Comprehensive Multi-omics Analysis of Regulatory Variants for Body Weight in Cattle

Area of Science:

• Animal Genetics
• Genomics
• Quantitative Trait Genetics

Background:

• Body weight is a complex polygenic trait influenced by intricate genetic factors.
• Functional genomics and multi-omics data are crucial for dissecting the genetic architecture of complex traits.
• Understanding genetic regulation of body weight is vital for livestock improvement.

Purpose of the Study:

• To extensively characterize regulatory variants for body weight traits in cattle using a multi-omics approach.
• To identify candidate genes and functional variants associated with body weight regulation.
• To provide a comprehensive understanding of the genetic mechanisms governing weight traits in cattle.

Main Methods:

• Integrative analysis of selective sweeps and genome-wide association studies (GWAS) using imputed whole-genome sequencing.
• Identification of expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs) and transcriptome-wide association studies (TWAS).
• Colocalization, convergent evolution, phenome-wide association studies, epigenomic analysis, and molecular validation.

Main Results:

• Seven candidate genes identified through GWAS and selective sweep analysis.
• 3340 eGenes and 532 TWAS-associated genes linked to body weight traits.
• A conserved genomic region on Bos taurus autosome 6 (BTA6) with pleiotropic genes (LAP3, MED28, NCAPG) identified, including a prioritized functional variant.

Conclusions:

• Multi-omics analysis provides a comprehensive understanding of body weight genetic regulation in cattle.
• The identified functional variant and pleiotropic genes offer insights into complex weight regulation.
• Findings support genetic improvement strategies for farm animals by elucidating weight-related genetic mechanisms.