Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 27, 2026
12:01
A PCR-based Genotyping Method to Distinguish Between Wild-type and Ornamental Varieties of Imperata cylindrica
Published on: February 20, 2012
Single nucleotide polymorphisms concordant with the horned/polled trait in Holsteins
Edward J Cargill1, Nick J Nissing, Michael D Grosz
1Monsanto Company, 800 N, Lindbergh Blvd, St Louis, MO 63167, USA. edward.j.cargill@monsanto.com.
BMC Research Notes
|December 10, 2008
Summary
Researchers identified 13 novel single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with the polled (hornless) trait in Holstein cattle. These SNPs, found in gene regulatory regions, offer a potential new genetic test for this important trait.
Area of Science:
- Animal Genetics
- Molecular Biology
- Cattle Breeding
Background:
- The polled trait in cattle is inherited in a dominant Mendelian fashion.
- Previous research localized the polled mutation to bovine chromosome 1.
- Existing genetic tests are not validated for Holstein cattle.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify novel genetic markers for the polled trait in Holstein cattle.
- To develop a breed-specific genetic test for polled Holsteins.
- To investigate potential functional effects of identified SNPs.
Main Methods:
- Sequencing of approximately 160 kb within the known polled region.
- Analysis of polymorphisms in 12 polled and 12 horned Holstein cattle.
- In silico analysis of potential microRNA target sites.
Main Results:
- Identified 13 novel single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) concordant with the horned/polled trait.
- Three SNPs located in gene coding or regulatory regions (5'UTR, 3'UTR, coding region).
- One SNP in the 3'UTR may disrupt a microRNA target site.
Conclusions:
- The 13 novel SNPs form a potential test panel for the polled trait in Holsteins.
- This is the first report of SNPs within gene regulatory regions associated with the polled trait in cattle.
- Further studies are needed to verify SNP utility and investigate the functional impact of the 3'UTR SNP.
Related Concept Videos
01:05Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms-SNPs
A single nucleotide polymorphism or SNP is a single nucleotide variation at a specific genomic position in a large population. It is the most prevalent type of sequence variation found in the human genome. Point mutations that occur in more than 1% of the population qualify as SNPs. These are present once every 1000 nucleotides on an average in the human genome. Replacement of a purine with another purine (A/G) or a pyrimidine with another pyrimidine (C/T) is known as a transition. In contrast,...
01:49Hardy-Weinberg Principle
Diploid organisms have two alleles of each gene, one from each parent, in their somatic cells. Therefore, each individual contributes two alleles to the gene pool of the population. The gene pool of a population is the sum of every allele of all genes within that population and has some degree of variation. Genetic variation is typically expressed as a relative frequency, which is the percentage of the total population that has a given allele, genotype or phenotype.In the early 20th century,...
02:27Trihybrid Crosses
Trihybrid Crosses
Some of Mendel’s crosses examined three pairs of contrasting characteristics. Such a cross is called a trihybrid cross. A trihybrid cross is a combination of three individual monohybrid crosses. For example, plant height (tall vs. short), seed shape (round vs. wrinkled), and seed color (yellow vs. green).
The F1 generation plants of a trihybrid cross are heterozygous for all three traits and produce eight gametes. Upon self-fertilization, these gametes have an equal chance to...
Some of Mendel’s crosses examined three pairs of contrasting characteristics. Such a cross is called a trihybrid cross. A trihybrid cross is a combination of three individual monohybrid crosses. For example, plant height (tall vs. short), seed shape (round vs. wrinkled), and seed color (yellow vs. green).
The F1 generation plants of a trihybrid cross are heterozygous for all three traits and produce eight gametes. Upon self-fertilization, these gametes have an equal chance to...
01:43Incomplete Dominance
Gregor Mendel's work (1822 - 1884) was primarily focused on pea plants. Through his initial experiments, he determined that every gene in a diploid cell has two variants called alleles inherited from each parent. He suggested that amongst these two alleles, one allele is dominant in character and the other recessive. The combination of alleles determines the phenotype of a gene in an organism.
02:26Comparing Copy Number Variations and SNPs
Sequencing of the human genome has opened up several best-kept secrets of the genome. Scientists have identified thousands of genome variations that exist within a population. These variations can be a single nucleotide or a larger chromosomal variation.
Copy number variations or CNVs are the structural variations that cover more than 1kb of DNA sequence. The single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), on the other hand, is a single nucleotide change or a point mutation that is found in more than 1%...
Copy number variations or CNVs are the structural variations that cover more than 1kb of DNA sequence. The single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), on the other hand, is a single nucleotide change or a point mutation that is found in more than 1%...
01:39Test Cross
Alleles are different forms of the same gene. Humans and other diploid organisms inherit two alleles of every gene, one from each parent.