Allele Frequency Distribution of the NCAPG c.1326T>G SNP Associated with Growth-Related Traits in Niigata Population of Japanese Black Beef Cattle

Growth performance as well as marbling is the main breeding objectives in Japanese Black cattle, the major beef breed in Japan. A previous study has identified the c.1326T>G single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the NCAPG (non-SMC condensin I complex, subunit G) gene that leads to the amino acid change p.Ile442Met in the NCAPG protein, which is a candidate causative variation for a bovine carcass weight (CWT) quantitative trait locus (QTL). In this study, we first confirmed the association of the c.1326T>G SNP with the growth-related traits, CWT, rib eye area (REA) and rib thickness (RT), and showed significant effect of the SNP genotypes on the marbling trait, beef marbling score (BMS), in the Japanese Black beef cattle population of the Niigata prefecture, with the G allele being associated with a favorable phenotype of these traits. Thus, we concluded that the c.1326T>G SNP is useful for effective marker-assisted selection to increase meat quality and meat productivity in Japanese Black beef cattle of the Niigata prefecture. Furthermore the frequency of the favorable G allele of the c.1326T>G SNP in the Niigata prefecture population was significantly lower than the frequency of this allele in Japanese Black cattle population of the Kagoshima prefecture. However, no statistically significant difference was detected between the allele frequencies estimated by maternal alleles in the half-sib progeny steers in the Niigata prefecture population and obtained in Japanese Black cattle population of the Kagoshima prefecture.

Effects of IL-17 on Expression of GRO-α and IL-8 in Fibroblasts from Nasal Polyps

Recent studies indicated that interleukin（IL）-17, growth-related oncogene（GRO）-α and IL-8 play an important role in the pathogenesis of nasal polyps. However, the effects of the increased amount of IL-17 and the production of GRO-α and IL-8 in human nasal polyp fibroblasts are not completely understood. This study aimed to determine the effects of the increased IL-17 on the changes of GRO-α and IL-8 expression in human nasal polyp fibroblasts and further investigate the mechanism of neutrophil infiltration in nasal polyps. Nasal polyp fibroblasts were isolated from six cases of human nasal polyps, and the cells were stimulated with five different concentrations of IL-17. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction（RT-PCR） was used to detect the mRNA expression of GRO-α and IL-8. The mRNA of GRO-α and IL-8 was expressed in unstimulated controls and remarkably increased by stimulation with IL-17. Moreover, the levels of GRO-α and IL-8 produced by fibroblasts were increased gradually with the increases in IL-17 concentrations. The present study showed that nasal fibroblasts can produce GRO-α and IL-8, and their production is remarkably enhanced by IL-17 stimulation, thereby clarifying the mechanism of the IL-17 mediated neutrophil infiltration in nasal polyps. These findings might provide a rationale for using IL-17 inhibitors as a treatment for nasal inflammatory diseases such as nasal polyps.

Quantitative genetic estimates of growth-related traits in the common carp(Cyprinus carpio L.):A review

The common carp(Cyrpinus carpio L.)is the oldest cultured and the most domesticated fish species,as well as one of the most important freshwater fishes in the world.However,scientific studies on evaluating the growth-related quantitative traits in this fish are limited.Heritability,the most important parameter in selective breeding programs,was extensively studied for the growth-related traits.The values varied widely among the experiments and methods used because of the existence of common environmental,dominance and maternal effects.However,correlations in phenotypic and genetic levels first evaluated several years ago were limited.On the other hand,heterosis was widely reported and easily obtained for growth-related traits in the common carp.Meanwhile,genotype environment interaction and prediction of breeding values have been studied recently,and are very important in conducting selective breeding programs.The developmental quantitative genetics of growth-related traits was first analyzed in the common carp for reasonable selection during ontogeny.It is expected that genetic improvement will be achieved by carrying out direct selective breeding in the common carp.

Identification of quantitative trait loci for growth traits in red swamp crayfish(Procambarus clarkii)

Genetic breeding is an important approach to improve the economic traits of aquaculture animals.Unfortunately,the genetic basis for important economic traits of red swamp crayfish,including growth-related traits,has not yet been reported.In the present study,two full-sib families and two natural populations were employed to identify quantitative trait loci(QTLs)for growth-related traits of red swamp crayfish.In total,28 QTLs for five growth-related traits,including body weight,body length,carapace length,carapace width,and abdomen length,were repeatedly identified in more than two families/populations,by means of association analysis;nine of these displayed a heterosis effect.The phenotypic variations of the five investigated traits explained by the 28 QTLs ranged from 4.2%to 19.0%.Eight additive and three heterosis QTLs were further successfully validated using comparative analysis of favoured alleles between the small and big size crayfish groups in the natural population.In conclusion,this study investigated the genetic basis of growth-related traits in red swamp crayfish,which is of great significance for their application in the future molecular breeding of the species.

A consensus linkage map of common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) to compare the distribution and variation of QTLs associated with growth traits

The ability to detect and identify quantitative trait loci (QTLs) in a single population is often limited. Analyzing multiple populations in QTL analysis improves the power of detecting QTLs and provides a better understanding of their functional allelic variation and distribution. In this study, a consensus map of the common carp was constructed, based on four populations, to compare the distribution and variation of QTLs. The consensus map spans 2371.6 cM across the 42 linkage groups and comprises 257 microsatellites and 421 SNPs, with a mean marker interval of 3.7 cM/marker. Sixty-seven QTLs affecting four growth traits from the four populations were mapped to the consensus map. Only one QTL was common to three populations, and nine QTLs were detected in two populations. However, no QTL was common to all four populations. The results of the QTL comparison suggest that the QTLs are responsible for the phenotypic variability observed for these traits in a broad array of common carp germplasms. The study also reveals the different genetic performances between major and minor genes in different populations.

Flesh quality of hybrid grouper(Epinephelus fuscoguttatus♀×Epinephelus lanceolatus♂)fed with hydrolyzed porcine mucosasupplemented low fishmeal diet

Iso-nitrogenous and iso-lipidic diets containing 0%,3%,6%,9%,and 12%hydrolyzed porcine mucosa(namely,HPM0,HPM3,HPM6,HPM9,and HPM12)were prepared to evaluate their effects on the growth performance,muscle nutrition composition,texture property,and gene expression related to muscle growth of hybrid groupers(Epinephelus fuscoguttatus\Epinephelus lanceolatus_).Groupers were fed to apparent satiation at 08:00 and 16:00 every day for a total of 56 days.It was found that the weight gain percentage in the HPM0,HPM3,and HPM6 groups did not differ(P>0.05).The cooking loss and drip loss of the dorsal muscle in the HPM3 group were lower than those in the HPM6 and HPM9 groups(P<0.05).The hardness and chewiness of the dorsal muscle in the HPM3 group were higher than those in the HPM0,HPM9,and HPM12 groups(P<0.05).The gumminess in the HPM3 group was higher than that in the HPM9 and HPM12 groups(P<0.05).The total essential amino acid content of the dorsal muscle in the HPM12 group was higher than that in the HPM0 group(P<0.05).The contents of total n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid and total n-3 highly unsaturated fatty acid,as well as the ratio of n-3/n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid in the dorsal muscle was higher in the HPM0 group than in all other groups(P<0.05).The relative expressions of gene myogenic factor 5,myocyte enhancer factor 2c,myocyte enhancer factor 2a,myosin heavy chain,transforming growth factor-beta 1(TGF-b1),and follistatin(FST)were the highest in the dorsal muscle of the HPM3 group.The results indicated that the growth performance of hybrid grouper fed a diet with 6%HPM and 27%fish meal was as good as that of the HPM0 group.When fish ingested a diet containing 3%HPM,the expression of genes TGF-β1 and FST involved in muscle growth were upregulated,and then the muscle quality related to hardness and chewiness were improved.An appropriate amount of HPM could be better used in grouper feed.

Characterization of stmn1a and genetic effects of a 22-bp Indel in its promoter region of bighead carp Hypophthalmichthys nobilis

Stathmin 1(stmn1)gene,which is involved in the control of cell cycle progression,cell proliferation,differentiation and motility,is a crucial relay in the signal transduction of multiple signaling pathways.Reports on the function of stmn1 in fish are scarce.In this study,the characterization and function of stmn1a gene were explored in an important food fish,namely bighead carp(Hypophthalmichthys nobilis).The bighead carp stmn1a(Hynstmn1a)genomic sequence,which has 2995 bp with an ORF of 447 bp,is evolutionarily conserved in teleost fish.The highest level of expression of Hynstmn1a is in the un-fertilized eggs and spleen of adult bighead carp.The overexpression of Hynstmn1a facilitates cell cycle progression and suppresses apoptosis in EPC cells.In an siRNA assay,disruption of stmn1a in EPC cells resulted in the inhibition of cell cycle progression and promotion of apoptosis.Analysis of promoter activity indicated that an upstream transcription factor(foxo4)regulates Hynstmn1a.Zebrafish mutants with stmn1a knockout by CRISPR/Cas9 exhibited a significant retardation of body length(p<0.05).There was no significant difference in body weight between stmn1a-mutant zebrafish and wildtype(p=0.053).A 22-bp Indel in the promoter region of Hynstmn1a with an observed heterozygosity(Ho)of 0.136 in a bighead carp population(n=191).The polymorphism of this 22-bp Indel genotype is significantly associated with body length(BL),head length(HL)(p<0.05),body weight(BW),head height(HH),and head width(HW)(p<0.01),showing its genetic effects on growth promotion.This study sheds light on the function of stmn1a in fish and demonstrates the potential of the 22-bp Indel of Hynstmn1a as a gene marker when selecting breeding individuals for faster growth and a bigger head of bighead carp in aquaculture.