Porcine TEF1 and RTEF1: Molecular characterization and association analyses with growth traits

TEA domain transcription factors play vital roles in myogenesis by binding the M-CAT motif in the promoter of the muscle-specific genes. In the present study, we cloned two porcine TEA domain family genes, TEF1 and RTEF1, and identified two different variants respectively. RT-PCR revealed that the TEF1-a variant was highly expressed and up-regulated with the development of the porcine skeletal muscle, indicating its potential regulatory function for muscle development. Promoter analysis revealed porcine TEF1 was regulated, in a TATA-independent manner, by a specific intact initiator element, and numerous binding motifs of multiple transcription factors, including SP1, CREB/ATF and AREB6. A substitution G93A was identified in the 5′-flanking sequence and used for the linkage mapping of TEF1. Association analyses in a Berkshire × Yorkshire F2 population revealed that the substitution of G93A has a significant effect on average daily gain from birth to weaning (p < 0.05) and 16-day weight (p < 0.05), and a suggestive effect on loin eye area (p < 0.06), average back fat (p < 0.07) and lumbar back fat (p < 0.08). The association analyses results are in agreement with the gene's localization demonstrated by linkage analysis, SCHP and RH mapping to the QTL region of growth and carcass traits on chromosome 2p14-17.