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Liu CL, Mou HL, Na RS, Wang X, Hu PF, Ceccobelli S, Huang YF, E GX. Multiomic meta-analysis suggests a correlation between steroid hormone-related genes and litter size in goats. Anim Genet 2024. [PMID: 39019844 DOI: 10.1111/age.13464] [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: 06/11/2024] [Revised: 06/11/2024] [Accepted: 07/05/2024] [Indexed: 07/19/2024]
Abstract
Litter size is a key indicator of production performance in livestock. However, its genetic basis in goats remains poorly understood. In this work, a genome-wide selection sweep analysis (GWSA) on 100 published goat genomes with different litter rates was performed for the first time to identify candidate genes related to kidding rate. This analysis was combined with the public RNA-sequencing data of ovary tissues (follicular phase) from high- and low-yielding goats. A total of 2278 genes were identified by GWSA. Most of these genes were enriched in signaling pathways related to ovarian follicle development and hormone secretion. Moreover, 208 differentially expressed genes between groups were obtained from the ovaries of goats with different litter sizes. These genes were substantially enriched in the cholesterol and steroid synthesis signaling pathways. Meanwhile, the weighted gene co-expression network was used to perform modular analysis of differentially expressed genes. The results showed that seven modules were reconstructed, of which one module showed a very strong correlation with litter size (r = -0.51 and p-value <0.001). There were 51 genes in this module, and 39 hub genes were screened by Pearson's correlation coefficient between core genes > 0.4, correlation coefficient between module members > 0.80 and intra-module connectivity ≥5. Finally, based on the results of GWSA and hub gene Venn analysis, seven key genes (ACSS2, HECW2, KDR, LHCGR, NAMPT, PTGFR and TFPI) were found to be associated with steroid synthesis and follicle growth development. This work contributes to understanding of the genetic basis of goat litter size and provides theoretical support for goat molecular breeding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng-Li Liu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Hui-Long Mou
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Ri-Su Na
- Animal Sciences, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, China
| | - Xiao Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Peng-Fei Hu
- Institute of Antler Science and Product Technology, Changchun Sci-Tech University, Changchun, China
| | - Simone Ceccobelli
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, Università Politecnica Delle Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Yong-Fu Huang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Guang-Xin E
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
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Reyer H, Abou-Soliman I, Schulze M, Henne H, Reinsch N, Schoen J, Wimmers K. Genome-Wide Association Analysis of Semen Characteristics in Piétrain Boars. Genes (Basel) 2024; 15:382. [PMID: 38540441 PMCID: PMC10969825 DOI: 10.3390/genes15030382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2024] [Revised: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Since artificial insemination is common practice in pig breeding, the quality and persistence of the semen are decisive for the usability of individual boars. In the current study, genome-wide association analyses were performed to investigate the genetic variability underlying phenotypic variations in semen characteristics. These traits comprise sperm morphology and sperm motility under different temporal and thermal storage conditions, in addition to standard semen quality parameters. Two consecutive samples of the fourth and fifth ejaculates from the same boar were comprehensively analyzed in a genotyped Piétrain boar population. A total of 13 genomic regions on different chromosomes were identified that contain single-nucleotide polymorphisms significantly associated with these traits. Subsequent analysis of the genomic regions revealed candidate genes described to be involved in spermatogenesis, such as FOXL3, GPER1, PDGFA, PRKAR1B, SNRK, SUN1, and TSPO, and sperm motility, including ARRDC4, CEP78, DNAAF5, and GPER1. Some of these genes were also associated with male fertility or infertility in mammals (e.g., CEP78, GPER1). The analyses based on these laboriously determined and valuable phenotypes contribute to a better understanding of the genetic background of male fertility traits in pigs and could prospectively contribute to the improvement of sperm quality through breeding approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henry Reyer
- Research Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN), 18196 Dummerstorf, Germany; (I.A.-S.); (N.R.); (K.W.)
| | - Ibrahim Abou-Soliman
- Research Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN), 18196 Dummerstorf, Germany; (I.A.-S.); (N.R.); (K.W.)
- Department of Animal and Poultry Breeding, Desert Research Center, Cairo 11753, Egypt
| | - Martin Schulze
- Institute for Reproduction of Farm Animals Schönow, 16321 Bernau, Germany;
| | | | - Norbert Reinsch
- Research Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN), 18196 Dummerstorf, Germany; (I.A.-S.); (N.R.); (K.W.)
| | - Jennifer Schoen
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW), 10315 Berlin, Germany;
- Institute of Biotechnology, Technische Universität Berlin, 10623 Berlin, Germany
| | - Klaus Wimmers
- Research Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN), 18196 Dummerstorf, Germany; (I.A.-S.); (N.R.); (K.W.)
- Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of Rostock, 18059 Rostock, Germany
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Davoudi P, Do DN, Colombo S, Rathgeber B, Sargolzaei M, Plastow G, Wang Z, Hu G, Valipour S, Miar Y. Genome-wide association studies for economically important traits in mink using copy number variation. Sci Rep 2024; 14:24. [PMID: 38167844 PMCID: PMC10762091 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-50497-3] [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: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Copy number variations (CNVs) are structural variants consisting of duplications and deletions of DNA segments, which are known to play important roles in the genetics of complex traits in livestock species. However, CNV-based genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have remained unexplored in American mink. Therefore, the purpose of the current study was to investigate the association between CNVs and complex traits in American mink. A CNV-based GWAS was performed with the ParseCNV2 software program using deregressed estimated breeding values of 27 traits as pseudophenotypes, categorized into traits of growth and feed efficiency, reproduction, pelt quality, and Aleutian disease tests. The study identified a total of 10,137 CNVs (6968 duplications and 3169 deletions) using the Affymetrix Mink 70K single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array in 2986 American mink. The association analyses identified 250 CNV regions (CNVRs) associated with at least one of the studied traits. These CNVRs overlapped with a total of 320 potential candidate genes, and among them, several genes have been known to be related to the traits such as ARID1B, APPL1, TOX, and GPC5 (growth and feed efficiency traits); GRM1, RNASE10, WNT3, WNT3A, and WNT9B (reproduction traits); MYO10, and LIMS1 (pelt quality traits); and IFNGR2, APEX1, UBE3A, and STX11 (Aleutian disease tests). Overall, the results of the study provide potential candidate genes that may regulate economically important traits and therefore may be used as genetic markers in mink genomic breeding programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pourya Davoudi
- Department of Animal Science and Aquaculture, Dalhousie University, Truro, NS, Canada
| | - Duy Ngoc Do
- Department of Animal Science and Aquaculture, Dalhousie University, Truro, NS, Canada
| | - Stefanie Colombo
- Department of Animal Science and Aquaculture, Dalhousie University, Truro, NS, Canada
| | - Bruce Rathgeber
- Department of Animal Science and Aquaculture, Dalhousie University, Truro, NS, Canada
| | - Mehdi Sargolzaei
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
- Select Sires Inc., Plain City, OH, USA
| | - Graham Plastow
- Livestock Gentec, Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Zhiquan Wang
- Livestock Gentec, Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Guoyu Hu
- Department of Animal Science and Aquaculture, Dalhousie University, Truro, NS, Canada
| | - Shafagh Valipour
- Department of Animal Science and Aquaculture, Dalhousie University, Truro, NS, Canada
| | - Younes Miar
- Department of Animal Science and Aquaculture, Dalhousie University, Truro, NS, Canada.
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Chang C, He X, Di R, Wang X, Han M, Liang C, Chu M. Transcriptome Analysis Reveals Differentially Expressed circRNAs Associated with Fecundity in Small-Tail Han Sheep Thyroid with Different FecB Genotypes. Animals (Basel) 2023; 14:105. [PMID: 38200837 PMCID: PMC10777913 DOI: 10.3390/ani14010105] [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: 10/07/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/25/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Litter size is an economically important trait in sheep, and it is a complex trait controlled by multiple genes in multiple organs. Among them, the regulation of lamb number trait by the thyroid gland is a very important part. However, the molecular mechanisms of the thyroid gland in sheep reproduction remain unclear. Here, RNA-seq was used to detect transcriptome expression patterns in the thyroid gland between follicular phase (FP) and luteal phase (LP) in FecB BB (MM) and FecB ++ (ww) STH sheep, respectively, and to identify differentially expressed circRNAs (DECs) associated with reproduction. Bioinformatic analysis of the source genes of these DECs revealed that they can be enriched in multiple signaling pathways involved in the reproductive process of animals. We found that the source genes of these DECs, such as GNAQ, VEGFC, MAPK1, STAT1, and HSD17B7, may play important roles in the reproductive process of animals. To better understand the function of these DECs, we constructed circRNA-miRNA co-expression networks. Dual luciferase reporter assays suggested that a ceRNA regulatory mechanism between circ_0003259-oar-miR-133-TXLNA and circ_0012128-oar-miR-370-3p-FGFR1 may hold. All of these DEC expression profiles in the thyroid gland provide a novel resource for elucidating the regulatory mechanisms underlying STH sheep prolificacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Chang
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing 100193, China; (C.C.); (X.H.); (R.D.); (X.W.)
- College of Animal Science, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu 030801, China;
| | - Xiaoyun He
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing 100193, China; (C.C.); (X.H.); (R.D.); (X.W.)
| | - Ran Di
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing 100193, China; (C.C.); (X.H.); (R.D.); (X.W.)
| | - Xiangyu Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing 100193, China; (C.C.); (X.H.); (R.D.); (X.W.)
| | - Miaoceng Han
- College of Animal Science, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu 030801, China;
| | - Chen Liang
- College of Animal Science, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu 030801, China;
| | - Mingxing Chu
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing 100193, China; (C.C.); (X.H.); (R.D.); (X.W.)
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Wang J, Suo J, Yang R, Zhang CL, Li X, Han Z, Zhou W, Liu S, Gao Q. Genetic diversity, population structure, and selective signature of sheep in the northeastern Tarim Basin. Front Genet 2023; 14:1281601. [PMID: 38028584 PMCID: PMC10666172 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1281601] [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: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Local sheep in the northeastern Tarim Basin can adapt to dry and low-rainfall regional environments. In this study, three local sheep breeds in the northeastern Tarim Basin, LOP (LOP) sheep, Bayinbuluke (BYK) sheep, and Kunlun (KUN, also known as the Qiemo sheep) sheep, and three introduced sheep breeds, Suffolk (SUF) sheep, Dorset (APD) sheep, and Texel (TEX) sheep, were analyzed for genetic diversity, population structure, and selective signature using the Illumina OvineSNP50K BeadChip. We found that LOP, BYK, and KUN had lower observed heterozygosity and expected heterozygosity than TEX, SUF, and ADP, which were differentiated based on geographic distribution. We performed fixation index (FST) analysis on three local sheep breeds in the northeastern Tarim Basin (LOP, BYK, and KUN) and introduced sheep breeds (TEX, SUF, and ADP) to measure genetic differentiation. Nucleotide diversity (PI) analysis was performed on single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data of LOP, BYK, and KUN. A total of 493 candidate genes were obtained by taking the intersection at a threshold of 5%. Among them, SMAD2, ESR2, and HAS2 were related to reproductive traits. PCDH15, TLE4, and TFAP2B were related to growth traits. SOD1, TSHR, and DNAJB5 were related to desert environmental adaptation. Analyzing the genetic patterns of local sheep in the northeastern Tarim Basin can protect the germplasm resources of local sheep and promote the development and utilization of sheep genetic resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jieru Wang
- Key Laboratory of Protection and Utilization of Biological Resources in Tarim Basin Co-Funded by Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps and The Ministry of Science and Technology, College of Life Science and Technology, Tarim University, Alar, Xinjiang, China
- Key Laboratory of Tarim Animal Husbandry Science and Technology of Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, College of Animal Science and Technology, Tarim University, Alar, China
- Livestock and Forage Resources in Circum-Tarim Region, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Tarim University, Alar, China
| | - Jiajia Suo
- Key Laboratory of Protection and Utilization of Biological Resources in Tarim Basin Co-Funded by Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps and The Ministry of Science and Technology, College of Life Science and Technology, Tarim University, Alar, Xinjiang, China
| | - Ruizhi Yang
- Key Laboratory of Protection and Utilization of Biological Resources in Tarim Basin Co-Funded by Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps and The Ministry of Science and Technology, College of Life Science and Technology, Tarim University, Alar, Xinjiang, China
| | - Cheng-Long Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Tarim Animal Husbandry Science and Technology of Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, College of Animal Science and Technology, Tarim University, Alar, China
- Livestock and Forage Resources in Circum-Tarim Region, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Tarim University, Alar, China
| | - Xiaopeng Li
- Key Laboratory of Tarim Animal Husbandry Science and Technology of Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, College of Animal Science and Technology, Tarim University, Alar, China
- Livestock and Forage Resources in Circum-Tarim Region, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Tarim University, Alar, China
| | - Zhipeng Han
- Key Laboratory of Tarim Animal Husbandry Science and Technology of Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, College of Animal Science and Technology, Tarim University, Alar, China
- Livestock and Forage Resources in Circum-Tarim Region, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Tarim University, Alar, China
| | - Wen Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Tarim Animal Husbandry Science and Technology of Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, College of Animal Science and Technology, Tarim University, Alar, China
- Livestock and Forage Resources in Circum-Tarim Region, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Tarim University, Alar, China
| | - Shudong Liu
- Key Laboratory of Tarim Animal Husbandry Science and Technology of Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, College of Animal Science and Technology, Tarim University, Alar, China
- Livestock and Forage Resources in Circum-Tarim Region, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Tarim University, Alar, China
| | - Qinghua Gao
- Key Laboratory of Protection and Utilization of Biological Resources in Tarim Basin Co-Funded by Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps and The Ministry of Science and Technology, College of Life Science and Technology, Tarim University, Alar, Xinjiang, China
- Key Laboratory of Tarim Animal Husbandry Science and Technology of Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, College of Animal Science and Technology, Tarim University, Alar, China
- Livestock and Forage Resources in Circum-Tarim Region, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Tarim University, Alar, China
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Xie S, Isaacs K, Becker G, Murdoch BM. A computational framework for improving genetic variants identification from 5,061 sheep sequencing data. J Anim Sci Biotechnol 2023; 14:127. [PMID: 37779189 PMCID: PMC10544426 DOI: 10.1186/s40104-023-00923-3] [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: 03/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pan-genomics is a recently emerging strategy that can be utilized to provide a more comprehensive characterization of genetic variation. Joint calling is routinely used to combine identified variants across multiple related samples. However, the improvement of variants identification using the mutual support information from multiple samples remains quite limited for population-scale genotyping. RESULTS In this study, we developed a computational framework for joint calling genetic variants from 5,061 sheep by incorporating the sequencing error and optimizing mutual support information from multiple samples' data. The variants were accurately identified from multiple samples by using four steps: (1) Probabilities of variants from two widely used algorithms, GATK and Freebayes, were calculated by Poisson model incorporating base sequencing error potential; (2) The variants with high mapping quality or consistently identified from at least two samples by GATK and Freebayes were used to construct the raw high-confidence identification (rHID) variants database; (3) The high confidence variants identified in single sample were ordered by probability value and controlled by false discovery rate (FDR) using rHID database; (4) To avoid the elimination of potentially true variants from rHID database, the variants that failed FDR were reexamined to rescued potential true variants and ensured high accurate identification variants. The results indicated that the percent of concordant SNPs and Indels from Freebayes and GATK after our new method were significantly improved 12%-32% compared with raw variants and advantageously found low frequency variants of individual sheep involved several traits including nipples number (GPC5), scrapie pathology (PAPSS2), seasonal reproduction and litter size (GRM1), coat color (RAB27A), and lentivirus susceptibility (TMEM154). CONCLUSION The new method used the computational strategy to reduce the number of false positives, and simultaneously improve the identification of genetic variants. This strategy did not incur any extra cost by using any additional samples or sequencing data information and advantageously identified rare variants which can be important for practical applications of animal breeding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shangqian Xie
- Department of Animal, Veterinary & Food Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, USA
| | | | - Gabrielle Becker
- Department of Animal, Veterinary & Food Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, USA
| | - Brenda M Murdoch
- Department of Animal, Veterinary & Food Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, USA.
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Dong S, Hou B, Yang C, Li Y, Sun B, Guo Y, Deng M, Liu D, Liu G. Comparative Hypothalamic Transcriptome Analysis Reveals Crucial mRNAs, lncRNAs, and circRNAs Affecting Litter Size in Goats. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:444. [PMID: 36833370 PMCID: PMC9956962 DOI: 10.3390/genes14020444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2023] [Revised: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Litter size is an important indicator to measure the reproductive performance of goats, which is affected by the reproductive function of animals. The hypothalamus, as the regulatory center of the endocrine system, plays an important role in the reproduction of female animals. Here, we performed high-throughput RNA sequencing using hypothalamic tissue from high-fecundity and low-fecundity Leizhou goats to explore critical functional genes associated with litter size. Differentially expressed mRNA, lncRNA, and circRNAs were screened using DESeq and were enriched, and then analyzed by Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Gene and Genome. Results showed that some of these differentially expressed mRNAs could be enriched in reproductive processes, jak-STAT, prolactin signaling pathway, and other signaling pathways related to reproduction, such as SOCS3. Furthermore, the central proteins POSTN, MFAP5, and DCN from protein-protein interaction may regulate animal reproductive activity by affecting cell proliferation and apoptosis. lncRNA MSTRG.33887.2 as well as circRNAs chicirc_098002, chicirc_072583, and chicirc_053531 may be able to influence animal reproduction by participating in folate metabolism and energy metabolism homeostasis through their respective target genes. Our results expand the molecular mechanism of hypothalamic regulation on animal reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Guangbin Liu
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
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Wang C, Yang L, Xiao T, Li J, Liu Q, Xiong S. Identification and expression analysis of zebrafish gnaq in the hypothalamic–Pituitary–Gonadal axis. Front Genet 2022; 13:1015796. [DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.1015796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The G proteins have emerged as essential molecular switches in a wide variety of signal transduction pathways. Gαq, encoded by G protein subunit alpha q (gnaq), is a member of the G proteins and participates in regulating important biological activities in mammals; however, its function and regulatory mechanism in teleost remain largely unclear. In the current study, we cloned the cDNA of gnaq from zebrafish (Danio rerio) and investigated the expression characteristics of Gαq/gnaq in reproductive tissues. RT-PCR and WISH analyses showed that gnaq was widely expressed in zebrafish tissues, with high expression in the brain, olfactory brain, and hypothalamus. During the embryonic development stage, the gnaq was mainly distributed in the hypothalamus after 72 h post-fertilization. In addition, immunohistochemistry analysis revealed that the Gαq protein was highly expressed in the diffuse nucleus of the inferior hypothalamic lobe (DIL), ventral zone of the periventricular hypothalamus (Hv), and caudal zone of the periventricular hypothalamus (Hc) in adult zebrafish. Furthermore, in the gonads, the Gαq protein was found in oocytes of all stages, except spermatids. Lastly, the gnaq mRNA exhibited relatively low expression in gonads on Day 4 during the reproductive cycle, while increasing drastically in the hypothalamus and pituitary afterward. Altogether, our results suggest that gnaq/Gαq might be important in fish reproduction.
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Zhang Z, Sui Z, Zhang J, Li Q, Zhang Y, Wang C, Li X, Xing F. Identification of Signatures of Selection for Litter Size and Pubertal Initiation in Two Sheep Populations. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12192520. [PMID: 36230262 PMCID: PMC9559472 DOI: 10.3390/ani12192520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Revised: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Fecundity is an important economic trait in sheep that directly affects their economic and productive efficiency. Our study aimed to identify SNP loci associated with sheep puberty or litter size which could be used in future breeding programs to improve fertility. Genomic DNA was obtained from Hetian and Cele Black sheep breeds and used for reduced-representation genome sequencing to identify SNP loci associated with pubertal initiation and litter size. Selective signatures analysis was performed based on the fixation index and nucleotide diversity, followed by pathway analysis of the genes contained in the selected regions. The selected SNP loci in the genes associated with pubertal initiation and litter size were validated using both sheep breeds. In total, 384,718 high quality SNPs were obtained and 376 genes were selected. Functional annotation of genes and enrichment analysis identified 12 genes associated with pubertal initiation and 11 genes associated with litter size. SNP locus validation showed that two SNP on PAK1 and four on ADCY1 may be associated with pubertal initiation, and one SNP on GNAQ gene (NC_040253.1: g.62677376G > A) was associated with litter size in Cele Black sheep. Our results provide new theoretical support for sheep breeding.
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