Molecular cloning, alternative splicing and mRNA expression analysis of MAGI1 and its correlation with laying performance in geese.

Abstract

1. In a previous study, a laying-related single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) Record-106975 (A-G) was found in the intron of Membrane-associated Guanylate Kinase with Inverted Domain Structure-1 (MAGI1) gene by restriction site-associated DNA sequencing. This study was performed to further identify the function of MAGI1 on laying performance in Yangzhou geese. 2. The complete MAGI1 cDNA sequence was cloned from the ovary of the Yangzhou goose. A total of 4 alternative splice variants were identified, and the characterisation of their nucleic acid and amino acid (AA) sequences were analysed. The AA sequence of goose MAGI1 was highly conserved with other avian species. 3. MAGI1 was ubiquitously expressed in 11 tested tissues, with greater amounts of mRNA in the granulosa cell layer and ovary. GG (n = 14) and GA (n = 6) genotypes of SNP Record-106975 showed significantly lower MAGI1 mRNA levels than those of the AA genotype. 4. Over-expression and knockdown experiments revealed that MAGI1 mRNA expression was associated with caspase-3 mRNA levels in granulosa cells, and may play a role in regulating apoptosis of granulosa cells.