Effects of genetic variants for the calpastatin gene on calpastatin activity and meat tenderness in Hanwoo (Korean cattle)

This study was designed to investigate the effects of calpastatin genotypes determined by PCR-SSCP (polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism) on calpastatin activity (CAC) and Warner–Bratzler Shear Force (WBS). Longissimus muscles were prepared from 379 Hanwoo bulls aged approximately 20 months. The selection of PCR primers was based on exons (27 and 28) of the bovine calpastatin cDNA sequences, and genetic variants were detected by SSCP analysis using Taq I restriction enzymes. Sequencing analysis confirmed 4 restriction sites (nucleotide positions 52, 67, 796, and 1369), and a genetic variant was verified at a nucleotide position 641 (C/T substitutions) based on sequences (AF281256). The CAST28 genotypes showing allele frequencies of C (0.429) and T (0.571) were significantly associated with CAC and WBS. A significant positive residual correlation (r = 0.121, P = 0.02) between CAC and WBS was obtained.