAG) using 2-monoacylglycerol and fatty acyl coenzyme A. This enzymatic reaction is believed to be an essential and rate-limiting step for the absorption of dietary fat in the small intestine. However, similar research for the bovine MOGAT3 gene is lacking. Therefore, in this paper, polymorphisms of the bovine MOGAT3 gene were detected in 1145 individuals from five cattle breeds by DNA pooling, PCR-RFLP, and DNA sequencing methods. The results showed that 26 novel SNPs were identified, which included 16 mutations in the coding region and the others in the introns. Additionally, association analysis between two missense mutations, g.A229G and g.G1627A, and growth traits in Nanyang cattle up to 2 years of age and adult Qinchuan cattle was performed. The results indicated that polymorphisms were significantly associated with Nanyang cattle, but no convincing associations were observed for Qinchuan cattle for the studied traits.
    Genome 12/2011; 55(1):56-62. · 1.65 Impact Factor
  • Article: Analysis of genetic variability at codon 42 within caprine prion protein gene in relation to production traits in Chinese domestic breeds.
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    ABSTRACT: In this study, genetic variability at codon 42 within prion protein (PRNP) gene and its associations with production traits were investigated in 2002 goats from four Chinese domestic breeds. The frequencies of allele "A" ranged from 0.353 to 0.562 in analyzed goat breeds with Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (P > 0.05) except Xinong Sannen (XNSN) dairy breed. The establishment of relationships between different genotypes and growth traits was performed in Inner Mongolia white Cashmere (IMWC) breed and revealed an association of the polymorphism with body weight at 7-year-old goats (P = 0.033). The individuals with genotype GG showed heavier body weight than those with genotype AA. Moreover, association analysis detected two significant associations between different genotypes and cashmere yield and fiber length in IMWC breed (P = 0.009, P = 0.048, respectively). In addition, three significant associations of different genotypes with density of milk (a.m. and p.m.), solids-not-fat of milk (P = 0.013, P = 0.009 and P = 0.002), respectively, were found in XNSN breed. Genotype GG had better milk quality than others. These findings suggested that the polymorphism of codon 42 within PRNP was a useful DNA marker for eliminating or selecting excellent individuals in relation to production traits in marker-assist selection breeding of goat.
    Molecular Biology Reports 12/2011; 39(4):4981-8. · 2.93 Impact Factor
  • Article: Exploring polymorphisms of the bovine RARRES2 gene and their associations with growth traits.
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    ABSTRACT: Retinoic acid receptor responder 2 gene (RARRES2) encodes a novel adipokine protein that plays a crucial role in regulating several biological processes, including immune responses, adipocyte differentiation, type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome. In this paper, polymorphisms of the bovine RARRES2 gene were detected in 1300 individuals from six breeds by DNA pooling, CRS-PCR-RFLP and DNA sequencing methods. The results showed that NC_007302:g.117035859A>G, 117035706G>A and 117034290A>G were in the coding region, which resulted in three synonymous mutations and only 117033779C>G was in the 3' UTR. Additionally, associations of the four novel SNPs with growth traits were analyzed in Nanyang cattle up to 2 years of age. In P1-PvuII locus, individuals with genotype BC had greater body height and hucklebone width than those with genotype AA, AC and AB at the age of 24 months. In P3-BamHI locus, individuals with genotype AG had higher hucklebone width than those with genotype GG at the age of 24 months. However, no statistically significant differences were observed in P5-SmaI locus. These results indicated that RARRES2 gene might be a potential candidate gene for marker-assisted selection (MAS).
    Molecular Biology Reports 06/2011; 39(3):2305-11. · 2.93 Impact Factor
  • Article: Polymorphisms of diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 gene and their relationship with growth traits in goats.
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    ABSTRACT: Diacylglycerol acyltransferase (DGAT) plays a critical role in the synthesis of triacylglycerol. In this study, PCR-SSCP and DNA sequencing methods were employed to screen the genetic variations of DGAT-2 gene in 299 goats from three breeds (Boer goat, Chinese Xuhuai white goat and Chinese Haimen goat). Three fragments of DGAT-2 gene were investigated, only exon 3 of DGAT-2 gene showed polymorphism. The alignment between nucleotide sequences of NM_205793.2 in GenBank and the sequencing results of three PCR products with different patterns revealed that there was one mutation (A → G) in exon 3 of DGAT-2 gene, which resulted in amino acid change (Lys → Arg) and constructed two genotypes (AA, AB). The frequencies of allele A and genotype AA were dominant in all three breeds. And there was no significant difference for genotypic and allelic frequencies among the three breeds. The genotype distributions were in good agreement with Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (P > 0.05) in each breed. Significant statistical differences were only found in withers heights (P < 0.05) in Xuhuai goat between genotypes. The results indicated that individuals with genotype AA were significantly higher than those of individuals with genotype AB in withers height (P < 0.05). No polymorphism was detected in the intron 3, exon 8 and 3' flanking region. So we suggested that DGAT-2 gene had the close relationship with growth traits in goats. And this mutation could be used as a perfect molecular marker for marker-assisted selection (MAS) in animal genetics and breeding.
    Molecular Biology Reports 06/2011; 39(2):1801-7. · 2.93 Impact Factor
  • Article: Novel SNPs in the caprine stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD) and decorin (DCN) genes that are associated with growth traits in Chinese goat breeds.
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    ABSTRACT: Stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD) is an iron-containing enzyme involving in the biosynthesis of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) in mammary gland and adipose tissue, while decorin (DCN) consists of a protein core and a single dermatan or chondroitin sulfate glycosaminoglycan chain, contributing multifunctionally to matrix assembly, modulation of the activity of growth factors and cell migration and proliferation. However, few studies have focused on the genetic variability of them in goat. Herein, five Chinese goat breeds (1229 animals) were analyzed. Based on DNA pooling and PCR-RFLP, three nucleotide substitutions, one of which caused a amino acid substitution, were detected in SCD gene and three haploids (A, B, C) were constructed. According to SSCP analysis and DNA sequencing methods, a 2-bp deletion and two other SNPs were found existing in another analyzed gene DCN, and three haploids (X, Y, Z) were built. Associations between the genotypes and the growth traits (body length, body height, chest circumference, cannon circumference) were also analyzed. For SCD gene, genotype CC individuals had significant greater body height in Guanzhong and body length in both Guanzhong and Xinong saanen than genotype BC individuals (P < 0.05). For DCN gene, individuals with genotype XX was obviously higher than that with genotype XY (P < 0.05). These results indicated that genotype CC of SCD gene and genotype XX of DCN gene could be used for the breeding of new breeds of goat in China.
    Molecular Biology Reports 06/2011; 38(5):3121-7. · 2.93 Impact Factor