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Melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) genotypes have no major effect on fatness in a Large White x Wild Boar intercross

H B Park1, O Carlborg, S Marklund

  • 1Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.

Animal Genetics
|June 6, 2002
PubMed

Insights

Researchers investigated a melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) mutation

Area of Science:

  • Animal Genetics
  • Molecular Biology
  • Physiology

Background:

  • The melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) is a G-protein coupled receptor involved in regulating food intake and energy balance.
  • A prior study suggested a link between an MC4R missense mutation (Asp298Asn) and traits like fatness, growth, and feed intake in pigs.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To further investigate the association between the MC4R Asp298Asn missense mutation and fatness variations.
  • To analyze the segregation of the MC4R mutation within a specific pig pedigree.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized a Wild Boar x Large White intercross population.
  • Genotyped the MC4R gene and analyzed its segregation with fatness traits.
  • Confirmed the MC4R gene's location on pig chromosome 1.

Main Results:

  • The MC4R gene was localized to the expected region on pig chromosome 1.
  • Statistical analysis showed no significant association between the MC4R missense mutation and fatness-related traits in the studied pedigree.

Conclusions:

  • The studied MC4R missense mutation (Asp298Asn) does not appear to significantly influence fatness traits in this specific pig cross.
  • Further research may be needed to fully elucidate the role of MC4R in porcine fatness and growth.

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