As a member of the G0/G1 switch genes, G0/G1 switch gene 2 (G0S2) is related to many regulatory processes in the human and mouse. For example, it interacts directly with adipose triglyceride lipase to active its triglyceride hydrolysis activities. In this study, G0S2 gene cDNA of the chicken (522 bp), zebra finch (420 bp), sparrow (417 bp), pigeon (417 bp), and Bengalese finch (416 bp) were cloned, and each of them was encoded as a protein of 99 amino acids. The expression of G0S2 mRNA was determined by real-time reverse-transcription PCR analysis in 20 tested tissues of 21- and 91-d-old chickens. The highest mRNA level was found in abdominal fat and subcutaneous fat in both stages. Considerable G0S2 mRNA was also observed in chicken heart and muscle tissues. Expression of the chicken G0S2 gene varied at different stages and sexes. The abundance of G0S2 mRNA on d 21 was far higher than that on d 91. The abundance in female chickens was higher than that in males at both stages. In the coding region, we found 4 SNP, among which only G197A led to a change in the amino acids (Arg66Gln); the rest were synonymous substitutions. Association analysis showed that both G102A and G255A were significantly associated with head width (P < 0.05) and were highly significantly associated with leg muscle color (P < 0.01). The G102A was significantly associated with shank diameter at 63 d (P < 0.05). The SNP G197A was significantly associated with shank diameter at 49 d; CP content of leg muscle; total weights of the heart, liver, gizzard, and glandular stomach; and small intestine length (P < 0.05). In conclusion, much higher G0S2 mRNA was detected in both male and female chickens at 21 d of age than at 91 d of age, and 3 SNP (G102A, G197, and G255A) were associated with chicken production traits.
