Polymorphism of KRT83 and its association with selected wool traits in Merino-cross lambs

Abstract

Keratins are structural proteins in the cortex of wool fibres. It is thought that variation in the keratin genes (KRTs) affects wool structure and characteristics. Polymerase chain reaction-single stranded conformational polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) analysis was used to investigate three regions of ovine KRT83. These regions were a portion of the promoter, the exon 2 region (including part of intron 1) and a region encompassing exon 3-4 (including all of exon 3, intron 3, exon 4 and part of intron 4). Initially, in 300 New Zealand Romney, Merino and White Dorper sheep obtained from 26 farms, one, two and four PCR-SSCP banding patterns were observed for these regions respectively. The exon 2 region contained two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and the exon 3-4 region contained five SNPs. Investigation of the effect of the variation in the exon 3-4 region on variation in some wool traits were subsequently undertaken in 489 Merino × Southdown-cross sheep from seven sire-lines. The four variants identified in the original 300 sheep (designated A-D) and a new variant (E containing a new SNP) were observed with a frequency of 64.6%, 15.4%, 6.6%, 10.1% and 3.3%, respectively. General linear mixed-effects models (GLMMs) were used to investigate associations between the presence or absence of the variants and the wool traits, with a second set of models testing associations between common genotypes and those traits. The presence of A was associated with a decrease in fibre diameter standard deviation (FDSD) and coefficient of variation of fibre diameter (CVFD). The presence of C was associated with an increase in mean fibre diameter (MFD), mean fibre curvature (MFC) and prickle factor (PF), and a decrease in wool yield (Yield) [clean fleece weight (CFW)/greasy fleece weight (GFW) × 100%]. A trend for association between the presence of C and increased FDSD was also detected. The presence of D was associated with an increase in MFD and PF, and a decrease in Yield. The presence of E was associated with a decrease in CVFD. Genotype AD had a higher GFW and a lower Yield than AA, and AC and AD tended to have increased MFD compared to AA and AB. These results suggest that ovine KRT83 might be a useful candidate gene for improving wool traits.