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High-throughput DNA sequence analysis elucidates novel insight into the genetic basis of adaptation in local sheep

  • Hojjat Asadollahpour Nanaei
  • , Zeinab Amiri Ghanatsaman
  • , Mohammad Ali Farahvashi
  • , Seyedeh Fatemeh Mousavi
  • , Mohammad Hossein Banabazi
  • , Masood Asadi Fozi

Publication: Contribution to journalJournal articlepeer-review

Abstract

Understanding how evolutionary factors related to climate adaptation and human selection have influenced the genetic architecture of domesticated animals is of great interest in biology. In the current study, by using 304 whole genomes from different geographical regions (including Europe, north Africa, Southwest Asia, east Asia, west Africa, south Asia, east Africa, Australia and Turkey), We evaluate global sheep population dynamics in terms of genetic variation and population structure. We further conducted comparative population analysis to study the genetic underpinnings of climate adaption to local environments and also morphological traits. In order to identify genomic signals under selection, we applied fixation index (FST) and also nucleotide diversity (theta pi) statistical measurements. Our results revealed several candidate genes on different chromosomes under selection for local climate adaptation (e.g. HOXC12, HOXC13, IRF1, FGD2 and GNAQ), body size (PDGFA, HMGA2, PDE3A) and also morphological related traits (RXFP2). The discovered candidate genes may offer newel insights into genetic underpinning of regional adaptation and commercially significant features in local sheep.
Original languageEnglish
Article number150
Number of pages11
JournalTropical Animal Health and Production
Volume56
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2024

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V. 2024.

Keywords

  • Candidate gene
  • Genetic variation
  • Local adaptation
  • Sheep
  • Whole genome

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