近日，中国农业科学院蒋琳等研究人员合作发现，全基因组测序揭示中国绵羊环境适应的功能基因。2024年9月12日，《遗传学报》在线发表了这项成果。

研究人员对来自18个中国绵羊群体的266只绵羊进行了全基因组测序，这些群体展示了适应不同环境条件的独特表型。通过将131个环境因素与单核苷酸多态性变异相结合，研究人员开展了全面的遗传-环境关联分析。这些分析识别出35个可能在绵羊环境适应中起关键作用的基因。

这些基因的功能包括脂尾形成（HOXA10、HOXA11、JAZF1）、羊毛特征（FER、FGF5、MITF、PDE4B）、角形态（RXFP2）、生殖（HIBADH、TRIM71、C6H4orf22）及生长性状（ADGRL3、TRHDE）。值得注意的是，PAPSS2和RXFP2基因中的错义突变频率与海拔变化呈现出显著相关性。该研究揭示了绵羊适应性变异的候选基因，展现了绵羊适应环境的多样性。

据介绍，绵羊（Ovis aries）作为最早被驯化的物种之一，现已广泛分布于全球，并展现出对多样环境的显著适应能力。

附：英文原文

Title: Whole-Genome Sequencing Identifies Functional Genes for Environmental Adaptation in Chinese Sheep

Author: Yuehui Ma a b, Lin Jiang a b

Issue&Volume: 2024/09/12

Abstract: Sheep (Ovis aries), among the first domesticated species, are now globally widespread and exhibit remarkable adaptability to diverse environments. In this study, we perform whole-genome sequencing of 266 animals from 18 distinct Chinese sheep populations, each displaying unique phenotypes indicative of adaptation to varying environmental conditions. Integrating 131 environmental factors with single nucleotide polymorphism variations, we conduct a comprehensive genetic-environmental association analysis. This analysis identifies 35 key genes likely integral to the environmental adaptation of sheep. The functions of these genes include fat tail formation (HOXA10, HOXA11, JAZF1), wool characteristics (FER, FGF5, MITF, PDE4B), horn phenotypes (RXFP2), reproduction (HIBADH, TRIM71, C6H4orf22) and growth traits (ADGRL3, TRHDE). Notably, we observe a significant correlation between the frequency of missense mutations in the PAPSS2 and RXFP2 genes and variations in altitude. Our study reveals candidate genes for adaptive variation in sheep and demonstrates the diversity in the ways sheep adapt to their environment.

DOI: 10.1016/j.jgg.2024.08.011

Source: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1673852724002340