Detection of 19-bp deletion within PLAG1 gene and its effect on growth traits in cattle

Polymorphic adenoma gene 1 (PLAG1) is a member of the pleomorphic adenoma gene family. PLAG family of proteins as a nuclear transcription factor mainly play a role in regulating a variety of important genes in the body. The aim of this study was to examine the association of the PLAG1 polymorphism with growth traits in 566 cattle. A novel 19-bp indel mutation was identified in the PLAG1 by sequencing pooled DNA samples (Pool-Seq) and agarose gel electrophoresis methods. The PCR products of PLAG1 exhibited 3 genotypes and 2 alleles: 142 bp (denoted as W) and 123 bp (denoted as D). Genotype WW and allele W were predominant in the studied populations. In addition, the 19-bp indel was significantly associated with the growth traits in cattle breeds, with the hip width and rump length of Pinan cattle (P < 0.05), heart girth and cannon bone circumference of Xianan cattle (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05), as well as the heart girth, hip width, hucklebone width, rump length, height at sacrum and chest depth of the Jiaxian cattle (P < 0.05). Our results indicate that the Indel marker of PLAG1 gene can be used as candidate molecular markers for the breeding in cattle.