Chinese Yellow Cattle PPARA Gene: Analyses of Expression, Polymorphism and Trait Association

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARA) is a member of the nuclear receptor superfamily that regulates key proteins involved in fatty acid oxidation and extracellular lipid metabolism. Given the importance of PPARA in modulating energy metabolism, PPARA may be a suitable candidate gene for assessing economic traits in cattle. In the present study, the genetic diversity of the PPARA gene in Chinese cattle breeds and its effects on growth traits in the Nanyang and Jiaxian breeds were investigated. First, the transcript profiles for PPARA were determined in eight adult cattle tissue types. Next, polymorphisms were identified in the coding and predicted promoter regions of the bovine PPARA gene in 424 animals. Finally, an association study was carried out to evaluate the relationship between PPARA and the development of cattle. Based on quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, PPARA was mainly expressed in the kidney and liver. Nine single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified in Chinese domestic cattle, including one novel SNP. Haplotype frequencies and linkage disequilibrium were also investigated. Four SNPs (g. 17148558A> T, g.117195348A>G, g.117228160T>C, and g. 117233248A>G) showed significant associations with growth traits in NY and JX cattle, including body weight, average daily gain, and hipbone width. These results confirmed the importance of PPARA as a candidate gene for marker-assisted selection for growth traits in cattle.