Gene co-expression network and differential expression analyses reveal key genes for weaning weight in Simmental-Holstein crossbred cattle

Autor: Saina Yan, Fen Pei, Jingfnag Si, Md. Yousuf Ali Khan, Sihai Ou, Yang Yang, Zongsheng Zhao, Alfredo Pauciullo, Yi Zhang
Jazyk: angličtina
Rok vydání: 2024
Předmět:
Zdroj: Animal Biotechnology, Vol 35, Iss 1 (2024)
Druh dokumentu: article
ISSN: 10495398
1532-2378
1049-5398
DOI: 10.1080/10495398.2024.2404042
Popis: Weaning weight is a key indicator of the early growth performance of cattle. An understanding of the genetic mechanisms underlying weaning weight will help increase the accuracy of selection of breeding animals. In order to identify candidate genes associated with weaning weight in Simmental-Holstein crossbred cattle, this study generated RNA-Sequencing (RNA-seq) data from 86 crossbred calves (37 males and 49 famales) and measured their weaning weight and body size traits (wither height, body length, chest girth, rump width, and rump length). Differential gene expression analysis and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) were performed. A total of 498 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified between the low weaning weight (LWW) group and the high weaning weight (HWW) group. Weaning weight was transcriptionally correlated (FDR < 0.05) with four of the eleven co-expression gene modules. By intersecting DEGs and hub genes of the four modules, we identified a final set of 37 candidate genes enriched in growth, development, or immune-related processes. In addition, one co-expression module was significantly correlated with all the five body size traits (P
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