Identification of Personality-Related Candidate Genes in Thoroughbred Racehorses Using a Bioinformatics-Based Approach Involving Functionally Annotated Human Genes
Considering the personality traits of racehorses (e.g., flightiness, anxiety, and affability) is considered essential to improve training efficiency and decrease accident frequency, especially when retraining for a second career that may involve contact with inexperienced personnel after retiring fr...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-02-01
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| Series: | Animals |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/13/4/769 |
| _version_ | 1797622745499959296 |
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| author | Tamu Yokomori Aoi Ohnuma Teruaki Tozaki Takao Segawa Takuya Itou |
| author_facet | Tamu Yokomori Aoi Ohnuma Teruaki Tozaki Takao Segawa Takuya Itou |
| author_sort | Tamu Yokomori |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Considering the personality traits of racehorses (e.g., flightiness, anxiety, and affability) is considered essential to improve training efficiency and decrease accident frequency, especially when retraining for a second career that may involve contact with inexperienced personnel after retiring from racing. Studies on human personality-related genes are frequently conducted; however, such studies are rare in horses because a consistent methodology for personality evaluation is lacking. Using the recently published whole genome variant database of 101 Thoroughbred horses, we compared horse genes orthologous to human genes related to the Big Five personality traits, and identified 18 personality-related candidate genes in horses. These genes include 55 variants that involve non-synonymous substitutions that highly impact the encoded protein. Moreover, we evaluated the allele frequencies and functional impact on the proteins in terms of the difference in molecular weights and hydrophobicity levels between reference and altered amino acids. We identified 15 newly discovered genes that may affect equine personality, but their associations with personality are still unclear. Although more studies are required to compare genetic and behavioral information to validate this approach, it may be useful under limited conditions for personality evaluation. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T09:15:36Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-0858644247414ccf918848d0ffbf0261 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-2615 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T09:15:36Z |
| publishDate | 2023-02-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Animals |
| spelling | doaj.art-0858644247414ccf918848d0ffbf02612023-11-16T18:41:21ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152023-02-0113476910.3390/ani13040769Identification of Personality-Related Candidate Genes in Thoroughbred Racehorses Using a Bioinformatics-Based Approach Involving Functionally Annotated Human GenesTamu Yokomori0Aoi Ohnuma1Teruaki Tozaki2Takao Segawa3Takuya Itou4Nihon University Veterinary Research Center, Fujisawa 252-0880, Kanagawa, JapanGenetic Analysis Department, Laboratory of Racing Chemistry, Utsunomiya 320-0851, Tochigi, JapanGenetic Analysis Department, Laboratory of Racing Chemistry, Utsunomiya 320-0851, Tochigi, JapanNihon University Veterinary Research Center, Fujisawa 252-0880, Kanagawa, JapanNihon University Veterinary Research Center, Fujisawa 252-0880, Kanagawa, JapanConsidering the personality traits of racehorses (e.g., flightiness, anxiety, and affability) is considered essential to improve training efficiency and decrease accident frequency, especially when retraining for a second career that may involve contact with inexperienced personnel after retiring from racing. Studies on human personality-related genes are frequently conducted; however, such studies are rare in horses because a consistent methodology for personality evaluation is lacking. Using the recently published whole genome variant database of 101 Thoroughbred horses, we compared horse genes orthologous to human genes related to the Big Five personality traits, and identified 18 personality-related candidate genes in horses. These genes include 55 variants that involve non-synonymous substitutions that highly impact the encoded protein. Moreover, we evaluated the allele frequencies and functional impact on the proteins in terms of the difference in molecular weights and hydrophobicity levels between reference and altered amino acids. We identified 15 newly discovered genes that may affect equine personality, but their associations with personality are still unclear. Although more studies are required to compare genetic and behavioral information to validate this approach, it may be useful under limited conditions for personality evaluation.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/13/4/769horseThoroughbredpersonalitygeneticspolymorphismorthologous |
| spellingShingle | Tamu Yokomori Aoi Ohnuma Teruaki Tozaki Takao Segawa Takuya Itou Identification of Personality-Related Candidate Genes in Thoroughbred Racehorses Using a Bioinformatics-Based Approach Involving Functionally Annotated Human Genes Animals horse Thoroughbred personality genetics polymorphism orthologous |
| title | Identification of Personality-Related Candidate Genes in Thoroughbred Racehorses Using a Bioinformatics-Based Approach Involving Functionally Annotated Human Genes |
| title_full | Identification of Personality-Related Candidate Genes in Thoroughbred Racehorses Using a Bioinformatics-Based Approach Involving Functionally Annotated Human Genes |
| title_fullStr | Identification of Personality-Related Candidate Genes in Thoroughbred Racehorses Using a Bioinformatics-Based Approach Involving Functionally Annotated Human Genes |
| title_full_unstemmed | Identification of Personality-Related Candidate Genes in Thoroughbred Racehorses Using a Bioinformatics-Based Approach Involving Functionally Annotated Human Genes |
| title_short | Identification of Personality-Related Candidate Genes in Thoroughbred Racehorses Using a Bioinformatics-Based Approach Involving Functionally Annotated Human Genes |
| title_sort | identification of personality related candidate genes in thoroughbred racehorses using a bioinformatics based approach involving functionally annotated human genes |
| topic | horse Thoroughbred personality genetics polymorphism orthologous |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/13/4/769 |
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