Methodology to identify candidate genes from beef carcass traits at weaning: A pilot study

The goal of the work reported herein was to investigate if a new methodology could provide gene expression profiles of brachiocephalicus muscle tissue from young steers and to compare this genetic expression with carcass traits determined at slaughter to identify potential candidate genes. Tissue samples were collected from steers using a fine needle biopsy from muscle in the neck region at weaning. Muscle tissue was removed using the Dunn Biopsy method, and RNA was extracted for sequencing and transcriptomic analysis. Animal groups for data analysis were designated using marbling score codes (MSC) established from carcass grade at slaughter, which identified DNER, PCBD1 and BGN genes associated with adipose; muscle genes included MAP7, PDE1B, and ADAMTS2; tenderness genes identified were FMO2 and ZKSCAN2; and marbling genes RPTN, DNER, and CACNA2D2. These results indicate muscle biopsies may yield complementary information associated with carcass traits to the current industry standards. Application of this technique may provide insight to the identification of candidate genes that could improve production decisions, increase accuracy of prediction from transcriptomic profiling, and ultimately speed genetic progress.