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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Beltsville, Maryland (BARC) » Beltsville Agricultural Research Center » Animal Genomics and Improvement Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #295296
Title: A genome-wide scan for selection signatures in Nelore cattle

Author
item SOMAVILLA, ADRIANA LUIZA - Universidade Federal De Sao Carlos
item Sonstegard, Tad
item HIGA, ROBERTO - Embprapa
item ROSA, ANTONIO - Embprapa
item SIQUEIRA, FABIANE - Embprapa
item SILVA, FBIANE - Universidad De Sao Paulo
item SILVA, LUIZ O.C. - Embprapa
item TORRES, ROBERTO - Embprapa
item COUTINHO, LUIZ - Universidad De Sao Paulo
item ALVARENGA MUDADU, MAURICIO DE - Embrapa
item ALENCAR, MAURICIO - Embrapa
item REGITANO, LUCIANA C.A. - Embrapa

Submitted to: Animal Genetics
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/15/2014
Publication Date: 9/3/2014
Citation: Somavilla, A., Sonstegard, T.S., Higa, R.H., Rosa, A.N., Siqueira, F., Silva, F.L., Silva, L., Torres, R.A., Coutinho, L.L., Alvarenga Mudadu, M., Alencar, M.M., Regitano, L. 2014. A genome-wide scan for selection signatures in Nelore cattle. Animal Genetics. 45(6):771-81.

Interpretive Summary: It is possible to analyze high-density DNA marker (single nucleotide polymorphism' or SNP-based data) to find regions of the genome that have rapidly changed due to artificial selection pressure based on breeding for genetic improvement of growth. This study uses high-density, genome-wide SNP data (700,000 markers) to identify signatures of selection in the Nelore breed of Bos indicus cattle from Brazil. The results provide additional evidence as to what regions of the genome are important for meat quality traits in Nelore cattle, and some of these regions overlap with a previous study that identified these regions as being associated with economically important meat quality traits. Studies with other populations from the Nelore breed will be required to validate the results of this study. This information can be used to inform further investigations aimed at identifying superior genetic variation for marker, assisted breeding to improve meat quality and uniformity in tropically adapted cattle.

Technical Abstract: Brazilian Nelore cattle have been selected for growth traits over more than four decades. In recent years, reproductive and meat quality traits have become more important because of increasing consumption, exports and consumer demand. The identification of genomic regions altered by artificial selection can potentially permit a better understanding of the biology of specific phenotypes that are useful for the development of tools designed to increase selection efficiency. Therefore, the aims of this study were to detect evidence for recent selection signatures in Nelore cattle genome using EHH methodology and to identify corresponding genes underlying these signals. More than 2,000 regions of possible recent selection signatures were detected. Some of these regions overlapped QTL related to reproductive traits, growth, efficiency, meat quality, fatty acid profiles, and the immunity. In addition, 545 genes were identified in regions harboring selection signatures. Several genes were associated with growth, muscle and adipose tissue metabolism, reproductive traits, and immune system. Using the EHH and REHH methods to analyze high-density SNP data allowed the identification of regions seemingly under artificial selection pressure in the Nelore genome, which might contribute to a search for regions or groups of genes that control traits of economic importance.