New SNP of the porcine Perilipin 2 (PLIN2) gene, association with carcass traits and expression analysis in skeletal muscle

The aim of the present study was to screen PLIN2 gene for polymorphisms, to evaluate the association with carcass quality traits, and to investigate the gene expression in skeletal muscle. Six new single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) were detected by sequencing 32 samples from five pig breeds (Italian Large White, Italian Duroc, Italian Landrace, Belgian Landrace, Pietrain). Two SNP localized in introns, two in the 3-untranslated region (UTR), and two missense SNP were found in exons. A 3-UTR mutation (GU461317:g.98G[A), genotyped in 290 Italian Duroc pigs by High Resolution Melting, resulted significantly associated (P.01) with average daily gain, feed conversion ratio, lean cuts and hams weight estimated breeding values. PLIN2 gene expression analysis in skeletal muscle of Italian Large White and Italian Duroc pigs divergent for backfat thickness and visible intermuscular fat showed a trend of higher expression level in pigs with higher intermuscular fat. These results suggest that PLIN2 can be a marker for carcass quality in pigs