Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 18, 2026
14:40
Instrumentation of Near-term Fetal Sheep for Multivariate Chronic Non-anesthetized Recordings
Published on: October 25, 2015
9.9K
In Silico Insights Into Growth Hormone Variants: Structural and Functional Implications of Breed-Specific SNPs in
Manar Hussam Mahdi1, Thamer R S Aljubouri1, Mohammed Baqur S Al-Shuhaib1
1Department of Animal Production, College of Agriculture, Al-Qasim Green University, Al-Qasim, Babil, Iraq.
Chemistry & Biodiversity
|February 16, 2026
Summary
This study reveals a specific growth hormone (GH) variant in Serra da Estrela sheep that enhances productive traits. This discovery offers a cost-effective method for improving sheep breeding and productivity.
Area of Science:
- Animal Genetics
- Molecular Biology
- Bioinformatics
Background:
- Growth hormone (GH) significantly influences sheep productivity.
- Genetic variations in GH across breeds and their functional impacts are poorly understood.
- Breed-specific single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in GH require investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore genetic diversity of GH in sheep breeds.
- To analyze structural and functional consequences of breed-specific GH SNPs.
- To identify GH variants associated with favorable productive traits.
Main Methods:
- Phylogenetic analysis of GH sequences.
- Identification and validation of GH models.
- In silico analysis of SNPs' effects on GH structure, function, and stability.
- Molecular docking with growth hormone receptor (GHR).
- Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations.
Main Results:
- Eleven GH models were validated from 14 suggested models.
- Most identified SNPs had detrimental effects on GH.
- Four top-hit models (Serra da Estrela, Hu, Awassi, Kajli) were identified through docking with GHR.
- MD simulations indicated Model-4 (Serra da Estrela) superior to other top hits.
- The SNP in Model-4 showed non-deleterious effects and high binding stability with GHR.
Conclusions:
- A specific GH variant (Model-4) in Serra da Estrela sheep is a promising candidate for enhancing productive traits.
- The computational pipeline provides an efficient method for identifying favorable GH-related variants.
- This research facilitates cost-effective strategies for improving sheep breeding programs.
Related Concept Videos
01:43Incomplete Dominance
30.2K
Gregor Mendel's work (1822 - 1884) was primarily focused on pea plants. Through his initial experiments, he determined that every gene in a diploid cell has two variants called alleles inherited from each parent. He suggested that amongst these two alleles, one allele is dominant in character and the other recessive. The combination of alleles determines the phenotype of a gene in an organism.
30.2K
01:29Pharmacogenomics: Identification of New Drug Targets
10
Advances in genomics have profoundly influenced drug discovery by increasing both the speed and accuracy of pharmaceutical development. Pharmacogenomics, which examines how genetic variation influences drug response, facilitates the identification of novel therapeutic targets and enables patient stratification for personalized treatment. These strategies contribute to improved drug efficacy, minimized adverse effects, and more efficient clinical trial design.Mapping genetic differences...
10
01:11Genome-wide Association Studies-GWAS
15.8K
Genome-wide association studies or GWAS are used to identify whether common SNPs are associated with certain diseases. Suppose specific SNPs are more frequently observed in individuals with a particular disease than those without the disease. In that case, those SNPs are said to be associated with the disease. Chi-square analysis is performed to check the probability of the allele likely to be associated with the disease.
GWAS does not require the identification of the target gene involved in...
GWAS does not require the identification of the target gene involved in...
15.8K
01:05Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms-SNPs
18.6K
A single nucleotide polymorphism or SNP is a single nucleotide variation at a specific genomic position in a large population. It is the most prevalent type of sequence variation found in the human genome. Point mutations that occur in more than 1% of the population qualify as SNPs. These are present once every 1000 nucleotides on an average in the human genome. Replacement of a purine with another purine (A/G) or a pyrimidine with another pyrimidine (C/T) is known as a transition. In contrast,...
18.6K
01:27Principles of Pharmacogenetics: Types of Genetic Variants
14
The human genome is over 99.9% identical between individuals, yet genetic differences exist at millions of bases. The human genome contains approximately 3 million variant positions per individual, many of which are heterozygous, contributing to genetic diversity and individual traits. Genetic variations include single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), insertions, deletions, and copy number variations (CNVs).SNPs, the most common variation, involve single-base changes in DNA. These can be...
14
02:26Comparing Copy Number Variations and SNPs
18.8K
Sequencing of the human genome has opened up several best-kept secrets of the genome. Scientists have identified thousands of genome variations that exist within a population. These variations can be a single nucleotide or a larger chromosomal variation.
Copy number variations or CNVs are the structural variations that cover more than 1kb of DNA sequence. The single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), on the other hand, is a single nucleotide change or a point mutation that is found in more than 1%...
Copy number variations or CNVs are the structural variations that cover more than 1kb of DNA sequence. The single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), on the other hand, is a single nucleotide change or a point mutation that is found in more than 1%...
18.8K