Functional genomics of estimated breeding value for eye muscle depth in sheep

Abstract

A weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCN) and a differential network analysis were applied to microarray gene expression data for skeletal muscle samples from progeny of 6 Poll Dorset sires characterised as having high or low estimated breeding values (EBVs) for Eye Muscle Depth (EMD). There was strong genetic architecture to the gene expression data. Gene network analyses identified expression modules that were enriched for several biological themes including protein catabolism, ribosome function, mRNA processing, mitochondria and muscle structural proteins. These biological pathways likely contribute to the genetics of enhanced muscling in sheep.