Study of gene regulatory network using a genome-wide association study for milk yield and composition traits in sheep

Nowadays, new studies are being conducted based on the results of GWAS studies and the mapping of gene regulation networks based on the use of AWM matrix algorithms. In the present study, to map gene networks using AWM-PCIT matrix algorithms and and the association of SNPs with sheep milk production phenotypes and compositions was used. For this purpose, data on milk production traits in Valle del Belice sheep were used. After data quality control, 469 ewes and 37228 SNPs were used for final analysis. Phenotypic data were retained for analysis and contained 5586 Test day records for six milk production traits. and their gene regulation network was plotted using the cytoscape program. The results showed that using AWM-PCIT matrix algorithms, among the candidate genes that are directly and indirectly related to milk production traits were identified GENES OSBPL3, ERBB4, VGLL4, BAZ1A, DDX25, CDH23, ITSN2, DPY30, FAT3 and CAPN10. The present study and other studies have shown that the complex process of milk production and composition is important under the influence of the gene regulation network of more than 10 genes and is associated with many other genes.In total, this study supported previous results from GWAS of milk production and composition traits, also revealed additional regions in the sheep genome associated with these economically important traits. Using these findings could potentially be useful for genetic selection in the breeding programs.