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Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2020; 10(12); 2225; doi: 10.3390/ani10122225

Variability of ACOX1 Gene Polymorphisms across Different Horse Breeds with Regard to Selection Pressure.

Abstract: The gene encodes peroxisomal acyl-coenzyme A oxidase 1, the first enzyme in the fatty acid β-oxidation pathway, which could be significant for organisms exposed to long periods of starvation and harsh living conditions. We hypothesized that variations within , revealed by RNA Sequencing (RNA-Seq), might be based on adaptation to living conditions and had resulted from selection pressure. There were five different horse breeds used in this study, representing various utility types: Arabian, Thoroughbred, Polish Konik, draft horses, and Hucul. The single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) located in the (rs782885985) was used as a marker and was identified using the PCR restriction fragment length polymorphism method (PCR-RFLP). Results indicated extremely different genotype and allele distributions of the gene across breeds. A predominance of the G allele was exhibited in horses that had adapted to difficult environmental conditions, namely, Polish Konik and Huculs, which are considered to be primitive breeds. The prevalence of the T allele in Thoroughbreds indicated that is significant in energy metabolism during flat racing.
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Publication Date: 2020-11-27 PubMed ID: 33260884PubMed Central: PMC7761022DOI: 10.3390/ani10122225Google 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 analyzes the variability of ACOX1 gene polymorphisms in different horse breeds under the context of adaptive factors like tough living conditions and long periods of starvation. The study discovered that variations in this gene, which is fundamental to the pathway of fatty acid metabolism, vary significantly across horse breeds, suggesting these differences may have arisen due to selection pressure.

Overview

This research revolves around the ACOX1 gene, which is responsible for encoding peroxisomal acyl-coenzyme A oxidase 1. This enzyme initiates the fatty acid β-oxidation pathway, a metabolic process critical to the survival of organisms under strenuous conditions like prolonged starvation or harsh living environments. Various horse breeds were included in this study in order to evaluate the heterogeneity of this gene across different breeds and assess its role in their adaptation to varying conditions.

Methodology

  • The study included five different horse breeds that represent varying utility types. These were Arabian, Thoroughbred, Polish Konik, draft horses, and Hucul. These breeds were selected to ensure the representation of breeds exposed to diverse environmental conditions.
  • The researcher’s investigation concentrated on a single-nucleotide polymorphism (a variation at a single position in a DNA sequence) known as rs782885985 found in the ACOX1 gene. This was used as a genetic marker for the study.
  • The method used to identify this SNP was the PCR restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP), a technique widely used in genetic research to analyze variations in gene sequences.

Findings

  • The findings indicated substantial differences in genotype and allele distribution of the ACOX1 gene among the different horse breeds studied.
  • The G allele of the gene was found to be most prevalent in horses that have adapted to harsh environmental conditions, namely, the Polish Konik and Huculs. These breeds are considered “primitive,” indicating a possible link between the G allele and adaptability to challenging environments.
  • Conversely, the T allele was more common in Thoroughbreds, suggesting a correlation between this variant of the gene and energy metabolism essential during flat racing, a demanding physical activity associated with this particular breed.

Implications

This research provides insights into the role of genetic variations in the ACOX1 gene in equine adaptation to different living conditions. Additionally, the observed variability of this gene across various horse breeds can further the understanding of how selection pressure impacts genetic diversity and adaptation among different species.

Cite This Article

APA
Myćka G, Musiał AD, Stefaniuk-Szmukier M, Piórkowska K, Ropka-Molik K. (2020). Variability of ACOX1 Gene Polymorphisms across Different Horse Breeds with Regard to Selection Pressure. Animals (Basel), 10(12), 2225. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10122225

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 10
Issue: 12
PII: 2225

Researcher Affiliations

Myćka, Grzegorz
  • Faculty of Biotechnology and Horticulture, University of Agriculture in Krakow, al. 29 Listopada 54, 31-425 Kraków, Poland.
Musiał, Adrianna D
  • Department of Animal Molecular Biology, National Research Institute of Animal Production, Krakowska 1, 32-083 Balice, Poland.
Stefaniuk-Szmukier, Monika
  • Department of Animal Reproduction, Anatomy and Genomics, University of Agriculture in Kraków, al. Mickiewicza 24/28, 30-059 Kraków, Poland.
Piórkowska, Katarzyna
  • Department of Animal Molecular Biology, National Research Institute of Animal Production, Krakowska 1, 32-083 Balice, Poland.
Ropka-Molik, Katarzyna
  • Department of Animal Molecular Biology, National Research Institute of Animal Production, Krakowska 1, 32-083 Balice, Poland.

Grant Funding

  • 0211/DIA/2019/48 / Ministerstwo Nauki i Szkolnictwa Wyu017cszego
  • 2014/15/D/NZ9/05256 / Narodowe Centrum Nauki

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Citations

This article has been cited 3 times.
  1. Ibrahim ZH, Bae JH, Sung BH, Kim MJ, Rashid AHA, Sohn JH. Characterization of Acyl-CoA Oxidases from the Lipolytic Yeast Candida aaseri SH14. J Microbiol Biotechnol 2022 Jul 28;32(7):949-954.
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  3. Boozarjomehri Amnieh S, Hassanpour A, Moghaddam S, Sakhaee F, Ropka-Molik K. Study of Variation of ACOX1 Gene Among Different Horse Breeds Maintained in Iran. Animals (Basel) 2024 Dec 10;14(24).
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