[Genetic linkage between Atrn gene and microsatellite markers and the effects to some economic traits in pigs].

The genetic polymorphisms of Atrn gene, which were from 174 F0-F5 Danish resource family pigs (DRF) that has undergone five successive generations of inbreeding and 129 F9 Hunan yellow pigs (HY) that were developed by crossbreeding, were tested by PCR-RFLP method, and the effects to carcass and growth traits were also analyzed. The results showed that: (1) Three genotypes of AA, AB, BB were detected by Taq I-RFLP in the two pig breeds, and highly significant differences (P<0.01) in genotype frequencies were found between the two breeds; (2) Based on the linkage analysis of resource family pigs using CRI-MAP V2.4 software, Atrn gene loci in DRF was found to be linked with SW1031 loci on chromosome 17, the recombination frequency and LOD score for Atrn gene were 0.21 and 3.19 respectively; (3) With the least square analysis of multi-variable model, the significant differences among Atrn genotypes were found in ADSG and ABF traits in DRF and also in ADG, ABF and LMP traits in HY (P<0.05 or P<0.01), BB genotype pigs were superior to AA or AB genotype pigs. Based on the above mentioned results, B gene has favorable effects in important economic traits, and thus selection to BB genotype will get favorable effects in important economic traits. This will provide theory basis for Atrn gene being regarded as a candidate gene in pig carcass and growth traits.

[Progress in Attractin(mahogany/ATRN) gene].

Attractin is an autosomal recessive gene and received great attention within the last few decades. Attractin in different lines has been identified attractin to have multiple roles in regulating physiological process. It affects the balance between agonist and antagonist at receptors on melanocytes, modifies behaviour and basal metabolic rate, intervenes developing the central nervous system and its function, and modulates an interaction between activated T cell and macrophages. The attractin gene encodes a protein that is involved in the suppression of diet-induced obesity, its expression level in the brain has a significant relationship with obesity, the role indicates the therapeutic potential of attractin in the treatment of obesity. Furthermore, the murine attractin locus is located in a region harboring several QTL for body weight and fatness. In this paper, we review the research development of mahogany, introduce the related gene and gene mapping, and summarize its regulating mechanism in the physiological process. Additionally,the further research on the gene is also suggested.