Project description:The Gayal (Bos frontalis) is a rare semi-domesticated cattle in China. Gayal has typical beef body shape and good meat production performance. Compared with other cattle species, it has the characteristics of tender meat and extremely low fat content. To explore the underlying mechanism responsible for the differences of meat quality between different breeds, the longissimus dorsi muscle (LM) from Gayal and Banna cattle (Bos taurus) were investigated using transcriptome analysis. The gene expression profiling identified 638 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between LM muscles from Gayal and Banna cattle. Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment of biological functions and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis showed that the gene products were mainly involved in the PPAR signaling pathway, lipid metabolism and amino acid metabolism pathway. Protein-protein interaction(PPI) network analysis showed APOB, CYP7A1, THBS2, ITGAV, IGFBP1 and IGF2R may have great impact on meat quality characteristics of Gayal. Moreover, three transcription factors, FOXA2, NEUROG2, and RUNX1, which may affect meat quality by regulating the expression of genes related to muscle growth and development have also been found. In summary, our research reveals the molecular mechanisms that cause Gayal meat quality characteristics. It will contribute to improving meat quality of cattle through molecular breeding.
Project description:The Gayal (Bos frontalis) is a rare semi-wild Bovine species that inhabits the harsh environments of Indo-China. Although the origins of the Gayal remain largely enigmatic, addressing the lack of comprehensive transcriptomic data is critical for understanding its genetic and molecular characteristics, which are essential for formulating effective conservation and management plans. In this study, an integrated PacBio Iso-seq and RNA-seq analysis was conducted on samples from 10 different organs and tissues of the Gayal, with each being sequenced in triplicate. The samples analyzed included the heart, liver, spleen, lung, kidney, rumen, abomasum, duodenum, ileum, and rectum. This comprehensive analysis resulted in the identification of 30,760 full-length transcripts ranging from 363 bp to 7,157 bp, with transcript information matched to seven commonly used databases. Gene family clustering and phylogenetic analyses encompassed a comprehensive dataset of 9 Bovine species, including the Gayal. Additionally, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) were identified across all sampled tissues, and comprehensive gene expression profiles and differential expression gene analyses were performed. These findings provide a rich repository of genetic information, laying the foundation for comprehensive functional genomics studies and paving the way for deeper insights into the molecular mechanisms of the Gayal, thereby advancing our understanding of its transcriptome architecture and offering crucial data for conservation efforts and practical applications.
Project description:Muscle transcriptome signature and gene regulatory network in two divergent lines of a semi-domesticated bovine Mithun (Bos frontalis) from India