Molecular genetic characterization of Curly Horse hair using high resolution marker sets and next generation sequencing data
General Genetics and Functional Genome Biology
Final Report Abstract
Domestic animals underlie a strong targeted selection for phenotypic characteristics including hair development and shape. Curly hair represents a particularly special trait, not only providing a distinctive outer appearance but also acting as an effective regulator of body temperature. In our study, we substantially contributed to the understanding of genetic mechanisms involved in curly hair development. We identified two causative variants in KRT25 and SP6 for this special hair trait in horses and demonstrated an association of one of these two mutations with an extensive shedding of hair, the so-called hypotrichosis. The histologic picture of hair obtained from curly horses with signs of hypotrichosis revealed an irregular desquamation and frayed scales resulting in an especially pronounced rough texture of the coat. In addition to that, we elucidated the genetic background for a special curly hair type in Mangalitza pigs. Our work unravelled genomic footprints from human artificial selection for desired traits in pigs and revealed two coding variants in CYP4F3 and TRPM2 segregating with the curly hair phenotype. Furthermore, we demonstrated a strong correlation of temperature effects and curly hair development. These findings are of particular importance, as they emphasize the potential economic value of exceptional traits with regard to its significance as future genetic resource. Thus, this study substantially contributed to an increase of knowledge on genetic mechanisms in hair development, uncovering universal genetic principles for hair morphology in mammals.
Publications
- (2018) Curly coat caused by a keratin 27 variant was transmitted from Fleckvieh into German Angus. Animal Genetics
Braun M, Reinartz S, Heppelmann M, Rehage J, Sürie C, Distl O, Metzger J
(See online at https://doi.org/10.1111/age.12669) - (2018) Exploring genomes of domestic animals using Next Generation Sequencing, Habilitationsschrift Hannover, Tierärztliche Hochschule
Metzger J
- (2018). An epistatic effect of KRT25 on SP6 is involved in curly coat in horses. Scientific reports, 8(1), 1-12
Thomer, A., Gottschalk, M., Christmann, A., Naccache, F., Jung, K., Hewicker- Trautwein, M., Distl, O., Metzger, J.
(See online at https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-24865-3) - (2019). Genetics of curly coat in domestic animals. Berliner Münchener tierärztliche Wochenschrift, 132(9/10), 487-496
Thomer, A., Distl, O., & Metzger, J
- (2020). Tracing selection signatures in the pig genome gives evidence for selective pressures on a unique curly hair phenotype in Mangalitza. Scientific reports, 10(1), 1-12
Schachler, K., Distl, O., & Metzger, J.
(See online at https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-79037-z)
