Genome-wide analyses reveal population structure and identify candidate genes associated with tail fatness in local sheep from a semi-arid area.

6533b86cfe1ef96bd12c832c

RESEARCH PRODUCT

Genome-wide analyses reveal population structure and identify candidate genes associated with tail fatness in local sheep from a semi-arid area.

I. Baazaoui S. Bedhiaf-romdhani Salvatore Mastrangelo Elena Ciani

subject

Tail Candidate gene Genotype 040301 veterinary sciences Introgression Runs of Homozygosity Biology Fat tail Runs of homozygosity SF1-1100 Polymorphism Single Nucleotide 0403 veterinary science Settore AGR/17 - Zootecnica Generale E Miglioramento Genetico Animals Inbreeding Allele Local sheep Genome Sheep Fat tail Genetic structure Local sheep Runs of homozygosity Selection signatures Homozygote 0402 animal and dairy science 04 agricultural and veterinary sciences Selection signature 040201 dairy & animal science Breed Animal culture Evolutionary biology Genetic structure Animal Science and Zoology Gene pool Genetic structure Inbreeding Genome-Wide Association Study

description

Abstract Under a climate change perspective, the genetic make-up of local livestock breeds showing adaptive traits should be explored and preserved as a priority. We used genotype data from the ovine 50 k Illumina BeadChip for assessing breed autozygosity based on runs of homozygosity (ROH) and fine-scale genetic structure and for detecting genomic regions under selection in 63 Tunisian sheep samples. The average genomic inbreeding coefficients based on ROH were estimated at 0.017, 0.021, and 0.024 for Barbarine (BAR, n = 26), Noire de Thibar (NDT, n = 23), and Queue fine de l'Ouest (QFO, n = 14) breeds, respectively. The genomic relationships among individuals based on identity by state (IBS) distance matrix highlighted a recent introgression of QFO into the BAR and a genetic differentiation of NDT samples, possibly explained by past introgression of European gene pools. Genome-wide scan for ROH across breeds and within the BAR sample set identified an outstanding signal on chromosome 13 (46.58–49.61 Mbp). These results were confirmed using FST index, differentiating fat vs. thin-tailed individuals. Candidate genes under selection pressure (CDS2, PROKR1, and BMP2) were associated to lipid storage and probably preferentially selected in fat-tailed BAR animals. Our findings suggest paying more attention to preserve the genetic integrity and adaptive alleles of local sheep breeds.

year	journal	country	edition	language
2021-04-01	Animal : an international journal of animal bioscience

10.1016/j.animal.2021.100193 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33715983