QTL fine mapping and identification of candidate genes for growth-related traits in bighead carp (Hypophthalmichehys nobilis)

• Published in: Aquaculture
• Main Authors: Liu, Haiyang, Fu, Beide, Pang, Meixia, Feng, Xiu, Wang, Xinhua, Yu, Xiaomu, Tong, Jingou
• Format: Report
• Language: English
• Published: ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV 2016
• Subjects: Bighead carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis); QTL; Fine mapping; Candidate genes; Growth traits; Fisheries; Marine & Freshwater Biology; CHARR SALVELINUS-ALPINUS; SALMON SALMO-SALAR; LINKAGE MAP; MICROSATELLITE MARKERS; ARISTICHTHYS-NOBILIS; QUANTITATIVE TRAITS; ATLANTIC SALMON; BODY-WEIGHT; PROVIDES INSIGHTS; COLD TOLERANCE; Atlantic salmon; Salmo salar; Salvelinus alpinus
• Online Access: http://ir.ihb.ac.cn/handle/342005/31943; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.2016.08.039

Bighead carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis) is a popular Asian aquaculture species, but its genetic improvement is still in infancy. Marker-assisted selection (MAS) can improve the selection efficiency of breeding programs in fish. In this study, we constructed a genetic linkage map in a F1 family of bighead carp using microsatellite markers. A total of 905 microsatellites were assigned onto 24 linkage groups (LGs) of a consensus map, which spanned 1631.7 cM of bighead carp genome with an average interval of 1.8 cM. Comparative genomics revealed a high level of genomic synteny between bighead carp and zebrafish. QTL mapping for growth traits was performed based on this linkage map, and three significant and 8 suggestive QTL associated with four growth traits (body length, body height, head length, body weight) were detected on LG9 and LG17, with 18.6-25.5% of phenotypic variance explained. Three candidate genes for growth were identified in or near the QTL intervals, and a SNP in one of the three genes, TP53BP2, was significantly associated with growth traits in different populations of bighead carp. These results of the high-density SSR genetic map and genome scan for QTL provide a basis for MAS and breeding programs for growth in bighead carp. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.