Association of a variant upstream of growth differentiation factor 11 (GDF11) on carcass traits in crossbred beef cattle

The mature peptide of growth differentiation factor 11 (GDF11) in Bos taurus breeds, shares 90% amino acid sequence similarity to myostatin (MSTN), where loss-of-function mutations result in muscular hyperplasia causing a phenotype known as double-muscling. Mutations in the MSTN coding sequence increase muscle mass and reduce fat and bone tissues, but also confer poor fertility, reduced stress tolerance, and increased calf mortality. GDF11 influences skeletal muscle development in mice, and muscular atrophy can be induced by exogenous GDF11 treatment. To date, there are no reports of GDF11's role in bovine carcass traits. To determine associations between GDF11 and carcass quality in beef cattle, bovine GDF11 was examined in crossbred Canadian beef cattle populations during finishing. Few coding variants were found in this functionally important gene, but an upstream variant c.1-1951C > T (rs136619751) with a minor allele frequency of 0.31 was identified and further genotyped in two separate populations of crossbred steers (n = 415 and 450). CC animals had lower backfat thickness, marbling percentage, and yield score than CT or TT animals (P < 0.001 and < 0.05). These data suggest a role of GDF11 in carcass quality in beef cattle and may provide a selection tool to improve carcass traits in cattle. Lay Summary The transforming growth factor-beta (TGF beta) superfamily of genes are involved in complex signaling pathways, with many roles including an involvement in muscle development and growth. Growth differentiation factor 11 (GDF11) is a member of this family, sharing 90% amino acid sequence similarity to myostatin (MSTN, also known as GDF8), the gene responsible for the double muscled phenotype in beef cattle. The aim of this study was to investigate the involvement of GDF11 in beef cattle carcass quality. We identified a variant in the upstream flanking sequence of the bovine GDF11 gene that associated with fat deposition in beef cattle. Identification of such polymorphisms could be used for testing of cattle that will have improved economic value in terms of carcass quality and yield, to the benefit producers. A variant in the upstream region of GDF11 associates with carcass quality in beef cattle.