Sequence variant in the KAP 1.1 gene associate with cashmere trait in two cashmere goat breeds

KAP1.1 gene played an important role in determining phenotypes for cashmere quality and productive traits. Here, polymorphisms analysis in the keratin-associated proteins 1.1 (KAP1.1) gene was applied by polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) and DNA sequencing methods in 540 individuals from Liaoning cashmere goat and Inner Mongolia white cashmere goat. One SNP was detected at the KAP1.1 gene and resulted in three different genotypes. DNA sequencing analysis showed, the sequence of CC genotype was the same to the sequence (X01610) in GeneBank, a novel SNP (g.688T>C) was found in the sequence of TT genotype, and caused synonymous mutation for the amino acid sequence. Statistical analysis demonstrated for cashmere yield, body weight and cashmere fineness of Liaoning cashmere and Inner Mongolia White cashmere goat , TT genotype was significantly higher than CC and CT genotype for cashmere yield (TT: 847.36 g; CC: 716.90 g; CT: 583.66 g) and body weight (TT: 37.25 kg; CC: 31.27 kg; CT: 32.41 kg), there was no difference between three genotypes for cashmere fineness, these results showed that TT genotype could be a favorable marker for early breeding selection of the Liaoning and Inner Mongolia White cashmere goat.   Key words: Cashmere goat, KAP gene, PCR-SSCP, productive trait.