Genetic polymorphisms of the FATP1 gene and their associations with meat quality traits in Chinese Qinchuan cattle

Fatty acid transport protein 1 (FATP1), an integral membrane protein that facilitates long-chain fatty acid influx, is involved in the genetic network for oleic acid synthesis. The aim of this study was to examine the association of FATP1 polymorphisms with live animal meat quality traits in Chinese Qinchuan cattle. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis demonstrated that FATP1 has a broad tissue distribution in Qinchuan cattle and is highly expressed in longissimus dorsi muscle and back fat. Using direct DNA sequencing of the FATP1 gene in 458 Qinchuan cattle, four single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs; g.28265G>C, g.28381G>A, g.28470T>C, and g.28672G>A) were identified for genotyping within a 671-bp region, including exon 3, intron 3, exon 4, intron 4, and part of exon 5 of the FATP1 gene. Positive effects of genotypes CC (g.28470T>C locus) and AA (g.28672G>A locus) on meat quality traits were obtained by association analysis. These results indicate the associations of g.28470T>C and g.28672G>A with meat quality traits in Qinchuan cattle. Thus, the FATP1 gene may be used in marker-assisted selection of beef cattle in breeding programs.