Comprehensive Genome and Transcriptome Analysis Identifies SLCO3A1 Associated with Aggressive Behavior in Pigs

Chunlei Zhang; Huan Yang; Qinglei Xu; Mingzheng Liu; Xiaohuan Chao; Jiahao Chen; Bo Zhou; Yang Liu

doi:10.3390/biom13091381

Biomolecules (Sep 2023)

Comprehensive Genome and Transcriptome Analysis Identifies SLCO3A1 Associated with Aggressive Behavior in Pigs

Chunlei Zhang,
Huan Yang,
Qinglei Xu,
Mingzheng Liu,
Xiaohuan Chao,
Jiahao Chen,
Bo Zhou,
Yang Liu

Affiliations

Chunlei Zhang: College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
Huan Yang: College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
Qinglei Xu: College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
Mingzheng Liu: College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
Xiaohuan Chao: College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
Jiahao Chen: College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
Bo Zhou: College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
Yang Liu: College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/biom13091381
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 13, no. 9
p. 1381

Abstract

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Copy number variation (CNV) represents a significant reservoir of genetic diversity within the genome and exhibits a strong association with economically valuable traits in livestock. The manifestation of aggressive behavior in pigs has detrimental effects on production efficiency, immune competency, and meat quality. Nevertheless, the impact of CNV on the aggressive behavior of pigs remains elusive. In this investigation, we employed an integrated analysis of genome and transcriptome data to investigate the interplay between CNV, gene expression changes, and indicators of aggressive behavior in weaned pigs. Specifically, a subset of pigs comprising the most aggressive pigs (MAP, n = 12) and the least aggressive pigs (LAP, n = 11) was purposefully selected from a herd of 500 weaned pigs following a mixing procedure based on their composite aggressive score (CAS). Subsequently, we thoroughly analyzed copy number variation regions (CNVRs) across the entire genome using next-generation sequencing techniques, ultimately revealing the presence of 6869 CNVRs. Using genome-wide association study (GWAS) analysis and evaluating variance-stabilizing transformation (VST) values, we successfully identified distinct CNVRs that distinguished the MAP and LAP counterparts. Among the prioritized CNVRs, CNVR-4962 (designated as the top-ranked p-value and VST value, No. 1) was located within the Solute Carrier Organic Anion Transporter Family Member 3A1 (SLCO3A1) gene. The results of our analyses indicated a significantly higher (p SLCO3A1 in the MAP compared to the LAP. Furthermore, this increased copy number exhibited a positive correlation with the CAS of the pigs (p SLCO3A1 in the temporal lobe of both MAP and LAP (p SLCO3A1 may influence gene expression through a dosage effect. These results highlight the potential of SLCO3A1 as a candidate gene associated with aggressive traits in pig breeding programs.

Published in Biomolecules

ISSN: 2218-273X (Online)
Publisher: MDPI AG
Country of publisher: Switzerland
LCC subjects: Science: Microbiology
Website: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/biomolecules

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