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Kuraz Abebe B, Wang J, Guo J, Wang H, Li A, Zan L. A review of the role of epigenetic studies for intramuscular fat deposition in beef cattle. Gene 2024; 908:148295. [PMID: 38387707 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2024.148295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
Intramuscular fat (IMF) deposition profoundly influences meat quality and economic value in beef cattle production. Meanwhile, contemporary developments in epigenetics have opened new outlooks for understanding the molecular basics of IMF regulation, and it has become a key area of research for world scholars. Therefore, the aim of this paper was to provide insight and synthesis into the intricate relationship between epigenetic mechanisms and IMF deposition in beef cattle. The methodology involves a thorough analysis of existing literature, including pertinent books, academic journals, and online resources, to provide a comprehensive overview of the role of epigenetic studies in IMF deposition in beef cattle. This review summarizes the contemporary studies in epigenetic mechanisms in IMF regulation, high-resolution epigenomic mapping, single-cell epigenomics, multi-omics integration, epigenome editing approaches, longitudinal studies in cattle growth, environmental epigenetics, machine learning in epigenetics, ethical and regulatory considerations, and translation to industry practices from perspectives of IMF deposition in beef cattle. Moreover, this paper highlights DNA methylation, histone modifications, acetylation, phosphorylation, ubiquitylation, non-coding RNAs, DNA hydroxymethylation, epigenetic readers, writers, and erasers, chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by sequencing, whole genome bisulfite sequencing, epigenome-wide association studies, and their profound impact on the expression of crucial genes governing adipogenesis and lipid metabolism. Nutrition and stress also have significant influences on epigenetic modifications and IMF deposition. The key findings underscore the pivotal role of epigenetic studies in understanding and enhancing IMF deposition in beef cattle, with implications for precision livestock farming and ethical livestock management. In conclusion, this review highlights the crucial significance of epigenetic pathways and environmental factors in affecting IMF deposition in beef cattle, providing insightful information for improving the economics and meat quality of cattle production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Belete Kuraz Abebe
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, People's Republic of China; Department of Animal Science, Werabe University, P.O. Box 46, Werabe, Ethiopia
| | - Jianfang Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, People's Republic of China
| | - Juntao Guo
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, People's Republic of China
| | - Hongbao Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, People's Republic of China
| | - Anning Li
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, People's Republic of China
| | - Linsen Zan
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, People's Republic of China; National Beef Cattle Improvement Center, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, People's Republic of China.
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Garcia IS, Silva-Vignato B, Cesar ASM, Petrini J, da Silva VH, Morosini NS, Goes CP, Afonso J, da Silva TR, Lima BD, Clemente LG, Regitano LCDA, Mourão GB, Coutinho LL. Novel putative causal mutations associated with fat traits in Nellore cattle uncovered by eQTLs located in open chromatin regions. Sci Rep 2024; 14:10094. [PMID: 38698200 PMCID: PMC11066111 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-60703-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Intramuscular fat (IMF) and backfat thickness (BFT) are critical economic traits impacting meat quality. However, the genetic variants controlling these traits need to be better understood. To advance knowledge in this area, we integrated RNA-seq and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) identified in genomic and transcriptomic data to generate a linkage disequilibrium filtered panel of 553,581 variants. Expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) analysis revealed 36,916 cis-eQTLs and 14,408 trans-eQTLs. Association analysis resulted in three eQTLs associated with BFT and 24 with IMF. Functional enrichment analysis of genes regulated by these 27 eQTLs revealed noteworthy pathways that can play a fundamental role in lipid metabolism and fat deposition, such as immune response, cytoskeleton remodeling, iron transport, and phospholipid metabolism. We next used ATAC-Seq assay to identify and overlap eQTL and open chromatin regions. Six eQTLs were in regulatory regions, four in predicted insulators and possible CCCTC-binding factor DNA binding sites, one in an active enhancer region, and the last in a low signal region. Our results provided novel insights into the transcriptional regulation of IMF and BFT, unraveling putative regulatory variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingrid Soares Garcia
- Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture "Luiz de Queiroz", University of São Paulo, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil
| | - Bárbara Silva-Vignato
- Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture "Luiz de Queiroz", University of São Paulo, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil
| | - Aline Silva Mello Cesar
- Department of Agroindustry, Food and Nutrition, College of Agriculture "Luiz de Queiroz", University of São Paulo, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil
| | - Juliana Petrini
- Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture "Luiz de Queiroz", University of São Paulo, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil
| | - Vinicius Henrique da Silva
- Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture "Luiz de Queiroz", University of São Paulo, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil
| | - Natália Silva Morosini
- Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture "Luiz de Queiroz", University of São Paulo, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil
| | - Carolina Purcell Goes
- Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture "Luiz de Queiroz", University of São Paulo, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Thaís Ribeiro da Silva
- Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture "Luiz de Queiroz", University of São Paulo, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil
| | - Beatriz Delcarme Lima
- Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture "Luiz de Queiroz", University of São Paulo, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil
| | - Luan Gaspar Clemente
- Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture "Luiz de Queiroz", University of São Paulo, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Gerson Barreto Mourão
- Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture "Luiz de Queiroz", University of São Paulo, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil
| | - Luiz Lehmann Coutinho
- Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture "Luiz de Queiroz", University of São Paulo, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil.
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Šimon M, Mikec Š, Atanur SS, Konc J, Morton NM, Horvat S, Kunej T. Whole genome sequencing of mouse lines divergently selected for fatness (FLI) and leanness (FHI) revealed several genetic variants as candidates for novel obesity genes. Genes Genomics 2024; 46:557-575. [PMID: 38483771 PMCID: PMC11024027 DOI: 10.1007/s13258-024-01507-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/18/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Analysing genomes of animal model organisms is widely used for understanding the genetic basis of complex traits and diseases, such as obesity, for which only a few mouse models exist, however, without their lean counterparts. OBJECTIVE To analyse genetic differences in the unique mouse models of polygenic obesity (Fat line) and leanness (Lean line) originating from the same base population and established by divergent selection over more than 60 generations. METHODS Genetic variability was analysed using WGS. Variants were identified with GATK and annotated with Ensembl VEP. g.Profiler, WebGestalt, and KEGG were used for GO and pathway enrichment analysis. miRNA seed regions were obtained with miRPathDB 2.0, LncRRIsearch was used to predict targets of identified lncRNAs, and genes influencing adipose tissue amount were searched using the IMPC database. RESULTS WGS analysis revealed 6.3 million SNPs, 1.3 million were new. Thousands of potentially impactful SNPs were identified, including within 24 genes related to adipose tissue amount. SNP density was highest in pseudogenes and regulatory RNAs. The Lean line carries SNP rs248726381 in the seed region of mmu-miR-3086-3p, which may affect fatty acid metabolism. KEGG analysis showed deleterious missense variants in immune response and diabetes genes, with food perception pathways being most enriched. Gene prioritisation considering SNP GERP scores, variant consequences, and allele comparison with other mouse lines identified seven novel obesity candidate genes: 4930441H08Rik, Aff3, Fam237b, Gm36633, Pced1a, Tecrl, and Zfp536. CONCLUSION WGS revealed many genetic differences between the lines that accumulated over the selection period, including variants with potential negative impacts on gene function. Given the increasing availability of mouse strains and genetic polymorphism catalogues, the study is a valuable resource for researchers to study obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Šimon
- Chair of Genetics, Animal Biotechnology and Immunology, Department of Animal Science, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Domžale, 1230, Slovenia.
| | - Špela Mikec
- Chair of Genetics, Animal Biotechnology and Immunology, Department of Animal Science, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Domžale, 1230, Slovenia
| | - Santosh S Atanur
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
- Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH4 2XU, UK
| | - Janez Konc
- Laboratory for Molecular Modeling, National Institute of Chemistry, Ljubljana, 1000, Slovenia
| | - Nicholas M Morton
- The Queen's Medical Research Institute, Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH4 2XU, UK
| | - Simon Horvat
- Chair of Genetics, Animal Biotechnology and Immunology, Department of Animal Science, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Domžale, 1230, Slovenia
| | - Tanja Kunej
- Chair of Genetics, Animal Biotechnology and Immunology, Department of Animal Science, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Domžale, 1230, Slovenia.
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Abebe BK, Wang H, Li A, Zan L. A review of the role of transcription factors in regulating adipogenesis and lipogenesis in beef cattle. J Anim Breed Genet 2024; 141:235-256. [PMID: 38146089 DOI: 10.1111/jbg.12841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2023] [Revised: 11/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/27/2023]
Abstract
In the past few decades, genomic selection and other refined strategies have been used to increase the growth rate and lean meat production of beef cattle. Nevertheless, the fast growth rates of cattle breeds are often accompanied by a reduction in intramuscular fat (IMF) deposition, impairing meat quality. Transcription factors play vital roles in regulating adipogenesis and lipogenesis in beef cattle. Meanwhile, understanding the role of transcription factors in regulating adipogenesis and lipogenesis in beef cattle has gained significant attention to increase IMF deposition and meat quality. Therefore, the aim of this paper was to provide a comprehensive summary and valuable insight into the complex role of transcription factors in adipogenesis and lipogenesis in beef cattle. This review summarizes the contemporary studies in transcription factors in adipogenesis and lipogenesis, genome-wide analysis of transcription factors, epigenetic regulation of transcription factors, nutritional regulation of transcription factors, metabolic signalling pathways, functional genomics methods, transcriptomic profiling of adipose tissues, transcription factors and meat quality and comparative genomics with other livestock species. In conclusion, transcription factors play a crucial role in promoting adipocyte development and fatty acid biosynthesis in beef cattle. They control adipose tissue formation and metabolism, thereby improving meat quality and maintaining metabolic balance. Understanding the processes by which these transcription factors regulate adipose tissue deposition and lipid metabolism will simplify the development of marbling or IMF composition in beef cattle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Belete Kuraz Abebe
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
- Department of Animal Science, Werabe University, Werabe, Ethiopia
| | - Hongbao Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Anning Li
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Linsen Zan
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
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Qi Y, Wang X, Zhu C, Mi B, Cui C, Chen S, Zhao Z, Zhao F, Liu X, Wang J, Shi B, Hu J. Mutations in the FOXO3 Gene and Their Effects on Meat Traits in Gannan Yaks. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1948. [PMID: 38396627 PMCID: PMC10888663 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25041948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The FOXO3 gene, a prominent member of the FOXO family, has been identified as a potential quantitative trait locus for muscle atrophy and lipid metabolism in livestock. It is also considered a promising candidate gene for meat quality traits such as Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBSF) and water holding capacity (WHC). The aim of this study was to identify sequence mutations in the FOXO3 gene of yaks and to analyze the association of genotypes and haplotypes with meat traits such as WBSF and WHC. Quantitative reverse-transcriptase PCR (RT-qPCR) was applied to determine the expression levels of FOXO3 in yak tissues, with the results revealing a high expression in the yak longissimus dorsi muscle. Exons of the FOXO3 gene were then sequenced in 572 yaks using hybrid pool sequencing. Five single nucleotide polymorphisms were identified. Additionally, four effective haplotypes and four combined haplotypes were constructed. Two mutations of the FOXO3 gene, namely C>G at exon g.636 and A>G at exon g.1296, were associated with cooked meat percentage (CMP) (p < 0.05) and WBSF (p < 0.05), respectively. Furthermore, the WBSF of the H2H3 haplotype combination was significantly lower than that of other combinations (p < 0.05). The findings of this study suggest that genetic variations in FOXO3 could be a promising biomarker for improving yak meat traits.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Bingang Shi
- Gansu Key Laboratory of Herbivorous Animal Biotechnology, College of Animal Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China; (Y.Q.); (X.W.); (C.Z.); (B.M.); (C.C.); (S.C.); (Z.Z.); (F.Z.); (X.L.); (J.W.)
| | - Jiang Hu
- Gansu Key Laboratory of Herbivorous Animal Biotechnology, College of Animal Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China; (Y.Q.); (X.W.); (C.Z.); (B.M.); (C.C.); (S.C.); (Z.Z.); (F.Z.); (X.L.); (J.W.)
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Ameri NF, Moradian H, Koshkoiyeh AE, Montazeri M, Madabi ER, Fozi MA. Genetic diversity and positive signatures of selection in indigenous cattle breeds of Iran. Genome 2024; 67:31-42. [PMID: 37962065 DOI: 10.1139/gen-2022-0106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
Animal domestication, climate changes over time, and artificial selection have played significant roles in shaping the genome structure of various animal species, including cattle. These processes have led to the emergence of several indigenous cattle breeds with distinct genetic characteristics. This study focused on unraveling the genetic diversity and identifying candidate genomic regions in eight indigenous cattle breeds of Iran. The data consisted of ∼777 962 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of 89 animals from Iranian indigenous cattle scattered throughout the country. We employed various methods, including integrated haplotype score, FST, and cross-population composite likelihood ratio, to conduct a genome scan for detecting selection signals within and between cattle populations. Average observed heterozygosity across the populations was 0.36, with a range of 0.32-0.40. In addition, negative and low rates of inbreeding (FIS) in the populations were observed. The genome-wide analysis revealed several genomic regions that harbored candidate genes associated with production traits (e.g., MFSD1, TYW5, ADRB2, BLK, and CRTC3), adaptation to local environmental constraints (CACNA2D1, CXCL3, and GRO1), and coat color (DYM). Finally, the study of the reported quantitative trait loci (QTL) regions in the cattle genome demonstrated that the identified regions were associated with QTL related to important traits such as milk composition, body weight, daily gain, feed conversion, and residual feed intake. Overall, this study contributes to a better understanding of the genetic diversity and potential candidate genes underlying important traits in Iranian indigenous cattle breeds, which can inform future breeding and conservation efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nader Forough Ameri
- Department of Animal ScienceFaculty of Agriculture, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran
| | - Hasan Moradian
- Department of Animal ScienceFaculty of Agriculture, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran
| | | | - Mahdiyeh Montazeri
- Department of Animal ScienceFaculty of Agriculture, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran
| | - Elaheh Rostamzadeh Madabi
- Department of Animal ScienceFaculty of Agriculture, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran
| | - Masood Asadi Fozi
- Department of Animal ScienceFaculty of Agriculture, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran
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