Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 9, 2026
08:34
Mechanism of Regulation of Adipocyte Numbers in Adult Organisms Through Differentiation and Apoptosis Homeostasis
Published on: June 3, 2016
Epistatic effect between ACACA and FABP2 gene on abdominal fat traits in broilers
Guo Hu1, Shouzhi Wang, Jianwei Tian
1College of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China.
Journal of Genetics and Genomics = Yi Chuan Xue Bao
|September 7, 2010
Summary
Epistasis between ACACA and FABP2 genes significantly impacts abdominal fat traits in lean chickens, but not in fat lines. This suggests differing genetic interactions due to artificial selection in broiler chickens.
Area of Science:
- Animal Genetics
- Quantitative Genetics
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Epistasis, gene interactions, is crucial for complex traits in domestic animals.
- Acetyl-coenzyme A carboxylase alpha (ACACA) and fatty acid binding protein 2 (FABP2) are key in lipogenesis and transport, potentially influencing chicken abdominal fat.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate epistasis between ACACA and FABP2 polymorphisms on abdominal fat weight (AFW) and percentage (AFP) in divergently selected broiler lines.
Main Methods:
- Genotyping of c.2292G>A in ACACA and c.-561A>C in FABP2 in two broiler lines selected for abdominal fat content.
- Analysis of epistatic effects, specifically additive x additive components, on AFW and AFP.
Main Results:
- Significant additive x additive epistasis between ACACA and FABP2 SNPs was detected for AFW and AFP in lean lines (9th and 10th generations).
- No significant epistatic associations were found for AFW or AFP in the fat lines.
- Other epistatic components were not significant in either generation or line.
Conclusions:
- Epistatic interactions between ACACA and FABP2 significantly influence abdominal fat traits in lean broiler lines, suggesting a different epistasis mode compared to fat lines.
- Strong artificial selection for abdominal fat content may have modified these epistatic effects.
- Findings contribute to understanding gene interactions in broiler fat deposition.
Related Concept Videos
01:09Epistasis Analysis
Although Mendel chose seven unrelated traits in peas to study gene segregation, most traits involve multiple gene interactions that create a spectrum of phenotypes. When the interaction of various genes or alleles at different locations influences a phenotype, this is called epistasis. Epistasis often involves one gene masking or interfering with the expression of another (antagonistic epistasis). Epistasis often occurs when different genes are part of the same biochemical pathway. The...
01:39Epistasis
In addition to multiple alleles at the same locus influencing traits, numerous genes or alleles at different locations may interact and influence phenotypes in a phenomenon called epistasis. For example, rabbit fur can be black or brown depending on whether the animal is homozygous dominant or heterozygous at a TYRP1 locus. However, if the rabbit is also homozygous recessive at a locus on the tyrosinase gene (TYR), it will have an unshaded coat that appears white, regardless of its TYRP1...
02:41Lethal Alleles
Agouti: A Lethal Allele
Lucien Cuénot discovered lethal alleles in 1905 while studying the inheritance of coat color in mice. The agouti gene is responsible for the color of the coat in mice. This gene codes for an agouti-signaling protein, which is responsible for melanin distribution in mammals. The wild-type allele gives rise to gray-brown coat color in mice, while the mutant allele gives rise to yellow coat color. In addition to coat color, the agouti gene is associated with the yellow...
Lucien Cuénot discovered lethal alleles in 1905 while studying the inheritance of coat color in mice. The agouti gene is responsible for the color of the coat in mice. This gene codes for an agouti-signaling protein, which is responsible for melanin distribution in mammals. The wild-type allele gives rise to gray-brown coat color in mice, while the mutant allele gives rise to yellow coat color. In addition to coat color, the agouti gene is associated with the yellow...
02:27Background and Environment Affect Phenotype
Although the genetic makeup of an organism plays a major role in determining the phenotype, there are also several environmental factors, such as temperature, oxygen availability, presence of mutagens, that can alter an organism’s phenotype.
An example of how genetic background affects phenotype can be seen in horses. The Extension gene in horses is responsible for their coat color. A wild-type gene (EE) produces black pigment in the coat, while a mutant gene (ee) produces red pigment. A...
An example of how genetic background affects phenotype can be seen in horses. The Extension gene in horses is responsible for their coat color. A wild-type gene (EE) produces black pigment in the coat, while a mutant gene (ee) produces red pigment. A...
01:58Cell Specific Gene Expression
Multicellular organisms contain a variety of structurally and functionally distinct cell types, but the DNA in all the cells originated from the same parent cells. The differences in the cells can be attributed to the differential gene expression. Liver cells, whose functions include detoxification of blood, production of bile to metabolize fats, and synthesis of proteins essential for metabolism, must express a specific set of genes to perform their functions. Gene expression also varies with...