Mule helps scientists build the clearest horse and donkey genomes yet
A mule has helped researchers build the most complete reference genomes to date for horses and donkeys, giving scientists access to complex regions of DNA that earlier versions could not fully capture.
A mule has played a crucial role in helping researchers construct the most complete reference genomes for horses and donkeys to date, according to a study published in Cell Genomics. Led by the University of Kentucky's Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food, and Environment, the international collaboration utilized a female mule's DNA to phase and assemble the highly repetitive regions of the chromosomes, such as centromeres, telomeres, and satellite DNA.
These regions, previously challenging to analyze due to their complexity, offer valuable insights into how chromosomes function, species evolution, and genetic differences affecting animal health and physical traits. The research, led by Dr. Ted Kalbfleisch and co-authored by Kai Li, introduced new genomes with about 11.4% more sequence for horses and 11.5% more for donkeys than previously available references.
The findings reveal that horse and donkey centromeres exhibit greater diversity compared to those of other mammals, with some centromeres lacking satellite DNA entirely. This newfound knowledge could significantly enhance studies of equine health, disease, breeding, and genetic diversity, enabling scientists to examine areas previously missing or inaccurately arranged in older genome maps.
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