Michael Robert Muchow

US Patent:

20080038742, Feb 14, 2008

Filed:

Jul 6, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/822540

Inventors:

Tom Porter - University Park MD, US
Michael Muchow - Hyattsville MD, US

International Classification:

C12Q 1/68
C07H 21/00

US Classification:

435006000, 536023100

Abstract:

In the present invention, cDNA microarrays to investigate pituitary gene expression in two chicken lines that were selected for low and high body fat (Lean and Fat). Differentially expressed genes between lines are potential candidates as genetic markers for high and low potential for body fat accumulation. The lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) receptor-1 (LPAR1) was identified as a potential marker, being differentially expressed between the lean and fat lines at the early ages. The invention provides SNPs that can introduce a GATA site in the promoter of LPAR1 which can upregulate its expression in the lean chickens, and increased LPA signaling and which can inhibit preadipocyte differentiation. Conversely, SNPs are provided that cause loss of the GATA binding site and cause decreased levels of LPAR1 expression and attenuated inhibition of adipocyte maturation in fat chickens.