Characterization of intronic SNP located in candidate genes influencing cattle temperament

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of intronic single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) on temperament traits in a Brahman cattle population. The SNP located in CACNG4, EXOC4, NRXN3, and SLC9A4 candidate genes were genotyped in 250 animals with temperament records of exit velocity, pen score, and temperament score. Rs3423464051:G>A in the CACNG4 gene was associated with exit velocity and temperament score. An in silico analysis of the five intronic SNP showed that alternative alleles of CACNG4-rs3423464051, EXOC4-rs109393235, and SLC9A4-rs109722627 SNP could alter branch point sites during splicing, while a protein–protein interaction network analysis demonstrated a GRIA2 gene-mediated interaction between CACNG4 and NRXN3. The present results support previously reported evidence regarding bovine temperament-related candidate genes, particularly CACNG4, which is a confirmed candidate gene in need of more detailed analyses to reveal its role in temperament-related traits.

摘要：本研究旨在评估内含子单核苷酸多态性（single nucleotide polymorphism, SNP）对婆罗门牛（Brahman cattle）群体性情性状的影响。研究共纳入250头带有出口速度、栏舍评分及性情评分记录的个体，对位于CACNG4、EXOC4、NRXN3与SLC9A4候选基因内的SNP位点进行基因分型。结果显示，CACNG4基因内的Rs3423464051:G>A位点与出口速度及性情评分显著相关。针对5个内含子SNP的计算机模拟（in silico）分析表明，CACNG4-rs3423464051、EXOC4-rs109393235及SLC9A4-rs109722627位点的变异等位基因可在剪接过程中改变分支位点；蛋白质-蛋白质相互作用网络分析则证实，GRIA2基因介导了CACNG4与NRXN3之间的相互作用。本研究结果佐证了此前关于牛性情相关候选基因的研究结论，其中CACNG4作为已确认的候选基因，仍需开展更深入的分析以揭示其在性情相关性状中的调控功能。