# Relationships Between Expressions and Variants of the Myosin−Binding Protein C1 Gene and Fatty Acid Composition in Longissimus Thoracis Muscle of Grazing Sonid Sheep

## TL;DR

This study explores how variations in the MYBPC1 gene affect fatty acid composition in the muscle of grazing Sonid sheep, identifying potential genetic markers for meat quality.

## Contribution

The study identifies novel MYBPC1 gene polymorphisms and their associations with fatty acid profiles in Sonid sheep.

## Key findings

- Six MYBPC1 gene variants significantly affect long-chain fatty acid compositions in Sonid sheep.
- High MYBPC1 expression correlates with higher saturated and lower unsaturated fatty acids.
- The findings suggest these gene variants could serve as genetic markers for meat quality improvement.

## Abstract

This study focused on the associations between the expression levels and variants of the myosin−binding protein C1 (MYBPC1) gene and fatty acid composition of the longissimus thoracis in grazing Sonid sheep. Fifteen novel polymorphisms were identified in the Sonid sheep breed by direct sequencing and then were genotyped in 286 castrated ram lambs using iPLEX MassARRAY. The association study showed that the g.170969609A>G, g.170969730C>T of linkage disequilibrium−1, the g.171019445C>G, g.171047427G>A, c.3282G>A (1094E), and c.3660C>T (1220S) of linkage disequilibrium−3 of MYBPC1 have significant effects on the compositions of certain long‐chain FAs, including long‐chain saturated fatty acid, C17:1, n6−polyunsaturated fatty acid, C18:1n9c, and C18:2n6c. In addition, the correlation analysis results showed that the high expression levels of MYBPC1 were positively correlated with certain saturated fatty acids and negatively correlated with certain unsaturated fatty acids. Thus, the correlation results and associated mutations were expected to be genetic selection markers for the fatty acid compositions and meat quality in Sonid sheep.

This study showed that various FA compositions and classes have significant relationships in the longissimus thoracis (LT) muscle of grazing Sonid sheep. The results of association studies indicated that novel mutations of the MYBPC1 gene were significantly associated with some compositions and classes of FA in the LL of grazing Sonid sheep. Thus, the correlation results and associated mutations are expected to be genetic selection markers for the FA composition and nutrition of grazing Sonid sheep.