A recent study in Genome Biology has unveiled promising opportunities to enhance productivity in the cattle industry and potentially benefit animal agriculture on a larger scale. Researchers from Baylor College of Medicine, Cornell University, and the USDA have identified CoRSIVs in cattle. These regions on the genome contain chemical markers on the DNA that could help predict and select desired cattle traits like milk production, female fertility, and disease resistance.
“Every individual has a set of unique genes, but what’s lesser known is that these genes are controlled by molecular markers on the DNA, known as epigenetics. These markers instruct different cells which genes to activate or deactivate,” explained Dr. Robert A. Waterland, a professor at Baylor’s USDA/ARS Children’s Nutrition Research Center. “DNA methylation, the addition of methyl groups, is one of the most stable epigenetic marks. Variances in DNA methylation between individuals can impact disease susceptibility.”
Previous studies by Waterland and collaborators found CoRSIVs in the human genome, indicating regions where DNA methylation levels differ among individuals but are consistent across tissues within each person. This discovery allows for easy measurement of CoRSIV methylation in accessible tissues such as blood, providing insights into epigenetic regulation in organs like the brain, ovaries, or liver.
The investigation extended to cattle, where researchers analyzed DNA methylation sequencing data from various tissues of two Holstein cows. “Our findings suggest that cattle display CoRSIVs similar to humans, hinting at the presence of CoRSIVs in other mammals,” noted Wen-Jou Chang, the study’s lead author.
The team validated their computational results by analyzing tissues from 20 Holstein calves, confirming the existence of identified CoRSIVs. Dr. Yi Athena Ren from Cornell University highlighted the potential of CoRSIVs in enhancing genetic selection in cattle farming, leading to improved traits like milk production and disease resistance.
Waterland added, “Cattle CoRSIVs, akin to those in humans, are established early in life and remain consistent, offering predictive value for future traits like milk production, fertility, and disease resilience.”
Furthermore, like in humans, environmental factors during early embryo development influence DNA methylation at cattle CoRSIVs. Ren pointed out the prospect of optimizing embryo culture conditions in assisted reproduction to leverage epigenetic engineering for agricultural benefits.
CoRSIVs not only aid in trait selection but also provide insights into disease mechanisms and cattle variability. The study suggests that if CoRSIVs are present in various mammalian genomes, the potential agricultural applications extend beyond cattle to other species.”
Contributors to this research include various experts from Baylor College of Medicine, Cornell University, and the Agricultural Research Service of the USDA. The project received funding from the NIH/NIDDK, USDA/ARS, as well as Cornell University research grants.
