Identification of SNPs in the second intron of <i>IGF2BP1</i> and their Association with growth traits in Nanjiang Yellow goat

Insulin-like Growth Factor 2 mRNA-binding Protein 1 (<i>IGF2BP1</i>) is a candidate gene of significant interest for modulating economically important traits in livestock and poultry. The second intron of <i>IGF2BP1</i> has been implicated in growth-related traits, though its precise mechanistic role remains elusive. Initial resequencing analyses in our laboratory indicated strong selective pressures on the <i>IGF2BP1</i> genomic region, prompting the selection and identification of several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Seven SNPs were mapped to the conserved region of the second intron, necessitating further investigation into their functional relevance and association with growth traits. In this study, 348 Nanjiang Yellow goats were analyzed, and the association analysis via the GLM program in SAS 9.4 identified five SNPs significantly correlated with growth traits. Notably, rs652062749(A &gt; G) emerged as a critical locus influencing later-stage growth traits. Furthermore, strong linkage disequilibrium was observed among three SNPs, with the rs638185407 (T &gt; A) variant markedly enhancing luciferase activity in H293T cells. Combination genotypes TTAACT, TTCCCC, and ATCACT were identified as superior for growth traits, offering theoretical insights for genetic co-breeding. This study underscores the potential utility of <i>IGF2BP1</i> as a functional genetic marker in Nanjiang Yellow goat breeding programs.