The ANK1 (Ankyrin-1) gene, located on the bovine chromosome 27, encodes a structural protein which forms an important component of the cytoskeleton. Ankyrin belongs to a protein family that links membrane proteins to the underlying spectrin-actin cytoskeleton. Many studies on gene expression regulation have revealed that RNA polymerase binds to the ANK1 gene promoter region. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the relationship between the SNP of the ANK1 promoter region and economic traits in Hanwoo cattle. A total of seven SNPs (C-944T, C-733T, C-687G, A-672G, C-307T, A-104G, C-24T), found in 119 animals, were correlated to economic traits. One of these SNPs, A-104G, was reported for the first time in the present study. Three newly discovered haplotypes were not associated with economic traits. Significant (p<0.05) relationships were found between C-944T and carcass weight, backfat thickeness, loin muscle area and between C-733T, A-672G and intramuscular fat. These results suggest that the SNPs of ANK1 gene may be useful molecular markers for selection of meat yield and quality traits in Hanwoo

In the process of bone remodeling, mineral phase of bone is dissolved by osteoclasts, resulting in elevation of calcium concentration in micro-environment. This study was performed to explore the effect of high extracellular calcium (Cα²+e) on mineralized nodule formation and on the expression of progressive ankylosis (Ank), plasma cell membrane glycoprotein-1 (PC-1) and osteopontin by primary cultured mouse calvarial cells. Osteoblastic differentiation and mineralized nodule formation was induced by culture of mouse calvarial cells in osteoblast differentiation medium containing ascorbic acid and β-glycerophosphate. Although Ank, PC-1 and osteopontin are well known inhibitors of mineralization, expression of these genes were induced at the later stage of osteoblast differentiation during when expression of osteocalcin, a late marker gene of osteoblast differentiation, was induced and mineralization was actively progressing. High Cα²+e(10 mM) treatment highly enhanced mRNA expression of Ank, PC-1 and osteopontin in the late stage of osteoblast differentiation but not in the early stage. Inhibition of p44/42 MAPK activation but not that of protein kinase C suppressed high Cα²+e- induced expression of Ank, PC-1 and osteopontin. When high Cα²+e (5 mM or 10 mM) was present in culture medium during when mineral deposition was actively progressing, matrix calcifiation was significantly increased by high Cα²+e. This stimulatory effect was abolished by pyrophosphate (5 mM) or levamisole (0.1-0.5 mM), an alkaline phosphatase inhibitor. In addition, probenecid (2mM), an inhibitor of Ank, suppressed matrix calcification in both control and high Cα²+e- treated group, suggesting the possible role of Ank in matrix calcification by osteoblasts. Taken together, these results showed that high Cα²+e stimulates expression of Ank, PC-1 and osteopontin as well as matrix calcification in late differentiation stage of osteoblasts and that p44/42 MAPK activation is involved in high Cα²+e- induced expression of Ank, PC-1 and osteopontin.