CAPN1 peptide

Genetic variability of four polymorphisms (CAPN1, CAST, SCD, and FASN) was evaluated and the relationships between them and the beef quality traits (tenderness and fatty acid composition) in Czech crossbred cattle population were assessed. Totally 331 animals were genotyped using multiplex PCR-RFLP. For the CAST NM174003.2:c.155C>T the CC genotype was associated with higher Warner-Bratzler shear force (CC > CT, P < 0.001; CC > TT, P < 0.05) and our results (CC > TT > CT) suggest a possible effect of over-dominance. The CAPN1 AF252504.2:c.947G>C did not significantly influence the beef tenderness (strongly influenced by misbalance between the genotype frequencies) suggesting the breed specific effect of this marker. Our association study of the SCD AB075020:c.878T>C polymorphism revealed a positive effect of allele C on myristoleic acid content (CC > CT > TT, P < 0.01). The significant influence of FASN AF285607:g.17924A>G on fatty acid profile was confirmed in the content of myristoleic acid (AG > GG, P < 0.05), palmitoleic acid (AA > AG > GG, P < 0.05, P < 0.001), stearic acid (AA > GG, P < 0.05), myristic acid (AG > GG, P < 0.05), and palmitic acid (AG > GG, P < 0.05). Thus in our population the SNPs of FASN and SCD appeared to be useful markers for selection of animals according to the fatty acid profile as well as SNP of CAST for beef tenderness.

Effects and interactions of calpain-system tenderness gene markers on objective meat quality traits of Brahman (Bos indicus) cattle were quantified within 2 concurrent experiments at different locations. Cattle were selected for study from commercial and research herds at weaning based on their genotype for calpastatin (CAST) and calpain 3 (CAPN3) gene markers for beef tenderness. Gene marker status for mu-calpain (CAPN1-4751 and CAPN1-316) was also determined for inclusion in statistical analyses. Eighty-two heifer and 82 castrated male cattle with 0 or 2 favorable alleles for CAST and CAPN3 were studied in New South Wales (NSW), and 143 castrated male cattle with 0, 1, or 2 favorable alleles for CAST and CAPN3 were studied in Western Australia (WA). The cattle were backgrounded for 6 to 8 mo and grain-fed for 117 d (NSW) or 80 d (WA) before slaughter. One-half the cattle in each experiment were implanted with a hormonal growth promotant during feedlotting. One side of each carcass was suspended from the Achilles tendon (AT) and the other from the pelvis (tenderstretch). The M. longissimus lumborum from both sides and the M. semitendinosus from the AT side were collected; then samples of each were aged at 1 degrees C for 1 or 7 d. Favorable alleles for one or more markers reduced shear force, with little effect on other meat quality traits. The size of effects of individual markers varied with site, muscle, method of carcass suspension, and aging period. Individual marker effects were additive as evident in cattle with 4 favorable alleles for CAST and CAPN3 markers, which had shear force reductions of 12.2 N (P < 0.001, NSW) and 9.3 N (P = 0.002, WA) in AT 7 d aged M. longissimus lumborum compared with those with no favorable alleles. There was no evidence (all P > 0.05) of interactions between the gene markers, or between the hormonal growth promotant and gene markers for any meat quality traits. This study provides further evidence that selection based on the CAST or CAPN3 gene markers improves meat tenderness in Brahman cattle, with little if any detrimental effects on other meat quality traits. The CAPN1-4751 gene marker also improved beef tenderness without affecting other objective meat quality traits in heterozygous cattle compared with homozygotes for the unfavorable allele.