Polymorphisms of the membrane-associated ring finger 4, ubiquitin protein ligase gene (MARCH4) and its relationship with porcine production traits

• Eight polymorphisms in MARCH4 locus were identified.
• Analyzed SNPs affected carcass and fattening traits as well as meat quality.
• We proposed MARCH4 gene as candidate gene for production traits in pigs.

Membrane-Associated Ring Finger (C3HC4) 4, E3 Ubiquitin Protein, encoded by MARCH4 gene, plays an important role in protein ubiquitination. MARCH4 gene may be one of the candidate genes related with some phenotypic traits due to its function and chromosome localization in QTLs associated with pork quality (meat color, pH, water holding capacity and texture parameters). In the present study, all exons and their flanking regions were screened for the presence of SNPs with the use of High Resolution Melt (HRM) method. The frequencies of two of eight identified polymorphisms were estimated on a large number of pigs represented by five breeds. The association study showed that SNPs ENSSSCG00000016176:g.576T>G (localized in the promoter region) and ENSSSCT00000017613.2:c.675+5C>A (in the second intron) affected growth traits and characteristics of carcasses as well as meat quality in pigs. Both SNPs were related with lean meat percentage, the weights of the most valuable cuts for example as ham and loin, loin eye area and backfat thickness (p≤0.01). Furthermore, analyzed polymorphisms affected the length of fattening period, feed:gain ratio and test daily gain. The presented influence of MARCH4 polymorphisms on meat quality parameters was not conclusive. The ENSSSCG00000016176:g.576T>G polymorphism was associated with meat pH, while ENSSSCT00000017613.2:c.675+5C>A SNP was related with meat color. The present research showed that porcine MARCH4 gene is an interesting candidate gene associated with important pig production traits.