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Rambaldi Migliore N, Bigi D, Milanesi M, Zambonelli P, Negrini R, Morabito S, Verini-Supplizi A, Liotta L, Chegdani F, Agha S, Salim B, Beja-Pereira A, Torroni A, Ajmone‐Marsan P, Achilli A, Colli L. Mitochondrial DNA control-region and coding-region data highlight geographically structured diversity and post-domestication population dynamics in worldwide donkeys. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0307511. [PMID: 39197009 PMCID: PMC11356394 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0307511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 07/05/2024] [Indexed: 08/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Donkeys (Equus asinus) have been used extensively in agriculture and transportations since their domestication, ca. 5000-7000 years ago, but the increased mechanization of the last century has largely spoiled their role as burden animals, particularly in developed countries. Consequently, donkey breeds and population sizes have been declining for decades, and the diversity contributed by autochthonous gene pools has been eroded. Here, we examined coding-region data extracted from 164 complete mitogenomes and 1392 donkey mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control-region sequences to (i) assess worldwide diversity, (ii) evaluate geographical patterns of variation, and (iii) provide a new nomenclature of mtDNA haplogroups. The topology of the Maximum Parsimony tree confirmed the two previously identified major clades, i.e. Clades 1 and 2, but also highlighted the occurrence of a deep-diverging lineage within Clade 2 that left a marginal trace in modern donkeys. Thanks to the identification of stable and highly diagnostic coding-region mutational motifs, the two lineages were renamed as haplogroup A and haplogroup B, respectively, to harmonize clade nomenclature with the standard currently adopted for other livestock species. Control-region diversity and population expansion metrics varied considerably between geographical areas but confirmed North-eastern Africa as the likely domestication center. The patterns of geographical distribution of variation analyzed through phylogenetic networks and AMOVA confirmed the co-occurrence of both haplogroups in all sampled populations, while differences at the regional level point to the joint effects of demography, past human migrations and trade following the spread of donkeys out of the domestication center. Despite the strong decline that donkey populations have undergone for decades in many areas of the world, the sizeable mtDNA variability we scored, and the possible identification of a new early radiating lineage further stress the need for an extensive and large-scale characterization of donkey nuclear genome diversity to identify hotspots of variation and aid the conservation of local breeds worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Rambaldi Migliore
- Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie “Lazzaro Spallanzani”, University of Pavia, Via A. Ferrata, Pavia, Italy
| | - Daniele Bigi
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Agro-Alimentari (DISTAL), Alma Mater Studiorum Università di Bologna, Viale Giuseppe Fanin, Bologna, Italy
| | - Marco Milanesi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Animali, della Nutrizione e degli Alimenti, Università Cattolica del S. Cuore, via Emilia Parmense, Piacenza, Italy
| | - Paolo Zambonelli
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Agro-Alimentari (DISTAL), Alma Mater Studiorum Università di Bologna, Viale Giuseppe Fanin, Bologna, Italy
| | - Riccardo Negrini
- Dipartimento di Scienze Animali, della Nutrizione e degli Alimenti, Università Cattolica del S. Cuore, via Emilia Parmense, Piacenza, Italy
| | - Simone Morabito
- Dipartimento di Scienze Animali, della Nutrizione e degli Alimenti, Università Cattolica del S. Cuore, via Emilia Parmense, Piacenza, Italy
| | | | - Luigi Liotta
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, V.le Palatucci, Messina, Italy
| | - Fatima Chegdani
- Dipartimento di Scienze Animali, della Nutrizione e degli Alimenti, Università Cattolica del S. Cuore, via Emilia Parmense, Piacenza, Italy
| | - Saif Agha
- Animal Production Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Bashir Salim
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Khartoum, Khartoum-North, Sudan
- Camel Research Center, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia
| | - Albano Beja-Pereira
- CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, InBIO Laboratório Associado, Campus de Vairão, Universidade do Porto, Vairão, Portugal
- BIOPOLIS Program in Genomics, Biodiversity and Land Planning, CIBIO, Campus de Vairão, Vairão, Portugal
- DGAOT, Faculty of Sciences, Universidade do Porto, Rua Campo Alegre, Porto, Portugal
| | - Antonio Torroni
- Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie “Lazzaro Spallanzani”, University of Pavia, Via A. Ferrata, Pavia, Italy
| | - Paolo Ajmone‐Marsan
- Dipartimento di Scienze Animali, della Nutrizione e degli Alimenti, Università Cattolica del S. Cuore, via Emilia Parmense, Piacenza, Italy
- CREI Romeo and Enrica Invernizzi Research Center on Sustainable Dairy Production, Università Cattolica del S. Cuore, Piacenza (PC), Italy
| | - Alessandro Achilli
- Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie “Lazzaro Spallanzani”, University of Pavia, Via A. Ferrata, Pavia, Italy
| | - Licia Colli
- Dipartimento di Scienze Animali, della Nutrizione e degli Alimenti, Università Cattolica del S. Cuore, via Emilia Parmense, Piacenza, Italy
- BioDNA Centro di Ricerca Sulla Biodiversità e sul DNA Antico, Università Cattolica del S. Cuore, Piacenza (PC), Italy
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Li L, Li S, Ma H, Akhtar MF, Tan Y, Wang T, Liu W, Khan A, Khan MZ, Wang C. An Overview of Infectious and Non-Infectious Causes of Pregnancy Losses in Equine. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:1961. [PMID: 38998073 PMCID: PMC11240482 DOI: 10.3390/ani14131961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2024] [Revised: 06/25/2024] [Accepted: 06/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Equine breeding plays an essential role in the local economic development of many countries, and it has experienced rapid growth in China in recent years. However, the equine industry, particularly large-scale donkey farms, faces a significant challenge with pregnancy losses. Unfortunately, there is a lack of systematic research on abortion during equine breeding. Several causes, both infectious and non-infectious, of pregnancy losses have been documented in equines. The infectious causes are viruses, bacteria, parasites, and fungi. Non-infectious causes may include long transportation, ingestion of mycotoxins, hormonal disturbances, twinning, placentitis, umbilical length and torsion, etc. In current review, we discuss the transmission routes, diagnostic methods, and control measures for these infectious agents. Early detection of the cause and appropriate management are crucial in preventing pregnancy loss in equine practice. This review aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the potential causes of abortion in equines, including infectious agents and non-infectious factors. It emphasizes the importance of continued research and effective control measures to address this significant challenge in the equine industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liangliang Li
- Liaocheng Research Institute of Donkey High-Efficiency Breeding and Ecological Feeding, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng 252059, China; (L.L.)
| | - Shuwen Li
- Liaocheng Research Institute of Donkey High-Efficiency Breeding and Ecological Feeding, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng 252059, China; (L.L.)
| | - Haoran Ma
- Liaocheng Research Institute of Donkey High-Efficiency Breeding and Ecological Feeding, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng 252059, China; (L.L.)
| | - Muhammad Faheem Akhtar
- Liaocheng Research Institute of Donkey High-Efficiency Breeding and Ecological Feeding, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng 252059, China; (L.L.)
| | - Ying Tan
- Liaocheng Research Institute of Donkey High-Efficiency Breeding and Ecological Feeding, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng 252059, China; (L.L.)
| | - Tongtong Wang
- Liaocheng Research Institute of Donkey High-Efficiency Breeding and Ecological Feeding, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng 252059, China; (L.L.)
| | - Wenhua Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China
| | - Adnan Khan
- Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen 511464, China
| | - Muhammad Zahoor Khan
- Liaocheng Research Institute of Donkey High-Efficiency Breeding and Ecological Feeding, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng 252059, China; (L.L.)
| | - Changfa Wang
- Liaocheng Research Institute of Donkey High-Efficiency Breeding and Ecological Feeding, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng 252059, China; (L.L.)
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De Berardinis A, Bucci R, De Amicis I, Del Signore F, Parrillo S, Massirio I, Vignoli M, Carluccio A. Phenotypic Characterization of the Martina Franca Donkey: An Endangered Italian Donkey Breed. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:1950. [PMID: 38998062 PMCID: PMC11240626 DOI: 10.3390/ani14131950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2024] [Revised: 06/24/2024] [Accepted: 06/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024] Open
Abstract
The Martina Franca (MF) donkey breed (Equus asinus) primarily inhabits the rural areas surrounding the homonymous municipality, as well as neighboring municipalities in the provinces of Bari and Brindisi, all located in the Apulia region of Italy. The objective of this study was to assess the current phenotype through the evaluation of 27 morphologic measurements. The study was conducted on 73 female and 18 male breeding animals from eight different herds located in central and southern Italy. Statistical analysis was performed in order to demonstrate statistical differences between males and females, as well as sexual dimorphism and uniformity of all measurements in both genders. The results demonstrated that the mean of three parameters used for the evaluation of an MF donkey (height at withers, circumference of thorax, and shin circumference) are highly representative of the population, with minimal dispersion Cv^ = 0.05-0.06 up to a maximum of 10%, as evidenced by relatively low standard deviations across observed measurements in both genders. Regarding sexual dimorphism, a statistically significant difference was found between males and females. This dimorphism is linked to reproductive activity and is useful during gestation. Overall, our findings suggest that the MF donkey phenotype has been largely preserved over time with high uniformity in males, slight inhomogeneity in the female population, and less variability in both genders.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Francesca Del Signore
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, SP 18, 64100 Teramo, Italy; (A.D.B.); (R.B.); (I.D.A.); (S.P.); (I.M.); (A.C.)
| | | | | | - Massimo Vignoli
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, SP 18, 64100 Teramo, Italy; (A.D.B.); (R.B.); (I.D.A.); (S.P.); (I.M.); (A.C.)
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Liu X, Peng Y, Zhang X, Wang X, Chen W, Kou X, Liang H, Ren W, Khan MZ, Wang C. Coloration in Equine: Overview of Candidate Genes Associated with Coat Color Phenotypes. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:1802. [PMID: 38929421 PMCID: PMC11200706 DOI: 10.3390/ani14121802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2024] [Revised: 06/12/2024] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Variation in coat color among equids has attracted significant interest in genetics and breeding research. The range of colors is primarily determined by the type, concentration, and distribution of melanin pigments, with the balance between eumelanin and pheomelanin influenced by numerous genetic factors. Advances in genomic and sequencing technologies have enabled the identification of several candidate genes that influence coat color, thereby clarifying the genetic basis of these diverse phenotypes. In this review, we concisely categorize coat coloration in horses and donkeys, focusing on the biosynthesis and types of melanin involved in pigmentation. Moreover, we highlight the regulatory roles of some key candidate genes, such as MC1R, TYR, MITF, ASIP, and KIT, in coat color variation. Moreover, the review explores how coat color relates to selective breeding and specific equine diseases, offering valuable insights for developing breeding strategies that enhance both the esthetic and health aspects of equine species.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Muhammad Zahoor Khan
- Liaocheng Research Institute of Donkey High-Efficiency Breeding and Ecological Feeding, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng 522000, China
| | - Changfa Wang
- Liaocheng Research Institute of Donkey High-Efficiency Breeding and Ecological Feeding, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng 522000, China
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Wang Y, Huang Y, Zhen Y, Wang J, Wang L, Chen N, Wu F, Zhang L, Shen Y, Bi C, Li S, Pool K, Blache D, Maloney SK, Liu D, Yang Z, Li C, Yu X, Zhang Z, Chen Y, Xue C, Gu Y, Huang W, Yan L, Wei W, Wang Y, Zhang J, Zhang Y, Sun Y, Wang S, Zhao X, Luo C, Wang H, Ding L, Yang QY, Zhou P, Wang M. De novo transcriptome assembly database for 100 tissues from each of seven species of domestic herbivore. Sci Data 2024; 11:488. [PMID: 38734729 PMCID: PMC11088706 DOI: 10.1038/s41597-024-03338-5] [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: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Domesticated herbivores are an important agricultural resource that play a critical role in global food security, particularly as they can adapt to varied environments, including marginal lands. An understanding of the molecular basis of their biology would contribute to better management and sustainable production. Thus, we conducted transcriptome sequencing of 100 to 105 tissues from two females of each of seven species of herbivore (cattle, sheep, goats, sika deer, horses, donkeys, and rabbits) including two breeds of sheep. The quality of raw and trimmed reads was assessed in terms of base quality, GC content, duplication sequence rate, overrepresented k-mers, and quality score distribution with FastQC. The high-quality filtered RNA-seq raw reads were deposited in a public database which provides approximately 54 billion high-quality paired-end sequencing reads in total, with an average mapping rate of ~93.92%. Transcriptome databases represent valuable resources that can be used to study patterns of gene expression, and pathways that are related to key biological processes, including important economic traits in herbivores.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yifan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Sheep Genetic Improvement and Healthy Production, Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural Reclamation Sciences, Shihezi, 832000, P. R. China
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, P. R. China
- College of Life Science, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, P. R. China
| | - Yiming Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Sheep Genetic Improvement and Healthy Production, Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural Reclamation Sciences, Shihezi, 832000, P. R. China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Agricultural Bioinformatics and Hubei Engineering Technology Research Center of Agricultural Big Data, College of Informatics, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, P. R. China
| | - Yongkang Zhen
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, P. R. China
| | - Jiasheng Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, P. R. China
| | - Limin Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Sheep Genetic Improvement and Healthy Production, Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural Reclamation Sciences, Shihezi, 832000, P. R. China
| | - Ning Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Sheep Genetic Improvement and Healthy Production, Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural Reclamation Sciences, Shihezi, 832000, P. R. China
| | - Feifan Wu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, P. R. China
| | - Linna Zhang
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Agricultural Bioinformatics and Hubei Engineering Technology Research Center of Agricultural Big Data, College of Informatics, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, P. R. China
| | - Yizhao Shen
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, 071033, P. R. China
| | - Congliang Bi
- College of Life Science, Linyi University, Linyi, 276005, P. R. China
| | - Song Li
- College of Life Science, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, P. R. China
| | - Kelsey Pool
- UWA Institute of Agriculture, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia
| | - Dominique Blache
- UWA Institute of Agriculture, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia
| | - Shane K Maloney
- UWA Institute of Agriculture, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia
| | - Dongxu Liu
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Agricultural Bioinformatics and Hubei Engineering Technology Research Center of Agricultural Big Data, College of Informatics, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, P. R. China
| | - Zhiquan Yang
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Agricultural Bioinformatics and Hubei Engineering Technology Research Center of Agricultural Big Data, College of Informatics, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, P. R. China
| | - Chuang Li
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, P. R. China
| | - Xiang Yu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, P. R. China
| | - Zhenbin Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, P. R. China
| | - Yifei Chen
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, P. R. China
| | - Chun Xue
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, P. R. China
| | - Yalan Gu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, P. R. China
| | - Weidong Huang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, P. R. China
| | - Lu Yan
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, P. R. China
| | - Wenjun Wei
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, P. R. China
| | - Yusu Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, P. R. China
| | - Jinying Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, P. R. China
| | - Yifan Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, P. R. China
| | - Yiquan Sun
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, P. R. China
| | - Shengbo Wang
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Agricultural Bioinformatics and Hubei Engineering Technology Research Center of Agricultural Big Data, College of Informatics, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, P. R. China
| | - Xinle Zhao
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Agricultural Bioinformatics and Hubei Engineering Technology Research Center of Agricultural Big Data, College of Informatics, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, P. R. China
| | - Chengfang Luo
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Agricultural Bioinformatics and Hubei Engineering Technology Research Center of Agricultural Big Data, College of Informatics, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, P. R. China
| | - Haodong Wang
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Agricultural Bioinformatics and Hubei Engineering Technology Research Center of Agricultural Big Data, College of Informatics, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, P. R. China
| | - Luoyang Ding
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, P. R. China.
- UWA Institute of Agriculture, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia.
| | - Qing-Yong Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Sheep Genetic Improvement and Healthy Production, Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural Reclamation Sciences, Shihezi, 832000, P. R. China.
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Agricultural Bioinformatics and Hubei Engineering Technology Research Center of Agricultural Big Data, College of Informatics, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, P. R. China.
| | - Ping Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Sheep Genetic Improvement and Healthy Production, Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural Reclamation Sciences, Shihezi, 832000, P. R. China.
| | - Mengzhi Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, P. R. China.
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Wang X, Ren W, Peng Y, Khan MZ, Liang H, Zhang Y, Liu X, Chen Y, Kou X, Wang L, Wang C, Zhan Y. Elucidating the Role of Transcriptomic Networks and DNA Methylation in Collagen Deposition of Dezhou Donkey Skin. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:1222. [PMID: 38672366 PMCID: PMC11047689 DOI: 10.3390/ani14081222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2024] [Revised: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
DNA methylation represents a predominant epigenetic modification with broad implications in various biological functions. Its role is particularly significant in the process of collagen deposition, a fundamental aspect of dermal development in donkeys. Despite its critical involvement, the mechanistic insights into how DNA methylation influences collagen deposition in donkey skin remain limited. In this study, we employed whole genome bisulfite sequencing (WGBS) and RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) to investigate the epigenetic landscape and gene expression profiles in the dorsal skin tissues of Dezhou donkeys across three developmental stages: embryonic (YD), juvenile (2-year-old, MD), and mature (8-year-old, OD). Our analysis identified numerous differentially methylated genes that play pivotal roles in skin collagen deposition and overall skin maturation, including but not limited to COL1A1, COL1A2, COL3A1, COL4A1, COL4A2, GLUL, SFRP2, FOSL1, SERPINE1, MMP1, MMP2, MMP9, and MMP13. Notably, we observed an inverse relationship between gene expression and DNA methylation proximal to transcription start sites (TSSs), whereas a direct correlation was detected in regions close to transcription termination sites (TTSs). Detailed bisulfite sequencing analyses of the COL1A1 promoter region revealed a low methylation status during the embryonic stage, correlating with elevated transcriptional activity and gene expression levels. Collectively, our findings elucidate key genetic markers associated with collagen deposition in the skin of Dezhou donkeys, underscoring the significant regulatory role of DNA methylation. This research work contributes to the foundational knowledge necessary for the genetic improvement and selective breeding of Dezhou donkeys, aiming to enhance skin quality attributes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Changfa Wang
- Liaocheng Research Institute of Donkey High-Efficiency Breeding and Ecological Feeding, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng 522000, China (W.R.); (Y.P.); (M.Z.K.)
| | - Yandong Zhan
- Liaocheng Research Institute of Donkey High-Efficiency Breeding and Ecological Feeding, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng 522000, China (W.R.); (Y.P.); (M.Z.K.)
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Miller JR, Adjeroh DA. Machine learning on alignment features for parent-of-origin classification of simulated hybrid RNA-seq. BMC Bioinformatics 2024; 25:109. [PMID: 38475727 DOI: 10.1186/s12859-024-05728-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Parent-of-origin allele-specific gene expression (ASE) can be detected in interspecies hybrids by virtue of RNA sequence variants between the parental haplotypes. ASE is detectable by differential expression analysis (DEA) applied to the counts of RNA-seq read pairs aligned to parental references, but aligners do not always choose the correct parental reference. RESULTS We used public data for species that are known to hybridize. We measured our ability to assign RNA-seq read pairs to their proper transcriptome or genome references. We tested software packages that assign each read pair to a reference position and found that they often favored the incorrect species reference. To address this problem, we introduce a post process that extracts alignment features and trains a random forest classifier to choose the better alignment. On each simulated hybrid dataset tested, our machine-learning post-processor achieved higher accuracy than the aligner by itself at choosing the correct parent-of-origin per RNA-seq read pair. CONCLUSIONS For the parent-of-origin classification of RNA-seq, machine learning can improve the accuracy of alignment-based methods. This approach could be useful for enhancing ASE detection in interspecies hybrids, though RNA-seq from real hybrids may present challenges not captured by our simulations. We believe this is the first application of machine learning to this problem domain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason R Miller
- Department of Computer Science, Mathematics, Engineering, Shepherd University, Shepherdstown, WV, USA.
- EVOGENE, Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
- Lane Department of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA.
| | - Donald A Adjeroh
- Lane Department of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
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Askari Z, Sazmand A, Mowlavi G, Rühli F, Naddaf SR, Rezaeian M, Stöllner T, Aali A, Paknezhad N, Otranto D. Eimeria leuckarti in equid coprolites from the Sassanid Era (2nd-6th century CE) excavated in Chehrabad Salt Mine archaeological site, Iran. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PALEOPATHOLOGY 2024; 44:27-32. [PMID: 38043140 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpp.2023.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Revised: 10/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study reports coccidian oocysts in an equid coprolite dated to the Sassanid Empire (2nd-6th century CE) recovered in Chehrabad Salt Mine archaeological site, Iran. METHODS Between 2015 and 2017, an archaeoparasitological investigation led to the discovery of an equid coprolite in the Chehrabad Salt Mine archeological site, (Douzlakh), western Iran. Samples were rehydrated using trisodium phosphate solution and were examined by light microscopy. RESULTS Seven oocysts of Eimeria leuckarti (Flesch, 1883) were identified; they were in various stages of sporulation. CONCLUSION This is the first report of ancient coccidian oocysts from equids. The importance of this observation is discussed, and current knowledge of eimeriid oocysts at archaeological sites is reviewed. SIGNIFICANCE The observations of E. leuckarti increases current knowledge of parasite biodiversity in ancient Iran when it rested along the Silk Road, a network of trade routes connecting the East and West that was central to economic, cultural, political, and religious interactions between these regions, and to livestock movement that could contribute to the transmission of the parasites from/to other regions. LIMITATIONS The contextual information about animal species present in and around the Salt Mine during its working periods, including Achaemenid dynasty (6th to 4th century BCE) and Sassanid era (2nd to 6th century CE), is very limited and does not allow secure conclusions regarding the host origin of the coprolites. SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER RESEARCH Application of molecular biology tools to identify the correct host origin of the coprolites and to detect more parasite species is advocated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeynab Askari
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Alireza Sazmand
- Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran.
| | - Gholamreza Mowlavi
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Center for Research of Endemic Parasites of Iran (CREPI), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Frank Rühli
- Institute of Evolutionary Medicine, University of Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | - Mostafa Rezaeian
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Thomas Stöllner
- Ruhr-University Bochum, Institute for Archaeological Science, Bochum, Germany; German Mining Museum, Bochum, Germany
| | | | - Niloofar Paknezhad
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Domenico Otranto
- Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran; Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Valenzano 70010, Bari, Italy
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9
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Khan MZ, Chen W, Huang B, Liu X, Wang X, Liu Y, Chai W, Wang C. Advancements in Genetic Marker Exploration for Livestock Vertebral Traits with a Focus on China. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:594. [PMID: 38396562 PMCID: PMC10885964 DOI: 10.3390/ani14040594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
In livestock breeding, the number of vertebrae has gained significant attention due to its impact on carcass quality and quantity. Variations in vertebral traits have been observed across different animal species and breeds, with a strong correlation to growth and meat production. Furthermore, vertebral traits are classified as quantitative characteristics. Molecular marker techniques, such as marker-assisted selection (MAS), have emerged as efficient tools to identify genetic markers associated with vertebral traits. In the current review, we highlight some key potential genes and their polymorphisms that play pivotal roles in controlling vertebral traits (development, length, and number) in various livestock species, including pigs, donkeys, and sheep. Specific genetic variants within these genes have been linked to vertebral development, number, and length, offering valuable insights into the genetic mechanisms governing vertebral traits. This knowledge has significant implications for selective breeding strategies to enhance structural characteristics and meat quantity and quality in livestock, ultimately improving the efficiency and quality of the animal husbandry industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Zahoor Khan
- Liaocheng Research Institute of Donkey High-Efficiency Breeding and Ecological Feeding, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng 522000, China
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Changfa Wang
- Liaocheng Research Institute of Donkey High-Efficiency Breeding and Ecological Feeding, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng 522000, China
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10
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Wang X, Peng Y, Liang H, Zahoor Khan M, Ren W, Huang B, Chen Y, Xing S, Zhan Y, Wang C. Comprehensive transcriptomic analysis unveils the interplay of mRNA and LncRNA expression in shaping collagen organization and skin development in Dezhou donkeys. Front Genet 2024; 15:1335591. [PMID: 38404668 PMCID: PMC10884126 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2024.1335591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024] Open
Abstract
The primary focus of donkey hide gelatin processing lies in the dermal layer of donkey hide due to its abundant collagen content. However, the molecular mechanism involved in collagen organization and skin development in donkey skin tissue across various developmental stages remains incomplete. The current study aims to investigate the transcriptomic screening of lncRNAs and mRNA associated with skin development and collagen organization across different ages in Dezhou donkeys' skin. In the pursuit of this objective, we used nine skin tissue samples obtained from Dezhou donkeys at various ages including 8-month fetal stage, followed by 2 and 8 years. RNA-seq analysis was performed for the transcriptomic profiling of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and lncRNAs associated with skin development in different age groups. Our investigation revealed the presence of 6,582, 6,455, and 405 differentially expressed genes and 654, 789, and 29 differentially expressed LncRNAs within the skin tissues of Dezhou donkeys when comparing young donkeys (YD) vs. middle-aged donkeys (MD), YD vs. old donkeys (OD), and MD vs. OD, respectively. Furthermore, we identified Collagen Type I Alpha 1 Chain (COL1A1), Collagen Type III Alpha 1 Chain (COL3A1), and Collagen Type VI Alpha 5 Chain (COL6A5) as key genes involved in collagen synthesis, with COL1A1 being subject to cis-regulation by several differentially expressed LncRNAs, including ENSEAST00005041187, ENSEAST00005038497, and MSTRG.17248.1, among others. Interestingly, collagen organizational and skin development linked pathways including Protein digestion and absorption, metabolic pathways, Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase-Protein Kinase B signaling pathway (PI3K-Akt signaling pathway), Extracellular Matrix-Receptor Interaction (ECM-receptor interaction), and Relaxin signaling were also reported across different age groups in Dezhou donkey skin. These findings enhance our comprehension of the molecular mechanisms underlying Dezhou donkey skin development and collagen biosynthesis and organization, thus furnishing a solid theoretical foundation for future research endeavors in this domain.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Yandong Zhan
- Liaocheng Research Institute of Donkey High-Efficiency Breeding, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, China
| | - Changfa Wang
- Liaocheng Research Institute of Donkey High-Efficiency Breeding, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, China
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11
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Vasu M, Ahlawat S, Chhabra P, Sharma U, Arora R, Sharma R, Mir MA, Singh MK. Genetic insights into fiber quality, coat color and adaptation in Changthangi and Muzzafarnagri sheep: A comparative skin transcriptome analysis. Gene 2024; 891:147826. [PMID: 37748630 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2023.147826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Revised: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023]
Abstract
Changthangi sheep, which inhabit the high-altitude regions of Ladakh, are known for their fine fiber production and are characterized by grey skin and either black or white coats. In contrast, Muzzafarnagri sheep from the plains of Uttar Pradesh produce coarse wool and have white skin and coats. We conducted comparative global gene expression profiling on four biological replicates of skin from each breed. Notably, our analysis identified 149 up-regulated genes and 2,139 down-regulated genes in Changthangi sheep compared to Muzzafarnagri sheep, with a p-adjusted value (padj) of ≤0.05 and a Log2 fold change of ≥1.5. Gene Ontology analysis of the up-regulated genes revealed an enrichment of terms related to melanin biosynthesis and developmental pigmentation. Additionally, enriched KEGG pathways included tyrosine metabolism and metabolic pathways. Among the melanogenesis-related genes that exhibited higher expression in Changthangi sheep were TYR, TYRP1, DCT, SLC45A2, PMEL, MLANA, and OCA2. These findings confirm melanin's role in both the animals' black coat color and UV protection at high-altitude. Furthermore, we observed more pronounced expression of genes related to fiber quality, namely KRTAP6, KRTAP7, KRTAP13, and KRTAP2, in the fine wool-producing sheep from Ladakh. The results of the RNA sequencing were validated using real-time PCR on 10 genes governing fiber quality and coat color, with ACTB and PPIB serving as reference genes. In conclusion, our comparative skin transcriptome analysis of Changthangi and Muzzafarnagri sheep sheds light on the genetic differences associated with distinct phenotypic traits and environmental adaptability, offering valuable insights into the underlying mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahanthi Vasu
- ICAR-National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources, Karnal, India; ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, India
| | - Sonika Ahlawat
- ICAR-National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources, Karnal, India.
| | - Pooja Chhabra
- ICAR-National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources, Karnal, India
| | - Upasna Sharma
- ICAR-National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources, Karnal, India
| | - Reena Arora
- ICAR-National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources, Karnal, India
| | - Rekha Sharma
- ICAR-National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources, Karnal, India
| | - M A Mir
- Mountain Research Centre for Sheep and Goat, Shuhama (Aulestang), SKUAST-Kashmir, India
| | - Manoj Kumar Singh
- ICAR-Central Institute for Research on Goats, Makhdoom, Mathura, India
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12
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Liu X, Chen W, Huang B, Wang X, Peng Y, Zhang X, Chai W, Khan MZ, Wang C. Advancements in copy number variation screening in herbivorous livestock genomes and their association with phenotypic traits. Front Vet Sci 2024; 10:1334434. [PMID: 38274664 PMCID: PMC10808162 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1334434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Copy number variations (CNVs) have garnered increasing attention within the realm of genetics due to their prevalence in human, animal, and plant genomes. These structural genetic variations have demonstrated associations with a broad spectrum of phenotypic diversity, economic traits, environmental adaptations, epidemics, and other essential aspects of both plants and animals. Furthermore, CNVs exhibit extensive sequence variability and encompass a wide array of genomes. The advancement and maturity of microarray and sequencing technologies have catalyzed a surge in research endeavors pertaining to CNVs. This is particularly prominent in the context of livestock breeding, where molecular markers have gained prominence as a valuable tool in comparison to traditional breeding methods. In light of these developments, a contemporary and comprehensive review of existing studies on CNVs becomes imperative. This review serves the purpose of providing a brief elucidation of the fundamental concepts underlying CNVs, their mutational mechanisms, and the diverse array of detection methods employed to identify these structural variations within genomes. Furthermore, it seeks to systematically analyze the recent advancements and findings within the field of CNV research, specifically within the genomes of herbivorous livestock species, including cattle, sheep, horses, and donkeys. The review also highlighted the role of CNVs in shaping various phenotypic traits including growth traits, reproductive traits, pigmentation and disease resistance etc., in herbivorous livestock. The main goal of this review is to furnish readers with an up-to-date compilation of knowledge regarding CNVs in herbivorous livestock genomes. By integrating the latest research findings and insights, it is anticipated that this review will not only offer pertinent information but also stimulate future investigations into the realm of CNVs in livestock. In doing so, it endeavors to contribute to the enhancement of breeding strategies, genomic selection, and the overall improvement of herbivorous livestock production and resistance to diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Muhammad Zahoor Khan
- Liaocheng Research Institute of Donkey High-Efficiency Breeding, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, China
| | - Changfa Wang
- Liaocheng Research Institute of Donkey High-Efficiency Breeding, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, China
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13
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Fleck SJ, Tomlin C, da Silva Coelho FA, Richter M, Danielson ES, Backenstose N, Krabbenhoft T, Lindqvist C, Albert VA. High quality genomes produced from single MinION flow cells clarify polyploid and demographic histories of critically endangered Fraxinus (ash) species. Commun Biol 2024; 7:54. [PMID: 38184717 PMCID: PMC10771460 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-05748-4] [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: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/08/2024] Open
Abstract
With populations of threatened and endangered species declining worldwide, efforts are being made to generate high quality genomic records of these species before they are lost forever. Here, we demonstrate that data from single Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) MinION flow cells can, even in the absence of highly accurate short DNA-read polishing, produce high quality de novo plant genome assemblies adequate for downstream analyses, such as synteny and ploidy evaluations, paleodemographic analyses, and phylogenomics. This study focuses on three North American ash tree species in the genus Fraxinus (Oleaceae) that were recently added to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List as critically endangered. Our results support a hexaploidy event at the base of the Oleaceae as well as a subsequent whole genome duplication shared by Syringa, Osmanthus, Olea, and Fraxinus. Finally, we demonstrate the use of ONT long-read sequencing data to reveal patterns in demographic history.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven J Fleck
- Department of Biological Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, 14260, USA.
| | - Crystal Tomlin
- Department of Biological Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, 14260, USA
| | | | - Michaela Richter
- Department of Biological Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, 14260, USA
| | | | - Nathan Backenstose
- Department of Biological Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, 14260, USA
| | - Trevor Krabbenhoft
- Department of Biological Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, 14260, USA
| | - Charlotte Lindqvist
- Department of Biological Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, 14260, USA
| | - Victor A Albert
- Department of Biological Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, 14260, USA.
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14
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Criscione A, Chessari G, Cesarani A, Ablondi M, Asti V, Bigi D, Bordonaro S, Ciampolini R, Cipolat-Gotet C, Congiu M, De Palo P, Landi V, Macciotta NPP, Matassino D, Portolano B, Riggio S, Sabbioni A, Sardina MT, Senczuk G, Tumino S, Vasini M, Ciani E, Mastrangelo S. Analysis of ddRAD-seq data provides new insights into the genomic structure and patterns of diversity in Italian donkey populations. J Anim Sci 2024; 102:skae165. [PMID: 38874306 PMCID: PMC11214105 DOI: 10.1093/jas/skae165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024] Open
Abstract
With more than 150 recognized breeds, donkeys assume relevant economic importance, especially in developing countries. Even if the estimated number of heads worldwide is 53M, this species received less attention than other livestock species. Italy has traditionally been considered one of the cradles of European donkey breeding, and despite a considerable loss of biodiversity, today still counts nine autochthonous populations. A total of 220 animals belonging to nine different populations were genotyped using the double-digest restriction site associated DNA (ddRAD) sequencing to investigate the pattern of diversity using a multi-technique approach. A total of 418,602,730 reads were generated and successfully demultiplexed to obtain a medium-density SNP genotypes panel with about 27K markers. The diversity indices showed moderate levels of variability. The genetic distances and relationships, largely agree with the breeding history of the donkey populations under investigation. The results highlighted the separation of populations based on their genetic origin or geographical proximity between breeding areas, showed low to moderate levels of admixture, and indicated a clear genetic difference in some cases. For some breeds, the results also validate the success of proper management conservation plans. Identified runs of homozygosity islands, mapped within genomic regions related to immune response and local adaptation, are consistent with the characteristics of the species known for its rusticity and adaptability. This study is the first exhaustive genome-wide analysis of the diversity of Italian donkey populations. The results emphasized the high informativeness of genome-wide markers retrieved through the ddRAD approach. The findings take on great significance in designing and implementing conservation strategies. Standardized genotype arrays for donkey species would make it possible to combine worldwide datasets to provide further insights into the evolution of the genomic structure and origin of this important genetic resource.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Criscione
- Dipartimento di Agricoltura, Alimentazione e Ambiente, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Giorgio Chessari
- Dipartimento di Agricoltura, Alimentazione e Ambiente, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
- Department of Animal Sciences, Georg-August-University Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Alberto Cesarani
- Dipartimento di Agraria, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
- Department of Animal and Dairy Science, University of Georgia, Athens, USA
| | - Michela Ablondi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Medico-Veterinarie, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Vittoria Asti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Medico-Veterinarie, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Daniele Bigi
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Agro-Alimentari, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Salvatore Bordonaro
- Dipartimento di Agricoltura, Alimentazione e Ambiente, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | | | | | - Michele Congiu
- Dipartimento di Agraria, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Pasquale De Palo
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Valenzano, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Landi
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Valenzano, Italy
| | | | - Donato Matassino
- Consorzio per la Sperimentazione, Divulgazione e Applicazione di Biotecniche Innovative, Benevento, Italy
| | - Baldassare Portolano
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie, Alimentari e Forestali, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Silvia Riggio
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie, Alimentari e Forestali, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Alberto Sabbioni
- Dipartimento di Scienze Medico-Veterinarie, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Maria Teresa Sardina
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie, Alimentari e Forestali, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Gabriele Senczuk
- Dipartimento di Agricoltura, Ambiente e Alimenti, University of Molise, Campobasso, Italy
| | - Serena Tumino
- Dipartimento di Agricoltura, Alimentazione e Ambiente, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Matteo Vasini
- Associazione Nazionale Allevatori delle Razze Equine ed Asinine Italiane, ANAREAI, Roma, Italy
| | - Elena Ciani
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Biotecnologie e Biofarmaceutica, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Salvatore Mastrangelo
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie, Alimentari e Forestali, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
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15
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Wang T, Wang X, Liu Z, Shi X, Ren W, Huang B, Liang H, Wang C, Chai W. Genotypes and haplotype combination of DCAF7 gene sequence variants are associated with number of thoracolumbar vertebrae and carcass traits in Dezhou donkey. JOURNAL OF APPLIED ANIMAL RESEARCH 2023. [DOI: 10.1080/09712119.2022.2149538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Tianqi Wang
- Liaocheng Research Institute of Donkey High-Efficiency Breeding and Ecological Feeding, Agricultural Science and Engineering School, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xinrui Wang
- Liaocheng Research Institute of Donkey High-Efficiency Breeding and Ecological Feeding, Agricultural Science and Engineering School, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, People’s Republic of China
| | - Ziwen Liu
- Liaocheng Research Institute of Donkey High-Efficiency Breeding and Ecological Feeding, Agricultural Science and Engineering School, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiaoyuan Shi
- Liaocheng Research Institute of Donkey High-Efficiency Breeding and Ecological Feeding, Agricultural Science and Engineering School, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, People’s Republic of China
| | - Wei Ren
- Liaocheng Research Institute of Donkey High-Efficiency Breeding and Ecological Feeding, Agricultural Science and Engineering School, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, People’s Republic of China
| | - Bingjian Huang
- Liaocheng Research Institute of Donkey High-Efficiency Breeding and Ecological Feeding, Agricultural Science and Engineering School, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, People’s Republic of China
| | - Huili Liang
- Liaocheng Research Institute of Donkey High-Efficiency Breeding and Ecological Feeding, Agricultural Science and Engineering School, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, People’s Republic of China
| | - Changfa Wang
- Liaocheng Research Institute of Donkey High-Efficiency Breeding and Ecological Feeding, Agricultural Science and Engineering School, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, People’s Republic of China
| | - Wenqiong Chai
- Liaocheng Research Institute of Donkey High-Efficiency Breeding and Ecological Feeding, Agricultural Science and Engineering School, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, People’s Republic of China
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16
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Sun Y, Wang Y, Li Y, Li H, Wang C, Zhang Q. Comparative transcriptome and proteome analyses of the longissimus dorsi muscle for explaining the difference between donkey meat and other meats. Anim Biotechnol 2023; 34:3085-3098. [PMID: 36271875 DOI: 10.1080/10495398.2022.2134883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
Domestic donkeys (Equus asinus) have been maintained mainly for service purposes in the past. Nowadays, there is an increasing interest in donkey milk and meat production in several countries, including China. Donkey meat is highly consumed because of its nutritional value and unique flavor. However, genomic studies on donkey meat are limited. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to examine the molecular difference of longissimus dorsi muscles of donkey, cow, and goat. RNA sequencing and Proteome sequencing technology were used to analyze the transcriptome and proteome of the longissimus dorsi muscle of donkey, cow, and goat. A total of 1338 and 1780 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in donkey meat compared with that in cow and goat meat, respectively. Most of the DEGs were involved in biological processes, including small GTPase-mediated signal transduction, protein ubiquitination, protein glycosylation, and MAP kinase tyrosine/serine/threonine phosphatase activity. Additionally, 764 and 1024 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were identified in cow vs. donkey, and goat vs. donkey, respectively; these DEPs were mainly involved in metabolism. Genetic variation and regulatory factors can combine as a database to provide more valuable molecular information for further analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Sun
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Biotochnology and Disease Control and Prevention, College of Animal Science and Technology, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, China
| | - Yonghui Wang
- Liaocheng Research Institute of Donkey High-Efficiency Breeding and Ecological Feeding, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, China
| | - Yuhua Li
- Liaocheng Research Institute of Donkey High-Efficiency Breeding and Ecological Feeding, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, China
| | - Haijing Li
- National Engineering Research Center for Gelatin-based Traditional Chinese Medicine, Dong-E-E-Jiao Co. Ltd, Liaocheng, China
| | - Changfa Wang
- Liaocheng Research Institute of Donkey High-Efficiency Breeding and Ecological Feeding, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, China
| | - Qin Zhang
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Biotochnology and Disease Control and Prevention, College of Animal Science and Technology, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, China
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17
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He HY, Liu LL, Chen B, Xiao HX, Liu WJ. Study on lactation performance and development of KASP marker for milk traits in Xinjiang donkey ( Equus asinus). Anim Biotechnol 2023; 34:2724-2735. [PMID: 36007548 DOI: 10.1080/10495398.2022.2114002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
Donkey milk has high nutritional and medicinal value, but there are few researches in donkey milk traits, especially on genome. The whole lactation of 89 donkeys was recorded and it was found that Xinjiang donkey had good lactation performance while great differences among individuals. In our previous study, four genes including LGALS2, NUMB, ADCY8 and CA8 were identified as milk-associated with Chinese Kazakh house, based on Equine 670k Chip genomic analysis. And then 15 SNPs of the four key genes were conducted for genotyping in Xinjiang donkey in this study, one of Chinese indigenous breed, 14 SNPs were successful classified. And those SNPs were correlation analysis with milk yield of Xinjiang donkeys. The results showed that NUMB g.46709914T > G was significantly correlated with daily milk yield of Xinjiang donkey in the early, middle, and late periods, while ADCY8 g.48366302T > C, CA8 g.89567442T > G and CA8 g.89598328T > A were significantly correlated with lactation in the late periods. These results indicate that NUMB g.46709914T > G can be as markers of candidate genes for lactating traits in donkeys, SNPs of ADCY8 and CA8 as potential. Our findings will not only help confirm key genes for donkey milk traits, but also provide future for genomic selection in donkeys.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hai-Ying He
- Faculty of Animal Science, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China
| | - Ling-Ling Liu
- Faculty of Animal Science, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China
| | - Bin Chen
- Faculty of Animal Science, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China
| | - Hai-Xia Xiao
- Institute of Animal Husbandry, Xinjiang Academy of Animal Sciences, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China
| | - Wu-Jun Liu
- Faculty of Animal Science, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China
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18
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Bergman J, Pedersen RØ, Lundgren EJ, Lemoine RT, Monsarrat S, Pearce EA, Schierup MH, Svenning JC. Worldwide Late Pleistocene and Early Holocene population declines in extant megafauna are associated with Homo sapiens expansion rather than climate change. Nat Commun 2023; 14:7679. [PMID: 37996436 PMCID: PMC10667484 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43426-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The worldwide extinction of megafauna during the Late Pleistocene and Early Holocene is evident from the fossil record, with dominant theories suggesting a climate, human or combined impact cause. Consequently, two disparate scenarios are possible for the surviving megafauna during this time period - they could have declined due to similar pressures, or increased in population size due to reductions in competition or other biotic pressures. We therefore infer population histories of 139 extant megafauna species using genomic data which reveal population declines in 91% of species throughout the Quaternary period, with larger species experiencing the strongest decreases. Declines become ubiquitous 32-76 kya across all landmasses, a pattern better explained by worldwide Homo sapiens expansion than by changes in climate. We estimate that, in consequence, total megafauna abundance, biomass, and energy turnover decreased by 92-95% over the past 50,000 years, implying major human-driven ecosystem restructuring at a global scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juraj Bergman
- Center for Ecological Dynamics in a Novel Biosphere (ECONOVO), Department of Biology, Aarhus University, DK-8000, Aarhus C, Denmark.
- Center for Biodiversity Dynamics in a Changing World (BIOCHANGE), Department of Biology, Aarhus University, DK-8000, Aarhus C, Denmark.
| | - Rasmus Ø Pedersen
- Center for Ecological Dynamics in a Novel Biosphere (ECONOVO), Department of Biology, Aarhus University, DK-8000, Aarhus C, Denmark
- Center for Biodiversity Dynamics in a Changing World (BIOCHANGE), Department of Biology, Aarhus University, DK-8000, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Erick J Lundgren
- Center for Ecological Dynamics in a Novel Biosphere (ECONOVO), Department of Biology, Aarhus University, DK-8000, Aarhus C, Denmark
- Center for Biodiversity Dynamics in a Changing World (BIOCHANGE), Department of Biology, Aarhus University, DK-8000, Aarhus C, Denmark
- School of Biology and Environmental Science, Faculty of Science, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Rhys T Lemoine
- Center for Ecological Dynamics in a Novel Biosphere (ECONOVO), Department of Biology, Aarhus University, DK-8000, Aarhus C, Denmark
- Center for Biodiversity Dynamics in a Changing World (BIOCHANGE), Department of Biology, Aarhus University, DK-8000, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Sophie Monsarrat
- Center for Ecological Dynamics in a Novel Biosphere (ECONOVO), Department of Biology, Aarhus University, DK-8000, Aarhus C, Denmark
- Center for Biodiversity Dynamics in a Changing World (BIOCHANGE), Department of Biology, Aarhus University, DK-8000, Aarhus C, Denmark
- Rewilding Europe, Toernooiveld 1, 6525 ED, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Elena A Pearce
- Center for Ecological Dynamics in a Novel Biosphere (ECONOVO), Department of Biology, Aarhus University, DK-8000, Aarhus C, Denmark
- Center for Biodiversity Dynamics in a Changing World (BIOCHANGE), Department of Biology, Aarhus University, DK-8000, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Mikkel H Schierup
- Bioinformatics Research Centre, Aarhus University, DK-8000, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Jens-Christian Svenning
- Center for Ecological Dynamics in a Novel Biosphere (ECONOVO), Department of Biology, Aarhus University, DK-8000, Aarhus C, Denmark
- Center for Biodiversity Dynamics in a Changing World (BIOCHANGE), Department of Biology, Aarhus University, DK-8000, Aarhus C, Denmark
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Jevit MJ, Castaneda C, Paria N, Das PJ, Miller D, Antczak DF, Kalbfleisch TS, Davis BW, Raudsepp T. Trio-binning of a hinny refines the comparative organization of the horse and donkey X chromosomes and reveals novel species-specific features. Sci Rep 2023; 13:20180. [PMID: 37978222 PMCID: PMC10656420 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-47583-x] [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: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
We generated single haplotype assemblies from a hinny hybrid which significantly improved the gapless contiguity for horse and donkey autosomal genomes and the X chromosomes. We added over 15 Mb of missing sequence to both X chromosomes, 60 Mb to donkey autosomes and corrected numerous errors in donkey and some in horse reference genomes. We resolved functionally important X-linked repeats: the DXZ4 macrosatellite and ampliconic Equine Testis Specific Transcript Y7 (ETSTY7). We pinpointed the location of the pseudoautosomal boundaries (PAB) and determined the size of the horse (1.8 Mb) and donkey (1.88 Mb) pseudoautosomal regions (PARs). We discovered distinct differences in horse and donkey PABs: a testis-expressed gene, XKR3Y, spans horse PAB with exons1-2 located in Y and exon3 in the X-Y PAR, whereas the donkey XKR3Y is Y-specific. DXZ4 had a similar ~ 8 kb monomer in both species with 10 copies in horse and 20 in donkey. We assigned hundreds of copies of ETSTY7, a sequence horizontally transferred from Parascaris and massively amplified in equids, to horse and donkey X chromosomes and three autosomes. The findings and products contribute to molecular studies of equid biology and advance research on X-linked conditions, sex chromosome regulation and evolution in equids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J Jevit
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Caitlin Castaneda
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Nandina Paria
- Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, Dallas, TX, 75219, USA
| | - Pranab J Das
- ICAR-National Research Centre on Pig, Rani, Guwahati, Assam, 781131, India
| | - Donald Miller
- Baker Institute for Animal Health, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - Douglas F Antczak
- Baker Institute for Animal Health, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - Theodore S Kalbfleisch
- Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40546, USA
| | - Brian W Davis
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA.
| | - Terje Raudsepp
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA.
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20
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Huang B, Khan MZ, Chen Y, Liang H, Kou X, Wang X, Ren W, Wang C, Zhang Z. Yeast polysaccharide supplementation: impact on lactation, growth, immunity, and gut microbiota in Dezhou donkeys. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1289371. [PMID: 38029159 PMCID: PMC10666639 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1289371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction The Dezhou donkey, a prominent Chinese breed, is known for its remarkable size, rapid growth, and resilience to tough feeding conditions, and disease resistance. These traits are crucial in meeting the growing demand for Ejiao and donkey meat. Yeast polysaccharide (YPS), a functional polysaccharide complex known for its immune-enhancing and growth-promoting properties in livestock and poultry, remains relatively understudied in donkeys. Objectives This study aimed to investigate the impact of YPS supplementation on lactating and growing Dezhou donkey jennies and foals. Materials and methods Twelve 45-day-old Dezhou donkey foals and their jennies, matched for body weight and age, were randomly allocated to two dietary groups: a control group receiving a basal diet and an experimental group receiving the basal diet supplemented with 10 g/pen of YPS. The experiment was conducted over a 23-day period, during which donkey foals and lactating jennies were co-housed. Results and discussion The findings revealed that YPS supplementation had no adverse effects on milk production or composition in Dezhou donkey jennies but significantly increased feed intake. Additionally, YPS was associated with increased plasma glucose and creatinine concentrations in foals, while tending to decrease alkaline phosphatase, white blood cell count, red blood cell count, and hemoglobin levels (p < 0.10). Immune indices demonstrated that YPS supplementation elevated the levels of immunoglobulin A (IgA) and immunoglobulin G (IgG) in jennies (p < 0.05) and increased complement component C4 concentrations in foals (p < 0.05). Moreover, YPS positively influenced the fecal microbiome, promoting the abundance of beneficial microorganisms such as Lactobacillus and Prevotella in donkey foals and Terriporobacter and Cellulosilyticum in jennies, all of which contribute to enhanced feed digestion. Additionally, YPS induced alterations in the plasma metabolome for both jennies and foals, with a predominant presence of lipids and lipid-like molecules. Notably, YPS increased the concentrations of specific lipid metabolites, including 13,14-Dihydro PGF2a, 2-Isopropylmalic acid, 2,3-Dinor-TXB2, Triterpenoids, Taurocholic acid, and 3b-Allotetrahydrocortisol, all of which are associated with improved animal growth. Conclusion In conclusion, this study suggests that dietary supplementation of YPS enhances feed intake, boosts immunity by increasing immunoglobulin levels, stimulates the growth-promoting gut microbiota (Lactobacillus and Prevotella), and exerts no adverse effects on the metabolism of both Dezhou donkey jennies and foals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bingjian Huang
- Liaocheng Research Institute of Donkey High-Efficiency Breeding and Ecological Feeding, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, China
- College of Life Sciences, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, China
| | - Muhammad Zahoor Khan
- Liaocheng Research Institute of Donkey High-Efficiency Breeding and Ecological Feeding, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, China
- Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Agriculture Dera Ismail Khan, Dera Ismail Khan, Pakistan
| | - Yinghui Chen
- Liaocheng Research Institute of Donkey High-Efficiency Breeding and Ecological Feeding, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, China
- College of Life Sciences, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, China
| | - Huili Liang
- Liaocheng Research Institute of Donkey High-Efficiency Breeding and Ecological Feeding, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, China
| | - Xiyan Kou
- Liaocheng Research Institute of Donkey High-Efficiency Breeding and Ecological Feeding, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, China
| | - Xinrui Wang
- Liaocheng Research Institute of Donkey High-Efficiency Breeding and Ecological Feeding, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, China
| | - Wei Ren
- Liaocheng Research Institute of Donkey High-Efficiency Breeding and Ecological Feeding, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, China
| | - Changfa Wang
- Liaocheng Research Institute of Donkey High-Efficiency Breeding and Ecological Feeding, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, China
| | - Zhenwei Zhang
- Liaocheng Research Institute of Donkey High-Efficiency Breeding and Ecological Feeding, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, China
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21
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Chai W, Qu H, Ma Q, Zhu M, Li M, Zhan Y, Liu Z, Xu J, Yao H, Li Z, Wang C. RNA-seq analysis identifies differentially expressed gene in different types of donkey skeletal muscles. Anim Biotechnol 2023; 34:1786-1795. [PMID: 35302433 DOI: 10.1080/10495398.2022.2050920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
The main component of donkey meat is skeletal muscle, and different muscle fibers have been found to be associated with meat quality. However, RNA-seq technology has yet to be used to profile the transcriptomic changes of different muscles of the donkey. In this study, the characterizations of different muscles on the gene expression profiles of Dezhou donkey were obtained, the aim was to identify the important genes in donkey muscles, and aid in improving donkey meat quality via RNA-seq. In the donkey gluteus (DG) and donkey longissimus dorsi (DL) group, GO enrichment indicated that DEGs were mainly involved in the biological regulation and metabolic process, and KEGG analysis shows that a total of 427 DEGs were mapped to 216 KEGG pathways and 23 KEGG pathways were significantly enriched such as the ribosome, glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, glucagon signaling pathway and biosynthesis of amino acids pathways. Meanwhile, 504 DEGs were mapped to 223 KEGG pathways, in which 17 were significantly enriched including cardiac muscle contraction and oxytocin signaling pathway in donkey hamstring muscles (DH) and DL group. In addition, the tenderness in donkey meat might involve muscle fiber type and glucose metabolism, which might profit from the DEGs including MYH1, MYH7, TNNC1, TNNI3, TPM3, ALDOA, ENO3, and PGK1. The genes found in this study will provide some ideas for further understanding the molecular mechanism of donkey meat quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenqiong Chai
- Liaocheng Research Institute of Donkey High-efficiency Breeding and Ecological Feeding, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, China
| | - Honglei Qu
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
- National Engineering Research Center for Gelatin-based Traditional Chinese Medicine, Dong-E-E-Jiao Co. Ltd, Liaocheng, China
| | - Qiugang Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Mingxia Zhu
- Liaocheng Research Institute of Donkey High-efficiency Breeding and Ecological Feeding, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, China
| | - Mengmeng Li
- Liaocheng Research Institute of Donkey High-efficiency Breeding and Ecological Feeding, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, China
| | - Yandong Zhan
- Liaocheng Research Institute of Donkey High-efficiency Breeding and Ecological Feeding, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, China
| | - Ziwen Liu
- Liaocheng Research Institute of Donkey High-efficiency Breeding and Ecological Feeding, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, China
| | - Jing Xu
- Liaocheng Research Institute of Donkey High-efficiency Breeding and Ecological Feeding, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, China
| | - Huanfen Yao
- Liaocheng Research Institute of Donkey High-efficiency Breeding and Ecological Feeding, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, China
| | - Zeyu Li
- Liaocheng Research Institute of Donkey High-efficiency Breeding and Ecological Feeding, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, China
| | - Changfa Wang
- Liaocheng Research Institute of Donkey High-efficiency Breeding and Ecological Feeding, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, China
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22
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Chen J, Zhang S, Liu S, Dong J, Cao Y, Sun Y. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and indels identified from whole-genome re-sequencing of four Chinese donkey breeds. Anim Biotechnol 2023; 34:1828-1839. [PMID: 35382683 DOI: 10.1080/10495398.2022.2053145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
This paper represents the fundamental report of the survey of genome-wide changes of four Chinese indigenous donkey breeds, Dezhou (DZ), Guangling (GL), North China (NC), and Shandong Little donkey (SDL), and the findings will prove usefully for identification of biomarkers that perhaps predict or characterize the growth and coat color patterns. Three genomic regions in CYP3A12, TUBGCP5, and GSTA1 genes, were identified as putative selective sweeps in all researched donkey populations. The loci of candidate genes that may have contributed to the phenotypes in body size (ACSL4, MSI2, ADRA1B, and CDKL5) and coat color patterns (KITLG and TBX3) in donkey populations would be found in underlying strong selection signatures when compared between large and small donkey types, and between different coat colors. The results of the phylogenetic analysis, FST, and principal component analysis (PCA) supported that each population cannot clearly deviate from each other, showing no obvious population structure. We can conclude from the population history that the formation processes between DZS and NC, GL, and SDL are completely different. The genetic variants discovered here provide a rich resource to help identify potential genomic markers and their associated molecular mechanisms that impact economically important traits for Chinese donkey breeding programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianxing Chen
- College of Chemistry and Life Science, Chifeng University, Chifeng, China
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, China
| | - Shuer Zhang
- Shandong Animal Husbandry General Station, Jinan, China
| | - Shuqin Liu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, China
| | - Jianbao Dong
- Department of Veterinary Medical Science, Shandong Vocational Animal Science and Veterinary College, Weifang, China
| | - Yanhang Cao
- Modern Animal Husbandry Development Service Center of Dongying, Dongying, China
| | - Yujiang Sun
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, China
- Vocational College of Dongying, Dongying, China
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23
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Yang G, Sun M, Wang Z, Hu Q, Guo J, Yu J, Lei C, Dang R. Comparative Genomics Identifies the Evolutionarily Conserved Gene TPM3 as a Target of eca-miR-1 Involved in the Skeletal Muscle Development of Donkeys. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:15440. [PMID: 37895119 PMCID: PMC10607226 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242015440] [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: 09/03/2023] [Revised: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Species within the genus Equus are valued for their draft ability. Skeletal muscle forms the foundation of the draft ability of Equus species; however, skeletal muscle development-related conserved genes and their target miRNAs are rarely reported for Equus. In this study, a comparative genomics analysis was performed among five species (horse, donkey, zebra, cattle, and goat), and the results showed that a total of 15,262 (47.43%) genes formed the core gene set of the five species. Only nine chromosomes (Chr01, Chr02, Chr03, Chr06, Chr10, Chr18, Chr22, Chr27, Chr29, and Chr30) exhibited a good collinearity relationship among Equus species. The micro-synteny analysis results showed that TPM3 was evolutionarily conserved in chromosome 1 in Equus. Furthermore, donkeys were used as the model species for Equus to investigate the genetic role of TPM3 in muscle development. Interestingly, the results of comparative transcriptomics showed that the TPM3 gene was differentially expressed in donkey skeletal muscle S1 (2 months old) and S2 (24 months old), as verified via RT-PCR. Dual-luciferase test analysis showed that the TPM3 gene was targeted by differentially expressed miRNA (eca-miR-1). Furthermore, a total of 17 TPM3 gene family members were identified in the whole genome of donkey, and a heatmap analysis showed that EaTPM3-5 was a key member of the TPM3 gene family, which is involved in skeletal muscle development. In conclusion, the TPM3 gene was conserved in Equus, and EaTPM3-5 was targeted by eca-miR-1, which is involved in skeletal muscle development in donkeys.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Ruihua Dang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Xianyang 712100, China; (G.Y.); (M.S.); (Z.W.); (Q.H.); (J.G.); (J.Y.); (C.L.)
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24
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Su P, Wu H, Huang Y, Lu X, Yin J, Zhang Q, Lan X. The Hoof Color of Australian White Sheep Is Associated with Genetic Variation of the MITF Gene. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:3218. [PMID: 37893942 PMCID: PMC10603658 DOI: 10.3390/ani13203218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Revised: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Studying the characteristics of mammalian hoof colors is important for genetic improvements in animals. A deeper black hoof color is the standard for breeding purebred Australian White (AUW) sheep and this phenotype could be used as a phenotypic marker of purebred animals. We conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) analysis using restriction site associated DNA sequencing (RAD-seq) data from 577 Australian White sheep (black hoof color = 283, grey hoof color = 106, amber hoof color = 186) and performed association analysis utilizing the mixed linear model in EMMAX. The results of GWAS demonstrated that a specific single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP; g. 33097911G>A) in intron 14 of the microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) gene was significantly associated with the hoof color in AUW sheep (p = 9.40 × 10-36). The MITF gene plays a key role in the development, differentiation, and functional regulation of melanocytes. Furthermore, the association between this locus and hoof color was validated in a cohort of 212 individuals (black hoof color = 122, grey hoof color = 38, amber hoof color = 52). The results indicated that the hoof color of AUW sheep with GG, AG, and AA genotypes tended to be black, grey, and amber, respectively. This study provided novel insights into hoof color genetics in AUW sheep, enhancing our comprehension of the genetic mechanisms underlying the diverse range of hoof colors. Our results agree with previous studies and provide molecular markers for marker-assisted selection for hoof color in sheep.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Su
- Tianjin Aoqun Animal Husbandry Co., Ltd., Tianjin 301607, China; (P.S.)
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics Breeding and Reproduction of Shanxi Province, College Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China
- National Germplasm Center of Domestic Animal Resources, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing 100193, China
| | - Hui Wu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Yangming Huang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics Breeding and Reproduction of Shanxi Province, College Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China
| | - Xiaofang Lu
- Tianjin Aoqun Animal Husbandry Co., Ltd., Tianjin 301607, China; (P.S.)
- Tianjin Aoqun Sheep Industry Academy Company, Tianjin 301607, China
| | - Jing Yin
- Tianjin Aoqun Animal Husbandry Co., Ltd., Tianjin 301607, China; (P.S.)
- Tianjin Aoqun Sheep Industry Academy Company, Tianjin 301607, China
| | - Qingfeng Zhang
- Tianjin Aoqun Animal Husbandry Co., Ltd., Tianjin 301607, China; (P.S.)
- Tianjin Aoqun Sheep Industry Academy Company, Tianjin 301607, China
| | - Xianyong Lan
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics Breeding and Reproduction of Shanxi Province, College Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China
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25
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Atağ G, Vural KB, Kaptan D, Özkan M, Koptekin D, Sağlıcan E, Doğramacı S, Köz M, Yılmaz A, Söylev A, Togan İ, Somel M, Özer F. MTaxi: A comparative tool for taxon identification of ultra low coverage ancient genomes. OPEN RESEARCH EUROPE 2023; 2:100. [PMID: 37829208 PMCID: PMC10565424 DOI: 10.12688/openreseurope.14936.3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023]
Abstract
A major challenge in zooarchaeology is to morphologically distinguish closely related species' remains, especially using small bone fragments. Shotgun sequencing aDNA from archeological remains and comparative alignment to the candidate species' reference genomes will only apply when reference nuclear genomes of comparable quality are available, and may still fail when coverages are low. Here, we propose an alternative method, MTaxi, that uses highly accessible mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) to distinguish between pairs of closely related species from ancient DNA sequences. MTaxi utilises mtDNA transversion-type substitutions between pairs of candidate species, assigns reads to either species, and performs a binomial test to determine the sample taxon. We tested MTaxi on sheep/goat and horse/donkey data, between which zooarchaeological classification can be challenging in ways that epitomise our case. The method performed efficiently on simulated ancient genomes down to 0.3x mitochondrial coverage for both sheep/goat and horse/donkey, with no false positives. Trials on n=18 ancient sheep/goat samples and n=10 horse/donkey samples of known species identity also yielded 100% accuracy. Overall, MTaxi provides a straightforward approach to classify closely related species that are difficult to distinguish through zooarchaeological methods using low coverage aDNA data, especially when similar quality reference genomes are unavailable. MTaxi is freely available at https://github.com/goztag/MTaxi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gözde Atağ
- Biological Sciences, Middle East Technical University, Ankara, Turkey
| | | | - Damla Kaptan
- Biological Sciences, Middle East Technical University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Mustafa Özkan
- Biological Sciences, Middle East Technical University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Dilek Koptekin
- Biological Sciences, Middle East Technical University, Ankara, Turkey
- Health Informatics, Middle East Technical University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Ekin Sağlıcan
- Health Informatics, Middle East Technical University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Sevcan Doğramacı
- Computer Engineering, Konya Food and Agriculture University, Konya, Turkey
| | - Mevlüt Köz
- Molecular Biology and Genetics, Konya Food and Agriculture University, Konya, Turkey
| | - Ardan Yılmaz
- Computer Engineering, Middle East Technical University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Arda Söylev
- Computer Engineering, Konya Food and Agriculture University, Konya, Turkey
| | - İnci Togan
- Biological Sciences, Middle East Technical University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Mehmet Somel
- Biological Sciences, Middle East Technical University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Füsun Özer
- Anthropology, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
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26
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Massari S, Giannico F, Paolillo NV, Pala A, Jambrenghi AC, Antonacci R. Genomic and comparative analysis of the T cell receptor gamma locus in two Equus species. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1264949. [PMID: 37781375 PMCID: PMC10540303 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1264949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The genus Equus is the only extant genus of the Equidae family, which belongs to Perissodactyla, an order of mammals characterized by an odd number of toes (odd-toes ungulates). Taking advantage of the latest release of the genome assembly, we studied, for the first time in two organisms belonging to the Equus genus, the horse (Equus caballus) and the donkey (Equus asinus), the T cell receptor gamma (TRG) locus encoding the gamma chain of the γδ T cell receptor. Forty-five Variable (TRGV) genes belonging to the seven IMGT-NC validated mammalian TRGV subgroups, 25 Joining (TRGJ) and 17 Constant (TRGC) genes organized in 17 V-J-(J)-C cassettes, in tandem on about 1100 Kb, characterize the horse TRG locus, making the horse TRG locus the one with the greatest extension and with a significantly higher number of genes than the orthologous loci of the other mammalian species. A clonotype analysis of an RNA-seq transcriptomic dataset derived from spleen of an adult healthy horse, using the complete set of the horse TRGJ germline gene sequences as a probe, revealed that, in addition to the most prominent V-J rearrangements within each cassette, there is a relevant proportion of trans-cassette V-J recombination, whereby the same TRGV genes can recombine with different TRGJ genes spliced to the corresponding TRGC genes. This recombinant event strongly contributes to the diversity of the γ chain repertoire. In the donkey TRG locus, 34 TRGV, 21 TRGJ and 14 TRGC genes distributed in 14 V-J-(J)-C cassettes were found in a region of approximately 860 kb. Although the donkey's TRG is smaller than that of the horse, in Equus genus, this is still the second largest locus so far found in any mammalian species. Finally, the comparative analysis highlighted differences in size and gene content between the horse and donkey TRG loci, despite belonging to the same genus, indicating a good level of diversification within Equus. These data is in agreement with the evolutionary idea of the existence of a Equus recent common ancestor in rapid evolution, for which a mutation rate between horses and donkeys is more comparable to that between species belonging to different genera rather than to species of the same genus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serafina Massari
- Department of Biological and Environmental Science and Technologies, University of Salento, Lecce, Italy
| | - Francesco Giannico
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
| | - Nunzia Valentina Paolillo
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Environment, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
| | - Angela Pala
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Environment, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
| | | | - Rachele Antonacci
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Environment, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
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27
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Huang B, Khan MZ, Chai W, Ullah Q, Wang C. Exploring Genetic Markers: Mitochondrial DNA and Genomic Screening for Biodiversity and Production Traits in Donkeys. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:2725. [PMID: 37684989 PMCID: PMC10486882 DOI: 10.3390/ani13172725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Revised: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Donkeys (Equus asinus) play a pivotal role as essential livestock in arid and semi-arid regions, serving various purposes such as transportation, agriculture, and milk production. Despite their significance, donkey breeding has often been overlooked in comparison to other livestock species, resulting in limited genetic improvement programs. Preserving donkey genetic resources within each country necessitates the establishment of breed conservation programs, focusing on managing genetic diversity among populations. In recent years, significant strides have been made in sequencing and analyzing complete mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) molecules in donkeys. Notably, numerous studies have honed in on the mitochondrial D-loop region, renowned for its remarkable variability and higher substitution rate within the mtDNA genome, rendering it an effective genetic marker for assessing genetic diversity in donkeys. Furthermore, genetic markers at the RNA/DNA level have emerged as indispensable tools for enhancing production and reproduction traits in donkeys. Traditional animal breeding approaches based solely on phenotypic traits, such as milk yields, weight, and height, are influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. To overcome these challenges, genetic markers, such as polymorphisms, InDel, or entire gene sequences associated with desirable traits in animals, have achieved widespread usage in animal breeding practices. These markers have proven increasingly valuable for facilitating the selection of productive and reproductive traits in donkeys. This comprehensive review examines the cutting-edge research on mitochondrial DNA as a tool for assessing donkey biodiversity. Additionally, it highlights the role of genetic markers at the DNA/RNA level, enabling the informed selection of optimal production and reproductive traits in donkeys, thereby driving advancements in donkey genetic conservation and breeding programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bingjian Huang
- Liaocheng Research Institute of Donkey High-Efficiency Breeding and Ecological Feeding, Agricultural Science and Engineering School, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng 252000, China
- College of Life Sciences, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng 252059, China
| | - Muhammad Zahoor Khan
- Liaocheng Research Institute of Donkey High-Efficiency Breeding and Ecological Feeding, Agricultural Science and Engineering School, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng 252000, China
- Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Agriculture, Dera Ismail Khan 29220, Pakistan
| | - Wenqiong Chai
- Liaocheng Research Institute of Donkey High-Efficiency Breeding and Ecological Feeding, Agricultural Science and Engineering School, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng 252000, China
| | - Qudrat Ullah
- Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Agriculture, Dera Ismail Khan 29220, Pakistan
| | - Changfa Wang
- Liaocheng Research Institute of Donkey High-Efficiency Breeding and Ecological Feeding, Agricultural Science and Engineering School, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng 252000, China
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Wang X, Wang T, Liang H, Wang L, Akhtar F, Shi X, Ren W, Huang B, Kou X, Chen Y, Zhan Y, Wang C. A novel SNP in NKX1-2 gene is associated with carcass traits in Dezhou donkey. BMC Genom Data 2023; 24:41. [PMID: 37550632 PMCID: PMC10408065 DOI: 10.1186/s12863-023-01145-2] [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: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND At present, donkey meat in the market shows an imbalance between supply and demand, and there is an urgent need to cultivate a meat-type Dezhou donkey breed. On the one hand, it can improve the imbalance in the market, and on the other hand, it can promote the rapid development of the donkey industry. This study aimed to reveal significant genetic variation in the NK1 homeobox 2 gene (NKX1-2) of Dezhou donkeys and investigate the association between genotype and body size in Dezhou donkeys. RESULTS In this study, a SNP (g.54704925 A > G) was identified at the exon4 by high-depth resequencing of the Dezhou donkey NKX1-2 gene. The AA genotype is the dominant genotype. The g.54704925 A > G site was significantly associated with body length, thoracic girth, and hide weight (P < 0.05), while it was highly significantly associated with body height and carcass weight (P < 0.01) in Dezhou donkeys. CONCLUSION Overall, the results of this study showed that the NKX1-2 gene could be a candidate gene for breeding meat-type Dezhou donkeys, and the g.54704925 A > G locus could be used as a marker locus for selection and breeding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinrui Wang
- Liaocheng Research Institute of Donkey High-Efficiency Breeding and Ecological Feeding, College of Agronomy and Agricultural Engineering, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, 252059, China
| | - Tianqi Wang
- Liaocheng Research Institute of Donkey High-Efficiency Breeding and Ecological Feeding, College of Agronomy and Agricultural Engineering, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, 252059, China
| | - Huili Liang
- Liaocheng Research Institute of Donkey High-Efficiency Breeding and Ecological Feeding, College of Agronomy and Agricultural Engineering, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, 252059, China
| | - Liyuan Wang
- Liaocheng Research Institute of Donkey High-Efficiency Breeding and Ecological Feeding, College of Agronomy and Agricultural Engineering, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, 252059, China
| | - Faheem Akhtar
- Liaocheng Research Institute of Donkey High-Efficiency Breeding and Ecological Feeding, College of Agronomy and Agricultural Engineering, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, 252059, China
| | - Xiaoyuan Shi
- Liaocheng Research Institute of Donkey High-Efficiency Breeding and Ecological Feeding, College of Agronomy and Agricultural Engineering, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, 252059, China
| | - Wei Ren
- Liaocheng Research Institute of Donkey High-Efficiency Breeding and Ecological Feeding, College of Agronomy and Agricultural Engineering, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, 252059, China
| | - Bingjian Huang
- Liaocheng Research Institute of Donkey High-Efficiency Breeding and Ecological Feeding, College of Agronomy and Agricultural Engineering, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, 252059, China
| | - Xiyan Kou
- Liaocheng Research Institute of Donkey High-Efficiency Breeding and Ecological Feeding, College of Agronomy and Agricultural Engineering, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, 252059, China
| | - Yinghui Chen
- Liaocheng Research Institute of Donkey High-Efficiency Breeding and Ecological Feeding, College of Agronomy and Agricultural Engineering, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, 252059, China
| | - Yandong Zhan
- Liaocheng Research Institute of Donkey High-Efficiency Breeding and Ecological Feeding, College of Agronomy and Agricultural Engineering, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, 252059, China
| | - Changfa Wang
- Liaocheng Research Institute of Donkey High-Efficiency Breeding and Ecological Feeding, College of Agronomy and Agricultural Engineering, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, 252059, China.
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Getachew TB, Kassa AH, Megersa AG. Phenotypic characterization of donkey population in South Omo Zone, Southern Ethiopia. Heliyon 2023; 9:e18662. [PMID: 37560634 PMCID: PMC10407209 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e18662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2023] [Revised: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The study conducted in South Omo Zone, Southern Ethiopia with the aim of investigation within population diversification and characterization morphologically that helps to fill the gap of molecular characterization on this population. The data was collected from 500 adult donkeys from both sexes. Quantitative data was subjected to SAS GLM procedures by fitting districts and sex as the main effects. Qualitative data was subjected to a chi-square test with the district as the main effect. Color graph of donkey was done using Microsoft Excel, 2010. For both qualitative and quantitative data, the significance test was conducted at 5% of the level of error, and Tukey multiple range tests were used to separate the significance levels for the two types of data. CANDISC was used to calculate Mahalanobis distances, DISCRIM was used to cluster observations into predetermined groups, and STEPDISC was used to determine the quantitative characteristics that better differentiate populations. Roan coat color cover highest number compare with other coat color of donkey population. Quantitative traits of donkey has variation (P < 0.05) both in study areas and sex of donkeys. Overtly, except height at wither and height at the back Hammer donkey has mostly better metric value than the rest districts of the study areas. Moreover, CANDISC show variation on Hammer and Dasenech districts of donkey population. Furthermore, the longest (6.32) Mahalanobis distance observed in between Hammer and Dasenech donkey population. The Hammer and Dasenech donkey population is where the study fills in population variation the most. This can be because to management or genetics. Therefore, additional research might be required. Furthermore, morphometric measures show that donkey sex is similar, with the exception of heart girth circumference. This can be the result of poor selection, where superior male donkeys are sold for a higher price. Therefore, sound breeding programs should be used to reverse it.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Abebe Hailu Kassa
- Ethiopian Biodiversity Institute, Addis Ababa, P.O.BOX. 30726, Ethiopia
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Arenas-Báez P, Torres-Hernández G, Castillo-Hernández G, Hernández-Rodríguez M, Sánchez-Gutiérrez RA, Vargas-López S, González-Maldonado J, Domínguez-Martínez PA, Granados-Rivera LD, Maldonado-Jáquez JA. Coat Color in Local Goats: Influence on Environmental Adaptation and Productivity, and Use as a Selection Criterion. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:929. [PMID: 37508360 PMCID: PMC10376610 DOI: 10.3390/biology12070929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
This paper aims to review, systematically synthesize, and analyze fragmented information about the importance of coat color in local goats and its relationship with productivity and other important traits. Topics on current research on color expression are addressed, the relationship that has as a mechanism of environmental adaptation, its relationship with the production of meat, milk, and derivates, and the economic value of this characteristic. The use of this attribute as a tool to establish selection criteria in breeding programs based on results reported in the scientific literature is significant, particularly for low-income production systems, where the implementation of classic genetic improvement schemes is limited due to the lack of productive information, which is distinctive of extensive marginal or low scaled production systems around the world.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Arenas-Báez
- Unidad Regional Universitaria de Zonas Áridas, Universidad Autónoma Chapingo, Bermejillo, Durango 35230, Mexico
| | | | - Gabriela Castillo-Hernández
- Colegio de Postgraduados, Campus Montecillo, Montecillo, Texcoco 56264, Mexico
- Facultad de Estudios Superiores Cuautitlán, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuautitlán Izcalli 54714, Mexico
| | | | - Ricardo Alonso Sánchez-Gutiérrez
- Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Forestales Agrícolas y Pecuarias, Campo Experimental Zacatecas, Calera, Zacatecas 98500, Mexico
| | | | - Juan González-Maldonado
- Instituto de Ciencias Agrícolas, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Mexicali 21750, Mexico
| | - Pablo Alfredo Domínguez-Martínez
- Colegio de Postgraduados, Campus Montecillo, Montecillo, Texcoco 56264, Mexico
- Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Forestales, Agrícolas y Pecuarias, Campo Experimental Valle del Guadiana, Durango 34170, Mexico
| | - Lorenzo Danilo Granados-Rivera
- Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Forestales, Agrícolas y Pecuarias, Campo Experimental Genera Terán, General Terán 67400, Mexico
| | - Jorge Alonso Maldonado-Jáquez
- Colegio de Postgraduados, Campus Montecillo, Montecillo, Texcoco 56264, Mexico
- Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Forestales, Agrícolas y Pecuarias, Campo Experimental La Laguna, Matamoros 27440, Mexico
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31
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Batcher K, Varney S, Raudsepp T, Jevit M, Dickinson P, Jagannathan V, Leeb T, Bannasch D. Ancient segmentally duplicated LCORL retrocopies in equids. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0286861. [PMID: 37289743 PMCID: PMC10249811 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0286861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023] Open
Abstract
LINE-1 is an active transposable element encoding proteins capable of inserting host gene retrocopies, resulting in retro-copy number variants (retroCNVs) between individuals. Here, we performed retroCNV discovery using 86 equids and identified 437 retrocopy insertions. Only 5 retroCNVs were shared between horses and other equids, indicating that the majority of retroCNVs inserted after the species diverged. A large number (17-35 copies) of segmentally duplicated Ligand Dependent Nuclear Receptor Corepressor Like (LCORL) retrocopies were present in all equids but absent from other extant perissodactyls. The majority of LCORL transcripts in horses and donkeys originate from the retrocopies. The initial LCORL retrotransposition occurred 18 million years ago (17-19 95% CI), which is coincident with the increase in body size, reduction in digit number, and changes in dentition that characterized equid evolution. Evolutionary conservation of the LCORL retrocopy segmental amplification in the Equidae family, high expression levels and the ancient timeline for LCORL retrotransposition support a functional role for this structural variant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Batcher
- Department of Population Health and Reproduction, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, United States of America
| | - Scarlett Varney
- Department of Population Health and Reproduction, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, United States of America
| | - Terje Raudsepp
- Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America
| | - Matthew Jevit
- Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America
| | - Peter Dickinson
- Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, United States of America
| | - Vidhya Jagannathan
- Institute of Genetics, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Tosso Leeb
- Institute of Genetics, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Danika Bannasch
- Department of Population Health and Reproduction, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, United States of America
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Chen J, Wang Y, Qi X, Cheng H, Chen N, Ahmed Z, Chen Q, Lei C, Yang X. Genome-wide analysis emancipates genomic diversity and signature of selection in Altay white-headed cattle of Xinjiang, China. Front Genet 2023; 14:1144249. [PMID: 37065480 PMCID: PMC10098193 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1144249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Altay white-headed cattle have not received enough attention for several reasons. Due to irrational breeding and selection practices, the number of pure Altay white-headed cattle has decreased significantly and the breed is now on the eve of extinction. The genomic characterization will be a crucial step towards understanding the genetic basis of productivity and adaptability to survival under native Chinese agropastoral systems; nevertheless, no attempt has been made in Altay white-headed cattle. In the current study, we compared the genomes of 20 Altay white-headed cattle to the genomes of 144 individuals in representative breeds. Population genetic diversity revealed that the nucleotide diversity of Altay white-headed cattle was less than that of indicine breeds and comparable to that of Chinese taurus cattle. Using population structure analysis, we also found that Altay white-headed cattle carried the ancestry of the European and East Asian cattle lineage. In addition, we used three different methods (FST, θπ ratio and XP-EHH) to investigate the adaptability and white-headed phenotype of Altay white-headed cattle and compared it with Bohai black cattle. We found EPB41L5, SCG5 and KIT genes on the list of the top one percent genes, these genes might have an association with environmental adaptability and the white-headed phenotype for this breed. Our research reveals the distinctive genomic features of Altay white-headed cattle at the genome-wide level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jialei Chen
- Life Science College, Luoyang Normal University, Luoyang, China
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
| | - Yushu Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
| | - Xingshan Qi
- Biyang Xianan Cattle Technology and Development Company Ltd., Biyang, China
| | - Haijian Cheng
- Shandong Key Lab of Animal Disease Control and Breeding, Institute of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinan, China
| | - Ningbo Chen
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
| | - Zulfiqar Ahmed
- Key Laboratory of Swine Genetics and Breeding of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, and Key Lab of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Poonch Rawalakot, Shabestar, Pakistan
| | - Qiuming Chen
- College of Animal Science, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China
| | - Chuzhao Lei
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
- *Correspondence: Chuzhao Lei, ; Xueyi Yang,
| | - Xueyi Yang
- Life Science College, Luoyang Normal University, Luoyang, China
- *Correspondence: Chuzhao Lei, ; Xueyi Yang,
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Zhang Z, Huang B, Wang Y, Zhu M, Liu G, Wang C. A survey report on the donkey original breeding farms in China: Current aspects and future prospective. Front Vet Sci 2023; 10:1126138. [PMID: 37008357 PMCID: PMC10060844 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1126138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction The number of the large-scale donkey breeding farms in China has increased dramatically. However, information regarding the situation of a Chinese donkey population under large-scale donkey breeding farms is limited. Methods This survey report was conducted using questionnaires online to investigate the current situation of the donkey original breeding farms in China, in terms of donkey stock, local breeds, reproductive parameters, growth and lactation performance, and future perspectives. China has developed the donkey reserve system based on national, provincial and non-governmental (self-own) donkey original breeding farms. Results In the present study, a total of 38 donkey original breeding farms concentrated in Northern of China were studied, and 52% of them keep their donkeys with a stocking density of 100-500 donkeys. China is rich in various local donkey breeds, and 16 local donkey breeds including large-sized, medium-sized and small-sized breeds were collected in our survey. Dezhou donkey are prevalent with a percentage of more than 57% of the total donkeys, while the Cullen donkeys belong to small-sized donkey breeds are scare. The reproductive efficiency and donkey productivity were different across donkey farms, indicating potential differences in management and breeding practices between different donkey original breeding farms. The artificial insemination has been performed in these donkey farms with an average proportion of 73%. Regarding the donkey productivity, the national and provincial donkey original breeding farms showed a higher birthweight and fat content in donkey milk than self-own farms. Furthermore, our results indicate that the donkey breeds with different body size also have important influence on the reproduction parameters and donkey productivity, with the large-sized donkeys had better performance compared to the small-sized donkeys. Discussion In summary, our survey provided valuable baseline information on the situation of donkey population dynamics in the donkey original breeding farms. However, further study is required in the future to investigate the factors such as donkey health care, management and nutrition during breeding, fattening and lactation that influence donkey productivity under large-scale farm systems.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Changfa Wang
- Liaocheng Research Institute of Donkey High-Efficiency Breeding and Ecological Feeding, Agricultural Science and Engineering School, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, China
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Berns HM, Watkins-Chow DE, Lu S, Louphrasitthiphol P, Zhang T, Brown KM, Moura-Alves P, Goding CR, Pavan WJ. Loss of MC1R signaling implicates TBX3 in pheomelanogenesis and melanoma predisposition. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.03.10.532018. [PMID: 37090624 PMCID: PMC10120706 DOI: 10.1101/2023.03.10.532018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/29/2023]
Abstract
The human Red Hair Color (RHC) trait is caused by increased pheomelanin (red-yellow) and reduced eumelanin (black-brown) pigment in skin and hair due to diminished melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) function. In addition, individuals harboring the RHC trait are predisposed to melanoma development. While MC1R variants have been established as causative of RHC and are a well-defined risk factor for melanoma, it remains unclear mechanistically why decreased MC1R signaling alters pigmentation and increases melanoma susceptibility. Here, we use single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) of melanocytes isolated from RHC mouse models to reveal a Pheomelanin Gene Signature (PGS) comprising genes implicated in melanogenesis and oncogenic transformation. We show that TBX3, a well-known anti-senescence transcription factor implicated in melanoma progression, is part of the PGS and binds both E-box and T-box elements to regulate genes associated with melanogenesis and senescence bypass. Our results provide key insights into mechanisms by which MC1R signaling regulates pigmentation and how individuals with the RHC phenotype are predisposed to melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- H. Matthew Berns
- Genetic Disease Research Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Headington, Oxford, OX3 7DQ, UK
| | - Dawn E. Watkins-Chow
- Genetic Disease Research Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Sizhu Lu
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Headington, Oxford, OX3 7DQ, UK
| | - Pakavarin Louphrasitthiphol
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Headington, Oxford, OX3 7DQ, UK
- Department of Gastrointestinal and Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Tongwu Zhang
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892, 13 USA
| | - Kevin M. Brown
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892, 13 USA
| | - Pedro Moura-Alves
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Headington, Oxford, OX3 7DQ, UK
- i3S-Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, PT
- IBMC-Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, PT
| | - Colin R. Goding
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Headington, Oxford, OX3 7DQ, UK
| | - William J. Pavan
- Genetic Disease Research Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
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Platani M, Sokefun O, Bassil E, Apidianakis Y. Genetic engineering and genome editing in plants, animals and humans: Facts and myths. Gene 2023; 856:147141. [PMID: 36574935 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2022.147141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Revised: 12/17/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Human history is inextricably linked to the introduction of desirable heritable traits in plants and animals. Selective breeding (SB) predates our historical period and has been practiced since the advent of agriculture and farming more than ten thousand years ago. Since the 1970s, methods of direct plant and animal genome manipulation are constantly being developed. These are collectively described as "genetic engineering" (GE). Plant GE aims to improve nutritional value, insect resistance and weed control. Animal GE has focused on livestock improvement and disease control. GE applications also involve medical improvements intended to treat human disease. The scientific consensus built around marketed products of GE organisms (GEOs) is usually well established, noting significant benefits and low risks. GEOs are exhaustively scrutinized in the EU and many non-EU countries for their effects on human health and the environment, but scrutiny should be equally applied to all previously untested organisms derived directly from nature or through selective breeding. In fact, there is no evidence to suggest that natural or selectively bred plants and animals are in principle safer to humans than GEOs. Natural and selectively bred strains evolve over time via genetic mutations that can be as risky to humans and the environment as the mutations found in GEOs. Thus, previously untested plant and animal strains aimed for marketing should be proven useful or harmful to humans only upon comparative testing, regardless of their origin. Highlighting the scientific consensus declaring significant benefits and rather manageable risks provided by equitably accessed GEOs, can mitigate negative predispositions by policy makers and the public. Accordingly, we provide an overview of the underlying technologies and the scientific consensus to help resolve popular myths about the safety and usefulness of GEOs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Platani
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Owolabi Sokefun
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Elias Bassil
- Horticultural Sciences Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA
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Li C, Han J, Duan D, Liu C, Han X, Wang K, Qiao R, Li XL, Li XJ. Lymphoid enhancer binding factor 1 is associated with nose color in Yunong black pigs. Anim Genet 2023; 54:398-402. [PMID: 36649734 DOI: 10.1111/age.13292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2022] [Revised: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/31/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Yunong black pig is an indigenous black pig breed being cultivated that has a pure black whole body. However, some individuals appear with a white spot on the nose. We performed case-control association studies and FST approaches in 76 animals with nose color records (26 white-nosed pigs vs. 50 black-nosed pigs) by Illumina Porcine SNP50 BeadChip data. In total, 76 SNPs, which included 2 genome-wide significant SNPs and 18 chromosome-wide suggestive SNPs, were identified by association study. The top-ranked 0.1% windows of FST results as signals under selection and 24 windows were selected. The lymphoid enhancer binding factor 1 was identified as candidate gene with strong signal in analyses of genome-wide association study and FST in black- and white-nosed pigs. Overall, our findings provide evidence that nose color is a heritable trait influenced by many loci. The results contribute to expand our understanding of pigmentation in pigs and provide SNP markers for skin color and related traits selection in Yunong black pigs. Additional research on the genetic link between nose pigmentation is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cong Li
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Jinyi Han
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Dongdong Duan
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Chuang Liu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Xuelei Han
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Kejun Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Ruimin Qiao
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Xiu-Ling Li
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Xin-Jian Li
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
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Wang T, Liu Z, Wang X, Li Y, AKHTAR FAHEEM, Li M, Zhang Z, Zhan Y, Shi X, Ren W, Huang B, Wang C, Chai W. Polymorphism detection of PRKG2 gene and its association with the number of thoracolumbar vertebrae and carcass traits in Dezhou donkey. BMC Genom Data 2023; 24:2. [PMID: 36600198 PMCID: PMC9811767 DOI: 10.1186/s12863-022-01101-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous studies have shown that the protein kinase cGMP-dependent 2 (PRKG2) gene is associated with dwarfism in humans, dogo Argentines, and Angus cattle, as well as with height and osteoblastogenesis in humans. Therefore, the PRKG2 gene was used as the target gene to explore whether this gene is associated with several thoracolumbar vertebrae and carcass traits in Dezhou donkeys. RESULTS In this study, fifteen SNPs were identified by targeted sequencing, all of which were located in introns of the PRKG2 gene. Association analysis illustrated that the g.162153251 G > A, g.162156524 C > T, g.162158453 C > T and, g.162163775 T > G were significantly different from carcass weight. g.162166224 G > A, g.162166654 T > A, g.162167165 C > A, g.162167314 A > C and, g.162172653 G > C were significantly associated with the number of thoracic vertebrae. g.162140112 A > G was significantly associated with the number and the length of lumbar vertebrae, and g.162163775 T > G was significantly associated with the total number of thoracolumbar vertebrae. CONCLUSION Overall, the results of this study suggest that PRKG2 gene polymorphism can be used as a molecular marker to breed high-quality Dezhou donkeys.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianqi Wang
- grid.411351.30000 0001 1119 5892Liaocheng, Research Institute of Donkey High‐Efficiency Breeding and Ecological Feeding, College of Agronomy and Agricultural Engineering, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, 252059 China
| | - Ziwen Liu
- grid.411351.30000 0001 1119 5892Liaocheng, Research Institute of Donkey High‐Efficiency Breeding and Ecological Feeding, College of Agronomy and Agricultural Engineering, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, 252059 China
| | - Xinrui Wang
- grid.411351.30000 0001 1119 5892Liaocheng, Research Institute of Donkey High‐Efficiency Breeding and Ecological Feeding, College of Agronomy and Agricultural Engineering, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, 252059 China
| | - Yuhua Li
- grid.411351.30000 0001 1119 5892Liaocheng, Research Institute of Donkey High‐Efficiency Breeding and Ecological Feeding, College of Agronomy and Agricultural Engineering, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, 252059 China
| | - FAHEEM AKHTAR
- grid.411351.30000 0001 1119 5892Liaocheng, Research Institute of Donkey High‐Efficiency Breeding and Ecological Feeding, College of Agronomy and Agricultural Engineering, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, 252059 China
| | - Mengmeng Li
- grid.411351.30000 0001 1119 5892Liaocheng, Research Institute of Donkey High‐Efficiency Breeding and Ecological Feeding, College of Agronomy and Agricultural Engineering, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, 252059 China
| | - Zhenwei Zhang
- grid.411351.30000 0001 1119 5892Liaocheng, Research Institute of Donkey High‐Efficiency Breeding and Ecological Feeding, College of Agronomy and Agricultural Engineering, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, 252059 China
| | - Yandong Zhan
- grid.411351.30000 0001 1119 5892Liaocheng, Research Institute of Donkey High‐Efficiency Breeding and Ecological Feeding, College of Agronomy and Agricultural Engineering, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, 252059 China
| | - Xiaoyuan Shi
- grid.411351.30000 0001 1119 5892Liaocheng, Research Institute of Donkey High‐Efficiency Breeding and Ecological Feeding, College of Agronomy and Agricultural Engineering, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, 252059 China
| | - Wei Ren
- grid.411351.30000 0001 1119 5892Liaocheng, Research Institute of Donkey High‐Efficiency Breeding and Ecological Feeding, College of Agronomy and Agricultural Engineering, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, 252059 China
| | - Bingjian Huang
- grid.411351.30000 0001 1119 5892Liaocheng, Research Institute of Donkey High‐Efficiency Breeding and Ecological Feeding, College of Agronomy and Agricultural Engineering, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, 252059 China
| | - Changfa Wang
- grid.411351.30000 0001 1119 5892Liaocheng, Research Institute of Donkey High‐Efficiency Breeding and Ecological Feeding, College of Agronomy and Agricultural Engineering, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, 252059 China
| | - Wenqiong Chai
- grid.411351.30000 0001 1119 5892Liaocheng, Research Institute of Donkey High‐Efficiency Breeding and Ecological Feeding, College of Agronomy and Agricultural Engineering, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, 252059 China
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Identification of Circular RNAs of Testis and Caput Epididymis and Prediction of Their Potential Functional Roles in Donkeys. Genes (Basel) 2022; 14:genes14010066. [PMID: 36672807 PMCID: PMC9858477 DOI: 10.3390/genes14010066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a class of noncoding RNAs with a covalently closed loop. Studies have demonstrated that circRNA can function as microRNA (miRNA) sponges or competing endogenous RNAs. Although circRNA has been explored in some species and tissues, the genetic basis of testis development and spermatogenesis in donkeys remain unknown. We performed RNA-seq to detect circRNA expression profiles of adult donkey testes. Length distribution and other characteristics were shown a total of 1971 circRNAs were differentially expressed and 12,648 and 6261 circRNAs were detected from the testis and caput epididymis, respectively. Among these circRNAs, 1472 circRNAs were downregulated and 499 circRNAs were upregulated in the testis. Moreover, KEGG pathway analyses and Gene Ontology were performed for host genes of circRNAs. A total of 39 upregulated circRNA host genes were annotated in spermatogenesis terms, including PIWIL2, CATSPERD, CATSPERB, SPATA6, and SYCP1. Other host genes were annotated in the focal adhesion, Rap1 signaling pathway. Downregulated expressed circRNA host genes participated in the TGF-β signaling pathway, GnRH signaling pathway, estrogen signaling pathway, and calcium signaling pathway. Our discoveries provide a solid foundation for identifying and characterizing critical circRNAs involved in testis development or spermatogenesis.
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Liu Z, Wang T, Shi X, Wang X, Ren W, Huang B, Wang C. Identification of LTBP2 gene polymorphisms and their association with thoracolumbar vertebrae number, body size, and carcass traits in Dezhou donkeys. Front Genet 2022; 13:969959. [PMID: 36482906 PMCID: PMC9723334 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.969959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The number of thoracolumbar vertebrae in Dezhou donkeys varies from 22 to 24 and is associated with body size and carcass traits. In mammals, the latent transforming growth factor beta binding protein 2 (LTBP2) has been found to have some functions in the development of thoracolumbar vertebrae. The relationship between LTBP2 and TLN (the number of thoracolumbar vertebrae) of Dezhou donkeys is yet to be reported. The purposes of this study are as follows: 1) to quantify the effect of thoracolumbar vertebrae number variation of Dezhou donkeys on body size and carcass trait; 2) to study the distribution of single nucleotide variants (SNVs) in the LTBP2 gene of Dezhou donkeys; and 3) to explore whether these SNVs can be used as candidate sites to study the mechanism of Dezhou donkey muti-thoracolumbar vertebrae development. The TLN, body size, and carcass traits of 392 individuals from a Dezhou donkey breed were recorded. All animals were sequenced for LTBP2 using GBTS liquid chip and 16 SNVs were used for further analysis. We then analyzed the relationship between these SNVs with TLN, body size, and carcass traits. The results showed that: 1) c.5547 + 860 C > T, c.5251 + 281 A > C, c.3769 + 40 C > T, and c.2782 + 3975 A > G were complete genetic linkages and significantly associated with thoracic vertebrae number (TN) (p < 0.05) (wild-type homozygotes had more TN than heterozygotes); 2) c.1381 + 768 T > G and c.1381 + 763 G > T were significantly associated with lumber vertebrae number (LN) (p < 0.05); 3) c.1003 + 704 C > T, c.1003 + 651 C > T, c.1003 + 626 A > G, and c.812 + 22526 T > G were significantly associated with chest circumference (CHC), front carcass weight (CWF), after carcass weight (CWA), and carcass weight (CW) (p < 0.05) (wild-type homozygotes were larger than other genotypes in CHC, CWF, CWA, and CW); and 4) the effect of variation is not consistent in c.565 + 11921 A > G, c.565 + 6840 A > G, c.565 + 3453 C > T, and c.494 + 5808 C > T. These results provide useful information that the polymorphism of LTBP2 is significantly associated with TLN, body size, and carcass traits in Dezhou donkeys, which can serve as a molecule marker to improve donkey production performance.
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40
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Shi X, Li Y, Wang T, Ren W, Huang B, Wang X, Liu Z, Liang H, Kou X, Chen Y, Wang Y, Akhtar F, Wang C. Association of HOXC8 Genetic Polymorphisms with Multi-Vertebral Number and Carcass Weight in Dezhou Donkey. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:2175. [PMID: 36421849 PMCID: PMC9691153 DOI: 10.3390/genes13112175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2022] [Revised: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 11/19/2022] [Indexed: 08/09/2023] Open
Abstract
An increase in the number of vertebrae can significantly affect the meat production performance of livestock, thus increasing carcass weight, which is of great importance for livestock production. The homeobox gene C8 (HOXC8) has been identified as an essential candidate gene for regulating vertebral development. However, it has not been researched on the Dezhou donkey. This study aimed to verify the Dezhou donkey HOXC8 gene's polymorphisms and assess their effects on multiple vertebral numbers and carcass weight. In this study, the entire HOXC8 gene of the Dezhou donkey was sequenced, SNPs at the whole gene level were identified, and typing was accomplished utilizing a targeted sequencing genotype detection technique (GBTS). Then, a general linear model was used to perform an association study of HOXC8 gene polymorphism loci, multiple vertebral numbers, and carcass weight for screening candidate markers that can be used for molecular breeding of Dezhou donkeys. These findings revealed that HOXC8 included 12 SNPs, all unique mutant loci. The HOXC8 g.15179224C>T was significantly negatively associated with carcass weight (CW) and lumbar vertebrae length (LL) (p < 0.05). The g.15179674G>A locus was shown to be significantly positively associated with the number of lumbar vertebrae (LN) (p < 0.05). The phylogenetic tree constructed for the Dezhou donkey HOXC8 gene and seven other species revealed that the HOXC8 gene was highly conserved during animal evolution but differed markedly among distantly related animals. The results suggest that HOXC8 is a vital gene affecting multiple vertebral numbers and carcass weight in Dezhou donkeys, and the two loci g.15179224C>T and g.15179674G>A may be potential genetic markers for screening and breeding of new strains of high-quality and high-yielding Dezhou donkeys.
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41
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Wang G, Wang F, Pei H, Li M, Bai F, Lei C, Dang R. Genome-wide analysis reveals selection signatures for body size and drought adaptation in Liangzhou donkey. Genomics 2022; 114:110476. [PMID: 36057425 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygeno.2022.110476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2021] [Revised: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Liangzhou donkey is a domestic animal breed distributed on the edge of the Tengger Desert in Gansu Province of China. It has small body size and strong adaptability to dry environments. Here, we sequenced 10 Liangzhou donkey genomes and compared them to the 55 genomes of 8 representative donkey breeds worldwide. The population structure analysis revealed that Liangzhou donkey harboured the ancestry with the Asian domestic donkeys (0.863) and European domestic donkeys (0.137). Three methods (nucleotide diversity, linkage disequilibrium decay and runs of homozygosity) implied the genetic diversity in Liangzhou donkey. In addition, we analyzed the genetic basis of the small body size and drought adaptation of Liangzhou donkey by using Fst, θπ-ratio, XP-EHH, CLR and θπ methods. We found that the NCAPG-LCORL on chromosome 3 may be a candidate region for small body size trait of Liangzhou donkey. The CYP4A11 gene located on chromosome 5 showed strong sign of selection sweep. CYP4A11 can convert arachidonic acid into 19(S)-HETE, which can promote water reabsorption in renal tubule and enhance the ability of Liangzhou donkey to adapt to dry environment. These results contribute to a better understanding of the underlying population structure of Liangzhou donkeys and provides a valuable resource for future research on donkey breeding in response to climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gang Wang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Xianyang 712100, Shaanxi Province, China.
| | - Fuwen Wang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Xianyang 712100, Shaanxi Province, China.
| | - Haoyu Pei
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Xianyang 712100, Shaanxi Province, China.
| | - Mei Li
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Xianyang 712100, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Fuxia Bai
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Xianyang 712100, Shaanxi Province, China.
| | - Chuzhao Lei
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Xianyang 712100, Shaanxi Province, China.
| | - Ruihua Dang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Xianyang 712100, Shaanxi Province, China.
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Integrative QTL mapping and selection signatures in Groningen White Headed cattle inferred from whole-genome sequences. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0276309. [PMID: 36288367 PMCID: PMC9605288 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0276309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Here, we aimed to identify and characterize genomic regions that differ between Groningen White Headed (GWH) breed and other cattle, and in particular to identify candidate genes associated with coat color and/or eye-protective phenotypes. Firstly, whole genome sequences of 170 animals from eight breeds were used to evaluate the genetic structure of the GWH in relation to other cattle breeds by carrying out principal components and model-based clustering analyses. Secondly, the candidate genomic regions were identified by integrating the findings from: a) a genome-wide association study using GWH, other white headed breeds (Hereford and Simmental), and breeds with a non-white headed phenotype (Dutch Friesian, Deep Red, Meuse-Rhine-Yssel, Dutch Belted, and Holstein Friesian); b) scans for specific signatures of selection in GWH cattle by comparison with four other Dutch traditional breeds (Dutch Friesian, Deep Red, Meuse-Rhine-Yssel and Dutch Belted) and the commercial Holstein Friesian; and c) detection of candidate genes identified via these approaches. The alignment of the filtered reads to the reference genome (ARS-UCD1.2) resulted in a mean depth of coverage of 8.7X. After variant calling, the lowest number of breed-specific variants was detected in Holstein Friesian (148,213), and the largest in Deep Red (558,909). By integrating the results, we identified five genomic regions under selection on BTA4 (70.2-71.3 Mb), BTA5 (10.0-19.7 Mb), BTA20 (10.0-19.9 and 20.0-22.7 Mb), and BTA25 (0.5-9.2 Mb). These regions contain positional and functional candidate genes associated with retinal degeneration (e.g., CWC27 and CLUAP1), ultraviolet protection (e.g., ERCC8), and pigmentation (e.g. PDE4D) which are probably associated with the GWH specific pigmentation and/or eye-protective phenotypes, e.g. Ambilateral Circumocular Pigmentation (ACOP). Our results will assist in characterizing the molecular basis of GWH phenotypes and the biological implications of its adaptation.
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43
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Wang Y, Hua X, Shi X, Wang C. Origin, Evolution, and Research Development of Donkeys. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:1945. [PMID: 36360182 PMCID: PMC9689456 DOI: 10.3390/genes13111945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Revised: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 08/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Lack of archaeological and whole-genome diversity data has restricted current knowledge of the evolutionary history of donkeys. With the advancement of science and technology, the discovery of archaeological evidence, the development of molecular genetics, and the improvement of whole-genome sequencing technology, the in-depth understanding of the origin and domestication of donkeys has been enhanced, however. Given the lack of systematic research, the present study carefully screened and collected multiple academic papers and books, journals, and literature on donkeys over the past 15 years. The origin and domestication of donkeys are reviewed in this paper from the aspects of basic information, cultural origin, bioarcheology, mitochondrial and chromosomal microsatellite sequences, and whole-genome sequence comparison. It also highlights and reviews genome assembly technology, by assembling the genome of an individual organism and comparing it with related sample genomes, which can be used to produce more accurate results through big data statistics, analysis, and computational correlation models. Background: The donkey industry in the world and especially in China is developing rapidly, and donkey farming is transforming gradually from the family farming model to large-scale, intensive, and integrated industrial operations, which could ensure the stability of product quality and quantity. However, theoretical research on donkey breeding and its technical development lags far behind that of other livestock, thereby limiting its industrial development. This review provides holistic information for the donkey industry and researchers, that could promote theoretical research, genomic selection (GS), and reproductive management of the donkey population.
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44
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Todd ET, Tonasso-Calvière L, Chauvey L, Schiavinato S, Fages A, Seguin-Orlando A, Clavel P, Khan N, Pérez Pardal L, Patterson Rosa L, Librado P, Ringbauer H, Verdugo M, Southon J, Aury JM, Perdereau A, Vila E, Marzullo M, Prato O, Tecchiati U, Bagnasco Gianni G, Tagliacozzo A, Tinè V, Alhaique F, Cardoso JL, Valente MJ, Telles Antunes M, Frantz L, Shapiro B, Bradley DG, Boulbes N, Gardeisen A, Horwitz LK, Öztan A, Arbuckle BS, Onar V, Clavel B, Lepetz S, Vahdati AA, Davoudi H, Mohaseb A, Mashkour M, Bouchez O, Donnadieu C, Wincker P, Brooks SA, Beja-Pereira A, Wu DD, Orlando L. The genomic history and global expansion of domestic donkeys. Science 2022; 377:1172-1180. [PMID: 36074859 DOI: 10.1126/science.abo3503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Donkeys transformed human history as essential beasts of burden for long-distance movement, especially across semi-arid and upland environments. They remain insufficiently studied despite globally expanding and providing key support to low- to middle-income communities. To elucidate their domestication history, we constructed a comprehensive genome panel of 207 modern and 31 ancient donkeys, as well as 15 wild equids. We found a strong phylogeographic structure in modern donkeys that supports a single domestication in Africa ~5000 BCE, followed by further expansions in this continent and Eurasia and ultimately returning to Africa. We uncover a previously unknown genetic lineage in the Levant ~200 BCE, which contributed increasing ancestry toward Asia. Donkey management involved inbreeding and the production of giant bloodlines at a time when mules were essential to the Roman economy and military.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evelyn T Todd
- Centre d'Anthropobiologie et de Génomique de Toulouse (CAGT), CNRS UMR 5288, Université Paul Sabatier, Toulouse 31000, France
| | - Laure Tonasso-Calvière
- Centre d'Anthropobiologie et de Génomique de Toulouse (CAGT), CNRS UMR 5288, Université Paul Sabatier, Toulouse 31000, France
| | - Loreleï Chauvey
- Centre d'Anthropobiologie et de Génomique de Toulouse (CAGT), CNRS UMR 5288, Université Paul Sabatier, Toulouse 31000, France
| | - Stéphanie Schiavinato
- Centre d'Anthropobiologie et de Génomique de Toulouse (CAGT), CNRS UMR 5288, Université Paul Sabatier, Toulouse 31000, France
| | - Antoine Fages
- Centre d'Anthropobiologie et de Génomique de Toulouse (CAGT), CNRS UMR 5288, Université Paul Sabatier, Toulouse 31000, France
| | - Andaine Seguin-Orlando
- Centre d'Anthropobiologie et de Génomique de Toulouse (CAGT), CNRS UMR 5288, Université Paul Sabatier, Toulouse 31000, France
| | - Pierre Clavel
- Centre d'Anthropobiologie et de Génomique de Toulouse (CAGT), CNRS UMR 5288, Université Paul Sabatier, Toulouse 31000, France
| | - Naveed Khan
- Centre d'Anthropobiologie et de Génomique de Toulouse (CAGT), CNRS UMR 5288, Université Paul Sabatier, Toulouse 31000, France.,Department of Biotechnology, Abdul Wali Khan University, Mardan 23200, Pakistan
| | - Lucía Pérez Pardal
- CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, InBIO Laboratório Associado, Campus de Vairão, Universidade do Porto, Vairão 4485-661, Portugal.,BIOPOLIS Program in Genomics, Biodiversity and Land Planning, Campus de Vairão, Universidade do Porto, Vairão 4485-661, Portugal
| | | | - Pablo Librado
- Centre d'Anthropobiologie et de Génomique de Toulouse (CAGT), CNRS UMR 5288, Université Paul Sabatier, Toulouse 31000, France
| | - Harald Ringbauer
- Department of Archaeogenetics, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig 04103, Germany
| | - Marta Verdugo
- Smurfit Institute of Genetics, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin D02 PN40, Ireland
| | - John Southon
- Earth System Science Department, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Jean-Marc Aury
- Genoscope, Institut de biologie François Jacob, CEA, Université d'Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, Evry 91042, France
| | - Aude Perdereau
- Genoscope, Institut de biologie François Jacob, CEA, Université d'Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, Evry 91042, France
| | - Emmanuelle Vila
- Laboratoire Archéorient, Université Lyon 2, Lyon 69007, France
| | - Matilde Marzullo
- Dipartimento di Beni Culturali e Ambientali, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan 20122, Italy
| | - Ornella Prato
- Dipartimento di Beni Culturali e Ambientali, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan 20122, Italy
| | - Umberto Tecchiati
- Dipartimento di Beni Culturali e Ambientali, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan 20122, Italy
| | - Giovanna Bagnasco Gianni
- Dipartimento di Beni Culturali e Ambientali, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan 20122, Italy
| | | | - Vincenzo Tinè
- Soprintendenza archeologia belle arti e paesaggio per le province di Verona, Rovigo e Vicenza, Verona 37121, Italy
| | | | - João Luís Cardoso
- ICArEHB, Campus de Gambelas, University of Algarve, Faro 8005-139, Portugal.,Universidade Aberta, Lisbon 1269-001, Portugal
| | - Maria João Valente
- Faculdade de Ciências Humanas e Sociais, Centro de Estudos de Arqueologia, Artes e Ciências do Património, Universidade do Algarve, Faro 8000-117, Portugal
| | - Miguel Telles Antunes
- Centre for Research on Science and Geological Engineering, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisbon 1099-085, Portugal
| | - Laurent Frantz
- Palaeogenomics Group, Department of Veterinary Sciences, Ludwig Maximilian University, Munich 80539, Germany.,School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London E1 4DQ, United Kingdom
| | - Beth Shapiro
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA
| | - Daniel G Bradley
- Smurfit Institute of Genetics, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin D02 PN40, Ireland
| | - Nicolas Boulbes
- Institut de Paléontologie Humaine, Fondation Albert Ier, Paris / UMR 7194 HNHP, MNHN-CNRS-UPVD / EPCC Centre Européen de Recherche Préhistorique, Tautavel 66720, France
| | - Armelle Gardeisen
- Archéologie des Sociétés Méditéranéennes, Université Paul Valéry - Site Saint-Charles 2, Montpellier 34090, France
| | - Liora Kolska Horwitz
- National Natural History Collections, Edmond J. Safra Campus, Givat Ram, The Hebrew University, Jerusalem 9190401, Israel
| | - Aliye Öztan
- Archaeology Department, Ankara University, Ankara 06100, Turkey
| | - Benjamin S Arbuckle
- Department of Anthropology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Vedat Onar
- Osteoarchaeology Practice and Research Center and Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa, Istanbul 34320, Turkey
| | - Benoît Clavel
- Archéozoologie, Archéobotanique, Sociétés, Pratiques et Environnements, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris 75005, France
| | - Sébastien Lepetz
- Archéozoologie, Archéobotanique, Sociétés, Pratiques et Environnements, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris 75005, France
| | - Ali Akbar Vahdati
- Provincial Office of the Iranian Center for Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organisation, North Khorassan, Bojnord 9416745775, Iran
| | - Hossein Davoudi
- Archaezoology section, Bioarchaeology Laboratory of the Central Laboratory, University of Tehran, Tehran CP1417634934, Iran
| | - Azadeh Mohaseb
- Archéozoologie, Archéobotanique, Sociétés, Pratiques et Environnements, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris 75005, France.,Archaezoology section, Bioarchaeology Laboratory of the Central Laboratory, University of Tehran, Tehran CP1417634934, Iran
| | - Marjan Mashkour
- Archéozoologie, Archéobotanique, Sociétés, Pratiques et Environnements, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris 75005, France.,Archaezoology section, Bioarchaeology Laboratory of the Central Laboratory, University of Tehran, Tehran CP1417634934, Iran.,Department of Osteology, National Museum of Iran, Tehran 1136918111, Iran
| | - Olivier Bouchez
- GeT-PlaGe - Génome et Transcriptome - Plateforme Génomique, GET - Plateforme Génome & Transcriptome, Institut National de Recherche pour l'Agriculture, l'Alimentation et l'Environnement, Castaneet-Tolosan Cedex 31326, France
| | - Cécile Donnadieu
- GeT-PlaGe - Génome et Transcriptome - Plateforme Génomique, GET - Plateforme Génome & Transcriptome, Institut National de Recherche pour l'Agriculture, l'Alimentation et l'Environnement, Castaneet-Tolosan Cedex 31326, France
| | - Patrick Wincker
- Genoscope, Institut de biologie François Jacob, CEA, Université d'Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, Evry 91042, France
| | - Samantha A Brooks
- Department of Animal Science, UF Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Albano Beja-Pereira
- CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, InBIO Laboratório Associado, Campus de Vairão, Universidade do Porto, Vairão 4485-661, Portugal.,BIOPOLIS Program in Genomics, Biodiversity and Land Planning, Campus de Vairão, Universidade do Porto, Vairão 4485-661, Portugal.,DGAOT, Faculty of Sciences, Universidade do Porto, Porto 4169-007, Portugal.,Sustainable Agrifood Production Research Centre (GreenUPorto), Universidade do Porto, Vairão 4485-646, Portugal
| | - Dong-Dong Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan 650201, China.,Kunming Natural History Museum of Zoology, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan 650223, China
| | - Ludovic Orlando
- Centre d'Anthropobiologie et de Génomique de Toulouse (CAGT), CNRS UMR 5288, Université Paul Sabatier, Toulouse 31000, France
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45
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Miao X, Yu Y, Zhao Z, Wang Y, Qian X, Wang Y, Li S, Wang C. Chromosome-Level Haplotype Assembly for Equus asinu. Front Genet 2022; 13:738105. [PMID: 35692816 PMCID: PMC9186339 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.738105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2021] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Haplotype provides significant insights into understanding genomes at both individual and population levels. However, research on many non-model organisms is still based on independent genetic variations due to the lack of haplotype.Results: We conducted haplotype assembling for Equus asinu, a non-model organism that plays a vital role in human civilization. We described the hybrid single individual assembled haplotype of the Dezhou donkey based on the high-depth sequencing data from single-molecule real-time sequencing (×30), Illumina short-read sequencing (×211), and high-throughput chromosome conformation capture (×56). We assembled a near-complete haplotype for the high-depth sequenced Dezhou donkey individual and a phased cohort for the resequencing data of the donkey population.Conclusion: Here, we described the complete chromosome-scale haplotype of the Dezhou donkey with more than a 99.7% phase rate. We further phased a cohort of 156 donkeys to form a donkey haplotype dataset with more than 39 million genetic variations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyao Miao
- Liaocheng Research Institute of Donkey High-Efficiency Breeding and Ecological Feeding, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, China
- Department of Computer Science, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- College of Forensic & Medicine, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
| | - Yonghan Yu
- Department of Computer Science, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Zicheng Zhao
- Shenzhen Byoryn Technology Co., Ltd., Shenzhen, China
| | - Yinan Wang
- College of Forensic & Medicine, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
| | - Xiaobo Qian
- Liaocheng Research Institute of Donkey High-Efficiency Breeding and Ecological Feeding, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, China
| | - Yonghui Wang
- Liaocheng Research Institute of Donkey High-Efficiency Breeding and Ecological Feeding, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, China
| | - Shengbin Li
- College of Forensic & Medicine, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
- *Correspondence: Shengbin Li, ; Changfa Wang,
| | - Changfa Wang
- Liaocheng Research Institute of Donkey High-Efficiency Breeding and Ecological Feeding, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, China
- *Correspondence: Shengbin Li, ; Changfa Wang,
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Liu Z, Gao Q, Wang T, Chai W, Zhan Y, Akhtar F, Zhang Z, Li Y, Shi X, Wang C. Multi-Thoracolumbar Variations and NR6A1 Gene Polymorphisms Potentially Associated with Body Size and Carcass Traits of Dezhou Donkey. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12111349. [PMID: 35681814 PMCID: PMC9179361 DOI: 10.3390/ani12111349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2022] [Revised: 05/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The number of thoracolumbar vertebrae is a quantitative trait positively correlated with the economic traits of livestock. More thoracolumbar vertebrae individuals could genetically be used to improve the livestock population, as more thoracolumbar vertebrae means a longer carcass, which could bring more meat production. Nuclear receptor subfamily 6 group A member 1 (NR6A1) is considered a strong candidate gene for effecting the number of vertebrae in livestock. The purposes of this study are as follows: (a) Analyzing the effect of TLN variation on body size and carcass traits of Dezhou donkey; (b) Studying the distribution of seven single nucleotide variants (SNVs) in NR6A1 gene of Dezhou donkey; (c) Exploring the relationship between latent SNVs and TLN, the body size and carcass traits. We examined the thoracic and lumbar vertebrae number and seven SNVs in NR6A1 gene of 455 Dezhou donkeys, and analyzed the relationships between them. Five types of thoracolumbar combinations (T17L5 (individual with 17 thoracic and five lumbar vertebrae) 2.4%, T18L5 75.8%, T19L5 1.1%, T17L6 11.9%, and T18L6 8.8%) of Dezhou donkeys were detected in this study. For one thoracolumbar vertebra added, the body length of Dezhou donkey increases by 3 cm and the carcass weight increases by 6 kg. Seven SNVs (g.18093100G > T, g.18094587G > T, g.18106043G > T, g.18108764G > T, g.18110615T > G, g.18112000C > T and g.18114954T > G) of the NR6A1 gene were found to have a significant association with the TLN, body size and carcass traits of Dezhou donkey (p < 0.05), respectively. For instance, g.18114954C > T is significantly associated with lumber vertebrae number, the total number of thoracolumbar, and carcass weight, and individuals with TT genotype had significantly larger value than CC genotype (p < 0.05). Using these 7SNVs, 16 different haplotypes were estimated. Compared to Hap3Hap3, individuals homozygous for Hap2Hap2 showed significantly longer length in one thoracic spine (STL), the total thoracic vertebrae and one thoracolumbar spine. Our study will not only extend the understanding of genetic variation in the NR6A1 gene of Dezhou donkey, but also provide useful information for marker assisted selection in donkey breeding program.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziwen Liu
- Liao Cheng Reaserch Inisitute of Donkey High-Efficiency Breeding, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng 252059, China; (Z.L.); (T.W.); (W.C.); (Y.Z.); (F.A.); (Z.Z.); (Y.L.); (X.S.)
| | - Qican Gao
- Key Laboratory of Forage and Endemic Crop Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot 010070, China;
| | - Tianqi Wang
- Liao Cheng Reaserch Inisitute of Donkey High-Efficiency Breeding, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng 252059, China; (Z.L.); (T.W.); (W.C.); (Y.Z.); (F.A.); (Z.Z.); (Y.L.); (X.S.)
| | - Wenqiong Chai
- Liao Cheng Reaserch Inisitute of Donkey High-Efficiency Breeding, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng 252059, China; (Z.L.); (T.W.); (W.C.); (Y.Z.); (F.A.); (Z.Z.); (Y.L.); (X.S.)
| | - Yandong Zhan
- Liao Cheng Reaserch Inisitute of Donkey High-Efficiency Breeding, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng 252059, China; (Z.L.); (T.W.); (W.C.); (Y.Z.); (F.A.); (Z.Z.); (Y.L.); (X.S.)
| | - Faheem Akhtar
- Liao Cheng Reaserch Inisitute of Donkey High-Efficiency Breeding, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng 252059, China; (Z.L.); (T.W.); (W.C.); (Y.Z.); (F.A.); (Z.Z.); (Y.L.); (X.S.)
| | - Zhenwei Zhang
- Liao Cheng Reaserch Inisitute of Donkey High-Efficiency Breeding, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng 252059, China; (Z.L.); (T.W.); (W.C.); (Y.Z.); (F.A.); (Z.Z.); (Y.L.); (X.S.)
| | - Yuhua Li
- Liao Cheng Reaserch Inisitute of Donkey High-Efficiency Breeding, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng 252059, China; (Z.L.); (T.W.); (W.C.); (Y.Z.); (F.A.); (Z.Z.); (Y.L.); (X.S.)
| | - Xiaoyuan Shi
- Liao Cheng Reaserch Inisitute of Donkey High-Efficiency Breeding, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng 252059, China; (Z.L.); (T.W.); (W.C.); (Y.Z.); (F.A.); (Z.Z.); (Y.L.); (X.S.)
| | - Changfa Wang
- Liao Cheng Reaserch Inisitute of Donkey High-Efficiency Breeding, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng 252059, China; (Z.L.); (T.W.); (W.C.); (Y.Z.); (F.A.); (Z.Z.); (Y.L.); (X.S.)
- Correspondence:
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Dong H, Dong Z, Wang F, Wang G, Luo X, Lei C, Chen J. Whole Genome Sequencing Provides New Insights Into the Genetic Diversity and Coat Color of Asiatic Wild Ass and Its Hybrids. Front Genet 2022; 13:818420. [PMID: 35646088 PMCID: PMC9135160 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.818420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The diversity of livestock coat color results from human positive selection and is an indispensable part of breed registration. As an important biodiversity resource, Asiatic wild ass has many special characteristics, including the most visualized feature, its yellowish-brown coat color, and excellent adaptation. To explore the genetic mechanisms of phenotypic characteristics in Asiatic wild ass and its hybrids, we resequenced the whole genome of one Mongolian Kulan (a subspecies of Asiatic wild ass) and 29 Kulan hybrids (Mongolian Kulan ♂×Xinjiang♀), and the ancestor composition indicated the true lineage of the hybrids. XP-EHH (Cross Population Extended Haplotype Homozygosity), θπ-ratio (Nucleotide Diversity Ratio), CLR (Composite Likelihood Ratio) and θπ (Nucleotide Diversity) methods were used to detect the candidate regions of positive selection in Asiatic wild ass and its hybrids. Several immune genes (DEFA1, DEFA5, DEFA7, GIMAP4, GIMAP1, IGLC1, IGLL5, GZMB and HLA) were observed by the CLR and θπ methods. XP-EHH and θπ-ratio revealed that these genes are potentially responsible for coat color (KITLG) and meat quality traits (PDE1B and MYLK2). Furthermore, the heatmap was able to show the clear difference in the haplotype of the KITLG gene between the Kulan hybrids and Asiatic wild ass group and the Guanzhong black donkey group, which is a powerful demonstration of the key role of KITLG in donkey color. Therefore, our study may provide new insights into the genetic basis of coat color, meat quality traits and immunity of Asiatic wild ass and its hybrids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Dong
- College of Animal Science and Technology, SHIHEZI University, Shihezi, China
| | - Zheng Dong
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
| | - Fuwen Wang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
| | - Gang Wang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
| | - Xiaoyu Luo
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
| | - Chuzhao Lei
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
| | - Jingbo Chen
- College of Animal Science and Technology, SHIHEZI University, Shihezi, China
- *Correspondence: Jingbo Chen,
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Liu Y, Li H, Wang M, Zhang X, Yang L, Zhao C, Wu C. Genetic architectures and selection signatures of body height in Chinese indigenous donkeys revealed by next-generation sequencing. Anim Genet 2022; 53:487-497. [PMID: 35535569 DOI: 10.1111/age.13211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Revised: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Donkeys are widely distributed labour animals in the world. During the process of the domestication and artificial selection of domestic donkeys, body sizes show significant differences among different breeds of donkeys. Based on the genome resequencing data of 103 Chinese indigenous donkeys from 11 breeds (Biyang, Dezhou, Guangling, Hetian, Jiami, Kulun, Qingyang, Turfan, Tibetan, Xinjiang, and Yunnan), seven Spanish donkeys from two breeds (Zamorano~Leonés and Andalusian), and three wild donkeys, we investigated the population structures of Chinese domestic donkeys with different body sizes. We used FST and XP-EHH analyses to explore the selected regions related to body sizes. The results showed that Chinese indigenous donkeys have a closer relationship with African wild donkeys than with Asian wild donkeys. LCORL/NCAPG, FAM184B, TBX3, and IHH were identified as genes with strong signals in analysis of selection signature (FST and XP-EHH) in large and small donkeys. The seven identified variants can be served as candidate loci affecting the body size of Chinese donkeys. Five of seven loci were located in intron 9 of FAM184B and were in a haplotype block, and one of the identified variants (Chr03:112664848) located in the CDS region of the LCORL gene was found to cause stop-loss. These candidate genes and variants shed new light on the molecular basis of donkey body size and will facilitate the breeding activities of donkeys.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Liu
- Equine Center, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China.,College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Haijing Li
- National Engineering Research Center for Gelatin-based Traditional Chinese Medicine, Dong-E-E-Jiao Co. Ltd, Liaocheng, China
| | - Min Wang
- Equine Center, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China.,College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Xinhao Zhang
- National Engineering Research Center for Gelatin-based Traditional Chinese Medicine, Dong-E-E-Jiao Co. Ltd, Liaocheng, China
| | - Li Yang
- National Engineering Research Center for Gelatin-based Traditional Chinese Medicine, Dong-E-E-Jiao Co. Ltd, Liaocheng, China
| | - Chunjiang Zhao
- Equine Center, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China.,College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China.,National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, Beijing, China.,Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory of Animal Genetic Improvement, Beijing, China
| | - Changxin Wu
- Equine Center, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China.,College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
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Zhang M, Yang Q, Ai H, Huang L. Revisiting the Evolutionary History of Pigs via De Novo Mutation Rate Estimation in A Three-generation Pedigree. GENOMICS, PROTEOMICS & BIOINFORMATICS 2022; 20:1040-1052. [PMID: 35181533 DOI: 10.1016/j.gpb.2022.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Revised: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The mutation rate used in the previous analyses of pig evolution and demographics was cursory and hence invited potential bias in inferring evolutionary history. Herein, we estimated the de novo mutation rate of pigs as 3.6 × 10-9 per base per generation using high-quality whole-genome sequencing data from nine individuals in a three-generation pedigree through stringent filtering and validation. Using this mutation rate, we re-investigated the evolutionary history of pigs. The estimated divergence time of ∼ 10 kiloyears ago (KYA) between European wild and domesticated pigs was consistent with the domestication time of European pigs based on archaeological evidence. However, other divergence events inferred here were not as ancient as previously described. Our estimates suggested that Sus speciation occurred ∼ 1.36 million years ago (MYA); European wild pigs split from Asian wild pigs only ∼ 219 KYA; and south and north Chinese wild pigs split ∼ 25 KYA. Meanwhile, our results showed that the most recent divergence event between Chinese wild and domesticated pigs occurred in the Hetao plain, North China, approximately 20 KYA, supporting the possibly independent domestication in North China along the middle Yellow River. We also found that the maximum effective population size of pigs was ∼ 6 times larger than the previous estimate. An archaic migration from other Sus species originating ∼ 2 MYA to European pigs was detected during western colonization of pigs; this interfered with the previous demographic inference. Our de novo mutation rate estimation and its consequences for demographic history inference reasonably provide a new vision regarding the evolutionary history of pigs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingpeng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Swine Genetic Improvement and Production Technology, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang 330045, China
| | - Qiang Yang
- State Key Laboratory for Swine Genetic Improvement and Production Technology, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang 330045, China
| | - Huashui Ai
- State Key Laboratory for Swine Genetic Improvement and Production Technology, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang 330045, China.
| | - Lusheng Huang
- State Key Laboratory for Swine Genetic Improvement and Production Technology, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang 330045, China.
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Zhang FL, Zhang SE, Sun YJ, Wang JJ, Shen W. Comparative Transcriptomics Uncover the Uniqueness of Oocyte Development in the Donkey. Front Genet 2022; 13:839207. [PMID: 35154289 PMCID: PMC8832878 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.839207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The donkey is an important domestic animal, however the number of donkeys world-wide is currently declining. It is therefore important to protect their genetic resources and to elaborate the regulatory mechanisms of donkey reproduction, particularly, oocyte development. Here, we adopted comparative transcriptomic analysis and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) to uncover the uniqueness of donkey oocyte development compared to cattle, sheep, pigs, and mice, during the period from germinal vesicle (GV) to metaphase II (MII). Significantly, we selected 36 hub genes related to donkey oocyte development, including wee1-like protein kinase 2 (WEE2). Gene Ontology (GO) analysis suggested that these genes are involved in the negative regulation of cell development. Interestingly, we found that donkey specific differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were involved in RNA metabolism and apoptosis. Moreover, the results of WGCNA showed species-specific gene expression patterns. We conclude that, compared to other species, donkey oocytes express a large number of genes related to RNA metabolism to maintain normal oocyte development during the period from GV to MII.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fa-Li Zhang
- College of Life Sciences, Key Laboratory of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology in Universities of Shandong, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, China
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai’an, China
| | - Shu-Er Zhang
- Animal Husbandry General Station of Shandong Province, Jinan, China
| | - Yu-Jiang Sun
- College of Life Sciences, Key Laboratory of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology in Universities of Shandong, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, China
- Dongying Vocational Institute, Dongying, China
| | - Jun-Jie Wang
- College of Life Sciences, Key Laboratory of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology in Universities of Shandong, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, China
- *Correspondence: Wei Shen, , ; Jun-Jie Wang,
| | - Wei Shen
- College of Life Sciences, Key Laboratory of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology in Universities of Shandong, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, China
- *Correspondence: Wei Shen, , ; Jun-Jie Wang,
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