The genome of the naturally evolved obesity-prone Ossabaw miniature pig

The feral pigs of Ossabaw Island (USA) have an outstanding propensity to obesity and develop complete metabolic syndrome (MetS) upon prolonged high energy dieting. We now report the first high quality genome of the Ossabaw pig with Contig N50 of similar to 6.03 Mb, significantly higher than most other published pig genomes. Genomic comparison to Duroc reveals that variations including SNPs, INDELs and one similar to 2 Mb inversion identified in Ossabaw pig may be related to its thrifty'' phenotype. Finally, an important positively selected gene (PSG) was found to be LEPR (leptin receptor) containing two positively selected sites which may lead to pseudogenization of this gene with possible significant effects on obesity and inflammation development. This work provides the first complete mapping of a genome representing a naturally 'feast and famine' evolved phenotype of MetS, serving as a blueprint to guide the search for new targets and new biomarkers for obesity comorbidities.

Automated summary

The feral pigs on Ossabaw Island have a strong tendency towards obesity and can develop metabolic syndrome on a high energy diet. The high-quality genome of the Ossabaw pig revealed unique genomic variations that may be related to its thrifty phenotype, including a significant inversion. Additionally, a positively selected gene, leptin receptor, was identified as potentially playing a key role in obesity and inflammation development.