Genomic structure and marker-derived gene networks for growth and meat quality traits of Brazilian Nelore beef cattle

• DOI: 10.1186/s12864-016-2535-3
• Publication Date: 2016-03-18T18:23:43Z
• Authors: Maurício A. Mudadu; Laercio R. Porto-...; Fabiana B. Mokry; Polyana C. Tizioto; Priscila S. N. Ol...; Rymer R. Tullio; Renata T. Nassu; Simone C. M. Niciura; Patrícia Tholon; Maurício M. Alencar; Roberto H. Higa; Antônio N. Rosa; Gélson L. D. Feijó; André L. J. Ferraz; Luiz O. C. Silva; Sérgio R. Medeiros; Dante P. Lanna; Michele L. Nascim...; Amália S. Chaves; Andrea R. D. L. S...; Irineu U. Packer; Roberto A. A. Torres; Fabiane Siqueira; Gerson B. Mourão; Luiz L. Coutinho; Antonio Reverter; Luciana C. A. Reg...
• Keywords: Genome-wide Association Study; Beef Cattle; SNP; Bovine genome; Genetic Association

Nelore is the major beef cattle breed in Brazil with more than 130 million heads. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) are often used to associate markers and genomic regions growth meat quality traits that can be assist selection programs. An alternative methodology traditional GWAS involves construction of gene network interactions, derived from results several AWM (Association Weight Matrices)/PCIT (Partial Correlation Information Theory). With aim evaluating genetic architecture Brazilian cattle, we high-density SNP genotyping data (~770,000 SNP) 780 animals comprising 34 half-sibling families highly disseminated unrelated sires across Brazil. The AWM/PCIT was employed evaluate genes participate a series eight phenotypes related obtained this sample. Our indicate lack structuring between individuals studied since principal component analyses were not able differentiate by its or ancestral lineages. application revealed trio transcription factors (comprising VDR, LHX9 ZEB1) which combination connected 66 through 359 edges whose biological functions inspected, some revealing processes literature searches. diversity sample high enough among neither nor using available lineage information. networks constructed useful characterizing allegedly influential cattle.