Introducing candidate Genes Associated with the Milk and Wool Production Traits in Sheep

Sheep are one of the most important farming animals in the world, which has a special role in providing protein materials, raw materials needed by related industries, and creating employment for a group of the population. The importance of fleece in textile production has led to extensive research into its genetic structure and basis since 1960s. Milk is a complete diet and contains nutrients necessary for the vital functions of the body and the main ingredient in dairy products. Sheepchr('39')s milk is no exception to this rule, especially in countries that lack fertile land. Sheep are the main source of milk production. To achieve high-quality products, we need to know the genes involved in the production of these products and their relationship with each other. Today, with access to genomic data, development and advancement of molecular techniques in addition to understanding the genetic context of economic traits, several functional genes related to these traits have been identified and comprehensive information about them has been providedthat by using the functional properties of these genes, the most use can be made of the genetic potential of the animal to obtain their products with the best qualitative and quantitative parameters. In this study, a comprehensive search of genes effective in milk and wool production in sheep around the world was conducted and then with STRING software, the relationship between genes involved in milk production, correlation between genes effective in wool production and the relationship between these two groups of genes was investigated. The results showed that the genes effective in milk production CSN1S1, CSN2, CSN3, LALBA, BTN1A1 and PRLR are in one cluster and the genes LEP, FASN, SREBF1, ACACA, LPL, SREBF2 and VLDLR are in the second cluster. The TLR4 gene links the two clusters. These results confirm the reported functions for the TLR4 gene. Genes involved in wool production including GPRC5A, KRTCAP3, NBEA, EPHA5, GCFC2, K1F16B, DDX47, TSPEAR, NLGN1, RHPN2, USP13, UBE2E3, CALN1, PAPOLA, PGM2L1, SRC and YWHAZ are in cluster 1 and genes VAV3, NRG3, KAP6-L, PITPNC1, BCO2, FAT1, NRXN1, ASIP, TYRP1, MITF, MC1R, KIT, DCT, TYR, FAM204A, EWSR1 and KRTAP11-1 are in the second cluster and are related. The identification of these genes is an important step toward the goal of increasing milk and wool yields and improves their quality.