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Infinium Assay for Large-scale SNP Genotyping Applications
Published on: November 19, 2013
A genome scan for positive selection in thoroughbred horses
Jingjing Gu1, Nick Orr, Stephen D Park
1Animal Genomics Laboratory, School of Agriculture, Food Science and Veterinary Medicine, College of Life Sciences, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland.
Plos One
|June 9, 2009
Summary
Intense selection for racing in Thoroughbred horses reveals genomic regions linked to muscle strength and energy metabolism. These findings highlight Thoroughbreds as a model for studying metabolic diseases like type 2 diabetes.
Area of Science:
- Genomics and Animal Genetics
- Exercise Physiology
- Metabolic Disease Research
Background:
- Thoroughbred horses exhibit elite athletic phenotypes due to intense, recent selection for racing performance.
- Their closed population structure and limited founder ancestry offer a unique model for identifying genes related to exercise traits.
- Understanding these genetic adaptations can inform research into human metabolic disorders.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify genomic regions under positive selection in Thoroughbred horses related to athletic performance.
- To investigate the functional roles of selected genes in pathways associated with exercise and metabolism.
- To explore the potential of Thoroughbreds as a large animal model for metabolic disease research.
Main Methods:
- A population genetics hitchhiking mapping approach was used, involving a genome scan of 394 microsatellite loci.
- Analysis included deviations from expected heterozygosity (Ewens-Watterson test) and global genetic differentiation (FST) in Thoroughbreds (n=112) and other horse populations.
- Gene enrichment analyses were performed on identified positively selected genomic regions.
Main Results:
- Positively selected genomic regions were identified, enriched for genes involved in phosphoinositide signaling, insulin receptor signaling, and lipid transport.
- Significant overrepresentation of genes in the sarcoglycan complex and focal adhesion pathway suggests a role in muscle strength and integrity.
- Candidate genes for athletic performance, including ACSS1, ACTA1, and PDK4, were identified, linked to fatty acid oxidation, insulin sensitivity, and muscle strength.
Conclusions:
- Genomic selection in Thoroughbreds has targeted genes crucial for energy metabolism and muscle function, contributing to their athletic prowess.
- The identified genetic pathways provide insights into the molecular basis of exercise adaptation.
- Thoroughbred horses represent a valuable in vivo model for studying molecular mechanisms protecting against obesity and type 2 diabetes.
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