Simultaneous fitting of genomic-BLUP and Bayes-C components in a genomic prediction model.

Background: The rapid adoption of genomic selection is due to two key factors: availability of both high-throughput dense genotyping and statistical methods to estimate and predict breeding values. The development of such methods is still ongoing and, so far, there is no consensus on the best approach. Currently, the linear and non-linear methods for genomic prediction (GP) are treated as distinct approaches.

Within- and across-breed genomic prediction using whole-genome sequence and single nucleotide polymorphism panels.

Background: Currently, genomic prediction in cattle is largely based on panels of about 54k single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). However with the decreasing costs of and current advances in next-generation sequencing technologies, whole-genome sequence (WGS) data on large numbers of individuals is within reach. Availability of such data provides new opportunities for genomic selection, which need to be explored.

HP1: facts, open questions, and speculation.

The demonstration, over a decade ago, that HP1 is a highly conserved constituent of heterochromatin was accompanied by the explicit view that this protein plays a pivotal role in epigenetic regulation (P.B. Singh, J.

E4BP4/NFIL3, a PAR-related bZIP factor with many roles.

E4BP4, a mammalian basic leucine zipper (bZIP) transcription factor, was first identified through its ability to bind and repress viral promoter sequences. Subsequently, E4BP4 and homologues in other species have been implicated in a diverse range of processes including commitment to cell survival versus apoptosis, the anti-inflammatory response and, most recently, in the mammalian circadian oscillatory mechanism. In some of these cases at least, E4BP4 appears to act antagonistically with members of the related PAR family of transcription factors with which it shares DNA-binding specificity.

Heterochromatin, HP1 and methylation at lysine 9 of histone H3 in animals.

We show that methylated lysine 9 of histone H3 (Me9H3) is a marker of heterochromatin in divergent animal species. It localises to both constitutive and facultative heterochromatin and replicates late in S-phase of the cell cycle. Significantly, Me9H3 is enriched in the inactive mammalian X chromosome (Xi) in female cells, as well as in the XY body during meiosis in the male, and forms a G-band pattern along the arms of the autosomes.