An international team of scientists said they have successfully sequenced the complete genome of sheep, revealing new information about the species’ unique and specialised digestive and metabolic systems.
Sheep are a major source of meat, milk, and fiber in the form of wool. These animals have a unique digestive organ called rumen that turns plant material into a source of protein.
In the new study, the team, led by researchers from China’s Northwest A&F University, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences and BGI, reported two kinds of proteins with ruminant specific structures, and also specifically and very highly expressed in rumen wall.
“They are Trichohyalin-like 2 protein and PRD-SPRRII family proteins, which play the role of rumen substrate surface, crosslinking themselves and keratins via transglutaminase, to form the tough cornification layer of rumen called sheep tripe, commonly known as Maodu in Chinese,” said lead author Jiang Yu, associate professor from Northwest A&F University.
