A novel 62-bp indel mutation in the promoter region of transforming growth factor-beta 2 (TGFB2) gene is associated with body weight in chickens.

Transforming growth factor-beta 2 (encoded by TGFB2) is a growth factor that regulates a plethora of cellular functions. In this study, we sequenced the promoter and full-length exon region of the chicken TGFB2 and found two mutations (g.-640 C>T and g.-851 -790 del) within the promoter. The two polymorphisms were genotyped in 1030 pedigreed hens recorded for body weight at 7 (BW7), 9 (BW9), 11 (BW11), 13 (BW13), 17 (BW17) weeks old, egg weight at 36 weeks of age (EW36) and egg numbers from the age at first egg (AFE) to 40 weeks of age (EN40). Despite the fact that no mutations were found to have statistically significant genetic effects on egg production, the association results of growth traits showed that both g.-640 C>T and g.-851_-790del had significant effects on body weights and that both genotype g.-640 TT and g.-851_-790 wt/wt were positive for body weight performance. Therefore, the polymorphisms of TGFB2, especially the g.-851_-790del mutation associated with body weight at almost all periods, could be potential useful genetic markers to improve the growth of Beijing You chickens.