Association between copy number variation of SERPINA3-1 gene and growth traits in Chinese cattle.

Serpin peptidase inhibitor, clade A (alpha-1 antiproteinase, antitrypsin), member 3 (SERPINA3) belongs to the serine protease inhibitor family A subtype, and contains 8 genes from SERPINA3-1 to SERPINA3-8. Although the regulatory effects of these 8 genes have been revealed one by one in recent years, the related effects of SERPINA3-1 gene on cattle growth is still unclear. This study used quantitative Real time PCR (qPCR) to detect the type of copy number variation (CNV) of SERPINA3-1 gene in a total of 542 Chinese cattle, and expression of SERPINA3-1 gene in different tissues of Qinchuan cattles (adult) on mRNA level. Then association analysis was conducted between the detection results and cattle growth traits. The results showed that the Duplication type in SERPINA3-1 gene performed better on the growth traits and the CNV was significantly correlated with multiple growth traits (p < 0.05). In addition, SERPINA3-1 gene has different expression conditions in different tissues, results showed that SERPINA3-1 gene has a low expression in muscle. In conclusion, we speculate that the SERPINA3-1 gene can be used as a molecular marker and the result of this study could be a basic material for candidate functional genes for beef cattle growth and development.

In order to detect the gene expression diversification of the SERPINA3-1 gene, blood samples were collected from five Chinese cattle breeds, we detected related signal and made an associated analyze with cattle growth traits. We determined the copy number variation distribution of the SERPINA3-1 gene in cattle populations and found that the SERPINA3-1 gene has a certain promoting effect on the growth and development of Chinese cattle. For example, Pinan cattle with Duplication type copy number have a better performance on growth traits. This study has enriched the candidate genes of Chinese cattle molecular breeding and provided basic data for Chinese cattle breeding.

SNP in pre-miR-1666 decreases mature miRNA expression and is associated with chicken performance.

Polymorphisms in miRNA genes could potentially alter various biological processes by influencing the processing and (or) target selection of miRNAs. The rs14120863 (C > G) mutation, which we characterized in a Gushi-Anka F2 resource population, resides in the precursor region of miR-1666. Association analysis with chicken carcass and growth traits showed that the SNP was significantly associated with carcass weight, evisceration weight, breast muscle weight, leg muscle weight, and body weight at 8 weeks of age, as well as some body size indexes including shank girth, chest breadth, breast bone length, and body slanting length, in the Gushi-Anka F2 resource population. Quantitative RT-PCR results showed that miR-1666 expression levels in muscle tissues differed within various genotypes. Experiment in DF1 cells further confirmed that the SNP in miR-1666 could significantly alter mature miRNA production. Subsequently, using dual-luciferase report assay, we verified that miR-1666 could perform its function through targeting of the CBFB gene. In conclusion, the SNP in the precursor of miR-1666 could significantly reduce mature miR-1666 production. It may further affect the function of miR-1666 through the target gene CBFB, hence it is associated with chicken growth traits.

[Effects of grazing on spatial distribution relationships between constructive and dominant species in Stipa breviflora desert steppe].

The effects of grazing on spatial distribution relationships of constructive species (Stipa breviflora) and dominant species (Cleistogenes songorica and Allium polyrhizum) in the desert steppe were analyzed by different analysis methods. The results showed that the landscape characteristic of S. breviflora + C. songorica + A. polyrhizum community was mainly affected by soil properties and inherent properties of populations. The spatial distribution variability influenced by continuous grazing (CG) was in order of A. polyrhizum > C. songorica > S. breviflora. The influence of CG upon the density of S. breviflora and A. polyrhizum was notable, while little influence upon the density of C. songorica was observed. S. breviflora density increased with the increasing C. songorica density in CG area, whereas it increased firstly and then decreased with the increasing C. songorica density in enclosed area (CK). S. breviflora density decreased with the increasing A. polyrhizum density in CG and CK area. It was concluded that there was density effect for plant interspecific relationships which could disappear with the presence of outside interference. Plant interspecific relationships were multiple with the difference in populations or interference conditions.