Genetic Effects of Chicken Pre-miR-3528 SNP on Growth Performance, Meat Quality Traits, and Serum Enzyme Activities

Abstract

The aim was to investigate the genetic effects of a SNP located in the precursor region of gga-miR-3528. (1) Single-nucleotide polymorphisms within precursor regions of microRNAs play crucial biological roles. (2) Utilizing a Gushi-Anka F₂ resource population (n = 860), we screened and validated miRNA SNPs. A SNP mutation in the miR-3528 precursor region was identified. Specific primers were designed to amplify the polymorphic fragment. Genotyping was performed for this individual SNP across the population, using the MassArray system. Association analyses were conducted between this SNP and chicken growth and body measurement traits, carcass traits, meat quality traits, and serum enzyme activities. (3) The rs14098602 (+12 bp A > G) was identified within the precursor region of gga-miR-3528. Significant associations (p < 0.05) were observed between this SNP and chicken growth traits (body weight at the age of 0 day, body weight at the age of 2 weeks, and body weight at the age of 4 weeks), carcass traits (evisceration weight), meat quality traits (subcutaneous fat rate and pectoral muscle density), and serum enzyme activities (total protein, albumin, globulin, cholinesterase, and lactate dehydrogenase). (4) These findings suggest that the polymorphism at rs14098602 may influence chicken growth, meat quality, and serum biochemical indices, through specific mechanisms. The gga-miR-3528 gene likely plays an important role in chicken development. Therefore, this SNP can serve as a molecular marker for genetic breeding and auxiliary selection of growth-related traits, facilitating the rapid establishment of elite chicken populations with superior genetic resources.

Keywords: F2 resource population; carcass traits; growth performance; meat quality traits; microRNAs (miRNAs); pre-miRNA-3528; serum enzyme activities; single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP).

Figure 1

PCR products. M: marker; 1–10: lanes.

Figure 2

The partial DNA sequencing results of miR-3528 precursor region. Arrow: SNP rs14098602 (A > G) (+88 bp). The area pointed to by the arrow represents the mutation site.

Figure 3

Sequence result of PCR products. The shaded parts represent primers, the yellow underlined parts represent miRNA-3528 sequences, and the boxes represent mutants.

Figure 4

Characteristic mass spectra of different genotypes of gga-miR-3258. Structural prediction of pre-miR-3528. (a) AA genotype; (b) GG genotype; (c) AG genotype.

Figure 4

Characteristic mass spectra of different genotypes of gga-miR-3258. Structural prediction of pre-miR-3528. (a) AA genotype; (b) GG genotype; (c) AG genotype.

Figure 5

Prediction of the secondary structure of different alleles (G/A) of miRNA-3528. (a) Wild type; (b) mutant type. The area marked by the red circle represents the site of genetic mutation.