Data of whole-genome sequencing of Karakul, Zel, and Kermani sheep breeds.

OBJECTIVE: The data provided herein represent the whole-genome sequencing data associated with three sheep breeds of Iranian native breeds. Sheep are the first domesticated animals that, during the long path of the evolution process, have created gene variants with desirable phenotypic effects, so they can be suitable models for biomedical research. In addition, sheep have a vital role in providing protein to a notable part of the human population around the world. DATA DESCRIPTION: Ten blood samples were taken from three Iranian native sheep breeds, the Zel, Karakul, and Kermani kinds. Blood samples genomes were extracted using the salting-out technique. The Illumina NovaSeq 6000 platform was used to carry out sequencing of the whole genome in a laboratory in China. All sequence information is available through the NCBI database in the sequence read archive (SRA) format under the accession number PRJNA904537. The dataset presented here can provide a useful resource for genome analysis of livestock breeds adapted to hot and dry regions.

Signature selection analysis reveals candidate genes associated with production traits in Iranian sheep breeds.

BACKGROUND: Sheep were among the first animals to be domesticated. They are raised all over the world and produce a major scale of animal-based protein for human consumption and play an important role in agricultural economy. Iran is one of the important locations for sheep genetic resources in the world. Here, we compared the Illumina Ovine SNP50 BeadChip data of three Iranian local breeds (Moghani, Afshari and Gezel), as a population that does not undergone artificial breeding programs as yet, and five other sheep breeds namely East Friesian white, East Friesian brown, Lacaune, DorsetHorn and Texel to detect genetic mechanisms underlying economical traits and daptation to harsh environments in sheep. RESULTS: To identify genomic regions that have been targeted by positive selection, we used fixation index (Fst) and nucleotide diversity (Pi) statistics. Further analysis indicated candidate genes involved in different important traits such as; wool production included crimp of wool (PTPN3, NBEA and KRTAP20-2 genes), fiber diameter (PIK3R4 gene), hair follicle development (LHX2 gene), the growth and development of fiber (COL17A1 gene)), adaptation to hot arid environments (CORIN gene), adaptive in deficit water status (CPQ gene), heat stress (PLCB4, FAM107B, NBEA, PIK3C2B and USP43 genes) in sheep. CONCLUSIONS: We detected several candidate genes related to wool production traits and adaptation to hot arid environments in sheep that can be applicable for inbreeding goals. Our findings not only include the results of previous researches, but also identify a number of novel candidate genes related to studied traits. However, more works will be essential to acknowledge phenotype- genotype relationships of the identified genes in our study.