Rebecca Emnett*, Steven Moeller1*, Keith
Irvin*, Max Rothschild#, and Eli Grindflek**
*The Ohio State University Department of Animal Sciences
#Iowa State University Department of Animal Science
**Agricultural University of Norway Department of Animal Science
Abstract
While consumers and many sectors of the pork industry are demanding improved carcass composition and muscle quality, the challenge still remains to develop advanced genetic tools that can be practically utilized in selection schemes for improvement of these economically important traits. Adipocyte Determination and Differentiation Factor-1 (ADD1) is a transcription factor believed to play a role in encoding enzymes of lipid biosynthesis in humans. Given the physiological effects of this gene in other mammalian species, ADD1 may also control backfat deposition in the pig. Pyruvate dehydrogenase E1-alpha subunit (PDHA1) has been found to catalyze the conversion of pyruvate into acetyl-CoA at the end of the glycolytic pathway. A deficiency of the enzyme pyruvate dehydrogenase is one of the most commonly defined genetic defects of mitochondrial energy metabolism resulting in lactic acidosis. Results of a pig-rodent somatic cell hybrid panel indicated that ADD1 is located on pig chromosome 12 (SSC12) with 100% probability, and isolated to the region 12p11-q15 with 95% probability. Results of a pig-rodent somatic cell hybrid panel indicated that PDHA1 is located on pig chromosome X (SSCX) with 100% probability, and isolated to the region Xp22-p23 with 81% probability. Further association studies utilizing the ADD1 and PDHA1 PCR-RFLPs detected are planned in order to determine the effects on meat quality and performance characteristics in the pig.