Characterization of intronic SNP located in candidate genes influencing cattle temperament

- The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of intronic single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) on temperament traits in a Brahman cattle population. The SNP located in CACNG4 , EXOC4 , NRXN3 , and SLC9A4 candidate genes were genotyped in 250 animals with temperament records of exit velocity, pen score, and temperament score. Rs3423464051:G>A in the CACNG4 gene was associated with exit velocity and temperament score. An in silico analysis of the five intronic SNP showed that alternative alleles of CACNG4 -rs3423464051, EXOC4 -rs109393235, and SLC9A4 -rs109722627 SNP could alter branch point sites during splicing, while a protein–protein interaction network analysis demonstrated a GRIA2 gene-mediated interaction between CACNG4 and NRXN3 . The present results support previously reported evidence regarding bovine temperament-related candidate genes, particularly CACNG4 , which is a confirmed candidate gene in need of more detailed analyses to reveal its role in temperament-related traits.