New genetic atlas reveals traces of 10,000 years of sheep breeding
For around 10,000 years, humans have selectively bred sheep for desirable traits. Generation after generation, we have chosen animals for their wool, size and reproductive characteristics and gradually left our mark on their DNA.
An international team of researchers, including scientists from Aarhus University, has developed the most comprehensive map to date of how genetic variation influences gene regulation in sheep, revealing traces of 10,000 years of selective breeding. The atlas, called SheepGTEx, allows scientists to connect genetic variants with specific genes, biological mechanisms, and the tissues in which they act.
By combining the atlas with DNA from 52 ancient sheep spanning approximately 10,000 years, the researchers found evidence that domestication and selective breeding have shaped not only the DNA sequences of sheep but also the genetic mechanisms that regulate gene activity. The findings suggest that domestication and breeding may have altered particular traits by changing gene regulation in specific tissues, such as the skin and cervix, which are linked to wool, pigmentation, and reproduction.
Brief written by urgent.news from Phys.org's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
