Unique mitochondrial DNA in highly inbred feral cattle

Mitochondrion. 2012 Jul;12(4):438-40. doi: 10.1016/j.mito.2012.05.003. Epub 2012 May 17.

Abstract

The Chillingham herd of wild Northumbrian cattle remains viable despite over 300 years of in-breeding and a near-homozygous nuclear genome. Here we report the complete mitochondrial DNA sequence using ultra-deep next generation sequencing. Random population sampling of ~10% of the extant herd identified a single mtDNA haplotype harbouring a unique bovine variant present in all other higher mammals (m.11789C/Y421H) which may contribute to their survival.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Inbred Strains / genetics*
  • Cattle
  • Cluster Analysis
  • DNA, Mitochondrial / genetics*
  • Genome, Mitochondrial
  • Haplotypes
  • High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing
  • Phylogeny

Substances

  • DNA, Mitochondrial