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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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Qiu Z, Cai W, Liu Q, Liu K, Liu C, Yang H, Huang R, Li P, Zhao Q. Unravelling novel and pleiotropic genes for cannon bone circumference and bone mineral density in Yorkshire pigs. J Anim Sci 2024; 102:skae036. [PMID: 38330300 PMCID: PMC10914368 DOI: 10.1093/jas/skae036] [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: 10/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Leg weakness is a prevalent health condition in pig farms. The augmentation of cannon bone circumference and bone mineral density can effectively improve limb strength in pigs and alleviate leg weakness. This study measured forelimb cannon bone circumference (fCBC) and rear limb cannon bone circumference (rCBC) using an inelastic tapeline and rear limb metatarsal area bone mineral density (raBMD) using a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry bone density scanner. The samples of Yorkshire castrated boars were genotyped using a 50K single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array. The SNP-chip data were imputed to the level of whole-genome sequencing data (iWGS). This study used iWGS data to perform genome-wide association studies and identified novel significant SNPs associated with fCBC on SSC6, SSC12, and SSC13, rCBC on SSC12 and SSC14, and raBMD on SSC7. Based on the high phenotypic and genetic correlations between CBC and raBMD, multi-trait meta-analysis was performed to identify pleiotropic SNPs. A significant potential pleiotropic quantitative trait locus (QTL) regulating both CBC and raBMD was identified on SSC15. Bayes fine mapping was used to establish the confidence intervals for these novel QTLs with the most refined confidence interval narrowed down to 56 kb (15.11 to 15.17 Mb on SSC12 for fCBC). Furthermore, the confidence interval for the potential pleiotropic QTL on SSC15 in the meta-analysis was narrowed down to 7.45 kb (137.55 to137.56 Mb on SSC15). Based on the biological functions of genes, the following genes were identified as novel regulatory candidates for different phenotypes: DDX42, MYSM1, FTSJ3, and MECOM for fCBC; SMURF2, and STC1 for rCBC; RGMA for raBMD. Additionally, RAMP1, which was determined to be located 23.68 kb upstream of the confidence interval of the QTL on SSC15 in the meta-analysis, was identified as a potential pleiotropic candidate gene regulating both CBC and raBMD. These findings offered valuable insights for identifying pathogenic genes and elucidating the genetic mechanisms underlying CBC and BMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zijian Qiu
- Key Laboratory in Nanjing for Evaluation and Utilization of Pigs Resources, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Areas of China, Institute of Swine Science, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Wenwu Cai
- Key Laboratory in Nanjing for Evaluation and Utilization of Pigs Resources, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Areas of China, Institute of Swine Science, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Qian Liu
- Key Laboratory in Nanjing for Evaluation and Utilization of Pigs Resources, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Areas of China, Institute of Swine Science, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Kaiyue Liu
- Key Laboratory in Nanjing for Evaluation and Utilization of Pigs Resources, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Areas of China, Institute of Swine Science, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Chenxi Liu
- Key Laboratory in Nanjing for Evaluation and Utilization of Pigs Resources, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Areas of China, Institute of Swine Science, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Huilong Yang
- Key Laboratory in Nanjing for Evaluation and Utilization of Pigs Resources, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Areas of China, Institute of Swine Science, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Ruihua Huang
- Key Laboratory in Nanjing for Evaluation and Utilization of Pigs Resources, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Areas of China, Institute of Swine Science, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
- Huaian Academy, Nanjing Agricultural University, Huaian 223005, China
| | - Pinghua Li
- Key Laboratory in Nanjing for Evaluation and Utilization of Pigs Resources, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Areas of China, Institute of Swine Science, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
- Huaian Academy, Nanjing Agricultural University, Huaian 223005, China
| | - Qingbo Zhao
- Key Laboratory in Nanjing for Evaluation and Utilization of Pigs Resources, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Areas of China, Institute of Swine Science, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
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Park J, Do KT, Park KD, Lee HK. Genome-wide association study using a single-step approach for teat number in Duroc, Landrace and Yorkshire pigs in Korea. Anim Genet 2023; 54:743-751. [PMID: 37814452 DOI: 10.1111/age.13357] [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: 09/25/2022] [Revised: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 10/11/2023]
Abstract
We investigated the genetic basis of teat number in sows, which is an important factor in their reproductive performance. We collected genotyping data from 20 353 pigs of three breeds (Duroc, Landrace and Yorkshire) using the Porcine SNP60K Bead Chip, and analyzed phenotypic data from 240 603 pigs. The heritability values of total teat number were 0.33 ± 0.02, 0.51 ± 0.01 and 0.50 ± 0.01 in Duroc, Landrace and Yorkshire pigs, respectively. A genome-wide association study was used to identify significant chromosomal regions associated with teat number in SSC7 and SSC9 in Duroc pig, SSC3, SSC7 and SSC18 in Landrace pig, and SSC7, SSC8 and SSC10 in Yorkshire pig. Among the markers, MARC0038565, located between the vertnin (VRTN) and synapse differentiation-inducing 1-like (SYNDIG1L) genes, showed the strongest association in the Duroc pig and was significant in all breeds. In Landrace and Yorkshire pigs, the most significant markers were located within the apoptosis resistant E3 ubiquitin protein ligase 1 (AREL1) and latent transforming growth factor beta-binding protein 2 (LTBP2) genes in SSC7, respectively. VRTN is a candidate gene regulating the teat number. Most markers were located in SSC7, indicating their significance in determining teat number and their potential as valuable genomic selection targets for improving this trait. Extensive linkage disequilibrium blocks were identified in SSC7, supporting their use in genomic selection strategies. Our study provides valuable insights into the genetic architecture of teat numbers in pigs, and helps identify candidate genes and genomic regions that may contribute to this economically important trait.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Park
- Department of Animal Biotechnology, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju, Korea
| | - Kyoung-Tag Do
- Department of Animal Biotechnology, Jeju National University, Jeju, Korea
| | - Kyung-Do Park
- Department of Animal Biotechnology, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju, Korea
| | - Hak-Kyo Lee
- Department of Animal Biotechnology, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju, Korea
- Department of Agricultural Convergence Technology, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju, Korea
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Zhou F, Quan J, Ruan D, Qiu Y, Ding R, Xu C, Ye Y, Cai G, Liu L, Zhang Z, Yang J, Wu Z, Zheng E. Identification of Candidate Genes for Economically Important Carcass Cutting in Commercial Pigs through GWAS. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:3243. [PMID: 37893967 PMCID: PMC10603759 DOI: 10.3390/ani13203243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Revised: 10/08/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
During the process of pork production, the carcasses of pigs are divided and sold, which provides better economic benefits and market competitiveness for pork production than selling the carcass as a whole. Due to the significant cost of post-slaughter phenotypic measurement, the genetic architecture of tenderloin weight (TLNW) and rib weight (RIBW)-important components of pig carcass economic value-remain unknown. In this study, we conducted genome-wide association studies (GWAS) for TLNW and RIBW traits in a population of 431 Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire (DLY) pigs. In our study, the most significant single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) associated with TLNW was identified as ASGA0085853 (3.28 Mb) on Sus scrofa chromosome 12 (SSC12), while for RIBW, it was Affx-1115046258 (172.45 Mb) on SSC13. Through haplotype block analysis, we discovered a novel quantitative trait locus (QTL) associated with TLNW, spanning a 5 kb region on SSC12, and a novel RIBW-associated QTL spanning 1.42 Mb on SSC13. Furthermore, we hypothesized that three candidate genes, TIMP2 and EML1, and SMN1, are associated with TLNW and RIBW, respectively. Our research not only addresses the knowledge gap regarding TLNW, but also serves as a valuable reference for studying RIBW. The identified SNP loci strongly associated with TLNW and RIBW may prove useful for marker-assisted selection in pig breeding programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fuchen Zhou
- College of Animal Science and National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; (F.Z.); (J.Q.); (D.R.); (Y.Q.); (R.D.); (C.X.); (Y.Y.); (G.C.); (L.L.); (Z.Z.); (J.Y.)
| | - Jianping Quan
- College of Animal Science and National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; (F.Z.); (J.Q.); (D.R.); (Y.Q.); (R.D.); (C.X.); (Y.Y.); (G.C.); (L.L.); (Z.Z.); (J.Y.)
| | - Donglin Ruan
- College of Animal Science and National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; (F.Z.); (J.Q.); (D.R.); (Y.Q.); (R.D.); (C.X.); (Y.Y.); (G.C.); (L.L.); (Z.Z.); (J.Y.)
| | - Yibin Qiu
- College of Animal Science and National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; (F.Z.); (J.Q.); (D.R.); (Y.Q.); (R.D.); (C.X.); (Y.Y.); (G.C.); (L.L.); (Z.Z.); (J.Y.)
| | - Rongrong Ding
- College of Animal Science and National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; (F.Z.); (J.Q.); (D.R.); (Y.Q.); (R.D.); (C.X.); (Y.Y.); (G.C.); (L.L.); (Z.Z.); (J.Y.)
| | - Cineng Xu
- College of Animal Science and National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; (F.Z.); (J.Q.); (D.R.); (Y.Q.); (R.D.); (C.X.); (Y.Y.); (G.C.); (L.L.); (Z.Z.); (J.Y.)
| | - Yong Ye
- College of Animal Science and National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; (F.Z.); (J.Q.); (D.R.); (Y.Q.); (R.D.); (C.X.); (Y.Y.); (G.C.); (L.L.); (Z.Z.); (J.Y.)
| | - Gengyuan Cai
- College of Animal Science and National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; (F.Z.); (J.Q.); (D.R.); (Y.Q.); (R.D.); (C.X.); (Y.Y.); (G.C.); (L.L.); (Z.Z.); (J.Y.)
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
- Guangdong Zhongxin Breeding Technology Co., Ltd., Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Langqing Liu
- College of Animal Science and National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; (F.Z.); (J.Q.); (D.R.); (Y.Q.); (R.D.); (C.X.); (Y.Y.); (G.C.); (L.L.); (Z.Z.); (J.Y.)
| | - Zebin Zhang
- College of Animal Science and National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; (F.Z.); (J.Q.); (D.R.); (Y.Q.); (R.D.); (C.X.); (Y.Y.); (G.C.); (L.L.); (Z.Z.); (J.Y.)
| | - Jie Yang
- College of Animal Science and National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; (F.Z.); (J.Q.); (D.R.); (Y.Q.); (R.D.); (C.X.); (Y.Y.); (G.C.); (L.L.); (Z.Z.); (J.Y.)
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Zhenfang Wu
- College of Animal Science and National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; (F.Z.); (J.Q.); (D.R.); (Y.Q.); (R.D.); (C.X.); (Y.Y.); (G.C.); (L.L.); (Z.Z.); (J.Y.)
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
- Guangdong Zhongxin Breeding Technology Co., Ltd., Guangzhou 510642, China
- Yunfu Subcenter of Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Yunfu 527400, China
| | - Enqin Zheng
- College of Animal Science and National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; (F.Z.); (J.Q.); (D.R.); (Y.Q.); (R.D.); (C.X.); (Y.Y.); (G.C.); (L.L.); (Z.Z.); (J.Y.)
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
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Zhao P, Peng C, Fang L, Wang Z, Liu GE. Taming transposable elements in livestock and poultry: a review of their roles and applications. Genet Sel Evol 2023; 55:50. [PMID: 37479995 PMCID: PMC10362595 DOI: 10.1186/s12711-023-00821-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Livestock and poultry play a significant role in human nutrition by converting agricultural by-products into high-quality proteins. To meet the growing demand for safe animal protein, genetic improvement of livestock must be done sustainably while minimizing negative environmental impacts. Transposable elements (TE) are important components of livestock and poultry genomes, contributing to their genetic diversity, chromatin states, gene regulatory networks, and complex traits of economic value. However, compared to other species, research on TE in livestock and poultry is still in its early stages. In this review, we analyze 72 studies published in the past 20 years, summarize the TE composition in livestock and poultry genomes, and focus on their potential roles in functional genomics. We also discuss bioinformatic tools and strategies for integrating multi-omics data with TE, and explore future directions, feasibility, and challenges of TE research in livestock and poultry. In addition, we suggest strategies to apply TE in basic biological research and animal breeding. Our goal is to provide a new perspective on the importance of TE in livestock and poultry genomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengju Zhao
- Hainan Institute of Zhejiang University, Hainan Sanya, 572000, China
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Zhejiang, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Chen Peng
- Hainan Institute of Zhejiang University, Hainan Sanya, 572000, China
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Zhejiang, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Lingzhao Fang
- Center for Quantitative Genetics and Genomics, Aarhus University, 8000, Aarhus, Denmark.
| | - Zhengguang Wang
- Hainan Institute of Zhejiang University, Hainan Sanya, 572000, China.
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Zhejiang, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China.
| | - George E Liu
- Animal Genomics and Improvement Laboratory, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Agricultural Research Service, USDA, Beltsville, MD, 20705, USA.
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Xie Q, Zhang Z, Chen Z, Sun J, Li M, Wang Q, Pan Y. Integration of Selection Signatures and Protein Interactions Reveals NR6A1, PAPPA2, and PIK3C2B as the Promising Candidate Genes Underlying the Characteristics of Licha Black Pig. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:biology12040500. [PMID: 37106701 PMCID: PMC10135650 DOI: 10.3390/biology12040500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2023] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023]
Abstract
Licha black (LI) pig has the specific characteristics of larger body length and appropriate fat deposition among Chinese indigenous pigs. Body length is one of the external traits that affect production performance, and fat deposition influences meat quality. However, the genetic characteristics of LI pigs have not yet been systematically uncovered. Here, the genomic information from 891 individuals of LI pigs, commercial pigs, and other Chinese indigenous pigs was used to analyze the breed characteristics of the LI pig with runs of homozygosity, haplotype, and FST selection signatures. The results showed the growth traits-related genes (i.e., NR6A1 and PAPPA2) and the fatness traits-related gene (i.e., PIK3C2B) were the promising candidate genes that closely related to the characteristics of LI pigs. In addition, the protein–protein interaction network revealed the potential interactions between the promising candidate genes and the FASN gene. The RNA expression data from FarmGTEx indicated that the RNA expression levels of NR6A1, PAPPA2, PIK3C2B, and FASN were highly correlated in the ileum. This study provides valuable molecular insights into the mechanisms that affect pig body length and fat deposition, which can be used in the further breeding process to improve meat quality and commercial profitability.
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Lan Q, Deng Q, Qi S, Zhang Y, Li Z, Yin S, Li Y, Tan H, Wu M, Yin Y, He J, Liu M. Genome-Wide Association Analysis Identified Variants Associated with Body Measurement and Reproduction Traits in Shaziling Pigs. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:522. [PMID: 36833449 PMCID: PMC9957351 DOI: 10.3390/genes14020522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2023] [Revised: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
With the increasing popularity of genomic sequencing, breeders pay more attention to identifying the crucial molecular markers and quantitative trait loci for improving the body size and reproduction traits that could affect the production efficiency of pig-breeding enterprises. Nevertheless, for the Shaziling pig, a well-known indigenous breed in China, the relationship between phenotypes and their corresponding genetic architecture remains largely unknown. Herein, in the Shaziling population, a total of 190 samples were genotyped using the Geneseek Porcine 50K SNP Chip, obtaining 41857 SNPs for further analysis. For phenotypes, two body measurement traits and four reproduction traits in the first parity from the 190 Shaziling sows were measured and recorded, respectively. Subsequently, a genome-wide association study (GWAS) between the SNPs and the six phenotypes was performed. The correlation between body size and reproduction phenotypes was not statistically significant. A total of 31 SNPs were found to be associated with body length (BL), chest circumference (CC), number of healthy births (NHB), and number of stillborns (NSB). Gene annotation for those candidate SNPs identified 18 functional genes, such as GLP1R, NFYA, NANOG, COX7A2, BMPR1B, FOXP1, SLC29A1, CNTNAP4, and KIT, which exert important roles in skeletal morphogenesis, chondrogenesis, obesity, and embryonic and fetal development. These findings are helpful to better understand the genetic mechanism for body size and reproduction phenotypes, while the phenotype-associated SNPs could be used as the molecular markers for the pig breeding programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qun Lan
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China
| | - Qiuchun Deng
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China
| | - Shijin Qi
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China
| | - Yuebo Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China
| | - Zhi Li
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China
| | - Shishu Yin
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China
| | - Yulian Li
- Xiang Dong Experiment Station, Hunan Provincial Pig Industrial Technology System, Xiangtan 411100, China
| | - Hong Tan
- Xiang Dong Experiment Station, Hunan Provincial Pig Industrial Technology System, Xiangtan 411100, China
| | - Maisheng Wu
- Xiang Dong Experiment Station, Hunan Provincial Pig Industrial Technology System, Xiangtan 411100, China
| | - Yulong Yin
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China
- Key Laboratory of Agro-Ecological Processes in Subtropical Region, Institute of Subtropical Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Hunan Provincial Engineering Research Center for Healthy Livestock and Poultry Production; Scientific Observing and Experimental Station of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science in South-Central, Ministry of Agriculture, Changsha 410125, China
| | - Jun He
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China
| | - Mei Liu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China
- Kunpeng Institute of Modern Agriculture at Foshan, Foshan 528226, China
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Lagarrigue S, Lorthiois M, Degalez F, Gilot D, Derrien T. LncRNAs in domesticated animals: from dog to livestock species. Mamm Genome 2021; 33:248-270. [PMID: 34773482 PMCID: PMC9114084 DOI: 10.1007/s00335-021-09928-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Animal genomes are pervasively transcribed into multiple RNA molecules, of which many will not be translated into proteins. One major component of this transcribed non-coding genome is the long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), which are defined as transcripts longer than 200 nucleotides with low coding-potential capabilities. Domestic animals constitute a unique resource for studying the genetic and epigenetic basis of phenotypic variations involving protein-coding and non-coding RNAs, such as lncRNAs. This review presents the current knowledge regarding transcriptome-based catalogues of lncRNAs in major domesticated animals (pets and livestock species), covering a broad phylogenetic scale (from dogs to chicken), and in comparison with human and mouse lncRNA catalogues. Furthermore, we describe different methods to extract known or discover novel lncRNAs and explore comparative genomics approaches to strengthen the annotation of lncRNAs. We then detail different strategies contributing to a better understanding of lncRNA functions, from genetic studies such as GWAS to molecular biology experiments and give some case examples in domestic animals. Finally, we discuss the limitations of current lncRNA annotations and suggest research directions to improve them and their functional characterisation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Matthias Lorthiois
- Univ Rennes, CNRS, IGDR (Institut de Génétique et Développement de Rennes) - UMR 6290, 2 av Prof Leon Bernard, F-35000, Rennes, France
| | - Fabien Degalez
- INRAE, INSTITUT AGRO, PEGASE UMR 1348, 35590, Saint-Gilles, France
| | - David Gilot
- CLCC Eugène Marquis, INSERM, Université Rennes, UMR_S 1242, 35000, Rennes, France
| | - Thomas Derrien
- Univ Rennes, CNRS, IGDR (Institut de Génétique et Développement de Rennes) - UMR 6290, 2 av Prof Leon Bernard, F-35000, Rennes, France.
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Revealing New Candidate Genes for Teat Number Relevant Traits in Duroc Pigs Using Genome-Wide Association Studies. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11030806. [PMID: 33805666 PMCID: PMC7998181 DOI: 10.3390/ani11030806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2021] [Revised: 03/04/2021] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Number of teats is very important for lactating sows. We conducted genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and estimated the genetic parameters for traits related to teat number. Results showed that there were nine and 22 SNPs exceeding genome-wide significance and suggestive significance levels, respectively. Eighteen genes annotated near them were concentrated on chromosomes 7 and 10. Among them, three new candidate genes were located on the genomic regions around the significant SNPs. Our findings provide new insight into investigating the complex genetic mechanism of traits related to teat number in pigs. Abstract The number of teats is related to the nursing ability of sows. In the present study, we conducted genome-wide association studies (GWAS) for traits related to teat number in Duroc pig population. Two mixed models, one for counted and another for binary phenotypic traits, were employed to analyze seven traits: the right (RTN), left (LTN), and total (TTN) teat numbers; maximum teat number on a side (MAX); left minus right side teat number (LR); the absolute value of LR (ALR); and the presence of symmetry between left and right teat numbers (SLR). We identified 11, 1, 4, 13, and 9 significant SNPs associated with traits RTN, LTN, MAX, TTN, and SLR, respectively. One significant SNP (MARC0038565) was found to be simultaneous associated with RTN, LTN, MAX and TTN. Two annotated genes (VRTN and SYNDIG1L) were located in genomic region around this SNP. Three significant SNPs were shown to be associated with TTN, RTN and MAX traits. Seven significant SNPs were simultaneously detected in two traits of TTN and RTN. Other two SNPs were only identified in TTN. These 13 SNPs were clustered in the genomic region between 96.10—98.09 Mb on chromosome 7. Moreover, nine significant SNPs were shown to be significantly associated with SLR. In total, four and 22 SNPs surpassed genome-wide significance and suggestive significance levels, respectively. Among candidate genes annotated, eight genes have documented association with the teat number relevant traits. Out of them, DPF3 genes on Sus scrofa chromosome (SSC) 7 and the NRP1 gene on SSC 10 were new candidate genes identified in this study. Our findings demonstrate the genetic mechanism of teat number relevant traits and provide a reference to further improve reproductive performances in practical pig breeding programs.
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Fan Y, Han Z, ARBAB AAI, Yang Y, Yang Z. Effect of Aging Time on Meat Quality of Longissimus Dorsi from Yunling Cattle: A New Hybrid Beef Cattle. Animals (Basel) 2020; 10:ani10101897. [PMID: 33081174 PMCID: PMC7602736 DOI: 10.3390/ani10101897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Revised: 10/13/2020] [Accepted: 10/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Beef is in great demand in many countries. Consumers are more inclined to buy beef with good tenderness, color, flavor, and healthy fatty acid composition. Beef that has been aged is often more suitable for cooking and processing. A research gap exists regarding the analysis of meat quality during the aging process in Yunling cattle, a new hybrid beef cattle bred by Chinese researchers. This study measured a set of indicators of Yunling beef and other two breeds as controls (Simmental cattle, an excellent beef cattle breed used around the world, and Wenshan cattle, a local beef cattle breed in southern China), including the pH, water loss rate, cooking loss, Warner-Bratzler shear force, myofibrillar fragmentation index, inosine 5′-monophosphate, color, and fatty acid profiles. In addition, some growth performance and carcass characteristics were determined. The results showed that the pH, water holding capacity, growth performance, and carcass traits of Yunling and Simmental cattle were basically the same and better, respectively, than those of Wenshan cattle. Aging time had no effect on beef fatty acid composition, with Yunling beef showing a healthier fatty acid profile versus the other two breeds. With increased aging time, the tenderness and color of Yunling beef became more suitable for cooking and sensory characteristics. Therefore, this study suggests that Yunling beef should be used for cooking and processing after aging. Abstract The beef aging process is essential for compliance with certain major requisites, such as sensory characteristics for cooking and meat processing. Meat quality analysis of Yunling cattle, a new hybrid beef cattle bred by Chinese researchers, during the aging process, represents a major research gap. To explore Yunling beef initially, indicators associated with meat quality during the aging process of Yunling, Simmental, and Wenshan cattle were measured. In addition, some important economic traits were detected in the three breeds, including growth performance and carcass characteristics. The results showed that the growth performance, carcass traits, pH, and water holding capacity of Yunling and Simmental cattle were basically the same and better, respectively, than those of Wenshan cattle. The proportions of individual fatty acids in Yunling beef were healthier than in the other two breeds. Aging time did not affect the fatty acid profiles of the beef (p > 0.05). The contents of certain fatty acids in the three beef types displayed some differences in terms of days of aging (p < 0.05). The tenderness and meat color were better in the Yunling beef as the aging time increased, indicating that Yunling beef aged for 7 days was more suitable for cooking, exhibiting better sensory characteristics. Thus, a 7-day short-term aging process is very effective in improving the quality of Yunling beef. Our study attempted to fill a gap in the Yunling beef quality analysis during aging, providing further evidence for Yunling beef improvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongliang Fan
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China; (Y.F.); (Z.H.); (A.A.I.A.)
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture & Agri-Product Safety, Ministry of Education, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Ziyin Han
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China; (Y.F.); (Z.H.); (A.A.I.A.)
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture & Agri-Product Safety, Ministry of Education, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Abdelaziz Adam Idriss ARBAB
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China; (Y.F.); (Z.H.); (A.A.I.A.)
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture & Agri-Product Safety, Ministry of Education, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Yi Yang
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for the Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China;
| | - Zhangping Yang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China; (Y.F.); (Z.H.); (A.A.I.A.)
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture & Agri-Product Safety, Ministry of Education, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +86-0514-8797-9269
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