Association Analysis between SNP Marker in Neuopeptide Y (NPY) Gene and Carcass and Meat Quality Traits in Korean Cattle

Biological or physiological genes that regulate metabolism and energy partitioning have the potential to influence economically important traits such as carcass and meat quality traits in beef cattle. The neuropeptide Y (NPY) functions as a central appetite stimulator and plays a major role in feed intake and energy-balance control. Therefore, the NPY gene is an excellent biological and physiological candidate gene for body weight, feeding, fatness or growth related traits in beef cattle. The objective of this study was to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the NPY gene and to evaluate the association of NPY SNP markers with carcass and meat quality traits in Korean cattle. The genomic region (711 bp) including intron 2 of NPY gene was amplified and sequenced, and five SNPs, g.4389 Del(C), g.4371Del(C), g.4271T > C, g.1899A > G and g.1517A > C, were identified. The PCR-RFLP method was then developed to genotype the individuals examined. The g.4271T > C SNP was significantly associated with M. Longissimus dori area (LDA) value (p < 0.027). Animals with the TT (78.144 +/- 0.950 cm(2)) genotype had higher LDA than those with the CC (72.266 +/- 2.039 cm(2)), and animals with TC genotype showed intermediate value. This SNP genotype also showed a highly significant additive genetic effect for the LDA (p < 0.01). No significant associations, however, was detected between any of the SNP genotype and other carcass traits measured in this study. in conclusion, SNP genotype of the NPY gene may be used as DNA markers to select animals that have a higher meat yield.