The study delves into the genetics of various horse breeds, identifying specific patterns of selection for traits such as size, gait, and muscle fiber composition. Particularly, it looks into two genes–MSTN and DMRT3–which respectively influence muscle fiber and gait in horses. These genes have been selected for in different breeds leading to diverse physical attributes.
Genome-Wide Analysis and Selection Traits
- The research utilized a pool of 744 individual horses from 33 different breeds and a 54,000 SNP genotyping array. Selection pressures applied over a short evolutionary time have caused homogeneity within breeds but considerable variation between them.
- The study focused on identifying breed-specific selection targets by using an F(ST)-based statistic calculated across 500-kb windows of the genome. This approach identifies areas of the genome where there is a statistically significant amount of variation between the selected populations.
The Role of MSTN and DMRT3 Genes
- The MSTN gene positioned on the ECA18 chromosome exhibited a significant signature of selection in both the Paint and Quarter Horse breeds.
- Sequencing of this gene and histological analysis of muscle biopsies revealed that variations of MSTN were significantly associated with changes in muscle fiber composition. Specifically, certain variations were linked with higher Type 2B and lower Type 1 muscle fiber proportions in the Quarter Horse. This shows that selection at this locus had tangible effects on the muscle composition of certain horse breeds.
- On chromosome ECA23, strong signatures of selection were spotted in all gaited breeds involved in the study and it led to the discovery of a shared, 186-kb haplotype including two genes related to the “doublesex” mab transcription factor genes (DMRT2 and DMRT3).
- A mutation in the DMRT3 gene within this haplotype appears necessary for alternative gaits. The recent identification of this mutation adds further evidence of selection happening at this locus.
Identification of Loci influencing Size
- The researchers also identified potential loci for the determination of size in draft breeds and the Miniature horse on chromosome ECA11.
- Other loci that were potentially under selection surrounding candidate genes were also examined, providing more details on how selection has been shaping diverse horse phenotypes.
In summary, this research underscores the importance of the MSTN gene in racing breeds, shows strong evidence for the selection of gait and size, and demonstrates the potential of population-based techniques to find genomic regions influencing crucial phenotypes in modern horses.
Equinome Ltd. (EWH, Director) has been granted a license for commercial use of MSTN data as contained within patent applications: U.S. Provisional Serial Number 61/136553; Irish Patent Application Numbers 2008/0735 and 2010/0151; and Patent Cooperation Treaty number PCT/IE2009/000062. The PCT publication WO2010/029527A published 18 March 2010. Title: “A method for predicting athletics performance potential” and U.S. publication US2011/0262915 published 27 October 2011. Title: “Method for predicting the athletic performance potential of a subject.” EWH, NO, and BAM are named on the applications. MMB works for The Genetic Edge, previously published a paper on the association between SNPs in the MSTN region and best racing distance for elite Thoroughbred horses [46], and uses these markers in commercial tests. LSA and GL are co-applicants on a patent application concerning the commercial utilization of the DMRT3 mutation. These commercial ventures had no influence on the interpretation of the results relating to myostatin or gait presented in the paper.