This study aimed to build gene–biological process networks with differentially expressed genes associated with economically important traits of Nelore cattle from 17 previous studies. The genes were clustered into three groups by evaluated traits: group 1, production traits; group 2, carcass traits; and group 3, meat quality traits. For each group, a gene–biological process network analysis was performed with the differentially expressed genes in common. For production traits, 37 genes were found in common, of which 13 genes were enriched for six Gene Ontology (GO) terms; these terms were not functionally grouped. However, the enriched GO terms were related to homeostasis, the development of muscles and the immune system. For carcass traits, four genes were found in common. Thus, it was not possible to functionally group these genes into a network. For meat quality traits, the analysis revealed 222 genes in common. CSRP3 was the only gene differentially expressed in all three groups. Non-redundant biological terms for clusters of genes were functionally grouped networks, reflecting the cross-talk between all biological processes and genes involved. Many biological processes and pathways related to muscles, the immune system and lipid metabolism were enriched, such as striated muscle cell development and triglyceride metabolic processes. This study provides insights into the genetic mechanisms of production, carcass and meat quality traits of Nelore cattle. This information is fundamental for a better understanding of the complex traits and could help in planning strategies for the production and selection systems of Nelore cattle.

中文翻译：

---

基于网络的方法来了解影响内洛尔牛经济重要性状的基因生物过程

本研究旨在利用之前 17 项研究中与内洛尔牛经济重要性状相关的差异表达基因建立基因-生物过程网络。根据评估的性状将基因分为三组：第一组，生产性状；第2组，胴体性状；第三组，肉质性状。对于每组，对共同的差异表达基因进行基因-生物过程网络分析。对于生产性状，发现了 37 个共同基因，其中 13 个基因丰富了 6 个基因本体 (GO) 术语；这些术语没有按功能分组。然而，丰富的 GO 术语与体内平衡、肌肉发育和免疫系统有关。对于胴体性状，发现了四个共同基因。因此，不可能在功能上将这些基因分组到网络中。对于肉质性状，分析显示有 222 个共同基因。CSRP3是所有三组中唯一差异表达的基因。基因簇的非冗余生物学术语是功能分组网络，反映了所有生物过程和相关基因之间的串扰。丰富了与肌肉、免疫系统和脂质代谢相关的许多生物过程和途径，例如横纹肌细胞发育和甘油三酯代谢过程。这项研究为内洛尔牛的生产、胴体和肉质性状的遗传机制提供了见解。这些信息对于更好地了解复杂性状至关重要，并有助于规划内洛尔牛的生产和选择系统策略。