Whole genome bisulfite sequencing reveals unique adaptations to high-altitude environments in Tibetan chickens.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Tibetan chickens living at high altitudes show specific adaptations to high-altitude conditions, but the epigenetic modifications associated with these adaptations have not been characterized.

Results

We investigated the genome-wide DNA methylation patterns in Tibetan chicken blood by using whole genome bisulfite sequencing. Generally, Tibetan chickens exhibited analogous methylation patterns to that of lowland chickens. A total of 3.92% of genomic cytosines were methylcytosines and 51.22% of cytosines in CG contexts were methylated, which was less than those in lowland chicken (55.69%). Moreover, the base adjacent to the methylcytosines of mCHGs in Tibetan chickens had a preference for T, which was different from that in lowland chickens. In Tibetan chickens, the

SUBMITTER: Zhang Z 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5862445 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature