Novel SNPs in the leptin gene: implications for growth performance in cultured European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax)

Emel Özcan Gökçek

doi:10.2478/jvetres-2026-0021

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Novel SNPs in the leptin gene: implications for growth performance in cultured European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax)

Journal of Veterinary Research

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By: Emel Özcan Gökçek

Open Access

|Apr 2026

Abstract

Introduction

Leptin, a class I helical cytokine, regulates growth, appetite, energy homeostasis and reproductive functions in fish. The leptin gene (lep) is a candidate gene for growth trait influence in both farm animals and teleost fish.

Material and Methods

This study investigated variations in the lep gene and their associations with growth-related traits in European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) using DNA sequencing.

Results

Twelve novel single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified in the first and second introns and the third exon of the gene, including a non-synonymous third exon variant (g.11004767C>T) causing an arginine-to-tryptophan substitution. This locus was significantly associated with multiple growth traits, including total and fillet weights and standard, body and post-anal lengths (P-value < 0.05). Analysis revealed two haploblocks; block 1 having four haplotypes (GCG, GTG, ACA and GTA), with GTA associated with the highest total and fillet weights and body length measurements (P-value < 0.01). Block 2 comprised three haplotypes (AG, GG and AA), where AG carriers exhibited superior growth to GG and AA carriers (P-value < 0.01). In silico analysis of the non-synonymous third exon variant (g.11004767C>T) suggested its potential effects on local protein conformation and receptor binding.

Conclusion

These findings indicate that lep gene polymorphisms, particularly the g.11004714G>A locus and specific haplotypes, are associated with growth variability in European sea bass. The identified SNPs and haplotypes may facilitate molecular marker–assisted selection in growth performance breeding programmes in economically important aquaculture species.

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/jvetres-2026-0021 | Journal eISSN: 2450-8608

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Language: English

Submitted on: Nov 5, 2025

Accepted on: Apr 15, 2026

Published on: Apr 18, 2026

Published by: National Veterinary Research Institute in Pulawy

In partnership with: Paradigm Publishing Services

Publication frequency: 4 issues per year

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Related subjects:

Microbiology and virology,

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Medicine,

Veterinary medicine

© 2026 Emel Özcan Gökçek, published by National Veterinary Research Institute in Pulawy
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

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