EquCab_Finn: A new reference genome assembly for the domestic horse, Finnhorse.
Abstract: Finnhorse is Finland's native and national horse breed and it has genetic affinities to northern European and Asian horses. It has historical importance for agriculture, forest work and transport and as a war horse. Finnhorse has four breeding sections in the studbook and is under conservation and characterisation efforts. We sequenced and annotated the genome of a Finnhorse mare from the working horse section using PacBio and Omni-C data. This genome can complement the existing Thoroughbred reference genome (EquCab 3.0) and facilitate genetic studies of horses from northern Eurasia. We assembled 2.4 Gb of the genome with an N50 scaffold length of 83.8 Mb and the genome annotation resulted in a total of 19 748 protein coding genes of which 1200 were Finnhorse specific. The assembly has high quality and synteny with the current horse reference genome. We manually curated five genes of interest and deposited the final assembly in the European Nucleotide Archive under the accession no. PRJEB71364.
© 2024 The Author(s). Animal Genetics published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Stichting International Foundation for Animal Genetics.
Publication Date: 2024-07-10 PubMed ID: 38986537DOI: 10.1111/age.13463Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research study presents the genetic sequencing and annotation of the genome of the Finnhorse, Finland’s native horse breed. The results provide a complementary reference genome to the existing Thoroughbred genome and can facilitate further genetic studies on horses from northern Eurasia.
Objective of the Research
- The researchers set out to sequence and annotate the genome of a Finnhorse mare. Finnhorse, native to Finland and having genetic ties to northern European and Asian horses, holds significant historical importance. This study, which profiles its genome, could offer additional insights into its characteristics and aid in conservation efforts.
Methodology
- The team used PacBio and Omni-C data for sequencing the Finnhorse genome. PacBio sequencing is a technology that provides long, highly accurate reads, thus making it suitable for comprehensive genome sequencing.
- The Finnhorse mare used for this study belonged to the working horse section, one of the four breeding sections in the studbook of Finnhorses.
Results and Findings
- The researchers successfully assembled 2.4 Gb of the genome, with an N50 scaffold (a measure of the quality of a genome assembly) length of 83.8 Mb.
- The genome annotation revealed a total of 19 748 protein coding genes. Among these, 1200 genes were specific to Finnhorses.
- They manually curated five genes of interest and have made this data available for future research through the European Nucleotide Archive (accession no. PRJEB71364).
- The Finnhorse genome assembly yielded high quality and synteny (the conservation of blocks of order within two sets of chromosomes that are being compared with each other) with the current horse reference genome, EquCab 3.0, used for Thoroughbreds.
Implications
- This new reference genome for the Finnhorse complements the existing Thoroughbred reference genome. It enhances genetic studies focusing on horses from northern Eurasia.
- Such genomic explorations could provide crucial insights into the specific traits and lineage of Finnhorses, thus aiding in their preservation and breeding activities.
Cite This Article
APA
Pokharel K, Weldenegodguad M, Reilas T, Kantanen J.
(2024).
EquCab_Finn: A new reference genome assembly for the domestic horse, Finnhorse.
Anim Genet.
https://doi.org/10.1111/age.13463 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), Jokioinen, Finland.
- Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), Helsinki, Finland.
- Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), Jokioinen, Finland.
- Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), Jokioinen, Finland.
Grant Funding
- The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
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