Effects of polymorphisms in the calpastatin and µ-calpain genes on meat tenderness in three French beef breeds

The objectives of the study were to evaluate allelic frequencies and to test the association of polymorphisms in the calpastatin (CAST) and μ-calpain (CAPN1) genes with meat tenderness in 3 French beef breeds. A total of 1,114 Charolais, 1,254 Limousin, and 981 Blonde d'Aquitaine purebred young bulls were genotyped for 3 SNP in the CAST gene and 4 SNP in the CAPN1 gene. Two of these markers, 1 in each gene, can be found in Australian or American commercial genetic tests. Others have previously been reported in American studies or are newly evidenced SNP. The quantitative traits studied were Warner-Bratzler shear force and a tenderness score evaluated by trained sensory panels. All the SNP were informative in the 3 breeds. Associations of individual markers or haplotypes with traits were analyzed. The results differed in the 3 breeds. The G allele of a CAST marker (position 97574679 on Btau4.0) was found to exert a significant effect on the shear force (+0.18 phenotypic SD; RSD) and tenderness score (-0.22 RSD) in the Blonde d'Aquitaine breed. In the same breed, this marker was associated with another CAST SNP (position 97576054 on Btau4.0) such that the GA haplotype appeared to be associated with tougher meat. Two CAPN1 markers (positions 45221250 and 45241089 on Btau4.0) had a significant effect on both traits in the Charolais breed (from |0.11| to |0.25| RSD). In the same breed, these markers were associated with another CAPNI SNP (position 45219395 on Btau4.0) such that the ACA and AGG haplotypes appeared to be associated with a tender meat and a tougher meat, respectively. Consequently, the present results indicate that the effects of the markers studied are breed-specific and cannot be extended to all Bos taurus breeds. Further studies are also required to identify other more appropriate markers for French beef breeds.