Pig Genome Published

November 14, 2012 — 

The Swine Genome Sequencing Consortium is pleased to announce the publication of a high quality draft genome sequence for the pig (Sus scrofa). The paper entitled “Analyses of pig genomes provide insight into porcine demography and evolution” describing the sequencing, analysis and annotation of this draft genome sequence is published in Nature. In parallel a series of companion papers has been published in BMC journals.

The genome paper reports analyses not only of the reference genome of Duroc 2-14 aka TJ Tabasco but also analyses of genomes of several wild boars and other domesticated pigs. The analyses revealed a deep phylogenetic split between European and Asian wild boars dating back ~1 million years. This observation, in part, provides final justification for the wide trait mapping crosses developed in the 1990s, especially between Western and Chinese breeds. It was argued at the time that Chinese and Western pigs were as genetically divergent as Mus musculus and Mus spretus species of mice which had been extensively used in mouse genetics research. In effect, this judgment has been validated.

As observed in other genomes, genes encoding immune response functions show evidence of rapid evolution. The pig has the largest repertoire of functional olfactory receptor genes of any mammal sequenced to date – perhaps that is why they are effective hunters for truffles. There is evidence that genes involved in taste are located in pig evolutionary break points. Pigs can tolerate higher levels of substances that are distasteful to humans – perhaps the ability of pigs to eat material that is unpalatable to humans was one of the attractions when they were domesticated.

The pig industry has an excellent track record for rapid and effective exploitation of new knowledge and technologies. The pig genome sequence is expected to enable the acceleration of pig genetics research, the results of which are expected to be translated into pig improvement in a timely manner.

Source: Max Rothschild, U.S. Pig Genome Coordinator, ISU