Comparison of the genomic sequence of the microminipig, a novel breed of swine, with the genomic database for conventional pig.
The microminipig, which weighs less than 10 kg at an early stage of maturity, has been reported as a potential experimental model animal. Its extremely small size and other distinct characteristics suggest the possibility of a number of differences between the genome of the microminipig and that of conventional pigs. In this study, we analyzed the genomes of two healthy microminipigs using a next-generation sequencer SOLiD™ system. We then compared the obtained genomic sequences with a genomic database for the domestic pig (Sus scrofa). The mapping coverage of sequenced tag from the microminipig to conventional pig genomic sequences was greater than 96% and we detected no clear, substantial genomic variance from these data. The results may indicate that the distinct characteristics of the microminipig derive from small-scale alterations in the genome, such as Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms or translational modifications, rather than large-scale deletion or insertion polymorphisms. Further investigation of the entire genomic sequence of the microminipig with methods enabling deeper coverage is required to elucidate the genetic basis of its distinct phenotypic traits.
Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Kagoshima University, Korimoto, Kagoshima, Japan.
Naoki
N
Miura
Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Kagoshima University, Korimoto, Kagoshima, Japan.
Ken-Ichi
K
Kucho
Laboratory of Domestic Animal Internal Medicine, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kagoshima University, Korimoto, Kagoshima, Japan.
Michiko
M
Noguchi
Laboratory of Veterinary Histopathology, Kagoshima University, Korimoto, Kagoshima, Japan.
Noriaki
N
Miyoshi
Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Kagoshima University, Korimoto, Kagoshima, Japan.
Toshiki
T
Uchiumi
Laboratory of Veterinary Histopathology, Kagoshima University, Korimoto, Kagoshima, Japan k3038952@kadai.jp akit09@m3.kufm.kagoshima-u.ac.jp.
Hiroaki
H
Kawaguchi
Department of Molecular and Cellular Pathology, Kagoshima University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Sakuragaoka, Kagoshima, Japan k3038952@kadai.jp akit09@m3.kufm.kagoshima-u.ac.jp.
Akihide
A
Tanimoto
D000818:Animals; D030561:Databases, Nucleic Acid; D005260:Female; D016678:Genome; D023281:Genomics / Q000379:methods; D005838:Genotype; D059014:High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing; D008297:Male; D009154:Mutation; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D013552:Swine / Q000378:metabolism*; D013556:Swine, Miniature / Q000235:genetics*
Genomic sequence; microminipig; minipig; porcine