Bovine genome

L1 Dominette 01449, the Hereford who serves as the subject of the Bovine Genome Project

The genome of a female Hereford cow has been sequenced by the Bovine Genome Sequencing and Analysis Consortium, a team of researchers led by the National Institutes of Health and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.^[1] It is one of the largest genomes ever sequenced. The results, published in the journal Science on April 24, 2009,^[2] are likely to have a major impact on livestock breeding.^[3] They were obtained by more than 300 scientists in 25 countries after six years of effort.

The size of the bovine genome is 3 Gb (3 billion base pairs). It contains approximately 22,000 genes of which 14,000 are common to all mammalian species. Bovines share 80 percent of their genes with humans, but cows are much more similar to humans than rodents. They also have about 1,000 genes shared with dogs and rodents but not identified in humans.^[4]

The charting of key DNA differences, also known as haplotypes, between several varieties of cattle could allow scientists to understand what is the role of some genes coding for products of economic value (milk, meat, leather). It opens new perspectives for enhancing selective breeding and changing certain cattle characteristics for the benefit of farmers.^[5][6]

See also

• Cattle
  • Hereford cattle
• DNA
• Genome
  • International HapMap Project
  • List of sequenced eukaryotic genomes
  • Composite SINE transposons in the bovine genome
  • Bovine genome database

References

1. ^ Elsik, C.G. et al, (Bovine Genome Sequencing and Analysis Consortium) (2009). "The genome sequence of taurine cattle: a window to ruminant biology and evolution". Science 324 (5926): 522–528. doi:10.1126/science.1169588. PMC 2943200. PMID 19390049. http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?tool=pmcentrez&artid=2943200. 
2. ^ "Science Podcast, 04/24/09 includes advances in livestock research including the sequencing of the cattle genome and insights into the history of sheep domestication". Science. 24 April 2009. http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/324/5926/537-b?rss=1. Retrieved 2009-04-26. 
3. ^ Lewin, H.A. (2009). "It's a bull's market". Science 324 (5926): 478–479. doi:10.1126/science.1173880. PMID 19390037. 
4. ^ "Cow genome unraveled in bid to improve meat, milk". Associated Press. 2009-04-23. http://informsciencenetwork.com/genetics/cow-genome-unraveled-bid-improve-meat-milk-427669a. Retrieved 2009-04-23. 
5. ^ Gill, V. (23 April 2009). "Cow genome 'to transform farming'". BBC News. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8014598.stm. Retrieved 2009-04-25. 
6. ^ Gibbs, R.A. et al. (Bovine HapMap Consortium) (2009). "Genome-wide survey of SNP variation uncovers the genetic structure of cattle breeds". Science 324 (5926): 528–532. doi:10.1126/science.1167936. PMC 2735092. PMID 19390050. http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?tool=pmcentrez&artid=2735092. 

External links

• Science Magazine, 24 April 2009, Vol 324, Issue 5926, Pages 435-537.
• Science Podcast, 04/24/09