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Identification of Key Candidate Genes Potentially Associated with Lactation Traits in Dairy Cows Using Weighted Gene
Tong Mu1,2, Zhixuan Qiao1, Honghong Hu1
1Key Laboratory of Ruminant Molecular Cell Breeding in Yan'an, College of Life Sciences, Yan'an University, Yan'an 716000, China.
Veterinary Sciences
|July 28, 2026
Summary
Researchers identified four key genes (MDM2, RPL37A, SLC25A25, CCNE2) linked to dairy cow lactation traits using gene co-expression networks. This discovery aids in understanding lactation mechanisms and advancing molecular breeding for improved dairy production.
Area of Science:
- Animal Genomics
- Molecular Biology
- Dairy Science
Background:
- Lactation traits are crucial for dairy cow productivity and economic viability.
- Identifying genes regulating lactation is key for molecular breeding and understanding biological mechanisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify candidate genes and regulatory pathways associated with lactation traits in dairy cows.
- To integrate transcriptomic data with phenotypic information for comprehensive analysis.
Main Methods:
- Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) was used to build a gene co-expression network.
- Candidate genes were screened using multiple strategies including functional enrichment, random forest, and gene-phenotype association analyses.
- Reverse transcription quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR) validated gene expression in mammary tissue.
Main Results:
- Four co-expression modules (MEdarkturquoise, MEsteelblue, MEbrown, MEskyblue3) were significantly associated with lactation traits (p < 0.05).
- Enriched pathways included ribosome biogenesis, protein translation, cell cycle, oxidative phosphorylation, and PI3K-Akt signaling.
- Four candidate genes (MDM2, RPL37A, SLC25A25, CCNE2) were identified, with MDM2 linked to daily milk yield and RPL37A to total milk solids.
Conclusions:
- MDM2 and RPL37A showed high expression in mammary tissue, suggesting roles in lactation.
- The identified genes and pathways offer potential targets for improving dairy cow lactation traits through molecular breeding.
- Further in vitro and in vivo studies are needed to validate the functional roles of these candidate genes.