Association Between the Polymorphism in the Promoter Region of Porcine A-FABP Gene and Growth Traits in Duroc Pigs

A polymorphism was found in the promoter region of porcine adipocyte fatty acid binding protein gene(A-FABP) gene which plays a key role in the binding and transportation of free fatty acid in adipocyte and deposition of intramuscular fat. Mutation was detected a substitution(T�� 406C) using SSCP analysis and subsequently confirmed by sequencing the fragment in Duroc pigs. This T-406C mutation might change the binding activity for transcription factor nuclear factor 1(NF�� 1). In this population, this mutation was genotyped using Hinf �� RFLP, and found three kinds of genotypes(TT, TC, and CC) showing their frequencies of 42.3, 44.3, and 13.4%, respectively. We statistically analyzed the association between the A-FABP genotypes and growth traits and found that the body weights of the pigs containing �� 406C/�� (TC or CC) were heavier for the body weight at the age of 20 weeks than those containing genotype TT(P<0.05), but not for those at the age of 0, 3, and 10 weeks. Pigs containing genotype CC had also a higher value for the average daily gain and lower values for the date for 90 kg of body weight and food conversion ratio than those of �� 406T/- genotype. In addition, without the significant difference of back fat thickness, there was a significant association between the existence of allele CC and lean meat and eye muscle area(P<0.05). As a result of this study, we suggest that the allele T�� 406C in the promoter region of A-FABP gene play an important role in deposition of intramuscular fat and weight in the later growth period. This polymorphism will be an useful molecular marker for breeding of Duroc pigs.