Identification of hub genes associated with somatic cell score in dairy cow

Abstract

Abstract Somatic cell count (SCC) is used as an indicator of udder health. The log transformation of SCC is called somatic cell score (SCS). Several QTL and genes have been identified with associated to SCS. The aim of this study was to identify most important genes associated to SCS. In this study we collected 168 genes reported significantly associated with SCS. Pathway analysis and network analysis used to identifying hub genes. Pathway analysis of these genes identified 73 GO terms associated to SCS. These top GO terms involved in molecular function, biological process and cellular component and the identified pathways directly or indirectly are related to immune system. The gene network was constructed and from this network the 17 hub genes (CD4, CXCL8, TLR4, STAT1, TLR2, CXCL9, CCR2, IGF1, LEP, SPP1, GH1, GHR, VWF, TNFSF11, IL10RA, NOD2 and PDGFRB) associated to SCS were identified. The subnetwork analysis resulted in 10 clusters that all identified hub genes (except VWF gene) are included in cluster 1. Most of hub genes and pathways identified in our study were mainly involved in inflammatory responses and cytokine response. Therefore the identified hub genes may be considered as main gene in genomic selection for SCS.