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A gene catalogue of the euchromatic male-specific region of the horse Y chromosome: comparison with human and other mammals.
Abstract: Studies of the Y chromosome in primates, rodents and carnivores provide compelling evidence that the male specific region of Y (MSY) contains functional genes, many of which have specialized roles in spermatogenesis and male-fertility. Little similarity, however, has been found between the gene content and sequence of MSY in different species. This hinders the discovery of species-specific male fertility genes and limits our understanding about MSY evolution in mammals. Here, a detailed MSY gene catalogue was developed for the horse--an odd-toed ungulate. Using direct cDNA selection from horse testis, and sequence analysis of Y-specific BAC clones, 37 horse MSY genes/transcripts were identified. The genes were mapped to the MSY BAC contig map, characterized for copy number, analyzed for transcriptional profiles by RT-PCR, examined for the presence of ORFs, and compared to other mammalian orthologs. We demonstrate that the horse MSY harbors 20 X-degenerate genes with known orthologs in other eutherian species. The remaining 17 genes are acquired or novel and have so far been identified only in the horse or donkey Y chromosomes. Notably, 3 transcripts were found in the heterochromatic part of the Y. We show that despite substantial differences between the sequence, gene content and organization of horse and other mammalian Y chromosomes, the functions of MSY genes are predominantly related to testis and spermatogenesis. Altogether, 10 multicopy genes with testis-specific expression were identified in the horse MSY, and considered likely candidate genes for stallion fertility. The findings establish an important foundation for the study of Y-linked genetic factors governing fertility in stallions, and improve our knowledge about the evolutionary processes that have shaped Y chromosomes in different mammalian lineages.
Publication Date: 2011-07-25 PubMed ID: 21799735PubMed Central: PMC3143126DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0021374Google Scholar: Lookup The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Comparative Study
- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
- Research Support
- U.S. Gov't
- Non-P.H.S.
Summary
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The research paper reports a detailed study about the unique genes identified within the male-specific region of Y (MSY) chromosome in horses, noting that despite structural differences between horse and other mammalian Y chromosomes, the functions of the genes are predominantly related to male fertility.
Research Background and Aim
- The researchers were intrigued by the evidence gathered from previous studies on primates, rodents, and carnivores that showed the presence of functional genes within the MSY, which are crucial for male fertility and spermatogenesis.
- However, they recognized a difficulty in pinpointing species-specific male fertility genes due to the lack of similarity in the gene content and sequence of MSY across different species.
- This study aimed to create a comprehensive gene catalogue for the horse’s MSY, improve the understanding of MSY evolution in mammals, and perhaps give a lead for the discovery of species-specific male fertility genes.
Methods
- The scientists employed cDNA selection directly from horse testis and conducted sequence analysis of Y-specific BAC clones to identify MSY genes/transcripts in horses.
- They characterized the identified 37 horse MSY genes. This involved mapping the genes to the MSY BAC contig map, characterizing them for copy number, analyzing the transcriptional profiles using RT-PCR, checking for the presence of Open Reading Frames (ORFs), and comparing with other mammalian orthologs.
Findings
- The researchers are claiming to have found 20 X-degenerate genes on horse MSY that have known orthologs in other eutherian species.
- They also managed to identify a unique category of 17 genes that, so far, have only been found in the horse or donkey Y chromosomes. Out of these, 3 transcripts were discovered in the heterochromatic part of the Y.
- The results point to a primary role of these genes in the horse MSY in relation to testis functions and spermatogenesis, regardless of the remarkable differences in sequence, gene content, and organization compared with other mammalian Y chromosomes.
- Remarkably, they found 10 multicopy genes with testis-specific expression in the horse MSY, potentially linked to stallion fertility.
Conclusion
- The findings of this research set an important groundwork for future research into Y-linked genetic factors affecting fertility in stallions.
- Further, the catalogued horse MSY genes enhance the understanding of the evolutionary processes that have influenced the formation and organization of Y chromosomes across different mammalian lineages.
Cite This Article
APA
Paria N, Raudsepp T, Pearks Wilkerson AJ, O'Brien PC, Ferguson-Smith MA, Love CC, Arnold C, Rakestraw P, Murphy WJ, Chowdhary BP.
(2011).
A gene catalogue of the euchromatic male-specific region of the horse Y chromosome: comparison with human and other mammals.
PLoS One, 6(7), e21374.
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0021374 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Cats
- Cattle
- Contig Mapping
- DNA, Complementary / genetics
- Euchromatin / genetics
- Evolution, Molecular
- Female
- Fertility / genetics
- Gene Dosage / genetics
- Horses / genetics
- Horses / physiology
- Humans
- Male
- Mice
- Open Reading Frames / genetics
- RNA, Messenger / genetics
- Sex Characteristics
- Testis / metabolism
- X Chromosome / genetics
- Y Chromosome / genetics
Conflict of Interest Statement
The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.
References
This article includes 89 references
Citations
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