Cytoplasmatic inheritance, epigenetics and reprogramming DNA as tools in animal breeding

Author(s)

Meirelles, Flavio Vieira ; Bressan, Fabiana Fernandes ; Smith, Lawrence Charles ; Perecin, Felipe ; Chiaratti, Marcos Roberto ; Sterman Ferraz, Jose Bento

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: LIVESTOCK SCIENCE; v. 166, p. 7-pg., 2014-08-01.

Abstract

Although intensive efforts have been used to improve performance of farm animals, a better understanding of the influence of cytoplasmic inheritance and epigenomics may be key in enabling further genetic and epigenetic selection in the future. Genetic markers associated with increased animal production, such as prolificacy, meat quality and milk production, have been targeted by several studies, and the wide association of epigenetic marks with productive traits is an area of knowledge in animal breeding that is yet to be extensively explored. This new field for animal breeding studies is particularly challenging since epigenetic marks vary among tissues and among developmental stages, producing multiple epigenomes for a single genome. This review aims to point out some of the tools that may help to determine genome and epigenome associations, thus creating a new perspective for animal breeding by allowing the selection of desired genotypes and epigenotypes. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 11/08376-4 - Effects of genetic induction and reprogramming through nuclear transfer in in vitro bovine embryo production
• Grantee: Flávio Vieira Meirelles
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 12/50231-6 - Molecular basis of mitochondrial inheritance: the role of mitochondrial fusion
• Grantee: Marcos Roberto Chiaratti
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Young Investigators Grants
• FAPESP's process: 10/09561-7 - Effect of introducing a large amount of embryonic or somatic mitochondria on development and on mitochondrial inheritance in bovines
• Grantee: Marcos Roberto Chiaratti
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral