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Cavedon M, vonHoldt B, Hebblewhite M, Hegel T, Heppenheimer E, Hervieux D, Mariani S, Schwantje H, Steenweg R, Watters M, Musiani M. Selection of both habitat and genes in specialized and endangered caribou. CONSERVATION BIOLOGY : THE JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR CONSERVATION BIOLOGY 2022; 36. [PMID: 35146809 DOI: 10.1111/cobi.13900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2021] [Revised: 01/26/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Genetic mechanisms determining habitat selection and specialization of individuals within species have been hypothesized, but not tested at the appropriate individual level in nature. In this work, we analyzed habitat selection for 139 GPS-collared caribou belonging to three declining ecotypes sampled throughout Northwestern Canada. We used Resource Selection Functions (RSFs) comparing resources at used and available locations. We found that the three caribou ecotypes differed in their use of habitat suggesting specialization. On expected grounds, we also found differences in habitat selection between summer and winter, but also, originally, among the individuals within an ecotype. We next obtained Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) for the same caribou individuals, we detected those associated to habitat selection, and then identified genes linked to these SNPs. These genes had functions related in other organisms to habitat and dietary specializations, and climatic adaptations. We therefore suggest that individual variation in habitat selection was based on genotypic variation in the SNPs of individual caribou, indicating that genetic forces underlie habitat and diet selection in the species. We also suggest that the associations between habitat and genes that we detected may lead to lack of resilience in the species, thus contributing to caribou endangerment. Our work emphasizes that similar mechanisms may exist for other specialized, endangered species. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Cavedon
- Faculty of Environmental Design, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Bridgett vonHoldt
- Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University, 106A Guyot Hall, Princeton, NJ, 08544-2016, USA
| | - Mark Hebblewhite
- Wildlife Biology Program, Department of Ecosystem and Conservation Sciences, College of Forestry and Conservation, University of Montana, Montana, MT, 59812, USA
| | - Troy Hegel
- Yukon Department of Environment, Whitehorse, Yukon, Y1A 2C6, Canada
- Fish and Wildlife Stewardship Branch, Alberta Environment and Parks, 4999 98 Ave., Edmonton, AB, T6B 2×3, Canada
| | - Elizabeth Heppenheimer
- Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University, 106A Guyot Hall, Princeton, NJ, 08544-2016, USA
| | - Dave Hervieux
- Fish and Wildlife Stewardship Branch, Alberta Environment and Parks, Grande Prairie, AB, T8V 6J4, Canada
| | - Stefano Mariani
- School of Natural Sciences and Psychology, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK
| | - Helen Schwantje
- Wildlife and Habitat Branch, Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development, Government of British Columbia, 2080 Labieux Road, Nanaimo, BC, V9T 6J 9, Canada
| | - Robin Steenweg
- Pacific Region, Canadian Wildlife Service, Environment and Climate Change Canada, 5421 Robertson Road, Delta, BC, V4K 3N2, Canada
| | - Megan Watters
- Land and Resource Specialist, 300 - 10003 110th Avenue Fort, St. John, BC, V1J 6M7, Canada
| | - Marco Musiani
- Dept. of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science and Veterinary Medicine (Joint Appointment), University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4, Canada
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Zhao Z, Tian H, Shi B, Jiang Y, Liu X, Hu J. Transcriptional Regulation of the Bovine Fatty Acid Transport Protein 1 Gene by Krüppel-Like Factors 15. Animals (Basel) 2019; 9:ani9090654. [PMID: 31491871 PMCID: PMC6769441 DOI: 10.3390/ani9090654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2019] [Revised: 08/29/2019] [Accepted: 08/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The nutritional value and qualities of beef are enhanced when the unsaturated fatty acid content is increased. Fatty acid transport protein 1 (FATP1), also called SLC27A1, an integral membrane protein that facilitates long-chain fatty acid influx, is involved in the genetic network for oleic acid synthesis in beef. Polymorphisms in bovine SLC27A1 gene are most significantly associated with oleic acid. Its expression exhibits significant positive correlations with bovine intramuscular fat content in the longissimus thoracis muscle. However, the transcription factors that contribute to the control and regulation of its expression have not been characterized extensively. In this study, we determined the tissue distribution of SLC27A1 mRNA and found that bovine SLC27A1 was highly expressed in subcutaneous adipose tissue and the longissimus thoracis muscle. Furthermore, we analyzed the molecular mechanisms involved in SLC27A1 regulation and found that the transcriptional activity of SLC27A1 gene was dependent on KLF15 transcription factor. These results may lead to an enhanced understanding of the regulation of SLC27A1 expression in other models, as well as provide new insights into the regulatory mechanism and biological functions of the SLC27A1 gene in determining the lipid composition in beef. Abstract Oleic acid is a major monounsaturated fatty acid, which accounts for about 33% of the fatty acid content in beef and is considered to have the least negative effect on serum cholesterol levels. Fatty acid transport protein 1 (FATP1), an integral membrane protein that facilitates long-chain fatty acid (LCFA) influx, is involved in the genetic network for oleic acid synthesis in beef. Its expression exhibits significant positive correlations with intramuscular fat (IMF) content in the longissimus thoracis. However, the expression mechanism of SLC27A1 or FATP1 is still unclear. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms involved in bovine SLC27A1 regulation, we cloned and characterized the promoter region of SLC27A1. By applying 5′-rapid amplification of cDNA end analysis, we identified two alternative splice variants of this gene. Using a series of 5′ deletion promoter plasmids in luciferase reporter assays, we found that the core promoter was 96 base pairs upstream from the transcription initiation site. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay combined with a site-directed mutation experiment demonstrated that KLF15 binding to the promoter region drives the SLC27A1 transcription. KLF15 plays an essential role in adipogenesis and skeletal muscle lipid flux. Thus, these results might provide further information on the regulatory roles of SLC27A1 gene in mediating the lipid composition in beef.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhidong Zhao
- College of Animal Science and Technology & Gansu Key Laboratory of Herbivorous Animal Biotechnology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China.
| | - Hongshan Tian
- College of Animal Science and Technology & Gansu Key Laboratory of Herbivorous Animal Biotechnology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China.
| | - Bingang Shi
- College of Animal Science and Technology & Gansu Key Laboratory of Herbivorous Animal Biotechnology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China.
| | - Yanyan Jiang
- College of Animal Science and Technology & Gansu Key Laboratory of Herbivorous Animal Biotechnology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China.
| | - Xiu Liu
- College of Animal Science and Technology & Gansu Key Laboratory of Herbivorous Animal Biotechnology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China.
| | - Jiang Hu
- College of Animal Science and Technology & Gansu Key Laboratory of Herbivorous Animal Biotechnology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China.
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