Breed Specific Mutations in Melanocortin Receptor 1 (MClR) and KIT Genes in Pigs

Abstract

To distinguish among pig breeds from raw pork samples, a 612-bp region corresponding to the domain including the second transmembrane of Melanocortin Receptor 1 (MC 1 R) was sequenced in Landrace, Large White, Duroc, Berkshire, Hampshire, Meishan, Vietnamese Moncai and Japanese Wild Boar. Approximately 4 kbp from exon 16 to 19 of the KIT gene was sequenced in European Wild Boar and Yucatan Miniature pigs in addition to these eight breeds. Six different sequences with 8 mutated base pairs were obtained from MC 1 R gene. Durocs had a unique sequence compared with the other breeds, while Landrace, Large White, Berkshire and Hampshire pigs had some common alleles. Sequences obtained from Meishans were identical to those of Vietnamese Moncai, but different from other breeds. Japanese Wild Boars had two alleles, and both of which were different from other breeds. In KIT gene, 11 alleles with 62 mutated base pairs were obtained. The mutation from G to A at the position 1,313 clearly distinguished the white pigs, Landrace and Large White, from other breeds as previously reported. The sequences from Berkshire, Meishan and Japanese Wild Boar were very similar and 58 of the 62 mutated base pairs were common among the breeds. Landrace, Large White, Hampshire, European Wild Boar and most Duroc pigs had similar sequences, with 50 of 62 mutated base pairs in common. The sequence observed in several Berkshire pigs from Kagoshima prefecture was similar to that of Yucatan Miniature pigs.