Sequencing of the Nfe2l1 Gene in Sheep and Evaluation Influence of Gene Polymorphisms on Meat Production

The aim of this study was to investigate influence of the NFE2L1 gene polymorphisms on some parameters of meat production in sheep. Polymorphisms of the NFE2L1 gene were detected using NimbleGen sequencing technology (Roche, USA). The effect of polymorphisms identified was investigated in Manych Merino sheep breed. In coding and regulatory parts of gene 11 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) were detected. These are the substitutions: c.1092T>C, c.-703C>T, c.582C>T, c.788C>T, c.864C>T, c.*177C>G, c.*179C>T, c.*181C>A, c.*182G>T, c.*187G>T and c.*188G>T. Five of these SNP has been identified for the first time. Three of founded SNP c.788, c.-1092 and c.*188 have positive effect on vital meat production indicators in sheep. Another SNP c.864 have a negligible effect on investigated parameters. Consequently, the determination of allelic variants of the NFE2L1 gene may be used in markerassisted selection. In future will evaluate the influence of founded SNP on slaughter parameters of meat production.