Work

Identification of Polymorphisms in the HERC2-OCA2 Gene Locus and their Association with Feather Color in Quail

Year: 2023

Type: article

Abstract: Mutations in the HERC2 and OCA2 genes have the potential to affect pigment deposition and alter feather color in birds. Therefore, in this study, we evaluated HERC2-OCA2 gene locus polymorphisms in Korean and Beijing white quails using RNA-Seq and KASP technology. The expression levels of HERC2 and OCA2 mRNA in skin tissues were analyzed using RT-qPCR. Ten single nucleotide polymorphisms were identified by RNA-Seq, of which three (n.117627564T>A, n.117674275T>G, n.117686226A>C) exhibited significant association with feather color in quail. The expression of OCA2 mRNA was significantly lower in the skin of Beijing white quails than that in the skin of Korean quails. These results suggested that variants in HERC2-OCA2 intergenic region could influence the expression of OCA2, which may underlie diluted feather color in the Beijing white quail.

Source: The Journal of Poultry Science

DOI: 10.2141/jpsa.2023013

Authors: Xiaohui Zhang, Yanxia Qi, Youzhi Pang, Bingjie Yuan, Xiaolong Li

Institution: Henan University of Science and Technology

Language: English

Topic: melanin and skin pigmentation

Subfield: Cell Biology

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $452

Funder: Natural Science Foundation of Henan Province