Horse Y chromosome assembly displays unique evolutionary features and putative stallion fertility genes

DOI

10.1038/s41467-018-05290-6

Authors

Jan E. Janečka, Duquesne University
Brian W. Davis, Texas A&M University
Sharmila Ghosh, Texas A&M University
Nandina Paria, Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children
Pranab J. Das, ICAR - National Research Centre on Pig, Guwahati
Ludovic Orlando, Statens Naturhistoriske Museum
Mikkel Schubert, Statens Naturhistoriske Museum
Martin K. Nielsen, University of Kentucky
Tom A.E. Stout, Universiteit Utrecht
Wesley Brashear, Texas A&M University
Gang Li, Texas A&M University
Charles D. Johnson, Texas A&M AgriLife Research
Richard P. Metz, Texas A&M AgriLife Research
Al Muatasim Al Zadjali, Duquesne University
Charles C. Love, Texas A&M University
Dickson D. Varner, Texas A&M University
Daniel W. Bellott, Whitehead Institute
William J. Murphy, Texas A&M University
Bhanu P. Chowdhary, Texas A&M University
Terje Raudsepp, Texas A&M University

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

12-1-2018

Publication Title

Nature Communications

Volume

9

Issue

1

Abstract

Dynamic evolutionary processes and complex structure make the Y chromosome among the most diverse and least understood regions in mammalian genomes. Here, we present an annotated assembly of the male specific region of the horse Y chromosome (eMSY), representing the first comprehensive Y assembly in odd-toed ungulates. The eMSY comprises single-copy, equine specific multi-copy, PAR transposed, and novel ampliconic sequence classes. The eMSY gene density approaches that of autosomes with the highest number of retained X–Y gametologs recorded in eutherians, in addition to novel Y-born and transposed genes. Horse, donkey and mule testis RNAseq reveals several candidate genes for stallion fertility. A novel testis-expressed XY ampliconic sequence class, ETSTY7, is shared with the parasite Parascaris genome, providing evidence for eukaryotic horizontal transfer and inter-chromosomal mobility. Our study highlights the dynamic nature of the Y and provides a reference sequence for improved understanding of equine male development and fertility.

Open Access

Gold

Repository Citation

Janečka, J., Davis, B., Ghosh, S., Paria, N., Das, P., Orlando, L., Schubert, M., Nielsen, M., Stout, T., Brashear, W., Li, G., Johnson, C., Metz, R., Zadjali, A., Love, C., Varner, D., Bellott, D., Murphy, W., Chowdhary, B., & Raudsepp, T. (2018). Horse Y chromosome assembly displays unique evolutionary features and putative stallion fertility genes. Nature Communications, 9 (1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-018-05290-6