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Zhang L, Liang L, Kasimu H, Li W, Liu M, Li H, He S. A 76-base pair duplication within the enhancer region of the HMX1 gene causes sheep microtia. Gene 2024; 909:148307. [PMID: 38395239 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2024.148307] [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: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
Sheep congenital microtia is characterized by underdeveloped ears and provides an ideal basis for studying human microtia. This study identified the causal mutation and regulatory mechanisms underlying this disorder. Whole-genome association analysis was conducted using 23 ear tissue samples from sheep with microtia and 28 samples from normal-eared sheep. A significant correlation was found between microtia and a 76-base pair duplication in the enhancer region of the HMX1 gene. Further analysis of offspring phenotypes confirmed an autosomal dominant inheritance pattern. Genotypic analysis showed that individuals that are homozygous for this duplication were earless, heterozygous individuals exhibited shortened ears, and wild-type individuals had normal ears. Moreover, luciferase assays confirmed that this duplication increased HMX1 gene expression, and duplication knock-in mice also exhibited shorter and narrower external ears compared to wild-type mice. Transcriptomic analysis further demonstrated that this duplication enhanced HMX1 gene expression in animal models. This study characterized the causal regulatory mutation underlying sheep microtia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lihua Zhang
- College of Animal Science, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, 830052, China; Key Laboratory of Ruminant Genetics, Breeding & Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture, Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology of Xinjiang, Institute of Biotechnology, Xinjiang Academy of Animal Science, Urumqi, Xinjiang, 830011, China
| | - Long Liang
- Key Laboratory of Ruminant Genetics, Breeding & Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture, Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology of Xinjiang, Institute of Biotechnology, Xinjiang Academy of Animal Science, Urumqi, Xinjiang, 830011, China
| | - Hailati Kasimu
- Key Laboratory of Ruminant Genetics, Breeding & Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture, Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology of Xinjiang, Institute of Biotechnology, Xinjiang Academy of Animal Science, Urumqi, Xinjiang, 830011, China
| | - Wenrong Li
- Key Laboratory of Ruminant Genetics, Breeding & Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture, Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology of Xinjiang, Institute of Biotechnology, Xinjiang Academy of Animal Science, Urumqi, Xinjiang, 830011, China
| | - Mingjun Liu
- Key Laboratory of Ruminant Genetics, Breeding & Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture, Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology of Xinjiang, Institute of Biotechnology, Xinjiang Academy of Animal Science, Urumqi, Xinjiang, 830011, China
| | - Haiying Li
- College of Animal Science, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, 830052, China.
| | - Sangang He
- Key Laboratory of Ruminant Genetics, Breeding & Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture, Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology of Xinjiang, Institute of Biotechnology, Xinjiang Academy of Animal Science, Urumqi, Xinjiang, 830011, China.
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