SNP markers for the genetic characterization of Mexican shrimp broodstocks

Selective breeding of shrimp has major potential to enhance production traits, including growth and disease resistance. Genetic characterization of broodstock populations is a key element of breeding programs, as it enables decisions on inbreeding restrictions, family structure, and the potential use of genomic selection. Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) are suitable genetic markers for this purpose. A set of SNPs was developed to characterize commercial breeding stocks in Mexico. Individuals from local and imported lines were selected for sequencing using the nextRAD technique, resulting in the identification of 2619 SNPs. Genetic structure analysis showed three to five genetic groups of Ecuadorian and Mexican origins. A subset of 1231 SNPs has potential for stock identification and management. Further, three SNPs were identified as candidate sex-linked markers. The role of SNPs possibly associated with genes related to traits of importance to shrimp farming, such as growth and immune response, should be further investigated.     

Exploring a Tomato Landraces Collection for Fruit-Related Traits by the Aid of a High-Throughput Genomic Platform

During its evolution and domestication Solanum lycopersicum has undergone various genetic ‘bottlenecks’ and extreme inbreeding of limited genotypes. In Europe the tomato found a secondary centre for diversification, which resulted in a wide array of fruit shape variation given rise to a range of landraces that have been cultivated for centuries. Landraces represent a reservoir of genetic diversity especially for traits such as abiotic stress resistance and high fruit quality. Information about the variation present among tomato landrace populations is still limited. A collection of 123 genotypes from different geographical areas was established with the aim of capturing a wide diversity. Eighteen morphological traits were evaluated, mainly related to the fruit. About 45% of morphological variation was attributed to fruit shape, as estimated by the principal component analysis, and the dendrogram of relatedness divided the population in subgroups mainly on the basis of fruit weight and locule number. Genotyping was carried out using the tomato array platform SolCAP able to interrogate 7,720 SNPs. In the whole collection 87.1% markers were polymorphic but they decreased to 44–54% when considering groups of genotypes with different origin. The neighbour-joining tree analysis clustered the 123 genotypes into two main branches. The STRUCTURE analysis with K = 3 also divided the population on the basis of fruit size. A genomic-wide association strategy revealed 36 novel markers associated to the variation of 15 traits. The markers were mapped on the tomato chromosomes together with 98 candidate genes for the traits analyzed. Six regions were evidenced in which candidate genes co-localized with 19 associated SNPs. In addition, 17 associated SNPs were localized in genomic regions lacking candidate genes. The identification of these markers demonstrated that novel variability was captured in our germoplasm collection. They might also provide a viable indirect selection tool in future practical breeding programs.     

单核苷酸多态性在林木中的研究进展

摘要: 单核苷酸多态性(Single nucleotide polymorphisms, SNPs)是许多生物体最丰富的遗传变异形式。林木是重要的植物类群和陆地植物生态系统的重要组成部分, SNP作为新的分子标记已应用于松、杨、黄杉、桉和云杉等属的多个树种的遗传育种学研究, 获得了包括核苷酸多样性、连锁不平衡及群体结构等相关的遗传信息, 这些研究主要建立在对候选基因序列进行测序分析的基础上。基于SNP的关联遗传学分析或连锁不平衡(Linkage disequilibrium, LD)作图, 已成为研究林木复杂数量性状的理想工具, 对桉树和火炬松的关联遗传学研究发现, 多个基因内的SNP位点与不同的木材性状相关联。利用SNP标记对林木遗传参数的估算从不同程度上揭示了林木群体进化规律及其生态学意义。SNP标记在林木中应用的不断深入, 必将极大地推动林木遗传育种学研究的发展。     

Identification of favorable SNP alleles and candidate genes responsible for inflorescence-related traits via GWAS in chrysanthemum

Key message

81 SNPs were identified for three inflorescence-related traits, in which 15 were highly favorable. Two dCAPS markers were developed for future MAS breeding, and six candidate genes were predicted.

Abstract

Chrysanthemum is a leading ornamental species worldwide and demonstrates a wealth of morphological variation. Knowledge about the genetic basis of its phenotypic variation for key horticultural traits can contribute to its effective management and genetic improvement. In this study, we conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) based on two years of phenotype data and a set of 92,617 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) using a panel of 107 diverse cut chrysanthemums to dissect the genetic control of three inflorescence-related traits. A total of 81 SNPs were significantly associated with the three inflorescence-related traits (capitulum diameter, number of ray florets and flowering time) in at least one environment, with an individual allele explaining 22.72–38.67% of the phenotypic variation. Fifteen highly favorable alleles were identified for the three target traits by computing the phenotypic effect values for the stable associations detected in 2 year-long trials at each locus. Dosage pyramiding effects of the highly favorable SNP alleles and significant linear correlations between highly favorable allele numbers and corresponding phenotypic performance were observed. Two highly favorable SNP alleles correlating to flowering time and capitulum diameter were converted to derived cleaved amplified polymorphic sequence (dCAPS) markers to facilitate future breeding. Finally, six putative candidate genes were identified that contribute to flowering time and capitulum diameter. These results serve as a foundation for analyzing the genetic mechanisms underlying important horticultural traits and provide valuable insights into molecular marker-assisted selection (MAS) in chrysanthemum breeding programs.

     

Identification of single nucleotide polymorphisms and haplotypes associated with yield and yield components in soybean (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Glycine max</Emphasis>) landraces across multiple environments

Genome-wide association analysis is a powerful approach to identify the causal genetic polymorphisms underlying complex traits. In this study, we evaluated a population of 191 soybean landraces in five environments to detect molecular markers associated with soybean yield and its components using 1,536 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and 209 haplotypes. The analysis revealed that abundant phenotypic and genetic diversity existed in the studied population. This soybean population could be divided into two subpopulations and no or weak relatedness was detected between pair-wise landraces. The level of intra-chromosomal linkage disequilibrium was about 500 kb. Genome-wide association analysis based on the unified mixed model identified 19 SNPs and 5 haplotypes associated with soybean yield and yield components in three or more environments. Nine markers were found co-associated with two or more traits. Many markers were located in or close to previously reported quantitative trait loci mapped by linkage analysis. The SNPs and haplotypes identified in this study will help to further understand the genetic basis of soybean yield and its components, and may facilitate future high-yield breeding by marker-assisted selection in soybean.     

A genome-wide association study for feed efficiency-related traits in a crossbred pig population

Feed efficiency (FE) is one of the most important traits in pig production. However, it is difficult and costly to measure it, limiting the collection of large amount of data for an accurate selection for better FE. Therefore, the identification of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with FE-related traits to be used in the genetic evaluation is of great interest of pig breeding programs for increasing the prediction accuracy and the genetic progress of these traits. The objective of this study was to identify SNPs significantly associated with FE-related traits: average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI) and feed conversion ratio (FCR). We also aimed to identify potential candidate genes for these traits. Phenotypic information recorded on a population of 2386 three-way crossbreed pigs that were genotyped for 51 468 SNPs was used. We identified three loci of quantitative trait (QTL) regions associated with ADG and three QTL regions associated with ADFI; however, no significant association was found for FCR. A false discovery rate (FDR) ≤ 0.005 was used as the threshold for declaring an association as significant. The QTL regions associated with ADG on Sus scrofa chromosome (SSC) 1 were located between 177.01 and 185.47 Mb, which overlaps with the QTL regions for ADFI on SSC1 (173.26 and 185.47 Mb). The other QTL region for ADG was located on SSC12 (2.87 and 3.22 Mb). The most significant SNPs in these QTL regions explained up to 3.26% of the phenotypic variance of these traits. The non-identification of genomic regions associated with FCR can be explained by the complexity of this trait, which is a ratio between ADG and ADFI. Finally, the genes CDH19, CDH7, RNF152, MC4R, PMAIP1, FEM1B and GAA were the candidate genes found in the 1 Mb window around the QTL regions identified in this study. Among them, the MC4R gene (SSC1) has a well-known function related to ADG and ADFI. In this study, we identified three QTL regions for ADG (SSC1 and SSC12) and three for ADFI (SSC1). These regions were previously described in purebred pig populations; however, to our knowledge, this is the first study to confirm the relevance of these QTL regions in a crossbred pig population. The potential use of the SNPs and genes identified in this study in prediction models that combine genomic selection and marker-assisted selection should be evaluated for increasing the prediction accuracy of these traits in this population.     

SNP markers trace familial linkages in a cloned population of Pinus taeda—prospects for genomic selection

Advances in DNA sequencing technology have made possible the genotyping of thousands of single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers, and new methods of statistical analysis are emerging to apply these advances in plant breeding programs. We report the utility of markers for prediction of breeding values in a forest tree species using empirical genotype data (3,406 polymorphic SNP loci). A total of 526 Pinus taeda L. clones tested widely in field trials were phenotyped at age 5?years. Only 149 clones from 13 full-sib crosses were genotyped. Markers were fit simultaneously to predict marker additive and dominance effects. Subsets of the 149 genotyped clones were used to train a model using all markers. Cross-validation strategies were followed for the remaining subset of genotyped individuals. The accuracy of genomic estimated breeding values ranged from 0.61 to 0.83 for wood lignin and cellulose content, and from 0.30 to 0.68 for height and volume traits. The accuracies of predictions based on markers were comparable with the accuracies based on pedigree. Because of the small number of SNP markers used and the relatively small population size, we suggest that observed accuracies in this study trace familial linkage rather than historical linkage disequilibrium with trait loci. Prediction accuracies of models that use only a subset of markers were generally comparable with the accuracies of the models using all markers, regardless of whether markers are associated with the phenotype. The results suggest that using SNP loci for selection instead of phenotype is efficient under different relative lengths of the breeding cycle, which would allow cost-effective applications in tree breeding programs. Prospects for applications of genomic selection to P. taeda breeding are discussed.     

Interactions of the bovine placental lactogen and prolactin receptor genes are associated with fertility traits in cattle

Decline in fertility of high-producing dairy cattle has become a global challenge to the dairy industry. Because of low heritability and complexity, it is difficult to find genetic markers for fertility traits in cattle. Here, we report the use of an in vitro fertilization (IVF) system and candidate gene approach to test genetic associations of a single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in bovine placental lactogen (bPL), and its interactions with SNPs in the prolactin receptor (PRLR) and growth hormone receptor genes with fertility traits in an IVF system. The associations suggest a possible involvement of genetic interactions between bPL and PRLR in the fertilization and embryonic development processes, and the potential for application in a marker-assisted selection program.     

Demonstration of Genome-Wide Association Studies for Identifying Markers for Wood Property and Male Strobili Traits in Cryptomeria japonica

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) are an alternative to bi-parental QTL mapping in long-lived perennials. In the present study, we examined the potential of GWAS in conifers using 367 unrelated plus trees of Cryptomeria japonica D. Don, which is the most widely planted and commercially important tree species in Japan, and tried to detect significant associations between wood property traits and quantity of male strobili on the one hand, and 1,032 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) assigned to 1,032 genes on the other. Association analysis was performed with the mixed linear model taking into account kinship relationships and subpopulation structure. In total, 6 SNPs were found to have significant associations with the variations in phenotype. These SNPs were not associated with the positions of known genes and QTLs that have been reported to date, thus they may identify novel QTLs. These 6 SNPs were all found in sequences showing similarities with known genes, although further analysis is required to dissect the ways in which they affect wood property traits and abundance of male strobili. These presumptive QTL loci provide opportunities for improvement of C. japonica, based on a marker approach. The results suggest that GWAS has potential for use in future breeding programs in C. japonica.     

Disentangling the roles of history and local selection in shaping clinal variation of allele frequencies and gene expression in Norway spruce (Picea abies)

Understanding the genetic basis of local adaptation is challenging due to the subtle balance among conflicting evolutionary forces that are involved in its establishment and maintenance. One system with which to tease apart these difficulties is clines in adaptive characters. Here we analyzed genetic and phenotypic variation in bud set, a highly heritable and adaptive trait, among 18 populations of Norway spruce (Picea abies), arrayed along a latitudinal gradient ranging from 47°N to 68°N. We confirmed that variation in bud set is strongly clinal, using a subset of five populations. Genotypes for 137 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) chosen from 18 candidate genes putatively affecting bud set and 308 control SNPs chosen from 264 random genes were analyzed for patterns of genetic structure and correlation to environment. Population genetic structure was low (F(ST) = 0.05), but latitudinal patterns were apparent among Scandinavian populations. Hence, part of the observed clinal variation should be attributable to population demography. Conditional on patterns of genetic structure, there was enrichment of SNPs within candidate genes for correlations with latitude. Twenty-nine SNPs were also outliers with respect to F(ST). The enrichment for clinal variation at SNPs within candidate genes (i.e., SNPs in PaGI, PaPhyP, PaPhyN, PaPRR7, and PaFTL2) indicated that local selection in the 18 populations, and/or selection in the ancestral populations from which they were recently derived, shaped the observed cline. Validation of these genes using expression studies also revealed that PaFTL2 expression is significantly associated with latitude, thereby confirming the central role played by this gene in the control of phenology in plants.     

京海黄鸡体重性状全基因组关联分析

体重性状是肉鸡重要的经济性状。为了寻找可用于京海黄鸡体重性状遗传改良的分子标记及候选基因,本文以400只京海黄鸡核心群母鸡为基础,测定了0~14周龄体重,利用简化基因组测序技术(Specific-locus amplified fragment sequencing, SLAF-seq)对京海黄鸡体重性状进行全基因组关联研究(Genome-wide association stndy, GWAS),筛选与京海黄鸡体重性状相关的SNPs位点。结果共检测到100个与京海黄鸡体重相关的SNPs位点,其中15个位点效应达到全基因组显著水平(P<1.87E-06),85个位点效应达到全基因组潜在显著水平(P<3.73E-05)。通过筛选每个显著SNP周围1 Mb区域内的基因,共找到9个可能的候选基因,其中FAM124A(Family with sequence similarity 124A)、QDPR(Quinoid dihydropteridine reductase)、WDR1(WD repeat domain 1)和SLC2A9(Solute carrier family 2 (facilitated glucose transporter), member 9) 4个基因可能是影响体重性状的重要候选基因。同时还发现,4号染色体75.6~80.7 Mb区域集中了大部分与京海黄鸡中后期体重性状显著相关的SNPs位点,该区域可能是影响京海黄鸡中后期生长体重的重要候选区域。     

Genetic variation of wood chemical traits and association with underlying genes in Eucalyptus urophylla

We developed a quantitative and association genetic study with Eucalyptus urophylla using a progeny trial. Based on a sample of 831 trees distributed in 84 half-sib families whose wood was phenotyped by near-infrared spectroscopy, the results showed that traits related to lignin, cellulose, and wood extractives presented significant additive genetic variability with moderate to high narrow sense heritability (h ²?=?0.28 to 0.93). Genetic correlations varied with high standard error and showed low to moderate values. Using three cellulose synthase genes (EuCesA1, EuCesA2, and EuCesA3) and three candidate genes involved in the lignin pathway (EuC4H1, EuC4H2, and EuCAD2), an association study was performed for each of the gene action models (co-dominant, recessive, and dominant) using two methods. Firstly, single-marker association tests were done and 539 tests (49 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs)?×?11 traits) were analyzed. After Bonferroni correction with a significance level of P?=?0.00102, only four SNPs presented significant association with syringyl and syringyl-to-guaiacyl ratio with an adjusted coefficient of determination varying between 2.6 and 4.4 %. Secondly, a model selection method, the backward approach, was implemented. Similar SNPs were detected by both the backward selection and the individual marker approaches. However, the latter detected new associations with other traits, genes, and SNPs and improved the quality of the model as shown by the BIC criteria and the higher adjusted determination coefficient (1.5 to 8.3 %). Our results reveal that cellulose genes can be associated with lignin traits (syringyl-to-guaiacyl ratio) and stress the possible pleiotropic effect of some genes.     

A genome-wide association study uncovers novel genomic regions and candidate genes of yield-related traits in upland cotton

Key message

A total of 62 SNPs associated with yield-related traits were identified by a GWAS. Based on significant SNPs, two candidate genes pleiotropically increase lint yield.

Abstract

Improved fibre yield is considered a constant goal of upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) breeding worldwide, but the understanding of the genetic basis controlling yield-related traits remains limited. To better decipher the molecular mechanism underlying these traits, we conducted a genome-wide association study to determine candidate loci associated with six yield-related traits in a population of 719 upland cotton germplasm accessions; to accomplish this, we used 10,511 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) genotyped by an Illumina CottonSNP63K array. Six traits, including the boll number, boll weight, lint percentage, fruit branch number, seed index and lint index, were assessed in multiple environments; large variation in all phenotypes was detected across accessions. We identified 62 SNP loci that were significantly associated with different traits on chromosomes A07, D03, D05, D09, D10 and D12. A total of 689 candidate genes were screened, and 27 of them contained at least one significant SNP. Furthermore, two genes (Gh_D03G1064 and Gh_D12G2354) that pleiotropically increase lint yield were identified. These identified SNPs and candidate genes provide important insights into the genetic control underlying high yields in G. hirsutum, ultimately facilitating breeding programmes of high-yielding cotton.

     

Genome-wide association analysis of meat quality traits in a porcine Large White × Minzhu intercross population

Pork quality is an economically important trait and one of the main selection criteria for breeding in the swine industry. In this genome-wide association study (GWAS), 455 pigs from a porcine Large White × Minzhu intercross population were genotyped using the Illumina PorcineSNP60K Beadchip, and phenotyped for intramuscular fat content (IMF), marbling, moisture, color L*, color a*, color b* and color score in the longissimus muscle (LM). Association tests between each trait and the SNPs were performed via the Genome Wide Rapid Association using the Mixed Model and Regression-Genomic Control (GRAMMAR-GC) approach. From the Ensembl porcine database, SNP annotation was implemented using Sus scrofa Build 9. A total of 45 SNPs showed significant association with one or multiple meat quality traits. Of the 45 SNPs, 36 were located on SSC12. These significantly associated SNPs aligned to or were in close approximation to previously reported quantitative trait loci (QTL) and some were located within introns of previously reported candidate genes. Two haplotype blocks ASGA0100525-ASGA0055225-ALGA0067099-MARC0004712-DIAS0000861, and ASGA0085522-H3GA0056170 were detected in the significant region. The first block contained the genes MYH1, MYH2 and MYH4. A SNP (ASGA0094812) within an intron of the USP43 gene was significantly associated with five meat quality traits. The present results effectively narrowed down the associated regions compared to previous QTL studies and revealed haplotypes and candidate genes on SSC12 for meat quality traits in pigs.     

Development of PCR-based SNP markers for rice blast resistance genes at the<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Piz</Emphasis> locus

We assessed the utility of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and small insertion/deletion polymorphisms (InDels) as DNA markers in genetic analysis and breeding of rice. Toward this end, we surveyed SNPs and InDels in the chromosomal region containing the Piz and Piz-t rice blast resistance genes and developed PCR-based markers for typing the SNPs. Analysis of sequences from a blast-susceptible Japanese cultivar and two cultivars each containing one of these genes revealed that SNPs are abundant in the Piz and Piz-t regions (on average, one SNP every 248 bp), but the number of InDels was much lower. The dense distribution of SNPs facilitated the generation of SNP markers in the vicinity of the genes. For typing these SNPs, we used a modified allele-specific PCR method. Of the 49 candidate allele-specific markers, 33 unambiguously and reproducibly discriminated between the two alleles. We used the markers for mapping the Piz and Piz-t genes and evaluating the size of DNA segments introgressed from the Piz donor cultivar in Japanese near-isogenic lines containing Piz. Our findings suggest that, because of its ability to generate numerous markers within a target region and its simplicity in assaying genotypes, SNP genotyping with allele-specific PCR is a valuable tool for gene mapping, map-based cloning, and marker-assisted selection in crops, especially rice.Communicated by D.J. Mackill     

Association mapping for wood quality and growth traits in Eucalyptus globulus ssp. globulus Labill identifies nine stable marker-trait associations for seven traits

The moderate to high levels of nucleotide diversity and low linkage disequilibrium found in many forest tree species make them ideal candidates for association mapping. Here, we report candidate gene-based association mapping results for complex wood quality and growth traits in Eucalyptus globulus Labill. ssp. globulus, the most widely grown eucalypt in temperate regions of the world. Ninety-eight single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from 20 wood quality candidate genes were assayed in a discovery population consisting of 385 trees sourced from a provenance-progeny trial. Twenty-five selected SNPs with significant associations (P?.     

Single-nucleotide polymorphisms in PtoCesA7 and their association with growth and wood properties in Populus tomentosa

Cellulose synthase (CesA) genes encode the enzymes that synthesize cellulose; therefore, CesAs play central roles in plant development and affect the yield and quality of wood, essential properties for industrial applications of plant biomass. To effectively manipulate wood biosynthesis in trees and improve wood quality, we thus require a better understanding of the natural variation in CesAs. Association studies have emerged as a powerful tool for identification of variation associated with quantitative traits. Here, we used a candidate gene-based association mapping approach to identify PtoCesA7 allelic variants that associate with growth and wood quality traits in Populus tomentosa. We isolated a full-length PtoCesA7 cDNA and observed high PtoCesA7 expression in xylem, consistent with the xylem-specific expression of CesA7. Nucleotide diversity and linkage disequilibrium (LD) in PtoCesA7, sampled from the P. tomentosa natural distribution, revealed that PtoCesA7 harbors high nucleotide diversity (π _T = 0.0091) and low LD (r ² ≥ 0.1, within 800 bp). By association analysis, we identified seven single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (false discovery rate Q < 0.10) and 12 haplotypes (Q < 0.10) that associated with growth and wood properties, explaining 3.62–10.59 % of the phenotypic variance. We also validated 9 of the 10 significant marker–trait associations in at least one of three smaller subsets (climatic regions) or in a linkage-mapping population. Thus, our study identified functional PtoCesA7 allelic variants associated with growth and wood quality traits, giving new insights into genes affecting wood quality and quantity. From an applied perspective, the SNPs revealed in this study have potential applications in marker-assisted breeding.