Analysis of the oxidized low density lipoprotein receptor 1 gene as a potential marker for carcass quality traits in Qinchuan cattle

OBJECTIVE: The oxidized low density lipoprotein receptor 1 (OLR1) gene plays an important role in the degradation of oxidized low-density lipoprotein and adipocyte proliferation in mammals. For this reason, we aimed at investigating the association of OLR1 gene polymorphisms with carcass quality traits in Chinese Qinchuan cattle. METHODS: The single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) was identified in the 3′ untranslated region of bovine OLR1 gene by DNA sequencing. In addition, the haplotype frequency and linkage disequilibrium estimates of three SNPs were evaluated in 520 individuals. RESULTS: Results indicated that the studied three SNPs were within the range of moderate genetic diversity (0.25< polymorphism information content<0.5). Haplotype analysis of three SNPs showed that ten different haplotypes were identified, but only five haplotypes were listed as those with a frequency of <0.05 were excluded. The Hap3 (-G(1)T(2)C(3)-) had the highest haplotype frequency (42.10%). Linkage disequilibrium analysis showed that the three SNPs had a low linkage (r(2)<0.001). The T10588C and C10647T were significantly associated with backfat thickness and intramuscular fat content in Qinchuan cattle. CONCLUSION: Based on our results, we believe that the OLR1 gene could be a strong candidate gene for influencing carcass quality traits in Qinchuan cattle.