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BMC veterinary research2018; 14(1); 237; doi: 10.1186/s12917-018-1567-0

Molecular characterization of the apoptosis-related SH3RF1 and SH3RF2 genes and their association with exercise performance in Arabian horses.

Abstract: Apoptosis plays an important role in the regulation of healthy tissue growth and development as well as in controlling the maintenance of homeostasis in exercising muscles. During an intensive physical effort, the regulation of cell death by apoptosis results in the replacement of unaccustomed muscle cells by new cells that are better suited to exercise. The aim of this study was to determine the expression of two genes (SH3FR1 and SH3RF2) that control apoptosis in muscle tissues during training periods characterized by different intensities. The gene expression levels were estimated using real-time PCR method in skeletal muscle biopsies collected from 15 Arabian horses (untrained, after an intense gallop phase, and at the end of the racing season). An association study was performed on 250 Arabian horses to assess the effect of the SH3RF2:c.796 T > C (p.Ser266Pro) variant on race performance traits in flat gallop-racing. Results: A gene expression analysis confirmed a significant decrease (p  C missense variant was associated with selected racing performance traits, which is important information during the evaluation of horses' exercise predisposition. The association results and frequencies of the CT and TT genotypes suggest the possibility of using SH3RF2 variant in selection to improve the racing performance of Arabian horses.
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Publication Date: 2018-08-14 PubMed ID: 30107803PubMed Central: PMC6092840DOI: 10.1186/s12917-018-1567-0Google 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.

This research examines the relationship between two apoptosis-related genes, SH3RF1 and SH3RF2, and the performance of Arabian racehorses during different periods of exercise intensity. Findings indicate that variations in the SH3RF2 gene can impact race performance and could potentially be used in selection criteria to improve the performance of these horses.

About the Research

  • The researchers studied the role of apoptosis – a process of programmed cell death – in the context of exercise performance in Arabian horses. Apoptosis helps maintain homeostasis in muscles during exercise. It enables unaccustomed muscle cells to be replaced by new cells that are better adapted to exercise.
  • The focus of the study was on the expression of two genes associated with apoptosis (SH3RF1 and SH3RF2) in muscle tissues during different phases of training.
  • Gene expression levels were gauged using real-time PCR methods, taking samples from skeletal muscle biopsies from 15 Arabian horses at various stages: untrained, after an intense gallop phase, and at the end of the racing season.
  • Another component of the study involved an association assessment performed on 250 Arabian horses to examine the influence of specific variants of the SH3RF2 gene on racing performance outcomes in flat gallop-racing.

Key Findings

  • Results revealed a significant decrease in the expression of the SH3RF2 gene (which is anti-apoptotic) during various training intensities – the highest expression being in untrained horses and the lowest at the end of the racing season in trained horses. However, there was no significant change in the SH3RF1 gene.
  • A particular variant of the SH3RF2 gene (specifically, a serine substitution by proline at amino acid position 266, denoted by the CC genotype) correlated negatively with the probability of winning races, the number of races participated in, and the monetary value of prizes. In contrast, horses carrying the TT genotype had the highest financial success both in total winnings and per race.

Conclusions and Implications

  • This study illustrates the potential regulation mechanism of apoptosis induced by exercise on a molecular level in horses.
  • The discovered SH3RF2 gene variant (c.796 T > C) was found to be associated with selected racing performance traits, which is crucial for analyzing a horse’s exercise predisposition.
  • The research findings suggest the possibility of using SH3RF2 gene variation for selection purposes, which could lead to an improved performance of Arabian racehorses.

Cite This Article

APA
Ropka-Molik K, Stefaniuk-Szmukier M, Piórkowska K, Szmatoła T, Bugno-Poniewierska M. (2018). Molecular characterization of the apoptosis-related SH3RF1 and SH3RF2 genes and their association with exercise performance in Arabian horses. BMC Vet Res, 14(1), 237. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-018-1567-0

Publication

BMC veterinary research
ISSN: 1746-6148
NlmUniqueID: 101249759
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 14
Issue: 1
Pages: 237
PII: 237

Researcher Affiliations

Ropka-Molik, K
  • Department of Animal Molecular Biology, National Research Institute of Animal Production, Kraków, Poland. katarzyna.ropka@izoo.krakow.pl.
  • Laboratory of Genomics, National Research Institute of Animal Production, Krakowska 1, 32-083, Balice, Poland. katarzyna.ropka@izoo.krakow.pl.
Stefaniuk-Szmukier, M
  • Department of Horse Breeding, Institute of Animal Science, the University of Agriculture in Cracow, Kraków, Poland.
Piórkowska, K
  • Department of Animal Molecular Biology, National Research Institute of Animal Production, Kraków, Poland.
Szmatoła, T
  • Department of Animal Molecular Biology, National Research Institute of Animal Production, Kraków, Poland.
Bugno-Poniewierska, M
  • Institute of Veterinary Sciences University of Agriculture in Krakow, Kraków, Poland.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Apoptosis / genetics
  • Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins / genetics
  • Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins / metabolism
  • Gene Expression
  • Genotype
  • Horses / genetics
  • Horses / physiology
  • Muscle, Skeletal / metabolism
  • Physical Conditioning, Animal / physiology
  • Physical Fitness / physiology
  • Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
  • Running / physiology

Grant Funding

  • 2014/15/D/NZ9/05256 / Narodowym Centrum Nauki

Conflict of Interest Statement

ETHICS APPROVAL: The protocol was approved by the Animal Care and Use Committee of the Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences in Cracow (no. 1173/2015). The horses’ owners gave consent to be part of this study and allowed for maintaining all research procedures on animals. The constant was obtained verbally which approved by Ethics Committee. CONSENT FOR PUBLICATION: Not applicable. COMPETING INTERESTS: The authors declare that they have no competing interests. PUBLISHER’S NOTE: Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

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Citations

This article has been cited 8 times.
  1. Ropka-Molik K, Stefaniuk-Szmukier M, Musiał AD, Velie BD. The Genetics of Racing Performance in Arabian Horses. Int J Genomics 2019;2019:9013239.
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  2. Stefaniuk-Szmukier M, Szmatoła T, Łątka J, Długosz B, Ropka-Molik K. The Blood and Muscle Expression Pattern of the Equine TCAP Gene during the Race Track Training of Arabian Horses. Animals (Basel) 2019 Aug 18;9(8).
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