Acta Veterinaria et Zootechnica Sinica ›› 2025, Vol. 56 ›› Issue (7): 3164-3176.doi: 10.11843/j.issn.0366-6964.2025.07.012

• Animal Genetics and Breeding • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Genetic Structure and Wool Trait Selection Signatures Analysis of Chinese Sheep Populations Based on 50K Liquid SNP Chip

ZHANG Jialiang1,3(), HUANG Chang1, YANG Yonglin2, YANG Hua2, BAI Wenlin3, MA Yuehui1, ZHAO Qianjun1,*()   

  1. 1. Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
    2. Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural and Reclamation Sciences, Shihezi 832000, China
    3. Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110000, China
  • Received:2024-10-14 Online:2025-07-23 Published:2025-07-25
  • Contact: ZHAO Qianjun E-mail:18340756126@163.com;zhaoqianjun@caas.cn

Abstract:

This study aimed to reveal the genetic structural characteristics of sheep populations with different wool types and screen candidate genes related to wool traits through selection signatures analysis. The sheep populations were divided into two groups based on different wool types, including 59 fine wool sheep and 48 coarse wool sheep.Genotyping of 8 sheep populations (15 Oula sheep, 13 Tashkurgan sheep, 15 Altay sheep, 16 Zangxi sheep, 12 Qinghai wool-mutton type sheep, 10 Gansu Alpine Merino, 15 Chinese Merino, 11 Aohan Merino) was performed using a self-developed ovine SNP 50K liquid chip, followed by principal component analysis, neighbor-joining tree, and population genetic structure analysis after quality control. Candidate genes associated with wool trait were screened based on two selection signal methods: population genetic differentiation index (FST) and nucleotide diversity ratio (θπ ratio). The functions of the candidate genes were determined through KEGG pathway enrichment analysis. The results of principal component analysis, neighbor-joining tree, and population genetic structure analysis indicated the presence of genetic differentiation between the two groups of sheep populations. Based on the combined analysis of FST and θπ ratio, the top 1% regions were identified as selected regions, 165 selected regions and 456 selected genes were identified. Several selected genes were identified that are closely associated with hair follicle development and hair growth (JAK2, SELENBP1), melanin synthesis (IRF4), the indirect regulation of dermal papilla cells (RAC2), and a key housekeeping gene in skin molecular biology (SDHA) through gene annotation. This study explored the genetic structure of 8 Chinese sheep populations with clear population differentiation between fine-wool and coarse-wool sheep groups. Selection signature analysis identified candidate genes associated with wool trait, such as JAK2, IRF4, RAC2, IDUA, SDHA and SELENBP1. This study will provide a reference for the molecular genetic marker discovery of wool trait in sheep.

Key words: sheep, SNP chip, population genetic structure, selection signatures

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