Abstract: Copy Number Variation (CNV) is a common form of genetic variation underlying animal evolution and phenotypic diversity across a wide range of species. In the mammalian genome, high frequency of CNV differentiation between breeds may be candidates for population-specific selection. However, CNV differentiation, selection and its population genetics have been poorly explored in horses. Results: We investigated the patterns, population variation and gene annotation of CNV using the Axiom® Equine Genotyping Array (670,796 SNPs) from a large cohort of individuals (N = 1755) belonging to eight European horse breeds, varying from draught horses to several warmblood populations. After quality control, 152,640 SNP CNVs (individual markers), 18,800 segment CNVs (consecutive SNP CNVs of same gain/loss state or both) and 939 CNV regions (CNVRs; overlapping segment CNVs by at least 1 bp) compared to the average signal of the reference (Belgian draught horse) were identified. Our analyses showed that Equus caballus chromosome 12 (ECA12) was the most enriched in segment CNV gains and losses (~ 3% average proportion of the genome covered), but the highest number of segment CNVs were detected on ECA1 and ECA20 (regardless of size). The Friesian horses showed private SNP CNV gains (> 20% of the samples) on ECA1 and Exmoor ponies displayed private SNP CNV losses on ECA25 (> 20% of the samples). The Warmblood cluster showed private SNP CNV gains located in ECA9 and Draught cluster showed private SNP CNV losses located in ECA7. The length of the CNVRs ranged from 1 kb to 21.3 Mb. A total of 10,612 genes were annotated within the CNVRs. The PANTHER annotation of these genes showed significantly under- and overrepresented gene ontology biological terms related to cellular processes and immunity (Bonferroni P-value < 0.05). We identified 80 CNVRs overlapping with known QTL for fertility, coat colour, conformation and temperament. We also report 67 novel CNVRs. Conclusions: This work revealed that CNV patterns, in the genome of some European horse breeds, occurred in specific genomic regions. The results provide support to the hypothesis that high frequency private CNVs residing in genes may potentially be responsible for the diverse phenotypes seen between horse breeds.
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
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.
This study examines the variations in gene copy number in different horse breeds to understand how these variations contribute to their evolution and diversity.
Research Methods and Objectives
The research aimed to understand the patterns of Copy Number Variation (CNV), population variation, and gene annotation of CNV in horses, and in particular European breeds.
They used a large group of individual horses from eight different breeds, including draught horses and several warmblood populations.
The Axiom® Equine Genotyping Array was used in the study, which contained 670,796 Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs).
Findings
The analysis discovered 152,640 SNP CNVs (individual markers that indicate variation in the number of gene copies), 18,800 segment CNVs (consecutive SNP CNVs of the same gain/loss state), and 939 CNV regions (overlapping segment CNVs).
Equus caballus chromosome 12 (ECA12) had the most segment CNV gains and losses, but the highest number of segment CNVs were detected on ECA1 and ECA20.
Different horse breeds had private SNP CNV gains or losses on specific chromosomes suggesting a possible link to breed characteristics.
A total of 10,612 genes were annotated within the CNV regions, which significantly aligned with the biological terms related to cellular processes and immunity.
80 CNV regions overlapped with known Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL) for fertility, coat colour, conformation and temperament, providing potential leads for understanding breed diversity.
67 novel CNV regions were found in this study, which had not previously been reported.
Conclusions
The research found that CNV patterns in the genome of various European horse breeds occurred in specific genomic regions.
The results support the hypothesis that high frequency private CNVs residing in genes may potentially be responsible for the diverse phenotypes seen between horse breeds.
This study would potentially help in studying the genetic basis of phenotypic variations and in horse breeding programs.
Cite This Article
APA
Solé M, Ablondi M, Binzer-Panchal A, Velie BD, Hollfelder N, Buys N, Ducro BJ, François L, Janssens S, Schurink A, Viklund Å, Eriksson S, Isaksson A, Kultima H, Mikko S, Lindgren G.
(2019).
Inter- and intra-breed genome-wide copy number diversity in a large cohort of European equine breeds.
BMC Genomics, 20(1), 759.
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12864-019-6141-z
Department of Animal Breeding & Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden. marina.sole@slu.se.
Ablondi, Michela
Department of Veterinary Science, Università di Parma, Parma, Italy.
Binzer-Panchal, Amrei
Department of Medical Sciences, Array and Analysis Facility, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
Velie, Brandon D
Faculty of Life and Environmental Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
Hollfelder, Nina
Department of Medical Sciences, Array and Analysis Facility, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
Buys, Nadine
Livestock Genetics, Department of Biosystems, KU Leuven, 3001, Leuven, Belgium.
Ducro, Bart J
Animal Breeding and Genomics, Wageningen University & Research, P.O. Box 338, 6700 AH, Wageningen, the Netherlands.
François, Liesbeth
Livestock Genetics, Department of Biosystems, KU Leuven, 3001, Leuven, Belgium.
Janssens, Steven
Livestock Genetics, Department of Biosystems, KU Leuven, 3001, Leuven, Belgium.
Schurink, Anouk
Animal Breeding and Genomics, Wageningen University & Research, P.O. Box 338, 6700 AH, Wageningen, the Netherlands.
Centre for Genetic Resources, the Netherlands (CGN), Wageningen University & Research, P.O. Box 338, 6700 AH, Wageningen, the Netherlands.
Viklund, Åsa
Department of Animal Breeding & Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.
Eriksson, Susanne
Department of Animal Breeding & Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.
Isaksson, Anders
Department of Medical Sciences, Array and Analysis Facility, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
Kultima, Hanna
Department of Medical Sciences, Array and Analysis Facility, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
Mikko, Sofia
Department of Animal Breeding & Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.
Lindgren, Gabriella
Department of Animal Breeding & Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.
Livestock Genetics, Department of Biosystems, KU Leuven, 3001, Leuven, Belgium.
MeSH Terms
Animals
Breeding
Comparative Genomic Hybridization
DNA Copy Number Variations / genetics
Europe
Evolution, Molecular
Genetic Variation
Genetics, Population
Genome / genetics
Genotype
Horses / genetics
Phenotype
Selection, Genetic
Grant Funding
606142 / FP7 Research for the Benefit of SMEs
H1147215 / Stiftelsen Hu00e4stforskning
Conflict of Interest Statement
The authors declare that they have no competing interests.
References
This article includes 49 references
Conrad DF, Pinto D, Redon R, Feuk L, Gokcumen O, Zhang Y, Aerts J, Andrews TD, Barnes C, Campbell P, Fitzgerald T, Hu M, Ihm CH, Kristiansson K, Macarthur DG, Macdonald JR, Onyiah I, Pang AW, Robson S, Stirrups K, Valsesia A, Walter K, Wei J, Tyler-Smith C, Carter NP, Lee C, Scherer SW, Hurles ME. Origins and functional impact of copy number variation in the human genome.. Nature 2010 Apr 1;464(7289):704-12.
Mielczarek M, Frąszczak M, Nicolazzi E, Williams JL, Szyda J. Landscape of copy number variations in Bos taurus: individual - and inter-breed variability.. BMC Genomics 2018 May 29;19(1):410.
Sohrabi SS, Mohammadabadi M, Wu DD, Esmailizadeh A. Detection of breed-specific copy number variations in domestic chicken genome.. Genome 2018 Jan;61(1):7-14.
Serres-Armero A, Povolotskaya IS, Quilez J, Ramirez O, Santpere G, Kuderna LFK, Hernandez-Rodriguez J, Fernandez-Callejo M, Gomez-Sanchez D, Freedman AH, Fan Z, Novembre J, Navarro A, Boyko A, Wayne R, Vilà C, Lorente-Galdos B, Marques-Bonet T. Similar genomic proportions of copy number variation within gray wolves and modern dog breeds inferred from whole genome sequencing.. BMC Genomics 2017 Dec 19;18(1):977.
Weischenfeldt J, Symmons O, Spitz F, Korbel JO. Phenotypic impact of genomic structural variation: insights from and for human disease.. Nat Rev Genet 2013 Feb;14(2):125-38.
Chen C, Qiao R, Wei R, Guo Y, Ai H, Ma J, Ren J, Huang L. A comprehensive survey of copy number variation in 18 diverse pig populations and identification of candidate copy number variable genes associated with complex traits.. BMC Genomics 2012 Dec 27;13:733.
Nicholas TJ, Baker C, Eichler EE, Akey JM. A high-resolution integrated map of copy number polymorphisms within and between breeds of the modern domesticated dog.. BMC Genomics 2011 Aug 16;12:414.
Salmon Hillbertz NH, Isaksson M, Karlsson EK, Hellmén E, Pielberg GR, Savolainen P, Wade CM, von Euler H, Gustafson U, Hedhammar A, Nilsson M, Lindblad-Toh K, Andersson L, Andersson G. Duplication of FGF3, FGF4, FGF19 and ORAOV1 causes hair ridge and predisposition to dermoid sinus in Ridgeback dogs.. Nat Genet 2007 Nov;39(11):1318-20.
Xu L, Hou Y, Bickhart DM, Zhou Y, Hay el HA, Song J, Sonstegard TS, Van Tassell CP, Liu GE. Population-genetic properties of differentiated copy number variations in cattle.. Sci Rep 2016 Mar 23;6:23161.
Paudel Y, Madsen O, Megens HJ, Frantz LA, Bosse M, Crooijmans RP, Groenen MA. Copy number variation in the speciation of pigs: a possible prominent role for olfactory receptors.. BMC Genomics 2015 Apr 22;16(1):330.
Upadhyay M, da Silva VH, Megens HJ, Visker MHPW, Ajmone-Marsan P, Bâlteanu VA, Dunner S, Garcia JF, Ginja C, Kantanen J, Groenen MAM, Crooijmans RPMA. Distribution and Functionality of Copy Number Variation across European Cattle Populations.. Front Genet 2017;8:108.
Pezer Ž, Harr B, Teschke M, Babiker H, Tautz D. Divergence patterns of genic copy number variation in natural populations of the house mouse (Mus musculus domesticus) reveal three conserved genes with major population-specific expansions.. Genome Res 2015 Aug;25(8):1114-24.
Librado P, Fages A, Gaunitz C, Leonardi M, Wagner S, Khan N, Hanghøj K, Alquraishi SA, Alfarhan AH, Al-Rasheid KA, Der Sarkissian C, Schubert M, Orlando L. The Evolutionary Origin and Genetic Makeup of Domestic Horses.. Genetics 2016 Oct;204(2):423-434.
Molin AM, Berglund J, Webster MT, Lindblad-Toh K. Genome-wide copy number variant discovery in dogs using the CanineHD genotyping array.. BMC Genomics 2014 Mar 19;15:210.
Yang L, Xu L, Zhou Y, Liu M, Wang L, Kijas JW, Zhang H, Li L, Liu GE. Diversity of copy number variation in a worldwide population of sheep.. Genomics 2018 May;110(3):143-148.
Chain FJ, Feulner PG, Panchal M, Eizaguirre C, Samonte IE, Kalbe M, Lenz TL, Stoll M, Bornberg-Bauer E, Milinski M, Reusch TB. Extensive copy-number variation of young genes across stickleback populations.. PLoS Genet 2014 Dec;10(12):e1004830.
McLaren W, Gil L, Hunt SE, Riat HS, Ritchie GR, Thormann A, Flicek P, Cunningham F. The Ensembl Variant Effect Predictor.. Genome Biol 2016 Jun 6;17(1):122.
Mi H, Huang X, Muruganujan A, Tang H, Mills C, Kang D, Thomas PD. PANTHER version 11: expanded annotation data from Gene Ontology and Reactome pathways, and data analysis tool enhancements.. Nucleic Acids Res 2017 Jan 4;45(D1):D183-D189.
Livak KJ, Schmittgen TD. Analysis of relative gene expression data using real-time quantitative PCR and the 2(-Delta Delta C(T)) Method.. Methods 2001 Dec;25(4):402-8.
Salehian-Dehkordi H, Huang JH, Pirany N, Mehrban H, Lv XY, Sun W, Esmailizadeh A, Lv FH. Genomic Landscape of Copy Number Variations and Their Associations with Climatic Variables in the World's Sheep. Genes (Basel) 2023 Jun 13;14(6).
Di Gerlando R, Mastrangelo S, Tolone M, Rizzuto I, Sutera AM, Moscarelli A, Portolano B, Sardina MT. Identification of Copy Number Variations and Genetic Diversity in Italian Insular Sheep Breeds. Animals (Basel) 2022 Jan 17;12(2).
Strillacci MG, Moradi-Shahrbabak H, Davoudi P, Ghoreishifar SM, Mokhber M, Masroure AJ, Bagnato A. A genome-wide scan of copy number variants in three Iranian indigenous river buffaloes. BMC Genomics 2021 Apr 26;22(1):305.
Serres-Armero A, Davis BW, Povolotskaya IS, Morcillo-Suarez C, Plassais J, Juan D, Ostrander EA, Marques-Bonet T. Copy number variation underlies complex phenotypes in domestic dog breeds and other canids. Genome Res 2021 May;31(5):762-774.
Strillacci MG, Marelli SP, Milanesi R, Zaniboni L, Punturiero C, Cerolini S. Copy Number Variants in Four Italian Turkey Breeds. Animals (Basel) 2021 Feb 3;11(2).
Jafari H, Abebe BK, Cong L, Ahmed Z, Zhaofei W, Sun M, Muhatai G, Chuzhao L, Dang R. Review: Genomic insights into the adaptive traits and stress resistance in modern horses. Stress Biol 2026 Jan 12;6(1):5.
Liu X, Chen W, Huang B, Wang X, Peng Y, Zhang X, Chai W, Khan MZ, Wang C. Advancements in copy number variation screening in herbivorous livestock genomes and their association with phenotypic traits. Front Vet Sci 2023;10:1334434.
Benfica LF, Brito LF, do Bem RD, Mulim HA, Glessner J, Braga LG, Gloria LS, Cyrillo JNSG, Bonilha SFM, Mercadante MEZ. Genome-wide association study between copy number variation and feeding behavior, feed efficiency, and growth traits in Nellore cattle. BMC Genomics 2024 Jan 11;25(1):54.
Ahmad SF, Chandrababu Shailaja C, Vaishnav S, Kumar A, Gaur GK, Janga SC, Ahmad SM, Malla WA, Dutt T. Read-depth based approach on whole genome resequencing data reveals important insights into the copy number variation (CNV) map of major global buffalo breeds. BMC Genomics 2023 Oct 16;24(1):616.