Mitochondrial haplotypes and phenotypes in laying hens

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Mitochondria are involved in several organismic key processes; hence the in-depth characterization of mtDNA haplotypes and mt gene expression in hens with efficient phosphorus (P) utilization and myo-inositol metabolism is of utmost importance. Myo-inositol is known to modulate mitochondrial functionality by so far unknown mechanisms related to autophagy and mitophagy. In the proposed project we will obtain whole mitochondrial genome haplotypes for two distinct strains of laying hens obtained in experiments of another project within the proposed Research Unit. This approach determines potential mutations that arose during the genetic selection process in laying hens affecting key enzyme activities. To test for mt gene expression differences among distinct haplotypes, tissue and developmental-specific quantitative (q) PCR experiments will be performed. We combine our data with those of genome analyses obtained in other projects of the Research Unit to find associations of interacting loci depending on the nuclear background. Further, mtDNA haplotypes are associated with the molecular information regarding metabolomics profiles, especially with acylcarnitines as indicators of mitochondrial function, assessed in another project. Thus, we will gain comprehensive insights into the functional importance of mitochondria in hens varying in phytate and P utilization and myo-inositol metabolism.