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Home / Equine Research Bank / Anim Genet / An analysis of skin thickness in the Dezhou donkey populatio...
Animal genetics2022; 53(3); 368-379; doi: 10.1111/age.13196

An analysis of skin thickness in the Dezhou donkey population and identification of candidate genes by RNA-seq.

Abstract: The aim of the present study was to analyze the main factors that have a significant impact on skin thickness, and to further identify the genes and signaling pathways regulating skin growth by RNA-seq in Dezhou donkeys. Skin samples from different body regions of 15 slaughtered donkeys were obtained to study variations in skin thickness over the bodies. Skin thickness data for another 514 donkeys was obtained by minimally invasive skin sampling from the back, and measurements of the donkeys' body size traits and pedigree data were also collected. These data were used to analyze changes in skin thickness and estimate genetic parameters. In addition, transcriptomic analysis was conducted on the skin tissues of individuals from two groups with significant differences in skin thickness. Our results showed that skin thickness over the bodies ranged from 1.08 to 4.36 mm. The skin from the back was the thickest and had the highest correlation with that of other regions of the body. The skin thickness decreased from the back to the side of the ventral abdomen, and the skin thickness on the limbs increased from the proximal end to the distal end. The results also showed that the skin from the same body regions of jacks was thicker than that of jennies in the same age group. The skin thickness of jennies increased from birth to the age of 2 and then clearly decreased after 2 years of age. The estimated heritability of skin thickness was 0.15, and the genetic correlations between skin thickness and body size traits were negligible. Transcriptome analysis showed that the thick-skin group had 65 up-regulated genes and 38 down-regulated genes compared with the thin-skin group. The differentially expressed genes were highly enriched in epidermal development and cell adhesion molecule signaling pathways. We identified the candidate genes responsible for variations in skin thickness in the Dezhou donkey, including KRT10, KRT1, CLDN9, MHCII and MMP28. These results contribute to a better understanding of the growth and development of donkey skin, reveal the molecular mechanism responsible for donkey skin thickness and suggest directions for genetic selection in the Dezhou donkey population.
© 2022 Stichting International Foundation for Animal Genetics.
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Publication Date: 2022-03-21 PubMed ID: 35307856DOI: 10.1111/age.13196Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

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The study aimed to understand the factors affecting the thickness of skin in Dezhou donkeys and identify the genes involved in skin growth. The research revealed that the skin’s thickness varied across different body areas and varied by age and sex in donkeys. The research also identified several genes associated with skin thickness.

Sampling and Data Collection

  • For this study, skin samples from different body areas of 15 slaughtered donkeys were taken to examine the variations in skin thickness across the body.
  • The skin thickness data for another 514 donkeys were collected using minimally invasive skin sampling from the back.
  • The donkeys’ body size traits and pedigree data were also procured for this study. This information was used to analyze changes in skin thickness along with the estimation of genetic parameters.

Findings on Skin thickness variations

  • The thickness of the skin over the bodies of the donkeys ranged between 1.08 to 4.36 mm. The thickest skin was found at the back of the donkeys and had the highest correlation with skin thickness in other body regions.
  • The skin thickness decreased from the back towards the side of the ventral abdomen whereas the thickness of the skin on the limbs increased from the proximal end (near the center of the body) to the distal end (far from the center).
  • Interestingly, male donkeys (jacks) had thicker skin than female donkeys (jennies) in the same age group. In the case of female donkeys, their skin thickness increased from birth to the age of 2, and then clearly started to decrease after 2 years of age.

Heritability and Genetic Correlation

  • The heritability (capacity of a trait to be passed from one generation to the next) of skin thickness was estimated to be 0.15, suggesting a moderate degree of genetic influence.
  • It was found that the genetic correlations between skin thickness and body size traits were negligible, indicating that body size does not significantly affect skin thickness.

Transcriptome Analysis

  • The transcriptome analysis (profiling of all genes expressed) of the skin tissues revealed that the group with thicker skin had 65 up-regulated genes and 38 down-regulated genes in comparison to the thin-skin group.
  • The differentially expressed genes were highly enriched in processes related to epidermal (skin surface) development and cell adhesion molecule signaling pathways, which are critical for maintaining the integrity of the skin.

Identification of Candidate Genes

  • Specific genes associated with variations in skin thickness in the Dezhou donkeys were identified through this research. These include KRT10, KRT1, CLDN9, MHCII, and MMP28.

To conclude, this study offers a deeper comprehension of the growth and development of donkey skin and reveals the molecular mechanism responsible for donkey skin thickness. These results could guide genetic selection in the Dezhou donkey population.

Cite This Article

APA
Wang M, Li H, Zhang X, Yang L, Liu Y, Liu S, Sun Y, Zhao C. (2022). An analysis of skin thickness in the Dezhou donkey population and identification of candidate genes by RNA-seq. Anim Genet, 53(3), 368-379. https://doi.org/10.1111/age.13196

Publication

Animal genetics
ISSN: 1365-2052
NlmUniqueID: 8605704
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 53
Issue: 3
Pages: 368-379

Researcher Affiliations

Wang, Min
  • College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China.
  • Equine Center, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China.
  • Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture, Beijing, China.
  • Laboratory of Animal Genetics Resource and Molecular Breeding, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China.
  • National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, Beijing, China.
Li, Haijing
  • National Engineering Research Center for Gelatin-Based Traditional Chinese Medicine, Dong-E E-Jiao Co. Ltd, Liaocheng, China.
Zhang, Xinhao
  • National Engineering Research Center for Gelatin-Based Traditional Chinese Medicine, Dong-E E-Jiao Co. Ltd, Liaocheng, China.
Yang, Li
  • National Engineering Research Center for Gelatin-Based Traditional Chinese Medicine, Dong-E E-Jiao Co. Ltd, Liaocheng, China.
Liu, Yu
  • College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China.
  • Equine Center, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China.
  • Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture, Beijing, China.
  • Laboratory of Animal Genetics Resource and Molecular Breeding, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China.
  • National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, Beijing, China.
Liu, Shuqin
  • College of Animal Science and Technology, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, China.
Sun, Yujiang
  • College of Animal Science and Technology, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, China.
Zhao, Chunjiang
  • College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China.
  • Equine Center, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China.
  • Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture, Beijing, China.
  • Laboratory of Animal Genetics Resource and Molecular Breeding, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China.
  • National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, Beijing, China.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Body Size / genetics
  • Equidae / genetics
  • Female
  • Phenotype
  • RNA-Seq

Grant Funding

  • 201605410411094 / Key Research and Development Project of College and Enterprise, the Study on Comprehensive Supporting Technologies for Breeding of Dong-e Black Donkey (the Part of combined Selection)
  • 3193308 / Open Project of Shandong Collaborative Innovation Center for Donkey Industry Technology
  • IRT1191 / Program for Changjiang Scholars and Innovative Research Team in University
  • 2017LZGC020 / Agriculture Improved Varieties Project of Shandong Province, China, Breeding Specialization Varieties (strains) with High Yield and Quality Production of Donkey Hides and Meat
  • Z171100002217072 / Beijing Key Laboratory for Genetic Improvement of Livestock and Poultry
  • Germplasm Bank for Domesticated Animals
  • 19211183 / Project of Construction of Technical Route for Phenotypic Identification of Donkey Skin and Meat Traits

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Citations

This article has been cited 3 times.
  1. Huang B, Khan MZ, Chai W, Ullah Q, Wang C. Exploring Genetic Markers: Mitochondrial DNA and Genomic Screening for Biodiversity and Production Traits in Donkeys.. Animals (Basel) 2023 Aug 27;13(17).
    doi: 10.3390/ani13172725pubmed: 37684989google scholar: lookup
  2. Liu LL, Chen B, Chen SL, Liu WJ. A Genome-Wide Association Study of the Chest Circumference Trait in Xinjiang Donkeys Based on Whole-Genome Sequencing Technology.. Genes (Basel) 2023 May 14;14(5).
    doi: 10.3390/genes14051081pubmed: 37239441google scholar: lookup
  3. Wang T, Shi X, Liu Z, Ren W, Wang X, Huang B, Kou X, Liang H, Wang C, Chai W. A Novel A > G Polymorphism in the Intron 1 of LCORL Gene Is Significantly Associated with Hide Weight and Body Size in Dezhou Donkey.. Animals (Basel) 2022 Sep 27;12(19).
    doi: 10.3390/ani12192581pubmed: 36230323google scholar: lookup
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