RNA sequencing as a powerful tool in searching for genes influencing health and performance traits of horses.
Abstract: RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) by next-generation technology is a powerful tool which creates new possibilities in whole-transcriptome analysis. In recent years, with the use of the RNA-seq method, several studies expanded transcriptional gene profiles to understand interactions between genotype and phenotype, supremely contributing to the field of equine biology. To date, in horses, massive parallel sequencing of cDNA has been successfully used to identify and quantify mRNA levels in several normal tissues, as well as to annotate genes. Moreover, the RNA-seq method has been applied to identify the genetic basis of several diseases or to investigate organism adaptation processes to the training conditions. The use of the RNA-seq approach has also confirmed that horses can be useful as a large animal model for human disease, especially in the field of immune response. The presented review summarizes the achievements of profiling gene expression in horses (Equus caballus).
Publication Date: 2015-10-07 PubMed ID: 26446669DOI: 10.1007/s13353-015-0320-7Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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This study discusses the use of RNA sequencing, a modern technology, in identifying genes that impact health and performance traits in horses. This tool has widened the horizons in transcriptome analysis, providing new insights into the interactions between genotype and phenotype, and largely contributing to equine biology.
Understanding Next-Generation RNA Sequencing in Studying Horses
- The main focus of this research is the utilization of RNA sequencing (RNA-seq), a next-generation technology, for analyzing whole transcriptomes. A transcriptome represents the set of all RNA molecules, including mRNA, rRNA, tRNA, and other non-coding RNA transcribed in one cell or a population of cells.
- This method offers a deep understanding of the genetic make-up and functioning of horses and their health and performance traits. It is a fundamental tool to analyze horse genetics, genome annotation, and gene expression profiling.
Applications of RNA-Sequencing in Equine Studies
- The researchers have employed RNA-seq to examine horse genomics at the transcriptome level. This method has been successfully used to identify and quantify mRNA levels in several normal tissues of horses, and to annotate genes, enhancing the existing knowledge about equine genetics.
- RNA-seq has also proven useful in identifying genetic causes of various diseases affecting horses. Moreover, it has been implemented to investigate organism adaptation processes in response to training conditions, hence contributing significantly to understanding horses’ performance characteristics.
Horses as a Large Animal Model for Human Disease
- One of the key findings of the study is the applicability of the RNA-seq approach to consider horses as a valuable large animal model for human diseases, particularly in immune response studies.
- This finding reveals two significant aspects: firstly, the commonality between horse and human immune responses, and secondly, further potential for sequencing technologies like RNA-seq in translational research. This leads to better understanding and treatment of human diseases.
Overall Achievements of RNA-Sequencing in Equine Research
- The article overall provides a review summarizing the achievements of profiling gene expression in horses utilizing RNA-seq. It highlights how this revolutionary technology has been a game-changer in equine biology and related studies, opening up new research opportunities and applications for genetic analysis and disease identification.
Cite This Article
APA
Stefaniuk M, Ropka-Molik K.
(2015).
RNA sequencing as a powerful tool in searching for genes influencing health and performance traits of horses.
J Appl Genet, 57(2), 199-206.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s13353-015-0320-7 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Horse Breeding, Institute of Animal Science, University of Agriculture in Cracow, al. Mickiewicza 24/28, 30-059, Cracow, Poland. m.k.stefaniuk@gmail.com.
- Laboratory of Genomics, National Research Institute of Animal Production, Krakowska 1, 32-083, Balice, Poland.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Disease Models, Animal
- Gene Expression Profiling
- High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing
- Horses / genetics
- Phenotype
- Sequence Analysis, RNA / veterinary
- Transcriptome
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