Common protein-coding variants influence the racing phenotype in galloping racehorse breeds.
Abstract: Selection for system-wide morphological, physiological, and metabolic adaptations has led to extreme athletic phenotypes among geographically diverse horse breeds. Here, we identify genes contributing to exercise adaptation in racehorses by applying genomics approaches for racing performance, an end-point athletic phenotype. Using an integrative genomics strategy to first combine population genomics results with skeletal muscle exercise and training transcriptomic data, followed by whole-genome resequencing of Asian horses, we identify protein-coding variants in genes of interest in galloping racehorse breeds (Arabian, Mongolian and Thoroughbred). A core set of genes, G6PC2, HDAC9, KTN1, MYLK2, NTM, SLC16A1 and SYNDIG1, with central roles in muscle, metabolism, and neurobiology, are key drivers of the racing phenotype. Although racing potential is a multifactorial trait, the genomic architecture shaping the common athletic phenotype in horse populations bred for racing provides evidence for the influence of protein-coding variants in fundamental exercise-relevant genes. Variation in these genes may therefore be exploited for genetic improvement of horse populations towards specific types of racing.
© 2022. The Author(s).
Publication Date: 2022-12-13 PubMed ID: 36513809PubMed Central: PMC9748125DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-04206-xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
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- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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This research explored the genetic factors affecting the performance of racing horses, identifying common protein-coding variants in certain genes that are key in shaping the racing phenotype.
Integrated Genomics Strategy
- In order to identify genes contributing to exercise adaptation in racehorses, the researchers first combined results from population genomics with skeletal muscle exercise and training transcriptomic data.
- Population genomics is the study of genetic variations within populations, whilst skeletal muscle transcriptomics refers to the analysis of RNA molecules involved in muscle function and adaptation to exercise.
Whole-Genome Resequencing
- Following the first strategy, the team then performed whole-genome resequencing on Asian horses.
- Whole-genome resequencing is a process where the entire genome of an individual is sequenced again, allowing the detection of all genetic variations in an individual, including rare and individual-specific genetic changes.
Key Genes Identified
- The integration of these strategies revealed protein-coding variants in certain genes among three galloping racehorse breeds: Arabian, Mongolian, and Thoroughbred.
- The key identified genes were G6PC2, HDAC9, KTN1, MYLK2, NTM, SLC16A1, and SYNDIG1, each playing central roles in muscle function, metabolism, and neurobiology.
Significance of the Findings
- According to the research, these genes could be significant drivers of the racing phenotype, i.e., the observable traits contributing to athletic performance in racehorses.
- Whilst racing potential is multifactorial, determined by a combination of genetic factors, environmental factors, and training, these findings provide evidence of a common genetic framework for racing traits among horses bred for racing.
- Therefore, this research suggests that variations in these genes could be harnessed for the genetic improvement of horse populations towards specific types of racing.
Cite This Article
APA
Han H, McGivney BA, Allen L, Bai D, Corduff LR, Davaakhuu G, Davaasambuu J, Dorjgotov D, Hall TJ, Hemmings AJ, Holtby AR, Jambal T, Jargalsaikhan B, Jargalsaikhan U, Kadri NK, MacHugh DE, Pausch H, Readhead C, Warburton D, Dugarjaviin M, Hill EW.
(2022).
Common protein-coding variants influence the racing phenotype in galloping racehorse breeds.
Commun Biol, 5(1), 1320.
https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-022-04206-x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Equine Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science, Equine Research Center, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, 010018, China.
- Plusvital Ltd, The Highline, Dun Laoghaire Business Park, Dublin, A96 W5T3, Ireland.
- Royal Agricultural University, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, GL7 6JS, UK.
- Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Equine Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science, Equine Research Center, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, 010018, China.
- Plusvital Ltd, The Highline, Dun Laoghaire Business Park, Dublin, A96 W5T3, Ireland.
- Institute of Biology, Mongolian Academy of Sciences, Peace Avenue 54B, Ulaanbaatar, 13330, Mongolia.
- Ajnai Sharga Horse Racing Team, Encanto Town 210-11, Ikh Mongol State Street, 26th Khoroo, Bayanzurkh district, Ulaanbaatar, 13312, Mongolia.
- School of Industrial Technology, Mongolian University of Science and Technology, Ulaanbaatar, 661, Mongolia.
- UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, D04 V1W8, Ireland.
- Royal Agricultural University, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, GL7 6JS, UK.
- Plusvital Ltd, The Highline, Dun Laoghaire Business Park, Dublin, A96 W5T3, Ireland.
- School of Industrial Technology, Mongolian University of Science and Technology, Ulaanbaatar, 661, Mongolia.
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mongolian National University of Medical Sciences, Ulaanbaatar, 14210, Mongolia.
- Ajnai Sharga Horse Racing Team, Encanto Town 210-11, Ikh Mongol State Street, 26th Khoroo, Bayanzurkh district, Ulaanbaatar, 13312, Mongolia.
- Animal Genomics, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, ETH Zürich, Universitätstrasse 2, 8092, Zürich, Switzerland.
- UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, D04 V1W8, Ireland.
- UCD Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, D04 V1W8, Ireland.
- Animal Genomics, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, ETH Zürich, Universitätstrasse 2, 8092, Zürich, Switzerland.
- Biology and Bioengineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA.
- The Saban Research Institute, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90027, USA.
- Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Equine Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science, Equine Research Center, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, 010018, China. dmanglai@163.com.
- Plusvital Ltd, The Highline, Dun Laoghaire Business Park, Dublin, A96 W5T3, Ireland. emmeline.hill@ucd.ie.
- UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, D04 V1W8, Ireland. emmeline.hill@ucd.ie.
MeSH Terms
- Horses / genetics
- Animals
- Phenotype
- Genome
- Genome-Wide Association Study
- Genomics
- Sequence Analysis, DNA
Grant Funding
- NIEHS-1D43ES02286201 / NIH HHS
- 19FFP6879 / Science Foundation Ireland
Conflict of Interest Statement
The authors declare the following competing interests: D.E.M. and E.W.H. are shareholders in Plusvital Ltd. B.A.M., L.R.C. and A.R.H. are employees of Plusvital Ltd. Other than the authors, the funders played no role in the study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. All other authors declare no competing interests.
References
This article includes 143 references
Citations
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