Editorial: Epigenetic variation influences on livestock production and disease traits

Authors: IBEAGHA-AWEMU, EVELINE - Agriculture And Agri-Food Canada; KIEFER, HELENE - Inrae; MCKAY, STEPHANIE - University Of Vermont; Liu, Ge - George

Submitted to: Frontiers in Genetics
Publication Type: Other
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/16/2022
Publication Date: 6/15/2022
Citation: Ibeagha-Awemu, E.M., Kiefer, H., Mckay, S., Liu, G. 2022. Editorial: Epigenetic variation influences on livestock production and disease traits. Frontiers in Genetics. 13:942747. https://doi.org/10.3389/fgene.2022.942747.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fgene.2022.942747

Interpretive Summary: We edited a research topic for Frontier in Genetics (Livestock Genomics) including 4 reviews and 19 orginal research articles to cover the influences of epigenome alterations (DNA methylation, RNA methylation, histone tail modifications and chromatin remodeling) on livestock production traits. These results fill our knowledge gaps and provide the foundation for incorporating epigenome information into the future animal breeding program. Farmers, breeders, scientists, and policy planners who need to improve animal health and production based on genome-enable animal selection will benefit from this study.

Technical Abstract: The epigenome source of variation modulates gene expression without involving changes to the DNA sequence and is an underutilized source of information that may contribute to improved disease management, reproduction, productivity and environmental adaptation of livestock. The epigenome which comprises DNA methylation, histone tail modifications, chromatin remodeling, and non-coding RNA species that can transmit epigenetic information (e.g., microRNAs and long non-coding RNAs, etc.) respond to environmental factors (nutrition, pathogens, climate, etc.) to influence the expression of genes and the emergence of specific phenotypes. Increasing evidence indicates that phenotypic expression results from multi-level interactions between the genome, epigenome, environmental factors and other non-genetic factors. Furthermore, numerous lines of evidence suggest the influence of epigenome variation on livestock production (e.g., milk production, reproduction), disease traits, reproduction and environmental adaptation. Given that livestock breeding depends heavily on the interaction between breed (genetics), environment (e.g., cold or warm climate, nutrition, pathogens, etc.) and management practices (e.g., type of feed material, form/quantity of feed), many of which impact the epigenome, it is imperative that attention should be given to epigenome characterization and application in livestock breeding and disease management. Therefore, the aim of this research topic is to collect research data on the influences of epigenome alterations (DNA methylation, RNA methylation, histone tail modifications and chromatin remodeling) on livestock production traits, to facilitate gainful use of this important source of variation to support continued improvement in livestock traits and disease management. Non-coding RNA data on livestock is already covered by other research topics and is excluded from this topic.