The Ruminant Genome Project reveals the secret lives of deer

reindeer
Credit: CC0 Public Domain

Three teams of researchers working independently have conducted three specific studies of ruminants—a class of mammals that obtains nutrients from plants by fermenting it in chambered stomachs. The work was part of an overall project called, quite naturally, the Ruminant Genome Project. All three teams were made up of members from several institutions in China and a few other countries. All three groups have published their findings in the journal Science. Also, Dai Fei Elmer Ker and Yunzhi Peter Yang with the Chinese University of Hong Kong and Stanford University, respectively, have published a Perspective piece outlining the work by the three teams in the same journal issue.

Domesticated ruminants such as sheep and cows are important to humans. Others are important because of their unique physical characteristics. Deer antlers, for example, grow exceptionally quickly, and reindeer live in the Arctic without freezing or suffering depression due to long winter nights. In this new effort, all three teams sought to learn more about particular aspects of these unique mammals.

In the first study, the researchers assembled the genomes of 44 ruminants covering all six members of the Ruminantia families. They created a for the group, which helped to clear up some of the mysteries in the family history. It also showed that the group as a whole suffered severe declines in population coinciding with humans migrating out of Africa.

The work by the second team involved studying ruminant headgear—, antlers, pronghorns and ossicones. They found that despite their physical differences, the bony headgear shared many similarities. They also found that the reason deer antlers regenerate so quickly is because they exploit cancer-associated signaling paths. The deer also have tumor-suppressing genes that prevent tumors from growing in their antlers—information that could be useful in cancer research.

Particular adaptations of reindeer to the polar area. Credit: Dr. Wen Wang, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Mr. Zhe Si

The third team focused most specifically on reindeer—they wanted to know how the deer manage to survive in such a cold, harsh environment, and why they do not succumb to depression during long, dark winters. To find out, they studied the reindeer genome and discovered that have unique genes related to metabolizing vitamin D and circadian arrhythmicity, and also for female growth. And their unique digestive system helps them survive on limited plant growth.

Deer recruit cancer genes in rapid antler regeneration and at the same time their tumor suppressor genes changed a lot. Credit: Dr. Wen Wang, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Mr. Zhe Si

More information: Lei Chen et al. Large-scale ruminant genome sequencing provides insights into their evolution and distinct traits, Science (2019). DOI: 10.1126/science.aav6202

Yu Wang et al. Genetic basis of ruminant headgear and rapid antler regeneration, Science (2019). DOI: 10.1126/science.aav6335

Zeshan Lin et al. Biological adaptations in the Arctic cervid, the reindeer (Rangifer tarandus), Science (2019). DOI: 10.1126/science.aav6312

Journal information: Science

© 2019 Science X Network

Citation: The Ruminant Genome Project reveals the secret lives of deer (2019, June 21) retrieved 28 March 2024 from https://phys.org/news/2019-06-ruminant-genome-reveals-secret-deer.html
This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.

Explore further

Glowing antlers failed, so Finns try app to save reindeer

3 shares

Feedback to editors