Leveraging Comparative Genomics to Identify and Functionally Characterize Genes Associated with Sperm Phenotypes inPython bivittatus(Burmese Python)

Kristopher J. L. Irizarry, Josep Rutllant
2016 Genetics Research International  
Comparative genomics approaches provide a means of leveraging functional genomics information from a highly annotated model organism's genome (such as the mouse genome) in order to make physiological inferences about the role of genes and proteins in a less characterized organism's genome (such as the Burmese python). We employed a comparative genomics approach to produce the functional annotation ofPython bivittatusgenes encoding proteins associated with sperm phenotypes. We identify 129
more » ... henotype relationships in the python which are implicated in 10 specific sperm phenotypes. Results obtained through our systematic analysis identified subsets of python genes exhibiting associations with gene ontology annotation terms. Functional annotation data was represented in a semantic scatter plot. Together, these newly annotatedPython bivittatusgenome resources provide a high resolution framework from which the biology relating to reptile spermatogenesis, fertility, and reproduction can be further investigated. Applications of our research include (1) production of genetic diagnostics for assessing fertility in domestic and wild reptiles; (2) enhanced assisted reproduction technology for endangered and captive reptiles; and (3) novel molecular targets for biotechnology-based approaches aimed at reducing fertility and reproduction of invasive reptiles. Additional enhancements to reptile genomic resources will further enhance their value.
doi:10.1155/2016/7505268 pmid:27200191 pmcid:PMC4855019 fatcat:j5s2glsqxbardkbxvmx24dyzgu