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Updated: Jan 18, 2026
10:06
Cell Type-specific Gene Expression Profiling in the Mouse Liver
Published on: September 17, 2019
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Mapping multitissue regulatory variants reveals a liver-centric coexpression network associated with duck egg-laying
Yang Xi1,2,3, Jingjing Qi3, Zhao Yang3
1College of Life Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an, 625014, People's Republic of China.
Genome Research
|September 10, 2025
Summary
This study maps genetic variants influencing duck egg production across multiple tissues, identifying key genes and regulatory networks. Findings reveal novel insights into the complex genetic control of eggshell color and laying performance.
Area of Science:
- Animal Genomics
- Reproductive Biology
- Quantitative Genetics
Background:
- Poultry egg production is complex, regulated by multiple physiological systems.
- Genetic regulation of egg production is intricate, with limited multi-tissue data in ducks.
- The role of peripheral tissues beyond neuroendocrine control is understudied.
Purpose of the Study:
- To comprehensively map regulatory variants associated with gene expression, splicing, and polyadenylation in duck egg production.
- To identify genes and regulatory networks controlling eggshell color and laying performance.
- To explore the cross-tissue regulatory landscape influencing duck reproduction.
Main Methods:
- Generated 979 RNA-seq and whole-genome sequencing data from 307 egg-laying ducks.
- Performed multi-tissue mapping of expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL), splicing QTL (sQTL), and 3' alternative polyadenylation QTL (apaQTL).
- Integrated multi-omics data with genome-wide association studies (GWAS) results.
Main Results:
- Mapped 14,074 eQTL, 6,267 sQTL, and 4,994 apaQTL across liver, ovary, shell gland, and spleen.
- Confirmed *ABCG2* shell gland expression regulates eggshell color and identified *ENOPH1* 3'APA sites.
- Linked specific gene expressions in shell gland, ovary, and spleen to declining egg production, and identified liver modules coordinating cross-tissue regulation.
Conclusions:
- Delivers a crucial multi-tissue genomic resource for duck egg production research.
- Provides novel insights into the genetic mechanisms of eggshell color and laying performance.
- Highlights the importance of cross-tissue regulatory networks in avian reproduction.
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