Comparative Genomics of 3 Farm Canids in Relation to the Dog

Abstract

There are 3 canids besides the dog (Canis familiaris): the red fox (Vulpes vulpes), arctic fox (Alopex lagopus) and Chinese raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides procyonoides), which have been extensively studied with the use of cytogenetic and molecular genetics techniques. These 3 species are considered as farm fur-bearing animals. In addition, they are also useful models in comparative genomic studies of the canids. In this review genome organization, karyotype evolution, comparative marker maps, DNA polymorphism and similarity of selected gene sequences of the 3 farm species are discussed in relation to the dog. Also the nature and variability of the B chromosomes, present in the red fox and the Chinese raccoon dog, were considered. These comparative analyses showed that among the studied canids the Chinese raccoon dog is phylogenetically the closest species to the dog. On the other hand, the most advanced linkage and cytogenetic marker maps of the red fox genome facilitate genome scanning studies with the aim to search for chromosome locations of QTL regions for behavior and production traits.

Genetic variability of farmed fur animals of the Canidae family assessed by nuclear and mitochondrial DNA analysis

“…Z kolei analizy uwzględniające sekwencje nukleotydowe psa wskazują, że dystans genetyczny pomiędzy psem i jenotem jest mniejszy niż pomiędzy psem i lisami. W zależności od wykorzystywanych do badań fragmentów genów i zastosowanych metod występują jednak pewne rozbieżności w wielkościach dystansów genetycznych i zajmowanej pozycji filogenetycznej pomiędzy psem i poszczególnymi gatunkami hodowlanych zwierząt futerkowych z rodziny Canidae (15,16,18).…”

“…z dużo wyższego tempa mutacji genomu mitochondrialnego, w porównaniu z genomem jądrowym. Jest to jeden z powodów, dla których sekwencje mtDNA znajdują zastosowanie w różnokie-runkowych badaniach, w tym w analizach mających na celu określenie relacji filogenetycznych w obrębie rodziny psowatych (9,11,12,16,18,19).…”

Genomic analysis of gum disease and hypertrichosis in foxes

“…The goal of this study was to combine the current knowledge of HGF-associated syndromes with hypertrichosis with the genome-enabling capacity of the dog genome to examine potential molecular and cellular pathways involved in silver fox HHG. Utilization of a cross-species platform is supported by karyotyping, cytogenetic genome markers and gene sequence comparisons between Vulpes vulpes and Canis lupus familiaris that provide strong evidence supporting the close relationship between the two species (Switonski et al 2009). Specifically, the Affymetrix GeneChip Canine Genome 2.0 Array was employed to compare the global gene expression patterns of HHG-affected farmed silver foxes and HHG-unaffected farmed silver foxes.…”

Comparative cytogenetic mapping of three genes involved in sex determination in four species of the family <i>Canidae</i>

“…Comparative analysis of genome organization in the family Canidae was mainly carried out using the socalled comparative chromosome painting (Graphodatsky et al, 2008). In addition, comparative analyses were conducted by mapping of DNA microsatellite markers or genes in chromosomes of the red fox, arctic fox and Chinese raccoon dog, but the number of the FISH mapped loci is still very low (Switonski et al, 2009). Sex determination is controlled by dozens of genes (Wilhelm et al, 2007) and among them a crucial role in maleness determination, apart from the SRY (sex determining region Y), is played by the SOX9 (sex determining region Y -box 9), AMH (anti-Müllerian hormone or MIS -Müllerian-Inhibiting Substance) and AR (androgen receptor) genes.…”