Associations of growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR) genes polymorphisms and protein structure changes with carcass traits in sheep

Growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR), a G protein-coupled receptor that binds ghrelin, plays an important role in the central regulation of pituitary growth hormone secretion, food intake, and energy homeostasis. Ghrelin receptor (GHSR) modulates many physiological effects and therefore is a candidate gene for sheep production performance. Polymorphism of the GHSR gene was detected by PCR–SSCP and DNA sequencing methods in 463 individuals. Two different structures in protein and nine single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified. The evaluation of the associations between these SSCP patterns with carcass traits suggests a positive effect of genotype TT and B structure on carcass weight, and body length (P < 0.05). In addition, the animal with TC had greater abdominal fat than those with TT and CC (P < 0.05) while CC genotype contributed to low blood cholesterol (P = 0.04). The results confirm the hints suggesting that GHSR is a preferential target for further investigation on mutations that influence carcass trait variations.

► In the paper we report an identification of nine mutations in the sheep GHSR gene.
► The present study suggests a positive effect of genotypes with carcass traits.
► We report an identification of two different protein structures in GHSR protein.
► The identified SNPs in GHSR gene could be used as molecular markers.