Molecular evolution and signatures of selective pressures on Bos, focusing on the Nelore breed (Bos indicus)

Autor(es)

Cortez, Thaina ; Montenegro, Horacio ; Coutinho, Luiz L. ; Regitano, Luciana C. A. ; Andrade, Sonia C. S.

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: PLoS One; v. 17, n. 12, p. 19-pg., 2022-12-22.

Resumo

Evolutionary history leads to genome changes over time, especially for species that have experienced intense selective pressures over a short period. Here, we investigated the genomic evolution of Bos species by searching for potential selection signatures, focusing on Nelore, an economically relevant cattle breed in Brazil. We assessed the genomic processes determining the molecular evolution across Nelore and thirteen other related taxa by evaluating (i) amino acid sequence conservation, (ii) the dN/dS ratio, and (iii) gene families' turnover rate (lambda). Low conserved regions potentially associated with fatty acid metabolism seem to reflect differences in meat fat content in taxa with different evolutionary histories. All Bos species presented genes under positive selection, especially B. indicus and Nelore, which include transport protein cobalamin, glycolipid metabolism, and hormone signaling. These findings could be explained by constant selective pressures to obtain higher immune resistance and efficient metabolism. The gene contraction rate across the Nelore + B. indicus branch was almost nine times higher than that in other lineages (lambda = 0.01043 vs. 0.00121), indicating gene losses during the domestication process. Amino acid biosynthesis, reproductive and innate immune system-related pathways were associated with genes recognized within the most frequent rapidly evolving gene families and in genes under positive selection, supporting the substantial relevance of such traits from a domestication perspective. Our data provide new insights into how the genome may respond to intense artificial selection in distinct taxa, and reinforces the presence of selective pressures on traits potentially relevant for future animal breeding investments. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 17/05625-0 - Estudo dos genes sob seleção em Nelore e a sua relação com as espécies Bos indicus e Bos taurus com base em dados transcriptômicos
• Beneficiário: Thainá Cortez Silva
• Modalidade de apoio: Bolsas no Brasil - Iniciação Científica
• Processo FAPESP: 12/23638-8 - Bases moleculares da qualidade da carne em bovinos da raça Nelore
• Beneficiário: Luciana Correia de Almeida Regitano
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Temático