A novel variant in the promoter region of miR-9 gene strongly affects litter size in Markhoz goats

Abstract This study aimed to identify and evaluate the effects of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within miR-9 and miR-27a genes and their promoters, as well as 3′UTR regions of KITLG and IGF1 genes on litter size in Markhoz goats. PCR-SSCP analysis revealed different band patterns and sequencing results confirmed four SNPs including a C/A, a A/G, a C/T and a A/G substitution located in the promoter region of miR-9 gene, 48 bp upstream of miR-9 seed region within the 3′UTR of KITLG gene, 37 bp downstream of miR-27a gene and 39 bp upstream of miR-9 seed region within the 3′UTR of IGF1 gene, respectively. The results of the least-square analyses indicated that AA genotype of miR-9 gene strongly and positively affects litter size in Markhoz goats (P