A Further Look at Porcine Chromosome 7 Reveals VRTN Variants Associated with Vertebral Number in Chinese and Western Pigs

摘要: The number of vertebrae is an economically important trait that affects carcass length and meat production in pigs. A major quantitative locus (QTL) for thoracic vertebral has been repeatedly identified on pig chromosome (SSC) 7. To dissect the genetic basis locus, we herein genotyped a large sample animals from 3 experimental populations Chinese Western origins using 60K DNA chips. Genome-wide association studies consistently across mapped to 947-Kb region SSC7. An identical-by-descent sharing assay refined 100-Kb segment harbors only two genes including VRTN SYNDIG1L. Of them, VRNT proposed as strong candidate modern breeds. Further, resequenced gene samples 35 parental with known QTL genotypes by progeny testing. Concordance tests revealed 4 causal variants their showed perfect segregation tested animals. integrative analysis evolutional constraints functional elements supported complete linkage disequilibrium phase most likely mutations. promising significantly affect (one vertebra) scale outbred animals, are segregating at rather high frequencies pigs relatively low Altogether, show associated both finding advances our understanding architecture Furthermore, economical importance it provides robust breeding tool improvement indigenous present-day commercial