Functional analysis of 3 ’ UTR polymorphisms in the caprine SLC11A1 gene and its association with the Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis infection

•SLC11A1 gene of goat activity variation is associated with specific nature of the stimulus.•The A16-B8 genotype is the most prominent, with the strongest transcriptional effect of 3′UTR.•The A16-B8 genotype was found to be more responsive to MAP exposure.•Within the genomic region of SLC11A1 gene were detected different functional regulatory elements.•85 putative miRNAs were detected to be localized externally or between polymorphic regions A and B.