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Guo Y, Xu H, Huang M, Ruan Y. BLM promotes malignancy in PCa by inducing KRAS expression and RhoA suppression via its interaction with HDGF and activation of MAPK/ERK pathway. J Cell Commun Signal 2023; 17:757-772. [PMID: 36574142 PMCID: PMC10409945 DOI: 10.1007/s12079-022-00717-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Prostate cancer (PCa) has long been the leading cause of cancer-associated deaths among male worldwide. Our previous studies have shown that Bloom syndrome protein (BLM) plays a vital role in PCa proliferation, yet the underlying molecular mechanism remains largely obscure. Mechanistically, BLM directly interacted with hepatoma-derived growth factor (HDGF). Functionally, BLM and HDGF knockdown resulted in the higher impairment of PC3 proliferation, clonogenicity, migration and invasion than that their counterpart with either BLM or HDGF knockdown exclusively. Of note, HDGF overexpression expedited, whereas its knockdown suppressed, PC3 proliferation, clonogenicity, migration and invasion. Additionally, the potentiation or attenuation was partially antagonized upon BLM depletion or overexpression. In line with the vitro data, the impact of BLM and HDGF on tumor growth was investigated in mouse xenograft models. ChIP-seq, dual-luciferase reporter and western blotting assays were employed to expound the regulatory network in PC3 cells. The results unveiled that HDGF activated KRAS and suppressed RhoA transcription, and that the function of HDGF was mediated, in part, by interaction with BLM. Accordingly, the MAPK/ERK pathway was activated. Moreover, the regulation of HDGF on KRAS and RhoA had a signal crosstalk. To recapitulate, BLM and HDGF may serve as novel prognostic markers and potential therapeutic targets in PCa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingchu Guo
- Department of Biomedicine, Medical College, Guizhou University, No. 2708, Huaxi Road South, Huaxi District, Guiyang, 550025, Guizhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction in the Plateau Mountainous Region, Ministry of Education, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Houqiang Xu
- Department of Biomedicine, Medical College, Guizhou University, No. 2708, Huaxi Road South, Huaxi District, Guiyang, 550025, Guizhou, China.
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction in the Plateau Mountainous Region, Ministry of Education, Guiyang, Guizhou, China.
- College of Animal Science, Guizhou University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China.
| | - Mengqiu Huang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction in the Plateau Mountainous Region, Ministry of Education, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
- College of Life Sciences, Guizhou University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Yong Ruan
- Department of Biomedicine, Medical College, Guizhou University, No. 2708, Huaxi Road South, Huaxi District, Guiyang, 550025, Guizhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction in the Plateau Mountainous Region, Ministry of Education, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
- College of Animal Science, Guizhou University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
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Huang M, Chen L, Guo Y, Ruan Y, Xu H. PARP1 negatively regulates transcription of BLM through its interaction with HSP90AB1 in prostate cancer. J Transl Med 2023; 21:445. [PMID: 37415147 PMCID: PMC10324254 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-023-04288-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prostate cancer (PCa) is a prevalent malignant disease affecting a significant number of males globally. Elevated expression of the Bloom's syndrome protein (BLM) helicase has emerged as a promising cancer biomarker, being associated with the onset and progression of PCa. Nevertheless, the precise molecular mechanisms governing BLM regulation in PCa remain elusive. METHODS The expression of BLM in human specimens was analyzed using immnohistochemistry (IHC). A 5'-biotin-labeled DNA probe containing the promoter region of BLM was synthesized to pull down BLM promoter-binding proteins. Functional studies were conducted using a range of assays, including CCK-8, EdU incorporation, clone formation, wound scratch, transwell migration, alkaline comet assay, xenograft mouse model, and H&E staining. Mechanistic studies were carried out using various techniques, including streptavidin-agarose-mediated DNA pull-down, mass spectrometry (MS), immunofluorescence (IF), dual luciferase reporter assay system, RT-qPCR, ChIP-qPCR, co-immunoprecipitation (co-IP), and western blot. RESULTS The results revealed significant upregulation of BLM in human PCa tissues, and its overexpression was associated with an unfavorable prognosis in PCa patients. Increased BLM expression showed significant correlations with advanced clinical stage (P = 0.022) and Gleason grade (P = 0.006). In vitro experiments demonstrated that BLM knockdown exerted inhibitory effects on cell proliferation, clone formation, invasion, and migration. Furthermore, PARP1 (poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase 1) was identified as a BLM promoter-binding protein. Further investigations revealed that the downregulation of PARP1 led to increased BLM promoter activity and expression, while the overexpression of PARP1 exerted opposite effects. Through mechanistic studies, we elucidated that the interaction between PARP1 and HSP90AB1 (heat shock protein alpha family class B) enhanced the transcriptional regulation of BLM by counteracting the inhibitory influence of PARP1 on BLM. Furthermore, the combination treatment of olaparib with ML216 demonstrated enhanced inhibitory effects on cell proliferation, clone formation, invasion, and migration. It also induced more severe DNA damage in vitro and exhibited superior inhibitory effects on the proliferation of PC3 xenograft tumors in vivo. CONCLUSIONS The results of this study underscore the significance of BLM overexpression as a prognostic biomarker for PCa, while also demonstrating the negative regulatory impact of PARP1 on BLM transcription. The concurrent targeting of BLM and PARP1 emerges as a promising therapeutic approach for PCa treatment, holding potential clinical significance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengqiu Huang
- Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction in the Plateau Mountainous Region (Ministry of Education), College of Life Sciences, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, Guizhou, China
- College of Animal Science, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, Guizhou, China
| | - Lin Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, 563000, Guizhou, China
| | - Yingchu Guo
- College of Animal Science, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, Guizhou, China
- Guizhou University school of Medicine, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, Guizhou, China
| | - Yong Ruan
- College of Animal Science, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, Guizhou, China
- Guizhou University school of Medicine, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, Guizhou, China
| | - Houqiang Xu
- Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction in the Plateau Mountainous Region (Ministry of Education), College of Life Sciences, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, Guizhou, China.
- College of Animal Science, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, Guizhou, China.
- Guizhou University school of Medicine, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, Guizhou, China.
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Discovery of a Novel Bloom's Syndrome Protein (BLM) Inhibitor Suppressing Growth and Metastasis of Prostate Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232314798. [PMID: 36499126 PMCID: PMC9736344 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232314798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Revised: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Prostate cancer (PCa) is a common cancer and a major cause of cancer-related death worldwide in men, necessitating novel targets for cancer therapy. High expression of Bloom's syndrome protein (BLM) helicase is associated with the occurrence and development of PCa. Therefore, the identification and development of new BLM inhibitors may be a new direction for the treatment of PCa. Here, we identified a novel inhibitor by molecular docking and put it to systematic evaluation via various experiments, AO/854, which acted as a competitive inhibitor that blocked the BLM-DNA interaction. Cellular evaluation indicated that AO/854-suppressed tumor growth and metastasis in PC3 cells by enhancing DNA damage, phosphorylating Chk1/Chk2, and altering the p53 signaling pathway. Collectively, the study highlights the potential of BLM as a therapeutic target in PCa and reveals a distinct mechanism by which AO/854 competitively inhibits the function of BLM.
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Thakkar MK, Lee J, Meyer S, Chang VY. RecQ Helicase Somatic Alterations in Cancer. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 9:887758. [PMID: 35782872 PMCID: PMC9240438 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.887758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Named the “caretakers” of the genome, RecQ helicases function in several pathways to maintain genomic stability and repair DNA. This highly conserved family of enzymes consist of five different proteins in humans: RECQL1, BLM, WRN, RECQL4, and RECQL5. Biallelic germline mutations in BLM, WRN, and RECQL4 have been linked to rare cancer-predisposing syndromes. Emerging research has also implicated somatic alterations in RecQ helicases in a variety of cancers, including hematological malignancies, breast cancer, osteosarcoma, amongst others. These alterations in RecQ helicases, particularly overexpression, may lead to increased resistance of cancer cells to conventional chemotherapy. Downregulation of these proteins may allow for increased sensitivity to chemotherapy, and, therefore, may be important therapeutic targets. Here we provide a comprehensive review of our current understanding of the role of RecQ DNA helicases in cancer and discuss the potential therapeutic opportunities in targeting these helicases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megha K. Thakkar
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Jamie Lee
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Stefan Meyer
- Division of Cancer Studies, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
- Department of Pediatric Hematology Oncology, Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital and Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Vivian Y. Chang
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Childrens Discovery and Innovation Institute, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- *Correspondence: Vivian Y. Chang,
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Heterozygous germline BLM mutations increase susceptibility to asbestos and mesothelioma. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 117:33466-33473. [PMID: 33318203 PMCID: PMC7776606 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2019652117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Rare biallelic BLM gene mutations cause Bloom syndrome. Whether BLM heterozygous germline mutations (BLM +/-) cause human cancer remains unclear. We sequenced the germline DNA of 155 mesothelioma patients (33 familial and 122 sporadic). We found 2 deleterious germline BLM +/- mutations within 2 of 33 families with multiple cases of mesothelioma, one from Turkey (c.569_570del; p.R191Kfs*4) and one from the United States (c.968A>G; p.K323R). Some of the relatives who inherited these mutations developed mesothelioma, while none with nonmutated BLM were affected. Furthermore, among 122 patients with sporadic mesothelioma treated at the US National Cancer Institute, 5 carried pathogenic germline BLM +/- mutations. Therefore, 7 of 155 apparently unrelated mesothelioma patients carried BLM +/- mutations, significantly higher (P = 6.7E-10) than the expected frequency in a general, unrelated population from the gnomAD database, and 2 of 7 carried the same missense pathogenic mutation c.968A>G (P = 0.0017 given a 0.00039 allele frequency). Experiments in primary mesothelial cells from Blm +/- mice and in primary human mesothelial cells in which we silenced BLM revealed that reduced BLM levels promote genomic instability while protecting from cell death and promoted TNF-α release. Blm +/- mice injected intraperitoneally with asbestos had higher levels of proinflammatory M1 macrophages and of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-3, IL-10, and IL-12 in the peritoneal lavage, findings linked to asbestos carcinogenesis. Blm +/- mice exposed to asbestos had a significantly shorter survival and higher incidence of mesothelioma compared to controls. We propose that germline BLM +/- mutations increase the susceptibility to asbestos carcinogenesis, enhancing the risk of developing mesothelioma.
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Ledet EM, Antonarakis ES, Isaacs WB, Lotan TL, Pritchard C, Sartor AO. Germline BLM mutations and metastatic prostate cancer. Prostate 2020; 80:235-237. [PMID: 31816118 PMCID: PMC7009322 DOI: 10.1002/pros.23924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2019] [Accepted: 10/18/2019] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Biallelic loss-of-function BLM mutations result in Bloom syndrome: a genetic disorder characterized by growth deficiencies, photosensitivity, and multiple cancer susceptibilities. There are conflicting reports about whether or not heterozygous BLM carriers are at a higher risk of various cancers. Without BLM protein functionality, there is evidence of increased sister chromatid exchange and chromosomal instability. METHODS Metastatic prostate cancer patients (N = 796) underwent germline genetic testing as part of routine care at three academic centers. Patients with heterozygous BLM mutations were identified. Tumor tissue was analyzed for somatic alterations in those patients who had a germline pathogenic mutation. Control data using a population sample were extracted from the Genome Aggregation Database. RESULTS Heterozygous BLM germline mutations in 5 of 796 patients (prevalence, 0.63%). All mutations were loss-of-function truncating alterations. None of the mutations were BLMAsh . The control population (gnomAD) frequency of pathogenic or likely pathogenic BLM mutations was 0.18% (212 of 116 653). The relative risk (RR) of BLM mutations in metastatic prostate cancer patients was 3.4 (95% CI, 1.42-8.33; P < .0062) compared to gnomAD controls. Tumor DNA sequencing in the BLM carriers showed no evidence of somatic BLM mutations. Interestingly, 3 of 5 BLM germline carriers had bi-allelic BRCA2 inactivation evident on tumor sequencing. One patient had both germline and somatic mutations in BRCA2. Excluding the patient with the germline BRCA2 mutation (BLM prevalence, 4 of 796: 0.50%) still yielded a statistically significant finding vs the gnomAD controls (RR, 2.8; 95% CI, 1.02-7.39; P < .04). CONCLUSION Truncating BLM germline mutations occur at a higher frequency in patients with advanced prostate cancer as compared to control populations. Though no biallelic loss of BLM was no noted in cancers, a surprising number of the BLM germline heterozygotes had pathogenic BRCA2 mutations in their tumor.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - William B Isaacs
- James Buchanan Brady Urological Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Tamara L Lotan
- James Buchanan Brady Urological Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
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Bloom Syndrome Protein Activates AKT and PRAS40 in Prostate Cancer Cells. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2019; 2019:3685817. [PMID: 31210839 PMCID: PMC6532288 DOI: 10.1155/2019/3685817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2019] [Revised: 03/07/2019] [Accepted: 03/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Purpose Prostate cancer (PC) is a common malignant tumor and a leading cause of cancer-related death in men worldwide. In order to design new therapeutic interventions for PC, an understanding of the molecular events underlying PC tumorigenesis is required. Bloom syndrome protein (BLM) is a RecQ-like helicase, which helps maintain genetic stability. BLM dysfunction has been implicated in tumor development, most recently during PC tumorigenesis. However, the molecular basis for BLM-induced PC progression remains poorly characterized. In this study, we investigated whether BLM modulates the phosphorylation of an array of prooncogenic signaling pathways to promote PC progression. Methods We analyzed differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) using iTRAQ technology. Site-directed knockout of BLM in PC-3 prostate cancer cells was performed using CRISPR/Cas9-mediated homologous recombination gene editing to confirm the effects of BLM on DEPs. PathScan® Antibody Array Kits were used to analyze the phosphorylation of nodal proteins in PC tissue. Immunohistochemistry and automated western blot (WES) analyses were used to validate these findings. Results We found that silencing BLM in PC-3 cells significantly reduced their proliferative capacity. In addition, BLM downregulation significantly reduced levels of phosphorylated protein kinase B (AKT (Ser473)) and proline-rich AKT substrate of 40 kDa (PRAS40 (Thr246)), and this was accompanied by enhanced ROS (reactive oxygen species) levels. In addition, we found that AKT and PRAS40 inhibition reduced BLM, increased ROS levels, and induced PC cell apoptosis. Conclusions We demonstrated that BLM activates AKT and PRAS40 to promote PC cell proliferation and survival. We further propose that ROS act in concert with BLM to facilitate PC oncogenesis, potentially via further enhancing AKT signaling and downregulating PTEN expression. Importantly, inhibiting the BLM-AKT-PRAS40 axis induced PC cell apoptosis. Thus, we highlight new avenues for novel anti-PC treatments.
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Haplotype and Haplotype-Environment Interaction Analysis Revealed Roles of SPRY2 for NSCL/P among Chinese Populations. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2019; 16:ijerph16040557. [PMID: 30769929 PMCID: PMC6406689 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16040557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2018] [Revised: 01/25/2019] [Accepted: 02/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Non-syndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate (NSCL/P) is one of common birth defects in China, with genetic and environmental components contributing to the etiology. Genome wide association studies (GWASs) have identified SPRY1 and SPRY2 to be associated with NSCL/P among Chinese populations. This study aimed to further explore potential genetic effect and gene—environment interaction among SPRY genes based on haplotype analysis, using 806 Chinese case—parent NSCL/P trios drawn from an international consortium which conducted a genome-wide association study. After the process of quality control, 190 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of SPRY genes were included for analyses. Haplotype and haplotype—environment interaction analyses were conducted in Population-Based Association Test (PBAT) software. A 2-SNP haplotype and three 3-SNP haplotypes showed a significant association with the risk of NSCL/P after Bonferroni correction (corrected significance level = 2.6 × 10−4). Moreover, haplotype—environment interaction analysis identified these haplotypes respectively showing statistically significant interactions with maternal multivitamin supplementation or maternal environmental tobacco smoke. This study showed SPRY2 to be associated with NSCL/P among the Chinese population through not only gene effects, but also a gene—environment interaction, highlighting the importance of considering environmental exposures in the genetic etiological study of NSCL/P.
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Cunniff C, Bassetti JA, Ellis NA. Bloom's Syndrome: Clinical Spectrum, Molecular Pathogenesis, and Cancer Predisposition. Mol Syndromol 2017; 8:4-23. [PMID: 28232778 PMCID: PMC5260600 DOI: 10.1159/000452082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 160] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/22/2016] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Bloom's syndrome is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by prenatal and postnatal growth deficiency, photosensitive skin changes, immune deficiency, insulin resistance, and a greatly increased risk of early onset of cancer and for the development of multiple cancers. Loss-of-function mutations of BLM, which codes for a RecQ helicase, cause Bloom's syndrome. The absence of a functional BLM protein causes chromosome instability, excessive homologous recombination, and a greatly increased number of sister chromatid exchanges that are pathognomonic of the syndrome. A common founder mutation designated blmAsh is present in about 1 in 100 persons of Eastern European Jewish ancestry, and there are additional recurrent founder mutations among other populations. Missense, nonsense, and frameshift mutations as well as multiexonic deletions have all been observed. Bloom's syndrome is a prototypical chromosomal instability syndrome, and the somatic mutations that occur as a result of that instability are responsible for the increased cancer risk. Although there is currently no treatment aimed at the underlying genetic abnormality, persons with Bloom's syndrome benefit from sun protection, aggressive treatment of infections, surveillance for insulin resistance, and early identification of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Cunniff
- Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, N.Y, USA
| | - Jennifer A. Bassetti
- Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, N.Y, USA
| | - Nathan A. Ellis
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Arizona Cancer Center, Tucson, Ariz., USA
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Ren X, Yang GL, Peng WF, Zhao YX, Zhang M, Chen ZH, Wu FA, Kantanen J, Shen M, Li MH. A genome-wide association study identifies a genomic region for the polycerate phenotype in sheep (Ovis aries). Sci Rep 2016; 6:21111. [PMID: 26883901 PMCID: PMC4756668 DOI: 10.1038/srep21111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2015] [Accepted: 01/18/2016] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Horns are a cranial appendage found exclusively in Bovidae, and play important roles in accessing resources and mates. In sheep (Ovies aries), horns vary from polled to six-horned, and human have been selecting polled animals in farming and breeding. Here, we conducted a genome-wide association study on 24 two-horned versus 22 four-horned phenotypes in a native Chinese breed of Sishui Fur sheep. Together with linkage disequilibrium (LD) analyses and haplotype-based association tests, we identified a genomic region comprising 132.0–133.1 Mb on chromosome 2 that contained the top 10 SNPs (including 4 significant SNPs) and 5 most significant haplotypes associated with the polycerate phenotype. In humans and mice, this genomic region contains the HOXD gene cluster and adjacent functional genes EVX2 and KIAA1715, which have a close association with the formation of limbs and genital buds. Our results provide new insights into the genetic basis underlying variable numbers of horns and represent a new resource for use in sheep genetics and breeding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue Ren
- CAS Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing 100101, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS), Beijing 100049, China
| | - Guang-Li Yang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing 100101, China.,Department of Life Sciences, Shangqiu Normal University, Shangqiu 476000, China
| | - Wei-Feng Peng
- CAS Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing 100101, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS), Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yong-Xin Zhao
- CAS Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing 100101, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS), Beijing 100049, China
| | - Min Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing 100101, China
| | - Ze-Hui Chen
- CAS Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing 100101, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS), Beijing 100049, China
| | - Fu-An Wu
- Bureau of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine, Sishui County, Jining 273200, China
| | - Juha Kantanen
- Green Technology, Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), Jokioinen 31600, Finland.,Department of Biology, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio 70211, Finland
| | - Min Shen
- Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine, Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural and Reclamation Sciences, Shihezi 832000, China.,Key Laboratory of Sheep Breeding and Development Technology of Xinjiang Production and Construction Crops (XPCC), Shihezi 832000, China
| | - Meng-Hua Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing 100101, China
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