Abstract: CAPNS1 also known as CAPN4, encodes the small subunit of CAPN1 and CAPN2 which is required to maintain stability and activity of both calpains. But to date polymorphism of yak CAPNS1 has not been reported. In this study, variation in the exon 6-intron 6 region of CAPNS1 was investigated in 1059 yaks and Chinese cattle by Polymerase Chain Reaction-Single Strand Conrmational Polymorphism (PCR-SSCP). Five PCR-SSCP patterns representing five allelic variations and containing four Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) in intron 6 were observed. Allele B was the most common allele with a frequency of 48.12% in yak and 93.29% in Chinese cattle whereas allele A and C were only in yak as well as allele D and E were rare (0.42 and 0.16%, respectively) and only in Chinese cattle. These results indicate that yak and cattle CAPNS1 is polymorphic and suggest further analysis is required to see if the variation detected affects their meat quality.
L. Zhang, Y. Luo, J. Hu, J. Wang, X. Liu and H. Pan, 2013. Allelic Variation in the Intron 6 of Yak and Cattle CAPNS1 Gene. Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 12: 221-224.