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Candidate genes for physical performance in the horse.
Wiebke Schröder1, Andreas Klostermann, Ottmar Distl
1Institute for Animal Breeding and Genetics, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany.
Veterinary Journal (London, England : 1997)
|December 1, 2010
Summary
Elite athletic performance in horses involves adaptive genetic changes. This review identifies 28 candidate genes, many on chromosomes 4 and 12, linked to human athletic performance, offering insights for equine genetic studies.
Area of Science:
- Equine genetics
- Comparative genomics
- Animal physiology
Background:
- Selective breeding for athletic traits in horses (Equus caballus) has led to significant phenotypic adaptations.
- While numerous genes for elite athletic performance are known in humans, research in horses remains limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify candidate genes associated with equine athletic performance by comparing with human performance genes.
- To investigate the chromosomal distribution and relevant biological pathways of these candidate genes in horses.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of the horse genome assembly with human athletic performance genes.
- Utilizing bioinformatics tools to identify equine orthologues and their pathways.
- Reviewing polymorphisms associated with human elite athletic performance.
Main Results:
- Identified 28 candidate genes for equine athletic performance with links to human performance.
- Found significant accumulation of candidate genes on horse chromosomes 4 and 12.
- Over-representation of genes in focal adhesion, actin cytoskeleton regulation, neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction, and calcium signaling pathways.
Conclusions:
- The identified candidate genes provide a foundation for further research into equine athletic performance.
- Conserved synteny between human and horse chromosomal gene arrangements suggests potential benefits for genome-wide association studies in horses.
- Understanding these genetic underpinnings can aid in optimizing training and breeding strategies for equine athletes.
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