Genetic analysis of Sicilian autochthonous horse breeds using nuclear and mitochondrial DNA markers.
Abstract: Genetic diversity and relationship among 3 Sicilian horse breeds were investigated using 16 microsatellite markers and a 397-bp length mitochondrial D-loop sequence. The analysis of autosomal DNA was performed on 191 horses (80 Siciliano [SIC], 61 Sanfratellano [SAN], and 50 Sicilian Oriental Purebred [SOP]). SIC and SAN breeds were notably higher in genetic variability than the SOP. Genetic distances and cluster analysis showed a close relationship between SIC and SAN breeds, as expected according to the breeds' history. Sequencing of hypervariable mitochondrial DNA region was performed on a subset of 60 mares (20 for each breed). Overall, 20 haplotypes with 31 polymorphic sites were identified: A higher haplotype diversity was detected in SIC and SAN breeds, with 13 and 11 haplotypes respectively, whereas only one haplotype was found in SOP. These were compared with 118 sequences from GenBank. BLAST showed that 17 of the 20 haplotypes had been reported previously in other breeds. One haplotype, found in SIC, traces back to a Bronze Age archaeological site (Inner Mongolia). The 3 Sicilian breeds are now rare, and 2 of them are officially endangered. Our results represent a valuable tool for management strategies as well as for conservation purposes.
Publication Date: 2011-09-13 PubMed ID: 21914666DOI: 10.1093/jhered/esr091Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research article involves a genetic study on three rare Sicilian horse breeds using nuclear and mitochondrial DNA markers. The findings provide substantial information on the genetic diversity and relationships among these breeds, providing a useful resource for their conservation and management.
About the Research
- The study is essentially genetic in nature, primarily pertaining to the investigation of three Sicilian horse breeds – Siciliano (SIC), Sanfratellano (SAN), and Sicilian Oriental Purebred (SOP).
- It employs two key investigative tools: 16 microsatellite markers and a 397-bp length mitochondrial D-loop sequence.
- The study is based on the examination of 191 horses belonging to these three breeds.
- It is motivated by the fact that these Sicilian breeds are now rare, with two of them being officially endangered.
Findings of the Research
- The analysis of autosomal DNA indicated that the SIC and SAN breeds exhibit significantly higher genetic variability compared to the SOP. This was evident from the genetic distances and cluster analysis performed as part of the study.
- A close relationship was found between the SIC and SAN breeds, which is consistent with the known history of these breeds.
- A hypervariable mitochondrial DNA region sequencing was carried out on a subset of 60 mares. This yielded 20 haplotypes with 31 polymorphic sites. The SIC and SAN breeds demonstrated higher haplotype diversity with 13 and 11 haplotypes respectively. Conversely, only one haplotype was found in the SOP breed.
- These haplotypes were compared with 118 sequences from GenBank, and it was found that 17 of the 20 haplotypes had been previously recorded in other breeds. Intriguingly, one haplotype found in the SIC breed traces back to a Bronze Age archaeological site in Inner Mongolia.
Applied Aspects of the Study
- The findings of the study serve as a valuable tool for creating effective management strategies. They can guide the future breeding programs to maintain or increase the genetic diversity and resilience of these breeds.
- Furthermore, given that two of the three breeds are officially endangered, the study holds significance for conservation efforts. A detailed understanding of their genetic characteristics can aid in the development of focused conservation strategies.
Cite This Article
APA
Guastella AM, Zuccaro A, Criscione A, Marletta D, Bordonaro S.
(2011).
Genetic analysis of Sicilian autochthonous horse breeds using nuclear and mitochondrial DNA markers.
J Hered, 102(6), 753-758.
https://doi.org/10.1093/jhered/esr091 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- DISPA Sezione di Scienze delle Produzioni Animali, Università degli Studi di Catania, via Valdisavoia, 5, 95123 Catania, Italy.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Breeding
- Cluster Analysis
- DNA Fingerprinting / methods
- DNA, Mitochondrial / genetics
- Endangered Species
- Female
- Genetic Markers
- Genetic Variation
- Haplotypes
- Horses / genetics
- Male
- Microsatellite Repeats
- Mitochondria / genetics
- Phylogeny
- Phylogeography
- Polymorphism, Genetic
- Sequence Analysis, DNA
- Sicily
Citations
This article has been cited 6 times.- Criscione A, Mastrangelo S, D'Alessandro E, Tumino S, Di Gerlando R, Zumbo A, Marletta D, Bordonaro S. Genome-wide survey on three local horse populations with a focus on runs of homozygosity pattern.. J Anim Breed Genet 2022 Sep;139(5):540-555.
- Mazzatenta A, Vignoli M, Caputo M, Vignola G, Tamburro R, De Sanctis F, Roig JM, Bucci R, Robbe D, Carluccio A. Maternal Phylogenetic Relationships and Genetic Variation among Rare, Phenotypically Similar Donkey Breeds.. Genes (Basel) 2021 Jul 22;12(8).
- Lancioni H, Cardinali I, Giontella A, Antognoni MT, Miglio A. Mitochondrial DNA variation in the Italian Heavy Draught Horse.. PeerJ 2020;8:e8996.
- Othman OE, Mahrous KF, Shafey HI. Mitochondrial DNA genetic variations among four horse populations in Egypt.. J Genet Eng Biotechnol 2017 Dec;15(2):469-474.
- Cardinali I, Lancioni H, Giontella A, Capodiferro MR, Capomaccio S, Buttazzoni L, Biggio GP, Cherchi R, Albertini E, Olivieri A, Cappelli K, Achilli A, Silvestrelli M. An Overview of Ten Italian Horse Breeds through Mitochondrial DNA.. PLoS One 2016;11(4):e0153004.
- Khanshour AM, Cothran EG. Maternal phylogenetic relationships and genetic variation among Arabian horse populations using whole mitochondrial DNA D-loop sequencing.. BMC Genet 2013 Sep 13;14:83.
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