Abstract: The myostatin (MSTN) gene mainly expresses and participates in the regulation of skeletal muscle growth and development. The MSTN gene not only has strong evolutionary conservation, but also has more mutation polymorphisms. In several cattle breeding, kinds of sense mutations at different location of the MSTN have been clarified. All of the sense MSTN mutations resulted in hypertrophic skeletal muscles, which the mutant cattle have the double muscle phenotype, and increase the growth and meat yield. Simultaneously, some of the mutant cattle arise varieties of negative effects. This review focused on the mutation types of MSTN gene, the mutated genetic effects as well as the possible application in beef cattle breeding. The paper would provide data for the research on improvement and breeding of local beef cattle in China.

Key words: myostatin, beef cattle breeding, muscle development, genetic effect

摘要： 肌肉生长抑制素（myostatin，MSTN）基因主要在骨骼肌中表达，参与调控骨骼肌的生长发育。MSTN基因在不同物种中具有极强的进化保守性，同时还具有较多的突变多态性。在牛的不同品种中，存在不同位点的有义突变，突变型牛均表现为骨骼肌发达，呈现双肌表型，生长速度与产肉率显著提高。同时，该基因突变也引起显著的生理性遗传效应。对国内外肉牛的MSTN基因突变类型、突变后遗传效应及在肉牛育种应用等方面作了重点阐述，以期为我国地方品种肉牛改良和选育研究提供参考。

关键词: 肌肉生长抑制素, 肉牛育种, 肌肉发育, 遗传效应