Molecular characterization of the apoptosis-related SH3RF1 and SH3RF2 genes and their association with exercise performance in Arabian horses

BMC Veterinary Research

K. Piórkowska¹  K. Ropka-Molik¹  T. Szmatoła¹  M. Stefaniuk-Szmukier²  M. Bugno-Poniewierska³ 

[1] Department of Animal Molecular Biology, National Research Institute of Animal Production;Department of Horse Breeding, Institute of Animal Science, the University of Agriculture in Cracow;Institute of Veterinary Sciences University of Agriculture in Krakow;

关键词: POSH (gene);    POSHER (gene);    Arabian horses;    Training;    Apoptosis;    Flat-racing;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12917-018-1567-0

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Abstract Background Apoptosis plays an important role in the regulation of healthy tissue growth and development as well as in controlling the maintenance of homeostasis in exercising muscles. During an intensive physical effort, the regulation of cell death by apoptosis results in the replacement of unaccustomed muscle cells by new cells that are better suited to exercise. The aim of this study was to determine the expression of two genes (SH3FR1 and SH3RF2) that control apoptosis in muscle tissues during training periods characterized by different intensities. The gene expression levels were estimated using real-time PCR method in skeletal muscle biopsies collected from 15 Arabian horses (untrained, after an intense gallop phase, and at the end of the racing season). An association study was performed on 250 Arabian horses to assess the effect of the SH3RF2:c.796 T > C (p.Ser266Pro) variant on race performance traits in flat gallop-racing. Results A gene expression analysis confirmed a significant decrease (p < 0.01) in the anti-apoptotic SH3RF2 (POSHER) gene during training periods that differed in intensity. The highest SH3RF2 expression level was detected in the muscles of untrained horses, whereas the lowest expression was identified at the end of the racing season in horses that were fully adapted to the exercise. A non-significant decrease in SH3RF1 gene expression following the training periods was observed. Moreover, a serine substitution by proline at amino acid position 266 (CC genotype) was negatively associated with the probability of winning races, the number of races in which a horse occurred and the financial value of the prizes. Horses with the TT genotype achieved the highest financial benefits, both for total winnings and for winnings per race in which the horses participated. Conclusions The present study showed the supposed regulation mechanism of exercise-induced apoptosis in horses at the molecular level. The identified SH3RF2: c.796 T > C missense variant was associated with selected racing performance traits, which is important information during the evaluation of horses’ exercise predisposition. The association results and frequencies of the CT and TT genotypes suggest the possibility of using SH3RF2 variant in selection to improve the racing performance of Arabian horses.

【 授权许可】

Unknown