CHARACTERIZATION, CHROMOSOMAL LOCALIZATION, AND GENETIC-VARIATION OF THE PORCINE HEART FATTY-ACID-BINDING PROTEIN GENE

The purpose of this study was to detect genetic variation in the porci ne H-FABP gene, a candidate gene for meat quality traits in pigs. Lamb da phages containing the porcine H-FABP gene were isolated by plaque h ybridization with human H-FABP cDNA. The coding and flanking intronic sequences of the porcine H-FABP gene were determined as well as 1.6 kb of the 5' upstream region. The various potential regulatory sequences in this region are in accordance with the function and expression of the protein in muscle and mammary tissue. Furthermore, comparison with the homolog region of the mouse identified a highly conserved 13-bp e lement (CTTCCT [A/C] TTTCGG) that may be involved in regulation of exp ression. The porcine H-FABP gene was localized on Chromosome (Chr) 6 b y porcine sequence-specific PCR on DNA from a pig/rodent cell hybrid p anel. In addition, part of the H-FABP gene was screened for genetic va riation by PCR-RFLP analysis. Three PCR-RFLPs were detected, one in th e upstream region (HinfI) and two in the second intron (Haem and MspI) . In most pig breeds the corresponding alleles have a variable distrib ution, possibly a consequence of selective breeding. This genetic vari ation will enable us to investigate the role of the H-FABP locus in po rcine production and meat quality traits.