Author

Jie Xu

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Open access Sep 2026

Integrative GWAS, eQTL, and functional validation identify ZNF280B as a key regulator of growth and carcass traits in Hu sheep

Hu sheep are a well-known Chinese dual-purpose breed valued for meat production, early sexual maturity, high prolificacy, and adaptability to hot, humid environments. In this study, we combined whole-genome sequencing, GWAS, and eQTL analyses to investigate the genetic basis of growth and slaughter traits in 420 eight-month-old Hu sheep. Using a discovery cohort ( N = 112) and a validation cohort ( N = 308), we integrated high-throughput SNP genotyping and RNA sequencing, identifying 559,996 high-quality SNPs and multiple significant loci associated with traits such as live weight and carcass weight. Among the 2,368 cis-eQTLs detected, the most significant was linked to ZNF280B expression in the longissimus lumborum muscle. Functional validation showed that ZNF280B downregulation significantly inhibited skeletal muscle satellite cell proliferation and induced apoptosis, highlighting its critical role in muscle development and fat metabolism. The novelty of this study lies in its large sample size, comprehensive multi-trait analysis, and the integration of functional validation, providing reliable genetic markers for marker-assisted selection in Hu sheep. These findings deepen our understanding of the genetic mechanisms underlying growth and slaughter performance and offer valuable insights for improving production efficiency and promoting sustainable livestock development.

Qiang Wang, Jie Xu, Meng-Huan Bao et al. · BMC Genomics · 0 citations

Open access Jul 2026

GWAS and selection signature analyses of whole-genome sequencing data identify genes associated with body size in Duolang sheep

Introduction Duolang sheep is a meat-fat dual-purpose breed originating from Xinjiang, China, and the genetic basis of body size variation in this breed remains unclear. Methods Whole-genome resequencing was performed on 224 Duolang sheep with complete records for six body size traits. After variant calling, imputation, and quality control, 19.65 million high-quality SNPs were retained. After linkage disequilibrium pruning, 2.1 million relatively independent SNPs were used for a mixed linear model GWAS in GEMMA. Tajima’s D and integrated haplotype score analyses were performed in a kinship-filtered subset of 60 animals, and SheepGTEx data were used to characterize tissue expression patterns. Results The GWAS identified 24 significant SNPs for height, body length, chest girth, shoulder width, and hip width. Integration of GWAS intervals with selection-signal regions prioritized 31 candidate genes, including CA10, WDR45B, FADS2, LGALS12, and CTNNA2. Multi-tissue expression profiles provided functional context for the prioritized genes. Discussion These findings provide insight into the genetic architecture of body size traits in Duolang sheep and identify candidate loci for future validation and genetic improvement studies.

Keyao Wang, Zhigang Niu, Sen Tang et al. · Frontiers in Veterinary Scie... · 0 citations