Association between variants in the 5'-untranslated region of the bovine MC4R gene and two growth traits in Nanyang cattle

Melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) is one of five G-protein-coupled receptors binding melanocortins that is implicated in the control of feeding behavior and energy homeostasis. Six cattle populations (n = 594), including four Chinese indigenous breeds, Chinese Holstein, and a meat type breed (Angus), were used to detect single nucleotide polymorphisms in 5'-untranslated region of MC4R gene by means of PCR-SSCP and DNA sequencing. Four linked SNPs (g.[-293C > G; -193A > T; -192T > G; -129A > G]) were identified. The g.-293C > G and g.-129A > G could be genotyped with a PCR-RFLP using TaiI in three combined genotypes (AA, AB and BB). The two linked SNPs were associated with body weight and daily gain in Nanyang aged 6 months (P < 0.05), but they had no significant effect on body weight and daily gain in Nanyang aged 24 months (P > 0.05).