Proposals for integration with the 7th Framework Programme
The Second Call 2007 CALL 2A: FP7-KBBE-2007-2A
KBE-2007-1-1-04: Development of technologies and tools for the exploitation of livestock
genome
MAS-BREEDING OF PIG RACES BY MEANS OF MOLECULAR-GENETIC MARKERS
DETERMINING MEAT QUALITY
Institute of Genetics and Cytology of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus
Phone: (37517) 2841917
Fax: (37517) 2841917
E-mail: M.Mikhailova@igc.bas-net.by
Address: 27 Akademicheskaya St., Minsk 220072, Republic of Belarus
Scientific adviser:
Ph.D. M.E.Mikhailova
Members of team:
Research work:
Tikhanovich N.I.,
Kamysh N.A.,
Volchok N.M.
Ph.D. student E.V. Belaja
Summary
Exhibiting pleiotropic effect, allelic variants of H-FABP, PIT1 genes exert a great effect on a
number of economic traits such as salted pork fat, content of intramuscular fat (defines meat
quality), etc. The data, obtained as a result of screening proposed by us, will become the basis for
pedigree work at some pig-breeding complexes in Belarus aimed at improving quality and
increasing diversity of native meat produce, because owing to marker-associated selection will
make it possible to purposefully conduct crossing of animals on an industrial scale providing either
lean dietary meat or specialty, the so-called “marble” meat with a high fat content. Creation of pig
DNA bank of different races will become a side result of the work that allows population and
evolutionary-genetic investigations on a large scale aimed at intensification of the breeding process
in native cattle-breeding and improvement of its efficiency to the level of developed European
countries.
Nevertheless, it is shown that all the studied polymorphism sites are associated in any case with
factors defining productive quality of animals and value of meat. Therefore different allelic variants
of H-FABP, PIT1 genes are considered reliable markers of meat quality for some pig races.
Introduction
At present screening of pig populations for the existence of different alleles of gene FABP was
carried out practically in all west countries, Poland, Czech Republic and Russia. Studies for the
existence of D-polymorphism which gives less stable and brilliant results were conducted in
England, USA and some other countries. And finally screening for the presence of A-polymorphism
was carried out only in some research centers specializing in study on H-FABP gene action
(England and some others). A-type polymorphism occurs very seldom, effects of different alleles
were insufficiently studied, therefore, in spite of the fact that in some communications difference in
the content of intramuscular fat can reach 300% in carriers of different A-allelic variants of HFABP gene, polymorphism of the given type cannot be used yet as a breeding marker.
Investigations of a similar scale for search for markers of quality and quantity of meat produce are
proposed for the first time in our Republic. Nevertheless there is a certain work already done in the
laboratory of animal genetics owing to the interest and financial support of some entities of
agroindustrial complex in searching for markets for marker-associated breeding (MAS-breeding).
For the present our laboratory has completed methods for studying H- and D-polymorphism of HFABP gone and created the collection of pig DNAS (more than 1000 samples) which will become
the basis for DNA bank. The completed work allows supposition for fruitfulness of the
investigations planned. PIT1 is a pituitary transcription factor for GH, prolactin and TSHß genes
and also studied associations of PIT1 polymorphisms with carcass and performance traits.
Main part
Aim of the subproject: Full-scale screening of some pig races for molecular markers of meat
quality.
Objective:
MAS-breeding of pig races, used in industrial crossing at farms of the Republic of Belarus by
means of molecular-genetic markers determining meat quality.
Work plan:
Task 1. PCR/RFLP-screening of pigs of different races for H-FABP gene (d- and h-alleles).
Relation of polymorphism of structural FABP gene to various parameters of meat quality.
Task 2. Genetic screening of pig populations of different races for regulatory gene PIT1.
Polymorphism of regulatory PIT1 gene.
Task 3. Relation of allelic variants of H-FABP and PIT1 genes with meat quality values.
Task 4. Recommendations for using preferable variants of FABP and PIT genes for MAS- breeding
for improving meat quality.
Deliverables
1. Comparative characteristic of genetic structure of pig populations will be given for allelic
variants of FABP genes determining the content of intramuscular fat and PIT1 influencing an
increase in animal weight.
2. Recommendations will be given for MAS-breeding for FABP and PIT1 genes.
Main publications
1.
Mosse I.B., Mikhailova M.E., Glushkova I.V., Kasinskaya S.I., Anoshenko I.P., Aksyutik
T.V., Tikhanovich N.I., Kamysh N.A. Genetic monitoring of natural drosophila populations
inhabiting radiocontaminated regions of Belarus // Radiatsionnaya biologia. Radioekologia. 2006,
Vol.46, N.3, P.288-296.
2.
Mikhailova M.E., Tikhanovich N.I., Kamysh N.A., Volchok N.M., Bezzubov V.I.,
Perashvili N.I., Ankudovich G.I., Dvornik V.A. Diagnostics of stress-sensitive pigs produced by
different cross combinations for RYR1 gene // Zootechnical science of Belarus: Proc. Vol.40. Inst.
of Cattle- Breeding of National Academy of Sciences of Belarus. Zhodino. 2005. P.93-97.
3.
Kasinskaya S.I., Mikhailova M.E., Tikhanovich N.I. Combining effect of ionizing radiation
and melanin on genetic structure of experimental drosophila populations carrying mutation ebony //
Vesti NAN Belarusi. Ser.biol. nauk. 2004. N.2. P.66-69.
4.
Mosse I.B., Kasinskaya S.I., Mikhailova M.E., Tikhanovich N.I. Genetic polymorphism
sustension is the basis for biodiversity conservation // UNESCO Project “Development of
Transboundary East European Model of the Regional Ecological Network “Polesie: Belarus –
Ukraine – Poland” and Action Plan for Its Integration into the Pan-European Ecological Network”
Strategies in Protection and Use of Water Resources and Biological Diversity in Polesie.
International Seminar. Pinsk, Belarus, May 29-31, 2003. FINAL REPORT & PROCEEDINGS
P.118-121.
5.
Kasinskaya S.I., Mikhailova M.E., Tikhanovich N.I., Kamysh N.A. Variability of Adh,
Gpdh ans Sod loci in natural drosophila populations inhabiting radiocontaminated regions of
Belarus // Vesti NAN Belarusi. Ser. Boil. Nauk. 2002. N.4. P.32-36.
6.
Kasinskaya S.I., Mikhailova M.E., Mosse I.B., Tikhanovich N.I. “Combined effect of
ionizing radiation and melanin on genetic structure of experimental drosophila populations // Vesti
NAN Belarusi. Ser. Boil. Nauk. N3. 2001. P.31-34.
7.
Kasinskaya S.I., Mikhailova M.E., Mosse I.B. Genetic diversity of natural Drosophila
melanogaster populations from different Belarus areas // Biodiversity and Dynamics of Ecosystem
in North Eurasia. 21-26 August. Novosibirsk. Russia. Vol.3. Part 1. P.51-53.