Genome-wide analysis of the acyl-coenzyme A synthetase family and their association with the formation of goat milk flavour

Abstract

Goat milk is rich in fat and protein, thus, has high nutritional values and benefits human health. However, goaty flavour is a major concern that interferes with consumer acceptability of goat milk and the 4-alkyl-branched-chain fatty acids (vBCFAs) are the major substances relevant to the goaty flavour in goat milk. Previous research reported that the acyl-coenzyme A synthetases (ACSs) play a key role in the activation of fatty acids, which is a prerequisite for fatty acids entering anabolic and catabolic processes and highly involved in the regulation of vBCFAs metabolism. Although ACS genes have been identified in humans and mice, they have not been systematically characterized in goats. In this research, we performed genome-wide characterization of the ACS genes in goats, identifying that a total of 25 ACS genes (without ACSM2A) were obtained in the Capra hircus and each ACS protein contained the conserved AMP-binding domain. Phylogenetic analysis showed that out of the 25 genes, 21 belonged to the ACSS, ACSM, ACSL, ACSVL, and ACSBG subfamilies. However, AACS, AASDH, ACSF, and ACSF3 genes were not classified in the common evolutionary branch and belonged to the ACS superfamily. The genes in the same clade had similar conserved structures, motifs and protein domains. The expression analysis showed that the majority of ACS genes were expressed in multi tissues. The comparative analysis of expression patterns in non-lactation and lactation mammary glands of goat, sheep and cow indicated that ACSS2 and ACSF3 genes may participate in the formation mechanisms of goaty flavour in goat milk. In conclusion, current research provides important genomic resources and expression information for ACSs in goats, which will support further research on investigating the formation mechanisms of the goaty flavour in goat milk.

Identifying Candidate Genes for Litter Size and Three Morphological Traits in Youzhou Dark Goats Based on Genome-Wide SNP Markers

“…In addition to the genes related to early domestication, a panel of interesting genes associated with other economic traits was also revealed. These genes were previously reported in goats, sheep and other species, showing correlations with spermatogenesis and sperm motility ( KIF3B , KIF17 , KIAA0825 and TNFRSF21 ) [ 53 , 54 , 55 , 56 ], growth and development ( TNPO2 , IFT80 , UCP2 , UCP3 , GHRHR , SIM1 , CCM2L , CTNNA3 and CTNNA1 ) [ 57 , 58 , 59 , 60 , 61 , 62 , 63 , 64 ], fat deposition ( ACSF3 and FGGY ) [ 65 , 66 ], chicken heat tolerance ( TSHR and SUGCT ) [ 67 ], high-altitude hypoxia adaptation ( CHL1 ) [ 68 ], milk composition ( GHRHR ) [ 69 ], milk flavour ( ACSF3 ) [ 70 ], carcass traits ( GHRHR ) [ 71 ] and hair follicle morphogenesis ( GLI2 ) [ 72 ]. The iHS and ROH methods both detected some genes, but each method found additional genes not detected by the other.…”

Fatty Acid Desaturation Is Suppressed in Mir-26a/b Knockout Goat Mammary Epithelial Cells by Upregulating INSIG1

“…Goat milk is rich in short-chain and medium-chain saturated fatty acids and unsaturated fatty acids, high in protein, and has low allergenicity for humans [ 1 , 2 ]. Furthermore, goat milk contains a high concentration of linoleic acid (C18:2) and other unsaturated fatty acids, which are likely to lower blood cholesterol and promote antioxidation [ 3 , 4 ].…”