Exploring genetic factors associated with tapeworm resistance in Central Anatolian Merino sheep via GWAS approach

Authors: ARZIK, YUNUS - Ministry Of Agriculture And Forestry (MAF); KIZILASLAN, MEHMET - Ministry Of Agriculture And Forestry (MAF); BEHREM, SEDAT - Aksaray University; Piel, Lindsay; WHITE, STEPHEN - Former ARS Employee; CINAR, MEHMET - Erciyes University

Submitted to: Animals
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/10/2025
Publication Date: 3/12/2025
Citation: Arzik, Y., Kizilaslan, M., Behrem, S., Piel, L.M., White, S.N., Cinar, M. 2025. Exploring genetic factors associated with tapeworm resistance in Central Anatolian Merino sheep via GWAS approach. Animals. 15(6):812. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15060812.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15060812

Interpretive Summary: Tapeworms will affect the ability of an animal to use their dietary nutrients and therefore decrease an animal's weight gain. A genome-wide association study (GWAS) was completed to identify genetic regions that may play a role in sheep resistance to tapeworm carriage. Genome wide association studies attempt to link a measured characteristic with a genetic region. In the present study, the characteristic of interest was tapeworm load within fecal samples and 13 regions of interest were identified. Two of the 13 regions were in immune genes responsible for regulating a pro-inflammatory response. Specifically, CD79A is involved in B-cell activation, which can result in antibody production, and MAP3K7 is part of signaling cascades that activate adaptive immunity.

Technical Abstract: Gastrointestinal parasite (GIP) infections pose significant challenges in pasture-based sheep farming, leading to economic losses and welfare concerns. This study aimed to uncover the genetic basis of resistance to tapeworm (Monezia spp.) infections in Central Anatolian Merino (CAM) sheep and explore the immunogenetic mechanisms underlying this resistance. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) were conducted between tapeworm egg burden and genomic data from 227 CAM lambs. Thirteen significant SNPs were identified, with five surpassing the genome-wide threshold and eight exceeding the chromosome-wide threshold. Functional annotation revealed associations with genes involved in immune function, notably CD79A and MAP3K7. CD79A, integral to B-cell activation and antibody production, plays a key role in the immune response against parasitic infections. Its interaction with helminth-derived proteins modulates B-cell function, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic target. MAP3K7, a central regulator of immune signaling pathways, modulates host responses to helminth infections by influencing NF-'B activity. Additionally, it regulates macrophage function in bacterial infections, showcasing its versatility in mediating immune responses against diverse pathogens. From a practical perspective, the findings of the current research underscore the potential of integrating genomic information into breeding programs to bolster disease resilience in livestock populations for sustainable production purposes. However, further research is needed to elucidate the functional significance of identified SNPs and associated genes. Functional studies and multi-omic approaches may provide a comprehensive understanding of host-parasite interactions. This study underscores the potential of genomic approaches in combating parasitic diseases and promoting sustainable agriculture in sheep production systems.