Regulation of domestication-related gene expression by retrotransposons

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K15692
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 42030:Animal life science-related
• Research Institution: Hiroshima University
• Principal Investigator: Shimode Sayumi 広島大学, ゲノム編集イノベーションセンター, 助教 (90772103)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: 内在性レトロウイルス / レトロトランスポゾン / ゲノム / ネコ / 家畜化

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of retrotransposons on domestication-related gene expression of domestic cat.
RDRS C2a is endogenous retrovirus (ERV) and is located on the domestic cat's chromosome C2 and overlaps with WDR4. WDR4 and its surrounding sequences were highly conserved in the genome of the other Felidae species, but RDRS C2a was found only in a part of Felis.
RDRS C2a LTR had strong promoter activity. Most ERVs are inactivated by DNA methylation, but CpG sites in 5' LTR of RDRS C2a are hypomethylated, suggesting that it can be an promoter of its neighboring gene.

Free Research Field

ウイルス学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究は、イエネコの家畜化関連遺伝子発現に与えるレトロトランスポゾンの影響を明らかにしようとするものであった。現在までイエネコの家畜化メカニズムを明らかにした報告はない。
本研究成果の波及効果として、動物の家畜化にはどういった遺伝子発現制御機構の変化が必須であったか、種を超えた家畜化メカニズムの解明の足掛かりとなることが期待される。家畜化メカニズムの解明は、品種改良においても有用な基盤となり畜産業へも寄与する。