Presentation Title
Bisulfite Pyrosequencing Reveals Conserved DNA Methylation in 5’ AMPK Gene Family Among Beef Cattle and Bison
Abstract
DNA methylation has been implicated in functional roles in several economic traits in livestock. While regions of differential methylation associated with economically important traits have been identified in livestock species, evidence of conservation of methylation has not yet been published. Evolutionarily conserved 5'AMP activated protein kinase (AMPK) regulates cellular energy and metabolism in eukaryotes, and in beef cattle could affect economically important traits. We hypothesized that the DNA methylation profile of AMPK gene family remains conserved in different breeds of cattle. To test this hypothesis, we procured liver samples from 23 animals representing different cattle breeds; six each of angus and charolais (Bos taurus) and five nellore (Bos taurus indicus). Six American bison (Bison bison) represented the outgroup. We, then, investigated the DNA methylation profile of bovine AMPK gene family; PRKAA1 and PRKAB1 genes coding alpha and beta subunits of AMPK protein respectively at 36 different CpG sites using bisulfite pyrosequencing. We found that both the DNA methylation pattern and level of these genes are conserved among all cattle breeds; with the degree of methylation ranging from 4-100%. Overall our study demonstrates a conserved pattern and level of DNA methylation in AMPK gene family across different breeds of cattle.
Primary Faculty Mentor Name
Stephanie McKay
Status
Graduate
Student College
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Program/Major
Animal Science
Primary Research Category
Biological Sciences
Bisulfite Pyrosequencing Reveals Conserved DNA Methylation in 5’ AMPK Gene Family Among Beef Cattle and Bison
DNA methylation has been implicated in functional roles in several economic traits in livestock. While regions of differential methylation associated with economically important traits have been identified in livestock species, evidence of conservation of methylation has not yet been published. Evolutionarily conserved 5'AMP activated protein kinase (AMPK) regulates cellular energy and metabolism in eukaryotes, and in beef cattle could affect economically important traits. We hypothesized that the DNA methylation profile of AMPK gene family remains conserved in different breeds of cattle. To test this hypothesis, we procured liver samples from 23 animals representing different cattle breeds; six each of angus and charolais (Bos taurus) and five nellore (Bos taurus indicus). Six American bison (Bison bison) represented the outgroup. We, then, investigated the DNA methylation profile of bovine AMPK gene family; PRKAA1 and PRKAB1 genes coding alpha and beta subunits of AMPK protein respectively at 36 different CpG sites using bisulfite pyrosequencing. We found that both the DNA methylation pattern and level of these genes are conserved among all cattle breeds; with the degree of methylation ranging from 4-100%. Overall our study demonstrates a conserved pattern and level of DNA methylation in AMPK gene family across different breeds of cattle.