Genetic polymorphisms and preliminary association analysis with production traits of the porcine SLC27A4 gene

Solute carrier family 27 (fatty acid transporter), member 4 (SLC27A4) is a fatty acyl-CoA synthetase producing very long chain fatty acid-CoA for lipid metabolic pathways, suggesting that the SLC27A4 gene is a potential candidate gene for traits related to fat deposition in animals. This study was conducted to sequence the genomic region from exon 6 to 12 of porcine SLC27A4 and detect polymorphisms by comparative sequencing. In silico mapping assigned SLC27A4 gene between gene COQ4 (coenzyme Q4 homolog) and URM1 (ubiquitin related modifier 1 homolog) on pig chromosome 1q24-q2.12 where significant QTL affecting backfat depth had previously been identified. Thirty six putative sites of variation were detected, of which 31 polymorphisms including 28 SNPs and 3 indels were located in the intronic region, and 5 in the exonic regions. The g.1777G>A (EU703769) in intron 8 was confirmed by PCR-RFLP using HpaII restriction enzyme and further genotyped in four Chinese native pig breeds (Meishan, Erhualian, Tongcheng and Qingping) and three western meat-type pig breeds (Duroc, Large White and Landrace). Allele G was exclusively present in Tongcheng and Qingping pigs and predominant in the other pig populations analyzed. Significant differences of backfat at rump, body weight at birth and average daily gain on weaning between the AG and GG genotype were observed in Landrace pig population (P < 0.05).