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Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2023; 13(4); 769; doi: 10.3390/ani13040769

Identification of Personality-Related Candidate Genes in Thoroughbred Racehorses Using a Bioinformatics-Based Approach Involving Functionally Annotated Human Genes.

Abstract: Considering the personality traits of racehorses (e.g., flightiness, anxiety, and affability) is considered essential to improve training efficiency and decrease accident frequency, especially when retraining for a second career that may involve contact with inexperienced personnel after retiring from racing. Studies on human personality-related genes are frequently conducted; however, such studies are rare in horses because a consistent methodology for personality evaluation is lacking. Using the recently published whole genome variant database of 101 Thoroughbred horses, we compared horse genes orthologous to human genes related to the Big Five personality traits, and identified 18 personality-related candidate genes in horses. These genes include 55 variants that involve non-synonymous substitutions that highly impact the encoded protein. Moreover, we evaluated the allele frequencies and functional impact on the proteins in terms of the difference in molecular weights and hydrophobicity levels between reference and altered amino acids. We identified 15 newly discovered genes that may affect equine personality, but their associations with personality are still unclear. Although more studies are required to compare genetic and behavioral information to validate this approach, it may be useful under limited conditions for personality evaluation.
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Publication Date: 2023-02-20 PubMed ID: 36830556PubMed Central: PMC9951868DOI: 10.3390/ani13040769Google 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 researchers of this study explored the genetic basis of personality traits in Thoroughbred horses, identifying 18 possible candidate genes that could influence behaviours like anxiety and affability. This was achieved by comparing horse genes to human genes associated with the Big Five personality traits, and further assessing the functional impact of genetic alterations.

Overview of the Methodology

  • The researchers utilized a database of whole genome variants from 101 Thoroughbred horses as their primary resource.
  • They identified horse genes that are orthologous i.e., equivalent to human genes related to the “Big Five” personality traits, which are Openness, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, and Neuroticism.
  • They selected 18 genes from horses that they speculated could be related to personality traits, based on these comparisons.

Investigation of Identified Genes

  • These 18 candidate genes incorporated 55 variants that involve what’s called non-synonymous substitutions – changes in the genetic sequence that can significantly alter the protein encoded by the gene.
  • The research team studied the allele frequencies of these variations, as well as their functional consequence on the proteins. They performed this by assessing differences in molecular weights and hydrophobicity levels between the reference (original) and altered amino acids.

Outcome of the Research

  • The researchers discovered 15 new genes that could potentially influence equine personality, although their exact associations with personality traits are not completely understood at this stage.

Need for Further Studies

  • The work signals a preliminary exploration into the genetic basis of personality in horses, and although it shows promise, the authors emphasise that more research is needed.
  • Further investigations will require comparing genetic information with behavioural information to solidify the link between these identified genes and personality traits.
  • If confirmed, this research could be useful for guiding horse training and understanding variable responses to training across individual horses, particularly given the limitations currently associated with evaluating horse personality.

Cite This Article

APA
Yokomori T, Ohnuma A, Tozaki T, Segawa T, Itou T. (2023). Identification of Personality-Related Candidate Genes in Thoroughbred Racehorses Using a Bioinformatics-Based Approach Involving Functionally Annotated Human Genes. Animals (Basel), 13(4), 769. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13040769

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 13
Issue: 4
PII: 769

Researcher Affiliations

Yokomori, Tamu
  • Nihon University Veterinary Research Center, Fujisawa 252-0880, Kanagawa, Japan.
Ohnuma, Aoi
  • Genetic Analysis Department, Laboratory of Racing Chemistry, Utsunomiya 320-0851, Tochigi, Japan.
Tozaki, Teruaki
  • Genetic Analysis Department, Laboratory of Racing Chemistry, Utsunomiya 320-0851, Tochigi, Japan.
Segawa, Takao
  • Nihon University Veterinary Research Center, Fujisawa 252-0880, Kanagawa, Japan.
Itou, Takuya
  • Nihon University Veterinary Research Center, Fujisawa 252-0880, Kanagawa, Japan.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Citations

This article has been cited 2 times.
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