A SNP at MicroRNA binding site of epidermal growth factor receptor 3́ untranslated region associated with Yangzhou geese egg production

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene plays a pivotal role in cell communication and proliferation in both vertebrates and invertebrates. The objectives of this study were to monitor for single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the 3′untranslated region (3′-UTR) of EGFR in geese and evaluate the relationship between the polymorphisms of these SNPs and egg production. Using the direct sequencing method, a single nucleotide polymorphism c.*7750G > A was detected in 3′-UTR region of EGFR gene. Two alleles (G and A) and three genotypes (GG, AG and AA) were identified. Association analysis results showed that c.*7750G > A SNP was significantly associated with egg production at 34-week egg-laying period (P < 0.01). Geese with GG genotype (mutant) significantly produced more eggs compared to those with AA genotype (wildtype). Quantitative real-time PCR indicated that the expression levels of geese EGFR mRNA was highly expressed in kidney and granulosa cells and also expressed in follicles granulosa cells at different egg production stages with high expression in the large white follicle. Also, the mRNA expression level of EGFR in geese ovaries indicated that the geese with GG genotype recorded significantly higher expression levels compared to the geese with AA genotype. Luciferase activity assays showed that dme-miR-5-3p could significantly decrease luciferase activity in the presence of allele A compared with negative control and allele G (P < 0.05). These results suggest that c.*7750G > A in the 3′-UTR of EGFR gene may play a significant role in egg production in Yangzhou geese.