SNPs detection in 5'-UTR region of the MC4R gene in Garut sheep

The melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) gene has been linked to controlling feeding behavior and body weight. The objective of this study was to detect the polymorphism within the 5'-UTR region of the MC4R gene in Garut sheep. A total of 36 blood samples were isolated and amplified using primers (forward: 5'-TTCGTTTGGGGCAAGTCAAG-3' and reverse: 5'-GGAAACGCTCACCAACATGT-3'). Two SNPs, g.396C/T and g.399C/G, were discovered in the 5'UTR region based on sequence alignment (position number based on Genbank acc no. NC040274). For both SNPs, only two genotypes were found in the samples. Both SNPs had identical allele and genotype frequencies. The C allele (86, n=26) was higher than the T (g.396C/T) and G allele (g.399C/G) (14, n=10). The homozygous CC genotype has a higher frequency (72) in both SNP g.396C/T and g.399C/G, followed by CT and CG genotype (28), respectively. The Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium analysis resulted in the sample population did not deviate (χ2<5.59). Further analysis could be suggested to provide an overview of this polymorphism effect in Garut sheep's growth traits.