Data from: Genetic diversity and genomic signatures of selection among cattle breeds from Siberia, eastern and northern Europe

Domestication in the near eastern region had a major impact on the gene pool of humpless taurine cattle (Bos taurus). As a result of subsequent natural and artificial selection, hundreds of different breeds have evolved, displaying a broad range of phenotypic traits. Here, 10 Eurasian B. taurus breeds from different biogeographic and production conditions, which exhibit different demographic histories and have been under artificial selection at various intensities, were investigated using the Illumina BovineSNP50 panel to understand their genetic diversity and population structure. In addition, we scanned genomes from eight breeds for signatures of diversifying selection. Our population structure analysis indicated six distinct breed groups, the most divergent being the Yakutian cattle from Siberia. Selection signals were shared (experimental P-value < 0.01) with more than four breeds on chromosomes 6, 7, 13, 16 and 22. The strongest selection signals in the Yakutian cattle were found on chromosomes 7 and 21, where a miRNA gene and genes related to immune system processes are respectively located. In general, genomic regions indicating selection overlapped with known QTL associated with milk production (e.g. on chromosome 19), reproduction (e.g. on chromosome 24) and meat quality (e.g. on chromosome 7). The selection map created in this study shows that native cattle breeds and their genetic resources represent unique material for future breeding.

近东地区的驯化活动对无峰牛（Bos taurus）的基因库产生了深远影响。经后续自然选择与人工选择的共同作用，数百个各具特色的牛品种得以演化，展现出极为丰富的表型性状谱。本研究选取了10个源自不同生物地理区域与生产条件的欧亚无峰牛（B. taurus）品种，这些品种拥有各异的种群历史，且经历了不同强度的人工选择；研究采用Illumina牛SNP50基因分型芯片（Illumina BovineSNP50 panel）对其进行基因分型，以解析其遗传多样性与种群结构。此外，本研究还对8个品种的基因组展开扫描，以搜寻多样化选择的分子信号。种群结构分析结果显示，供试材料可划分为6个明确的品种类群，其中分化程度最高的是来自西伯利亚的雅库特牛。在6号、7号、13号、16号及22号染色体上，有超过4个品种共享选择信号（实验P值<0.01）。雅库特牛中最强的选择信号位于7号与21号染色体上，这两个区域分别包含一个microRNA（miRNA）基因以及与免疫系统生理过程相关的基因。总体而言，携带选择信号的基因组区域与已报道的数量性状基因座（Quantitative Trait Locus, QTL）存在重叠，这些QTL分别对应产奶性状（如19号染色体）、繁殖性状（如24号染色体）与肉品质性状（如7号染色体）。本研究构建的选择图谱表明，地方牛品种及其遗传资源是未来牛育种工作中极具价值的独特材料。