Association of a single nucleotide polymorphism of the Leptin gene with growth traits in Takifugu rubripes

Abstract

Leptin (LEP) plays a role in animal growth, appetite regulation, energy partition, and body composition. In this study, 296 cultivated Takifugu rubripes individuals were screened for LEP gene polymorphisms using PCR-single strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) and DNA sequencing. Two single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) mutations were detected in T. rubripes LEP gene: C/G at position 232 nucleotide (nt) and C/T at position 310 nt. One-way ANOVA of the SNPs and growth traits showed that genotype CC of primer L2 had a significantly higher body length (BL), body weight (BW), and absolute growth rate of BL (ABL) and BW (ABW) than genotypes CG and GG (P<0.05). The genotype frequencies of CC, CG, and GG were 61.15%, 35.14%, and 3.17%, respectively. Genotype CC at the C232G site was advantageous and significantly associated with growth traits. This site would be an excellent molecular marker to select and cultivate through statistical analysis. Additionally, the second unmutated and mutated mRNA structures were compared and analyzed. These results indicate that the T. rubripes LEP gene may be a candidate for these growth traits.