A study published in Genome Biology reveals that cattle possess CoRSIVs, regions of the genome carrying chemical markers on the DNA, similar to those found in humans. This discovery by researchers at Baylor College of Medicine, Cornell University, and the USDA could enhance production efficiency in the cattle industry and potentially broader animal agriculture.
"Most people know that each person has a unique set of genes or genome, but less known is that the expression of those genes is regulated by a system of molecular markings on the DNA – epigenetics – that tells different cells in the body which genes to turn on or off," said co-corresponding author Dr. Robert A. Waterland, professor of pediatrics-nutrition at Baylor’s USDA/ARS Children’s Nutrition Research Center. "We focus on DNA methylation – the addition of methyl groups, the most stable epigenetic mark. DNA methylation differences between people can affect their risk of disease."
In 2019, Waterland and his colleagues discovered CoRSIVs—correlated regions of systemic interindividual variation—in humans. These regions show consistent levels of DNA methylation across different tissues within an individual but vary among individuals. Their earlier work identified nearly 10,000 CoRSIVs in the human genome and suggested these regions could reveal epigenetic causes of diseases such as cancer, thyroid function disorders, cognition issues, type 2 diabetes, cleft palate, schizophrenia, childhood obesity, and autism spectrum disorder.
The current study extended this investigation to cattle by analyzing whole-genome DNA methylation sequencing data from multiple tissues in two Holstein cows. "The algorithm we developed indicated that cattle do indeed have CoRSIVs," said first author Wen-Jou Chang, bioinformatics analyst in Waterland's lab. "Even more excitingly, we showed that cattle CoRSIVs share major hallmarks with those in humans."
The team validated their computational findings through laboratory analysis of liver, kidney, brain and blood tissues from 20 different Holstein calves. "This independent validation added great strength to the study," Waterland noted.
Dr. Yi Athena Ren from Cornell University emphasized potential applications: “In recent decades, cattle agriculture has focused on genetic selection to achieve substantial advances in milk production. CoRSIVs may offer a new approach to improve trait selection sustainably.”
Waterland added that CoRSIVs are established early in life and remain stable throughout an individual's lifespan: “In newborn cattle, methylation patterns across subsets of CoRSIVs may predict future performance.” This prediction could aid farmers in selecting calves with traits like abundant milk production or disease resistance.
Ren also highlighted how environmental factors during early embryo development influence DNA methylation at CoRSIVs: “Adjusting embryo culture conditions during assisted reproduction may provide opportunities for tailored agricultural outcomes through epigenetic engineering.”
Contributors to this research include Maria S. Baker (Baylor College), Eleonora Laritsky (Baylor College), Chathura J. Gunasekara (Baylor College), Uditha Maduranga (Cornell University), Justine C. Galliou (Cornell University), Joseph W. McFadden (Cornell University), Jessica R. Waltemyer (USDA), Bruce Berggren-Thomas (USDA), Brianna N. Tate (USDA), Hanxue Zhang (USDA), Benjamin D. Rosen (USDA), Curtis P Van Tassell (USDA) George E Liu (USDA) Cristian Coarfa (Baylor College).
Funding was provided by NIH/NIDDK grant 1R01DK125562; USDA/ARS CRIS project 3092-5-001-059; startup funding; and a Schwartz Research Award from Cornell University.
