Partial analysis of CCDC۱۴۱ gene in relation to ascites syndrome in broilers

Genetic progress has lead to an increase in the growth rate, feed efficiency and subsequently, increase the rate of mortality and the prevalence of metabolic diseases such as ascites in broilers. Ascites, as one of the three major metabolic diseases, has caused significant economic losses in the poultry industry. Over the past few years, as the improve growth rate, the incidence of ascites has increased dramatically in chickens. Given that, the importance of this disease as one of the common problems in the poultry industry and also its economic importance duo to bird mortality, it is necessary to study the effective factors in ascites disease. Ascites disease is influenced by genetics and environmental factors. Our previous GWAS study showed that the CCDC۱۴۱ gene could be a strong candidate associated with heart failure and ascites development in broilers. Therefore, the aim of this study is the structural analysis of some parts of this gene in broilers. To achieve this goal, the cardiac index was evaluated on ۱۲۰ birds of a population of Arian B-line chicks. Then, the DNA of all samples was extracted using the salting-out method from liver tissue. The target regions of this gene were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using appropriate primers. In this study, ۳ single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified in the target region of the CCDC۱۴۱ gene. Further investigation revealed that a mutation located in coding region of exon ۱۹ and two SNP in exon ۲۵ of the CCDC۱۴۱ gene. Statistical analysis revealed that the missense mutation in exon ۱۹ (rs۷۳۵۲۹۴۹۲۵) has been significantly associated with the right ventricular index (P <۰.۰۰۴). The missense mutation leads a change ofamino acid sequence and can have a dramatic effect on stability, hydrogen bond network, conformationaldynamics, activity, and many other physiologically important properties of proteins. The finding suggeststhat the significant missense mutation (rs۷۳۵۲۹۴۹۲۵) is an effective factor in ascites disease by altering theprotein function of the CCDC۱۴۱ gene. The results of this study can be used to accelerate breeding programsfor ascites resistance in broilers.