WSU Research Reveals Sheep Tissue-Specific Gene Regulation

Findings could help livestock breeders select for beneficial traits while avoiding undesirable effects.

Mar. 17, 2026 at 12:22am

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A recent study led by researchers at Washington State University has shed new light on regulatory elements in the sheep genome, providing a detailed map of gene promoters and enhancers that could help livestock breeders improve the health and quality of their animals. The study, the first of its kind on sheep, investigated how gene regulation influences different cell types and ensures those cells remain true to their function.

Why it matters

The findings from this research could give livestock breeders more tools to select for beneficial traits like efficient food digestion or muscle development, while avoiding traits associated with disease. Understanding the mechanisms that affect gene expression is crucial for improving animal health and productivity.

The details

The study, which involved scientists from multiple institutions, identified the regulatory elements in the sheep's core tissues and main organs, including the heart, liver, lungs, intestines, stomach, and regions of the brain. Researchers conducted experiments to explore how DNA attributes help promote or enhance gene expression in the sheep's tissues, providing a clearer picture of what's happening when breeders select for one trait over another.

  • The study was published in the journal Nature Communications in 2026.

The players

Kimberly Davenport

An assistant professor in Washington State University's Department of Animal Sciences and a co-author of the study.

Gordon Murdoch

The chair of WSU's animal sciences department and a co-author of the study.

Brenda Murdoch

A professor in the University of Idaho's Department of Animal, Veterinary, and Food Sciences and the corresponding author of the study.

Rambouillet ewe

The ewe that was previously used to establish the sheep reference genome and was the source of the samples used in this study.

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What they’re saying

“A gene promotor is similar to turning a light switch on or off, while an enhancer is akin to a dimmer switch.”

— Kimberly Davenport, Assistant Professor, Washington State University

“This is one of the biggest and most ambitious livestock experiments relating to gene regulation. It offers a platform to explore future research across many animal species, and it immediately translates a complex understanding of genetics, making it relevant to the producer.”

— Gordon Murdoch, Chair, WSU Animal Sciences Department

“We need to characterize gene regulatory regions in genomes for each species so we can understand the mechanisms that affect gene expression. In general, genes function similarly between species, but mutations within gene regulatory regions and genes are species-specific.”

— Brenda Murdoch, Professor, University of Idaho

What’s next

The researchers plan to continue exploring gene regulation across different animal species, using the findings from this study as a platform for future research.

The takeaway

This groundbreaking research on sheep gene regulation provides livestock breeders with valuable insights that could help them select for beneficial traits and avoid undesirable effects, ultimately improving the health and quality of their animals.