MicroRNAs are small noncoding RNAs that regulate gene expression. Through effects on various biological pathways in organism, miRNAs contribute to phenotype changes and consequently on efficiency of animal production. That is why miRNAs became useful as biomarkers in animal selection. For the analysis we selected miRNA gene gga-miR-1658. The aim of this study was: 1.) to retrieve known genomic information about gga-mir-1658 in chicken and 2.) to analyze the association between two SNPs (rs316300182 and rs1059378319) in gga-mir-1658 gene and ten growth and carcass traits using molecular-genetic methods. Firstly, we designed an atlas of regulatory elements for gga-mir-1658 from eight databases and bioinformatics tools. In the second part, we confirmed an association between rs1059378319 and liver mass (p = 0.05). Animals with CC genotype had 5.91g heavier liver (p = 0.02) than animals with CT genotype. Association between SNP rs316300182 and liver mass (p = 0.07) did not meet the level of significance, but was close. Animals with CC genotype had for 5.66g heavier liver (p = 0.06) as animals with a genotype CG. Other growth and carcass traits did not reach significant associations with these two SNPs. Results suggest that gga-mir-1658 is interesting for further studies. Testing on a larger population and including additional breeds is required to functionally characterize it and potentially apply it as a biomarker in chicken selection programs.
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