Genomic and transcriptomic landscape to decipher the genetic basis of hyperpigmentation in Lanping black-boned sheep (Ovis aries)
Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Lanping black-boned sheep (LPB) represent a distinctive mammalian species characterized by hyperpigmentation, resulting in black bone and muscle features, in contrast to their conventional counterparts exhibiting red muscle and white bone. The genetic basis underlying LPB hyperpigmentation has remained enigmatic. METHODS: In this study, we conducted whole-genome sequencing of 100 LPB and 50 Lanping normal sheep (LPN), and integrated this data with 421 sequenced datasets from wild and domestic sheep, shedding light on the genetic backdrop and genomic variations associated with LPB. Furthermore, we performed comparative RNA-Seq analysis using liver sample to pinpoint genes implicated in the pigmentation process. We generated a comprehensive dataset comprising 97,944,357 SNPs from 571 sheep, facilitating an in-depth exploration of genetic factors. RESULTS: Population genetic structure analysis revealed that the LPB breed traces its origin back to LPN, having evolved into a distinct breed. The integration of positively selected genes with differentially expressed genes identified two candidates, ERBB4 and ROR1, potentially linked to LPB hyperpigmentation. Comparative analysis of ERBB4 and ROR1 mRNA relative expression levels in liver, spleen, and kidney tissues of LPB, in comparison to Diqing sheep, revealed significant upregulation, except for ERBB4 in the liver. Gene expression heatmaps further underscored marked allelic frequency disparities in different populations. CONCLUSION: Our findings establish the evolutionary lineage of the LPB breed from LPN and underscore the involvement of ERBB4 and ROR1 genes in melanin synthesis. These results enhance our comprehension of the molecular basis of hyperpigmentation and contribute to a more comprehensive depiction of sheep diversity.
Source: BMC Genomics
Authors: Yuqing Chong, Heli Xiong, Zhendong Gao, Ying Lu, Jieyun Hong, Jiao Wu, Xiaoming He, Dongmei Xi, Xiaolong Tu, Weidong Deng
Language: English
Subfield: Genetics
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,990
Funders: National Natural Science Foundation of China, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yunnan Provincial Department of Education, Yunnan Provincial Department of Education Science Research Fund Project, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Major Science and Technology Projects in Yunnan Province
OpenAlex ID: W4402347857