Functional and phylogenetic analyses of a melanocortin-4 receptor mutation in domestic pigs

The melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R), a G protein-coupled seven-transmembrane receptor, which is expressed in the brain, plays an important role in the control of mammalian energy homeostasis. A missense mutation (Asp298Asn) was identified in the porcine MC4R gene, which is associated with growth and food intake traits. The Asn298 mutation occurs within a highly conserved motif, NPLIY, of all members of G protein-coupled receptors; whereas, Asp298 is conserved in all five melanocortin receptor subtypes. Functional analysis of the porcine MC4R variant was performed with an in vitro gene expression system in 293 cells. Ligand binding (NDP-alphaMSH) did not differ between Asp298 and Asn298 MC4R proteins. However, the Asn298 MC4R variant was unable to stimulate cAMP production in response to NDP-alphaMSH stimulation; whereas, the Asp298 variant could stimulate cAMP accumulation. These results demonstrate that the Asp298 is required for normal MC4R signaling to the adenylyl cyclase. Sequencing of the MC4R gene of seven diverse genera within the Suiformes that include Hippopotamidae (hippos), Tayassuidae (peccaries) and Suidae (pigs), revealed 62 nucleotide variations in MC4R. Phylogenetic relationships of MC4R variations are consistent with those previously described from morphological and physiological data among the subfamilies of the Suiformes. These findings revealed that a single missense mutation (Asp298Asn) of aspartic acid (Asp) to asparagine (Asn) in MC4R gene decreased cAMP content and MC4R signaling, but with no difference in the ligand binding was associated with growth and feed intake traits in domestic pigs.     

Pharmacological characterization of canine melancortin-4 receptor and its natural variant V213F

Dogs have become one of the most important companion animals in modern society. However, it is estimated that 20% to 40% of owned dogs are obese, suggesting that obesity has become one of the most important canine health problem. In addition, obesity in dogs also leads to type II diabetes. Because the melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) has been shown to be essential in maintaining energy homeostasis in several different species, including rodents and humans, we initiated studies toward elucidating the roles of MC4R in obesity pathogenesis in dogs. Canine MC4R has been cloned, and a missense variant V213F was identified. We designed primers and successfully cloned canine MC4R and generated the variant V213F by site-directed mutagenesis. The objective of this study was to investigate the pharmacological properties of canine MC4R and its natural variant V213F. We measured ligand binding and signaling properties with the use of both natural and synthetic ligands. Human MC4R was also included in the experiments for comparison. Both wild-type canine MC4R and its natural variant V213F functioned normally in terms of binding and signaling. Of the ligands we used, [Nle⁴, D-Phe⁷]-α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone is the most potent ligand. We conclude that the cloned canine MC4R is a functional receptor, and the natural variant V213F does not have any functional defect and therefore is not likely to cause obesity in dogs.     

Association between melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R) gene haplotypes and carcass and production traits in Italian Large White pigs evaluated with a selective genotyping approach

Melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R) plays a key role in controlling energy homeostasis. Several studies have already reported effects on production traits of polymorphisms identified in the porcine MC4R gene. In this study we analysed data on 6 MC4R polymorphisms (c.-780C>G; c.-135C>T; c.175C>T; c.707G>A or p.Arg236His; and c.892G>A or p.Asp298Asn; c.?430A>T) genotyped from (1) two groups of Italian Large White pigs (280+280 animals) with extreme estimated breeding values (EBVs) for back fat thickness (BFT), selected among a performance tested population of about 12,000 pigs, and from (2) 19 Italian Duroc pigs. Two haplotypes, differentiated by the c.892G>A, were identified in the Duroc populations. Four haplotypes were identified in the Italian Large White population, one of which (haplotype 4) was identified for the first time in this study. Single marker and haplotype association analyses for BFT were obtained by comparing allele and haplotype frequency differences from the two extreme tails using χ² and Cochran–Armitage trend tests. Results confirmed the effects of the c.892G>A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) on BFT, as also defined by different distributions in the two tails of haplotypes carrying the alternative nucleotides at this polymorphic site (P<0.01). In addition different distributions of haplotype 4 in the two extreme groups suggested that it might affect the same trait (P<0.10). Association analyses for several other traits (average daily gain, ADG; feed gain ratio, FGR; weight of lean cuts; ham weight) were carried out by using EBVs and Random Residuals: significant effects (P<0.05) were only found for the p.Asp298Asn mutation on ADG and FGR. Results did not support any relevant effect of the p.Arg236His mutation on any trait. Data reported in this study contribute to better understand the role of MC4R variants in affecting production traits in pigs, a prerequisite to consider polymorphisms in this gene for marker assisted selection.     

Genetic variation within coat color genes of MC1R and ASIP in Chinese brownish red Tibetan pigs

Melanocortin receptor 1 (MC1R) and agouti signaling protein (ASIP) are two major genes affecting coat color phenotypes in mammals, and inactivation mutations in the MC1R gene are responsible for red coat color in European pig breeds. Conversely, the gain‐of‐function ASIP mutations block MC1R signaling and lead to the production of red pheomelanin. Chinese Tibetan pigs have three types of coat color phenotypes, including brownish red, solid black and black with patches of brownish red and white. Herein, we investigated variations of the MC1R and ASIP genes in Tibetan pigs. The results showed that the brownish red Tibet pig had the dominant black MC1R allele (E^D1). No loss‐of‐function mutation in MC1R responsible for red coat color in European breeds was observed in this breed. No causal mutation for the red coat color phenotype was found in the coding sequence of the ASIP gene. A novel missense mutation c.157G > A was firstly identified in exon 2 of ASIP, which was further genotyped in 285 pigs from five Chinese breeds and three Western breeds having different coat color phenotypes. Nearly all pigs were GG homozygotes. In conclusion, no functional variant responsible for brownish red coloration was found in the coding region of MC1R and ASIP in Tibetan pigs.     

Association of a melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R) polymorphism with performance traits in Lithuanian White pigs

The melanocortin 4 receptor is expressed in virtually all brain regions of mammals and plays an important role in energy homeostasis. Polymorphisms in this gene may thus be related to growth and obesity. In pigs, a non‐synonymous polymorphic site was described (Asp298Asn) and demonstrated to affect cAMP production and to alter adenylyl cyclase signalling. Association studies revealed significant linkage of this mutation with production trait in pigs. In this study, 207 Lithuanian White pigs were genotyped at the MC4R locus and analysed on relationships between genotype and breeding values for several performance traits. The observed allele and genotype frequencies did not deviate significantly from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium (wildtype allele 0.59; mutant allele 0.41) and are comparable with those described in other Large White populations. The mutant Asn298 allele of the MC4R gene was significantly associated with increased test daily gain, higher lean meat percentage and lower backfat thickness. There was a trend towards an improved feed conversion ratio (p = 0.065) in animals with the mutant allele whereas no significant effect was found on lifetime daily gain. These results indicate that the MC4R polymorphism should be integrated in selection programmes in the Lithuanian White to improve carcass composition.     

黑色素形成调控机理及乌骨绵羊黑色素沉积候选基因研究进展

黑色素(melanin)产生于黑色素细胞,是由酚类或吲哚类物质氧化聚合而成的不易溶于水的聚合体,广泛存在于微生物和动植物机体,具有消除自由基、抗氧化、抑制病毒感染、激活免疫系统、提高机体免疫力、延缓衰老等生理功能。酪氨酸在酪氨酸酶作用下生成多巴,多巴经过系列复杂的生物学反应形成黑色素。现有研究发现,多种信号通路(α-MSH/MC1R/cAMP信号通路、Wnt/β-catenin信号通路、PI3K/Akt/GSK3β信号通路、MAPK信号通路等)及相关调控因子(MITF、MC1R、TYR等)参与了黑色素的形成过程。一般认为,哺乳动物黑色素细胞主要分布于皮肤和毛囊组织,而乌骨绵羊的内脏组织也能存在大量黑色素细胞,其形成机制尚不明确。乌骨绵羊的乌质性状是重要的经济性状,与其营养和药用价值密切相关,受机体组织黑色素沉积程度的影响。文章简述了黑色素的理化性质、生物功能及其合成路径,回顾了近年来发现的调控动物机体黑色素合成的信号通路及其作用机理,总结了影响乌骨绵羊黑色素沉积和分布规律相关候选功能基因的研究现状,以期为深入研究黑色素沉积调控机理及候选功能基因应用于生产实践提供参考。     

猪肉质性状功能基因在野猪群体内的变异研究

本试验旨在研究猪肉质性状功能基因突变位点在野猪群体里面的遗传变异规律。以MC4R基因(D298N G>A)、RYR1基因(c.1843 C>T)、PRKAG3基因(1849 G>A)和IGF2基因(3072 G>A)突变位点为基础,通过PCR-RFLP、PCR-SSCP技术,对72头圈养野猪群体进行突变位点的多态性检测和群体遗传变异分析。结果表明,RYR1基因在c.1843 C>T突变位点的CC基因型为野猪群体内的优势基因型,等位基因C是野猪群体内的优势基因,没有TT基因型,该突变位点处于不平衡状态(P<0.01和P<0.05)。在MC4R基因D298N G>A突变位点上,GG基因型为野猪群体内的优势基因型,等位基因G是野猪群体内的优势基因。而PRKAG3基因(1849 G>A)的突变位点检测结果是GG基因型为野猪群体内的优势基因型,等位基因G是野猪群体内的优势基因,没有发现AA基因型。IGF2基因3072 G>A在野猪群体内没有发现多态性,经测序验证全部为GG基因型。这3个基因突变都处于Hardy-Weinberg平衡状态(P>0.05)。本研究得出该野猪种群体遗传多样性和变异较小,符合其品种特性。     

新民猪RYR1和MC4R基因的多态性检测分析

为了调查兰尼定1型受体(RYR1)基因和黑素皮质素受体4(MC4R)基因[其目前公认的数量性状基因座(QTN)]在新组建的民猪群体内的分布情况,试验采用PCR-RFLP的方法,对黑龙江省农业科学院畜牧研究所收集整理的23头民猪的RYR1基因和MC4R基因进行检测,并与其他已报道的猪种进行比较。结果表明:RYR1基因的N等位基因频率为86.96%,n等位基因频率为13.04%;MC4R的A等位基因频率为76.19%,G等位基因频率为23.81%,与其他猪种相比,n等位基因频率偏高。     

大白猪MC4R、CDC16基因多态性及其与生长性状的关联分析

本研究旨在利用高分辨率熔解曲线(high resolution melt,HRM)分型方法检测大白猪黑素皮质素受体(melanocortin-4 receptor,MC4R)和细胞分裂周期蛋白16(cell division cycle 16,CDC16)基因的多态性,并对其与大白猪的生长性状进行关联性分析。试验共采集246头大白猪的耳组织样提取基因组DNA,对小群体样本进行PCR扩增后,通过测序方法寻找两个基因在该群体中的多态性位点,针对已发现的多态性位点设计HRM专用引物,利用HRM方法对大群体进行多态性检测,将所得结果与大白猪生长性状进行关联性分析。结果表明,在MC4R基因序列中检测到1个突变位点2207A>G,2个等位基因:A和G,3个基因型:AA、AG和GG;在CDC16基因第18外显子上检测到了1个突变位点837T>C,2个等位基因:T和C,2种基因型:TT和CT。χ~2适合性检验结果显示,2个基因的基因型频率和等位基因频率在2个种群中分布差异不显著,符合Hardy-Weinberg平衡定律(P>0.05)。多态信息含量(PIC)分析显示,MC4R基因在2个群体中均处于中度多态(0.25相似文献   

MC4R基因研究进展

黑素皮质素受体-4(melanocortin-4 receptor,MC4R)是下丘脑腹内侧核分泌的一类肽类物质,为黑素皮质素受体家族5个亚型(MC1-5R)之一。在哺乳动物中,MC4R具有介导瘦蛋白(leptin)的功能,是一个调节能量平衡与能量动态平衡的重要信号分子,可与其内源性配体黑素皮质素激素(melanocortin,MC)或刺鼠色蛋白(agouti protein,agouti蛋白)和agouti相关蛋白(agouti related protein,AGRP)相结合,从而在控制食欲和体重稳态中起关键作用。因此,MC4R在人类肥胖研究中作为重要的调节因子倍受关注。最近有研究表明:MC4R的1232位点的G→A的突变与绵羊背膘厚度间存在关联,AG和AA型较GG型具有较高的背膘厚度。     

不同毛色绵羊皮肤组织中MC1R、Agouti及TYR基因差异表达研究

本研究旨在探究特定杂交模式下产生全黑被毛绵羊TYR、MC1R及Agouti基因互作调控毛色的机制。随机选取黑色和白色被毛绵羊各4只,采集皮肤组织,利用qRT-PCR技术测定MC1R、Agouti及TYR基因mRNA在不同毛色绵羊皮肤中的表达量。结果显示:MC1R、Agouti及TYR基因在不同毛色绵羊皮肤中均有表达,其中TYR基因mRNA在黑色绵羊皮肤中的表达量极显著高于白色绵羊皮肤(P<0.01),MC1R基因mRNA在黑色绵羊皮肤中的表达量高于白色绵羊皮肤,但差异不显著,Agouti基因mRNA在黑色绵羊皮肤中的表达量显著低于白色绵羊皮肤(P<0.05)。综上,该杂交模式下产生的黑色绵羊可能是由于Agouti基因表达量低而使α-MSH诱导信号通路处于激活状态,上调了TYR基因表达量,导致真黑素含量上升,出现黑色毛色性状。     

四株分离自同一猪场的H3N2亚型猪流感病毒的进化分析

猪作为流感病毒异源毒株间发生基因重组的"混合容器",其呼吸道上皮细胞上同时存在着能够感染人（SA α-2,6-Gal）和禽（SA α-2,3-Gal）两种流感病毒的受体,具备产生新型流感病毒的潜力。在我们的前期研究中,连续两年（2013年和2014年）从南宁地区某个规模化养猪场当中分离获得了2株新型甲型流感病毒重配的H3N2亚型猪流感病毒（swine influenza viruses,SIVs）。为了解SIVs在同一地方的遗传进化规律,我们在2018年至2019年间对该猪场进行了持续的监测,并于2019年再次成功分离获得了2株H3N2亚型的三源重组毒株,命名为A/swine/Guangxi/JG13/2019（简称JG13/2019）和A/swine/Guangxi/JG20/2019（简称JG20/2019）。遗传进化分析表明其基因重配形式与2013年分离株A/swine/Guangxi/JGB4/2013（简称JGB4/2013）和2014年分离株A/swine/Guangxi/JG1/2014（简称JG1/2014）相同,表面基因HA和NA来源于类人H3N2谱系,内部基因NP、M、PA、PB1和PB2来源于2009年甲型H1N1大流感谱系（pdm/09H1N1）,NS基因来源于古典型H1N1谱系。此外,新分离株JG13/2019和JG20/2019同早期分离株JGB4/2013和JG1/2014 HA和NA基因的核苷酸相似性分别为95.3%~97.4%和93.9%~97.0%,内部基因（NP、M、PA、PB1和PB2）的核苷酸相似性为96.2%~98.1%,NS基因的核苷酸相似性为97.1%~97.6%。通过分析比较这些年代不同毒株之间的关键氨基酸位点差异,结果发现JG20/2019和JG13/2019的HA蛋白仍旧保持了与人型受体结合的分子特征（190D、226I和228S）,却也出现了V223I或P227S的新变化,JG13/2019的PA蛋白（R356K）和PB2蛋白（I588T）也与之前的毒株有所不同。这些位点上的氨基酸改变是否影响到病毒的致病能力、复制能力以及跨种间传播能力,有待今后进一步研究。历经6年,携带有pdm/09 H1N1多种内部基因片段（PB2、PB1、PA、M、NP）和类人表面基因（HA和NA）的H3N2亚型SIVs依旧在同一个猪场的猪群中流行,虽然其关键的功能区域出现了基因突变,但是仍然保持着能够感染人的受体结合特性。因此,加强对SIVs流行情况的监测,将为今后防控人类流感大暴发提供预警。     

Regulation of CRF, POMC and MC4R gene expression after electrical foot shock stress in the rat amygdala and hypothalamus

We investigated the effects of electrical foot shock stress on the melanocortin signaling cascade and the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) system by observing levels of mRNA expression of corticotropin releasing factor (CRF), pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC), and melanocortin receptor subtype 4 (MC4R) in the rat amygdala and hypothalamus. When rats were exposed to electrical shock for 0.5 hr or 1 hr, plasma ACTH and corticosterone concentrations increased, indicating stress. The rats were then sacrificed to obtain RNA preparations from the brain tissue. In the amygdala, the expression of MC4R and POMC mRNA as well as CRF mRNA was significantly increased by electrical foot shock stress. In the hypothalamus, MC4R and POMC mRNA increased, but CRF mRNA remained unchanged. The duration of increased gene expression of MC4R and POMC in the amygdala was more sustained than in the hypothalamus. These results have provided the first evidence that exposure to stress increases expression of the MC4R system in the amygdala and hypothalamus.     

Mutations in the melanocortin 1 receptor, β-defensin103 and agouti signaling protein genes, and their association with coat color phenotypes in Akita-inu dogs

To identify factors that control coat color in Akita-inu dogs, we sequenced all the exons of the melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R), β-defensin103 (CBD103) and agouti signaling protein (ASIP) genes of dogs with four distinct coat colors, namely, brindle, sesame, red and white. Then we examined correlations among specific alleles and coat color. In the case of the MC1R gene, all white dogs were homozygous for a nonsense mutation, R306ter, while brindle, sesame, and red dogs had at least one R306 allele. In the case of the CBD103 gene, all brindle dogs were heterozygous for the G23del mutation (deletion of codon 23, encoding glycine), while all sesame and red dogs were homozygous for G23. In the case of the ASIP gene, all dogs, regardless of coat color, had at least one S82 H83 allele. A missense mutation in the ASIP gene, P87L, was identified for the first time in some Akita-inu dogs but was not associated with any specific coloration. Our results indicate that the 2 key mutations, R306ter in the MC1R gene and G23del in the CBD103 gene, are associated with the phenotypic discriminations among brindle, red/sesame, and white coats, while no mutation that might potentially be associated with the discrimination of a sesame coat from a red coat is present in the coding sequences of these three genes.     

A comparison of Shiga-toxin negative Escherichia coli O157 aflagellate and intimin deficient mutants in porcine in vitro and in vivo models of infection

Isolation of Shiga-toxin (Stx) positive Escherichia coli O157:H7 from commercially grown pigs has been reported. Furthermore, experimental infection studies have demonstrated that Stx-positive E. coli O157:H7 can persist in 12-week-old experimentally orally inoculated conventional pigs for up to 2 months and that persistence was not dependent upon intimin. We have shown that the flagellum of Stx-negative E. coli O157:H7 does not have a role to play in pathogenesis in ruminant models whereas, in poultry, the flagellum of E. coli O157:H7 was important for long-term persistent infection. The contribution of the flagellum of Stx-negative E. coli O157 in the colonisation of pigs was investigated by adherence assays on a porcine (IPI-21) cell line, porcine in vitro organ culture (IVOC) and experimental oral inoculation of conventional 14-week-old pigs. E. coli O157:H7 NCTC12900nal(r) and isogenic aflagellate and intimin deficient mutants adhered equally well to IPI-21 cells. In porcine IVOC association assays, E. coli O157:H7 NCTC12900nal(r) was associated in significantly higher numbers to tissues from the caecum and the terminal rectum than other sites. The aflagellate and intimin deficient mutants significantly adhered in greater numbers to more IVOC gastrointestinal tissues than the parent. Groups of 14-week-old pigs were dosed orally with 10(10)CFU/10ml of either E. coli O157:H7 NCTC12900nal(r) or isogenic aflagellate and intimin deficient mutants and recovery of each test strain was similar. Histological analysis of pig tissues at post mortem examination revealed that E. coli O157 specifically stained bacteria were associated with the mucosa of the ascending and spiral colon. These data suggest that colonisation and persistence of Stx-negative E. coli O157:H7 in pigs, involves mechanisms that do not require the flagellum or intimin.     

华南地区猪群猪流感病毒病原学和血清学调查

为了解华南地区猪群中猪流感病毒(SIV)的流行及其遗传变异情况,本研究从2016年~2017年广东、广西等地猪群236份猪肺脏病料组织和143份鼻拭子样品中分离鉴定得到3株SIV,全基因组测序和遗传演化分析结果显示,3个分离株均属于H1N1亚型欧亚类禽分支SIV,并且均与pdm09分支病毒株发生了重组。HA蛋白分子特征分析结果显示,A/Swine/Guangxi/NK/2016 HA蛋白第23位糖基化位点发生了缺失。3265份血清样品抗体监测结果显示,欧亚类禽H1N1、pdm09 H1N1和H3N2 SIV的血清抗体阳性率分别为27.53%、20.98%和34.85%。另外,0.64%的(21份)血清样品为H9N2亚型流感病毒抗体阳性,并且猪群中不同亚型和不同分支SIV之间混合感染的情况非常普遍。猪群中流感病毒血清抗体监测结果显示,EA H1N1、pdm09和H3N2亚型SIV HI抗体滴度最高均可达到1:1280,而H9N2亚型HI抗体滴度最高为1:160,表明H9N2 AIV虽然可以感染猪,但对猪还不适应。各月份的血清抗体阳性率分析显示,SIV的流行具有季节性,冬季(11月、12月和1月份)的流行最为严重。本研究可为华南地区猪群SI防控及疫苗株的筛选提供参考依据。     

Isolation and phylogenetic analysis of pandemic H1N1/09 influenza virus from swine in Jiangsu province of China

To investigate whether the 2009 pandemic H1N1 influenza A virus was still being transmitted in swine, a total of 1029 nasal swab samples from healthy swine were collected from January to May 2010 in Jiangsu province of China. Eight H1N1 influenza viruses were isolated and identified, and their full length genomes were sequenced. We found that all eight of the H1N1 viruses shared higher than 98.0% sequence identity with the 2009 pandemic virus A/Jiangsu/1/2009 (JS1). In addition, some of these viruses had D225G (3/8) mutations in the receptor binding sites of the hemagglutinin (HA) protein, indicating enhancement of their binding affinity to the sialic α2, 3Gal receptor. In conclusion, the 2009 pandemic H1N1 influenza A virus has retro-infected swine from humans in mainland China, and significant viral evolution is still ongoing in this species.     

基于RNA-seq数据鉴定苏姜猪肉质性状相关基因

试验通过对苏姜猪背最长肌和腿肌进行转录组分析,旨在挖掘影响苏姜猪肌肉肉质性状的候选基因。选取90和180日龄苏姜猪各3头,利用RNA-seq技术对90日龄苏姜猪背最长肌、180日龄苏姜猪背最长肌和腿肌进行测序,对差异表达基因进行GO功能和KEGG Pathway显著性富集分析。结果显示,180日龄苏姜猪背最长肌和90日龄苏姜猪背最长肌中有1 655个基因差异表达,其中474个基因表达上调,1 181个基因表达下调,GO功能和KEGG Pathway显著性富集分析发现,474个表达上调基因主要参与肌肉纤维、转录调节、钙信号通路、MAPK信号通路、胰岛素信号通路、FOXO信号通路等生物学功能,1 181个表达下调基因主要参与免疫、造血、溶酶体、绑定、酶活性等生物学功能;180日龄苏姜猪背最长肌和腿肌中有383个基因差异表达,其中70个基因表达上调,313个基因表达下调,GO功能和KEGG Pathway显著性富集分析发现,70个表达上调基因未能显著富集,313个表达下调基因主要参与细胞分化增殖、肌肉发育、细胞外基质、cGMP-PKG信号通路等生物学功能。本试验获得了苏姜猪背最长肌和腿肌组织的转录组信息,筛选出6个与苏姜猪肉质性状相关的候选基因：FOXO1、FOXO3、FOXO4、MYF6、A-FABP和H-FABP,为深入研究苏姜猪肉质性状的分子机理奠定基础。     

我国H9N2亚型禽流感病毒血凝素蛋白145和153位抗原位点变异分析

H9N2亚型禽流感病毒(AIV)血凝素蛋白(HA)易发生抗原漂移,但识别我国H9N2亚型AIV流行株抗原差异性的关键抗原位点还不清楚.选取两株血凝抑制(HI)效价高的H9N2亚型AIV单克隆抗体2E4与2D6对A/Chicken/Shanghai/F/1998(H9N2)毒株施加抗体压力制备单抗逃逸突变株,鉴定抗原位点...     

陆川猪黑皮质激素受体4基因克隆及序列分析

试验旨在对陆川猪黑皮质激素受体4（melanocortin-4 receptor,MC4R）基因进行克隆及相关信息学分析。通过提取陆川猪背最长肌总RNA,采用RT-PCR、克隆等方法获得含目的基因MC4R的质粒pMD18-T-MC4R,经菌落PCR和测序鉴定正确后,应用相关生物信息学软件对陆川猪MC4R基因的理化性质、蛋白质的结构、修饰结构和亚细胞定位等进行预测分析。结果表明,MC4R基因CDS区长999 bp,编码332个氨基酸,与NCBI上公布的野猪MC4R基因序列中的CDS区存在4个碱基差异,其中175和906 bp处为同义突变,110和278 bp处为错义突变,分别引起第37位谷氨酸变为甘氨酸和第93位缬氨酸变为丙氨酸。同源性比对结果发现,MC4R基因在不同物种及进化的过程中具有较高的保守性。陆川猪MC4R蛋白有明显的疏水区域,不存在信号肽,但有7个跨膜结构域,其编码蛋白的二级结构元件有α-螺旋、延伸链、β-转角和无规则卷曲。修饰结构预测表明,MC4R蛋白存在多处N糖基化位点,但无O糖基化位点,可能主要分布于内质网和囊泡。本研究成功克隆了陆川猪MC4R基因,为更好地开发利用地方品种陆川猪及其繁育奠定理论基础。