Association between polymorphism in the insulin receptor-related receptor gene and growth traits in the Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas

Insulin receptor-related receptor (IRR) is an orphan receptor tyrosine kinase of the insulin receptor family, and involved in the growth and reproduction processes of the Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas. Polymorphisms of the IRR gene were evaluated for associations with growth performance of 336 individuals in five families, and further confirmed in 206 individuals from three selectively bred strains for fast growth. Two of the six identified synonymous mutations (C.1996G > A and C.2110C > T) were significantly associated with growth performance in the families and strains. Five diplotypes were constructed based on the two growth-related SNPs, and diplotypes analysis revealed that D3 (GGTT) might be the most advantageous diplotype for growth traits. The results suggest that two SNPs (C.1996G > A and C.2110C > T) in IRR gene are potentially associated with growth performance of C. gigas, and could serve as genetic markers for fast growth in oyster breeding.