The Dezhou donkey is a famous local donkey breed in China. The aim of the present study was to identify the genes associated with the body size traits of the Dezhou donkey and facilitate the breeding activities of the donkeys. A total of 349 donkeys from two generations (113 individuals in F0 and 236 in F1) were analyzed with restriction-site associated DNA-sequencing. A genome-wide association study revealed that the region between 13.7 and 15.6 Mb of chromosome 13 is significantly associated with body sizes. Candidate genes related to body size development, including POLR2A, CHRNB1, FGF11, and ZBTB4, were identified. The results of GO and KEGG analysis indicated that the genes involved in many GO terms were related to metabolic processes and developmental processes. Additionally, a T>C mutation (Chr13:14312485) was found at intron 10 of the POLR2A gene. The association analysis showed significant differences among genotypes for the size traits. The body size of the individuals with the TT genotype was significantly higher than that with the CC genotype. The results showed that the polymorphism of POLR2A has the potential to be used as a marker in the breeding programs of the Dezhou donkeys.

中文翻译：

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Gwas 揭示与德州驴体型特征相关的 POLR2A 基因突变


德州驴是我国著名的地方驴品种。本研究的目的是鉴定与德州驴体型性状相关的基因，并促进德州驴的育种活动。通过限制性位点相关的 DNA 测序，对两代总共 349 头驴（F0 中 113 头，F1 中 236 头）进行了分析。一项全基因组关联研究表明，13 号染色体 13.7 至 15.6 Mb 之间的区域与体型显着相关。鉴定出与体型发育相关的候选基因，包括 POLR2A、CHRNB1、FGF11 和 ZBTB4。 GO和KEGG分析结果表明，许多GO术语涉及的基因与代谢过程和发育过程相关。此外，在 POLR2A 基因的内含子 10 处发现了 T>C 突变 (Chr13:14312485)。关联分析显示，基因型之间的体型性状存在显着差异。 TT基因型个体的体型显着高于CC基因型个体。结果表明POLR2A多态性具有作为德州驴育种项目标记的潜力。