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Home / Equine Research Bank / Anim Genet / Genetic architectures and selection signatures of body heigh...
Animal genetics2022; 53(4); 487-497; doi: 10.1111/age.13211

Genetic architectures and selection signatures of body height in Chinese indigenous donkeys revealed by next-generation sequencing.

Abstract: Donkeys are widely distributed labour animals in the world. During the process of the domestication and artificial selection of domestic donkeys, body sizes show significant differences among different breeds of donkeys. Based on the genome resequencing data of 103 Chinese indigenous donkeys from 11 breeds (Biyang, Dezhou, Guangling, Hetian, Jiami, Kulun, Qingyang, Turfan, Tibetan, Xinjiang, and Yunnan), seven Spanish donkeys from two breeds (Zamorano~Leonés and Andalusian), and three wild donkeys, we investigated the population structures of Chinese domestic donkeys with different body sizes. We used F and XP-EHH analyses to explore the selected regions related to body sizes. The results showed that Chinese indigenous donkeys have a closer relationship with African wild donkeys than with Asian wild donkeys. LCORL/NCAPG, FAM184B, TBX3, and IHH were identified as genes with strong signals in analysis of selection signature (F and XP-EHH) in large and small donkeys. The seven identified variants can be served as candidate loci affecting the body size of Chinese donkeys. Five of seven loci were located in intron 9 of FAM184B and were in a haplotype block, and one of the identified variants (Chr03:112664848) located in the CDS region of the LCORL gene was found to cause stop-loss. These candidate genes and variants shed new light on the molecular basis of donkey body size and will facilitate the breeding activities of donkeys.
© 2022 Stichting International Foundation for Animal Genetics.
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Publication Date: 2022-05-10 PubMed ID: 35535569DOI: 10.1111/age.13211Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research study explores the genetic composition and selective signatures related to body height in Chinese indigenous donkeys by using advanced genome sequencing techniques. Researchers used genomic data from various breeds of Chinese and Spanish donkeys and wild donkeys to study the gene variances causing body size differences in different breeds.

Investigation and Analysis

  • The researchers used genome resequencing techniques on samples from 103 Chinese donkeys of 11 different breeds, seven Spanish donkeys, and three wild donkeys. They analyzed the genomic data to understand the population structures of Chinese donkeys with different body sizes.
  • The study used analyses methods named F and XP-EHH, which provide insights into regions of a genome that have been affected by artificial selection.
  • Results indicated that Chinese indigenous donkeys share a closer genetic relationship with African wild donkeys rather than with Asian wild donkeys.

Identified Genes and Variants

  • In the process of exploring the selected regions related to body size, the study identified four genes (LCORL/NCAPG, FAM184B, TBX3, IHH) exhibiting strong signals during the selection signature analysis.
  • These identified genes help in understanding why some donkeys are larger and others smaller.
  • The research identified seven genetic variants that can be used as candidate loci affecting the body size of Chinese donkeys.
  • Five out of the seven genetic variants were located in a particular structure of the FAM184B gene known as intron 9, and were part of a haplotype block – a set of genes that are inherited together.
  • A notable variant found in the CDS region of the LCORL gene was responsible for a stop-loss – a genetic phenomenon affecting protein production.

Implications of the Study

  • The findings look into the molecular basis of donkey body size, which provides profound insights into the domestication process and artificial selection of these animals.
  • The identified genes and genetic markers can be utilized in breeding activities of donkeys, allowing breeders to select for desired body size effectively.

Cite This Article

APA
Liu Y, Li H, Wang M, Zhang X, Yang L, Zhao C, Wu C. (2022). Genetic architectures and selection signatures of body height in Chinese indigenous donkeys revealed by next-generation sequencing. Anim Genet, 53(4), 487-497. https://doi.org/10.1111/age.13211

Publication

Animal genetics
ISSN: 1365-2052
NlmUniqueID: 8605704
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 53
Issue: 4
Pages: 487-497

Researcher Affiliations

Liu, Yu
  • Equine Center, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China.
  • College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China.
Li, Haijing
  • National Engineering Research Center for Gelatin-based Traditional Chinese Medicine, Dong-E-E-Jiao Co. Ltd, Liaocheng, China.
Wang, Min
  • Equine Center, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China.
  • College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 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.
Zhao, Chunjiang
  • Equine Center, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China.
  • College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China.
  • National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, Beijing, China.
  • Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture, Beijing, China.
  • Beijing Key Laboratory of Animal Genetic Improvement, Beijing, China.
Wu, Changxin
  • Equine Center, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China.
  • College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • China
  • Equidae / genetics
  • Genome
  • High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing
  • Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
  • Selection, Genetic
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA

Grant Funding

  • 2017LZGC020 / The Agriculture Improved Varieties Project of Shandong Province, China, Breeding Specialization Varieties (strains) with High Yield and Quality Production of Donkey Hides and Meat
  • Z171100002217072 / The Beijing Key Laboratory for Genetic Improvement of Livestock and Poultry
  • 19211183 / The Germplasm Bank for Domesticated Animals; and the Project of Construction of Technical Route for Phenotypic Identification of Donkey Skin and Meat Traits
  • 201605410411094 / The 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)
  • IRT1191 / The Program for Changjiang Scholars and Innovative Research Team in University

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Citations

This article has been cited 11 times.
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