Animal biotechnology | 2019
Detection of insertions/deletions (InDels) within the goat Runx2 gene and their association with litter size and growth traits.
Abstract
Runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2) is characterized by its critical functions in osteoblastic and ovulatory processes. The goal of this study was to explore the insertion/deletion (indel) variants of this gene and to evaluate their association with productive traits. Herein, a 12\u2009bp and 6\u2009bp insertion within the Runx2 gene was uncovered in Shaanbei white cashmere goats (SBWC; n\u2009=\u20091200). Chi-square analysis revealed that the 12\u2009bp insertion was related to litter size (p\u2009<\u20090.01). Further association analysis also found this insertion was significantly associated with litter size (p\u2009=\u20091.1E-5). Interestingly, this insertion was also significantly associated with chest circumference (p\u2009=\u20090.018). Additionally, the 6\u2009bp insertion was associated with body length (p\u2009=\u20090.003), chest width (p\u2009=\u20090.011), and chest circumference (p\u2009=\u20090.005). Furthermore, diplotype associations also uncovered that the combined genotypes of these two indels also significantly affected litter size and growth traits (p\u2009<\u20090.05). These findings suggested that these two insertions within the Runx2 gene were significantly associated with reproduction and growth traits, which would make them beneficial functional DNA markers that can be used in goat breeding.