A post-genome-wide association study validating the association of the glycophorin C gene with serum hemoglobin level in pig.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to validate the statistical evidence from the genome-wide association study (GWAS) as true-positive and to better understand the effects of the glycophorin C () gene on serum hemoglobin traits.

METHODS

Our initial GWAS revealed the presence of two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (ASGA0069038 and ALGA0084612) for the hemoglobin concentration trait (HGB) in the 2.48 Mb region of SSC15. From this target region, GYPC was selected as a promising gene that associated with serum HGB traits in pigs. SNPs within the gene were detected by sequencing. Thereafter, we performed association analysis of the variant with the serum hemoglobin level in three pig populations.

RESULTS

We identified one SNP (g.29625094 T>C) in exon 3 of the gene. Statistical analysis showed a significant association of the SNP with the serum hemoglobin level on day 20 (p<0.05). By quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, the gene was expressed in eight different tissues.

CONCLUSION

These results might improve our understanding of GYPC function and provide evidence for its association with serum hemoglobin traits in the pig. These results also indicate that the gene might serve as a useful marker in pig breeding programs.