Variation in the Ovine KAP6-3 Gene (KRTAP6-3) Is Associated with Variation in Mean Fibre Diameter-Associated Wool Traits

• Main Authors: Shaobin Li, Huitong Zhou, Hua Gong, Fangfang Zhao, Jiqing Wang, Yuzhu Luo, Jon G. H. Hickford
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2017-08-01
• Series: Genes
• Subjects: KAP6-3 gene (KRTAP6-3); mean fibre diameter (MFD); wool traits; sheep
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/8/8/204

Polymerase chain reaction-single stranded conformational polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) analysis was used to investigate variation in the ovine KAP6-3 gene (KRTAP6-3) in 383 Merino × Southdown-cross lambs from four sire-lines, and to determine whether this variation affects wool traits. Five PCR-SSCP banding patterns, representing five different nucleotide sequences, were detected, including four previously identified (named A, B, C, and F) variants and one newly identified (named G) variant. A new non-synonymous single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and a 45-bp deletion were detected in variant G. Of the three common genotypes (AA, AB, and AG) identified in these sheep, wool from sheep that were AG, on average, had a lower mean fibre diameter (MFD), fibre diameter standard deviation (FDSD), and prickle factor (PF) than wool from AA sheep, whereas wool from AB sheep, on average, had a higher MFD, FDSD, and PF than wool from AA sheep. This suggests that variation in ovine KRTAP6-3 affect MFD, FDSD, and PF, and that this gene may have potential for use as a gene-maker for improving fibre diameter-associated wool traits.