A 31-bp Indel in the 5' UTR region of the GNB1L gene is significantly associated with chicken body weight and carcass traits

Background: G-protein subunit beta 1 like (GNB1L) can encode a G-protein beta-subunit-like polypeptide, the chicken GNB1L gene is up-regulated in the breast muscle of high-feed efficiency chickens, and its expression is 1.52-fold that of low-feed efficiency chickens. However, there are no reports describing the effects of GNB1L gene Indel on the chicken carcass and growth traits. Results: This study identified a 31-bp Indel in 5' UTR of the GNB1L gene and elucidated the effect of this gene mutation on the carcass and growth traits in chickens. The results showed that the 31-bp Indel was highly significant associations with body weight at 8 different stages, and also significantly correlated with daily gain of 0 to 4 weeks and 4 to 8 weeks. Similarly, the mutation was significantly associated with small intestine length, breast width, breast deep and breast muscle weight in carcass traits. Moreover, DD and ID are inferior genotypes for the growth and carcass traits of chickens. Conclusions: In a word, these results show that the 31-bp Indel of GNB1L gene is significantly affected chicken body weight and carcass traits, and can serve as a candidate molecular marker for chicken genetics and breeding programs.