The sequencing of a Cattle Genome was reported on April 23 in Science and April 24 in Genome Biology. Both a group from the University of Illinois and one from the University of Maryland have produced drafts of the bovine genome and have identified genes important for disease resistance, food digestion and milk production. This genome gives us more of an indication of how the cow’s anatomy works and has produced some surprising results. One surprise was the gene that encodes for the enzyme lysozyme which is found in a cow’s second stomach, breaking down bacteria into nutritious proteins. We have one copy of the gene but the genome sequence reveals that cows have 10 of them.
The two research teams sequenced the same segments of DNA but assembled them differently. Most DNA came from a single cow in Montana called L1 Dominette 01449 (pictured) and it is said that DNA sequences from two bulls will soon be added to the mix in order to study genes on the Y chromosome. The two selected bulls are described as “two of the most important bulls in the Holstein breed” and the genetic makeup of these bulls will give researchers and breeders valuable insight into why cows function they way they do. Knowing which genes keep a cow healthy and benefit milk production will be advantageous to farmers all over the world.
Another study reported in Science involved the use of DNA to track the changes of coat colour in horses. In the study, researchers found that horse genes corresponding to new coat colours appeared around the time of domestication. These findings demonstrate human impact on animal genomes. This area of study may very well continue as the sequencing of the cattle genome progresses.
Though the researchers working on the cattle genome are all quick to point out that these are just draft assemblies, this is still a major advance in the field of genetics and has already paved a brighter future for breeders and farmers in the cattle industry.
Reference: http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/43190/title/Cattle_genome_sequenced
