Detection of insertions/deletions (InDels) within the goat Runx2 gene and their association with litter size and growth traits

Abstract

Runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2) is characterized by its critical functions in osteoblastic and ovulatory processes. The goal of this study was to explore the insertion/deletion (indel) variants of this gene and to evaluate their association with productive traits. Herein, a 12 bp and 6 bp insertion within the Runx2 gene was uncovered in Shaanbei white cashmere goats (SBWC; n = 1200). Chi-square analysis revealed that the 12 bp insertion was related to litter size (p < 0.01). Further association analysis also found this insertion was significantly associated with litter size (p = 1.1E-5). Interestingly, this insertion was also significantly associated with chest circumference (p = 0.018). Additionally, the 6 bp insertion was associated with body length (p = 0.003), chest width (p = 0.011), and chest circumference (p = 0.005). Furthermore, diplotype associations also uncovered that the combined genotypes of these two indels also significantly affected litter size and growth traits (p < 0.05). These findings suggested that these two insertions within the Runx2 gene were significantly associated with reproduction and growth traits, which would make them beneficial functional DNA markers that can be used in goat breeding.

Keywords:

• Goat
• Runx2
• insertion
• litter size
• growth traits
• association

Acknowledgments

We are grateful for the support from Ph.D. Prof. Qu Lei’ groups of Shaanxi Provincial Engineering and Technology Research Center of Cashmere Goats, Yulin University, and for the staff at the Shaanbei White Cashmere goat breeding farm for collecting samples and Yulin, Shaanxi 719000, P. R. China.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation in China [No.31172184].