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Zhang W, Luosang C, Yuan C, Guo T, Wei C, Liu J, Lu Z. Selection signatures of wool color in Gangba sheep revealed by genome-wide SNP discovery. BMC Genomics 2024; 25:606. [PMID: 38886664 PMCID: PMC11181613 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-024-10464-2] [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: 03/03/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gangba sheep as a famous breed of Tibetan sheep, its wool color is mainly white and black. Gangba wool is economically important as a high-quality raw material for Tibetan blankets and Tibetan serge. However, relatively few studies have been conducted on the wool color of Tibetan sheep. RESULTS To fill this research gap, this study conducted an in-depth analysis of two populations of Gangba sheep (black and white wool color) using whole genome resequencing to identify genetic variation associated with wool color. Utilizing PCA, Genetic Admixture, and N-J Tree analyses, the present study revealed a consistent genetic relationship and structure between black and white wool colored Gangba sheep populations, which is consistent with their breed history. Analysis of selection signatures using multiple methods (FST, π ratio, Tajima's D), 370 candidate genes were screened in the black wool group (GBB vs GBW); among them, MC1R, MLPH, SPIRE2, RAB17, SMARCA4, IRF4, CAV1, USP7, TP53, MYO6, MITF, MC2R, TET2, NF1, JAK1, GABRR1 genes are mainly associated with melanin synthesis, melanin delivery, and distribution. The enrichment results of the candidate genes identified 35 GO entries and 19 KEGG pathways associated with the formation of the black phenotype. 311 candidate genes were screened in the white wool group (GBW vs GBB); among them, REST, POU2F1, ADCY10, CCNB1, EP300, BRD4, GLI3, and SDHA genes were mainly associated with interfering with the differentiation of neural crest cells into melanocytes, affecting the proliferation of melanocytes, and inhibiting melanin synthesis. 31 GO entries and 22 KEGG pathways were associated with the formation of the white phenotype. CONCLUSIONS This study provides important information for understanding the genetic mechanism of wool color in Gangba, and provides genetic knowledge for improving and optimizing the wool color of Tibetan sheep. Genetic improvement and selective breeding to produce wool of specific colors can meet the demand for a diversity of wool products in the Tibetan wool textile market.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wentao Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding On Tibetan Plateau, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, 730050, China
- Sheep Breeding Engineering Technology Research Center of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, 730050, China
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Cuicheng Luosang
- Institute of Animal Science, Tibet Academy of Agricultural and Animal Husbandry Sciences, Lhasa, 850009, China
| | - Chao Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding On Tibetan Plateau, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, 730050, China
- Sheep Breeding Engineering Technology Research Center of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, 730050, China
| | - Tingting Guo
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding On Tibetan Plateau, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, 730050, China
- Sheep Breeding Engineering Technology Research Center of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, 730050, China
| | - Caihong Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Jianbin Liu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding On Tibetan Plateau, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, 730050, China.
- Sheep Breeding Engineering Technology Research Center of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, 730050, China.
| | - Zengkui Lu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding On Tibetan Plateau, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, 730050, China.
- Sheep Breeding Engineering Technology Research Center of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, 730050, China.
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Zhang W, Jin M, Lu Z, Li T, Wang H, Yuan Z, Wei C. Whole Genome Resequencing Reveals Selection Signals Related to Wool Color in Sheep. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:3265. [PMID: 37893989 PMCID: PMC10603731 DOI: 10.3390/ani13203265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2023] [Revised: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Wool color is controlled by a variety of genes. Although the gene regulation of some wool colors has been studied in relative depth, there may still be unknown genetic variants and control genes for some colors or different breeds of wool that need to be identified and recognized by whole genome resequencing. Therefore, we used whole genome resequencing data to compare and analyze sheep populations of different breeds by population differentiation index and nucleotide diversity ratios (Fst and θπ ratio) as well as extended haplotype purity between populations (XP-EHH) to reveal selection signals related to wool coloration in sheep. Screening in the non-white wool color group (G1 vs. G2) yielded 365 candidate genes, among which PDE4B, GMDS, GATA1, RCOR1, MAPK4, SLC36A1, and PPP3CA were associated with the formation of non-white wool; an enrichment analysis of the candidate genes yielded 21 significant GO terms and 49 significant KEGG pathways (p < 0.05), among which 17 GO terms and 21 KEGG pathways were associated with the formation of non-white wool. Screening in the white wool color group (G2 vs. G1) yielded 214 candidate genes, including ABCD4, VSX2, ITCH, NNT, POLA1, IGF1R, HOXA10, and DAO, which were associated with the formation of white wool; an enrichment analysis of the candidate genes revealed 9 significant GO-enriched pathways and 19 significant KEGG pathways (p < 0.05), including 5 GO terms and 12 KEGG pathways associated with the formation of white wool. In addition to furthering our understanding of wool color genetics, this research is important for breeding purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wentao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing 100193, China; (W.Z.); (M.J.); (T.L.); (H.W.)
| | - Meilin Jin
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing 100193, China; (W.Z.); (M.J.); (T.L.); (H.W.)
| | - Zengkui Lu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding on Tibetan Plateau, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730050, China;
| | - Taotao Li
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing 100193, China; (W.Z.); (M.J.); (T.L.); (H.W.)
| | - Huihua Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing 100193, China; (W.Z.); (M.J.); (T.L.); (H.W.)
| | - Zehu Yuan
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety of Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China;
| | - Caihong Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing 100193, China; (W.Z.); (M.J.); (T.L.); (H.W.)
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Marshall AC, Lopez-Villalobos N, Loveday SM, Ellis A, McNabb W. Modelling Lactation Curves for Dairy Sheep in a New Zealand Flock. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13030349. [PMID: 36766237 PMCID: PMC9913856 DOI: 10.3390/ani13030349] [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: 12/12/2022] [Revised: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Lactation curves were modelled for dairy sheep in a New Zealand flock, providing information on the lactation yields of milk, fat, protein, and lactose, corrected for 130 days of milking. From 169 ewes, a total of 622 test-day records were obtained during the milk production season of 2021-2022 (from October to January). The flock produced an average of 86.1 kg of milk, 5.1 kg of fat, 4.5 kg of protein, and 4.1 kg of lactose, and moderate to large coefficients of variation were observed (27-31%) for these traits. The lactation persistency of milk, fat, protein, and lactose yields ranged from 52.3 to 72.7%. Analyses of variance for total yield and persistency were performed with an animal model that included the fixed effects of age (parity number), litter size, coat colour, and milking frequency (days in twice-a-day milking) and random residuals. Age and milking frequency were the only factors that significantly affected the yields of milk, fat, protein, and lactose. Age significantly affected the lactation persistency of milk and lactose yields, whereas litter size affected the persistency of protein, and milking frequency affected the persistency of fat. This study on this single flock provides valuable experience for a larger-scale animal breeding programme in New Zealand.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Carolina Marshall
- Department of Animal Science, School of Agriculture and Environment, Massey University, Private Bag 11 222, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand
- The Riddet Institute, Massey University, Private Bag 11 222, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand
- Correspondence:
| | - Nicolas Lopez-Villalobos
- Department of Animal Science, School of Agriculture and Environment, Massey University, Private Bag 11 222, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand
| | - Simon M. Loveday
- The Riddet Institute, Massey University, Private Bag 11 222, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand
- Singapore Institute of Food and Biotechnology Innovation (SIFBI), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore 138673, Singapore
| | - Ashling Ellis
- The Riddet Institute, Massey University, Private Bag 11 222, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand
- Smart Foods Innovation Centre of Excellence, AgResearch Ltd., Private Bag 11 008, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand
| | - Warren McNabb
- The Riddet Institute, Massey University, Private Bag 11 222, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand
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Kalds P, Zhou S, Gao Y, Cai B, Huang S, Chen Y, Wang X. Genetics of the phenotypic evolution in sheep: a molecular look at diversity-driving genes. Genet Sel Evol 2022; 54:61. [PMID: 36085023 PMCID: PMC9463822 DOI: 10.1186/s12711-022-00753-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND After domestication, the evolution of phenotypically-varied sheep breeds has generated rich biodiversity. This wide phenotypic variation arises as a result of hidden genomic changes that range from a single nucleotide to several thousands of nucleotides. Thus, it is of interest and significance to reveal and understand the genomic changes underlying the phenotypic variation of sheep breeds in order to drive selection towards economically important traits. REVIEW Various traits contribute to the emergence of variation in sheep phenotypic characteristics, including coat color, horns, tail, wool, ears, udder, vertebrae, among others. The genes that determine most of these phenotypic traits have been investigated, which has generated knowledge regarding the genetic determinism of several agriculturally-relevant traits in sheep. In this review, we discuss the genomic knowledge that has emerged in the past few decades regarding the phenotypic traits in sheep, and our ultimate aim is to encourage its practical application in sheep breeding. In addition, in order to expand the current understanding of the sheep genome, we shed light on research gaps that require further investigation. CONCLUSIONS Although significant research efforts have been conducted in the past few decades, several aspects of the sheep genome remain unexplored. For the full utilization of the current knowledge of the sheep genome, a wide practical application is still required in order to boost sheep productive performance and contribute to the generation of improved sheep breeds. The accumulated knowledge on the sheep genome will help advance and strengthen sheep breeding programs to face future challenges in the sector, such as climate change, global human population growth, and the increasing demand for products of animal origin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Kalds
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100 China
- Department of Animal and Poultry Production, Faculty of Environmental Agricultural Sciences, Arish University, El-Arish, 45511 Egypt
| | - Shiwei Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100 China
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100 China
| | - Yawei Gao
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100 China
| | - Bei Cai
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100 China
| | - Shuhong Huang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100 China
| | - Yulin Chen
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100 China
- International Joint Agriculture Research Center for Animal Bio-Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Yangling, 712100 China
| | - Xiaolong Wang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100 China
- International Joint Agriculture Research Center for Animal Bio-Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Yangling, 712100 China
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Kunene LM, Muchadeyi FC, Hadebe K, Mészáros G, Sölkner J, Dugmore T, Dzomba EF. Genetics of Base Coat Colour Variations and Coat Colour-Patterns of the South African Nguni Cattle Investigated Using High-Density SNP Genotypes. Front Genet 2022; 13:832702. [PMID: 35747604 PMCID: PMC9209731 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.832702] [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: 12/10/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Nguni cattle are a Sanga type breed with mixed B. taurus and B. indicus ancestry and proven resistance to ticks, diseases and other harsh conditions of the African geographical landscape. The multi-coloured Nguni coats have found a niche market in the leather industry leading to breeding objectives towards the promotion of such diversity. However, there is limited studies on the genomic architecture underlying the coat colour and patterns hampering any potential breeding and improvement of such trait. This study investigated the genetics of base coat colour, colour-sidedness and the white forehead stripe in Nguni cattle using coat colour phenotyped Nguni cattle and Illumina Bovine HD (770K) genotypes. Base coat colour phenotypes were categorised into eumelanin (n = 45) and pheomelanin (n = 19). Animals were categorised into either colour-sided (n = 46) or non-colour-sided (n = 94) and similarly into presence (n = 15) or absence (n = 67) of white forehead stripe. Genome-wide association tests were conducted using 622,103 quality controlled SNPs and the Efficient Mixed Model Association eXpedited method (EMMAX) implemented in Golden Helix SNP Variation Suite. The genome-wide association studies for base coat colour (eumelanin vs. pheomelanin) resulted into four indicative SNPs on BTA18 and a well-known gene, MC1R, was observed within 1 MB from the indicative SNPs (p < 0.00001) and found to play a role in the melanogenesis (core pathway for melanin production) and the MAPK signalling pathway. GWAS for colour-sidedness resulted in four indicative SNPs, none of which were in close proximity to the KIT candidate gene known for colour-sidedness. GWAS for the white forehead stripe resulted in 17 indicative SNPs on BTA6. Four genes MAPK10, EFNA5, PPP2R3C and PAK1 were found to be associated with the white forehead stripe and were part of the MAPK, adrenergic and Wnt signalling pathways that are synergistically associated with the synthesis of melanin. Overall, our results prove prior knowledge of the role of MC1R in base coat colours in cattle and suggested a different genetic mechanism for forehead stripe phenotypes in Nguni cattle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Langelihle Mbali Kunene
- Discipline of Genetics, School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Scottsville, South Africa
| | | | - Khanyisile Hadebe
- Agricultural Research Council, Biotechnology Platform, Onderstepoort, South Africa
| | - Gábor Mészáros
- Division of Livestock Sciences, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Johann Sölkner
- Division of Livestock Sciences, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Trevor Dugmore
- KZN Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
| | - Edgar Farai Dzomba
- Discipline of Genetics, School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Scottsville, South Africa
- *Correspondence: Edgar Farai Dzomba,
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Krivoruchko AY, Yatsyk OA, Skokova AV, Kanibolotskaya AA. Genetic Markers of Karachaevsky Sheep Identified by Genome-Wide Association Study. RUSS J GENET+ 2022. [DOI: 10.1134/s1022795422020090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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Gebreselassie G, Liang B, Berihulay H, Islam R, Abied A, Jiang L, Zhao Z, Ma Y. Genomic mapping identifies two genetic variants in the MC1R gene for coat colour variation in Chinese Tan sheep. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0235426. [PMID: 32817695 PMCID: PMC7444486 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0235426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2020] [Accepted: 06/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Coat colour is one of the most important economic traits of sheep and is mainly used for breed identification and characterization. This trait is determined by the biochemical function, availability and distribution of phaeomelanin and eumelanin pigments. In our study, we conducted a genome-wide association study to identify candidate genes and genetic variants associated with coat colour in 75 Chinese Tan sheep using the ovine 600K SNP BeadChip. Accordingly, we identified two significant SNPs (rs409651063 at 14.232 Mb and rs408511664 at 14.228 Mb) associated with coat colour in the MC1R gene on chromosome 14 with −log10(P) = 2.47E-14 and 1.00E-13, respectively. The consequence of rs409651063 was a missense variant (g.14231948 G>A) that caused an amino acid change (Asp105Asn); however, the second SNP (rs408511664) was a synonymous substitution and is an upstream variant (g.14228343G>A). Moreover, our PCR analysis revealed that the genotype of white sheep was exclusively homozygous (GG), whereas the genotypes of black-head sheep were mainly heterozygous (GA). Interestingly, allele-specific expression analysis (using the missense variant for the skin cDNA samples from black-head sheep) revealed that only the G allele was expressed in the skin covered with white hair, while both the G and A alleles were expressed in the skin covered with black hair. This finding indicated that the missense mutation that we identified is probably responsible for white coat colour in Tan sheep. Furthermore, qPCR analysis of MC1R mRNA level in the skin samples was significantly higher in black-head than white sheep and very significantly higher in GA than GG individuals. Taken together, these results help to elucidate the genetic mechanism underlying coat colour variation in Chinese indigenous sheep.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gebremedhin Gebreselassie
- Key Laboratory of Animal (Poultry) Genetics Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing, China
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Biotechnology Center, Ethiopian Biotechnology Institute, Ministry of Innovation and Technology, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Benmeng Liang
- Key Laboratory of Animal (Poultry) Genetics Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing, China
| | - Haile Berihulay
- Key Laboratory of Animal (Poultry) Genetics Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing, China
| | - Rabul Islam
- Key Laboratory of Animal (Poultry) Genetics Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing, China
| | - Adam Abied
- Key Laboratory of Animal (Poultry) Genetics Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing, China
| | - Lin Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Animal (Poultry) Genetics Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing, China
| | - Zhengwei Zhao
- Institute of animal science, Ningxia Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Ningxia, Yinchuan, China
- * E-mail: (YM); (ZZ)
| | - Yuehui Ma
- Key Laboratory of Animal (Poultry) Genetics Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing, China
- * E-mail: (YM); (ZZ)
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Ahmad HI, Ahmad MJ, Jabbir F, Ahmar S, Ahmad N, Elokil AA, Chen J. The Domestication Makeup: Evolution, Survival, and Challenges. Front Ecol Evol 2020. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2020.00103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
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9
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Baazaoui I, McEwan J, Anderson R, Brauning R, McCulloch A, Van Stijn T, Bedhiaf-Romdhani S. GBS Data Identify Pigmentation-Specific Genes of Potential Role in Skin-Photosensitization in Two Tunisian Sheep Breeds. Animals (Basel) 2019; 10:ani10010005. [PMID: 31861491 PMCID: PMC7022847 DOI: 10.3390/ani10010005] [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: 11/07/2019] [Revised: 12/09/2019] [Accepted: 12/11/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The Tunisian Noire de Thibar sheep breed is a composite breed, recently selected to create animals that are uniformly black in order to avoid skin photosensitization after the ingestion of toxic "hypericum perforatum" weeds, which causes a major economic loss to sheep farmers. We assessed genetic differentiation and estimated marker FST using genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) data in black (Noire de Thibar) and related white-coated (Queue fine de l'ouest) sheep breeds to identify signals of artificial selection. The results revealed the selection signatures within candidate genes related to coat color, which are assumed to be indirectly involved in the mechanism of photosensitization in sheep. The identified genes could provide important information for molecular breeding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Imen Baazaoui
- Faculty of Science of Bizerte, University of Carthage, Carthage 1054, Tunisia
| | - John McEwan
- AgResearch Ltd., Invermay Agricultural Centre; Mosgiel 9092, New Zealand
| | - Rayna Anderson
- AgResearch Ltd., Invermay Agricultural Centre; Mosgiel 9092, New Zealand
| | - Rudiger Brauning
- AgResearch Ltd., Invermay Agricultural Centre; Mosgiel 9092, New Zealand
| | - Alan McCulloch
- AgResearch Ltd., Invermay Agricultural Centre; Mosgiel 9092, New Zealand
| | - Tracey Van Stijn
- AgResearch Ltd., Invermay Agricultural Centre; Mosgiel 9092, New Zealand
| | - Sonia Bedhiaf-Romdhani
- National Agricultural Research Institute of Tunisia, Laboratory of Animal and forage Production, University of Carthage, Ariana 1004, Tunisia
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +216-25-113-344
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Transcriptomic Analysis of Coding Genes and Non-Coding RNAs Reveals Complex Regulatory Networks Underlying the Black Back and White Belly Coat Phenotype in Chinese Wuzhishan Pigs. Genes (Basel) 2019; 10:genes10030201. [PMID: 30866582 PMCID: PMC6470719 DOI: 10.3390/genes10030201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2018] [Revised: 02/21/2019] [Accepted: 02/27/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Coat color is one of the most important characteristics for distinguishing Chinese indigenous pig breeds. In Wuzhishan pigs, the animals have black on the back and white on the abdomen. However, the molecular genetic basis of this phenotype is unclear. In this study, we used high-throughput RNA sequencing to compare expression profiles of coding and non-coding RNAs from white and black skin samples obtained from individual Wuzhishan pigs. The expression profiling revealed that 194 lncRNAs (long non-coding RNAs), 189 mRNAs (messenger RNAs), and 162 miRNAs (microRNAs) had significantly different levels of expression (|log2 fold change| > 1, p-value < 0.05) in white and black skin. Compared to RNA levels in black skin, white skin had higher levels of expression of 185 lncRNAs, 181 mRNAs, and 23 miRNAs and lower levels of expression of 9 lncRNAs, 8 mRNAs, and 139 miRNAs. Functional analysis suggested that the differentially expressed transcripts are involved in biological processes such as melanin biosynthesis, pigmentation and tyrosine metabolism. Several key genes involved in melanogenesis, including MLANA, PMEL, TYR, TYRP1, DTC, TRPM1 and CAMK2A, had significantly different levels of expression in the two skin tissues. Potential lncRNA–miRNA–gene interactions were also examined. A total of 15 lncRNAs, 11 miRNAs and 7 genes formed 23 lncRNA–miRNA–gene pairs, suggesting that complex regulatory networks of coding and non-coding genes underlie the coat color trait in Wuzhishan pigs. Our study provides a foundation for understanding how lncRNA, miRNA and genes interact to regulate coat color in black-back/white-belly pigs. We also constructed lncRNA–miRNA–gene interaction networks to elucidate the complex molecular mechanisms underlying skin physiology and melanogenesis. The results extend our knowledge about the diversity of coat color among different domestic animals and provide a foundation for studying novel mechanisms that control coat color in Chinese indigenous pigs.
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